Nearly two months into his Kansas Territory assignment, Marsh reports several significant observations about the Free State Party: Governor Walker's apparent commitment to a fair canvas, the rapidly approaching territorial election (October, 1857), and the money so far spent and needed for the campaign. He also observes that the Constitutional Convention was opening in Lecompton, and writes: "If you could see the town, and people of Lecompton, and had the opportunity that I have had to witness their Plantation Manners--I think you would at once be reminded of the Scriptural inquiry, 'Can any good thing, come out of Nazareth?'"