President Pierce Declares Topeka Gov. in Rebellion

Thursday, January 24, 1856

Franklin Pierce. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

As a response to Free-Staters' Topeka Constitution, President Franklin Pierce informs Congress that he has declared the Topeka government to be in a "revolution" against the legitimate government of Kansas Territory. This declaration paves the way for the arrest of Charles Robinson, the would-be governor of Kansas Territory under the Topeka Constitution. On June 30, Congress also rejects ratification of the Topeka Constitution.