diff options
Diffstat (limited to '50302-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 50302-0.txt | 16111 |
1 files changed, 16111 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/50302-0.txt b/50302-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b480573 --- /dev/null +++ b/50302-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16111 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 50302 *** + + + + + + + + + + +THE RISE AND FALL OF NAUVOO. + + +BY ELDER B. H. ROBERTS, + + +AUTHOR OF "OUTLINES OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY," "A NEW WITNESS FOR GOD," +"THE MISSOURI PERSECUTIONS," "THE GOSPEL," "SUCCESSION +IN THE PRESIDENCY," ETC. + + +SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: +THE DESERET NEWS, PUBLISHERS. +1900. + + + +PREFACE. + +THE RISE AND FALL OF NAUVOO is a companion volume and stands in +historical sequence to "The Missouri Persecutions." It was written with +the same object in view, _viz._, "To place in the hands of the youth of +the Latter-day Saints a full statement of the persecutions endured by +the early members of The Church in this last dispensation; * * * that +they may be made acquainted with the sacrifices which their fathers +have made for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." And +I indulge the same hope with reference to this book that I did with +respect to "The Missouri Persecutions," _viz._, that by "becoming +acquainted with the story of the sufferings of the early Saints, +the faith of the Gospel will become all the more dear to the hearts +of their immediate posterity, and all the youth of Zion, for many +generations to come." [1] + +THE AUTHOR. + +Footnotes + +1. See Preface to "The Missouri Persecutions." + + + +CONTENTS. + +INTRODUCTION + +CHAPTER I. + +Nauvoo + +CHAPTER II. + +The Reception of the Exiles in Illinois + +CHAPTER III. + +Commerce-Land Purchases + +CHAPTER IV. + +"As Flies in the Ointment" + +CHAPTER V. + +Political Agitation + +CHAPTER VI. + +A Day of God's Power + +CHAPTER VII. + +Departure of the Twelve for England + +CHAPTER VIII. + +The "Times and Seasons" + +CHAPTER IX. + +An Appeal to the General Government for Redress of Grievances + +CHAPTER X. + +Orson Hyde's Mission to Jerusalem + +CHAPTER XI. + +Death's Harvest in Nauvoo--Return of Prodigals + +CHAPTER XII. + +John C. Bennett + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Renewal of Hostilities by Missouri + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Founding a City + +CHAPTER XV. + +The Nauvoo Legion + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Reconstruction of Quorums--the Nauvoo House and the Temple + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The Conference of April 6th, 1841 + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Prophet's Trial at Monmouth + +CHAPTER XIX. + +Events of the Summer of 1841 + +CHAPTER XX. + +Introduction of the New Marriage System + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Camp Followers--Bankruptcy + +CHAPTER XXII. + +Suspicions of Treachery + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Attempted Assassination of Governor Boggs + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +The Prophet's Trial at Springfield--Missouri Again Thwarted + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Incidents of the Trial and Acquittal + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +Doctrinal Development at Nauvoo--Interpretation of the Scriptures + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +Doctrinal Development at Nauvoo--the Kingdom of God and the Resurrection + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Doctrinal Development--Prophecies + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Doctrinal Development at Nauvoo--of the Being and Nature of God + +CHAPTER XXX. + +Doctrinal Development at Nauvoo--Miscellaneous Items + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +The Prophet Arrested on Missouri's old Charge + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +Minor Matters in the New Move Against the Prophet + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +Political Perplexities--Joseph Smith a Candidate for President of the +United States + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +The Projected Movement to the West + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +The Standard of Peace + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +"In Peril Among False Brethren" + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +Compliance with the Demands of Governor Ford + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +The Martyrdom + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +Confusion--Choosing a Leader + +CHAPTER XL. + +The Trial of the Murderers + +CHAPTER XLI. + +The Exodus--the Fall of Nauvoo + +APPENDIX I. + +Correspondence Between Joseph Smith and John C. CALHOUN + +APPENDIX II. + +Clay's Letter to Joseph Smith and the Latter's Reply + +APPENDIX III. + +Joseph Smith's Views of the Power and Policy of the Government of the +United States + +APPENDIX IV. + +An Account of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith, by President John Taylor + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + Once in an ancient city, * * * + Raised aloft on a column, a brazen statue of Justice + Stood in the public square, upholding the scales in its left hand, + And in its right hand a sword, as an emblem that justice presided + Over the laws of the land, and the hearts and the homes of the people. + But in the course of time the laws of the land were corrupted; + Might took the place of right, and the weak were oppressed, and the mighty-- + Ruled with an iron rod.--_Evangeline_. + +QUEEN ANNE'S war was brought to a close by the treaty of Utrecht, in +1713. By this treaty the French province, Nova Scotia, was ceded by +France to England; and, of course, the inhabitants, nearly exclusively +French, and numbering some three thousand, became subjects of Great +Britain. Less than half a century later, when the French and Indian +war broke out, the French population had increased to eighteen +thousand--outnumbering the English three to one. In fact the presence +of the English amounted to nothing more than a military occupation of +the peninsula. These French peasants, usually called Acadians, had +brought under cultivation large tracts of land; owned about sixty +thousand head of cattle; had built neat cottage homes, established +peaceful hamlets, and lived in a state of plenty, but great simplicity. +They were reputed to be a peaceable, industrious, and amiable race; +governed mostly by their pastors, who exercised a paternal authority +over them. + + Thus dwelt together in love these simple Acadian farmers-- + Dwelt in the love of God and of man. Alike were they free from + Fear, that reigns with the tyrant, and envy, the vice of republics. + Neither locks had they to their doors, nor bars to their windows; + But their dwellings were open as day, and the hearts of their owners; + There the richest were poor, and the poorest lived in abundance. + +When the French and Indian war broke out, these people were quietly +cultivating their farms, and manifested no warlike disposition. Still, +the deputy governor of the province, Lawrence by name, pretended to +fear an insurrection, should the French in Canada attempt an invasion +of Acadia. Therefore when General Braddock met in council with the +colonial governors at Alexandria, Lawrence urged the assembly to do +something to overawe the French, and strengthen the English authority. +A plan to humiliate the Acadians was decided upon, and placed in the +hands of the infamous deputy governor, Lawrence, and Colonel Monckton +to execute. + +A fleet of forty vessels with three thousand regular troops on board, +left Boston in May, 1755, and after a successful voyage anchored in +Chignecto Bay. Landing their troops, they besieged Fort Beau-Sejour, +which had been erected by the French, on the isthmus connecting +Nova Scotia with New Brunswick. After a feeble resistance the fort +capitulated, and in less than a month, with the loss of only twenty +men, the English had made themselves masters of the whole country. The +inglorious campaign was ended, but the fact still existed that the +obnoxious Acadians outnumbered the English; and the question remained +as it was before the invasion. The deputy governor convened a council +"to consider what disposal of the Acadians the security of the country +required." The result of the deliberations was this: The security of +the country required the banishment of the entire French population! + +Lawrence and his associates soon invented a scheme which furnished +an excuse for carrying into effect this infamous order. An oath of +allegiance was formulated to which the Acadians as consistent Catholics +could not subscribe, without doing violence to their consciences. They +refused to take the oath, but declared their loyalty to the English +government. This they were told was insufficient. At one fell stroke +they were adjudged guilty of treason, and the surrender of their boats +and firearms demanded. To these acts of tyranny the Acadians submitted. +They even offered to take the oath first required of them, but the +deputy governor said the day of grace was past; that once having +refused to take it, they must now endure the consequences. + +Their lands, houses and cattle were declared forfeited: their peaceful +hamlets were laid waste; their houses given to the flames; the fruits +of years of honest industry and strict economy were wantonly destroyed, +and the people driven to the larger coast towns. In one district two +hundred and thirty-six houses were burned to the ground at once. +Part of the inhabitants who had escaped to the woods beheld all they +possessed wickedly destroyed by bands of marauders, without making +any resistance until their place of worship was wantonly set on fire. +Exasperated by this unhallowed deed, they rushed from their hiding +places, killed about thirty of the incendiaries, and retreated to the +woods. + +To render this scheme of tyrannical banishment completely effective, +further treachery was necessary. In each district the people were +commanded to meet at a certain place and day on important business, +the nature of which was carefully concealed from them, until they were +assembled and surrounded by English troops; then the inhuman edict of +banishment was announced to the heart-broken peasants. Very little time +was allowed them for preparation. In mournful crowds they were driven +to the beach. Women with white faces pressed their babes to their +hearts; children dumb with terror clung to their parents; the aged and +the infirm as well as the young and strong shared the common fate. + +At the large village of Grand Pre, when the moment for embarkation +arrived, the young men, who were placed in the front, refused to move; +but files of troops with fixed bayonets forced obedience. As soon +as they were on board the British shipping, heavy columns of black +smoke ascending from Grand Pre announced to the wretched Acadians the +destruction of their lovely village. + +The embarkation of these peasants, and the burning of Grand Pre is thus +described by Longfellow: + + Thus to the Gaspereau's mouth moved on that mournful procession. + There disorder prevailed, and the tumult and stir of embarking. + Busily plied the freighted boats; and in the confusion + Wives were torn from their husbands, and mothers, too late, saw their children + Left on the land, extending their arms with wildest entreaties. + + * * * * * * * * * * * + + Suddenly rose from the South a light, as in Autumn the blood red + Moon climbs the crystal walls of heaven, and o'er the horizon + Titan-like, stretches its hundred hands upon mountain and meadow, + Seizing the rocks and the rivers, and piling huge shadows together; + Broader and ever broader it gleamed on the roofs of the village, + Gleamed on the sky and the sea, and the ships that lie in the road stead. + Columns of shining smoke uprose and flashes of flame were + Thrust through their folds and withdrawn, like the quivering hands of a martyr. + Then as the winds seized the gleeds and the burning thatch, and, uplifting, + Whirled them aloft through the air, at once from a hundred housetops + Started the sheeted smoke with flashes of flame intermingled. + These things beheld in dismay the crowd on the shore and on shipboard. + Speechless at first they stood, then cried aloud in their anguish, + "_We shall behold no more our homes in the village of Grand Pre_." + +The property which had before escaped the hands of the spoilers was now +laid waste on the plea of discouraging the return of the exiles, who, +through their blinding tears, saw the land of their homes and their +hopes fade from view. + +No preparations had been made for their settlement elsewhere; nor +did they receive any compensation for their property from which they +were forced, or that had been wickedly destroyed. In a starving and +penniless state, they were put ashore in small groups at different +points along the coast of New England, where many of them perished +through the hardships they endured. A pathetic representation of their +wrongs was addressed to the English government, and by reference to +solemn treaties made between them and the provincial government, they +proved their banishment to be "as faithless as it was cruel." "No +attention, however," says Marcus Wilson, "was paid to this document, +and so guarded a silence was preserved by the government of Nova Scotia +upon the subject of the removal of the Acadians, that the records of +the province make no allusion whatever to the event." + +After the close of the French and Indian war, France ceded all her +possessions in Canada to victorious England. The case of the Acadians +was again brought before the English government, but no compensation +was ever allowed them for the outrages committed against them. The +property of which they were ruthlessly plundered was never restored. +They were allowed to return to the province, and, on taking the +customary oaths, could receive lands; but of the eighteen thousand that +were banished, less than two thousand returned: + + Still stands the forest primeval; but under the shade of its branches + Dwells another race, with other customs and language. + Only along the shore of the mournful and misty Atlantic + Linger a few Acadian peasants, whose fathers from exile + Wandered back to their native land to die in its bosom. + +For such atrocious acts as these, we find no apologist among our +historians. On every hand they meet with execration. Such wanton +cruelty--such palpable violations of human rights are stains upon the +escutcheon of the nation that permits them to be perpetrated within her +borders. + +It is quite generally supposed that such atrocious crimes as this +against the French peasants of Acadia are only to be met with in former +ages or among non-Christian countries. But in writing the history of +the Rise and Fall of Nauvoo--strange as it may appear, and almost +past believing--it is my task to relate events which have taken place +in the nineteenth century, in this age of boasted enlightenment and +toleration, that shall make the expulsion of the French peasants from +Acadia pale in comparison with them; events which have occurred in the +United States, the boasted asylum for the oppressed of all nations; +events which would be more in keeping with the intolerance of the dark +ages and the cruelty of Spain, during the reign of the inquisition, +than in this age and in this nation. What events are these that so +thunder in the index? Such deeds as outrage humanity, and well-nigh +destroy one's confidence in human governments; mock justice; deride the +claims of mercy; and pull down the wrath of an offended God upon the +people who perform them, and upon the government which allows them to +go unwhipped of justice. Listen to the history of the Rise and Fall of +Nauvoo. + + + +THE RISE AND FALL OF NAUVOO. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +NAUVOO. + +THE history of the Rise and Fall of Nauvoo is worthy the attention of +the readers of this book because its story is connected with one of +the most important religious movements of this or any other age; and +with the life and death of one of the world's greatest and most unique +characters, the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is worthy of the reader's +attention because the religious institution founded under God by this +man--the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--survives him, and +presents to the world the greatest religious wonder of the age, a right +conception of which cannot be formed without a knowledge of this Nauvoo +period of the history of The Church; a period which is essentially +a formative one, especially in regard to what may be considered the +higher and more complex doctrines of Mormonism. It was in Nauvoo that +Joseph Smith reached the summit of his remarkable career. It was in +Nauvoo he grew bolder in the proclamation of those doctrines which +stamp Mormonism as the great religion of the age. It was in Nauvoo that +Joseph Smith's life expanded into that eloquent fullness which gives so +much promise of what that man will be in eternity. It was in Nauvoo he +contended against a world of opposition; against the power of falsehood +and misrepresentation; against priestcraft; against corruption in +high places; from here he corresponded with statesman, and rebuked +demagogues; from here he went to martyrdom--to seal his testimony with +his blood. And after his death, it was from here his people fled to the +wilderness in the most remarkable exodus of modern times. The Church +fled into the wilderness--not, however to be hidden from the world, but +to be lifted up on high as an ensign to the nations, to be as a city +sitting upon a hill that cannot be hid, but on the contrary, from its +lofty eminence challenges the attention of the world. In Illinois, as +in Missouri, the religious toleration guaranteed in the Constitutions +of both the State of Illinois and of the United States--religious +toleration, at once the boast and pride of Americans, and also the +test of true enlightenment and the highest civilization--this vaunted +toleration was in Nauvoo put to the test and found wanting. That is, +before the exodus of The Church from Nauvoo, it became evident that +a people accepting what to their neighbors was a singular faith, and +one that was unpopular withal, could not live in peace among their +fellow-citizens of other faiths, and hence the exodus, not only from +Nauvoo but from the entire State of Illinois and also from the United +States. The Latter-day Saints, in a word, were expatriated from the +United States, [1] and sought an asylum in the wilderness, and among +tribes of savages. From whence, after half a century, that same Church +emerges, enlarged, prosperous, more firmly rooted in safety and in +strength of faith than ever before--a greater enigma to the religious +world than when it made its exodus from Illinois. + +All these things have a relation to Nauvoo, for The Church had a +sort of second birth there, which makes the Rise and Fall of Nauvoo +a theme of peculiar interest to those interested in what the world +calls Mormonism, and who is not or should not be interested in a +religious movement of such proportions, of such pretensions and of such +achievements in the face of such opposition as it has met? * * * * * * + +Nauvoo, then, its rise and its fall, is to be the subject of my +discourse. The word Nauvoo comes from the Hebrew, and signifies +beautiful situation; "carrying with it also," says the prophet Joseph +Smith, "the idea of rest." And, indeed, the location of the city is +beautiful. No sooner does one come in view of it than he exclaims, +"It is rightly named!" The city, or at least the marred remains +of it, stands on a bold point around which sweeps the placid yet +majestic "Father of Waters"--the Mississippi. The city is at least +half encircled by that noble stream. From its banks the ground rises +gradually for at least a mile where it reaches the common level of the +prairie that stretches out to the eastward, farther than the eye can +reach, in a beautifully undulating surface, once covered by a luxuriant +growth of natural grasses and wild flowers, with here and there patches +of timber; but now chequered with meadows, and, at the time of my +visit, in 1885, with fields of waving corn. + +Opposite Nauvoo, on the west bank of the river, the bluffs rise rather +abruptly, almost from the water's edge, and are covered, for the most +part, with a fine growth of timber. Nestling at the foot of one of the +highest of these bluffs, and immediately on the bank of the river, is +the little village of Montrose, to which I shall have occasion to refer +in these pages. Back of these bluffs before mentioned, roll off the +alternate prairie and woodlands of Iowa. Between Montrose and Nauvoo, +and perhaps two thirds of the distance across the river from the +Illinois side, is an island, from three-fourths of a mile to a mile in +length, and from fifty to one or two hundred yards in width, having its +greatest extent north and south. + +Nauvoo is situated just at the head of what are usually called the +Des Moines Rapids, about one hundred and ninety miles above St. +Louis. These rapids were a serious obstacle to the navigation of the +Mississippi at this point, in an early day, as in the season of low +water they could not be passed by the steamboats plying the river. +This difficulty of late, however, has been obviated by the general +government building a fine canal, running parallel with the west bank +of the river, from Keokuk to Montrose, a distance of twelve or fifteen +miles. I was unable to learn the cost of the construction, but judge it +must have required at least several millions of dollars. + +Such is the location of Nauvoo; such its immediate surroundings. It +now remains for me to relate the events which led to the establishment +of a thriving city on the site we have briefly described; how it was +converted from a sickly wilderness to the most desirable section of the +great State of Illinois; and then how, through acts of injustice and +treachery, some of its principal founders were murdered and the rest +of its inhabitants cruelly driven from the city by mob violence into +the wilderness; and how the city sank from its prosperous condition, +to become the semi-desolate place it is today; and, what is of more +importance, to trace the development of that faith taught by Joseph +Smith, which is destined to become, and indeed now is, one of the +world's great religions. + +Footnotes + +1. When the Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake valley, that whole +intermountain region still belonged to the republic of Mexico. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE RECEPTION OF THE EXILES IN ILLINOIS. + +IN what is properly a companion volume to this--"The Missouri +Persecutions"--I have told how the Latter-day Saints were driven from +Missouri under a threat of extermination from the executive of that +State, Lilburn W. Boggs. When fleeing from Missouri, where they had +suffered so much from mob violence, and from the State government +officials, the Mormon exiles crossed the Mississippi into the State of +Illinois, at the point near where the city of Quincy is located--in +fact, at the Quincy Ferry. Their destitute condition, together with +the injustice they had suffered in Missouri--the spectacle of a people +in free America being driven from their homes and exiled from one of +the States of the American Union because of religious beliefs--aroused +the indignation and excited the sympathy of the people of Quincy and +vicinity. A kind reception was given to the exiles by the people of +this section of Illinois, one very similar to that given to many of the +same people by the inhabitants of Clay County, when a cruel persecution +had driven some twelve hundred of them from their homes in Jackson +County, Missouri, five years before. [1] The Democratic Association of +Quincy was especially active in the interests of the exiles. In the +month of February a meeting was called by this association to inquire +into the situation of the Mormon exiles. At this first meeting all that +was done was to pass a resolution, to the effect that the people called +Latter-day Saints were in a situation requiring the aid of the people +of Quincy. A committee of eight was appointed to call a general meeting +of both citizens and Mormons, and to receive a statement from the +latter of their condition, with a view to relieving their necessities. +The committee was instructed to get the Congregational church in +which to hold the next meeting, but the directors having in charge +that building would not allow it to be used for that purpose. I speak +of this to show the kind of charity existing in the breasts of some +pretended followers of Him who taught that charity was the crowning +virtue. Failing to secure the church, the second meeting was held in +the courthouse. + +At this meeting the special committee appointed at the first meeting +reported its labors. The committee had received statements from Sidney +Rigdon and others in relation to the expulsion of the Mormons from +Missouri, and suggested a series of resolutions setting forth that the +exiled strangers were entitled to the sympathy and aid of the people of +Quincy; + +That a numerous committee, composed of individuals from every part +of the town, be appointed to allay the prejudices of the misguided +citizens of Quincy, and explain that it was not the design of the +exiled Saints to lower the wages of the laboring classes, but to secure +something to save them from starvation; + +That a standing committee be appointed to relieve, so far as in their +power, the wants of the destitute and homeless; and to use their utmost +endeavors to procure employment for those who were able and willing to +labor. + +The report closed by saying:-- + + We recommend to all the citizens of Quincy that in all their + intercourse with the strangers, they use and observe a becoming + decorum and delicacy, and be particularly careful not to indulge in + any conversation or expression calculated to wound their feelings, + or in any way to reflect upon those who, by every law of humanity, + are entitled to our sympathy and commiseration. + +This good work begun by the Democratic Association was continued by +them, and substantial assistance was given to the suffering Saints +through their exertions. At a subsequent meeting of the association the +following resolutions were adopted: + + That we regard the right of conscience as natural and inalienable, + and the most sacredly guaranteed by the Constitution of our free + government; + + That we regard the acts of all mobs in violation of law; and those + who compose them individually responsible, both to the laws of God + and man, for every depredation committed upon the property, rights, + or life of any citizen; + + That the inhabitants upon the western frontier of the State of + Missouri, in their late persecution of the people denominated + Mormons, have violated the sacred rights of conscience and every + law of justice and humanity; + + That the governor of Missouri, in refusing protection to this class + of people, when pressed upon by a heartless mob, and turning upon + them a band of unprincipled militia, with orders encouraging their + extermination, has brought a lasting disgrace upon the State over + which he presides. + +Thus with expressions of sympathy and material aid did the people of +Quincy assist the exiles and bid them hope for better days. Nor was +this kindly feeling confined to the people of Quincy and vicinity; +it extended throughout the State; and especially was it exhibited by +some of the leading men thereof, including Governor Carlin, Stephen A. +Douglas, Dr. Isaac Galland and many others. + +Footnotes + +1. Missouri Persecutions, Chapter xiv. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +COMMERCE--LAND PURCHASES. + +IN the fall of 1838 a brother by the name of Israel Barlow left the +State of Missouri under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs. By +missing his way, or, what is more likely, directed by the hand of a +kind Providence, he did not leave the State by the same route as the +great body of his people, but taking a northeasterly course, struck the +Des Moines River a short distance above its mouth, in the Territory of +Iowa. He was without food and destitute of clothing. Making his wants +known to the people living in that locality, they kindly supplied him +with food and raiment. To them he related the story of the persecution +of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, and how his people, poor and +destitute as himself, were fleeing from the State _en masse_. His +relation of the sufferings of the Saints, and the cruelties heaped +upon them by their heartless persecutors, enlisted the sympathies of +his hearers, and they gave him letters of introduction to several +gentlemen, among which was one to Dr. Isaac Galland, a gentleman of +some influence living at Commerce, a small settlement on the banks of +the Mississippi, in Illinois, and which afterward became the site of +Nauvoo. + +Dr. Galland owned considerable land in Commerce, and he wrote the +Saints located in Quincy that several farms could doubtless be rented +in his locality, and that perhaps some fifty families could be +accommodated at Commerce. In addition to this offer of lands made to +The Church, another and a previous one had been made of twenty thousand +acres, between the Des Moines and the Mississippi rivers. This tract +could have been purchased at two dollars per acre, to be paid in twenty +annual payments without interest. A conference was convened at Quincy +in February, and the advisability of making the purchase and settling +the Saints in a body came up for consideration. It was decided by the +conference that it was not advisable to locate lands at that time. + +Subsequently, however, on the ninth day of March, the Saints having +received further offers of land in Illinois and Iowa, called another +public meeting and appointed a committee to go and examine the lands +offered. In Iowa, the people and officers of the Territory expressed a +kindly feeling toward the exiled Saints. The governor of Iowa--Robert +Lucas--had known the Saints in Ohio, and testified to Dr. Galland that +the Mormon people, when they were in Ohio, were good citizens, and he +respected them as such now, and would treat them accordingly, should +they, or any part of them, decide to settle in his Territory. The +statement is made in answer to a letter of inquiry on the subject of +the Mormons settling in Iowa. He wrote to Dr. Isaac Galland as follows: + + EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, BURLINGTON + March, 1839. + + DEAR SIR--On my return to this city, after a few weeks' absence in + the interior of the Territory, I received your letter of the 25th + ultimo, in which you give a short account of the sufferings of the + _people called Mormons_, and ask "whether they could be permitted + to purchase lands, and settle upon them, in the Territory of Iowa, + and there worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their + own consciences, secure from oppression," etc. + + In answer to your inquiry, I would say, that I know of no authority + that can constitutionally deprive them of this right. They are + citizens of the United States, and are entitled to all the rights + and privileges of other citizens. The 2nd section of the 4th + Article of the Constitution of the United States (which all are + solemnly bound to support), declares that the "citizens of each + State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of + citizens of the several States." This privilege extends in full + force to the Territories of the United States. The first Amendment + to the Constitution of the United States declares that "Congress + shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or + prohibiting the free exercise thereof." + + The Ordinance of Congress of the 13th July, 1787, for the + government of the Territory northwest of the river Ohio, secures + to the citizens of said Territory, and the citizens of the States + thereafter to be formed therein, certain privileges which were, by + the late Act of Congress organizing the Territory of Iowa, extended + to the citizens of this Territory. + + The first fundamental Article in that Ordinance, which is declared + to be forever unalterable, except by common consent, reads as + follows, to-wit: "No person demeaning himself in a peaceable and + orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of + worship, or religious sentiments in said Territory." + + These principles, I trust, will ever be adhered to in the Territory + of Iowa. They make no distinction between religious sects. They + extend equal privileges and protection to all; each must rest upon + its own merits, and will prosper in proportion to the purity of its + principles, and the fruit of holiness and piety produced thereby. + + With regard to the peculiar people mentioned in your letter, I know + but little. They had a community in the northern part of Ohio for + several years; and I have no recollection of ever having heard in + that State of any complaints against them from violating the laws + of the country. Their religious opinions, I consider, has nothing + to do with our political transactions. They are citizens of the + United States, and are entitled to the same political rights and + legal protection that other citizens are entitled to. + + The foregoing are briefly my views on the subject of your inquiries. + + With sincere respect, + I am your obedient servant, + ROBERT LUCAS. + + To ISAAC GALLAND, Esq., Commerce, Illinois. + +This communication Dr. Galland sent to the Quincy _Argus_, accompanied +by the following note: + + COMMERCE, ILLINOIS, + April 12, 1839. + + MESSRS. EDITORS:--Enclosed I send you a communication from Governor + Lucas of Iowa Territory. If you think the publication thereof + will in any way promote the cause of justice, by vindicating + the slandered reputation of the people called Mormons, from the + ridiculous falsehoods which the malice, cupidity and envy of + their murderers in Missouri have endeavored to heap upon them, + you are respectfully solicited to publish it in the _Argus_. The + testimony of Governor Lucas as to the good moral character of + these people, I think will have its deserved influence upon the + people of Illinois, in encouraging our citizens in their humane and + benevolent exertions to relieve this distressed people, who are now + wandering in our neighborhoods without comfortable food, raiment, + or a shelter from the pelting storm. + + I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, + Your obedient servant, + ISAAC GALLAND. + +In conversation with Dr. Galland, Isaac Van Allen, Esq., +attorney-general for the same Territory (Iowa), gave him to understand +that he would, so far as within his power, protect the Mormon people +from insult and injury. It was these assurances of sympathy and +protection which led to a reconsideration of the conclusion of the +former conference, and the appointment of a committee to examine the +lands offered. But little or nothing was ever done by this committee. + +On the twenty-second of April, 1839, the Prophet Joseph joined the +exiled Saints at Quincy. After a cruel imprisonment of over five +months, he had escaped from his persecutors while en route from Liberty +prison, Clay County, to Columbia, Boone County, to which he and his +companions in prison had taken a change of venue for trial. The guards +got drunk and were evidently willing for their prisoners to escape. +At any rate, the Prophet, in stating the circumstance in his history, +says: "We thought it a favorable opportunity to make our escape; +knowing that the only object of our enemies was our destruction; and +likewise knowing that a number of our brethren had been massacred by +them on Shoal Creek, amongst whom were two children; and they had +sought every opportunity to abuse others who were left in the State; +and that they were never brought to an account for their barbarous +proceedings, but were winked at and encouraged by those in authority. +We thought that it was necessary for us, inasmuch as we loved our +lives, and did not wish to die by the hand of murderers and assassins; +and inasmuch as we loved our families and friends, to deliver ourselves +from our enemies." And so the Prophet and his companions escaped and +arrived in Quincy as already stated. + +I need not stop to undertake a description of the scenes of this +exiled people welcoming their youthful Prophet into their midst, after +such trials as they had passed through, in which the strength of each +man's soul and love for his brethren had been tested. The Saints had +seen their Prophet and his fellow prisoners betrayed into the hands +of a merciless enemy, and knew that a court-martial of the Missouri +State militia had condemned him and his companions to be shot in the +public square at Far West. They had seen him and his fellow-prisoners +torn away from their parents and families, and their people, under +circumstances the most distressing. They had been told by the haughty +commander-in-chief of the mob militia forces which invested Far +West--General Clark--that the doom of their leaders was sealed, and +they need not expect, nor even let it enter into their hearts that they +would be permitted to see them again. Many of them had seen him chained +like a felon, standing before unjust judges, whose hearts were filled +to overflowing with hatred towards him. Contrary to every principle +of justice, he had been sent to languish in prison in the midst of +his enemies; while they themselves, with bursting hearts and blinding +tears, were compelled to sign away their lands and homes at the muzzle +of the musket and flee from the Christian State of Missouri, under the +exterminating order issued by Governor Boggs. Yet in all these trials, +from the dangers of the murderous militia camps, from the malice of +corrupt courts, and the injustice of drunken juries, and at last from +the prison's gloom, a kind Providence had delivered him, and he was +again in their midst, again with them to still their fears and direct +their movements. + +His presence was the signal for action. He arrived in Quincy on the +22nd of April. The day following he spent in greeting his friends, and +receiving visits from the brethren; but on the twenty-fourth he called +and presided over a conference, at which, in connection with Bishop +Knight and Alanson Ripley, he was appointed to go to Iowa to select +a place for the gathering of the exiled Saints. The conference also +advised the brethren, who could do so, to go to Commerce and locate in +Dr. Galland's neighborhood. + +On the first of May the committee purchased a farm of one hundred +and thirty-five acres, for which they agreed to pay five thousand +dollars; also another and a larger farm of Dr. Galland for nine +thousand dollars. The committee desired that these farms should be +deeded to Alanson Ripley, but Sidney Rigdon, manifesting a rather +sour disposition, said that no committee should control any property +that he had anything to do with. So the purchase made of Dr. Galland +was deeded to Sidney Rigdon's son-in-law, G. W. Robinson, with the +understanding that he should deed it to The Church as soon as it was +paid for according to the contract. This was the first purchase of +lands made in Commerce. The place is thus described by Joseph: "When +I made the purchase of White and Galland, there was one stone house, +three frame houses, and two blockhouses, which constituted the whole +city of Commerce." + +This small collection of houses was immediately on the banks of the +river, and scattered between them and what afterwards became the south +part of the city of Nauvoo, were one stone and three log houses. It +was one of these humble dwellings that Joseph moved into on the tenth +of May, 1839. Back some distance from the river, however, were other +dwellings scattered over the country, one of which was the home of +Daniel H. Wells, a justice of the peace for the district of Commerce, +and who afterwards became a prominent Church leader, one of the +counselors, in fact, in the First Presidency of The Church. + +Later, when referring to the purchase of lands about Commerce, the +Prophet Joseph said: + + The place was literally a wilderness. The land was mostly covered + with trees and bushes, and much of it was so wet that it was with + the utmost difficulty that a footman could get through, and totally + impossible for teams. Commerce was unhealthy, very few could live + there; but believing that it might become a healthy place by the + blessing of heaven to the Saints, and no more eligible place + presenting itself, I considered it wisdom to make an attempt to + build up a city. + +Having spoken of the first purchase of lands at Commerce, it may not +be amiss here to say that subsequently more extensive purchases were +made of Dr. Galland and Messrs. Hubbard, Wells, Hotchkiss and others. +Considerable difficulty and embarrassment to Joseph personally and to +The Church in general arose over misunderstandings about the Hotchkiss +land purchase. Hotchkiss sold to Joseph for The Church upwards of +five hundred acres of land in Commerce, for which he was to receive +fifty-three thousand five hundred dollars, half to be paid in ten +years, and the remainder in twenty years. This amount was secured to +Hotchkiss & Company by two notes, one payable in ten years and the +other in twenty, signed by Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon. +The difficulty connected with this extensive land purchase arose from +some exchanges that were made of property in the east, by some of +the Saints, for its equivalent in value in land out of the Hotchkiss +purchase in Commerce; the matter, however, was finally amicably settled. + +The terms on which Dr. Galland let The Church have lands were extremely +advantageous to the Saints. He sold at a reasonable rate, and on long +credit, that the people might not be distressed in paying for the +inheritance they purchased. In addition to the first purchase, he +exchanged lands with the Saints in the vicinity of Commerce for lands +in Missouri, to the value of eighty thousand dollars. And he gave +them a good title to the same. He is described as a man of literary +attainments and extensive information and influence. All of which he +used for the good of the exiled Saints in giving them a standing among +his friends. Finally he joined The Church, thus casting his lot with +the exiled people he had assisted, and from that time until his death, +partook of their joys and their sorrows; shared their fortunes and +reverses. + +In addition to these land purchases, The Church made others; some of +them even more extensive than those already mentioned. The village +of Nashville, in Lee County, Iowa, and twenty thousand acres of land +adjoining, was bought, though upon what terms the purchase was made +cannot be learned. Another purchase also in Iowa was made by Bishop +Knight, and a settlement was started there called Zarahemla, which was +opposite Nauvoo. This place was organized into a stake [1] of Zion, +but in January, 1842, the stake organization was discontinued; though +Zarahemla continued as an organized branch of The Church. + +Stakes of Zion in the following year were organized at Lima, in +Illinois; also at Quincy, in Adams County, for the benefit of the +Saints who continued there. Another stake was organized at Columbus, +in Adams County, Illinois, known as Mount Hope stake; besides these +stakes, branches of the Church were organized in various parts of +Lee County, Iowa, and Adams and Hancock counties, Illinois. But as +Nauvoo rose from the swamps and underbrush of Commerce, and, under the +industry and enterprise of the Saints, and the blessings of a kindly +disposed Providence, developed into a healthy, beautiful and prosperous +commercial and manufacturing city, these stake organizations in the +surrounding country were discontinued, and Nauvoo became the one great +gathering place of the Saints. + +Footnotes + +1. A stake of Zion is a territorial division of The Church that +embraces several wards or branches. The stake is presided over by a +president, who must be a High Priest, assisted by two counselors, also +High Priests. There must also be in each stake of Zion a high council, +consisting of twelve High Priests, over which council the presidency +of the stake preside. This high council constitutes the judicial power +(ecclesiastical) of the stake, to which appeals lie from the bishops' +courts. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +"AS FLIES IN THE OINTMENT." + +HAVING described the site of Nauvoo, and related the circumstances +connected with its establishment as a gathering place of the Saints, +it is necessary to return to the consideration of some events which +occurred at Quincy during the sojourn of the Saints at that place. + +Paul, in his day, told the Hebrews that all were not Israel that were +of Israel: so all were not Saints that flocked into Quincy with the +exiles from Missouri; many of them were altogether unworthy of the +association of the people of God. These preyed upon the hospitality +of the people of Quincy to such an extent, that The Church by action +of a conference authorized Elder John Taylor, then one of the Twelve +Apostles, and who afterwards became President of the Church, to write +the following letter, which was printed in the Quincy _Argus_: + + In consequence of so great an influx of strangers, arriving in + this place daily, owing to their late expulsion from the State + of Missouri, there must of necessity be, and we wish to state to + the citizens of Quincy and the vicinity, through the medium of + your columns, that there are many individuals among the numbers + who have already arrived, as well as among those who are now on + their way here, who never did belong to our Church, and others who + once did, but who, for various reasons, have been expelled from + our fellowship. Among these are some who have contracted habits + which are at variance with principles of moral rectitude (such + as swearing, dram-drinking, etc.,) which immoralities the Church + of Latter-day Saints is liable to be charged with, owing to our + amalgamation under our late existing circumstances. And as we as a + people do not wish to lay under any such imputation, we would also + state, that such individuals do not hold a name or a place amongst + us; that we altogether discountenance everything of the kind, + that every person once belonging to our community, contracting or + persisting in such immoral habits, have hitherto been expelled from + our society; and that such as we may hereafter be informed of, we + will hold no communion with, but will withdraw our fellowship from + them. + + We wish further to state, that we feel laid under peculiar + obligations to the citizens of this place for the patriotic + feelings which have been manifested, and for the hand of liberality + and friendship which was extended to us, in our late difficulties; + and should feel sorry to see that philanthropy and benevolence + abused by the wicked and designing people, who under pretense of + poverty and distress, should try to work up the feelings of the + charitable and humane, get into their debt without any prospect + or intention of paying, and finally, perhaps, we as a people be + charged with dishonesty. + + We say that we altogether disapprove of such practices, and we warn + the citizens of Quincy against such individuals who may pretend to + belong to our community. + +I have given this letter _in extenso_, because it bears upon its face +the evidence of the honesty of The Church, and its disposition to +treat the people of Illinois, who had so nobly and kindly received its +members in the days of their distress, with candor. It also tells us +of a class even then in The Church, who by the vileness of their lives +gave some coloring to the charges subsequently so unjustly made against +the whole Church; a class who brought upon The Church reproach; an +unrighteous, apostate element, which lingered with The Church for the +sake of advantage--the bane of the body religious. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +POLITICAL AGITATION. + +ABOUT this time, too, the good feeling entertained toward the Saints by +the people of Quincy and vicinity was not a little endangered through +the unwise course of Lyman Wight. He began the publication of a series +of letters in the Quincy _Whig_, in which he laid the responsibility +of the outrages perpetrated against the Saints in Missouri upon the +Democratic party, implicating not only the Democrats of Missouri, +but indirectly the National Democratic party. This gave much +dissatisfaction to members of that party in the vicinity of Quincy, a +number of whom had been very active in assisting the Saints; and some +of the leading men approached prominent brethren, who still remained in +Quincy, and desired to know if The Church sustained the assertions of +Lyman Wight. Elder R. B. Thompson wrote a letter to President Joseph +Smith on the subject, in which he protested against the course taken by +Lyman Wight, because of the influence it was having on many of those +who had so nobly befriended the Saints in the day of their distress. +Besides, it was altogether unjust, for no particular political party +in Missouri was responsible for the cruelty practiced towards the +Saints. Those who were in the mobs which robbed them of their homes, +burned their houses, ran off their stock, and who whipped, murdered and +finally drove the people from the State of Missouri, were made up of +individuals of every shade of political faith, and of every religion, +and many of no religion whatever. It was unfair, then, under these +circumstances, that the responsibility should be laid at the charge of +any one party or sect of religion. So that Wight's course was not only +doing much mischief, but was also unjust. + +To counteract the evil effect of Lyman Wight's communication to the +_Whig_, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, then the presiding +quorum of the Church, published a letter in the _Whig_, from which I +make the following quotation: + + We have not at any time thought there was any political party, + as such, chargeable with the Missouri barbarities, neither any + religious society, as such. They were committed by a mob, composed + of all parties, regardless of difference of opinion, either + political or religious. + + The determined stand in this State, and by the people of Quincy + in particular, made against the lawless outrages of the Missouri + mobbers by all parties in politics and religion, have entitled + them equally to our thanks and our profoundest regards, and such, + gentlemen, we hope they will always receive from us. * * * We wish + to say to the public, through your paper, that we disclaim any + intention of making a political question of our difficulties with + Missouri, believing that we are not justified in so doing. + +Lyman Wight was a bold, independent-spirited man; inclined to be +self-willed and refractory. No one could control him; and even counsel +or advice was usually disregarded--except it was from Joseph Smith. A +few years subsequent to the time of which I am now writing, Lyman Wight +himself said: "Joseph Smith is the only man who ever did control me; +he is the only man who ever shall." But to Joseph's words Lyman Wight +gave respectful attention, and bent his own strong will to comply with +the wishes of the Prophet. He himself was a master spirit, and could +apparently bring himself to acknowledge but one to whom he was willing +to yield his own judgment and his own will, and that one was Joseph +Smith. It is said by those acquainted with him, that in the Prophet's +hands his spirit was as pliable as that of a child. + +It was one of Joseph's peculiar characteristics to be able to control +men--men, too, who were themselves master spirits; who were themselves +naturally leaders; and it is seldom, indeed, that such characters are +willing to take a second place. But in the presence of Joseph they +seemed naturally to accord him the leadership. He was a leader even +among master spirits; a leader of leaders; and it may not be amiss +here to briefly inquire into the apparently mysterious influence which +the Prophet exerted over the minds of others, by reason of which he +controlled them, since this particular instance in which Lyman Wight +figures, illustrates it. + +In reply to the letter of R. B. Thompson, Joseph admitted that the +course of Wight was unfair, and said: The Church was not willing to +make of their troubles a political question; but he also said that +he considered it to be "the indefeasible right of every free man to +hold his own opinion in politics and religion;" and therefore would +have it understood that, as an individual, Lyman Wight had the right +to entertain and express whatever opinion he pleased in regard to +their troubles in Missouri; only intimating that care should be taken +not to set forth individual views as the views of The Church. In +writing to Lyman Wight on the subject, Joseph did not upbraid him, +nor peremptorily order him to discontinue the publication of his +letters, or retract them, but he informed him that the matter had been +considered in a council of The Church, and that the result was that +his course was disapproved. But Joseph took occasion to express his +confidence in Wight's good intentions, and said: + + Knowing your integrity of principle, and steadfastness in the cause + of Christ, I feel not to exercise even the privilege of counsel on + the subject, save only to request that you will endeavor to bear + in mind the importance of the subject, and how easy it might be to + get a misunderstanding with the brethren concerning it; and though + last, but not least, that whilst you continue to go upon your own + credit, you will steer clear of making The Church appear as either + supporting or opposing you in your politics, lest such a course may + have a tendency to bring about persecution on The Church, where a + little wisdom and caution may avoid it. I do not know that there is + any occasion for my thus cautioning you in this thing, but having + done so, I hope it will be well taken, and that all things shall + eventually be found to work together for the good of the Saints. + * * * With every possible feeling of love and friendship for an + old fellow-prisoner and brother in the Lord, I remain, sir, your + sincere friend. + +Throughout this whole affair it will be observed that Joseph starts out +with the idea that every individual is absolutely free and independent +as to entertaining views and in giving expression to them, both in +politics and religion, so long as he makes no one else responsible +for them; that in correcting Lyman Wight, he does it by appealing +to the man's reason, and by pointing out the possible result of his +course, which may be avoided by a little discretion; while the whole +communication breathes such a spirit of confidence in the man he is +correcting, and love for him as an "old fellow-prisoner," that it was +altogether irresistible. And this is the secret of Joseph's power to +control his brethren. There was no petty tyranny in his government. +He was above that. Every right he claimed for himself, he accorded to +others; while his mildness in correcting errors and his unbounded love +for his brethren knit them to him in bands stronger than steel. It was +ever his method to teach correct principles and allow men to govern +themselves. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A DAY OF GOD'S POWER. + +DURING the summer of 1839 the Saints who had been driven from Missouri +continued to gather at Nauvoo and settle on the lands which had been +purchased by The Church authorities. The violent persecution they had +passed through in Missouri had well nigh wrecked the people. They had +been stripped of their earthly possessions, until they were reduced to +the most abject poverty. And the exposure and hardships endured made +them an easy prey to the malaria that infected Nauvoo and vicinity. +Another thing which doubtless contributed to make them unable to resist +the ravages of disease, was the fact that a period of relaxation was +following the intense excitement under which they had lived for more +than two years. + +The spirit has such power when it is once thoroughly aroused, that +for a time it so braces up the body as to make it almost impregnable +to disease and unconscious of fatigue. But this cannot continue long. +It wears out the body; and as soon as the excitement is removed, then +comes the period of relaxation and the body sinks down from sheer +exhaustion. + +Such was the condition of the exiled Saints who came flocking into +Nauvoo, in the summer of 1839. They had reached a haven of rest. The +fearful strain on the nervous system under which they had labored +during the mobbings in Missouri and their flight from that State was +removed; and they fell down in Nauvoo exhausted, to be a prey to the +deadly malaria prevalent in that locality. Such was their condition on +the morning of the 22nd of July. Joseph's house was crowded with the +sick whom he was trying to nurse back to health. In his door-yard were +a number of people camped in tents, who had but newly arrived, but upon +whom the fever had seized. Joseph himself was prostrate with sickness, +and the general distress of the Saints weighed down his spirit with +sadness. While still thinking of the trials of his people in the past, +and the gloom that then overshadowed them, the purifying influence +of God's Spirit rested upon him and he was immediately healed. He +arose and began to administer to the sick in his house, all of whom +immediately recovered. He then healed those encamped in his door-yard, +and from thence went from house to house calling on the sick to arise +from their beds of affliction, and they obeyed and were healed. + +In company with P.P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Heber C. Kimball, +and John E. Page, he crossed the river to Montrose, and healed the sick +there. One case is mentioned by all who have written on the subject +as being very remarkable. This was the case of Elijah Fordham. He was +almost unconscious and nearly dead. Bending over him, the Prophet asked +the dying man if he knew him, and believed him to be a servant of God. +In a whisper he replied that he did. Joseph then took him by the hand, +and with an energy that would have awoke the dead, he commanded him +in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from his bed and walk. Brother +Fordham leaped from his bed, removed the bandages and mustard plasters +from his feet, dressed himself, ate a bowl of bread and milk, and +accompanied the Prophet to other houses on his mission of love. + +All day the work continued; and to the Saints who witnessed the +remarkable manifestation of God's power in behalf of the sick, the +twenty-second day of July, 1839, is remembered with gratitude to +Almighty God, who through the demonstration of His power that day, gave +an indisputable witness to the world that He was with Joseph Smith, +and had authorized him to speak in the name of Jesus Christ. To the +Saints it was a testimony that God was with them; for they witnessed a +fulfillment of God's ancient promise to His people, viz.-- + + Is any sick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church; + and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of + the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord + shall raise him up. [1] + +And again: + + These signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they + cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; * * * they + shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. [2] + +These ancient promises to God's people had also been renewed to the +Latter-day Saints in modern revelations to the Church through the +Prophet Joseph himself: + + As I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul + who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the + remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost; and these signs + shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall do many + wonderful works: + + In my name they shall cast out devils; + + In my name they shall heal the sick; + + In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the + ears of the deaf; and the tongue of the dumb shall speak; and if + any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them. * + * * But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast + themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world. [3] + +Again, I say, to the Saints who witnessed the demonstration of God's +power on the 22nd of July, 1839, in the healing of the sick in +fulfillment of these promises ancient and modern, it was a witness to +them that God was with them and with their Prophet. + +Footnotes + +1. James v: 14, 15. + +2. Mark xvi: 17. + +3. Doc. & Cov., Sec. lxxxiv. The revelation was given in September, +1832. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +DEPARTURE OF THE TWELVE FOR ENGLAND. + +A REVELATION had been received by the Prophet Joseph on the eighth of +July, 1838, in which a commandment was given to fill up the quorum of +the Twelve Apostles by ordaining John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford +Woodruff, and Willard Richards to take the places of those who had +fallen through apostasy. The following spring "let them depart," said +the revelation, "to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my +Gospel, the fullness thereof, and bear record of my name. Let them take +leave of my Saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of +April next, on the building spot of my house." By the twenty-sixth of +April, the day set for them to take leave of the Saints to start on +their mission, nearly all the members of The Church had been driven +from Far West. I have already related, however, in "The Missouri +Persecutions" how five of the Apostles and several who were to be +ordained returned by different routes to Far West, met with a few +of the Saints there and fulfilled the mandates of this revelation, +notwithstanding the boasts of the mob that it should fail. [1] For some +time the Apostles who started from the public square at Far West for +England were detained to aid in settling the Saints at Nauvoo, but the +latter part of the summer of 1839 found them making every exertion to +continue their journey. + +Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor were the first of the quorum to leave +Nauvoo for England. Elder Woodruff at this time was living at Montrose, +and was rowed across the river in a canoe by Brigham Young. On landing, +he lay down to rest on a side of sole leather, near the post office. +While there Joseph came along and said: "Well, Brother Woodruff, you +have started on your mission?" + +"Yes, but I feel and look more like a subject for the dissecting room +than a missionary," was the reply. + +"What did you say that for?" asked Joseph. "Get up and go along, all +will be well with you." + +Shortly afterwards Elder Woodruff was joined by Elder Taylor, and +together they started on their mission. On their way they passed Parley +P. Pratt, stripped, bareheaded and barefooted, hewing some logs for a +house. He hailed the brethren as they passed and gave them a purse, +though he had nothing to put in it. Elder Heber C. Kimball, who was but +a short distance away, stripped as Elder Pratt was, came up and said: +"As Brother Parley has given you a purse, I have a dollar I will give +you to put in it." And mutually blessing each other, they separated to +meet again in foreign lands. + +On the twenty-ninth of August, Parley P. Pratt and his brother Orson +started for England, leaving Nauvoo in their own carriage. + +On the fourteenth of the following month Brigham Young left his home +at Montrose and started for England. He had been prostrated for some +time by sickness, and at the time of starting on his mission was so +feeble that he had to be assisted to the ferry, only some thirty rods +from his house. All his children were sick, and he left his wife with +a babe but ten days old, and in the poorest of circumstances, for the +mobs of Missouri had robbed him of all he had. After crossing the river +to the Nauvoo side, Israel Barlow took him on a horse behind him and +carried him to the house of Elder Heber C. Kimball, where his strength +altogether failed him, and he had to remain there for several days, +nursed by his wife, who, hearing that he was unable to get farther than +Brother Kimball's, had crossed the river from Montrose to care for him. + +On the eighteenth of the month, however, Brigham, in company with +Heber C. Kimball, made another start. A brother by the name of Charles +Hubbard sent a boy with a team to take them a day's journey on their +way. Elder Kimball left his wife in bed shaking with ague, and all his +children sick. It was only by the assistance of some of the brethren +that Heber himself could climb into the wagon. "It seemed to me," he +remarked afterwards in relating the circumstance, "as though my very +inmost parts would melt within me at the thought of leaving my family +in such a condition, as it were, almost in the arms of death. I felt as +though I could scarcely endure it." + +"Hold up!" said he to the teamster, who had just started. "Brother +Brigham, this is pretty tough, but let us rise and give them a cheer." +Brigham, with much difficulty, rose to his feet, and joined Elder +Kimball in swinging his hat and shouting, "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for +Israel!" The two sisters hearing the cheer came to the door--Sister +Kimball with great difficulty--and waved a farewell; and the two +Apostles continued on their journey without purse, without scrip, for +England. + +The departure of Elders George A. Smith, Reuben Hedlock, and Theodore +Turley was but little less remarkable. They were feeble in health, in +fact, down with the ague. Before they were out of sight of Nauvoo their +wagon upset, and spilled them down the bank of the river. Elders Smith +and Turley were unable to get up, not because of any injuries they had +received, but because of their illness. Elder Hedlock helped them into +their wagon and they resumed their journey. They had not proceeded far +when they met some gentlemen who stopped their team and said to the +driver: "Mr., what graveyard have you been robbing?" There mark being +elicited by the ghostly appearance of the Elders _en route_ for England. + +Thus in sickness and poverty, without purse and without scrip, leaving +their families destitute of the comforts of life, with nothing but the +assurances of the people, who were as poor as themselves, that they +should be provided for, the Twelve turned their faces toward Europe, to +preach the Gospel to the highly civilized peoples of the world. Shaking +with the ague, and then burning up with the fever; now in the homes of +the wealthy, then in the hovels of the poor; now derided by the learned +and self-styled refined, and now welcomed by the poor of this world who +rejoiced in the message they bore--they journeyed on, never looking +back, nor complaining of the hardships through which they were called +to pass for the Master's sake. They had ringing in their ears the words +of Jesus: + +"He that loveth father or mother, houses or lands, wives or children +more than he loveth me is not worthy of me." And again they had the +promise: "There is no man that hath left houses, or parents, or +brethren, or wife, or children for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall +not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to +come life everlasting." + +With this warning and this promise before them, they made their way by +different routes, but at last met in England, where an effectual door +was opened for the preaching of the Gospel, and thousands with joy +embraced the truth. + +These men went out weeping, bearing precious seed; they returned in +time bringing their sheaves with them, and had joy in their harvest. +And what shall separate these men who endured so much for the Gospel's +sake, from the love of God? "Shall tribulation, or distress, or +persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" "Nay, in all +these things they shall be more than conquerors through Him that loved +them." + +Footnotes + +1. Missouri Persecutions, Chapter XLVIII. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE "TIMES AND SEASONS." + +THE power of the press in sustaining the work he had begun, was +early recognized by Joseph Smith and his associates; and it was this +recognition of its powers which led him to establish, as early as +possible, a paper that would be under the control of The Church, +voice its sentiments and defend its principles. The Church had been +organized but eighteen months, and its membership was very small +when a conference held in Ohio authorized the purchase of a press, +and instructed W. W. Phelps to begin the publication of a paper in +Independence, Missouri. In June, 1832, the first number of that paper, +the _Evening and Morning Star_, was published. + +The following year the _Evening and Morning Star_ press was broken and +the type scattered by the mob, which collected at Independence to drive +the Saints from Jackson County. The press and the book-binding property +were never again restored to The Church, though the _Star_ afterwards +reappeared in Kirtland, edited by Oliver Cowdery. + +Another periodical was also published in Kirtland called _The Saints' +Messenger and Advocate_, the first number of which appeared in +December, 1833. This periodical was superseded in a few years--1837--by +the _Elders' Journal_. But when Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had to +flee from Kirtland for their lives, in the spring of 1838, the press +and type on which the _Journal_ was printed were removed to Far West. +Here an effort was made to re-issue the _Journal_, Sidney Rigdon being +appointed editor. But again the assembling of angry mobs hindered the +work. And the night that General Lucas' mob-militia force surrounded +Far West, this press and type were buried in the dooryard of a brother +by the name of Dawson. The form for a number of the _Elders' Journal_ +was buried, with the ink on it, in the hurry to get it safely hidden +from the enemy. It remained in its grave until taken up by Elias Smith, +Hyrum Clark and some others, and taken to Commerce, where, in the fall +of 1839, it was set up in a cellar, through which a spring of water was +running, and on it was published the _Times and Seasons_. + +This periodical was issued first as a sixteen page monthly, but +afterwards became semi-monthly. Its first editor and manager was Don +Carlos Smith, the youngest brother of Joseph Smith, who learned the +printer's art in the office of Oliver Cowdery, and at the time he took +charge of the _Times and Seasons_ was but twenty-four years of age. +His associate was Ebenezer Robinson. The paper was first issued in +November, 1839. + +Don Carlos Smith continued to act as editor of this paper until his +death, which occurred on the seventh of August, 1841. Ebenezer Robinson +then became the editor and Elder Robert B. Thompson was appointed +to assist him. The manner in which the paper was conducted was very +unsatisfactory to The Church authorities, and the Twelve Apostles +took charge of it with Elders John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff as +its managers, and President Joseph Smith as editor-in-chief. It was +conducted by these parties for about a year, when the Prophet Joseph +resigned the editorial chair, and Elder John Taylor was assigned to the +position of chief editor, and kept that place until the discontinuance +of the publication, in consequence of the Saints being driven from +Nauvoo. It was a valuable means of communication for The Church +authorities, as they were enabled to reach the Saints through its +columns notwithstanding their scattered condition; and in its pages +are collected the principal historical events which occurred in the +early days of The Church; which, in connection with the principles and +doctrine expounded by its editors, and the communications from the +Prophet, make it of inestimable value to the student of Church history +or the development of Church doctrine. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +AN APPEAL TO THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES. + +IT will be remembered by those who have read "The Missouri +Persecutions," that Sidney Rigdon was released from prison in Liberty, +Missouri, before Joseph and the other brethren escaped. On his arrival +in Quincy, his position as one of the presidents of The Church, his +education and eloquence, gave him the attention of the leading citizens +of Quincy, and particularly enlisted the sympathy of Governor Carlin, +of Illinois. By coming in contact with him, and relating the cruelties +practiced against the Saints in Missouri, he conceived the altogether +fanciful and utterly impracticable idea of impeaching the charter +of Missouri on an item in the Constitution, viz: "that the general +government shall give to each State a republican form of government." +And it was his point to prove that such a government did not exist in +Missouri. His plan was to present the story of the Saints' wrongs to +the governors of the respective States, before the assembly of the +several legislatures, and induce as many of them as possible to bring +the case before the legislatures in their messages. Another part of the +plan was to have a man at each State capital armed with affidavits that +would give the necessary information to the legislatures. After the +action of the State legislatures the case was to be presented to the +national Congress for its consideration and action. + +To carry out his plans George W. Robinson was appointed to take +affidavits and collect general information bearing on the subject, and +Sidney Rigdon himself secured letters of introduction to the governors +of several States and to the President of the United States from +Governor Carlin, of Illinois, and Governor Robert Lucas, of Iowa. On +the fifth of May, 1839, however, at a conference of The Church held +near Quincy, Joseph Smith presiding, the gigantic and fanciful scheme +conceived by Sidney Rigdon was considered and somewhat reduced of its +unwieldy proportions by the conference simply resolving: + + That this conference send a delegate to the city of Washington to + lay our case before the general government; and that President + Rigdon be the delegate: and that Colonel Lyman Wight be appointed + to receive the affidavits which are to be sent to the city of + Washington. + +Here the matter rested for a time through the inactivity of President +Rigdon, whose ardor in the work of God about this time began to wane. + +In consequence of the inactivity and lack of interest manifested +by Sidney Rigdon in going to Washington to present the case of the +Latter-day Saints _vs_. the State of Missouri to the President and +Congress of the United States, at a High Council meeting, held at +Commerce on the twentieth of October, 1839, the Prophet Joseph was +appointed to be the delegate to Washington, and a few days later Sidney +Rigdon and Elias Higbee were appointed by the same council to assist +him in this mission. + +As a contrast between the two men, Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, +I call attention to the fact that after his appointment to go to +Washington to petition the general government for a redress of +grievances, in behalf of the Saints, Sidney Rigdon had allowed nearly +six months to pass away without doing anything; but the ninth day after +Joseph was appointed to this mission he was found leaving Commerce +with a two-horse carriage, accompanied by Rigdon, Higbee and Orin P. +Rockwell, _en route_ for Washington. The Prophet was always prompt in +action. There were no tedious delays in anything he under took; no +letting "I dare not wait upon I would, like the old cat 'i the adage." +His motto for the commencement of his career had been, "When the Lord +commands, do it." And it was pretty much the same thing when a council +of the Priesthood, or himself individually, had determined upon any +particular course of action, he at once set himself about performing it. + +The mission for the city of Washington passed through Springfield, +the capital of the State of Illinois, on their journey, and here met +with Dr. Robert D. Foster, who afterwards, as we shall see, became +prominently connected with events at Nauvoo. Elder Rigdon being ill, +Dr. Foster administered medicines to him, journeying with Joseph's +party for several days for that purpose. At last, however, Elder Rigdon +became so weak that it became necessary to leave him near Columbus, +Ohio; and Orin P. Rockwell and Dr. Foster remained with him, while +Joseph and Judge Higbee continued their journey to Washington. + +It was during this journey, too, that Joseph met another man destined +to perform a prominent part in the drama enacted at Nauvoo. This was +William Law, whom Joseph's party met at Springfield, Illinois. He was +then leading a small company of Saints from Canada to Nauvoo. Joseph's +company remained several days at Springfield, and he preached there +several times, staying at the home of James Adams, the probate judge +of that county. Judge Adams treated the Prophet with the kindness of a +father. + +An incident occurred as the party approached Washington which borders +on the domain of the romantic, or perhaps may be considered to enter +directly into it. The coachman stopped his horses in front of one of +the many public houses they passed _en route_, to get his grog, when +the horses took fright, and dashed down the road at break-neck speed. +The passengers, as might be expected, became terror-stricken, and one +woman in her excitement tried to throw her babe out of the window; she +was prevented, however, by Joseph, who calmed her fears, and persuaded +the rest of the passengers to keep their seats. He then opened the door +of the coach and succeeded in climbing up the side of the vehicle, and +reaching the driver's seat. Gathering up the reins, he stopped the +horses before any accident occurred either to coach or passengers. + +It is needless to say that Joseph's heroism drew from his +fellow-passengers their warmest expressions of admiration and +gratitude. No terms were sufficiently strong to convey their admiration +of his daring. Among the passengers were several members of Congress +who proposed mentioning the incident to Congress, for they believed +that body would reward Joseph's conduct by some public act. With this +object in view they asked for his name, and were doubtless dumbfounded +to learn that they had been saved from their imminent peril by the +courage of the Mormon Prophet. At any rate the profusion of thanks +and admiration was stayed, "and," says Joseph, "I heard no more of +their praise, gratitude or reward." Need one stop to moralize on the +littleness of man when he allows prejudice to dictate his action +instead of reason? + +It was on the twenty-eighth of November, 1839, that Joseph and Judge +Elias Higbee arrived in Washington, and took up their abode at an +unpretentious boarding house, on the corner of Missouri and Third +Streets. They were very much cramped on account of means, as the +people they represented were poor in this world's goods, and unable to +supply the means necessary to enable their delegates to indulge in the +luxurious style of living usually adopted by those who go to the seat +of government on special missions. + +The day following his arrival, Joseph obtained an interview with +President Martin Van Buren, who had been elected to the presidency +by the Democratic party. I give Joseph's own account of this visit +to President Van Buren, that our readers may judge of the impression +he made upon the Prophet, and what the Prophet thought of Congress +generally: + + On Friday, the twenty-ninth, we proceeded to the house of the + President. We found a very large and splendid palace, surrounded + with a splendid enclosure, decorated with all the fineries and + elegancies of the world. We went to the door and requested to see + the President, when we were immediately introduced into an upper + apartment, where we met the President, and were introduced into his + parlor, where we presented him with our letters of introduction. + As soon as he had read one of them, he looked upon us with a kind + of half frown and said: "What can I do? I can do nothing for you! + If I do anything, I shall come in contact with the whole State of + Missouri." [1] + +I cannot determine whether it was on the occasion of this visit that +President Van Buren made use of the expression, "Your cause is just, +but I can do nothing for you," or whether he so expressed himself at +some subsequent meeting. But under date of February 6th, 1840, Joseph +remarks, in speaking of his mission to Washington: + + During my stay I had an interview with Martin Van Buren, the + President, who treated me very insolently, and it was with great + reluctance he listened to our message, which, when he heard, he + said: "Gentlemen, your cause is just, but I can do nothing for + you. If I take up for you, I shall lose the vote of Missouri." + His whole course went to show that he was an office-seeker, that + self-aggrandizement was his ruling passion, and that justice and + righteousness were no part of his composition. + +As this language is somewhat different to that reported by Joseph on +the occasion of his first visit to the President, I am inclined to the +opinion that the language attributed to him in the latter quotation +was used at some subsequent meeting to the first. I again quote from +Joseph's letter to Hyrum: + + Now we shall endeavor to express our feelings and views concerning + the President, as we have been eye-witness to his majesty. He is a + small man, sandy complexion, and ordinary features, with frowning + brow, and considerable body, but not well proportioned as to his + arms and legs, * * * and in fine, to come directly to the point, he + is so much of a fop or a fool (for he judged our cause before he + knew it), we could find no place to put truth into him. We do not + say the Saints shall not vote for him, but we do say boldly, that + we do not intend he shall have our votes. + +Joseph speaks very highly of the senators and representatives from +Illinois, who rendered him some considerable assistance in getting a +hearing before a congressional committee, but he was not favorably +impressed with congressmen or their conduct on the whole. He says: + + For a general thing there is but little solidity and honorable + deportment among those who are sent here to represent the people, + but a great deal of pomposity and show. * * * There is such an + itching disposition to display their oratory on the most trivial + occasions, and so much etiquette, bowing and scraping, twisting + and turning, to make a display of their witticism, that it seems + to us rather a display of folly and show, more than substance and + gravity, such as becomes a great nation like ours. However, there + are some exceptions. + +After the meeting with the President, a meeting with the Illinois +delegation in Congress was arranged, to take into consideration the +best means of getting the wrongs of the Saints before Congress. This +meeting took place on the sixth of December. A Mr. Robinson of that +delegation, whether a member of the House or Senate I do not know, +took a stand against the Saints presenting any claims to be liquidated +by the United States; but Joseph contended against him, and presented +the constitutional rights of the people, and Mr. Robinson promised to +reconsider the subject, and at the meeting the next day it was decided +that a memorial and petition be drawn in concise form and presented +by Judge Young, who had taken a lively interest in the cause of the +Saints. At this stage of the proceedings, Joseph and Judge Higbee +learned that it was necessary to have more positive testimony on the +subject in hand, so that they sent to Nauvoo and a very large number +of affidavits were taken and forwarded to Washington to sustain the +statements to be presented to Congress. + +The petition presented to Congress related the outrages committed +against the Saints at considerable length, from the commencement of +difficulties in Jackson County, in the autumn of 1833, until their +final expulsion from the State in the winter of 1838-9; and made +emphatic the infamy of Governor Boggs' exterminating orders, which gave +the coloring of authority for the action of the State mob-militia. They +said in their statement of wrongs that if given an opportunity they +could prove every allegation they made against the State of Missouri. +And that "neither the Mormons as a body, nor as individuals of that +body, had been guilty of any offense against the laws of Missouri, or +of the United States: but their only offense had been their religious +opinions." + +In conclusion the petition represents that for the wrongs endured-- + + The Mormons ought to have some redress; yet how and where shall + they seek and obtain it? + + Your Constitution guarantees to every citizen, even the humblest, + the enjoyment of life, liberty and property. It promises to all + their religious freedom, the right to worship God beneath their + own vine and fig tree, according to their own conscience. It + guarantees to all the citizens of the several States the right + to become citizens of any one of the States, and to enjoy all + the rights and immunities of the citizens of the State of his + adoption. Yet of all these rights have the Mormons been deprived. + They have, without a cause, without a trial, been deprived of life, + liberty and property. They have been persecuted for their religious + opinions. They have been driven from the State of Missouri at the + point of the bayonet, and prevented from enjoying and exercising + the rights of citizens of the State of Missouri. It is the theory + of our laws, that for the protection of every legal right, there + is a legal remedy. What, then, we would ask, is the remedy for + the Mormons? Shall they appeal to the legislature of the State of + Missouri for redress? They have done so. They have petitioned, + and these petitions have been treated with silence and contempt. + Shall they apply to the federal courts? They were, at the time, + citizens of the State of Missouri. Shall they apply to the courts + of the State of Missouri? Whom shall they sue? The order for their + destruction, their extermination, was granted by the executive of + the State of Missouri. Is not this a plea of justification for the + loss of individuals, done in pursuance of the order? If not, before + whom shall the Mormons institute a trial? Shall they summon a jury + of the individuals who composed the mob? An appeal to them were in + vain. They dare not go to Missouri to institute a suit, their lives + would be in danger. + + For ourselves we see no redress, unless it be awarded by the + Congress of the United States. And we here make our appeal as + _American citizens_, as _Christians_, and as _men_--believing the + high sense of justice which exists in your honorable bodies, will + not allow such oppression to be practiced upon any portion of the + citizens of this vast republic with impunity, but that some measure + which your wisdom may dictate, may be taken, so that the great + body of people who have been thus abused, may have redress for the + wrongs which they have suffered. + +The statement of wrongs and petition for their redress was introduced +into the Senate by Judge Young, and referred to the committee on +judiciary of which General Wall was chairman. + +At this stage of the proceedings Joseph left Washington and went to +Philadelphia, where he labored in the ministry among the Saints; but +Judge Elias Higbee was left in Washington to look after the interest of +the petitioners before the Senate committee. The subject was held under +advisement and discussed occasionally, until the fourth of March, 1840, +when the committee reported. That report was of a character to crush +forever the hopes of obtaining, at the hands of the general government, +any redress for the outrages perpetrated against them in Missouri. +The report said that after full examination and consideration, the +committee unanimously concurred in the opinion: "That the case +presented for their investigation is not such a one as will justify or +authorize any interposition of this government." + +They stated that the wrongs complained of were not alleged to have +been committed by officers of the United States; that the charges were +all against the citizens and authorities of the State of Missouri; +that the petitioners were citizens or inhabitants of Missouri; that +the grievances complained of were committed within the territory of +Missouri; and for these reasons the Senate judiciary committee did "not +consider themselves justified in inquiring into the truth or falsehood +of facts charged in the petition." The committee represented that if +the charges were true, then the petitioners must seek redress in the +courts of judicature, either of Missouri or of the United States, +whichever might have jurisdiction in the case. "Or," said the report, +"the petitioners may, if they see proper, apply to the justice and +magnanimity of the State of Missouri--an appeal which the committee +feel justified in believing will never be made in vain by the injured +or oppressed." The report said that it could not be presumed that a +State wanted either the power or lacked the disposition to redress +the wrongs of its own citizens, committed within its own territory, +"whether they proceed from the lawless acts of her officers or any +other person." + +The report closed by asking the passage of the following resolution: + + _Resolved_, That the committee on the judiciary be discharged from + the further consideration of the memorial in this case; and that + the memorialists have leave to withdraw the papers which accompany + their memorial. + +The resolution was passed without dissent, and thus the appeal to +Congress for redress of the outrages committed against the Saints by +Missouri ended. + +At a conference of The Church held in April following, a number of +resolutions were adopted, regretting and condemning the action of the +Senate judiciary committee, and approving the course pursued by their +delegation to Congress, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Elias Higbee, +and requesting them to continue their exertions to obtain redress for +a suffering people as opportunities became more favorable for such +efforts, and if at last all hopes of obtaining satisfaction for the +injuries done us be entirely blasted, that they then "appeal our case +to the Court of Heaven, believing that the Great Jehovah, who rules +over the destiny of nations, and who notices the falling sparrows, +will undoubtedly redress our wrongs, and ere long avenge us of our +adversaries." + +Footnotes + +1. Letter to Hyrum Smith, Dec. 5, 1839. + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ORSON HYDE'S MISSION TO JERUSALEM. + +THOSE who have read "The Missouri Persecutions," will remember the +disaffection of Orson Hyde at Far West, and the statements he made +in connection with Thomas B. Marsh against The Church, in the autumn +of 1838--that time when men's hearts were failing them for fear, and +death and destruction were rife; when even strong hearts grew faint +and brave cheeks were blanched. Well, as stated in the account of his +disaffection, like Peter of old, this modern Apostle wept bitterly +for his error, returned to The Church, was forgiven; and during the +conference held at Commerce in April, 1840, he was called to go on a +mission to Jerusalem. + +It appears that Elder Hyde in a heavenly vision saw himself on the +Mount of Olives blessing the land for the return of the people of +Judah, hence, that he might be obedient to the vision, he was appointed +to go to that land for the purpose mentioned. In the letter of +appointment, which the Prophet gave him, occurs the following passage: + + The Jewish nation have been scattered abroad among the Gentiles for + a long period; and in our estimation the time of the commencement + of their return to the Holy Land has already arrived. * * * It + is highly important, in our opinion, that the present views and + movements of the Jewish people be sought after, and laid before the + American people for their consideration, their profit and their + learning. + +On the 15th of the same month that Elder Hyde was called, he left his +family at Nauvoo and started for Jerusalem without purse or scrip. The +next day he met with John E. Page, who subsequently to the conference +at which Orson Hyde had been called, was appointed to go with him to +the Holy Land. + +They traveled through several States together, preaching as they went. +In the city of Cincinnati they succeeded in raising up a large and +prosperous branch of The Church; and while Elder Page remained in +Cincinnati to strengthen the Saints, Elder Hyde made his way to New +York. + +These labors consumed the summer of 1840, and in January, 1841, the +word of the Lord came to the Prophet Joseph saying that he was not +well pleased with the long delays of his servants in starting on +their mission to Jerusalem, and they were requested to hasten their +departure. In the meantime, however, Elder Page had lost the spirit of +his appointment and had no disposition to go, but Orson Hyde on the +receipt of this reproof set sail at once from New York for England. + +It is not our design to follow him through all his meanderings in +Europe, or relate his trials or his perils in crossing the mighty seas, +and passing through states in which war was raging. He succeeded in +reaching the Holy City some time in October, and on the twenty-fourth +of that month, 1841, early in the morning, was seated on the Mount of +Olives, as he had seen himself in vision; and wrote the prayer he had +to offer in behalf of the Jews and their city, which had been for so +long a time trodden down of the Gentiles. + +In that prayer he referred to the prophecies of God's servants in +relation to the Jews and Jerusalem, and asked that all might be +fulfilled. He called for the richest blessings of heaven upon the +Jews; he blessed, by virtue of his Priesthood, the city, the land, and +all the elements, to the end that Judah might be gathered, Jerusalem +rebuilt, and become an holy city, that the Lord's name might be +glorified in all the earth. At the conclusion of his prayer, he says: + + On the top of the Mount of Olives, I erected a pile of stones, as a + witness according to ancient custom. On what was anciently called + Mount Zion, where the temple stood, I erected another, and used the + rod according to the prediction upon my head. + +Just what he meant by saying that he had used the rod "according to +prediction on his head," I have been unable to learn, except that it +was a rod with which he had measured the city. + +I have called the attention of my readers to this mission of Elder +Hyde's to Jerusalem, because it doubtless has a greater significance +than most people would be inclined to give it. The rebuilding of +Jerusalem is regarded by Mormonism as of as much importance as the +establishment of Zion; the gathering of the dispersed of Judah is as +much a part of the great latter-day work as the reassembling of the +other tribes of Israel; and the commencement of that work was made by +Elder Hyde, when by the authority of his apostleship, he consecrated +that land to the return of the house of Judah, to inhabit it, and +rebuild their city according to the predictions of their prophets. It +may be somewhat beyond the scope of this chapter to call attention +to it, but surely it will be of interest to the reader to know that +this apostolic mission and blessing upon the Holy Land has not been +fruitless, but blessings as a result are flowing unto it, and the Jews +are beginning to return to it. At the time of Apostle Hyde's visit +and ceremonies on the Mount of Olives, but very few Jews were in the +city or in Judea. As late as twenty years ago the consular reports +show that there were not more than fifteen or twenty thousand Jews in +all Jerusalem. But in a popular magazine for August, 1896, under the +editorial caption--"The Plan for a Hebrew Nation"--the magazine said: + + A movement of which Americans hear very little, but which may have + an important effect upon the history of the coming century, is + going forward upon the shores of the Mediterranean. This is the + return of the Jews to their ancient home in Palestine--the Zionite + movement it is called. For hundreds of years there has been talk of + the Jew returning to Jerusalem. Through all his years of oppression + and wandering, this vision of his native land has been held before + his eyes by certain of his teachers. But it is only in the last + twelve years, since the renewal of persecution in Russia, that + the idea has taken shape. There are now more than four thousand + colonists in Palestine. At Jaffa the schools are Hebrew, the + ancient language being spoken altogether, and a Hebrew literature + is being developed. The works of the great English, French and + German authors are being translated, and writers of their own race + are being encouraged. + + The Zionite movement is backed by the influence of the Rothschilds + and other great Jewish families and societies, and as we see its + stirring in every country, we can believe it only requires a + great popular leader to make it one of the important movements in + history. That it is not purely religious, but racial, is proven + by the co-operation of Rabinowitz, the Christian Jew who became + so well known here during the World's Fair Congress. There is + already one Jewish Christian colony in Palestine. * * * As a Jewish + state, Palestine might well become a country that would claim + consideration among the family of nations. If the Zionite continues + to grow, such a result is almost assured. + +During the same month, namely, in its impression of August 11th, 1896, +the St. Louis _Globe-Democrat_ published the following: + + Only two decades ago there were not more than fifteen or twenty + thousand Jews in Jerusalem. At that [time] no houses were to be + found outside the walls of the city. Since then many changes have + taken place and the Hebrew population--mainly on account of the + increase of the Jewish immigration from Russia--now stands at + between sixty and seventy thousand. Whole streets of houses have + been built outside the walls on the site of the ancient suburban + districts, which for hundreds of years have remained deserted. It + is not, however, only in Jerusalem itself that the Jews abound, + but throughout Palestine they are buying farms and establishing + themselves in a surprisingly rapid manner. In Jerusalem they form + at present a larger community than either the Christian or the + Mohammedan. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +DEATH'S HARVEST IN NAUVOO--RETURN OF PRODIGALS. + +DURING the summer of 1840, death reaped a rich harvest in Nauvoo. +Before his ruthless stroke fell many worthy Saints who had been +connected with The Church from the time it was founded. Among the first +to fall was Bishop Edward Partridge. He died on the twenty-seventh of +May, in the forty-sixth year of his age. He was the first Bishop in The +Church, and in that capacity had presided over the Saints who gathered +to Zion, in Jackson County, Missouri, during the years 1831-33. Joseph +described him as a "pattern of piety," and the Lord himself declared +that he was like Nathaniel of old--his heart was pure before him, and +he was without guile. His life was indeed an eventful one. He was +called from his merchandising, and became a preacher of righteousness. +Much, in fact all, of his riches fell into the hands of the mobs of +Jackson County, in the autumn of 1833, and upon his meek and uncovered +head fell a double portion of their fury. Five years later, he passed +through those trying times experienced by the Saints in their exodus +from the State of Missouri, under the exterminating order of the +infamous Governor Boggs; and at that time, he again saw the fruits of +his industry fall a prey to the rapacity of his relentless enemies. +Stripped of his earthly possessions and broken in health, he reached +Commerce, but the trials through which he passed had proven too much +for his constitution, which was never robust, and he passed away, a +victim to the intolerance and religious bigotry of this generation. + +In September of the same year Father Joseph Smith, Patriarch to The +Church, and father of the Prophet Joseph, was "gathered to his final +home," in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was baptized on the sixth +day of April, 1830, and was one of the six who organized The Church on +that date. Indeed he was the one who first received the testimony of +his son after the angel Moroni visited him on that memorable night of +September 21, 1823; and it was he who first exhorted his prophet son +to be faithful and diligent to the message he had received. He endured +many persecutions on account of the claims made by his son Joseph to +being a prophet of God; for Joseph's declarations that he had received +heavenly visions and revelations together with a divine commission to +preach the Gospel of Christ, not only brought upon himself the wrath +of the ungodly, but involved his whole family in the persecutions +which followed him throughout his life. Of these things, however, his +father never complained, but endured all things patiently, and with +true heroism, and ever supported his son in carrying out the counsels +of Heaven. He was born on the twelfth of July, 1771, in Topsfield, +Massachusetts; and was the second of the seven sons of Asahel and Mary +Smith; his forefathers being among those who early came from England +to Massachusetts. He was a large man, ordinarily weighing two hundred +pounds, was six feet two inches tall, and well proportioned, strong +and active; and he stood unbowed beneath the accumulated sorrows and +hardships he had experienced during his nearly three score and ten +years of sojourn in this life. The exposures, however, that he suffered +in the exodus from Missouri brought on him consumption, of which he +died. His was an unassuming nature--noted mostly, perhaps, for its +sincerity and unwavering integrity. He was a child of nature, and one +of nature's noblest; his life had been spent in parts remote from the +busy marts, where "wealth accumulates and men decay," and he had passed +through his probation on earth without being corrupted by the evil +influences of luxury or enervating civilization. He was a type of men, +so well described by one of our poets, in the following lines: + + Simple their lives--yet theirs the race + When liberty sent forth her cry, + Who crowded conflicts deadliest place, + To fight--to bleed--to die; + Who stood on Bunker's heights of red, + By hope through years were led-- + And witnessed Yorktown's sun + Shine on a nation's banner spread, + A nation's freedom won! + +Such was the character of the first Patriarch of The Church in this +dispensation. + +Another circumstance of interest in Nauvoo during this eventful summer +of 1840 was the return of a number of prodigals to The Church. I have +already stated the case of Orson Hyde. Frederick G. Williams was +dropped from his position as counselor to the Prophet in November, +1837, and in March, 1839, was excommunicated at a conference in Quincy, +Illinois. At the April conference in 1840, however, he came before +the assembled Church and "humbly asked forgiveness, and expressed his +determination to do the will of God for the future." He was forgiven by +the Saints but was never restored to his former position in the First +Presidency. + +About the time Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde fell during the trying +scenes in Missouri, W. W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery left The Church. +Elder Phelps was a man who had been of great service to The Church +and to the Prophet in a literary way, though some of his work in +that line was marred by pedantic verbosity, and pretension to a +knowledge of ancient languages which was not justified by any extended +acquaintance he had of them. Still, he it was who in the early rise of +The Church gave the cast to very much of The Church literature, and, +as I remarked, he had been useful to The Church and the Prophet in the +capacity of an editor and writer. + +During the summer of 1840 he began to feel his way back from his +apostasy into The Church. He had seen his folly and began to tremble at +the gulf which opened at his very feet to devour him. He felt debased +and humbled, and most piteously begged to be forgiven and taken back in +the confidence of his brethren and the Saints. So interesting are the +circumstances connected with his return that I give _in extenso_ the +letters which passed between himself and the Prophet. + + W. W. PHELPS' LETTER TO JOSEPH SMITH. + + DAYTON, OHIO, June 29, 1840. + + BROTHER JOSEPH--I am alive, and with the help of God I mean to live + still. I am as a prodigal son, though I never doubt or disbelieve + the fullness of the Gospel. I have been greatly abused and humbled, + and I blessed the God of Israel when I lately read your prophetic + blessing on my head, as follows: + + "The Lord will chasten him because he taketh honor to himself, and + when his soul is greatly humbled he will forsake the evil. Then + shall the light of the Lord break upon him as at noonday, and in + him shall be no darkness," etc. + + I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have + passed. So it is, and why I know not. I prayed and God answered, + but what could I do? Says I, "I will repent and live, and ask my + old brethren to forgive me, and though they chasten me to death, + yet _I will die_ with them, for their God is my God. The _least + place with them_ is enough for me, yea it is bigger and better than + all Babylon." Then I dreamed that I was in a large house with many + mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was said, + "Supper must be made ready," by one of the cooks, I saw no meat, + but you said there was plenty, and showed me much, and as good as + I ever saw; and while cutting to cook, your heart and mine beat + within us, and we took each other's hand and cried for joy, and I + awoke and took courage. + + I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to + be saved if my friends will help me. Like the captain that was cast + away on a desert island; when he got off, he went to sea again, + and made his fortune the next time--so let my lot be. I have done + wrong, and am sorry. The beam is in my own eye. I have not walked + with my friends according to my holy anointing. I ask forgiveness + in the name of Jesus Christ of all the Saints, for I will do + right, God helping me. I want your fellowship; if you cannot grant + that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are brethren, and + our communion used to be sweet, and whenever the Lord brings us + together again, _I will make all the satisfaction on every point + that Saints or God can require_. Amen. + + W. W. PHELPS. + +Elders Hyde and Page, _en route_ for the east on their mission to +Jerusalem, met with Phelps at Dayton, and at his request these brethren +added the following to his communication: + + Brother Phelps requests us to write a few lines in his letter, and + we cheerfully embrace the opportunity. Brother Phelps says he wants + to live; but we do not fell ourselves authorized to act upon his + case, but have recommended him to you; but he says his poverty will + not allow him to visit you in person at this time, and we think he + tells the truth. We therefore advise him to write, which he has + done. + + He tells us verbally, that he is willing to make any sacrifice + to procure your fellowship, life not excepted, yet reposing that + confidence in your magnanimity that you will take no advantage + of this open letter and frank confession. If he can obtain your + fellowship, he wants to come to Commerce as soon as he can. But if + he cannot be received into the fellowship of The Church, he must do + the best he can in banishment and exile. + + Brethren, with you are the keys of the Kingdom; to you is power + given to "exert your clemency, or display your vengeance." By + the former you will save a soul from death, and hide a multitude + of sins: by the latter you will forever discourage a returning + prodigal, cause sorrow without benefit, pain without pleasure, + ending in wretchedness and despair. But former experience teaches + that you are workmen in the art of saving souls; therefore with the + greater confidence do we recommend to your clemency and favorable + consideration, the author and subject of this communication. + "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." Brother + Phelps says he will, and so far as we are concerned, we say he may. + + In the bonds of the covenant, + + ORSON HYDE, + + JOHN E. PAGE. + +To this piteous appeal from one who had wandered far from the fold, +and who had been torn by the thorns, the Prophet wrote a most worthy +reply--a reply which clearly indicates that the spirit of the Master +burned brightly in the breast of the servant. + + JOSEPH SMITH'S LETTER TO W. W. PHELPS. + + NAUVOO, HANCOCK CO., ILLINOIS, July 22, 1840. + + DEAR BROTHER PHELPS--I must say that it is with no ordinary + feelings I endeavor to write a few lines to you in answer to yours + of the 29th ultimo; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege + granted me. + + You may in some measure realize what my feelings, as well as + Elder Rigdon's and Brother Hyrum's were, when we read your + letter--truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion + when we ascertained your resolves, etc. I can assure you I feel + a disposition to act on your case in a manner that will meet the + approbation of Jehovah, (whose servant I am) and agreeably to the + principles of truth and righteousness which have been revealed; + and inasmuch as longsuffering, patience and mercy have ever + characterized the dealings of our Heavenly Father towards the + humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish + the same principles, and by so doing be a savior of my fellow men. + + It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your + behavior--_the cup of gall, already full enough_ for mortals to + drink, was indeed _filled to overflowing_ when _you_ turned against + us. One with whom we had oft taken sweet counsel together, and + enjoyed many refreshing seasons from the Lord--"had it been an + enemy, we could have borne it." "In the day that thou stoodest on + the other side, in the day when strangers carried away captive his + forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon + Far West, even thou wast as one of them; but thou shouldest not + have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a + stranger, neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of + distress." + + However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been + done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having + been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our + God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of + the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God's dear children, + and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by + diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our + God, and your God, and to The Church of Jesus Christ. + + Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, + I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of + fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal. + + Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday, and an expression + was taken, when it was unanimously-- + + _Resolved_, That W. W. Phelps should be received into fellowship. + + "Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, + For friends at first are friends again at last." + + Yours as ever, + + JOSEPH SMITH, JR. + +Some time after this, when laying out work for the brethren to do, in a +sudden burst of kindness he said to his secretary: + + Write Oliver Cowdery, and ask him if he has not eaten husks long + enough. If he is not almost ready to return, be clothed with robes + of righteousness, and go up to Jerusalem. Orson Hyde hath need of + him. + +A letter was written accordingly, but the Prophet's generous tender +of forgiveness and fellowship called forth no response from Oliver +Cowdery, once the second Elder of The Church, and the first to make +public proclamation of the Gospel to the world. Subsequently, however, +he did return, namely in 1848. + +It may not be amiss here to call the attention of the reader to a +peculiarity of Mormonism, which is illustrated, not only by this case +of Phelps, but by a multitude of other cases of the same character; and +that is: whenever the religion of the Latter-day Saints--the Gospel +of Jesus Christ--takes hold of men, and conviction of its truth has +struck deep into the human soul, they may through transgression lose +the fellowship of the Saints and of The Church; they may wander out +upon the hills and through the deserts, away from the fold, but they +can never forget the sweet communion of the Spirit of God, which they +enjoyed before their fall; nor can they forget the fact that they once +knew that Mormonism was true. The recollection of those things operates +upon the mind, and not infrequently leads to a sincere repentance; and +it has often happened, in the experience of The Church, that men who +through transgression turned away from the truth, after thorns have +torn their flesh, and the wild briar stripped them of their covering, +they return and humbly beg to be re-admitted into their Father's house. +Lucifer-like, they cannot forget the heights from which they fell, they +cannot all forget the splendor of that glory and the happiness of that +peace they enjoyed in God's Kingdom, and wicked indeed must that heart +become, that these recollections will not lead to repentance. May not +they have so far transgressed that they cannot repent, and are beyond +even the desire for forgiveness? Are they not the sons of perdition? +Thank God, their numbers are few! + +Again, those who fall away from Mormonism carry with them the evidences +of that fall. Unbelievers say to Mormons, "Come out of the darkness +of your superstitions into God's sunlight of freedom"--but when one +looks upon the fate, the condition and experience of those who have +denied the faith, he receives small encouragement to obey the summons. +Seldom indeed are they prospered even in the affairs of this world, and +the canker-worm gnawing within, writes upon their faces the anguish +of heart which their lying lips deny. They smile, but smiling suffer; +the heart still beats, but brokenly lives on; and who so blind that he +would exchange the peace, the joy, the holy aspirations and assurances +which the Gospel brings, for the unrest, the gloom, darkness, +uncertainty and fearfulness, which forever haunt the mind of the +apostate? Only those who would exchange the glorious light of heaven +for the murky blackness of hell. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +JOHN C. BENNETT. + +ABOUT this time, there were other characters which had become attracted +to The Church, and who became prominent in the events which occurred +at Nauvoo. Among them was Dr. John C. Bennett, described as "a man +of enterprise, extensive acquirements, and of independent mind, one +calculated to be of great benefit to The Church." His attention had +been attracted to the Mormon people during their persecutions in +Missouri. At that time he was brigadier-general of the "Invincible +Dragoons" of Illinois, and wrote to the leaders of The Church in the +hours of their deepest distress, proffering to go to their assistance +with all the forces he could raise in Illinois, as his bosom swelled +with indignation at the treatment the Saints received at the hands of +the cruel but cowardly Missourians. That proffered service, however, +was not accepted; doubtless because the Saints depended for vindication +of their reputation, and redress of their wrongs, upon the officers of +the State and Nation, rather than upon adventurers who offered their +service to wage war upon their enemies. But after the Saints began +gathering at Commerce, he again expressed a desire to connect his +fortunes with theirs. + +As this man may properly be regarded as the "Benedict Arnold" of +The Church at Nauvoo, I shall take the liberty of now noting a few +expressions in his first letters to Joseph the Prophet, which, if they +fail to adorn a tale, they will at least point a moral. + +When he contemplated joining his fortunes with The Church at Commerce, +he held the position of quartermaster-general in the militia of the +State of Illinois, a position he did not wish to resign. Indeed he +expressed a desire to hold the position for a number of years. He was +also a physician with an extensive practice, and sent extracts from the +Louisville _Courier-Journal_ which gave evidence of high standing in +his profession. Writing of these things to Joseph, he said: + + I do not expect to resign my office of quartermaster-general of + the State of Illinois, in the event of my removal to Commerce, + unless you advise otherwise. I shall likewise expect to practice + my profession, but at the same time your people shall have all the + benefit of my speaking power, and my untiring energies in behalf of + the good and holy faith. + +In a communication following the one from which I make the above +quotation he said: + + You are aware that at the time of your most bitter persecution, I + was with you in feeling, and proffered you my military knowledge + and powers. + +The egotism of the man plainly appears in these expressions, and +manifests a spirit that is altogether at variance with the humility +required by the Gospel, and doubtless that self-importance laid the +foundation of his subsequent fall. While Joseph extended a hearty +welcome to the doctor to come to Nauvoo, he by no means held out very +flattering inducements to him, as may be seen by Joseph's letters to +him in answer to those of Bennett's, expressing his determination to +join the Saints at Commerce. He said: + + I have no doubt that you would be of great service to this + community in practicing your profession, as well as those other + abilities of which you are in possession. Though to devote + your time and abilities in the cause of truth and a suffering + people, may not be the means of exalting you in the eyes of this + generation, or securing you the riches of this world, yet by so + doing you may rely on the approval of Jehovah, "that blessing which + maketh rich and addeth no sorrow." * * * Therefore, my general + invitation is, let all who will come, come and partake of the + poverty of Nauvoo, freely. + + I should be disposed to give you a special invitation to come as + early as possible, believing you will be of great service to us. + However, you must make your own arrangements according to your + circumstances. Were it possible for you to come here this season + to suffer affliction with the people of God, no one will be more + pleased to give you a cordial welcome than myself. + +Surely this was frank enough, and ought to have dispelled from the +doctor's mind, if at that time such ideas lurked there, all thoughts +of winning worldly fame, or gratifying vain ambition, by linking his +fortunes with those of The Church of Jesus Christ. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES BY MISSOURI. + +IT would appear that Hatred's hunger is never fed; it seems to possess +an appetite which is insatiable, and can never feel at ease so long +as the object of its detestation remains within its reach; and even +when that object is removed beyond the immediate power of Hatred to do +it harm, as the dragon of the apocalypse when he could not follow the +woman he had persecuted into the wilderness, cast out of his mouth a +flood of water after her to destroy her--even so Hatred, when baffled +in his efforts to destroy his victims, sends out floods of falsehood to +overwhelm them by infusing his own venom into the breasts of others; +that that destruction which he could not bring to pass himself, might +be brought about by another. + +Such was the course of hate-blinded Missouri towards the Saints of +God, whom she had driven beyond her borders. Seeing that she had not +destroyed them, but that they were now upon the eve of enjoying an era +of prosperity such as they had never enjoyed while within her borders, +she employed all her cunning to incite the hatred of the citizens of +Illinois against them. But this was not easy of accomplishment; and at +first, the misrepresentations of a State that had been guilty of such +outrages as those committed by Missouri against the Latter-day Saints, +had but little weight in Illinois. + +Finding that their accusations against the people whom they had so +wronged had little or no effect, an effort was made to give coloring +to their statements; and stolen goods were conveyed from Missouri to +the vicinity of Commerce, so that when they were found, suspicion might +rest upon the people in whose neighborhood the stolen articles were +discovered. + +Nor did their outrages stop at this. But doubtless being emboldened +by reason of the general government's refusing to make any effort to +redress the wrongs of the Saints, a company of men led by William +Allensworth, H. M. Woodyard, Wm. Martin, J. H. Owsely, John Bain, Light +T. Lait and Halsay White, crossed over the Mississippi to Illinois, at +a point a few miles above Quincy, and kidnapped Alanson Brown, James +Allred, Benjamin Boyce and Noah Rogers; and without any writ or warrant +of any character whatever, they dragged them over to Missouri, to a +neighborhood called Tully, in Lewis County. These unfortunate men were +imprisoned for a day or two in an old log cabin, during which time +their lives were repeatedly threatened. At one time Brown was taken +out, a rope placed around his neck, and he was hung up to a tree until +he was nearly strangled to death. Boyce at the same time was tied to a +tree, stripped of his clothing and inhumanly beaten. Rogers was also +beaten, and Allred was stripped of every particle of clothing, and +tied up to a tree for the greater part of the night, and threatened +frequently by a man named Monday, exclaiming: "G--d d--n you, I'll cut +you to the hollow." He was finally, however, released without being +whipped. + +After they had received this inhuman treatment, their captors performed +an act purely Missourian in its character, that is, they gave them the +following note of acquittal: + + TULLY, MISSOURI, July 12, 1840. + + The people of Tully, having taken up Mr. Allred, with some others, + and having examined into the offenses committed, find nothing to + justify his detention any longer, and have released him. + + By order of the committee. + + H. M. WOODYARD. + +As soon as the people of Commerce and vicinity were informed of this +outrage, Gentiles as well as Mormons were loud in their condemnation +of it, and at once a mass meeting was called, and resolutions were +adopted, expressing their unqualified indignation, and calling upon +the governor of Illinois to take the necessary steps to punish those +who had committed this outrage, and by vindicating the law, give the +Missourians to understand there was a limit beyond which their deeds of +violence must not pass. + +D.H. Wells, not then a member of The Church, and George Miller were +appointed a committee to wait upon Governor Carlin, and lay the case +before him. For this purpose they repaired to Quincy, and at the +recital of the cruelties practiced upon the men who were the victims of +the Missourians, the governor's wife, who was present at the interview, +was moved to tears, and the governor himself was greatly agitated. He +promised to counsel with the State attorney, who by law was made his +adviser, and promised to take such steps as the case seemed to require, +and the law to justify. Just what was done by Governor Carlin, however, +I am unable to learn; but one thing is certain, and that is, the guilty +parties were never brought to justice, nor even to a trial--indeed it +may be that even then the love which Governor Carlin once had for the +Saints, and which at last became dead, had begun to grow cold. + +Scarcely had the excitement occasioned by the kidnapping of Allred +and his associates subsided, when Governor Boggs of Missouri made a +requisition on Governor Carlin, of Illinois, for the persons of Joseph +Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, P.P. Pratt, Caleb Baldwin and +Alanson Brown, as fugitives from justice. Governor Carlin granted the +requisition--was it another case of Herod and Pilate being made friends +over the surrender of God's Prophet? But fortunately when the sheriff +went to Commerce with his requisition, Joseph and his brethren were +not at home, and could not be found; so that the officers returned +without them. These men were not fugitives from justice, no process +had ever been found against them, the governor himself had connived at +their escape from the hands of the officers charged with the duty of +conducting them from Liberty, Clay County, to Boone County; [1] and +these men did not feel disposed to try again "the solemn realities of +mob law in Missouri." + +These circumstances gave the Saints to understand that their peace +in their beautiful situation on the banks of the placid, grand, +old Mississippi was not to be without alloy; the goal of their +final triumph and rest had not been reached. These incidents were a +premonition of danger; they were indeed the few drops of rain which +sometimes precede the storm, but a kind Providence shut out from their +vision how fierce that storm would be, or how would they have had the +courage to meet it? + +Footnotes + +1. Missouri Persecutions, Chapter XLVII. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +FOUNDING A CITY. + +MEANTIME Commerce had become Nauvoo. The city of Nauvoo was +incorporated by act of the legislature of Illinois, on the fourteenth +of December, 1840. The charter granted on that date described the +boundaries of the city, but gave to the citizens--whom it erected a +body corporate and politic--the right to extend the area of the city +whenever any tract of land adjoining should have been laid out into +town lots and recorded according to law. The city council was to +consist of a mayor, four aldermen and nine councilors to be elected +by the qualified voters of the city. The first Monday in February was +appointed for the first election of officers. + +The charter granted to the citizens of Nauvoo the most plenary powers +in the management of their local affairs. Indeed, about the only limit +placed upon their powers was, that they do nothing inconsistent with +the constitution of the United States, and the State constitution of +Illinois. But inside of those lines they were all powerful to make +and execute such ordinances as in the wisdom of the city council were +necessary for the peace, good order, and general welfare of the city. +It afterwards became a question in the State as to whether or not +powers too great had not been granted the city government--but of that +I shall have occasion to speak further on. + +The leading men of the State appeared not only willing but anxious +to grant the privileges of this city government to the Saints. S. H. +Little, of the upper house of the State legislature, especially stood +by the Saints, and pleaded for their rights; together with Messrs. +Snyder, Ralston, Moore, Ross and Stapp; while Mr. John F. Charles, the +representative to the lower house from the district in which Nauvoo +was located, manfully discharged his duties to the Nauvoo portion of +his constituents, by using all his energy to secure them their city +government. + +An incident connecting Abraham Lincoln with the passage of this charter +may not be without interest. The State of Illinois was at that time +divided into two political parties, Whigs and Democrats. Both parties +were friendly to the Saints, who considered themselves equally bound +to both parties for acts of kindness. Lincoln was a Whig, and in the +November election his name was on the State electoral ticket as a +Whig candidate for the State legislature. But many of the people of +Nauvoo, wishing to divide their vote, and to show a kindness to the +Democrats, erased the name of Lincoln, and substituted that of Ralston, +a Democrat. It was with no ill feeling, however, towards Mr. Lincoln +that this was done, and when the vote was called on the final passage +of the Nauvoo charter, he had the magnanimity to vote for it; and +congratulated John C. Bennett on his success in securing its enactment. + +The Saints rejoiced in the prospects of liberty secured to them by +their city government, and of it Joseph said: + + I concocted it for the salvation of The Church, and on principles + so broad, that every honest man might dwell secure under its + protecting influences, without distinction of sect or party. + +An inspection of the charter will bear out this opinion of it, for +while it was "concocted for the salvation of The Church," it by +no means secured that salvation by trespassing upon the rights of +others, but by recognizing the rights of the Saints to be equal to +the rights of other citizens. Nor was it intended that Nauvoo should +be an exclusive city for people of the Mormon faith; on the contrary, +all worthy people were invited to come and assist to build it up +and partake of its liberty and anticipated prosperity. An official +proclamation, issued over the signatures of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon +and Hyrum Smith, who then constituted the First Presidency of The +Church, contains the following passage: + + We wish it likewise to be distinctly understood, that we claim + no privileges but what we feel cheerfully disposed to share with + our fellow-citizens of every denomination, and every sentiment of + religion; and therefore say, that so far from being restricted to + our own faith, let all those who desire to locate in this place + (Nauvoo) or the vicinity, come, and we will hail them as citizens + and friends, and shall feel it not only a duty, but a privilege to + reciprocate the kindness we have received from the benevolent and + kind-hearted citizens of the State of Illinois. + +And as an earnest of the intention, so far as the Saints were +concerned, of carrying out in practice these liberal sentiments and +extending equal rights to people of all religious persuasions, among +the first acts of the city council was the passage of the following +ordinance, introduced by Joseph Smith: + + SECTION I. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo + that the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-day + Saints, Quakers, Episcopalians, Universalists, Unitarians, + Mohammedans, and all other religious sects and denominations, + whatever, shall have free toleration and equal privileges in this + city; and should any person be guilty of ridiculing and abusing, + or otherwise deprecating another, in consequence of his religion, + or of disturbing or interrupting any religious meeting within the + limits of this city, he shall, on conviction before the mayor or + municipal court, be considered a disturber of the public peace, and + fined in any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisoned + not exceeding six months, or both, at the discretion of said mayor + and court. + +The second section made it the duty of all municipal officers to notice +and report any violation of the law--and in fact, of any other law of +the city--to the mayor; and the municipal officers were authorized +to arrest all violators of this law, either with or without process; +so that the fullest religious liberty was secured to all sects, and +all religions, and to people of no religion at all if any such there +should be. Under such an ordinance, people could worship Almighty +God according to the dictates of their consciences, without fear of +molestation from any one; but they were restrained from interfering +with the religion or mode of worship of their fellows--they were told, +in a manner, that their liberties ended where those of other people +commenced. + +On the first of February, 1841, the first election for members of the +city council took place, as provided by the city charter. John C. +Bennett was chosen mayor; William Marks, Samuel H. Smith, D. H. Wells, +and N. K. Whitney, aldermen; Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, +Chas. C. Rich, John T. Barnett, Wilson Law, Don C. Smith, J. P. Greene +and Vinson Knight, councilors. On the third of the month the city +council was organized, by appointing the following officers: marshal, +H. G. Sherwood; recorder, James Sloan; treasurer, R. B. Thompson; +assessor, James Robinson; supervisor of streets, Austin Cowles. + +Mayor Bennett, the same day, delivered his inaugural address. +After making several recommendations to the council relative to +the establishment of an educational institution, a militia, the +enactment of a temperance ordinance, and other measures affecting +the manufacturing and commercial interests of the city; and further +recommending that the protecting aegis of the corporation be thrown +around every moral and religious institution of the day, which was +in any way calculated to ennoble or ameliorate the condition of the +citizens, he concluded his speech in these words: + + As the chief magistrate of your city, I am determined to execute + all State laws, and city ordinances passed in pursuance of law, to + the very letter, should it require the strong arm of military power + to enable me to do so. As an officer, I know no man; the peaceful, + unoffending citizen shall be protected in the full exercise of all + his civil, political and religious rights, and the guilty violator + of the law shall be punished without respect to persons. + +The first act of the city council, after its organization, was to +express its gratitude for its privileges and powers conferred upon the +city by its charter. For this purpose the following resolution was +introduced by Joseph Smith, and adopted: + + _Resolved_, by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that the + unfeigned thanks of this community be respectfully tendered to the + governor, council of revision, and legislature of the State of + Illinois, as a feeble testimonial of their respect and esteem of + noble, high-minded, and patriotic statesmen; and as an evidence of + gratitude for the signal powers recently conferred--and that the + citizens of Quincy be held in everlasting remembrance for their + unparalleled liberality and marked kindness to our people, when in + their greatest state of suffering and want. + +The next move was to pass a temperance ordinance, which practically +made Nauvoo a prohibition city--that is, so far as prohibitory +ordinances prohibit. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE NAUVOO LEGION. + +THE Nauvoo charter proper really contained two other charters, viz: One +for the establishment of a university within the limits of the city +"for the teaching of the arts and sciences, and learned professions," +and another for the organization of an independent military body to be +called the "Nauvoo Legion." + +An ordinance was passed on the third of February, in relation to the +university, appointing a chancellor and board of regents. A site for a +building was selected, and plans of the structure were drawn, but that +was as far as the matter went, as the city had no funds with which to +proceed with the work of construction. + +An ordinance was also passed on the above date authorizing the +organization of the Nauvoo Legion. The original provision in the Nauvoo +charter establishing this military body provided that the city council +might organize the inhabitants of the city, subject to military duty +under the laws of the State, into an independent body of militia; and a +subsequent amendment to the charter extended the privilege of joining +the Legion to any citizen of Hancock County, who might by voluntary +enrollment desire to do so; and in that event he was to have all the +privileges to be enjoyed by members of that organization. The charter +provided that the officers of the Legion should be commissioned by the +governor; and that the members thereof be required to perform the same +amount of military duty as the regular militia of the State; they were +to be at the disposal of the mayor in executing the laws and ordinances +of the city, and the laws of the State; and also at the disposal of +the governor for the public defense, and the execution of the laws +of the State and of the United States; and were entitled to their +proportion of the public arms; but were exempt from all military duty +not specified in these provisions. + +The commissioned officers of the Legion were constituted its +court-martial, which was its law-making department; but no law +inconsistent with either the Constitution of the United States or +the State of Illinois was to be enacted by this court. The privilege +of organizing the citizens of Nauvoo, and as many of the citizens of +Hancock County as might desire to unite with them, into an independent +military body, was highly gratifying to the people of Nauvoo, but +more especially so to Joseph Smith, who, in speaking of it, in a +proclamation to the Saints scattered abroad, said: + + The Nauvoo Legion embraces all our military power, and will enable + us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us + the power and privileges of avoiding one of the most fruitful + sources of strife, oppression and collision with the world. It will + enable us to show our attachment to the State and Nation, as a + people, whenever the public service requires our aid, thus proving + ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at + all times to sustain and execute them. + +The city ordinance provided that the Legion should be divided into +two cohorts, the horse troops to constitute the first cohort, and +the infantry the second. The commander-in-chief of the Legion was to +be known as the lieutenant-general, who was also made the reviewing +officer and president of the court-martial and Legion. His staff was +to consist of two principal aides-de-camp with the rank of colonel of +cavalry; and a guard of twelve aides-de-camp with the rank of captain +of infantry; and a drill officer, with the rank of colonel of dragoons, +to be the chief officer of the guard. + +The second officer was a major-general, to act as the secretary of +the court-martial and Legion. His staff consisted of an adjutant; +surgeon-in-chief, a cornet, quartermaster, paymaster, commissary, and +chaplain; all to hold the rank of colonel of cavalry; besides these, +there were to be in his staff, a surgeon for each cohort, quartermaster +sergeant, sergeant-major, and a chief musician--with the rank of +captain of light infantry; and two musicians with the rank of captain +of infantry. Besides these officers there were created by the ordinance +an adjutant and inspector-general; and a brigadier-general to command +each cohort. The staff of each brigadier-general consisted of an +aide-de-camp with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of infantry, and when +not otherwise in service, these brigadiers had access to the staff of +the major-general. + +The ordinance organizing this body of militia provided that the +court-martial should adopt for the Legion, so far as practicable, +the discipline, drill, uniform, rules and regulations of the United +States army. And a law passed by the court-martial shortly after +its organization, required all male citizens within the limits of +Nauvoo, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, excepting such +as were exempted from service under the laws of the United States, to +perform military duty under the penalty of being fined for absence +from general parades, as follows: generals, twenty-five dollars; +colonels, twenty dollars; captains, fifteen dollars; lieutenants, ten +dollars; and musicians and privates, five dollars. For absence from +company parades--of course without good reason for the absence--the +fines were fixed at these rates: commissioned officers, five dollars; +non-commissioned officers, three dollars; and musicians and privates, +two dollars. + +The first election of officers of the Legion took place on the fourth +of February, 1841; and resulted in Joseph Smith being unanimously +chosen lieutenant-general; John C. Bennett, major-general; Wilson +Law, brigadier-general of the first cohort; and Don Carlos Smith, +brigadier-general of the second cohort. The staffs of the respective +generals were chosen from the leading citizens of Nauvoo, some of whom +were not members of the Mormon Church. There were but six companies at +the time the Legion was organized, in February, 1841, but in September +following, the number of men had increased to one thousand four hundred +and ninety; and at the time of the Prophet Joseph's death, some three +years later, the Legion numbered about five thousand. + +With such strict regulations, accompanied by a natural enthusiasm for +military display, and drilled by competent military officers, it is +not to be wondered at if the Legion became the best body of militia in +the State of Illinois. It excited the jealousy and envy of the rest of +the militia in the surrounding counties, and all the laudable efforts +of the Legion to become an efficient body of militia, with a view of +assisting in the execution of the State and National laws, if occasion +should require, were construed by their enemies to mean a preparation +for rebellion, and the establishment and spread of the Mormon religion +by conquests of the sword, as, it is alleged, Mohammed established his +religion. Thus the forming of an independent body of militia, enabling +the Saints to perform their military duty by themselves, which the +Prophet fondly hoped would remove "one of the most fruitful sources of +strife, oppression and collision with the world," and which he further +hoped would give the Saints, as a people, an opportunity of showing +their attachment to the State and Nation, whenever the public service +required their aid--by the misrepresentation of their enemies, was +made one of the principal rocks of offense, and was used to excite the +apprehensions and prejudices of the good people of Illinois. + +The people of the United States have always been jealous of military +power, and hence have been careful in forming their political +institutions to subordinate the military to the civil authority, except +in times of actual war; and, therefore, notwithstanding the very good +intentions of the Saints at Nauvoo, it was a very easy matter for +their enemies to excite the prejudice and awaken the fears of the +people of Illinois by pointing to the existence of this elaborate and +efficient military organization with its frequent musters and parades, +and captained by a great religious leader, whom, notwithstanding his +virtues and the uprightness of his intentions--they had come to regard +as a wild, religious fanatic, prepared to go to what lengths they knew +not in the promulgation of his religion. Hence that which was to be a +bulwark to the city, and a protection to the Saints, was transformed by +their enemies into an occasion of offense, and an excuse for assailing +them. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +RECONSTRUCTION OF QUORUMS--THE NAUVOO HOUSE AND THE TEMPLE. + +In the meantime important changes in The Church organization were +pending. An important revelation was received on the nineteenth of +January, 1841, [1] which provided for filling the vacancies in the +several quorums and a reconfirmation of all the authorities of the +Church. Hyrum Smith, who had stood in the position of counselor to his +brother Joseph, since the apostasy of F. G. Williams and his expulsion +from The Church, on the seventh of November, 1837--was appointed to +succeed his father as Patriarch to The Church; to hold the sealing +blessings of The Church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby the +Saints are sealed up unto the day of redemption, that they may not +fall, notwithstanding the day of temptation that might come upon them. +He was also appointed a prophet, seer, and revelator, as well as Joseph +with whom he was to act in concert, and from whom he was to receive +counsel. The Prophet was to show unto him the keys whereby he might ask +and receive, "and be crowned with the same blessing and glory and honor +and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood that once were put upon him +that was my servant Oliver Cowdery." + +Joseph Smith was given, as the presiding Elder of The Church, to be +a translator, a revelator, a seer and prophet. Sidney Rigdon was +admonished of his neglect of duty, and of his lack of faith; he was +told, however, if he would repent of his sins, and stand in his place +and calling, he might continue to act as counselor to Joseph, and the +Lord promised to heal him, and make him powerful in testimony. The +reason for this admonition, as one may judge from the spirit of it, was +that he to whom it was given had become sour in his feelings toward the +work of God. His ardor was cooling, and his zeal, which at times had +been inordinate, seemed now to be oozing out of his disposition. + +William Law, whom, it will be remembered, Joseph first met when _en +route_ for Washington--Law then leading a small company of Saints to +Nauvoo from Canada--was appointed to fill the vacancy in the First +Presidency made by the appointment of Hyrum Smith to the office of +Patriarch. And such blessings and spiritual powers were pronounced upon +him by the Lord, as seldom falls to the lot of man. On condition of his +faithfulness he was to have power to have the sick, cast out devils, be +delivered from those who administered unto him poison, and the serpent +that might lay hold upon his heel; "And what if I will," said the Lord, +"that he should raise the dead, let him not hold his voice." + +Brigham Young was appointed the president of the Twelve Apostles, and +liberty was given to appoint another man to fill the vacancy made in +the quorum through the death of David W. Patten, who was killed by the +mob, at the battle of Crooked River, in Missouri. The High Council for +Nauvoo was named, and a presidency given to the High Priests; the seven +presidents of the Seventies were appointed; and all the quorums of the +Priesthood both in the Melchisedek and Aaronic divisions were set in +order, so far as the appointment of presidents was concerned. + +Besides setting the Priesthood in order, the Lord in this revelation +required that a house should be built to His name; "a house worthy of +all acceptation; that the weary traveler may find health and safety +while he contemplates the word of the Lord;" and the Prophet Joseph +and his family were to have a right of permanent residence in it. It +was to be known as the "Nauvoo House," and built unto the name of +the Lord. The possession of individual stock was to range from fifty +dollars to fifteen thousand dollars; no person being allowed to put in +less than fifty, nor more than fifteen thousand. And it was specially +provided that none but those who believed in the Book of Mormon and the +revelations of God were to be permitted to hold stock in the house. + +In addition to this commandment to build the Nauvoo House, the Lord +told the Saints that there was not a place found on the earth to which +He might come and restore that which was lost, or which he had taken +away, even the fullness of the Priesthood; nor was there a baptismal +font upon the earth where the Saints might be baptized for the dead. + +The doctrine of baptism for the dead had been made known to the Saints +some time previous to this, and the ordinance had been performed in the +Mississippi and other convenient places; but this is an ordinance of +God's house, and cannot be acceptable to Him when performed elsewhere, +only in the days of the poverty of His people. And as more prosperous +times had dawned upon The Church, the Saints were required to build a +temple to the name of the Most High; and they were further told that +they were granted sufficient time to build a temple, and if they failed +to build it at the expiration of that appointed time, they should be +rejected as a Church together with their dead. To show to The Church +the importance of erecting this temple, the Lord reminded them how He +had commanded Moses to build a tabernacle, that the children of Israel +could bear with them into the wilderness, that those ordinances might +be revealed which had been hidden from before the foundation of the +world. Therefore said the Lord-- + + Let this house be built unto my name that I may reveal mine + ordinances therein, unto my people. For I design to reveal unto my + Church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation + of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the + fullness of times; and I will show unto my servant Joseph all + things pertaining to this house, and the Priesthood thereof. * * + * And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated + building it, for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to + build it. + +The location which the Saints had contemplated as the site for the +temple was on a bold eminence overlooking the river, the landscape on +the Iowa side, and all the surrounding country for miles around. It was +not only by far the noblest site in Nauvoo for a temple, but ideal in +its fitness. + +Footnotes + +1. Doctrine and Covenants, Section 124. + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE CONFERENCE OF APRIL 6TH, 1841. + +THE sixth of April, 1841, was a memorable day in the history of Nauvoo. +That day the corner stones of the great temple which God by revelation +had commanded His people to build were to be laid. To the Prophet +Joseph the day must have been a veritable gleam of sunshine amid the +constantly renewing storms of his eventful career. It was a beautiful +day, clear and balmy--propitious for the exercises to take place. + +Early in the morning there was a hurrying to and fro in the streets +of militiamen, for the presence of sixteen uniformed companies of +the Nauvoo Legion was to add brightness and interest to the imposing +ceremonies. A great procession was formed and marched to the temple +site. Here the Legion was formed in a hollow square surrounding the +excavations made for the foundation of the temple and enclosing the +officers of the Legion, choir, citizens and prominent Elders of The +Church who were to lay the corner stones of that structure. Sidney +Rigdon was the orator of the occasion; and, doubtless owing to the +recent admonition he had received in the revelation from the Lord--to +which reference has been made--he was aroused from his lethargy for the +time. At any rate, on this occasion he spoke with his old fervor and +eloquence. He reviewed the trials of the past, the blessings they then +enjoyed, the brightening prospects of the future, and dwelt at some +length upon the importance of building temples, and the labor to be +performed in them. + +At the conclusion of the oration, at the direction of the First +Presidency, the architects lowered the southeast cornerstone to its +place, and Joseph Smith said: + + This principal corner-stone in representation of the First + Presidency, is now duly laid in honor of the great God; and may it + there remain until the whole fabric is completed; and may the same + be accomplished speedily; that the Saints may have a place in which + to worship God, and the Son of Man have where to lay His head. + +To which Sidney Rigdon added: + + May the persons employed in the erection of this house be preserved + from all harm while engaged in its construction, till the whole is + completed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the + Holy Ghost. Even so, amen. + +Thus were laid the corner-stones of the Nauvoo Temple, amid the +rejoicing of the Saints; and even strangers forgot their prejudices +and joined with hearty good will, as interested spectators of the +proceedings. "Such an almost countless multitude of people," says one +enthusiastic account of the scenes of the day, written at the time, +"moving in harmony, in friendship, in dignity, told with a voice not +easily misunderstood, that they were a people of intelligence, and +virtue, and order; in short, that they were Saints; and that the God of +love, purity and light, was their God, their exemplar and director; and +that they were blessed and happy." + +While on this subject, I quote the instructions on temple building from +the history of the Prophet: + + If the strict order of the Priesthood were carried out in the + building of temples, the first stone will be laid at the southeast + corner, by the First Presidency of The Church. The southwest corner + should be laid next. The third, or northwest corner next; and the + fourth or northeast corner the last. + + The First Presidency should lay the southeast corner-stone, and + dictate who are the proper persons to lay the other corner-stones. + + If a temple is built at a distance, and the First Presidency are + not present, then the quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the proper + persons to dictate the order for that temple; and in the absence + of the Twelve Apostles, then the presidency of the stake will lay + the southeast corner-stone. The Melchisedek Priesthood laying + the corner-stones on the east side of the temple, and the Lesser + Priesthood those on the west side. + +During the remaining days of the conference, opened with such splendid +ceremonies, the Saints were instructed in principle and doctrine, the +quorums of the Priesthood were arranged in their proper order and +the important questions of business put to each quorum separately +and voted upon; especially the names of those whom God had appointed +and reappointed to fill the respective positions alluded to in the +revelation above quoted. + +Besides this, the several charters of Nauvoo, the Legion, University, +Agricultural and Manufacturing Association, Nauvoo House Association, +etc., were read and accepted by the people. Lyman Wight was sustained +to fill the vacancy in the quorum of the Twelve. John C. Bennett +was presented in connection with the First Presidency as assistant +President until Sidney Rigdon's health should be restored. Everything +necessary for the welfare, happiness and prosperity of the Saints was +considered, and preparations made to push the work of God forward in +all its departments. The conference lasted from Wednesday morning until +Sunday night; and is one of the most important ever held by The Church. + +Indeed the circumstances surrounding the Saints at the time were of +a character to bid them hope that Nauvoo would be to them "a safe +retreat." The friendship of nearly all of the leading men of the State; +the universal sympathy felt by the people of Illinois for the victims +of Missouri's fury; the action of the State legislature in granting +the several charters noted in chapter fifteen--all supported the hopes +entertained. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +PROPHET'S TRIAL AT MONMOUTH. + +EARLY in the summer of 1841, an event happened which threatened +the peace of the inhabitants of Nauvoo. When busily intent in the +performance of some labor, or duty, or even when in pursuit of +pleasure, how often it happens that we work on, or enjoy our pleasure +in the bright sunshine, without ever thinking of storms, until a +sudden clap of thunder startles us, and looking up we see that dark +clouds have arisen above the horizon; the bright skies are rapidly +becoming overcast--a storm is impending! So it was with the Saints at +Nauvoo concerning the matter of which we speak. It fell upon them as +unexpectedly as falls a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky. + +It occurred in this manner: When Hyrum Smith and William Law started +on the mission to the Eastern States, to which they were appointed by +the revelation of January 19, 1841, Joseph accompanied them as far as +Quincy; and when returning to Nauvoo he stopped at Heberlin's hotel, +on Bear Creek, some twenty-eight miles south of that city. While here +a sheriff's posse under the direction of Thomas King, sheriff of Adams +County, accompanied by an officer from Missouri, arrested him on a +requisition from the governor of the State of Missouri. The warrant +upon which the arrest was made was the one issued by the authorities of +Missouri early in September, 1840; an effort to serve which was made on +the fifteenth of that month, but the officers failed in their errand, +as the brethren wanted, viz: Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Lyman +Wight, P. P. Pratt, Caleb Baldwin and A. Brown were not in Nauvoo, that +is, they evaded arrest, as already related in a former chapter. + +The complaint on which the requisition of the governor of Illinois was +based charged that these men were fugitives from justice; and they +were wanted in Missouri to answer to the old charges of "theft, arson +and murder," supposed to have been committed in Caldwell and Daviess +counties in the summer and fall of 1838. + +What made Joseph's arrest more a matter of surprise to him was, that +only a few hours previous to its being made, he had been in company +with Governor Carlin at the latter's residence, and was treated with +the greatest respect and kindness; yet not one word was said by the +governor about the requisition made by Missouri for his arrest. + +Joseph returned to Quincy in company with the sheriff's posse and +secured a writ of _habeas corpus_ from Charles A. Warren, master in +chancery. The same evening, Saturday, June 5th, Judge Stephen A. +Douglass arrived in Quincy, and appointed the hearing on the writ to +take place the following Tuesday, at Monmouth, Warren County. + +In the meantime the news of Joseph's arrest reached Nauvoo and created +no little excitement. A party of seven men, under the leadership of +Hosea Stout, left Nauvoo for Quincy, Sunday morning, in a skiff, to +render the Prophet any assistance in their power, and prevent if +possible his enemies taking him to Missouri. They struggled against +a head-wind all day, but reached Quincy at dusk, only to learn that +Joseph had gone to Nauvoo in charge of Sheriff King and another +officer; there was nothing for them to do but to return. + +Sheriff King was taken sick at Nauvoo, but Joseph nursed him with all +the tenderness of a brother, and the day following Monday, started for +Monmouth, accompanied by a large number of the leading men of Nauvoo, +and the sheriff, whom Joseph cared for personally during the journey of +seventy-five miles. The party arrived at Monmouth on Tuesday, but at +the request of the State attorney, who claimed he was not prepared on +the case, the hearing was postponed until the next day. + +The appearance of Joseph in Monmouth caused considerable excitement. He +was invited to preach, but thought it best, as he was a prisoner, not +to do so; but he appointed Amasa Lyman to preach in the court room on +Wednesday evening. + +The prejudice of the people of Monmouth was as excessive as it was +blind. They employed at their own expense several attorneys to assist +the prosecution, and declared that if there were any lawyers in the +district who would even undertake the defense of the Prophet, they +never need look to the people of that county again for political +favors. But there were strong men in attendance at the court, men not +to be frightened by such threats, and whose souls despised the petty +minds that could frame them; Joseph, therefore, was ably defended by +Messrs. Charles A. Warren, Sidney H. Little, O. H. Browning, James H. +Ralston, Cyrus Walker, and Archibald Williams. + +The pleadings of the lawyers for the defense were peculiarly affecting, +since all of them were more or less acquainted with the condition of +the Saints when they fled from the violence of Missourians to Illinois. +O. H. Browning had seen several of these companies of Saints in their +flight and could trace them by the blood left in their footprints on +the snow; his recital of their sufferings moved Judge Douglass, most +of the officers of the court and the spectators to tears. One of the +brethren present who wrote an account of the trial for the Nauvoo +papers says: + + He [Mr. Browning] concluded his remarks by saying, To tell the + prisoner to go to Missouri for a trial was adding insult to injury, + and then said: "Great God! Have I not seen it? Yes, my eyes have + beheld the blood-stained traces of innocent women and children, in + the dreary winter, who had traveled hundreds of miles barefoot, + through frost and snow, to seek a refuge from their savage + pursuers. 'Twas a scene of horror, sufficient to have enlisted the + sympathy of an adamantine heart. And shall this unfortunate man, + whom their fury has seen proper to select for sacrifice, be driven + into such a savage land, where none dare to enlist in the cause of + justice? If there was no other voice under heaven ever to be heard + in this cause, gladly would I stand alone, and proudly spend my + latest breath in defense of an American citizen." + +The lawyers for the prosecution, according to Joseph's own account, +acted honorably and confined themselves to the merits of the case, +excepting two--Messrs. Knowlton and Jennings. They made an appeal both +to the passions and prejudices of the people, and sought to create an +excitement over the matter. Judge Douglass, however, was impartial +in his rulings, and doubtless one officer of the court--the sheriff +of Warren County--thought him severe in his efforts to protect the +prisoner. The court room was densely packed and the judge ordered the +sheriff to keep the spectators back; but this he neglected and the +judge fined him ten dollars. In a few minutes the order to keep the +spectators from crowding the prisoner and witnesses was repeated, and +the sheriff told the court that he had ordered a constable to do it. +"Clerk," said Judge Douglass, "add ten dollars more to that fine." This +was effectual, the sheriff after that did his duty. + +Joseph claimed in this case that he was unlawfully held a prisoner, and +he could prove that the indictment upon which he was arrested had been +obtained by fraud, bribery and duress. This line of defense, however, +raised the question as to whether the court had the right to inquire +into the merits of the case. A long debate between opposing counsel +followed. But it will be remembered that an attempt to arrest Joseph +on the requisition from the governor of Missouri had been made in +September previous; and it appears that after the fruitless effort to +make the arrest, the sheriff of Hancock County returned the writ; and +the defense claimed that after the return of the writ to the executive, +the defendant could not be again legally arrested upon it. It was upon +this point that the court set Joseph at liberty. Following is Judge +Douglass' decision on this point: + + The writ being once returned to the executive by the sheriff of + Hancock County was dead, and stood in the same relationship as + any other writ which might issue from the circuit court, and + consequently the defendant cannot be held in custody on that writ. + +On the other point in the case--as to whether evidence in the case was +admissible--the judge withheld his opinion for further consideration, +as the question was a grave one, involving the future conduct of the +States in their relationship with each other; but on the ground that +the writ was void, dead by reason of a former return being made on +it by the sheriff of Hancock County, he ordered the discharge of the +prisoner. And Missouri was again foiled in her designs upon the life of +the Prophet. + +At the conclusion of the trial Joseph ordered dinner for his company, +which numbered by that time some sixty men. "And when I called for the +tavern bill," says Joseph, "the unconscientious fellow replied, 'only +one hundred and sixty dollars.'" Some time after this, in September +following, Joseph sent the costs of this trial to the sheriff of Adams +County, of which the following is a copy: + + NAUVOO, September 30, 1841. + + _To the Deputy Sheriff of Adams County_: + + The following is a statement of my expenses, costs and liabilities, + consequent upon my arrest and trial while in your custody, to-wit: + + To amount of fees to Esquires Ralston, Warren & Co...$250.00 + + To Esquires Little, Williams, Walker and Browning...$100.00 + + To seven days for self, horse and carriage, @$5.00 per day...$35.00 + + To money spent during that time consequent upon arrest...$60.00 + + To twelve witnesses...$240.00 + ____________ + + $685.00 + +To which was added this note: + + DEAR SIR.--You will please take such measures as to put me in + possession of the above amount, which is justly due me as above + stated; to say nothing of false imprisonment and other expenses. + + * * * + + Receive my respects, etc. + + JOSEPH SMITH. + +With the exception of the difficulty just considered, the summer of +1841 glided pleasantly by, bringing to the busy inhabitants of Nauvoo +many occasions of social and spiritual enjoyment. + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +EVENTS OF THE SUMMER OF 1841. + +NAUVOO was the most promising and thrifty city in Illinois, and the +fame thereof extended throughout the nation, due, in part, of course, +to the peculiar religion of its inhabitants. Strangers from far and +near made it a point to visit Nauvoo, and the peace, sobriety, industry +and public spirit of the citizens challenged their admiration, whatever +views they might entertain respecting their religion. A large bowery +was constructed just west of the temple site where the people assembled +for worship. Here the Prophet Joseph preached some of his most powerful +discourses, and taught his people in the doctrine of the heavenly +kingdom; and not infrequently it happened that + + Fools who came to mock, remained to pray. + +The Saints never intended to make either their city or the Nauvoo +Legion exclusively Mormon. [1] On the contrary, the people at Nauvoo +expressed a willingness to unite with their fellow-citizens in every +good work and enterprise, and tolerate religious differences. Indeed, +repeated invitations were sent out to the honorable men, not only of +the State of Illinois, but of the United States, to men of capital +and of influence and of integrity, asking them to come to Nauvoo, and +assist in building up a glorious city. + +In July, Sidney H. Little, of the State senate, was killed by leaping +from his carriage while his horse was unmanageable; and that the +"Saints might mourn with those who are called to mourn," the eighteenth +day of July was set apart as a day of fasting among the people of +Nauvoo. By thus manifesting a feeling of sympathy and interest, they +sought to cultivate peace and good-will among their fellow-citizens, +and a number of honorable, and some of them influential men, while not +accepting the faith of the Saints, became friendly disposed towards +them, and associated with them in various business transactions. + +But the good-will of the Saints was not very generally reciprocated +by the people of Illinois; and there were, even at that early date, +envyings and bitterness manifested by those who were jealous of +the prosperity and increasing power of the Mormons in Nauvoo and +vicinity. The same spirit existed to some extent in Iowa as will be +seen by the following occurrence: General Swazey, in command of the +militia of Iowa, Territory, invited Joseph and Hyrum Smith and General +Bennett to attend the parade of the militia of that Territory at +Montrose. The invitation was accepted, and General Swazey received +his visitors courteously, and so did the militia. But during a recess +in the exercises taken at noon, a Mr. D. W. Kilburn tried to create a +disturbance by circulating the following note among the troops: + + Citizens of Iowa--The laws of Iowa do not require you to muster or + be reviewed by Joe Smith or General Bennett; and should they have + the impudence to attempt it, it is hoped that every person having a + proper respect for himself, will at once leave the ranks. + +The facts are that these militia companies were not mustered by +Joseph's order, nor did he expect to review them. He had simply +accepted General Swazey's invitation to witness the movements of the +troops as other spectators were doing, and neither Joseph nor Hyrum was +in uniform. General Swazey had been several times invited to attend the +drills and reviews of the Legion at Nauvoo, and he had simply returned +the courtesy to the officers of the Legion. Kilburn's effort, however, +to create a disturbance was not successful, though the papers of the +State commented upon it, and some of them began to whisper that it was +Joseph's ambition to build up a military church and extend his faith, +"Mohammed-like," by the sword. + +Early in the summer of 1841, in fact in the month of May, Joseph called +upon the Saints everywhere to come into Hancock County, that there +might be a concentration of effort to build up Nauvoo. The proclamation +closed with these words: + + Let it therefore be understood that all the stakes excepting those + in this county (Hancock) and in Lee County, Iowa, are discontinued; + and the Saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as + circumstances will permit. + +The Twelve Apostles, whose departure from Nauvoo on their missions +to England under very trying circumstances, was related in a former +chapter, returned during the summer, after accomplishing one of the +most successful and remarkable missions in modern times. They were a +tower of strength to Joseph, and he was not long in availing himself of +their valuable support. At a special conference convened in Nauvoo on +the sixteenth of August, 1841, Joseph said: + + The time had come when the Twelve should be called upon to stand + in their place next to the First Presidency; and attend to the + settling of emigrants and the business of The Church at the stakes, + and assist to bear off the kingdom victoriously to the nations. [2] + +And he at once turned over to their management many of the temporal +affairs, with which he had been perplexed, and devoted himself more +exclusively to spiritual labors. + +One of the most pleasing events that happened, during the summer of +which I write, was the visit of the Indian chief Keokuk to Nauvoo. He +was accompanied by Kiskukosh, Appenoose and about one hundred chiefs +and braves of the Sac and Fox tribes, together with their families. +They were brought over from the Iowa side on the ferry and two large +flat boats. The band and a detachment of the Legion met them at the +landing, but as soon as Keokuk failed to recognize Joseph among those +who had come to bid him welcome, he refused to land or allow any of his +party to go ashore until Joseph made his appearance. The arrangement +had been made for the band and the detachment of the Legion to lead the +dusky visitors to the grove where the Saints held their meetings; and +there Joseph would have joined them. But Keokuk seemed to have his own +ideas in relation to the etiquette to be observed at his reception, and +waited until the Prophet met him at the landing and bade him welcome to +Nauvoo. + +At the grove Joseph addressed the Indians at some length, upon what the +Lord had revealed to him concerning their fore-fathers, and recited to +them the glorious promises contained in the Book of Mormon respecting +themselves, the despised remnants of a once splendid race. How their +hearts must have glowed and their eyes brightened as they listened +to the young Prophet relate the story of their forefathers' rise and +fall, and the bright promises held out to them of redemption from their +fallen state! In conclusion Joseph counseled them to cease killing each +other, and warring with other tribes or with the whites. To Joseph's +speech Keokuk replied: + + I have a Book of Mormon at my wigwam that you gave me a number of + moons ago. I believe you are a great and good man. Keokuk looks + rough, but I am a son of the Great Spirit. I have heard your + advice. We intend to quit fighting, and follow the good talk you + have given us. + +After the "talk," they were feasted by the Saints with good food +and dainties and melons. At the conclusion of the feast, they gave +a specimen of their war dance to entertain the spectators, and then +returned to the Iowa side of the river to their encampment. + +Thus passed away the summer of 1841; and by the first of October--the +date fixed for the semi-annual conference--the early autumn frosts had +tinged the forest leaves with purple and gold, giving to the splendid +scenery about Nauvoo an additional charm. President Joseph Smith was +not present at the opening of the conference. He had that morning +gone to assist in laying the corner-stone of the Nauvoo House which +the Saints by revelation had been commanded to build; [3] and the +conference was opened by President Brigham Young. + +The principal subject brought before the people at this conference +was the redemption of the dead, and building the temple. This matter +appeared to impress itself upon the mind of Joseph with great force, +and nothing, apparently, gave him more delight than to explain its +importance to his people. Up to this time many baptisms for the dead +had been performed in the river, but it was now announced that no more +baptisms for the dead should be attended to, until it could be done +in the font of the Lord's house, for thus had the Lord commanded. The +Saints, however, were not long denied the privilege of performing this +work of baptism for their dead, as on the eighth of November, following +the conference, a temporary baptismal font had been completed and +dedicated in the basement of the temple. [4] + +On the occasion of the angel Moroni's first appearance to Joseph +Smith, in 1823, he repeated to the young Prophet the words of Malachi, +recorded in the fourth chapter of the Book of Malachi, the fifth and +sixth verses, though quoting somewhat differently from the language of +King James' translation, as follows: + + Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of + Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day + of the Lord; and he will plant in the hearts of the children the + promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall + turn to their fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be + utterly wasted at his coming. + +In fulfillment of this promised visitation, in April, 1836, Elijah the +prophet appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and said: + + Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken by the mouth of + Malachi, testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the + great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn the hearts of the + fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the + whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore the keys of this + dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know + that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the + doors. + +And now when something like peace had come to The Church, and settled +conditions obtained, the Prophet of God began to unfold the doctrine +of salvation for the dead--the application of those principles of +salvation to past generations who had lived upon the earth when neither +the Gospel nor divine authority to administer its ordinances were among +men. + +In addition to the main idea of this doctrine which he taught with such +great power, the following gems are gathered from his teachings at this +conference, chiefly relating to the same subject: + + The proclamation of the first principles of the Gospel, was a means + of salvation to men individually, and it was the truth and not men + that saved them; but men by actively engaging in rites of salvation + substantially became instruments in bringing multitudes of their + kindred into the Kingdom of God. [And hence] he presented baptism + for the dead as the only way by which men can appear as saviors on + Mount Zion. + + * * * + + The difference between an angel and a ministering spirit: the one + [the first] is a resurrected or translated body with its spirit + ministering to embodied spirits; the other a disembodied spirit + visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. + + * * * + + Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while his body was laying + in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important + part of his mission, without which he could not have perfected his + work or entered into his rest. After his resurrection he appeared + as an angel to his disciples. + + * * * + + Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone + a change equivalent to death. + + * * * + + Translated bodies are designed for future missions. + + * * * + + The angel which appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a + translated or resurrected body. + + * * * + + Jesus Christ went in body after his resurrection to minister to + translated and resurrected bodies. + + * * * + + It is no more incredible that God should _save_ the dead than that + he should raise the dead. + + * * * + + There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. + + * * * + + All are within the reach of pardoning mercy, who have not committed + the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, neither in + this world, nor in the world to come. There is a way to release + the spirit of the dead; that is by the power and authority of + the Priesthood--by binding and loosing on earth. This doctrine + appears glorious, inasmuch as it exhibits the greatness of divine + compassion and benevolence in the extent of the plan of human + salvation. + + This glorious truth is well calculated to enlarge the + understanding, and to sustain the soul under troubles, + difficulties, and distresses. For illustration, suppose the case + of two men, brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous and + lovely, walking in uprightness and in all good conscience, so far + as they had been able to discern duty from the muddy stream of + tradition, or from the blotted page of the book of nature. One dies + and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to + the other the message of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces + it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one become a + partaker of glory, and the other consigned to hopeless perdition? + Is there no chance for his escape? Sectarianism answers, none! + none! none!!! Such an idea is worse than atheism. The truth shall + break down and dash in pieces all such bigoted Pharisaism; the + sects shall be sifted, the honest in heart brought out, and their + priests left in the midst of their corruption. + + * * * + + This doctrine presents in a clear light the wisdom and mercy of + God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead, + being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven, and they + judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was + the burden of the Scriptures. Those Saints who neglect it, in + behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their + own salvation. The dispensation of the fullness of times will + bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former + dispensations; also other things that have not been before revealed. + + * * * + +Another interesting feature of the conference was the report made by +the Prophet of The Church property in his charge as trustee-in-trust +for The Church. He also took occasion to report the amount of his own +earthly possessions, of which the following is a copy: + + Old Charley, a horse given to him several years before in Kirtland; + two pet deers; two old turkeys and four young ones; an old cow + given to him by a brother in Missouri; old Major, a dog; his wife, + children, and a little household furniture! + +Surely his earthly possessions did not far exceed those of Him who had +not where to lay His head! + +Footnotes + +1. The Legion is not, as has been falsely represented by its enemies, +exclusively a Mormon military association, but a body of citizen +soldiers organized (without regard to political preferences or +religious sentiments) for the public defense, the general good, and +the preservation of law and order--to save the innocent, unoffending +citizens from the iron grasp of the oppressor, and perpetuate and +sustain our free institutions against misrule, anarchy and mob +violence; no other views are entertained or tolerated.--_Joseph Smith_. +From an official letter published May 4, 1841. + +2. Minutes of special conference, Aug. 16, 1841. Millennial Star, Vol. +xviii, page 630. + +3. Doctrine and Covenants, Section 124. + +4. The font was constructed of pine timber, and put together of staves +tongued and grooved, oval shaped, sixteen feet long east and west, and +twelve feet wide, seven feet high from the foundation, the basin four +feet deep; the moulding of the cap or base was formed of beautiful +carved wood in antique style, and the sides were finished with panel +work. There were steps leading up and down into the basin in the north +and south sides, guarded by side railings. The font stood upon twelve +oxen, four on each side and two at each end, their heads, shoulders +and forelegs projecting out from under the font. They were carved out +of pine plank, glued together, and copied after the most beautiful +five-year-old steer that could be found in the country. * * * The +oxen and ornamental mouldings of the font were carved by Elder Elijah +Fordham, from New York. * * * The font was inclosed by a temporary +frame building sided up with split oak clap-boards, with a roof of +the same material, but was so low that the timbers of the first story +of the temple were laid above it. The water was supplied from a well +thirty feet deep in the east end of the basement. This font was built +for the baptism for the dead until the temple could be completed, when +a more durable one was to take its place.--_Millennial Star_, Volume +XVIII, 744. + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW MARRIAGE SYSTEM. + +ANOTHER matter of very great importance, and one which has exercised +a great influence upon the course of events in the history of The +Church--and especially upon the events of this Nauvoo period--belongs +to the spring and summer of 1841; and many things of our history will +be all the plainer if the matter referred to be considered now. I +refer to the introduction, in practice, of the marriage system which +afterwards obtained in The Church. The chief and greatest feature +of this marriage system--celestial marriage it is called by The +Church, because it is the marriage system that obtains in celestial +worlds--is the eternity of the marriage covenant. "Until death us do +part" is usually the mutual covenant of man and woman in the orthodox +"Christian" marriage ceremony. [1] That is, the marriage covenant +is understood among "Christians" generally as being a matter that +pertains to time only, the contract obligations ending with death. But +this celestial marriage system of The Church regards the incident of +death not at all, but makes the covenant of marriage for time and for +all eternity; a covenant which is sealed and ratified by that power +of the Priesthood in the administrator which binds on earth and it +is bound in heaven. [2] That is, the covenant of marriage holds good +through time and will be in effect and of binding force in and after +the resurrection. In other words this marriage system regards man as +enduring eternally, and formulates his marriage covenants in harmony +with that view of him. Of course this contemplates the continuation of +the marriage state in eternity. Not only the spiritual and intellectual +companionship, but all the relations of the wedded state, with the joys +of parentage--the power of endless lives being among the means of man's +exaltation and glory. That this is a view of marriage quite distinct +from the usual "Christian" view, goes without saying. It throws a new +light upon man's future existence. It destroys the vagueness which +through nearly all ages like a mystic pall has hidden the glory and +exaltation destined for man in the future eternities of God. It should +be said, in this connection, that the revelations of God to Joseph +Smith even before this marriage system was made known, held out to man +the hope of a tangible future existence in a resurrected, immortal +body of flesh and bones quickened by the spirit, and clothed with the +glory of immortal youth. The future life was to be a reality, not a +land of shadows; his heavenly home was to be upon the earth, after +it had become sanctified and made a celestial sphere. His relations +with his kindred and friends were to be of a nature to satisfy the +longings of the human heart for society, for fellowship; and needed +only the revelation of this marriage system to complete the circle of +his promised future felicity. For grant to man in his resurrected state +a real, tangible existence; an immortal youth that knows no pain or +sickness or disease; the power to "hive" knowledge and wisdom as the +centuries, the millenniums and eternities roll by; grant him the power +to build and inhabit; to love and be loved; and add to that the power +of endless lives--the power and privilege to perpetuate his race under +an eternal marriage covenant--grant this, and the future happiness, +exaltation and glory of man stands revealed as being absolutely without +limitations, and far greater and beyond in majesty anything within our +power to conceive in our present state of semi-dullness. + +I say that the primary principle of the marriage system of The Church +is the eternity of the marriage covenant; but owing to the fact +that the system also includes the doctrine of a plurality of wives, +the importance and grandeur of the doctrine of the eternity of the +marriage covenant to a very great extent has been lost sight of in the +discussion of and the popular clamor concerning the plurality feature +of this new marriage system. The revelation making known this marriage +doctrine came about in this way: First it should be stated--and it is +evident from the written revelation itself, which bears the date of +July 12th, 1843, [3]--that the doctrine was revealed and the practice +of it began before the partial [4] revelation now in the Doctrine and +Covenants was written. As early as 1831 the rightfulness of a plurality +of wives under certain conditions was made known to Joseph Smith. +In the latter part of that year, especially from November 1831, and +through the early months of 1832, the Prophet with Sidney Rigdon as his +assistant was earnestly engaged at Hiram, a village in Portage County, +near Kirtland, Ohio, in translating the Jewish scripture. [5] It must +have been while engaged in that work that the evident approval of God +to the plural marriage system of the ancient patriarchs attracted the +Prophet's attention and led him to make those inquiries of the Lord to +which the opening paragraphs of the written revelation refer, viz:-- + + Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, that + inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand, to know and understand + wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac and + Jacob; as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching + the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and + concubines: behold! and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer + thee as touching this matter. + +The doctrine revealed at that time to the Prophet, however, was not +to be made known to the world; but Joseph did make known what had +been revealed to him to a few trusted friends, among whom were Oliver +Cowdery and Lyman E. Johnson, the latter confiding what the Prophet +had taught him to Orson Pratt, his missionary companion. With these +and a few other exceptions, perhaps, the knowledge of the truth and +righteousness of this principle of the future marriage system of The +Church was locked up in the bosom of the Prophet of God. + +About 1840, however, the Prophet began to be moved upon to make known +the doctrine to others. He taught the principle to Joseph Bates Noble +for one, as early as the fall of 1840. According to the affidavit of +Noble, given before James Jack, a notary public, in and for the county +of Salt Lake, Utah, in June, 1869, Joseph Smith declared to Noble +that "he had received a revelation from God on the subject, and that +an angel of the Lord had commanded him (Joseph Smith) to move forward +in the said order of marriage; and further, that the said Joseph +Smith requested him (Joseph B. Noble) to step forward and assist him +in carrying out the said principle." This same man Noble gives the +following affidavit with reference to the introduction of the practice +of this principle by Joseph Smith, the Prophet: + + Territory of Utah, County of Salt Lake, ss + + Be it remembered that on this 26th day of June, A. D. 1869, + personally appeared before me, James Jack, a Notary Public in and + for said county, Joseph Bates Noble, who was by me sworn in due + form of law, and upon his oath saith, that on the fifth day of + April, A. D., 1841, at the City of Nauvoo, County of Hancock, State + of Illinois, he married or sealed Louisa Beaman, to Joseph Smith, + President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, + according to the order of celestial marriage revealed to the said + Joseph Smith. + + (Signed) JOSEPH B. NOBLE. + + Subscribed and sworn to by the said Joseph Bates Noble the day and + year first above written. + + JAMES JACK, Notary Public. + +The introduction of the practice of plural marriage by the Prophet +then began even before the return of the Twelve from England. On their +return Joseph soon began to teach the principle to them, and urged upon +them the importance of putting it into practice. The dread with which +the doctrine was regarded, the prejudices against it in the hearts of +those faithful men who accepted it as a revelation from God through +the Prophet, are all illustrated in the reflections and testimony of +Elder John Taylor, one of the Twelve at that time, and subsequently +the President of the Church. And here let me repeat what I said in his +biography some years ago: "The world never made a greater mistake than +when it supposed that plural marriage was hailed with delight by the +Elders who were commanded of the Lord to introduce its practice in this +generation. They saw clearly that it would bring additional reproach +upon them from the world; that it would run counter to the traditions +and prejudices of society, as, indeed, it was contrary to their own +traditions; that their motives would be misunderstood or misconstrued. +All this they saw, and naturally shrunk from the undertaking required +of them by the revelation of God." And now Elder Taylor:-- + + Joseph Smith told the Twelve that if this law was not practiced, if + they would not enter into this covenant, then the Kingdom of God + could not go one step further. Now, we did not feel like preventing + the Kingdom of God from going forward. We professed to be the + Apostles of the Lord, and did not feel like putting ourselves + in a position to retard the progress of the Kingdom of God. The + revelation says that "All those who have this law revealed unto + them must obey the same." Now, that is not my word. I did not make + it. It was the Prophet of God who revealed that to us in Nauvoo, + and I bear witness of this solemn fact before God, that he did + reveal this sacred principle to me and others of the Twelve, and + in this revelation it is stated that it is the will and law of God + that "all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the + same." + + I had always entertained strict ideas of virtue, and I felt as a + married man that this was to me, outside of this principle, an + appalling thing to do. The idea of going and asking a young lady + to be married to me when I had already a wife! It was a thing + calculated to stir up feelings from the innermost depths of the + human soul. I had always entertained the strictest regard of + chastity. I had never in my life seen the time when I have known of + a man deceiving a woman--and it is often done in the world, where, + notwithstanding the crime, the man is received into society and the + poor woman is looked upon as a pariah and an outcast--I have always + looked upon such a thing as infamous, and upon such a man as a + villain. * * * Hence, with the feelings I had entertained, nothing + but a knowledge of God, and the revelations of God, and the truth + of them, could have induced me to embrace such a principle as this. + + We [the Twelve] seemed to put off, as far as we could, what might + be termed the evil day. + + Some time after these things were made known unto us, I was riding + out of Nauvoo on horseback, and met Joseph Smith coming in, he, + too, being on horseback. * * * I bowed to Joseph, and having done + the same to me, he said: "Stop;" and he looked at me very intently. + "Look here," said he, "those things that have been spoken of must + be fulfilled, and if they are not entered into right away the keys + will be turned." + + Well, what did I do? Did I feel to stand in the way of this great, + eternal principle, and treat lightly the things of God? No. I + replied: "Brother Joseph, I will try and carry these things out." + +So indeed he did, for within two years, in Nauvoo, he married Elizabeth +Haigham, Jane Ballantyne and Mary A. Oakley. + +After this the testimony is abundant that plural marriage as well as +marriage for eternity was abundantly practiced in Nauvoo, [6] though +the revelation which made its rightfulness known was not written until +July 12th, 1843. + +I have remarked in the opening of this chapter that the consideration +of this subject at this period of Nauvoo's history would aid the reader +to understand more clearly many things in the subsequent events we +have to relate. It is to be observed first of all that this principle +of plural marriage had to be introduced secretly; first, because of +the traditions and prejudices of the Saints themselves; and, secondly, +because of the advantage that their enemies surrounding them would have +when once the doctrine was publicly proclaimed. This enforced secrecy, +then, which a reasonable prudence demanded, gave rise to apparent +contradictions between the public utterances of leading brethren in The +Church and their practice. Wicked men took advantage of the situation +and brought sorrow to the hearts of the innocent and reproach upon +The Church. Some, possessed of a zeal without wisdom, knowing of this +doctrine, hastened without authority to make public proclamation of it +and had to be silenced, as, for instance, a number of Elders who were +reproved by Hyrum Smith for preaching this doctrine at a branch of +The Church at China Creek, near Nauvoo; [7] and later one Hiram Brown +who did the same thing in Lapeer County, Michigan; for which he was +disfellowshiped from The Church and notified by Joseph and Hyrum to +attend the conference in April of that year to give a further account +of his proceedings. [8] + +Then again there were others who falsely taught that the Prophet +approved of promiscuous intercourse between the sexes, and that there +was no sin in such relations so long as they were kept secret and +brought no scandal upon the community. This afforded villains their +opportunity, and such men as John C. Bennett; the Laws, Wilson and +William; Dr. Foster; the young Higbees, Chancy L., and Francis M.; and +others, to reap their harvest of wickedness. There was necessarily +enough of mystery in the movements of the Prophet and his faithful +brethren connected with the matter of plural marriage to give something +of color to the false statements of these wretches, and hence many +otherwise good people were deceived. The duty of the Prophet and his +associates, however, to denounce this wickedness that had crept into +The Church was not shirked by the leading Elders of The Church. The +Prophet was bold in his denunciation of the evil and snatched the masks +from the faces of corrupt men, and did all in his power to protect the +innocent from the deceptions of the vicious, though it pluck down upon +his own head the vengeful wrath of the ungodly. With this situation in +mind I am sure the reader will better appreciate the many complications +which follow. + +In order that the reader who is a stranger to Mormonism may see how far +the principle of the eternity of the marriage covenant and the plural +marriage system of The Church is removed from the sensuality that +is often attributed to it, I quote _in extenso_, in concluding this +chapter, the revelation which justifies and authorized it: + + Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, that + inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand, to know and understand + wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac and + Jacob; as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching + the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and + concubines: + + Behold! and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as + touching this matter: + + Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions + which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law + revealed unto them must obey the same; + + For behold! I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant; and + if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can + reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory; + + For all who will have a blessing at my hands, shall abide the law + which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, + as were instituted from before the foundation of the world; + + And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was + instituted for the fullness of my glory; and he that receiveth a + fullness thereof, must and shall abide the law, or he shall be + damned, saith the Lord God. + + And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are + these:--All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, + performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that + are not made, and entered into, and sealed, by the Holy Spirit of + promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all + eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment + through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the + earth to hold this power, (and I have appointed unto my servant + Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but + one on the earth at a time, on whom this power and the keys of this + Priesthood are conferred,) are of no efficacy, virtue or force, in + and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that + are not made unto this end, have an end when men are dead. + + Behold! mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not + a house of confusion. + + Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in + my name! + + Or, will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed! + + And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, + even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was! + + I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto you this commandment, that + no man shall come unto the Father but by me, or by my word, which + is my law, saith the Lord; + + And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of + men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, + whatsoever they may be, that are not by me, or by my word, saith + the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are + dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your + God; + + For whatsoever things remain, are by me; and whatsoever things are + not by me, shall be shaken and destroyed. + + Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry + her not by me, nor by my word; and he covenant with her so long as + he is in the world, and she with him, their covenant and marriage + are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the + world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out + of the world; + + Therefore, when they are out of the world, they neither marry nor + are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which + angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are + worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of + glory; + + For these angels did not abide my law, therefore they cannot be + enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in + their saved condition, to all eternity, and from henceforth are not + Gods, but are angels of God, for ever and ever. + + And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a + covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant + is not by me, or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by + the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and + appointed unto this power--then it is not valid, neither of force + when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, + saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world, + it cannot be received there, because the angels and the Gods are + appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, + inherit my glory, for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord + God. + + And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my + word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, + and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him + who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power, and the + keys of this Priesthood; and it shall be said unto them, ye shall + come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first + resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, + kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and + depths--then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that + he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if + ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed + innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever + my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity, + and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they + shall pass by the angels, and the Gods, which are set there, to + their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon + their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of + the seeds for ever and ever. + + Then shall they be Gods, because they have no end; therefore shall + they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; + then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto + them. Then shall they be Gods, because they have all power, and the + angels are subject unto them. + + Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye abide my law, ye cannot + attain to this glory; + + For straight is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the + exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that + find it, because ye receive me not in the world, neither do ye know + me. + + But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall + receive your exaltation, that where I am, ye shall be also. + + This is eternal lives, to know the only wise and true God, and + Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my + law. + + Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths, and + many there are that go in thereat; because they receive me not, + neither do they abide in my law. + + Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according + to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, + according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin + or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and + all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder, wherein + they shed innocent blood--yet they shall come forth in the first + resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be + destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings + of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God. + + The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven + in the world, nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder, + wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after + ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord + God; and he that abideth not this law, can in no wise enter into my + glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord. + + I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy + Priesthood, as was ordained by me, and my Father, before the world + was. + + Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation + and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into + his exaltation, and sitteth upon his throne. + + Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit + of his loins,--from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant + Joseph,--which were to continue so long as they were in the world; + and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should + continue; both in the world and out of the world should they + continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the + sand upon the sea shore, ye could not number them. + + This promise is yours, also, because ye are of Abraham, and the + promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law are the continuation + of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself. + + Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my + law, and ye shall be saved. + + But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my + Father, which he made unto Abraham. + + God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And + why did she do it? Because this was the law, and from Hagar sprang + many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling among other things, + the promises. + + Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily, I say unto you, + Nay; for I, the Lord, commanded it. + + Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was + written, thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and + it was accounted unto him for righteousness. + + Abraham received concubines, and they bear him children, and it + was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given + unto him, and he abode in my law, as Isaac also, and Jacob did none + other things than that which they were commanded; and because they + did none other things than that which they were commanded, they + have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and + sit upon thrones, and are not angels, but are Gods. + + David also received many wives and concubines, as also Solomon and + Moses my servants; as also many others of my servants, from the + beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin, + save in those things which they received not of me. + + David's wives and concubines were given unto him, of me, by the + hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the + keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against + me, save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath + fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall + not inherit them out of the world; for I gave them unto another, + saith the Lord. + + I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an + appointment, and restore all things; ask what ye will, and it shall + be given unto you according to my word: + + And as ye have asked concerning adultery--verily, verily I say unto + you, if a man receiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, + and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her + by the holy anointing, she hath committed adultery, and shall be + destroyed. + + If she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with + another man, she has committed adultery; + + And if her husband be with another woman, and he was under a vow, + he hath broken his vow, and hath committed adultery, + + And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent, and hath + not broken her vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, + my servant Joseph, then shall you have power, by the power of my + Holy Priesthood, to take her, and give her unto him that hath not + committed adultery, but hath been faithful; for he shall be made + ruler over many; + + For I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the Priesthood, + wherein I restore all things, and make known unto you all things in + due time. + + And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on + earth, shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, + in my name, and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally + bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall + be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you + retain on earth, shall be retained in heaven. + + And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless, I will bless, and + whomsoever you curse, I will curse, saith the Lord; for I, the + Lord, am thy God. + + And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that + whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give anyone on + earth, by my word, and according to my law, it shall be visited + with blessings, and not cursings, and with my power, saith the + Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth, and in heaven; + + For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end + of the world, and through all eternity; for verily, I seal upon you + your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my + Father, with Abraham your father. + + Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your + sins; I have seen your sacrifices, in obedience to that which I + have told you; go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as + I accepted the offering of Abraham, of his son Isaac. + + Verily, I say unto you, a commandment I give unto mine handmaid, + Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay + herself, and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer + unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did + Abraham; and that I might require an offering at your hand, by + covenant and sacrifice; + + And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been + given to my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before + me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall + be destroyed, saith the Lord God; + + For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give + unto you my servant Joseph, that he shall be made ruler over many + things, for he hath been faithful over a few things, and from + henceforth I will strengthen him. + + And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto + my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this + commandment, she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the + Lord thy God, and will destroy her, if she abide not in my law; + + But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant + Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will + bless him and multiply him and give unto him an hundred-fold in + this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses + and lands, wives and children, and crowns of eternal lives in the + eternal worlds. + + And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant + Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her + trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me: and I, the Lord + thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to + rejoice. + + And again, I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out of + his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy him; for Satan seeketh + to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and + behold! and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham, thy father, + even unto his exaltation and glory. + + Now, as touching the law of the Priesthood, there are many things + pertaining thereunto. + + Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own + voice, and by the voice of him that sent me: and I have endowed him + with the keys of the power of this Priesthood, if he do anything + in my name, and according to my law, and by my word, he will not + commit sin, and I will justify him. + + Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify + him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands, + for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God. + + And again, as pertaining to the law of the Priesthood: If any man + espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give + her consent; and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, + and have vowed to no other man, then he is justified; he cannot + commit adultery, for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit + adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else; + + And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot + commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto + him, therefore is he justified. + + But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, + shall be with another man; she has committed adultery, and shall be + destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish + the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfill the promise + which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world; + and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear + the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, + that he may be glorified. + + And again, verily, verily I say unto you, if any man have a wife, + who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law + of my Priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she + believe, and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith + the Lord your God, for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my + name upon all those who receive and abide in my law. + + Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, + for him to receive all things, whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will + give unto him, because she did not administer unto him according to + my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt + from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to + the law, when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife. + + And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily I say unto you, + I will reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice + for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen. + +Footnotes + +1. See The Book of Common Prayer, Church of England, article, +Solemnization of Matrimony. + +2. Jesus said unto Peter: I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom +of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in +heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in +heaven.--Matt. xvi: 19. + +3. See Doc. and Cov. Sec. 132: 52. + +4. _Ibid_, verse 66. + +5. See Millennial Star, Vol. XIV. (Supplement) pp 80, 83; also pp. 114 +and 116 same volume. Doc. and Cov. Sec. 76: 11-16. + +6. See a collection of affidavits on this subject in the Historical +Record, Andrew Jenson, compiler; and also affidavits in Succession in +Presidency, 2nd edition. + +7. See Times and Seasons for March, 1844. + +8. See Times and Seasons for February 1st, 1844. + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +CAMP FOLLOWERS.--BANKRUPTCY. + +AMONG the most despicable occupations that men engage in, that of camp +follower holds a front rank. By plundering the dead, by the practice +of extortion upon the living, by taking advantage of the license +and reign of terror that follows in the wake of an army, the camp +follower plunders the terrified people, not unfrequently claiming +to be authorized by the commanders of the army, in order to be more +successful in his rapine. Thus he seeks to enrich himself upon the +misfortunes and terrors of others and at the expense of the reputation +of armies and their commanders. More loathsome are such characters +than the vultures that hover about the fields made red by human gore, +to glut themselves upon the festering, swollen bodies of the dead. +Yet more to be despised than the camp follower is that man who will +attach himself to a religious association with a view of profiting +in schemes of villainy; and when discovered in his crimes throws the +responsibility of his evil doing upon the leaders of said association, +claiming that his crimes have been taught to him as a part of his +religion! Such men are wholesale character assassins, for by their +deeds virtuous communities are brought into disrepute, and reproach is +cast upon their religion. + +Some such characters had attached themselves to the Saints in Nauvoo +and vicinity, and gave a coloring to the charges that were made against +The Church, to the effect that the leaders thereof sanctioned stealing, +so long as it was practiced on the Gentiles--those not belonging to +The Church. Such were the rumors given out by some members of The +Church engaged in this infamous business. On the eighteenth of November +a nest of such vipers was uncovered at Ramus, near Nauvoo; and they +were promptly excommunicated from The Church by the Apostles, who were +holding a conference at the place on the date above mentioned. Both +Joseph and Hyrum took advantage of the occasion to make affidavits +before proper officers of the law to the effect that they had never +given their sanction to such infamous doctrine as that attributed to +them; [1] and the Twelve Apostles in an epistle to the public disavowed +ever sanctioning the crime of theft. + +Hyrum in his affidavit says: + + I hereby disavow any sanction, or approbation by me of the crime + of theft, or any other evil practice in any person or persons + whatever, whereby either the lives or property of our fellow-men + may be unlawfully taken or molested; neither are such doings + sanctioned or approbated by the First Presidency or any other + persons in authority or good standing in The Church, but such acts + are altogether in violation of the rules, order and regulations of + The Church, contrary to the teachings given in said Church, and the + laws of both God and man. + +In a public declaration to which Joseph appended his affidavit, the +Prophet said: + + It has been proclaimed upon the housetops and in the secret + chamber, in the public walks and private circles throughout the + length and breadth of this vast continent, that stealing by the + Latter-day Saints has received my approval; nay, that I have + taught them the doctrine, encouraged them in plunder, and led + on the van--than which nothing is more foreign from my heart. I + disfellowship the perpetrators of all such abominations; they are + devils and not Saints, totally unfit for the society of Christians + or men. It is true that some professing to be Latter-day Saints + have taught such vile heresies, but all are not Israel that are of + Israel; and I want it distinctly understood in all coming time, + that The Church over which I have the honor of presiding, will ever + set its brows like brass, and its face like steel, against all such + abominable acts of villainy and crime. + +Nor were the Twelve less forcible in denouncing this iniquity. In an +epistle printed at the same time with the above they said: + + We know not how to express our abhorrence of such an idea, and can + only say it is engendered in hell, founded in falsehood, and is the + offspring of the devil; that it is at variance with every principle + of righteousness and truth, and will damn all that are connected + with it. * * * We further call upon The Church to bring all such + characters before the authorities, that they may be tried and dealt + with according to the law of God and delivered up to the laws of + the land. + +About this time, too, there were gangs of robbers operating up and +down the Mississippi river from which the Saints suffered, as many of +their horses and cattle were stolen; but more serious injury arose from +the fact that the acts of these robbers were attributed to the Saints +themselves, and did much to prejudice the minds of the public against +them. + +In the month of December the attempt to build up the town of Warren, +located one mile south of Warsaw, was abandoned. As early as the fall +of 1839 Daniel S. Witter, a man owning a sawmill at Warsaw, held out +inducements to the First Presidency of The Church to settle at or in +the vicinity of Warsaw, but the location where the Saints built up +Nauvoo was considered preferable. Still Witter, Aldrich, Warren, and +others continued to solicit the authorities of The Church to make an +attempt to build up a city near Warsaw; and finally, in the spring of +1841, an agreement was entered into between The Church authorities and +Witter, Warren and Aldrich--owners of the school section located just +south of Warsaw--by which any of the Saints settling on this school +section, already surveyed into town lots and called Warren, were to +have certain privileges granted them. + +In September, Willard Richards was located at Warsaw and made what +preparations he could to receive settlers. Some few families of Saints +gathered there, and in November two hundred and four emigrants from +England were counseled to locate in that vicinity. But no sooner had +preparations to build up the place been made than the citizens of +Warsaw attempted to form an anti-Mormon association, and manifested +other symptoms of an unfriendly character. They raised the rents--Mr. +Witter himself raised one dollar per barrel on flour, while Aldrich +forbade the people using the old wood on the school section. These +unfriendly demonstrations led to the abandonment of the enterprise of +building up Warren, and the Church authorities promptly advised the +Saints who had located there to remove to Nauvoo. + +The winter of 1841-2 was a busy one for Joseph and those who labored +with him as his scribes. He read the proof-sheets of the Book of Mormon +previous to its being stereotyped; and prepared that concise yet +admirable historical sketch of the Rise and Progress of the Church, +together with a summary of the principles it teaches--now known as the +Articles of Faith--for Mr. Wentworth of Chicago, who was writing a +history of Illinois. He also prepared for publication his translation +of the Book of Abraham from Egyptian papyrus, and which in its +importance as a record of the ancient saints brought to light in this +age, stands only second to the Book of Mormon. + +The Egyptian papyrus came into the possession of the Prophet through +one Michael H. Chandler, who was travelling through Ohio exhibiting +several Egyptian mummies and rolls of papyrus that were found in the +coffin containing the mummies. Chandler claimed to have obtained the +Egyptian treasures as a bequest from an uncle who had traveled in +Egypt. But it matters little how Chandler came into possession of the +mummies; the Saints in Kirtland purchased them, and the two rolls of +papyrus proved to be the writings of Abraham and of Joseph who was sold +into Egypt; and the record of Abraham, at least in part, was translated +and published by the Prophet. Its importance is of the character above +stated. [2] + +These labors, together with instructing the Saints, attending debating +schools, laboring in the city council, and organizing and instructing +women's Relief Societies, occupied the attention of the Prophet until +the opening of spring. + +Meantime Nauvoo had been rapidly building up. Work on the temple and +Nauvoo House was being pushed with considerable vigor; and many neat +cottages had taken the place of the rude temporary cabins that had been +constructed to shelter the people until their industry could win better +homes. The population in the spring of 1842 was between eight and ten +thousand. The stream of emigration from the British mission by that +time had commenced to flow in and the new citizens assisted in no small +degree to increase the prosperity of this central gathering place of +the Saints. + +But The Church had passed through a long period of disaster. Time and +again the early members of The Church had been driven away from their +homes, and while their faith in their religion remained unshaken, these +frequent drivings and mobbings stripped them of their property and of +course ruined their financial schemes; and though their prospects at +Nauvoo began to brighten, the people were constantly plagued by the +presentation of old claims upon them, their creditors making small or +no allowance for the disasters which had overtaken them. This was a +constant draft upon their resources and a great hindrance to the growth +of Nauvoo. Finally, as a means of protection against unreasonable, +importunate creditors, a number of the leading brethren, among them +the Prophet Joseph, took advantage of the bankrupt law. Under this law +any one owing a certain amount more than he was able to pay, made out +a schedule of his property and likewise of his debts, and placed both +in the hands of an assignee, who paid his creditors whatever percentage +of his debts his property amounted to; and the assignor could start +again without being compelled to pay any of the old claims held against +him previous to his declared insolvency. In whatever light this action +on the part of the brethren may appear at first sight, an examination +into all the circumstances will reveal the fact that as a means of +self-protection it became absolutely necessary. They were financially +down, and before they could rise to their feet, inexorable creditors +were upon them to take away their substance. If it is possible for an +individual or a company to be justified in taking advantage of the +bankrupt law, then the Mormon leaders were. There was no effort on the +part of those who took advantage of the bankrupt law to defraud their +creditors. To parties with whom Joseph had contracted for lands, he +wrote that he still considered his contracts with them as good; and in +the case of the Hotchkiss purchase he proposed to renew the contract. +This step placed the brethren beyond the power of their unjust +creditors, and necessity compelled the action. + +Footnotes + +1. Times and Seasons for December, 1841. + +2. Those who would know more of this ancient record are referred to +the Pearl of Great Price where they will fund the translation of it; +and for a pretty full consideration of its claims to being a genuine +ancient record, and an inspired book, the reader is referred to "The +Divine Authenticity of the Book of Abraham," by Elder George Reynolds. + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +SUSPICIONS OF TREACHERY. + +AS early as January, 1842, Joseph, as lieutenant-general of the Legion, +issued orders for a general military parade and review of the Legion to +take place on the seventh of May following. A subsequent order, issued +in April, marking out the programme for the day's exercises, contained +the following clause: + + At three o'clock p. m. the cohorts will separate and form in line + of battle, the brigadiers assume their respective commands, and + General Law's command [cavalry] will make a descent upon that of + General Rich's [cohort C, infantry] in order of sham battle. + +The lieutenant-general had invited the consolidated staff of the Legion +to partake of a _repast militaire_ on the occasion, at his house. + +On the morning of the day appointed for the drill and review two +thousand troops were in the field; and an immense concourse of +spectators, both of Saints and strangers. Such was the interests taken +in the movement of the people of Nauvoo, that a number of the prominent +men of the State within reach of the city attended the review. Judge +Stephen A. Douglass adjourned the circuit court, then in session +at the county seat, Carthage, in order to attend. As soon as the +lieutenant-general heard of the presence of Judge Douglass, he sent him +an invitation to attend the military dinner given at his house, which +the judge accepted. + +It was a glorious day, passing off without noise or disorder; and even +the strangers expressed themselves as highly satisfied with what they +had witnessed. But even during the brightest days clouds will sometimes +drift across the sun's disc: so in the moments of man's supreme +happiness, it often occurs that shadows arise to alarm his fears, and +remind him how fleeting are the joys of this life-- + + Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between; + Some gleams of sunshine 'mid renewing storms, + +are all that he may hope for. So was it with the principal founder +of Nauvoo on the day of the sham battle. When the respective cohorts +were drawn up in line of battle, facing each other, Major-General John +C. Bennett rode up to General Smith and asked him to lead the charge +of the first cohort, but Joseph declined. He next asked him to take +a position in the rear of the cavalry without his staff during the +engagement, but against this Captain A. P. Rockwood, the commander of +Joseph's life guard, objected, and Joseph with his staff chose his own +position. + +Of this incident--and it is for this reason that I have referred to +this parade and sham battle--Joseph remarks: + + If General Bennett's true feelings towards me are not made manifest + to the world in a very short time then it may be possible that the + gentle breathings of that Spirit which whispered to me on parade + that there was mischief in that sham battle, were false; a short + time will determine the point. Let John C. Bennett answer at the + day of judgment, Why did you request me to command one of the + cohorts, and also to take my position without my staff, during the + sham battle on the seventh of May, 1842, where my life might have + been forfeited and no man have known who did the deed? + +This is about the first intimation that we have in any of The Church +records of John C. Bennett's disaffection towards Joseph or The Church. +Two years before he had come to Nauvoo--then Commerce--filled with that +fiery zeal "for the holy faith" which is only known to the newly-made +convert. He was a man of considerable learning and ability, and devoted +himself assiduously to bring to pass the prosperity of Nauvoo. He was +of great service to Joseph as a lieutenant, and the Prophet was wont +to say of him that he was about the first man he had about him who +could do exactly what he wanted done, the way it should be done, and +who would do it at once. In training the Legion and assisting in the +drafting of the Nauvoo and other charters, he had rendered invaluable +service; and had he possessed qualities of heart equal to those of his +mind, he was calculated to have been a valuable acquisition to the city +of Nauvoo. Nor am I willing to believe that his motives in uniting +himself with The Church were altogether evil, notwithstanding his life +previous to his joining The Church was immoral. I am quite willing to +believe that when he came to the Saints it was his determination to +reform and win for himself an honorable standing among his fellow-men; +but the evil habits he had contracted were too strong for his will, and +he sought the gratification of his lusts which led to his fall. + +Soon after he settled at Nauvoo, he paid his addresses to a respectable +young lady of the city, and she, believing him to be an honorable man, +accepted them, and he promised to marry her. In the meantime, however, +Joseph had received information from the vicinity of Bennett's former +residence to the effect that the doctor was a wicked man, and that he +had a wife and several children in McConnellsville, Morgan County, +Ohio--a thing the doctor had kept concealed. Learning this, Joseph +persuaded him to discontinue his attentions to the young lady; but he +soon renewed them; whereupon Joseph threatened to expose him if he did +not desist, which, to all appearances, had the desired effect. + +Being foiled in his advances toward this young lady, and finding that +Joseph stood like a lion in his path to prevent the accomplishment +of his evil designs and protect the unsuspecting, he drew around him +a covering of hypocrisy, carefully concealed his movements from the +Prophet, and proceeded to teach some women, who only knew him as an +honorable man, that promiscuous intercourse of the sexes was a doctrine +believed in by the Latter-day Saints, and that there was no harm in it. +In his first efforts he was unsuccessful; but in his subsequent advice, +in the same line, he told them that Joseph and others of The Church +authorities both sanctioned and practiced this wickedness, saying that +the Prophet only denounced such things so vehemently in public, because +of the prejudice of the people and the trouble it might create in his +own house. In this manner he succeeded in overcoming the scruples of +some of his dupes, and seduced several females. Nor did the evil end +here. Bennett induced other men to adopt his evil practices; among them +Francis M. and Chauncy L. Higbee. These men repeated the assertions +made by the doctor, and thus the evil spread, and the reputation of the +Prophet was being undermined. + +But evils of this character cannot long be practiced without coming +to light, and Doctor Bennett, finding that his corruption was about +to be uncovered, began to prepare for the shock. When confronted with +positive evidence that it was known that he had a wife and family, and +that his seductions were also known, he attempted suicide by taking +poison, and resisted the administration of antidotes, but he was +rescued from this fate in spite of himself. + +Before his evil course was known, arrangements were made to run the +doctor for representative from the district in which Nauvoo was +included, to the State legislature. But one day Joseph met the doctor +in the presence of Squire Wells, and addressed him in substance as +follows: "Doctor, I can sustain you no longer. Hyrum is against you, +the Twelve are against you, and if I do not come out against sin and +iniquity I shall myself be trodden under foot as a Prophet of God." +That sentence sounded the death knell to the standing of Dr. Bennett in +Nauvoo. Joseph had clung to him in the hope of reforming him, but that +could no longer be expected; and when the Prophet let go his hold upon +him, there was nothing could avert his downfall. + +On the nineteenth of May Bennett resigned his position as mayor and +Joseph was elected to that office. On this occasion, and before the +whole city council, Joseph asked Doctor Bennett if he had anything +against him, to which the doctor replied: + + I know what I am about, and the heads of The Church know what + they are about, I expect; I have no difficulty with the heads of + The Church. I publicly avow that if any one has said that I have + stated that General Joseph Smith has given me authority to hold + illicit intercourse with women he is a liar in the face of God. + Those who have said it are damned liars; they are infernal liars. + He never either in public or private gave me any such authority or + license, and any person who states it is a scoundrel and a liar. + * * * I intend to continue with you, and hope the time may come + when I may be restored to full confidence and fellowship, and my + former standing in The Church, and that my conduct may be such as + to warrant my restoration, and should the time ever come that I + may have the opportunity to test my faith, it will then be known + whether I am a traitor or a true man. + + _Joseph_--Will you please state definitely whether you know + anything against my character, either in public or private. + + _Doctor Bennett_--I do not. In all my intercourse with General + Smith in public and in private he has been strictly virtuous. + +In addition to this statement before the city council, Doctor Bennett +made affidavit before Squire Wells to the same effect as the above. + +On the twenty-sixth of May, the case of Bennett came up in the Masonic +lodge, of which the doctor was a member, as were also nearly all +the principal men of Nauvoo. In the presence of one hundred of the +fraternity, he confessed his licentious practices, and acknowledged +that he was worthy of the severest chastisement, yet he pleaded for +mercy, and especially that he might not be published in the papers. So +deep, apparently, was his sorrow, that Joseph pleaded for mercy in his +behalf, and he was forgiven as a Mason; but previous to this, the First +Presidency of The Church, the Twelve and the Bishop had sent a formal +notice to him that they could not fellowship him as a member of The +Church, but they withheld the matter from publication, at his earnest +solicitation, because of his mother. + +John C. Bennett, however, had fallen too far to recover from the +effects of his deep transgression. He suddenly left Nauvoo, and soon +afterward was found plotting with the enemies of the Saints for the +destruction of The Church. By this time the Masonic lodge found that he +was an expelled Mason, and had palmed himself off on the Nauvoo lodge +as a Mason in regular standing, consequently he was disfellowshiped +from the Nauvoo lodge, and was also cashiered by the court-martial of +the Nauvoo Legion; and thus plucked of all his glory, he was left to +wander as a vagabond and an outcast among men. + +After he so suddenly left Nauvoo, he again said that the Prophet Joseph +had authorized and encouraged sexual wickedness, and when confronted +with his own affidavit, which declared Joseph to be a virtuous man, and +a teacher of righteousness, and upright both in his public and private +character, he claimed that he was under duress when he made that +affidavit. But Squire Wells, before whom he had qualified to make his +sworn statement, went before a justice of the peace, and made affidavit +that during the time that this development of his wickedness was going +on, and he making statements favorable to Joseph and The Church, that-- + + During all this time, if he (Doctor Bennett) was under duress or + fear, he must have had a good faculty of concealing it; for he was + at liberty to go and come when and where he pleased, so far as I am + capable of judging. + +Squire Wells further testifies in the same statement: + + I was always personally friendly with him, after I became + acquainted with him. I never heard him say anything derogatory to + the character of Joseph Smith, until after he had been exposed by + said Smith on the public stand in Nauvoo. + +So soon as it was learned that the doctor had left Nauvoo, and was +operating for the destruction of The Church, the whole case was +published in the Nauvoo papers, and his corruption made known to the +world. Those whom he had involved in his vile snares, both men and +women, were brought before the proper tribunals of The Church; some +of them were disfellowshiped, and others who sincerely repented were +forgiven. + +The only description I have seen of Doctor Bennett is given in the +Essex County _Washingtonian_, published in Salem, Massachusetts, and +that is contained in the issue of the fifteenth of September, 1842. +According to that description he was a man five feet nine inches high, +well formed, black hair sprinkled with grey, dark complexion, a rather +thin face, and black, restless eyes. + +The fall of Doctor Bennett added another evidence to the fact that +neither natural nor acquired attainments, however brilliant they may +be, can secure one a safe standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of +Latter-day Saints, when not accompanied with righteousness of life. +Moreover, experience has proven that to brilliancy of intellect highly +cultivated, may be added inspired dreams, visions, the revelations +of God, and the visitation of angels--and yet, if the daily life and +conversation runs not hand in hand with righteousness, these things +furnish at best but an insecure foundation on which to stand. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF GOVERNOR BOGGS. + +It was rumored in Nauvoo about the middle of the month of May, 1842, +that ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, had been assassinated by an +unknown hand, at his residence in Independence, Jackson County, +Missouri. The ex-governor, however, did not die from the wounds he +received, but recovered in the course of several days. The assault +made upon him by his enemy, whoever he might be, occurred on the sixth +of May, in the year above named. He was seated in a room by himself, +when some person discharged a pistol loaded with buckshot, through the +adjoining window. Three of the shot took effect in his head--one of +which, it was said, penetrated his brain. His son, hearing the shot, +burst into the room and found him in a helpless condition. The pistol +from which the shot was fired was found under the window, and there, +too, were the footprints of the would-be assassin. + +No sooner was the news of the affair heard than speculation was rife +as to the parties who had perpetrated the deed; and in consequence of +the infamous part taken by Boggs in driving the Saints from the State +of Missouri, during the period that he was governor, it was not long +before "Joe Smith and the Mormons" were accused of the deed. The Quincy +_Whig_, in its issue of May 21st, said: + + There are several rumors in circulation in regard to the horrid + affair; one of which throws the crime upon the Mormons, from the + fact, we suppose, that Mr. Boggs was governor at the time, and + in no small degree instrumental in driving them from the State. + Smith, too, the Mormon Prophet, as we understand, prophesied a year + or so ago, his death by violent means. Hence, there is plenty of + foundation for rumor. + +To this statement the Prophet Joseph wrote a reply and sent it to the +editor of the _Whig_, Mr. Bartlett: + + DEAR SIR--In your paper of the 21st inst., [May] you have done me + manifest injustice, in ascribing to me a prediction of the demise + of Lilburn W. Boggs, Esq., ex-governor of Missouri, by violent + hands. Boggs was a candidate for the State senate, and, I presume, + fell by the hand of a political opponent, with his hands and face + yet dripping with the blood of murder; but he died [1] not through + my instrumentality. My hands are clean and my heart pure, from the + blood of all men. + +As soon as Boggs recovered sufficiently, he went before Samuel Weston, +a justice of the peace at Independence, and one of the characters +that some of my readers of "The Missouri Persecutions" will remember +as taking part in driving the Saints from their homes in Jackson +County--before him Boggs made affidavit that he had reason to believe, +from evidence and information then in his possession, that "Joseph +Smith, the Mormon Prophet, was accessory before the fact of the +intended murder," and therefore applied to Thomas Reynolds, governor +of Missouri, to make a demand on the governor of Illinois, to deliver +Joseph Smith up to some person authorized to receive him on behalf of +the State of Missouri, to be dealt with according to law. + +Governor Reynolds promptly granted the request and made the demand on +the governor of Illinois for the surrender of Joseph to one E. R. Ford, +who was appointed the agent of Missouri to receive him. In making the +demand, Governor Reynolds said: + + Whereas it appears * * * that one Joseph Smith is a fugitive from + justice, charged with being accessory before the fact, to an + assault with intent to kill, made by one O. P. Rockwell, on Lilburn + W. Boggs, in this State [Missouri]; and is represented to the + executive department of this State as having fled to the State of + Illinois; Now, therefore, I, * * * do by these presents demand the + surrender and delivering of the said Joseph Smith, etc., etc. + +We have given this extract for the requisition _verbatim_, because, in +the first place, the affidavit of Boggs, upon the strength of which +Governor Reynolds made his demand for the surrender of Joseph Smith, +does not claim that he was a fugitive from justice, or that he had +fled from the State of Missouri to Illinois; but on the contrary, the +affidavit says that he was a "citizen or resident of Illinois," hence +the statement of fact in the affidavit was not sufficient to justify +the demand for Joseph Smith to be surrendered to Missouri. A person +resident in a State may not be delivered up to the authorities of +another State for alleged offenses, unless it is represented that he +has fled from the State making the demand for his surrender, to escape +from justice. This charge was not made by Boggs in his affidavit, +which was Governor Reynolds' only authority for making the demand. +But in what Boggs failed, Governor Reynolds made up; and upon his own +responsibility, charged in his demand on Illinois that Joseph Smith was +"a fugitive from justice," and had "fled to Illinois;" a statement that +was at once untrue, and wholly gratuitous on the part of the executive +of Missouri, and proves him to be a willing persecutor of the innocent. +Secondly, it was this assumption on the part of Reynolds that did much +towards making the demand on Illinois void. But more of this anon. + +Governor Carlin, of Illinois, respected the demand of Missouri, and +issued a warrant for the arrest of O. P. Rockwell as principal and +Joseph Smith as accessory before the fact, in an assault with intent +to kill, upon ex-Governor Boggs. The papers were placed in the hands +of the deputy sheriff of Adams County, who, with two assistants, at +once repaired to Nauvoo, and on the eighth of August, 1842, arrested +the above named parties. There was no evasion of the officers, but the +municipal court of Nauvoo, at once, on the application of the parties +arrested, issued a writ of _habeas corpus_, requiring the officers +having the prisoners in charge, to bring them before that tribunal, in +order that the legality of the warrant under which they were arrested +might be tested. This the sheriff refused to do, as he claimed that +the municipal court had no jurisdiction in the case, but he left the +prisoners in the care of the city marshal, without, however, leaving +the original writ upon which alone they could be held; and the deputy +sheriff and his assistants returned to Quincy; the prisoners being +turned loose to go about their business. + +During the absence of the deputy sheriff, Joseph had secured a writ of +_habeas corpus_ from the master in chancery, as it was questionable if +the municipal court of Nauvoo had the authority to issue such writs in +cases arising under the laws of the State or the United States. [2] The +officers returned from Quincy on the tenth, but in the interim it had +been decided by Joseph and his friends, that the best thing for himself +and Rockwell to do under the excitement of public sentiment then +existing was to keep out of the way for a season; so that the officers +were unable to find them on their return. + +Joseph crossed the river and stayed at his uncle John's house for a +few days, in the settlement called Zarahemla; but on the night of the +eleventh of August, he met by appointment his brother Hyrum, Rockwell, +his wife Emma and several other friends at the south point of the +island that stands midway in the river between Nauvoo and Montrose. + +It had been rumored that the governor of Iowa had also issued a warrant +for the arrest of Joseph and Rockwell, where-upon it was decided that +it would be better for them to remain on the Illinois side of the +river. Subsequent events, however, proved that this rumor was a false +one. Joseph was rowed up the river by a Brother Dunham to a point +near the home of a Brother Derby. Rockwell had been set ashore and +had proceeded to the same point on foot, where he built a fire on the +bank of the river, that Dunham might know where to land. At Derby's, +the Prophet remained in hiding for some time, and Rockwell went east, +remaining for several months in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. + +From his place of concealment, Joseph directed the movements of the +people at Nauvoo, and managed his own business through faithful agents, +who met with him occasionally. Emma spent considerable of her time with +him, and beguiled the loneliness of those weary hours of inactivity +that he, whose life is the synonym for activity, had to endure. + +During those days of exile, one gets a glimpse of the Prophet's private +life and character, that in part explains the mystery of his power and +influence over his friends and his people:--it was his unbounded love +for them. Speaking of the meeting with his friends in the night at the +island, in the account he gives of it in the Book of the Law of the +Lord, he says: + + How glorious were my feelings when I met that faithful and friendly + band, on the night of the eleventh [of August], on the island at + the mouth of the slough between Zarahemla and Nauvoo. With what + unspeakable delight, and what transports of joy swelled my bosom, + when I took by the hand, on that night, my beloved Emma--she that + was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and choice of my heart. + Many were the vibrations of my mind when I contemplated for a + moment the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the + fatigues and the toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys + and the consolations, from time to time, which had strewed our + paths and crowned our board. Oh, what a commingling of thoughts + filled my mind for the moment!--and again she is here, even in the + seventh trouble--undaunted, firm and unwavering--unchangeable, + affectionate Emma! + +Of his brother Hyrum on the same occasion he says: + + There was Brother Hyrum, who next took me by the hand--a natural + brother. Thought I to myself, Brother Hyrum, what a faithful heart + you have got! Oh, may the Eternal Jehovah crown eternal blessings + upon your head, as a reward for the care you have had for my soul! + Oh, how many are the sorrows we have shared together! and again + we find ourselves shackled by the unrelenting hand of oppression. + Hyrum, thy name shall be written in the Book of the Law of the + Lord, for those who come after to look upon, that they may pattern + after thy works. [3] + +So he goes on to call the faithful by their names and record their +deeds of love manifested towards himself, and pronounces his blessings +upon them; and if, as one of old said, "We know that we have passed +from death unto life because we love the brethren"--surely Joseph Smith +possessed that witness--he loved his brethren better than his life! + +Some of the brethren proposed that Joseph should go up to the pine +woods of Wisconsin, where a number of the brethren were engaged +in getting out timber for the Temple and Nauvoo House, until the +excitement should subside in Illinois. Of this proposition, Joseph said +in a letter to Emma: + + My mind will eternally revolt at every suggestion of that kind. * * + * My safety is with you if you want to have it so. * * * If I go to + the pine country, you shall go along with me, and the children; and + if you and the children go not with me, I don't go. I do not wish + to exile myself for the sake of my own life. I would rather fight + it out. It is for your sakes therefore that I would do such a thing. + +This plan, however, was abandoned. + +Footnotes + +1. It was then supposed that Boggs was dead. It was not until several +days later that the news of his recovery reached Nauvoo or Quincy. + +2. I say "questionable" as representing the views of the Prophet's +friends. As a matter of fact, in my judgment, there could be no +question about the municipal court having no such power. And if the +letter of the Nauvoo charter justified the idea that the municipal +court possessed any such power to interrupt the process of the State +and United States courts, it was a manifest defect in the wording of +the charter, a solecism that would render that part of the charter void. + +3. Some years before this, in December, 1835, Joseph said of Hyrum: "I +could pray in my heart that all men were like my brother Hyrum, who +possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in +short, the meekness and humility of Christ; and I love him with that +love that is stronger than death, for I never had occasion to rebuke +him, nor he me."--Mill. Star, vol. VX. P. 521. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE PROPHET'S TRIAL AT SPRINGFIELD--MISSOURI AGAIN THWARTED. + +It appears that Joseph had resolved to submit no longer to the +injustice he had suffered from the hands of the people of Missouri. It +was rumored that the officers on leaving Nauvoo, breathed out threats +of returning with sufficient force to search every house in the city +and vicinity; and Sheriff Ford, the agent of Missouri, threatened to +bring a mob against the Mormons, if necessary to arrest the Prophet. +Hearing these rumors, Joseph exchanged several letters with William +Law, who had been recently elected major-general of the Legion, _vice_ +John C. Bennett, cashiered; in which he admonished him to have all +things in readiness to protect the people in their rights, and not for +one moment to submit to the outrages that were threatened. + +"You will see, therefore," said he, in a letter written on the +fourteenth of August, to Law, "that the peace of the city of Nauvoo +is kept, let who will, endeavor to disturb it. You will also see that +whenever any mob force or violence is used, on any citizen thereof, +or that belongeth thereunto, you will see that force or violence +is immediately dispersed, and brought to punishment, or meet it, +and contest it at the point of the sword, with firm, undaunted and +unyielding valor; and let them know that the spirit of old Seventy-six, +and of George Washington yet lives, and is contained in the bosoms and +blood of the children of the fathers thereof. If there are any threats +in the city, let legal steps be taken against them; and let no man, +woman or child be intimidated, nor suffer it to be done. Nevertheless, +as I said in the first place, we will take every measure that lays +in our power, and make every sacrifice that God or man could require +at our hands, to preserve the peace and safety of the people without +collision." + +To these sentiments there was a willing response of acquiescence on +the part of the major-general, and he pledged himself to faithfully +carry out Joseph's orders, provided the emergency for doing so should +arise. After a little, however, the excitement began to subside; and +as Joseph's hiding place at Derby's was discovered by a young man +who suddenly came upon him and his kind host while they were walking +out in the woods for exercise, the Prophet moved quietly into the +city, staying first at the house of one friend a day or two, and then +removing to that of another. + +In the meantime the case was plainly placed before Governor Carlin; +and the course that Joseph had taken fully vindicated by letters +written to him by Emma his wife, who displayed no mean ability in +the correspondence she opened up with the governor, which so nearly +concerned the peace of her family. She directed the attention of the +governor to the fact that Joseph had not been in the State of Missouri +for some three or four years--that if her husband had been accessory +before the fact, to the assault upon ex-Governor Boggs, the crime, if +committed at all--which she stoutly averred was not the case--was done +in Illinois, and there was no law to drag a man from a State where the +crime was committed, into a State where it had not been committed, for +trial; and as her husband had not been in the State of Missouri for +several years previous to the assault on Boggs, he could not have fled +from the justice of that State, and therefore ought not to be given up +under the fugitive-from-justice law. + +Letters from many prominent citizens of Nauvoo were also sent to the +governor; and the Female Relief Society called his attention to the +threat of mob violence and invasion from Missouri, and asked that +sufficient military protection might be given to insure the peace and +safety of Nauvoo. All these things the governor treated lightly, and +claimed that the only excitement that existed was with the Mormon +people at Nauvoo, and nowhere else; and there was no need, he insisted, +of taking the precautions hinted at by the people; though when talking +on another subject he unwittingly remarked that persons were offering +their services every day either in person or by letter, and held +themselves in readiness to go against the Saints whenever he should +call upon them; but he never had the least idea of calling on the +militia, neither had he thought it necessary. He maintained that the +proper thing for Joseph to do was to give himself up to the authorities +of Missouri for trial, and he had no doubt that he would be acquitted. +Judge Ralston asked him how he thought Mr. Smith would go through +the midst of his enemies without being subject to violence; and how +after his acquittal, he would be able to return to Illinois. To that +proposition the governor could give no satisfactory answer, but made +light of the whole matter. And in spite of all the protests sent in +by the people of Nauvoo, he made a proclamation that as Joseph Smith +and O. P. Rockwell had resisted the laws, by refusing to go with the +officers who had them in custody, and had made their escape, he offered +a reward of two hundred dollars for each or either of those "fugitives +from justice." Governor Reynolds also offered a reward for their +arrest, three hundred dollars for each one or either of them. + +Joseph continued to remain in the city and moved about cautiously, +attending to his business. A tide of popular prejudice had set in of +such proportions that it seemed that it would overwhelm the Saints. +It had been created largely through the misrepresentations of John C. +Bennett, and Joseph at once determined to counteract it if possible. +He ordered that a special conference be called to meet on the 29th of +August, to appoint Elders of The Church to go through the State of +Illinois and the east to flood the country with the truth in relation +to Bennett's character. The conference was called, and in the interim +documents and affidavits were prepared that the brethren might be +armed with proofs in relation to the facts respecting Bennett and his +misrepresentations. + +The conference convened on the day appointed and Hyrum Smith addressed +them on the mission that many of them were expected to take. At the +conclusion of his remarks, Joseph suddenly stepped into the stand +to the great joy of his people, many of whom thought he had gone +to Washington, and others to Europe. His appearance created great +cheerfulness and animation among the people. Joseph, naturally +impulsive, was overjoyed to again stand before the Saints. He addressed +them in more than his usual spirited manner and called upon the +brethren to go through the States taking documents with them, "to show +to the world the corrupt and oppressive conduct of Boggs, Carlin and +others, that the public might have the truth laid before them." In +response to this call to sustain the Prophet's character, three hundred +and eighty Elders volunteered their services, and announced their +willingness to go immediately. + +For several days after the conference the Prophet continued about home, +but it being revealed to him that his enemies were again on the move +to take him; he found it necessary to drop out of sight. It was during +this time of hiding that he wrote those instructions respecting baptism +for the dead, contained in the 127th and 128th sections of the Book of +Doctrine and Covenants. + +But notwithstanding his enemies were on the watch for him, he now and +then visited his home; and on the occasion of paying one of these +visits to his family he nearly fell into the hands of the officers. He +was at dinner with his family at the "Mansion," when Deputy Sheriff +Pitman, of Adams County, and an assistant suddenly presented themselves +at the door. Fortunately John Boynton, who was present, saw them first +and went to the door to meet them. They asked him if Joseph Smith was +present, to which he gave an evasive answer, saying that he had seen +Joseph that morning, but did not say he had seen him since. During this +conversation the Prophet stepped out of the back door, ran through the +corn in his garden and so to the house of Bishop N. K. Whitney. Emma +now engaged the sheriff in conversation. He said he wanted to search +the house. She asked if he had a search warrant, to which he answered +in the negative; but insisted on searching the house nevertheless, and +as she knew that Joseph had escaped, she did not refuse. Of course the +search was fruitless. + +It was reported that a party of fifteen left Quincy with the sheriff +the day before, and that they rode all night expecting to reach Nauvoo +before daylight, surround the "Mansion," and capture Joseph. But in the +night they got scattered and did not meet again, nor did Sheriff Pitman +reach Nauvoo until about noon, when he made the effort above detailed. + +About the first of October, Elder Rigdon and Elias Higbee were in +Carthage, and from a conversation with Judge Douglass, they learned +that Governor Carlin had purposely issued an illegal writ for the +arrest of Joseph, thinking he would go to Carthage to be acquitted on +_habeas corpus_ proceedings before Judge Douglass; when an officer of +the State would be present with a legal writ and serve it upon him +immediately, and thus drag him to Missouri. The plot, however, was +discovered in time to thwart it, and Joseph, in company with Elder John +Taylor, Wilson Law and John D. Parker, left Nauvoo for the home of +Elder Taylor's father, about a day and a half's ride from Nauvoo, and +there the Prophet remained for about a week. + +Meantime, through Major Warren, master in chancery, Joseph's case +was presented to Justice Butterfield, of Chicago, and United States +attorney for the district of Illinois. He wrote out an elaborate review +of the case in which he claimed that Joseph could be released on a writ +of _habeas corpus_; that he would have the right to prove that he was +not in Missouri at the time the alleged crime was committed--that of +necessity, if he was guilty of the crime with which he was charged, he +must have committed it in Illinois, and therefore was not a fugitive +from justice--and the governor of Illinois had no right to surrender +him to the authorities of Missouri as such. Mr. Butterfield contended +that a warrant for the action of the governor of a State, in delivering +up a person to the authorities of another State, was found in that +clause of the Constitution which says: + + A person charged in any State with treason, felony or other crime, + who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, + shall, on demand of the executive authority of the State from + which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having + jurisdiction of the crime. (Constitution, Article 4; Section 2.) + +Mr. Butterfield insisted that it was unnecessary to inquire into the +laws that had been enacted by Congress on the subject, since: + + Congress has just so much power and no more than is expressly given + by the said clause in the Constitution. + +"What persons, then," he inquires, "can be surrendered up by the +governor of one State to the governor of another?" + + First: He must be a person charged with treason, felony or other + crime. It is sufficient if he be charged with the commission of + crime, either by indictment found or by affidavit. Second: He + must be a person who shall flee from justice, and be found in + another State. It is not sufficient to satisfy this branch of the + Constitution, that he should be "charged" with having fled from + justice. Unless he has actually fled from the State, where the + offense was committed, into another State, the governor of this + State has no jurisdiction over his person and cannot deliver him up. + +Mr. Butterfield reviewed the subject of _habeas corpus_ writs and their +operations both in England and the United States, and quoted a number +of cases from the courts of New York, and the action of the executives +of the several States to support the principles he contended for, and +concluded his communication in these words: + + I would advise that Mr. Smith procure respectable and sufficient + affidavits to prove beyond all question that he was in this State + [Illinois] and not in Missouri at the time the crime with which he + was charged was committed, and upon these affidavits, apply to the + governor to countermand the warrant he has issued for his arrest. + If he should refuse so to do, I am already of the opinion that, + upon that state of facts, the supreme court will discharge him upon + _habeas corpus_. + +Joseph acted upon this advice, and sent agents with all the necessary +papers to Springfield and applied to Governor Ford--Carlin's term +of office in the meantime having expired--to revoke the writ and +proclamation of ex-Governor Carlin for his arrest. The supreme court +being in session, Governor Ford submitted the petition and all the +papers pertaining thereto for their opinion, and they were unanimous in +their belief that the Missouri writ was illegal, but were divided as +to whether it would be proper for the present executive to interfere +with the official acts of his predecessor, and therefore Governor Ford +refused to interfere; but said, in a personal letter addressed to the +Prophet: + + I can only advise that you submit to the laws and have a judicial + investigation of your rights. If it should become necessary, for + this purpose to repair to Springfield, I do not believe that there + will be any disposition to use illegal violence towards you; and + I would feel it my duty in your case, as in the case of any other + person, to protect you with any necessary amount of force, from mob + violence whilst asserting your rights before the courts, going to + and returning. + +This reply was endorsed by Mr. Butterfield and James Adams, in whom +Joseph had great confidence; and in conformity with the advice, Joseph +was arrested by Wilson Law, on Carlin's proclamation. Application was +made at Carthage for a writ of _habeas corpus_ to go before the court +at Springfield. No writ could be obtained at the court in Carthage, +as the clerk had been elected to the State senate; but an order for +such writ was issued on the master in chancery, and with that document +Joseph, in the company of his brother Hyrum, John Taylor and others, +and in charge of Wilson Law, started for Springfield, where they +arrived in the afternoon of the thirtieth of December, 1842. + +Judge Pope had continued his court two or three days in order to give +Joseph's case a hearing, and in the first interview the judge had +with him, agreed to try the case on its merits, and not dismiss it on +any technicality. The deputy sheriff of Adams County was present, but +refused at first to say whether he had the original writ or not; but +finally King, his associate, admitted he had it. + +Fearing that it was the object of these men to hold the original writ +until after proceedings had concluded on the arrest made by virtue +of Governor Carlin's proclamation, and thus create more trouble, a +petition was made to Governor Ford to issue a new writ, that the case +might come up on its merits, which was granted, and Joseph was arrested +by Mr. Maxey, and a writ of _habeas corpus_ was issued by the court; +but as several days must elapse before a hearing could be had, Joseph +was placed under $4,000 bonds, Wilson Law and General James Adams being +his bondsmen. + +At last the day of trial came on and the attorney-general of the State +made the following objection to the jurisdiction of the court: + + 1. The arrest and detention of Smith, was not under or by color of + authority of the United States, or of any officer of the United + States, but under and by color of authority of the State of + Illinois, by the officer of the State of Illinois. + + 2. When a fugitive from justice is arrested by authority of the + governor of any State, upon the requisition of the governor of + another State, the courts of justice, neither State nor Federal, + have any authority or jurisdiction to inquire into facts behind the + writ. + +These points were ably argued _pro_ and _con_ by Mr. Butterfield for +the defense, and the attorney-general for the State. After giving a +patient hearing, the court gave its opinion, saying in relation to the +first objection, that, "The warrant on its face purports to be issued +in pursuance of the Constitution and laws of the United States, as well +as of the State of Illinois;" and therefore the court had jurisdiction. + +"The matter in hand," said Judge Pope, "presents a case arising under +the second section of article IV of the Constitution of the United +States, and an act of Congress of February 12th, 1793, to carry it into +effect. The Constitution says: 'The judicial power shall extend to all +cases in law or equity arising under this Constitution, the laws of the +United States, and treaties made, and which shall be made under their +authority.'" + +Therefore, on that line of reasoning, the judge concluded the court had +jurisdiction. As to the second objection--the right of the court to +inquire into facts behind the writ--the judge held it unnecessary to +decide that point, as Smith was entitled to his discharge, for defect +in the affidavit on which the demand for his surrender to Missouri was +made. To justify the demand for his arrest the affidavit should have +shown, "First, that Smith committed a crime; second, that he committed +it in Missouri. And it must also appear 'that Smith had fled from +Missouri.'" None of these things the affidavit of Boggs did, and the +judge held that it was defective for those reasons, and added: + + The court can alone regard the facts set forth in the affidavit + of Boggs as having any legal existence. The mis-recitals and + over-statements in the requisition and warrant are not supported by + oath and cannot be received as evidence to deprive a citizen of his + liberty, and transport him to a foreign State for trial. For these + reasons, Smith must be discharged. + +And Joseph had scored another victory over his old enemies in Missouri. + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +INCIDENTS OF THE TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL. + +DURING the trial, excitement at times ran high and threatened to break +out into acts of violence. When Joseph first made his way through the +throng about the court-house, some one in the crowd recognized him, +and exclaimed: "There goes Smith now!" "Yes," said another, "and a +fine looking man he is, too." "And as damned a rascal as ever lived!" +put in a third. Hyrum Smith, overhearing the last remark said: "And +a good many ditto!" "Yes," said the person addressed, "ditto, ditto, +G--d d--n you, and every one that takes his part is as d--d a rascal +as he is." "I am that man;" shouted Wilson Law, "and I'll take his +part!" Whereupon both parties prepared for a fight; but Mr. Prentice, +the marshal, interfered and quelled the disturbance; and the excitement +soon quieted down. + +During the progress of the trial the Prophet had good opportunity of +associating with some of the leading men of the State, among them the +judges of the supreme court, and Governor Ford, who ventured to caution +the Prophet to have nothing to do with electioneering in political +contests; a thing, the Prophet said in reply, he had never done. +Governor Ford also told him that he had a requisition from the governor +of Missouri for the arrest of himself and others on the old charge of +treason, arson, etc., but he happened to know that the charges were +dead. The State legislature was also in session and consequently there +was a general gathering of the principal men of Illinois, and the +Prophet extended largely his circle of acquaintances among them. + +The time occupied by the trial kept Joseph and his party over one +Sunday in Springfield, and the use of the hall of representatives was +tendered him in which to hold religious services. The use of the hall +was accepted and Orson Hyde preached in the forenoon, and Elder John +Taylor in the afternoon; the services being largely attended by members +of the legislature. + +It required several days to make the journey from Springfield to +Nauvoo, and the Prophet's party suffered no little from the extreme +coldness of the weather. The news of Joseph's triumph had preceded +him, and as his party approached the city, of which he was the chief +founder, the people turned out almost _en masse_ to bid him welcome +to his home; and though there was little or none of the pomp and +circumstance and splendor that attend the welcome of a king by his +subjects, yet never did king receive more hearty or sincere welcome +from his people than did Joseph from the citizens of Nauvoo. + +The day following his return home the Prophet issued invitations to the +Twelve Apostles and their wives and other leading citizens to attend +a feast at his house in honor of his release from his enemies. The +Twelve at the same time issued a proclamation inviting the Saints in +Nauvoo to unite with them in dedicating Tuesday, the seventeenth of +January, 1843, as "a day of humiliation, fasting, praise, prayer and +thanksgiving before the Great Eloheim," because of the deliverance +He had wrought out for His servant. The Bishops were instructed to +provide suitable places in their respective wards for the people to +meet in, and one or more of the brethren who had been with Joseph at +Springfield, would be present to relate what had happened. + +Although to relate here the circumstances that befell the man who was +accused as the chief actor in the assault upon ex-Governor Boggs--O. +P. Rockwell--takes us beyond many events of which we desire to speak, +we think it proper to record how, after spending several months in +the eastern States, he returned to St. Louis where he was recognized +by Elias Parker, who made affidavit that he was the O. P. Rockwell +advertised for in the papers, and on the fourth of March, 1843, was +arrested by Mr. Fox, and taken to Independence for trial. Rockwell +wrote from his prison in Independence to Bishop N. K. Whitney, for +bail, which was fixed at five thousand dollars; but as the court in +Missouri would only take some responsible person resident in Missouri, +bail could not be secured for him. + +I have not the space to give a detailed account of all Rockwell's +adventures and sufferings during his weary imprisonment of nearly eight +months. He suffered much cruelty in prison life, and when his case +came before the grand jury there wasn't sufficient evidence to justify +an indictment against him. But in the meantime he had made an effort +to escape, and was held on a charge of jail-breaking, for which, when +he came to be tried, he was sentenced to five minutes' imprisonment, +though they kept him for several hours while an effort was made to +trump up new charges against him. + +One incident occurred during Rockwell's imprisonment that we can not +pass without notice. Sheriff Reynolds made an effort to induce him to +go to Nauvoo, and as the Prophet Joseph had great confidence in him, +Reynolds' proposition was that he should drive Joseph in a carriage +outside of Nauvoo, where the Missourians could capture him; and then, +as to himself, he could either remain in Illinois, return to Missouri +or go where he pleased. "You only deliver Joe Smith into our hands," +said Reynolds, "and name your pile." "I will see you all damned first, +and then I won't," replied Rockwell. + +After meeting with many adventures he arrived in Nauvoo on an evening +when there was a social party in progress at the Prophet's house. +In the midst of the festivities Joseph observed a rough-looking man +with long hair falling down over his shoulders, staggering among his +guests as if intoxicated, and the suspicion arose at once that he was +a Missourian. Joseph quietly spoke to the captain of police who was +present, and told him to put the stranger out. A struggle ensued, and +during its progress the Prophet had a full view of the man's face, and +at once recognized his devoted friend O. P. Rockwell. It is needless to +say he was given a hearty welcome or that the story of his adventures +among the Missourians contributed no little to the enjoyment of the +evening, though some portions of his narrative were so burdened with +accounts of his sufferings and the cruelties practiced towards him, +that they were calculated to produce sorrow rather than joy. But these +feelings were banished by the fact that he was now delivered out of +them all, and honorably discharged in fulfillment of the prophecy +uttered by Joseph shortly after he heard of Rockwell's arrest in St. +Louis, nearly a year before. The party which had been so rudely yet so +pleasantly interrupted, proceeded, no one enjoying it more than the +"long-haired stranger." + +A few days, only, after the departure from Springfield of the Prophet +and his party, John C. Bennett arrived there. The measures he then +set on foot, and which produced, ultimately, what very nearly became +serious results, may be judged from the following letter addressed to +Sidney Rigdon and Orson Pratt, under date of January 10, 1843: + + DEAR FRIENDS--It is a long time since I have written to you, and + I should now much desire to see you; but I leave tonight for + Missouri, to meet the messenger charged with the arrest of Joseph + Smith, Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight and others, for murder, burglary, + treason, etc., etc., and who will be demanded in a few days on new + indictments found by a grand jury of a called court on the original + evidence, and in relation to which a _nolle prosequi_ was entered + by the district attorney. + + New proceedings have been gotten up on the old charges, and no + _habeas corpus_ can then save them. We shall try Smith on the + Boggs case, when we get him into Missouri. The war goes bravely + on; and although Smith thinks he is now safe, the enemy is near, + even at the door. He has awoke the wrong passenger. The governor + will relinquish Joe up at once on the new requisition. There is + but one opinion on the case, and that is, nothing can save Joe on + the new requisition and demand, predicated on the old charges on + the institution of new writs. He must go to Missouri; but he will + not be harmed if he is not guilty; but he is a murderer, and must + suffer the penalty of the law. Enough on this subject. + + I hope that both of your amiable families are well, and you will + please to give to them all my best respects. I hope to see you + soon. When the officer arrives I shall be near at hand. I shall see + you all again. Please write me at Independence immediately. + +This letter was handed by Orson Pratt to Joseph, and was read by him +to Sidney Rigdon and the company which gathered at the Nauvoo Mansion +to celebrate the Prophet's release by a feast, to the discomfiture +of Sidney Rigdon, who of course was averse to having it known that +he held any correspondence with Bennett. The action of Orson Pratt +in this matter paved the way for his return to his position in The +Church, for he had been suspended from his quorum in the Priesthood, +having been led to oppose the counsels and falsely accuse the Prophet, +in consequence of the misrepresentations and malicious schemes of +John C. Bennett. But after the above incident, he was re-baptized by +the Prophet and received back into the quorum of the Apostles in full +confidence and fellowship. + +Meantime Nauvoo was growing. At this period--the winter of 1843--her +inhabitants are variously computed from twelve to sixteen thousand. +Her public buildings, chiefly the Temple and the Nauvoo House, were +progressing rapidly. More pretentious buildings were being erected, and +new additions to the original town plat were made, and the city, early +in December, 1842, had been divided, ecclesiastically, into ten wards, +and Bishops were appointed by the High Council to preside over each. +The city council was active in passing ordinances to meet the growing +necessities of a rapidly increasing population, looking especially +to the cleanliness, health and morality of the city. In February, +1843, Joseph was elected a second time to be mayor, and all things +considered, Nauvoo was rapidly approaching the high water mark of her +prosperity. + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT AT NAUVOO--INTERPRETATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. + +AFTER the effort of the Prophet's enemies to drag him into Missouri +on the charge of being an accessory before the fact in an attempt +upon the life of ex-Governor Boggs, Nauvoo was granted a blessed +season of peace, lasting from January, 1843, to the month of June +following. It is well to note the circumstance, for Nauvoo had few such +periods. Peace is essential to the growth of cities. Commerce flees +from strife; and trade sinks into decay where conflicts distract the +people. Nauvoo was favorably located and no city in the inland-West +gave better promise of becoming an important center of domestic +commerce, manufactures, and inland and river trade. With peace it +could easily have become the rival of St. Louis or Chicago; and Kansas +City and Omaha as outfitting points for the great West might scarcely +have been known. In addition to being a center of trade, manufactures +and domestic commerce, the presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of +Latter-day Saints would have made it a shrine, a gathering place for +the faithful from all parts of the world, and an educational center +also; for already the charters were secured and the faculty chosen +for a great university; and the keen interest which the Prophet and +his followers had ever manifested in education gave every promise +that Nauvoo in time would be one of the prominent centers of higher +education in the United States. + +The peace essential to this material and educational growth, however, +was not granted to Nauvoo. Sectarian bitterness against the religion of +the Prophet and his followers was too deep-rooted; political jealousy +was too strong; and hence strife, plots, threats of violence, actual +violence, rumors of invasions from Missouri, hints of assistance from +mobs in Illinois, the frequent arrest of the founder of the city, +the false reports that went abroad concerning its inhabitants--all +combined to blight the growth which otherwise might have been hoped +for from Nauvoo's favorable position and early development. But this +lull referred to in that all but incessant storm which beat upon the +uncovered head of Joseph Smith from the time he announced to the +world a revelation from God until this period of grace--from January, +1843, to the June following--was employed by him to good advantage +in the matter of the doctrinal development of The Church. It was in +this period that he unfolded the doctrines which most distinguish The +Church, which under God he had founded, from the sectarian churches +founded by men. Unfortunately we do not have _verbatim_ reports of +his discourses during this period. Most of them were reported in +long-hand by Willard Richards, his confidential friend and secretary, +and Wilford Woodruff, one of the Twelve Apostles and noted among other +things for daily journalizing events passing under his observation. +But these reports are not _verbatim_, and there doubtless exist many +verbal inaccuracies, and often the impression of the idea left upon the +mind of the reporter rather than the idea itself. But notwithstanding +some verbal inaccuracies that may exist, and even the statement of the +impression of ideas for the ideas themselves, still these long-hand +reports of the discourses of the Prophet, stand among the most valued +documents of our annals. + +Without strict regard to the chronological order in which occur his +discourses, conversations, letters, and revelations quoted in the +following pages of the chapters devoted to doctrinal subjects, I wish +to present the substance of his teachings within the period named. + +THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRIESTHOOD TO BLESS. + +To Orson Hyde, one of the Twelve, somewhat given to prophesying +calamities and speaking with severity to those slow to receive his +words, the Prophet took occasion to say in a council meeting of the +Twelve: + + I told Elder Hyde that when he spoke in the name of the Lord, it + should prove true; but he must not curse the people--rather bless + them. + +A remark which at once recognizes the power of that Priesthood held by +Orson Hyde--even though he curse the people--but he more especially +points out the fact that the chief function of that Priesthood is to +bless and not curse. + +THE SCRIPTURES AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. + +Occasionally the Prophet expounded the Scriptures, and in this he +was most happy: not so much on account of his knowledge of ancient +languages--though that knowledge, when his opportunities for acquiring +it are taken into account, was surprisingly extensive--as from that +divine inspiration which so mightily rested upon him at times. Of the +Bible itself the Prophet said: + + I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the + original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or + designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors. + +As an example of the errors which had crept into the holy record he put +in contrast the following: + + It repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth.--Genesis v: + 6. + + God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man that + he should repent.--Numbers xxiii: 19. + +His exegesis, which at once harmonizes the conflicting passages, and +satisfies the understanding, is as follows: + + It ought to read: It repented _Noah_ that God had made man. This I + believe, and then the other quotation [meaning the second] stands + fair. If any man will prove to me by one passage of holy writ one + item I believe to be false, I will renounce and disclaim it as far + as I have promulgated it. + +In like manner he set the following passage right, Hebrews VI: 1-6. + + The first principles of the Gospel, as I believe, are, _Faith, + Repentance, Baptism_ for the remission of sins, with the promise + of the _Holy Ghost_. Look at Hebrews VI: 1, for contradictions! + "Therefore _leaving_ the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let + us go on unto perfection." If a man _leaves_ the principles of the + doctrine of Christ, how can he be saved in the principles? This is + a contradiction. * * * I will render it as it should be: "Therefore + _not_ leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go + on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance + from dead works, and of faith towards God," etc. + +In like manner he pointed out a solecism in the Lord's prayer. It reads +in our common version: + + _Lead_ us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine + is the kingdom, the power, etc. + +In contrast with this may be placed the statement of James: + + Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God + cannot be tempted with evil, _neither tempteth he any man_.--James + 1: 13. + +Then why pray to God the Father-- + + And lead us not into temptation? + +The Prophet's exegesis was: + + The passage should read: And _leave_ us not--or, suffer us not to + be led, into temptation, for thine is the kingdom, etc. + +Again, in a public discourse he dealt with the following passage: + + Among those that are born of women, there hath not arisen a greater + prophet than John the Baptist: nevertheless, he that is _least_ in + the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. + +Taking up the first part of the question, viz: the greatness of John, +he thus expounded it: + + Firstly, he [John] was trusted with a divine mission of preparing + the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust + committed to him before or since? No man. Secondly, he was + intrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his + hands to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing + that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Whoever led the + Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of + beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather + in the sign of a dove, in witness of that administration? * * * + Thirdly, John at that time was the only legal administrator in the + affairs of the kingdom there was then on earth and holding the + keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned + by their own laws, and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness + in becoming obedient to the law which He had given to Moses on the + mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of + destroying it. The son of Zachariah wrested the keys, the kingdom, + the power, the glory, from the Jews, by the holy anointing and + decree of heaven; and these three reasons constitute him the + greatest Prophet born of women. + +Taking up the second part of the subject--"He that is least in the +kingdom of heaven is greater than he," [i. e., greater than John]--it +was made easy to understand in the following manner: + + How was the least in the kingdom of heaven greater than he [John]? + In reply, I ask who did Jesus have reference to as being the least? + Jesus was looked upon as having the _least_ claim in all God's + kingdom, and was _least_ entitled to their credulity as a Prophet, + as though he had said: "He that is _considered_ the least among + you, is greater than John--that is myself." + +Explaining the matter of interpretation itself, he said: + + What is the rule of interpretation? Just no interpretation at + all. Understand it precisely as it reads. I have a key by which I + understand the Scriptures. I inquire, what was the question which + drew out the answer or caused Jesus to utter the parable? * * * To + ascertain its meaning, we must dig to the root and ascertain what + it was that drew the saying out of Jesus. + +While this was said especially in relation to the parable of the +prodigal son, it may well be given a wider application; and it will +be found a great aid in arriving at the truth of many supposedly hard +sayings of the Scriptures. But while this key or rule of interpretation +was doubtless of great service to the Prophet in his study of the +scriptures, he was helped in another and a more important way to +understand them; to understand them in a manner which I cannot explain +better than by quoting a passage with which he dealt at an earlier +date than the period with which I am now dealing, but which is of +such moment and helps to illustrate the work we find him doing at +Nauvoo during this interim of peace, that we can well afford to stop +and consider it. As early as 1831 the Prophet with Sidney Rigdon set +about the task of bringing forth a new and inspired translation of the +Bible. Their work extended also into the year 1832. On the 16th day +of February of that year, they came, in the course of their work, to +the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth chapter of John's Gospel, speaking +of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the +voice of the Son of Man, and shall come forth, and which in our common +version stands: + + And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the + resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the + resurrection of damnation. + +But to the Prophet it was given: + + * * * And shall come forth: they who have done good in the + resurrection of the just, and they who have done evil, in the + resurrection of the unjust. + +Then follows upon this rendering of the passage by the Spirit, a +revelation concerning the future state of man and the different degrees +of glory which he will inherit, the like of which is not to be found +elsewhere in all that is written among the children of men; and which, +in part, I quote. Reverting to the passage as given by the Spirit, the +Prophet says: + + Now this caused us to marvel, for it was given unto us of the + Spirit; and while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched + the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory + of God shone round about; + + THE VISION OF THE SON'S GLORY. + + And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the + Father, and received of his fullness; + + And saw the holy angels, and they who are sanctified before his + throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him for ever and + ever. + + And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, + this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him, that he + lives; + + For we saw him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the + voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- + + That by him and through him, and of him the worlds are and were + created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and + daughters unto God. + + THE FALL OF LUCIFER. + + And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was + in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only + Begotten Son, whom the Father loved, and who was in the bosom of + the Father--was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son, + + And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him--he was + Lucifer, a son of the morning. + + And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen! even a son of the + morning. + + And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us + that we should write the vision, for we beheld Satan, that old + serpent--even the devil--who rebelled against God, and sought to + take the kingdom of our God, and his Christ, + + Wherefore he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasses + them round about. + + And we saw a vision of the sufferings of those with whom he made + war and overcame, for thus came the voice of the Lord unto us. + + Thus saith the Lord, concerning all those who know my power, and + have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves, through + the power of the devil, to be overcome, and to deny the truth and + defy my power-- + + They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it + had been better for them never to have been born, + + For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, + with the devil and his angels in eternity; + + Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world + nor in the world to come, + + Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having + denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father--having crucified him + unto themselves, and put him to an open shame. + + These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and + brimstone, with the devil and his angels, + + And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; + + Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due + time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath; + + For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the + dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, + who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. + + And this is the gospel, the glad tidings which the voice out of the + heavens bore record unto us, + + That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the + world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the + world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; + + That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into + his power and made by him, + + Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, + except those sons of perdition, who deny the Son after the Father + has revealed him; + + Wherefore, he saves all except them they shall go away into + everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is + eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in + eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, + which is their torment; + + And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, + no man knows, + + Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto + man, except to them who are made partakers thereof: + + Nevertheless I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but + straightway shut it up again; + + Wherefore the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery + thereof, they understand not, neither any man except them who are + ordained unto this condemnation. + + And we heard the voice, saying, Write the vision, for lo! this is + the end of the vision of the sufferings of the ungodly! + + OF THOSE WHO INHERIT THE CELESTIAL GLORY. + + And again, we bear record, for we saw and heard, and this is the + testimony of the gospel of Christ, concerning them who come forth + in the resurrection of the just; + + They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed + on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, + being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the + commandment which he has given, + + That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed + from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on + of the hands of him who is ordained and scaled unto this power, + + And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of + promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just + and true. + + They are they who are the church of the first born. + + They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things-- + + They are they who are Priests and Kings, who have received of his + fullness, and of his glory, + + And are Priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchisedek, + which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of + the Only Begotten Son; + + Wherefore, as it is written, they are Gods, even the sons of God-- + + Wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things + present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's + and Christ is God's; + + And they shall overcome all things; + + Wherefore let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, + who shall subdue all enemies under his feet-- + + These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ for ever + and ever. + + These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in + the clouds of heaven, to reign on the earth over his people. + + These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. + + These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. + + These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of + the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all. + + These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, + to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the first born. + + These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and + Christ are the judge of all. + + These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the + mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect + atonement through the shedding of his own blood. + + These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of + the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the + sun of the firmament is written of as being typical. + + THOSE OF THE TERRESTRIAL GLORY. + + And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these + are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that + of the church of the first born, who have received the fullness of + the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the + firmament. + + Behold, these are they who died without law, + + And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the + Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be + judged according to men in the flesh, + + Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but + afterwards received it. + + These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded + by the craftiness of men. + + These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fullness. + + These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of + the fullness of the Father; + + Wherefore they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, + and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun. + + These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; + wherefore they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God. + + And now this is the end of the vision which we saw of the + terrestrial, that the Lord commanded us to write while we were yet + in the Spirit. + + THOSE WHO INHERIT THE TELESTIAL GLORY. + + And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that + of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of + the glory of the moon in the firmament. + + These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the + testimony of Jesus. + + These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. + + These are they who are thrust down to hell. + + These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil, until the + last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb shall have + finished his work. + + These are they who receive not of his fullness in the eternal + world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the + terrestrial; + + And the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial; + + And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels + who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be + ministering spirits for them, for they shall be heirs of salvation. + + SUMMARY OF THE GREAT VISION. + + And thus we saw in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, + which surpasses all understanding, + + And no man knows it except him to whom God has revealed it. + + And thus we saw the glory of the terrestrial, which excels in all + things the glory of the telestial, even in glory, and in power, and + in might, and in dominion. + + And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all + things--where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne for ever + and ever; + + Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence and give him + glory for ever and ever. + + They who dwell in his presence are the church of the first born, + and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having + received of his fullness and of his grace; + + And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion. + + And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun + is one. + + And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the + moon is one. + + And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the + stars is one, for as one star differs from another star in glory, + even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world; + + For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. + + These are they who say they are some of one and some of + another--some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and + some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of + Enoch; + + But receive not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither + the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant. + + Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the + saints, to be caught up unto the church of the first born, and + received into the cloud. + + These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and + whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie. + + These are they who suffer the wrath of God on the earth. + + These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. + + These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of + Almighty God, until the fullness of times when Christ shall have + subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his + work, + + When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the + Father spotless, saying--I have overcome and have trodden the + wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the + wrath of Almighty God. + + Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the + throne of his power to reign for ever and ever. + + But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the + telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the + firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the sea shore, + + And heard the voice of the Lord, saying--these all shall bow the + knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the + throne for ever and ever; + + For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man + shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the + mansions which are prepared, + + And they shall be servants of the Most High, but where God and + Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end. + + This is the end of the vision which we saw, which we were commanded + to write while we were yet in the Spirit. + + But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the + mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpasses + all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion, + + Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the + Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; + + Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to + be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God + bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; + + To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for + themselves; + + That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in + the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of + glory. + + And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion for ever + and ever. Amen. + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT AT NAUVOO--THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE +RESURRECTION. + +IT should be remembered that the preaching of Alexander Campbell, +the founder of the "Church of the Disciples," or "Christians," had a +widespread influence in the western States of the Union, including +Illinois. Among other things taught by him in his public ministry was +that the baptism of John was not identical with Christian baptism, and +that the Kingdom of God was not set up in the earth until after the Son +of God was glorified and the day of Pentecost was come. It was perhaps +because of the very extended acceptance of these views throughout the +West which led the Prophet to make the following comprehensive remarks +about the baptism of John and the Kingdom of God. + + OF JOHN'S BAPTISM. + + Some say the Kingdom of God was not set up until the day of + Pentecost, and that John did not preach the baptism of repentance + for the remission of sins; but I say, in the name of the Lord, that + the Kingdom of God was set up on the earth from the days of Adam + to the present time. * * * As touching the Gospel and baptism that + John preached, I would say that John came preaching the Gospel + for the remission of sins; he had his authority from God, and the + oracles of God were with him, and the Kingdom of God for a season + seemed to rest with John alone. * * * John was a priest after the + order of Aaron and had the keys of that Priesthood, and came forth + preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, but at + the same time cries out, "There cometh one after me more mighty + than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose;" and + Christ came according to the words of John, and he was greater than + John, because He held the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood and + Kingdom of God, and had before revealed the Priesthood to Moses; + yet Christ was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness. * + * * [John] preached the same Gospel and baptism that Jesus and + the Apostles preached after him. The endowment was to prepare the + disciples for their mission unto the world. + + OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. + + Whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God + revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in + His name, and where there is a priest of God--a minister who has + power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the + Gospel and officiate in the Priesthood of God--there is the Kingdom + of God; and in consequence of rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ + and the Prophets whom God had sent, the judgments of God have + rested upon peoples, cities and nations, in various ages of the + world, which was the case with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, + which were destroyed for rejecting the Prophets. * * * Whenever men + can find out the will of God, and find an administrator legally + authorized from God, there is the Kingdom of God; but where these + are not, the Kingdom of God is not. All the ordinances, systems + and administrations on the earth are of no use to the children of + men, unless they are ordained and authorized of God; for nothing + will save a man but a legal administration; for none other will be + acknowledged either by God or angels. * * * + + * * * Some say the Kingdom of God was not set up until the day of + Pentecost, and that John did not preach the baptism of repentance + for the remission of sins; but I say, in the name of the Lord, that + the Kingdom of God was set up on the earth from the days of Adam + to the present time. * * * Now I will give my testimony. I care + not for man. I speak boldly and faithfully, and with authority. + How is it with the Kingdom of God? Where did the Kingdom of God + begin? Where there is no Kingdom of God, there is no salvation. + What constitutes the Kingdom of God? Where there is a Prophet, a + Priest, or a righteous man unto whom God gives His oracles, there + is the Kingdom of God; and where the oracles of God are not, there + the Kingdom of God is not. In these remarks I have no allusion + to the kingdoms of the earth. We will keep the laws of the land; + we do not speak against them; we never have, and we can hardly + make mention of the State of Missouri, of our persecutions there, + etc., but what the cry goes forth that we are guilty of larceny, + burglary, arson, treason, murder, etc., etc., which is false. We + speak of the Kingdom of God on the earth, not the kingdoms of men. + * * * But, says one, the Kingdom of God could not be set up in the + days of John, for John said the Kingdom was at hand. But I would + ask if it could be any nearer to them than to be in the hands of + John? The people need not wait for the day of Pentecost to find the + Kingdom of God, for John had it with him, and he came forth from + the wilderness, crying out "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is + nigh at hand," as much as to say, "Out here I have got the Kingdom + of God, and I am coming after you; and if you don't receive it, you + will be damned," and the Scriptures represent that all Jerusalem + went out unto John's baptism. There was a legal administrator, and + those that were baptized were subjects for a king; and also the + laws and oracles of God were there, therefore the Kingdom of God + was there, for no man could have better authority to administer + than John, and our Savior submitted to that authority Himself by + being baptized by John, therefore the Kingdom of God was set up on + the earth even in the days of John. + + * * * Again, he says, "Except ye are born of the water and of the + Spirit, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of God; and though the + heavens and earth should pass away, my words should not pass away." + If a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can get into the + Kingdom of God. It is evident the Kingdom of God was on earth, and + John prepared subjects for the Kingdom, by preaching to them and + baptizing them, and he prepared the way before the Savior, or came + as a forerunner, and prepared subjects for the preaching of Christ, + and Christ preached through Jerusalem on the same ground where John + had preached, and when the Apostles were raised up, they worked + in Jerusalem and Jesus commanded them to tarry there until they + were endowed with power from on high. Had they not work to do in + Jerusalem? They did work and prepared a people for the Pentecost. + The Kingdom of God was with them before the day of Pentecost, as + well as afterwards. + +It is evident from all this that, speaking broadly, with the Prophet +the Kingdom of God was the government of God on earth and in +heaven--whether that government was manifested through the authority +of a single individual or a complete system of ecclesiastical or +national government. This is, however, speaking broadly, not to say +loosely; and in the same manner that the subject is spoken of in holy +scripture where the phrases _Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, the +Church of Christ, Church of God, the Church_, etc., are often used +interchangeably and indiscriminately to represent in a general way +that divine institution which God in whole or in part from time to +time establishes to help man in the matter of his salvation. But it is +proper for the reader to know that Joseph Smith when speaking strictly +recognized a distinction between "The Church of Jesus Christ" and the +"Kingdom of God." And not only a distinction but a separation of one +from the other. The Kingdom of God according to his teaching is to be +a political institution that shall hold sway over all the earth; to +which all other governments will be subordinate and by which they will +be dominated. Of this Kingdom Christ is the King; for He is to reign +"King of Kings" as well as "Lord of Lords." While all governments are +to be in subjection to the Kingdom of God, it does not follow that all +its members will be of one religious faith. The Kingdom of God is not +necessarily made up exclusively of members of the Church of Christ. In +fact the Prophet taught that men not members of The Church could be, +not only members of that Kingdom, but also officers within it. It is +to grant the widest religious toleration, though exacting homage and +loyalty to its great Head, to its institutions, and obedience to its +laws. + +On the other hand the Church of Christ is purely an ecclesiastical +organization, comprising within its membership only those who have +embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who inwardly have accepted its +principles in their faith, and outwardly have received the rites and +ceremonies it prescribes. Of this Church Jesus Christ is the Head, +since He is to be "Lord of Lords" as well as "King of Kings." The +Church is peculiarly Christ's. It bears His name. It is composed of +members who, while not behind others in doing Him homage, as the head +of the Kingdom of God, accept Him as more than the King of Kings--they +accept Him as Lord--as Lord of Lords, as Redeemer--Savior--God. But +the Church of Christ, precious as it is; beloved by its great Head; +in the harmony of its truth, perfect; in the beauty of its holiness, +passing all praise; in its power of salvation, absolute--yet the +Church of Christ will doubtless stand under the protecting aegis of +the Kingdom of God in common with other systems of religion, enjoying +only such rights as will be common to all. And while the Church of +Christ will enjoy to the full her privileges, promulgate her faith +without let or hindrance, make known the truth she holds and her +saving grace and power, and manage her own affairs--yet she will not +usurp the prerogative of the Kingdom of God, nor interfere with those +outside the pale of her jurisdiction--outside of her membership. Such, +in substance, was the teaching of the Prophet on this subject. Not +publicly, or at least not very publicly; but he taught the foregoing +in the counsels of the Priesthood as many testify, and effected an +organization as a nucleus of the Kingdom above referred to of which +some who were not in The Church were members. + +It will be understood, then, that what I have quoted from the Prophet's +discourses on the subject of the Kingdom of God is spoken broadly; in +a sense which recognizes the Kingdom of God simply as the government +of God on earth or in heaven; and whether represented by a single +individual holding divine authority, or a regular system of government; +and which, loosely, may be and is applied to the Church of Christ, or +some part thereof. + +THE GLORIOUS COMING OF THE SON OF GOD. + +It was this year, 1843, that the speculations of William Miller fixed +upon for the glorious coming of the Son of God, to reign with His +Saints on the earth for a thousand years. Though Mr. Miller was but a +religious enthusiast, yet his teachings and his deductions from the +prophecies of Daniel and John the Revelator created no little stir +throughout the United States, and many thousands of people were looking +for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, expecting the resurrection +of the dead to begin, and the promised reign of righteousness to +follow. The agitation concerning this great event naturally led to +many inquiries being submitted to the Prophet concerning it, and he +did not hesitate to boldly cross the statements of Mr. Miller on the +subject, and contradict his deductions based upon the predictions of +the prophets. Joseph Smith stood at the head of the Dispensation of +the Fullness of Times, and he knew too well the then present status +of the work of God to be deceived into believing that the time for +the coming of the Son of God had arrived. The great preliminary work +which is to precede that great event had not been accomplished, and +until that work was done the Prophet knew that Jesus would not come in +the clouds of heaven in power and great glory. It was reported in the +Chicago _Express_ that one Hyrum Redding had actually seen the promised +sign of the coming of the Son of Man, concerning which Joseph in a +communication to the _Times and Seasons_ said: + + Mr. Redding may have seen a wonderful appearance in the clouds + one morning about sunrise, (which is nothing very uncommon in the + winter season,) he has not seen the sign of the Son of Man, as + foretold by Jesus; neither has any man, nor will any man, until + after the sun has been darkened and the moon bathed in blood; + for the Lord hath not shown me any such sign; and as the prophet + saith, so it must be: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He + revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." (See Amos, + III, 7.) Therefore hear this, O earth. The Lord will not come + to reign over the righteous, in this world, in 1843, nor until + everything for the Bridegroom is ready. + +Referring again to the subject, some time later, he said, in a public +discourse-- + + I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of + the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following: "Joseph, + my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou + shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, + and trouble me no more on this matter." I was left thus without + being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning + of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should + die and thus see His face. I believe that the coming of the Son of + Man will not be any sooner than that time. + +On still another occasion the Prophet said: + + Were I going to prophesy I would say the end will not come in 1844, + 5 or 6, or in forty years. There are those of the rising generation + who shall not taste death until Christ comes. I was once praying + earnestly upon this subject, and a voice said unto me, "My son, if + thou livest until thou art eighty-five years of age, thou shalt see + the face of the Son of Man." I was left to draw my own conclusion + concerning this: and I took the liberty to conclude that if I did + live to that time, He would make His appearance. But I do not say + whether He will make His appearance or I shall go where He is. + I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written, + The Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am + eighty-five years old. [He] then read the fourteenth chapter of + Revelations, 6th and 7th verses: "And I saw another angel fly in + the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto + them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, + and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and + give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come." And Hosea + 6th chapter, after two days, etc.,--2,520 years; which brings it + to 1890. The coming of the Son of Man never will be--never can be + till the judgments spoken of for this hour are poured out; which + judgments are commenced. Paul says: "Ye are children of the light + and not of the darkness, that that day should overtake you as + a thief in the night." It is not the design of the Almighty to + come upon the earth and crush it, and grind it to powder, but He + will reveal it to His servants the prophets. Judah must return, + Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the Temple, and water come out from + under the Temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It + will take some time to build the walls of the city and the Temple, + etc., and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His + appearance. There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the + heaven above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness + and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas + heaving beyond their bounds; there will appear one grand sign of + the Son of Man in Heaven. But what will the world do? They will say + it is a comet, a planet, etc. But the Son of Man will come as the + sign of the coming of the Son of Man which will be as the light of + the morning cometh [coming] out of the east. + +I would again remind the reader that these reports of remarks and +discourses of the Prophet's are imperfect, having been written in +long-hand, and in part from memory and therefore really are only +synopses of what was said. I call attention to this at this point +because the imperfections in construction of the above are very +apparent, so also the fact that the report in this case is very much +abbreviated. Still the substance--the great facts concerning the work +to precede the coming of the Son of Man, and the prediction that the +Son of Man will not come until that work is performed, are all there, +and that is the important thing. + +Of the appearance of the Savior when He does come, the Prophet said; + + When the Savior shall appear, we shall see Him as He is. We shall + see that He is a man like ourselves, and the same sociality which + exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be + coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy. + +OF THE RESURRECTION. + +No less interesting were the Prophet's teaching on the subject of the +resurrection of the dead. To a remark of Elder Orson Pratt's to the +effect that a man's body changes every seven years, the Prophet replied: + + There is no fundamental principle belonging to a human system that + ever goes into another in this world or in the world to come. I + care not what the theories of men are. We have the testimony that + God will raise us up, and He has the power to do it. If any one + supposes that any part of our bodies, that is, the fundamental + parts thereof, ever goes into another body he is mistaken. + +Speaking of the desirability of an honorable burial, and of living and +dying among friends in connection with the resurrection, the Prophet +said at the funeral services held in honor of Lorenzo D. Barnes, who +had died while on a mission to England: + + I believe those who have buried their dead here, their condition + is enviable. Look at Jacob and Joseph in Egypt, how they required + their friends to bury them in the tomb of their fathers. See the + expense which attended the embalming and the going up of the great + company to the burial. It has always been considered a great + calamity not to obtain an honorable burial; and one of the greatest + curses the ancient prophets could put on any man was that he should + go without a burial. * * * * * * + + * * * I would esteem it one of the greatest blessings if I am + going to be afflicted in this world, to have my lot cast, where + I can find brothers and friends all around me. But this is not + the thing I referred to: it is to have the privilege of having + our dead buried on the land where God has appointed to gather His + Saints together, and where there will be none but Saints, where + they may have the privilege of laying their bodies where the Son + of Man will make His appearance, and where they may hear the sound + of the trump that shall call them forth to behold Him, that in the + morn of the resurrection they may come forth in a body, and come + up out of their graves and strike hands immediately in eternal + glory and felicity, rather than be scattered thousands of miles + apart. There is something good and sacred to me in this thing. The + place where a man is buried is sacred to me. This subject is made + mention of in the Book of Mormon and the Scriptures. Even to the + aborigines of this land, the burying places of their fathers are + more sacred than anything else. When I heard of the death of our + beloved Brother Barnes, it would not have affected me so much if + I had the opportunity of burying him in the land of Zion. * * * I + have said, Father, I desire to die here among the Saints. But if + this is not Thy will, and I go hence and die, wilt Thou find some + kind friend and bring my body back, and gather my friends who have + fallen in foreign lands, and bring them up hither, that we may all + lie together. * * * * * * * * + + * * * If tomorrow I shall be called to lie in yonder tomb, in the + morning of the resurrection let me strike hands with my father, + and cry, "My father, father!" and he will say, "My son, my son!" + as soon as the rocks rend and before we come out of our graves. + And may we contemplate these things so? Yes, if we learn how to + live and how to die. When we lie down we contemplate how we may + rise up in the morning: and it is pleasing for friends to lie down + together, locked in the arms of love, to sleep and wake in each + others' embrace and renew their conversation. * * * + + * * * Would you think it strange if I relate what I have seen in + vision in relation to this interesting theme? Those who have died + in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of joy, + when they come forth, which they possessed or anticipated here. + So plain was the vision, that I actually saw men, before they had + ascended from the tomb, as though they were getting up slowly. They + took each other by the hand, and said to each other, "My father, + my son, my mother, my daughter, my brother, my sister." And when + the voice calls for the dead to rise, suppose I am laid by the side + of my father, what would be the first joy of my heart? To meet my + father, my mother, my brother, my sister and when they are by my + side, I embrace them, and they me. It is my meditation all the + day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the + Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing + surge before my mind. * * * Lay hold of these things, and let not + your knees or joints tremble, nor your heart faint; and then what + can earthquakes, wars and tornadoes do? Nothing. All your losses + will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue + faithful, by the vision of the Almighty I have seen it. + + * * * More painful to me are the thoughts of annihilation than + death. If I had no expectation of seeing my father, mother, + brothers, sisters and friends again, my heart would burst in a + moment, and I should go down to my grave. The expectation of seeing + my friends in the morning of the resurrection cheers my soul and + makes me bear up against the evils of life. It is like their taking + a long journey, and on their return we meet them with increased + joy. God has revealed His Son from the heavens, and the doctrine + of the resurrection also, and we have a knowledge that those we + bring here God will bring up again clothed upon and quickened by + the Spirit of the Great God, and what mattereth it, whether we + lay them down, or we lay down with them, when we can keep them no + longer? Then let them sink down like a ship in a storm--the mighty + anchor holds her safe. So let these truths sink down in our hearts, + that we may even here begin to enjoy that which shall be in full + hereafter. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to Almighty God, that rays of + light begin to burst forth upon us even now! + +GOD'S AND ANGELS' TIME. + + In answer to the question, "Is not the reckoning of God's time, + angels' time, prophets' time and man's time according to the planet + on which they reside?" I answer, yes. But there are no angels who + minister to this earth but those who belong or have belonged to + it. The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; but they + reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and + fire, where all things for their glory are manifest--past, present + and future, and are continually before the Lord. + +THE EARTH IN ITS SANCTIFIED STATE. + +The following is an entry in his journal: + + Saturday, 18th of February [1843.] While at dinner I remarked to my + family and friends present, that when the earth was sanctified and + became like a sea of glass, it would be one great Urim and Thummim + and the Saints could look in it and see as they are seen. + +Later in public, on the same subject, he said: + + The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. This + earth in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto + crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell + thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom + or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who + dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ's. Then the white stone + mentioned in Revelation II: 17, will become a Urim and Thummim to + each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a + higher order of kingdoms, will be made known, and a white stone is + given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon + is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth + it. The new name is the key word. + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT--PROPHECIES. + +THIS period under consideration was rich in prophecies. The boldness of +Joseph Smith's predictions was startling; but it is to be remarked that +they have been fulfilled as fast as the wheels of time have brought +them due. + +A PREDICTION UPON THE PRESENT GENERATION. + + I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God of Israel, anguish and + wrath and tribulation and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from + the earth await this generation, until they are visited with utter + desolation. This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the + Jews that crucified Christ; and if He were here today and should + preach the same doctrine He did then, they would put Him to death. + I defy all the world to destroy the work of God, and I prophesy + they never will have power to kill me till my work is accomplished, + and I am ready to die. + +PROPHECY ON WAR. + + I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, that the commencement of + the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the + coming of the Son of Man will be in South Carolina. It may probably + arise through the slave question. This a voice declared to me while + I was praying very earnestly on the subject, December 25th, 1832. + +These remarks were made in April, 1843, at a place called Raymus, near +Nauvoo; and the incidental reference to what a voice had declared to +him respecting the war to begin in South Carolina, is doubtless an +allusion to the more formal prophecy on that great subject, and which I +consider of so much importance that while it does not strictly belong +to the period under consideration, I give it _in extenso_, as connected +with the lesser prophecy quoted above. + + PROPHECY ON THE WARS OF THE LAST DAYS. + + Verily, thus saith the Lord, concerning the wars that will shortly + come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which + will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls. + + The days will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, + beginning at that place; + + For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the + Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other + nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and + they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend + themselves against other nations; and thus war shall be poured out + upon all nations. + + And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up + against their masters, who shall be marshalled and disciplined for + war: + + And it shall come to pass also, that the remnants who are left of + the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceeding angry, + and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation; + + And thus with the sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the + earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquakes, + and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, + shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and + indignation and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the + consumption decreed, hath made a full end of all nations; + + That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall + cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the + earth, to be avenged of their enemies. + + Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day + of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, saith the Lord Amen. + +I do not hesitate to refer to this prophecy as one of the boldest, +most forceful and remarkable ever uttered by a prophet of God in +either ancient or modern times; and its exact and minute fulfillment +to be read in the history of the United States and other countries +is as astonishing as the prediction is bold. [1] This prophecy was +given in December, 1832; and the Elders in those days, at least a +number of them, carried manuscript copies of it with them on their +missionary journeys, and frequently read it to their congregations in +various parts of the United States. In Volume XIII of the _Millennial +Star_, published in 1851, pages 216, 217, is an advertisement of a new +publication to be called the _Pearl of Great Price_. In the announced +contents is named this revelation of December, 1832, on war, with the +statement that it had "never before appeared in print." Subsequently, +but in the same year, 1851, the _Pearl of Great Price_ with this +prophecy in it, word for word as it is here quoted, was published by +Franklin D. Richards, in Liverpool, England. There are copies of the +first edition still extant. + +PREDICTION THAT THE SAINTS WOULD REMOVE TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND +BECOME A GREAT PEOPLE. + +No less remarkable perhaps was the Prophet's great prediction of +the sixth of August, 1842, given in his history under that date and +published in the _Millennial Star_, [2] concerning the removal of the +Latter-day Saints to the Rocky Mountains, then a thousand miles beyond +the frontiers of the United States; but of which I shall not say more +here as it is to receive consideration in a subsequent chapter. + +PROPHECY UPON THE HEAD OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLASS. + +In the daily journal of Wm. Clayton, who at the time the following +prophecy was made was private secretary of the Prophet, and almost his +constant companion--under date of May 18th, 1843, occurs the following +entry concerning a visit with the Prophet to Judge Douglass at Carthage: + + Dined with Judge Stephen A. Douglass, who is presiding at court. + After dinner Judge Douglass requested President Joseph to give him + a history of the Missouri persecutions; which he did in a very + minute manner for about three hours. He also gave a relation of + his journey to Washington City, and his application in behalf of + the Saints to Mr. Van Buren, the President of the United States, + for redress, and Mr. Van Buren's pusillanimous reply: "Gentlemen, + your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you," and the cold, + unfeeling manner in which he was treated by most of the senators + and representatives in relation to the subject, Clay saying, "You + had better go to Oregon," and Calhoun shaking his head and solemnly + saying, "It's a nice question; a critical question, but it will not + do to agitate it." The judge listened with the greatest attention, + and then spoke warmly in deprecation of the conduct of Governor + Boggs and the authorities of Missouri, who had taken part in the + extermination, and said that any people that would do as the mobs + of Missouri had done ought to be brought to judgment; they ought + to be punished. President Smith, in concluding his remarks, said + that if the government which received into its coffers the money + of citizens for its public lands, while its officials are rolling + in luxury at the expense of its public treasury, cannot protect + such citizens in their lives and property, it is an old granny + anyhow, and I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God of Israel, + unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the + Saints in the State of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by + her officers, that in a few years the government will be utterly + overthrown and wasted and there will not be so much as a potsherd + left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women + and children and the wholesale plunder and extermination of + thousands of her citizens to go unpunished, thereby perpetrating a + foul and corroding blot upon the fair fame of this great republic, + the very thought of which would have caused the high-minded and + patriotic framers of the Constitution of the United States to hide + their faces with shame. _Judge, you will aspire to the presidency + of the United States; and if you ever turn your hand against me + or the Latter-day Saints you will feel the weight of the hand of + the Almighty upon you; and you will live to see and know that I + have testified the truth to you, for the conversation of this day + will stick to you through life. He appeared very friendly and + acknowledged the truth and propriety of President Smith's remarks_. + +This prophecy was published in Utah, in the _Desert News_ of September +24th, 1856; and afterwards in England in the _Millennial Star_ of +February, 1859. It is well known that Douglass did finally aspire +to the Presidency of the United States, that he was nominated by a +confident, aggressive party in 1860; and it is also known that in the +elections of that year that party which had controlled the destinies +almost uninterruptedly for forty years became demoralized; that Abraham +Lincoln was triumphantly elected, receiving one hundred and eighty +electoral votes, while Mr. Douglass received but 12; that Mr. Douglass +some six weeks later died a disappointed not to say heart-broken man. +All this is known, but it is not so generally known that on the twelfth +of June, 1857, about one year after the prediction of his friend Joseph +Smith was published in the _Desert News_, in Utah, he most cowardly +betrayed the people of that friend and united with their enemies in +a most unjustifiable assault upon them, and in the fervor of his +eloquence and to gain the favor of the populace, he cried out against +them-- + + The knife must be applied to this pestiferous, disgusting cancer + which is gnawing into the very vitals of the body politic. It + must be cut out by the roots, and seared over by the red hot + iron of stern and unflinching law. * * * Repeal the organic law + of the Territory, on the ground that they are alien enemies and + outlaws, unfit to be the citizens of a Territory, much less to ever + become citizens of one of the free and independent States of this + confederacy. [3] + +He little dreamed that in these utterances he was sealing his own +political doom, and leaving on record an event that was to stand as a +monument to the inspiration of Joseph Smith. + +Footnotes: + +1. For the consideration of the fulfillment of this prophecy the reader +is referred to the writer's "New Witness for God," ch. XXIII. + +2. Vol. xix, page 630. + +3. The speech is published in the _Missouri Republican_ for June 18, +1857. For a more complete consideration of the prophecy, the reader is +referred to the author's "New Witness for God," chapter xxii. + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT AT NAUVOO--OF THE BEING AND NATURE OF GOD. + +WHEN Joseph Smith in 1820 declared that he had in open vision seen God +the Father and His Son Jesus Christ standing together above him in the +air, surrounded by a glorious brilliancy of light which defied all +description, and that God the Father pointed to Jesus and said: + + "_Joseph, this is my beloved Son, hear Him_"-- + +it is quite evident that new ideas pertaining to God were about to +be promulgated among men. The facts of this vision were quite at +variance with the orthodox notions entertained about the Godhead. +It is quite true that Christians talked about the Father and the +Son, and as for the latter they had to concede that He was in the +form of man, and remains so to this day, as they have no reason to +believe that the all-glorious resurrected body of flesh and bones +with which Jesus ascended to His Father has been dissolved and become +incorporeal; but no orthodox Christian believed that the Father and the +Son of the Scriptures were two distinct and separate individuals--a +conclusion which this very first vision of the Prophet's forces upon +the understanding if it is believed. The anthropomorphism of the +vision is also too emphatic for the orthodox conception of God; for +notwithstanding the Scriptures teach that man was created in the image +of God; [1] and that Jesus Christ was the express image of His Father's +person [2]--and certainly Jesus was in the form of man--yet the +Christian orthodoxy gave such explanations of these facts of Scripture +that they accepted not at all the idea that God the Father was a +personage like unto man in form and as distinct as to His person from +His Son Jesus Christ as is any father and son among men. The orthodox +creed of the Godhead is as follows: + + We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the maker of all + things visible and invisible; and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the + Son of God begotten of the Father, only begotten (that is) of the + substance of the Father; God of God, Light of Light, very God + of very God; begotten, not made; of the same substance with the + Father, by whom all things are made, that are in heaven and that + are in earth; who for us men, and for our salvation, descended and + was incarnate, and became man; suffered and rose again the third + day, ascended into the heavens and will come to judge the living + and the dead; and in the Holy Spirit. But those who say there was + a time when He [the Son] was not, and that He was not before He + was begotten, and that He was made out of nothing or affirm that + He is of any other substance or essence, or that the Son of God + was created, and mutable, or changeable, the Catholic Church doth + pronounce accursed. + +This is the creed of St. Athanasius, formulated at the Council of +Nice, A.D. 325, and is universally accepted by orthodox Christians. +The explanation of the creed as given by Athanasius will also be of +interest: + + We worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity; neither + confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance. For there + is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of + the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost + is all one: The glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. Such as the + Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father + uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father + incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible. The Father eternal, + the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet these are + not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three + incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated and one + incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son + Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty, and yet there are not three + Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, + and the Holy Ghost is God, and yet there are not three Gods, but + one God. + +It is of course apparent at a glance that the first great revelation +to Joseph Smith declared facts in relation to the nature of God--His +personality--the fact that the Father was distinct from the Son--the +fact that the there were two--or a plurality of Gods--which are at +variance with the orthodox creed on the subject of Deity. This truth +he continued to unfold from time to time, though the fullness and +climax respecting this doctrine was reached at Nauvoo; and as it is the +teachings of the Prophet and not a defense of them which I here wish to +exhibit, I quote his own words: + +GOD'S DISTINCT PERSONALITY. + + The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as a man's, + the Son also, but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, + but is a personage of spirit. Were it not so the Holy Ghost could + not dwell in us. A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may + descend upon him and not tarry in him. + +THE HOLY GHOST A PERSONAGE. + + The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the + world, a witness of the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come + in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in + the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form + of a dove, but in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be + transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John + to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token + of truth and innocence. + +IGNORANCE AS TO THE CHARACTER OF GOD. + + It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God Himself in + the beginning. There are but a very few beings in the world who + understand rightly the character of God. The great majority of + mankind do not comprehend anything, either that which is passed, + or that which is to come, as it respects their relationship to + God. They do not know neither do they understand the nature of + that relationship, and consequently, they know but little above + the brute beast, or more than to eat, drink and sleep. This is all + man knows about God or His existence, unless it is given by the + inspiration of the Almighty. + +WHAT KIND OF A BEING GOD IS. + + I want to ask this congregation, every man, woman and child, to + answer the question in their own heart, what kind of a being God + is. * * * God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted + man, and sits enthroned in yonder heaven! That is the great secret. + If the veil was rent today and the great God who holds this world + in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His + power, was to make Himself visible, I say, if you were to see Him + today, you would see Him like a man in form--like yourselves in + all the person, image and very form as a man, for Adam was created + in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received + instruction from and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as + one man talks and communes with another. * * * It is the first + principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of + God and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses + with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea that God + Himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus + Christ Himself did, and I will show it from the Bible. + +PLURALITY OF GODS ESTABLISHED BY THE LANGUAGE OF GENESIS. + + I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I + will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of + creation in the Bible--_Berosheit_. I want to analyze the word. + _Baith_--in, by, through and everything else. _Rosh_--the head. + _Sheit_--Grammatical termination. When the inspired man wrote it + he did not put the _baith_ there. An old Jew without any authority + added the word: he thought it too bad to begin to talk about the + head! It read first, "The head one of the Gods brought forth the + Gods." That is the true meaning of the words. _Baurau_ signifies + to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the + learned man of God. Learned men can teach you no more than what + I have told you. Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the + grand council. * * * The head God called together the Gods and sat + in grand council to bring forth the world. The grand councilors sat + at the head in yonder heavens and contemplated the creation of the + worlds which were created at that time. * * * In the beginning, + the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods, and they came + together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it. + +Later in dwelling on the same subject he said: + + I will show from the Hebrew Bible that I am correct, and the first + word shows a plurality of Gods, and I want the apostates and + learned men to come here and prove to the contrary, if they can. + An unlearned boy must give you a little Hebrew. _Berosheit baurau + Eloheim ait aushamayeen uenhau auratis_, rendered by King James' + translation: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the + earth." I want to analyze the word _Berosheit_. _Rosh_, the head; + _sheit_, a grammatical termination. The _Baith_ was not originally + put there when the inspired man wrote it, but it has been since + added by an old Jew. _Baurau_ signifies to bring forth; Eloheim + is from the word _Elio_, God, in the singular number, and by + adding the word _heim_, it renders it Gods. It read first, "In the + beginning the head of the Gods brought forth Gods," or as others + have translated it, "The head of the Gods called the Gods together." + +SUSTAINED BY JOHN THE REVELATOR. + + President Joseph Smith read the third chapter of Revelations, and + took for his text first chapter, sixth verse: "And hath made us + kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and + dominion for ever and ever. Amen." It is altogether correct in the + translation. Now you know that of late some malicious and corrupt + men have sprung up and apostatized from the Church of Jesus Christ + of Latter-day Saints, and they declare that the Prophet believes + in a plurality of Gods, and lo and behold! we have discovered a + very great secret, they cry: "The Prophet says there are many + Gods, and this proves that he has fallen." * * * I will preach on + the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express + purpose. I wish to declare I have always, and in all congregations + when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the + plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders fifteen + years. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus + Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and + the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit; and these + three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. If this + is in accordance with the New Testament, lo and behold, we have + three Gods anyhow, and they are plural, and who can contradict it? + +BY THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL. + + Our text says: "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and + _his Father_." The Apostles have discovered that there were Gods + above, for Paul says God was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. + * * * John was one of the men, and the Apostles declare they were + made kings and priests unto God the Father of our Lord Jesus + Christ. It reads just so in the Revelation. Hence the doctrine + of a plurality of Gods is as prominent in the Bible as any other + doctrine. It is all over the face of the Bible. It stands beyond + the power of controversy. "A wayfaring man, though a fool, need + not err therein." Paul says there are Gods many and Lords many. I + want to set it forth in a plain and simple manner, but to us there + is but one God--that is _pertaining_ to us, and He is in all and + through all. But if Joseph Smith says there are Gods many and Lords + many, they cry, "Away with him, and crucify him, crucify him!" + Mankind verily say that the Scriptures are with them. Search the + Scriptures, for they testify of things that these apostates would + gravely pronounce blasphemy. Paul, if Joseph Smith is a blasphemer, + you are. I say there are Gods many, and Lords many, but to us only + one; and we are to be in subjection to that one, and no man can + limit the bounds or the eternal existence of eternal time. * * * + Some say I do not interpret the Scriptures the same as they do. + They say it means the heathen's gods. Paul says there are Gods many + and Lords many, and that makes a plurality of Gods, in spite of the + whims of all men. Without a revelation I am not going to give them + the knowledge of the God of heaven. You know and I testify that + Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods. I have it from God, and + get over it if you can. I have a witness of the Holy Ghost, and a + testimony that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods in the text. + +BY THE PHILOSOPHY OF ABRAHAM. + + I want to reason a little on this subject. I learned it by + translating the papyrus which is now in my house. I learned a + testimony concerning Abraham, and he reasoned concerning the God + of heaven. "In order to do that," said he, "suppose we have two + facts; that supposes another fact may exist--two men on the earth, + one wiser than the other, would logically show that another who is + wiser than the wiser one may exist. Intelligences exist one above + another, so that there is no end to them. If Abraham reasoned thus: + If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God, + the Father of Jesus Christ, had a Father, you may suppose that He + had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And + where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever + did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? + And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly + is in the likeness of that which is heavenly. Hence, if Jesus had a + Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? I despise the + idea of being scared to death at such doctrine, for the Bible is + full of it. + +BY THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. + + I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man + being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for + unbelief. They found fault with Jesus Christ because He said He + was the Son of God, and made Himself equal with God. They say of + me like they did of the Apostles of old, that I must be put down. + What did Jesus say? "Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are + Gods? If he called them Gods unto whom the word of God came, and + the Scripture cannot be broken, say ye of him whom the Father has + sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I + said I am the Son of God?" It was through Him that they drank of + the spiritual rock. + + Of course He would take the honor Himself. Jesus, if they were + called Gods unto whom the word of God came, why should it be + thought blasphemy that I should say I am the Son of God? [3] + +HOW GOD CAME TO BE A GOD. + + We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I + will refute that idea, and will take away the vail, so that you may + see. * * * The Scriptures inform us that Jesus said, "As the Father + hath power in Himself, even so hath the Son power"--to do what? + Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious--in a manner to + lay down His body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going + to do? To lay down My life as My Father did and take it up again. + Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the + Bible. Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true + God, and you have got to learn to be Gods yourselves, and to be + kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before + you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a + small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation + to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead and + are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory as + do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. + +THE APPOINTMENT OF GODS. + + The Scriptures are a mixture of very strange doctrines to the + Christian world, who are blindly led by the blind. I will refer + to another Scripture. "Now," says God, when He visited Moses in + the bush, (Moses was a stammering sort of a boy like me,) God + said, "Thou shalt be a God unto the children of Israel." God said, + "Thou shalt be a God unto Aaron, and he shall be thy spokesman." I + believe those Gods that God reveals as Gods to be sons of Gods, and + all can cry, "Abba Father!" Sons of God who exalt themselves to be + Gods, even from before the foundation of the world and are the only + Gods I have a reverence for. + +THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR GOD. + + The head of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take + a view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, + holiness and perfection of the Gods. All I want is to get the + simple, naked truth, and the whole truth. + +THE ONENESS OF GOD--IN WHAT IT CONSISTS. + + Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy + Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God anyhow--three + in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization. "Father, I + pray not for the world, but I pray for them which Thou hast given + me." "Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast + given me, that they may be one, as we are." * * * I want to read + the text to you myself: "I am agreed with the Father and the Father + is agreed with Me, and we are agreed as one." The Greek shows that + it should be "agreed." "Father, I pray for them which Thou hast + given me out of the world, and not for these alone, but for them + also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all + may be agreed as Thou, Father, art agreed with me, and I with Thee, + that they also may be agreed with us--" and all come to dwell in + unity, and in all glory and everlasting burnings of the Gods; and + then we shall see as we are seen, and be as our God, and He as His + Father. + +OF MAN AND HIS IMMORTALITY. + +The doctrines which Joseph Smith taught respecting God were also +calculated to have an effect on his teachings respecting man, and that +it did so is evident from the following: + + I have another subject to dwell upon which is calculated to exalt + man. * * * It is associated with the subject of the resurrection of + the dead, namely, the soul--the mind of man--the immortal spirit. + Where did it come from? All learned men, and doctors of divinity + say that God created it in the beginning; but it is not so: the + very idea lessens man in my estimation. I do not believe the + doctrine. I know better. Hear it, all ye ends of the world, for God + has told me so, if you don't believe me, it will not make the truth + without effect. * * * We say that God Himself is a self-existent + being. Who told you so? It is correct enough, but how did it get + into your heads? Who told you that man did not exist in like manner + upon the same principles? God made a tabernacle and put a spirit + into it, and it became a living soul. [Refers to the old Bible.] + How does it read in the Hebrew? It does not say in Hebrew that God + created the spirit of man. It says, "God made man out of earth and + put into him Adam's spirit, and so became a living body." * * * I + am dwelling on the immortality of the spirit of man. Is it logical + to say that the intelligence of spirits is immortal, and yet that + it had a beginning? The intelligence of spirits had no beginning, + neither will it have an end. That is good logic. That which has a + beginning may have an end. There never was a time when there were + not spirits, for they are co-equal with our Father in heaven. + +THE PROPHET'S VIEWS ON IMMATERIALITY AND ON CREATION. + + There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, + but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer + eyes. We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified, we shall + see that it is all matter. + + * * * You ask the wise doctors why they say the world was made out + of nothing, and they will answer, "Don't the Bible say He created + the world?" And they infer from that word _create_ that it must + be made out of nothing. Now the word create came from the word + _baurau_, which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to + organize, the same as man would organize material and build a ship. + Hence we infer that God had materials to organize the world out + of--chaos--chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells + all the glory. Elements had an existence from the time He [God] + had. The pure principles of elements can never be destroyed, they + may be organized and reorganized, but not destroyed. They had no + beginning, and can have no end. + +In order to present a more complete view of the importance of man as +connected with the work of his redemption, his future exaltation and +glory, as taught by the Prophet, I quote two discourses of his preached +in Nauvoo some time previous to the period under consideration. The +first is an excerpt from remarks of the Prophet made in reply to +certain questions about the Priesthood and other subjects; the second +is from an article presented by him at the October conference of 1840: + +I. + + The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First + Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. + He obtained it in the creation, before the world was formed, + as in Gen. 1, 20, 26, 28. He had dominion given him over every + living creature. He is Michael, the Arch-Angel, spoken of in + the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel; he stands next in + authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this + office, and was the Father of all living in his day, and to him was + given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in + heaven. + + The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God + from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or + end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever + the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven it is by + Adam's authority. Daniel VII, speaks of the Ancient of Days; he + means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael; he will call his + children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for + the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human + family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have + had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may + take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of + Man stands before him, and there is given Him glory and dominion. + Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was + delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains + his standing as head of the human family. + + The spirit of man is not a created being; it existed from eternity, + and will exist to eternity. Anything created cannot be eternal; + and earth, water, &c., had their existence in an elementary state, + from eternity. Our Savior speaks of children and says, their angels + always stand before my Father. The Father called all spirits + before Him at the creation of man, and organized them. He (Adam) + is the head and was told to multiply. The keys were first given to + him, and by him to others. He will have to give an account of his + stewardship and they to him. + + The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave + the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when He was + transfigured before them. The Priesthood is everlasting--without + beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, &c. If + there is no change of ordinances, there is no change of Priesthood. + Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered, there is + the Priesthood. + + How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down, + in regular succession. Peter, James, and John had it given to them, + and they gave it to others. Christ is the great High Priest; Adam + next. Paul speaks of The Church coming to an innumerable company + of angels--to God, the Judge of all--the spirits of just men made + perfect; to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, &c., (Heb. + III, 23.) + + I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. He called together + his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The + Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all, and + foretold what should befall them to the latest generation. (See D. + C., sec. III, pars. 28, 29.) + + This is why Abraham blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them + into the presence of God. They looked for a city, &c. Moses sought + to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through + the power of the Priesthood, but he could not. In the first ages of + the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were + Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but + did not obtain them; but they prophesied of a day when this glory + would be revealed. Paul spoke of the Dispensation of the Fullness + of Times, when God would gather together all things in one, &c.; + and those men to whom these keys have been given, will have to be + there; and they without us cannot be made perfect. + + These men are in heaven, but their children are on earth. Their + bowels yearn over us. God sends down men for this reason. (Matt. + XIII, 41.) And the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, &c. All + these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand + in bringing about this work. + +II. + + In order to investigate the subject of the Priesthood, so important + to this, as well as every succeeding generation, I shall proceed + to trace the subject as far as I possibly can from the Old and New + Testaments. + + There are two Priesthoods spoken of in the Scriptures, viz., the + Melchisedek and the Aaronic or Levitical. Although there are two + Priesthoods, yet the Melchisedek Priesthood comprehends the Aaronic + or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds the + highest authority which pertains to the Priesthood, and the keys of + the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity + on the earth, and is the channel through which all knowledge, + doctrine, the plan of salvation, and every important matter is + revealed from heaven. + + Its institution was prior to "the foundation of this earth, or + the morning stars sang together, or the Sons of God shouted for + joy," and is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the + order of the Son of God, and all other Priesthoods are only parts, + ramifications, powers, and blessings belonging to the same, and are + held, controlled, and directed by it. It is the channel through + which the Almighty commenced revealing His glory at the beginning + of the creation of this earth, and through which He has continued + to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time, and + through which He will make known His purposes to the end of time. + + Commencing with Adam, who was the first man, who is spoken of in + Daniel as being the "Ancient of Days," or in other words, the first + and oldest of all, the great grand progenitor of whom it is said in + another place he is Michael, because he was the first and Father + of all, not only by progeny, but the first to hold the spiritual + blessings, to whom was made known the plan of ordinances for the + salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ was + first revealed, and through whom Christ has been revealed from + heaven, and will continue to be revealed from henceforth. Adam + holds the keys of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times; i. e., + the dispensation of all the times, have been and will be revealed + through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the + end of all the dispensations that are to be revealed: Ephesians, + 1st chap., 9th and 10th verses, "Having made known unto us the + mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has + purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of + times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both + which are in heaven and which are on earth in him." + + Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last + dispensation is that all things pertaining to that dispensation + should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding + dispensations. + + And again: God purposed in Himself that there should not be eternal + fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered + together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that should be + gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same + fullness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus; therefore He + set the ordinances to be the same forever, and set Adam to watch + over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to + reveal them: Hebrews I, 14,. "Are they not all ministering spirits, + sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation?" + + These angels are under the direction of Michael or Adam, who acts + under the direction of the Lord. From the above quotation we learn + that Paul perfectly understood the purposes of God in relation + to His connection with man, and that glorious and perfect order + which He established in Himself, whereby He sent forth power, + revelations, and glory. + + God will not acknowledge that which He has not called, ordained + and chosen. In the beginning God called Adam by His own voice. + See Genesis 3rd Chapter, 9th, 10th v., "And the Lord called unto + Adam and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy + voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and hid + myself." Adam received commandments and instruction from God; this + was the order from the beginning. + + That he received revelations, commandments and ordinances at the + beginning is beyond the power of controversy; else how did they + begin to offer sacrifices to God in an acceptable manner? And if + they offered sacrifices they must be authorized by ordination. We + read in Gen. 4th chap., 4th v., that Abel brought of the firstlings + of the flock and the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect to Abel + and to his offering. And, again. Hebrews XI, 4th, "By faith Abel + offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which + he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his + gifts; and by it he being dead, yet speaketh." How doth he yet + speak? Why, he magnified the Priesthood which was conferred upon + him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has become an angel + of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys + of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to + minister consoling words, and to commit unto him a knowledge of the + mysteries of Godliness. + + And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so + much about Abel, and why should he talk about his speaking after he + was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must be by being + sent down out of heaven to administer. + + This, then, is the nature of the Priesthood; every man holding the + presidency of his dispensation, and one man holding the presidency + of them all, even Adam; and Adam receiving his presidency and + authority from the Lord, but cannot receive a fullness until Christ + shall present the Kingdom to the Father, which shall be at the end + of the last dispensation. + +Footnotes + +1. Genesis I, 26, 27. + +2. Heb., I, 3. + +3. I think in this last sentence the report is imperfect. The Prophet +doubtless meant to represent Jesus as still talking, that is, as if the +Prophet had said--_Jesus continues:_ "If they were called," etc. + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT AT NAUVOO--MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. + +In this chapter I quote the sayings and instructions of the Prophet +on a variety of topics, uttered principally within the period under +consideration--from January to June 1843--though there are some +exceptions. + +THE VARIOUS KINDS OF BEINGS IN HEAVEN. + + There are two kinds of beings in heaven, viz: Angels who are + resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones. For + instance, Jesus said, "Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not + flesh and bones as you see me have." Second, the spirits of just + men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the + same glory. + +HOW TO DETERMINE THE NATURE OF AN ADMINISTRATION. + + When a messenger comes, saying he has a message from God, offer + him your hand, and request him to shake hands with you. If he be + an angel, he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be the + spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory, for + that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with + you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of + heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his + message. If it be the Devil as an angel of light, when you ask him + to shake hands, he will offer you his hand but you will not feel + anything; you may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys + whereby you may know whether or not any administration is from God. + +THE PROPHET'S VIEW ON THE CREEDS OF MEN. + + I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different + denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot + subscribe to, though all of them have some truth. I want to come up + in the presence of God, and learn all things; but the creeds set up + stakes and say, "Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further," which I + cannot subscribe to. + +THE PROPHET ON FRIENDSHIP. + + Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of + "Mormonism" to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars + and contentions to cease, and men to become friends and brothers. + Even the wolf and the lamb shall dwell together; the leopard shall + lie down with the kid; the calf and young lion, and the fatling; + and a little child shall lead them; the bear and the cow shall lie + down together, and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the + asp and the weaned child shall play on the cockatrice's den, and + they shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the + Lord of hosts. It is a time-honored adage that love begets love. + Let us pour forth love--show forth all kindness unto all mankind + and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase; cast our + bread upon the waters, and we shall receive it after many days, + increased to a hundredfold. + +ON THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD. + + Every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such + an influence over the human mind--the logical mind--that it is + convincing, without other testimony. Faith cometh by hearing. If + ten thousand men testify to a truth you know, would it add to your + faith? No. Or will ten thousand testimonies destroy your knowledge + of a fact? No. I don't want any one to tell me I am a prophet, or + attempt to prove my word. + +THE PROPHET ON THE LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE +UNITED STATES. + + It is one of the first principles of my life and one that I have + cultivated from my childhood, having been taught it by my father, + to allow every one the liberty of conscience. I am the greatest + advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the + earth. In my feelings I am always ready to die in the protection of + the weak and oppressed in their just rights. The only fault I find + with the Constitution is, it is not broad enough to cover the whole + ground. Although it provides that all men shall enjoy religious + freedom, yet it does not provide the manner in which that freedom + can be preserved, nor for the punishment of government officers + who refuse to protect the people in their religious rights, or + punish those mobs, States or communities who interfere with the + rights of people on account of their religion. Its sentiments are + good, but it provides no means of enforcing them. It has but this + one fault. Under its provision, a man or people who are able to + protect themselves can get along well enough, but those who have + the misfortune to be weak or unpopular are left to the merciless + rage of popular fury. The Constitution should contain a provision + that every officer of the government who should neglect or refuse + to extend the protection guaranteed in the Constitution should be + subject to capital punishment; and then the President of the United + States would not say "Your cause is just but I can do nothing for + you;" governors issue exterminating orders; or judges say, "The men + ought to have the protection of law, but it won't please the mob; + the men must die anyhow to satisfy the clamor of the rabble; they + must be hung, or Missouri be damned to all eternity." Executive + writs could be issued when they ought to be, and not be made + instruments of cruelty to oppress the innocent, and persecute men + whose religion is unpopular. + +THE PROPHET'S COMMENT ON GOOD MEN. + + I do not think there have been many good men on the earth since + the days of Adam; but there was one good man and His name was + Jesus. Many persons think a prophet must be a great deal better + than anybody else. Suppose I would condescend--yes, I will call + it condescend--to be a great deal better than any of you, I would + be raised up to the highest heavens, and who should I have to + accompany me? I love that man better who swears a stream as long as + my arm, yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his + substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite. I do + not want you to think I am very righteous, for I am not. God judges + men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them. + +THE PROPHET'S ESTIMATE AND DESCRIPTION OF HIMSELF. + + I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain, + and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by + coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated + force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, + doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the + authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, + licentious and corrupt men and women, all hell knocking off a + corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and + polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me + dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies + shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these + smooth polished stones with which I come in contact become marred. + * * * I am a rough stone. The sound of the hammer and chisel was + never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand. I desire the + learning and wisdom of heaven alone. I have not the least idea, if + Christ should come to the earth and preach such rough things as He + preached to the Jews, but that this generation would reject Him for + being so rough. + +OTHER WORLDS THAN OURS AND THEIR REDEMPTION. + +Commenting on Revelation v: 13--"And every creature which is in heaven, +and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and +all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, +and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, +for ever and ever"--the Prophet said: + + I suppose John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had + been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this, + strange beasts of which we have no conception; all might be seen in + heaven. The grand secret was to show John what there was in heaven. + John learned that God glorified Himself by saving all that His + hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men, and He will + gratify Himself with them. + +THE PROPHET'S DEFINITION OF THE WORD MORMON. + + Before I give a definition, however, to the word Mormon, let me say + that the Bible, in its widest sense, means good, for the Savior + says, according to the Gospel of John, "I am the good shepherd," + and it will not be beyond the common use of terms to say that good + is among the most important in use, and though known by various + names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and + is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon good; the Dane + god; the Goth goda; the German gut; the Dutch goed; the Latin + bonus; the Greek kalos; the Hebrew tob, and the Egyptian mon. + Hence, with the addition of more, or the contraction mor, we have + the word Mormon, which means, literally, more good. + +MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE. + + Commenting on II Peter I, 5-10, and also verse 19, the Prophet + said: Now there is some grand secret here, and keys to unlock the + subject. Notwithstanding the Apostle exhorts them to add to their + faith virtue, temperance, etc., yet he exhorts them to make their + calling and election sure. And though they had heard an audible + voice from heaven bearing testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, + yet he says we have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do + well that ye take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place. + Now, wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to + hear the voice of God saying, "This is my beloved Son?" etc. Now + for the secret and grand key. Though they might hear the voice + of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no + evidence that their election and calling was made sure; that they + had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with Him. They then + would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed + in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom + of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an + anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunder might + roll and the lightning flash and earthquakes bellow, and war gather + thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul + in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. Then knowledge + through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that + unlocks the glories and mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. + +THE VALUE OF AGED MEN IN COUNCIL. + + The way to get along in any important matter is to gather unto + yourself wise men, experienced and aged men, to assist in council + in all times of trouble. Handsome men are not apt to be wise + and strong-minded; but the strength of a strong-minded man will + generally create coarse features, like the rough, strong bough of + the oak. You will always discover in the first glance of a man, in + the outline of his features, something of his mind. + +SALVATION--IN WHAT IT CONSISTS. + + Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our + enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to + put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to + triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are + saved as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until he had put + all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death. + +DESIRABILITY OF POSSESSING EARTHLY TABERNACLES. + + Now, in this world mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious and + striving to excel one above another, yet some are willing to build + up others as well as themselves. So in the other world there are a + variety of spirits. Some seek to excel. And this was the case with + Lucifer when he fell. He sought for things which were unlawful. + Hence he was cast down, and it is said he drew away many with him, + and the greatness of his punishment is that he shall not have a + tabernacle. This is his punishment. So the Devil, thinking to + thwart the decree of God by going up and down in the earth seeking + whom he may destroy--any person that he can find that will yield to + him, he will bind him, and take possession of the body and reign + there, glorying in it mightily, not thinking that he had gotten a + stolen tabernacle, and by and by some one having authority will + come along and cast him out and restore the tabernacle to its + rightful owner. But the devil steals a tabernacle because he has + not one of his own, but if he steals one, he is always liable to be + turned out of doors. + +OF THE SPIRITS IN PRISON. + + I will say something about the spirits in prison. There has been + much said by modern divines about the words of Jesus (when on the + cross) to the thief, saying, "This day shalt thou be with me in + paradise." King James' translation makes it out to say paradise. + But what is paradise? It is a modern word, it does not answer at + all to the original word that Jesus made use of. Find the original + of the word paradise. You may as easily find a needle in a haymow. + Here is a chance for battle, ye learned men. There is nothing in + the original word in Greek from which this was taken that signifies + paradise, but it was, "This day thou shalt be with me in the world + of spirits: then I will teach you all about it and answer your + inquiries." And Peter says he went out and preached to the world of + spirits (spirits in prison, 1st Peter, 3rd chapter, 19th verse), so + that they who would receive it could have it answered by proxy by + those who live on the earth. * * * Hades, the Greek, or Sheol, the + Hebrew, these two significations means a world of spirits. Hades, + Sheol, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one, it is a world of + spirits. The righteous and the wicked will go to the same world of + spirits until the resurrection. "I do not think so," says one. If + you will go to my house any time, I will take my lexicon and prove + it to you. The great misery of departed spirits in the world of + spirits, where they go after death, is to know that they come short + of the glory that others enjoy, and that they might have enjoyed + themselves, and they are their own accusers. + +THE PERSISTENCE OF OBTAINED INTELLIGENCE. + + Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, + it will rise with us in the resurrection, and if a person gains + more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence + and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in + the world to come. There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven + before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are + predicated, and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by + obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. + +THE DESIRABILITY AND POWER OF KNOWLEDGE. + + If we get puffed up by thinking that we have much knowledge, we + are apt to get a contentious spirit, and correct knowledge is + necessary to cast out that spirit. The evil of being puffed up with + correct [though useless] knowledge is not so great as the evil of + contention. Knowledge does away with darkness, suspense and doubt, + for these cannot exist where knowledge is. * * * In knowledge there + is power. God has more power than all other beings, because He has + greater knowledge, and hence He knows how to subject all other + beings to Him. He has power over all. * * * It is not wisdom that + we shall have all knowledge at once presented before us, but that + we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it. * + * * Add to your faith knowledge, etc. The principle of knowledge + is the principle of salvation. This principle can be comprehended + by the faithful and diligent; and every one that does not obtain + knowledge sufficient to be saved will be condemned. The principle + of salvation is given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE PROPHET ARRESTED ON MISSOURI'S OLD CHARGES. + +IF it should be asked what class of men can do the State the most harm, +or the church most mischief, the universal answer would be--_traitors_! +So patent is the correctness of the statement, that we deem it +unnecessary to inquire into the reasons that lead to the conclusion. +What state has perished but by traitor's hands? What patriot suffered, +but by a traitor's perfidy? And so, as we proceed, we shall see that it +was principally through the schemes of traitors that Nauvoo's budding +prospects were blighted, and her virtuous people driven into the +wilderness. + +It will be remembered that in a former chapter a letter written by John +C. Bennett to Sidney Rigdon and Orson Pratt is reproduced, in which +he stated that he was then _en route_ for Missouri for the purpose +of getting out an indictment against Joseph for treason against that +State, said to have been committed during the troubles at Far West, in +the fall of 1838. Whether Bennett went to Missouri or not I cannot say, +but through his influence the old charge of treason was revived, and +an indictment found at a special term of the circuit court for Daviess +County, Missouri, on the fifth of June, 1843; and on the thirteenth of +the same month Governor Reynolds issued a requisition on the governor +of Illinois for Joseph Smith, and appointed Joseph H. Reynolds the +agent of Missouri to receive the Prophet from the authorities of +Illinois. Accordingly the warrant for the arrest was placed in the +hands of Harmon T. Wilson by Governor Ford, of Illinois, and Wilson and +Reynolds started to find the Prophet. + +In the meantime Joseph's friends were not inactive. The day before +Governor Ford issued the warrant for the apprehension of the Prophet, +he incidentally mentioned to Judge James Adams that a requisition had +been made by Missouri for the arrest of Joseph, and that he should +issue it the next day; where-upon Judge Adams dispatched an express +from Springfield to Nauvoo with this information. The express arrived +in Nauvoo on the sixteenth of June; but three days before, Joseph with +Emma had left Nauvoo to visit Emma's sister, a Mrs. Wasson, living near +Dixon in Lee County, a little more than two hundred miles north of +Nauvoo. On the arrival of the messenger from Judge Adams, Hyrum Smith +at once dispatched Stephen Markham and William Clayton to Joseph with +the information. They left Nauvoo about midnight of the eighteenth, and +sixty-six hours later arrived at Wasson's, having ridden two hundred +and twelve miles in that time, changing horses only once and that +near the end of the journey. Shortly after the arrival of Clayton, +a Mr. Southwick of Dixon rode out to Inlet Grove, where Mr. Wasson +lived, to inform Joseph that a writ was out for him, and for his pains +and interest the Prophet paid him twenty-five dollars, though he had +already been informed by Clayton and Markham. + +After the receipt of this information, however, Joseph concluded to +remain where he was, for, if he started for home, he might meet the +officers where he had no friends, and be run over into Missouri among +his enemies. + +Just how the officers Wilson and Reynolds came to know of the +whereabouts of Joseph is not known. But at any rate they went directly +to Dixon, nearly killing their horses by hard driving. At the village +of Dixon they represented themselves as Mormon Elders, wanting to see +the Prophet. They succeeded in hiring a man with a two-horse team to +drive them out to Wasson's. On the way they passed William Clayton, +who had been sent by Joseph to see if he could learn anything of the +movements of the officers at Dixon. But as the sheriffs were disguised, +Clayton did not recognize them. + +The officers arrived at Wasson's and found Joseph walking down the path +leading to the barn. They sprang upon him like wild beasts upon their +prey, presenting their pistols, and Reynolds exclaimed--"G-- d-- you, +sir, if you stir, I'll shoot!" and this with slight variations he kept +repeating. Joseph asked them what was the meaning of all this, for they +attempted to serve no process, and to their oft-repeated threats of +violence, which they sought to make emphatic with blood-curdling oaths, +the Prophet bared his breast and told them to shoot, if they desired +to, for he had endured so much oppression that he was weary of life. + +By this time Stephen Markham arrived on the scene, and immediately +started to the Prophet's assistance, despite the threats of the +officers to shoot him if he advanced another step. Nor did the brave +man check his advance until Joseph cautioned him not to resist the +officers of the law. + +Reynolds and Wilson, with much rudeness and many unnecessary +imprecations, hustled their prisoner into the wagon they had hired in +Dixon, and were for starting off without giving the prisoner a chance +to say one word to his friends, bid his wife or children good-by, or +even get his hat and coat. But Markham, regardless of the threats of +the officers to shoot him, seized the team by the bits and said there +was no law requiring an officer to take a man to prison without his +clothes, and held on until Emma could bring out Joseph's hat and coat. + +All this time they had served no process on their prisoner, and had +repeatedly thrust the muzzles of their pistols against his sides until +he was badly bruised by the uncalled-for violence. + +Joseph shouted to Markham as he was driven away, to go to Dixon and +obtain a writ of _habeas corpus_, but as the horse Markham rode was +jaded, and the officers ordered their driver to whip up, they kept up +with him, and both parties went into the town together. + +The sheriffs thrust their prisoner into a room in a tavern kept by Mr. +McKennie, and ordered fresh horses to be ready in five minutes. Joseph +told them he wanted to obtain counsel. "G-- d-- you, you shan't have +counsel, one more word and G-- d-- you, I'll shoot you!" was the brutal +answer. Just then, however, a man passed the window and to him Joseph +shouted, "I am falsely imprisoned here, and I want a lawyer." Presently +Lawyer Southwick, the gentleman who a few days before had rode out +to Wasson's to inform the Prophet that a writ was out for him, came +to the house, but only to have the door slammed in his face, and be +denied admittance. Another lawyer, Shepherd G. Patrick, tried to gain +admission to the prisoner but met with the same treatment as the first. +But at last, through the influence of a Mr. Sanger and a Mr. Dixon, +owner of the hotel building where the Prophet was detained a prisoner, +Reynolds was given to understand that his prisoner must have a fair +trial, and all the protection the laws afforded him. A writ of _habeas +corpus_ was sued out before Mr. Chamberlain, the master in chancery, +who lived some six miles from Dixon, made returnable before Hon. John +D. Caton, judge of the ninth judicial circuit at Ottawa. + +Before starting for Ottawa, however, Joseph learned that Cyrus Walker, +Esq., was in the vicinity on an electioneering tour, he being the Whig +candidate for Congress from that district; and the Prophet attempted +to secure his services in his defense, as he was the greatest criminal +lawyer in that part of Illinois. Walker, however, refused to engage in +his defense unless Joseph would agree to vote for him at the coming +election, and the Prophet promised him his vote. + +Writs were sued out before the justice of the peace against Reynolds +and Wilson for making threats against the lives of Markham and Joseph; +and another writ for a violation of the law in relation to writs of +_habeas corpus_; and still another, this time from the circuit court +of Lee County, for private injuries, false imprisonment, claiming +$10,000 damages. Whether or not the sheriffs were released from the +first writ, I cannot learn; but on the last writ they were held in +$10,000 bonds, and as they could get no bondsmen this side of Missouri, +they were taken in charge by the sheriff of Lee County, and were under +the necessity of obtaining a writ of _habeas corpus_ themselves. So +that while Joseph was the prisoner of Reynolds and Wilson, pending +the hearing on the writ of _habeas corpus_ he had sued out, they were +prisoners under the same circumstances, in charge of the sheriff of Lee +County. And in this manner all started for Ottawa for a hearing on the +several writs before Judge Caton. + +The whole company left Dixon on the twenty-fourth of June, and the +same day arrived at Pawpaw Grove, a distance of thirty-two miles. The +arrival of the Prophet and party at Pawpaw Grove created no little +excitement, and the next morning the people gathered into the largest +room in the hotel, and insisted upon hearing the Prophet preach. To +this Sheriff Reynolds objected and said to the people, "I wish you to +understand this man (pointing to Joseph) is my prisoner, and I want you +should disperse." At this an old gentleman by the name of David Town +spoke up and said: + + You damned infernal Puke, [1] we'll learn you to come here and + interrupt gentlemen! Sit down there, pointing to a very low chair, + and sit still. Don't open your head till General Smith gets through + talking. If you never learned manners in Missouri, we'll teach you + that gentlemen are not to be imposed upon by a nigger-driver. You + cannot kidnap men here. There's a committee in this grove that + will sit on your case; and, sir, it is the highest tribunal in the + United States, as _from its decision there is no appeal_. + +Old Mr. Town was lame and carried with him a heavy, hickory walking +stick with which he emphasized the significant parts of his speech +by striking the end of it on the floor. It had the desired effect +on Reynolds, who humbly took his seat, while the Prophet without an +interruption addressed the company for about an hour and a half on the +subject of marriage. + +At this point it was learned that Judge Caton was absent in the State +of New York, hence the party returned to Dixon, and the officers +made returns on the respective writs of _habeas corpus_ by endorsing +thereon--"Judge absent." New writs, however, were sued out, and at +Markham's request, the one in behalf of Joseph was made to read: +"Returnable before the nearest tribunal in the Fifth judicial district +authorized to hear and determine writs of _habeas corpus_"--and thereby +hangs a tale, as the sequel will show. + +Arrangements were made with a Mr. Lucien P. Sanger, who was in the +stagecoach business, to take the respective prisoners to Quincy, a +distance of two hundred and sixty miles, to obtain a hearing on the +several writs before Judge Stephen A. Douglass. + +_En route_ for Quincy, Joseph convinced his lawyers and Sheriff +Campbell, of Lee County, and others, that the municipal court of Nauvoo +had the right to try cases under writs of _habeas corpus_, and since +the writ that he had sued out and served on Reynolds of Missouri was +made "returnable before the nearest tribunal in the Fifth judicial +district authorized to hear and determine writs of _habeas corpus_," he +insisted on being taken to Nauvoo for a hearing. He prevailed, too, and +for that place the now large party directed its course. + +Footnotes + +1. A common nick-name for Missourians in those days. + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +MINOR MATTERS IN THE NEW MOVE AGAINST THE PROPHET. + +IT now becomes necessary to note a few minor events that occurred. As +soon as the sheriffs started for Dixon with Joseph in their power, Emma +Smith had her carriage made ready and at once started for Nauvoo with +her children, in order to set some scheme or other on foot looking to +her husband's deliverance. + +Joseph, when arriving at Dixon a prisoner, dispatched William Clayton +with a message to his brother Hyrum telling what had befallen him, and +requesting that assistance be at once sent to him. Clayton boarded the +steamer _Amaranth_, at Rock Island, and arrived in Nauvoo about two +o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday, the twenty-fifth of June. Meeting +was in progress when Hyrum stepped into the stand and interrupted the +proceedings, by announcing that he wanted to meet with the brethren at +the Masonic Hall. + +The quiet of the Sabbath was immediately changed into excitement, and +the brethren rushed to the hall in such numbers that not one-fourth +could gain admittance, so the meeting was adjourned to the green, where +a hollow square was formed about Hyrum, who related the story Clayton +had told him respecting the capture of his brother, and called for +volunteers to go to his assistance, and see that he had his rights. +Immediately three hundred offered their services and from them a +company was selected such as was needed; and before sunset, one hundred +and seventy-five men were in the saddle under command of Generals +Wilson Law and C. C. Rich, _en route_ for Peoria. + +Before the company left Nauvoo Elder Wilford Woodruff opened a barrel +of gunpowder and invited every man that was going to the assistance +of the Prophet to fill his flask or powder horn. The company was well +armed and well mounted, and presented rather a formidable appearance. + +Besides sending out this company to find and protect his brother, Hyrum +sent about seventy-five men on the steamer _Maid of Iowa_, a small +steamboat purchased by the people of Nauvoo some months before, and +placed under the command of Captain Dan Jones. + +The company was to go down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Illinois +river, thence up that stream as far as Peoria; for it was expected +that Joseph was being conveyed to Ottawa, and it was feared by Hyrum +that an attempt would be made when the party approached the Illinois +river to convey Joseph to one of the crafts plying between Peoria and +St. Louis and so take him to Missouri. Hence this company on the _Maid +of Iowa_ was instructed to take the course mentioned, and to examine +the steamboats they met, and if they learned that the Prophet was a +prisoner on any one of them, they were to render whatever assistance +might be within their power. + +The command under Brothers Law and Rich divided and subdivided in going +through the country, and on the twenty-seventh a small company under +the command of Captain Thomas Grover met Stephen Markham, whom Joseph +had dispatched to find the brethren that he suspected had been sent +from Nauvoo to his assistance; Markham had instructions to meet the +Prophet with any company of brethren he might find at Monmouth. + +Near Monmouth, and before the arrival of the main body of Joseph's +friends, Reynolds and Wilson planned a scheme of going into that town, +raising a mob and taking the Prophet by force into Missouri. The plot +failed, however, as it was overheard by P. W. Conover, and Sheriff +Campbell took both Wilson and Reynolds into his immediate custody. +These men had a strong dislike of going to Nauvoo, as they feared +they would never leave the place alive. But the Prophet pledged his +word that no harm should befall them. As the friends of Joseph kept +dropping in singly, or in squads, the fear of his enemies increased. +Reynolds made special inquiries as to whether "Jem Flack" was in the +company, and on being answered in the affirmative, he exclaimed, as he +turned deathly pale, "I am a dead man!" for he had given Flack a deadly +provocation. When Flack rode up, however, the Prophet called him up to +him and strictly charged him that whatever insult he had received from +Reynolds, not to injure a hair of his head, since he had given his word +of honor that he should not be injured; and Flack agreed to let him +alone. + +Before noon of the thirtieth, Joseph's company, which now numbered +about one hundred and forty, approached Nauvoo. Word had previously +been sent in as to the probable time of his arrival, and the people +prepared to give him a royal reception. + +Hyrum Smith and Emma, accompanied by the brass band and a long train +of carriages, met the Prophet's company a mile and a half north of the +city, and received him. The enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds. +The Prophet met his brother and wife with a fond embrace; from the +latter, only a few days before, he had been torn away in the most +arbitrary and cruel manner, and their reunion was a joy indeed. + +Joseph now mounted his favorite horse, "Old Charley," and with Emma +riding proudly at his side, and surrounded by his body guard, he led +the procession into the city, amid the enthusiastic cheers of the +people, the firing of musketry and cannon, and the lively strains of +the band. At the gate of the Mansion stood the Prophet's mother, with +tears of joy rolling down her aged cheeks, to welcome her son, whom +she had seen so many times in the hands of his enemies. Here, too, his +children flocked about him and welcomed him with unreserved, childish +delight. + +The vast crowd that had gathered in front of the Mansion appeared +unwilling to leave without some word from their revered leader. When +he observed this, he mounted the fence, thanked them and blessed them +for their kindness to him, and told them he would address them in the +grove, near the temple, at four o'clock. + +A company of fifty sat down at the Prophet's table to partake of +the feast provided, and Wilson and Reynolds, who had treated him so +inhumanly when he was in their power, were placed at the head of +the table, and waited upon by Emma with the utmost regard for their +comfort, though they had denied her speech with her husband, and were +not even willing that she should take to him his hat and coat. Gall to +them indeed must have been the kindness of the Prophet and his wife, +whom but a few days before they had treated with such harshness. + +In the afternoon, several thousand people assembled at the grove, and +at four o'clock, the Prophet addressed them in an animated speech of +considerable length, in which he related to them his adventures while +in the power of his enemies, and contended that the municipal court +had the right to hear cases arising under writs of _habeas corpus_. In +the course of his speech he allowed himself to be carried away by the +fervor of his eloquence beyond the bounds of prudence; a circumstance, +however, that will create no astonishment when the excitement and the +indignation under which he was laboring, and that arose out of sense of +outraged justice and humanity is taken into consideration. Under such +circumstances and from such temperaments as that of the Prophet, we +shall look in vain at such times for dispassionate discourse, and more +than human must that man be, who, under the accumulated wrongs of years +of oppression, can always confine his speech, when recounting those +wrongs, within the lines that cold, calculating wisdom would draw. The +speech, however, was doubtless one of the most characteristic that we +have of the Prophet, and for that reason I give it _in extenso_, as +reported by Elders Willard Richards and Wilford Woodruff. It should +also be remarked that the report was made in long-hand, and doubtless +there exist many imperfections in it, and it should only be regarded as +a synopsis of his speech: + + The congregation is large. I shall require attention. I discovered + what the emotions of the people were on my arrival at this city, + and I have come here to say, "How do you do?" to all parties; and + I do now at this time say to all, "How do you do?" I meet you with + a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God, and I presume you all + feel the same. I am well--I am hearty. I hardly know how to express + my feelings. I feel as strong as a giant. I pulled sticks with the + men coming along, and I pulled up with one hand the strongest man + that could be found. Then two men tried, but they could not pull me + up, and I continued to pull, mentally, until I pulled Missouri to + Nauvoo. But I will pass from that subject. + + There has been great excitement in the country since Joseph H. + Reynolds and Harmon T. Wilson took me; but I have been cool and + dispassionate through the whole. Thank God, I am now a prisoner in + the hands of the municipal court of Nauvoo, and not in the hands of + Missourians. + + It is not so much my object to tell of my afflictions, trials, and + troubles as to speak of the writ of _habeas corpus_, so that the + minds of all may be corrected. It has been asserted by the great + and wise men, lawyers, and others, that our municipal powers and + legal tribunals are not to be sanctioned by the authorities of the + State; and accordingly _they_ want to make it lawful to drag away + innocent men from their families and friends, and have them put to + death by ungodly men for their religion! + + Relative to our city charter, courts, right of _habeas corpus_, + etc., I wish you to know and publish that we have all power; and if + any man from this time forth says anything to the contrary, cast it + into his teeth. + + There is a secret in this. If there is not power in our charter and + courts, then there is not power in the State of Illinois, nor in + the Congress or Constitution of the United States; for the United + States gave unto Illinois her constitution or charter, and Illinois + gave unto Nauvoo her charters, ceding unto us our vested rights, + which she has no right or power to take from us. All the power + there was in Illinois she gave to Nauvoo; and any man that says to + the contrary is a fool. + + The municipal court has all the power to issue and determine + writs of _habeas corpus_ within the limits of this city that the + legislature can confer. This city has all the power that the State + courts have, and was given by the same authority--the legislature. + + I want you to hear and learn, O Israel, this day, what is for the + happiness and peace of this city and people. If our enemies are + determined to oppress us and deprive us of our constitutional + rights and privileges as they have done, and if the authorities + that are on the earth will not sustain us in our rights, nor give + us that protection which the laws and Constitution of the United + States and of this State guarantee unto us, then we will claim them + from a higher power--from heaven,--yea, from God Almighty! + + I have dragged these men here by my hand, and will do it again; but + I swear I will not deal so mildly with them again, for the time has + come when _forbearance is no longer a virtue_; and if you or I are + again taken unlawfully, you are at liberty to give loose to blood + and thunder. But be cool, be deliberate, be wise, act with almighty + power; and when you pull, do it effectually--make a _sweepstakes_ + for once! + + My lot has always been cast among the warmest-hearted people. In + every time of trouble, friends, even among strangers, have been + raised up unto me and assisted me. + + The time has come when the vail is torn off from the State of + Illinois, and its citizens have delivered me from the State of + Missouri. Friends that were raised up unto me would have spilt + their life's blood to have torn me from the hands of Reynolds + and Wilson, if I had asked them, but I told them no, I would be + delivered by the power of God and generalship; and I have brought + these men to Nauvoo, and committed them to her from whom I was + torn, not as prisoners in chains, but as prisoners of kindness. I + have treated them kindly. I have had the privilege of rewarding + them good for evil. They took me unlawfully, treated me rigorously, + strove to deprive me of my rights, and would have run with me into + Missouri to have been murdered, if Providence had not interposed. + But now they are in my hands; and I have taken them into my house, + set them at the head of my table, and placed before them the best + which my house afforded; and they were waited upon by my wife, whom + they deprived of seeing me when I was taken. + + I have no doubt but I shall be discharged by the municipal court. + Were I before any good tribunal, I should be discharged, as the + Missouri writs are illegal and good for nothing--they are "without + form and void." + + But before I will bear this unhallowed persecution any + longer--before I will be dragged away again among my enemies for + trial, _I will spill the last drop of blood in my veins, and will + see all my enemies_ IN HELL! To bear it any longer would be a sin, + and I will not bear it any longer. Shall we bear it any longer? + [One universal "NO!" ran through all that vast assembly, like a + loud peal of thunder.] + + I wish the lawyer who says we have no powers in Nauvoo may be + choked to death with his own words. Don't employ lawyers, or pay + them money for their knowledge, for I have learnt that they don't + know anything. I know more than they all. + + Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel. He that believeth + in our chartered rights may come here and be saved; and he that + does not shall remain in ignorance. If any lawyer shall say there + is more power in other places and charters with respect to _habeas + corpus_ than in Nauvoo, believe it not. I have converted this + candidate for Congress [pointing to Cyrus Walker, Esq.,] that + the right of _habeas corpus_ is included in our charter. If he + continues converted, I will vote for him. + + I have been with these lawyers, and they have treated me well; + but I am here in Nauvoo, and the Missourians too. I got here by a + lawful writ of _habeas corpus_ issued by the master of chancery + of Lee County, and made returnable to the nearest tribunal in the + fifth judicial district having jurisdiction to try and determine + such writs; and here is that tribunal, just as it should be. + + However indignant you may feel about the high hand of oppression + which has been raised against me by these men, use not the hand + of violence against them, for they could not be prevailed upon to + come here, till I pledged my honor and my life that a hair of their + heads should not be hurt. Will you all support my pledge, and thus + preserve my honor? [One universal "YES!" burst from the assembled + thousands.] This is another proof of your attachment to me. I + know how ready you are to do right. You have done great things, + and manifested your love towards me in flying to my assistance on + this occasion. I bless you, in the name of the Lord, with all the + blessings of heaven and earth you are capable of enjoying. + + I have learnt that we have no need to suffer as we have heretofore: + we can call others to our aid. I know the Almighty will bless all + good men; He will bless you; and the time has come when there will + be such a flocking to the standard of liberty as never has been or + shall be hereafter. What an era has commenced! Our enemies have + prophesied that we would establish our religion by the sword. _Is + it true?_ No. But if Missouri will not stay her cruel hand in her + unhallowed persecutions against us, I restrain you not any longer. + I say in the name of Jesus Christ, by the authority of the Holy + Priesthood, I this day turn the key that opens the heavens to + restrain you no longer from this time forth. I will lead you to + the battle; and if you are not afraid to die, and feel disposed to + spill your blood in your own defense, you will not offend me. Be + not the aggressor: bear until they strike you on one cheek; then + offer the other, and they will be sure to strike that; _then defend + yourselves_, and God will bear you off, and you shall stand forth + clear before His tribunal. + + If any citizens of Illinois say that we shall not have our rights, + treat them as strangers and not friends, and let them go to hell + and be damned! Some say they will mob us. Let them mob and be + damned! If we have to give up our chartered rights, privileges, and + freedom, which our fathers fought, bled, and died for, and which + the Constitution of the United States and of this State guarantee + unto us, we will do it only at the point of the sword and bayonet. + + Many lawyers contend for those things which are against the rights + of men, and _I can only excuse them because of their ignorance_. Go + forth and advocate the laws and rights of the people, ye lawyers! + If not, don't get into my hands, or under the lash of my tongue. + + Lawyers say the powers of the Nauvoo charter are dangerous; but + I ask, is the Constitution of the United States or of this State + dangerous? No. Neither are the charters granted unto Nauvoo by + the legislature of Illinois dangerous, and those who say they are + are fools. We have not enjoyed unmolested those rights which the + Constitution of the United States of America and our charters grant. + + Missouri and all wicked men raise the hue and cry against us, and + are not satisfied. Some political aspirants of this State also are + raising the hue and cry that the powers in the charters granted + unto the city of Nauvoo are dangerous; and although the general + assembly have conferred them upon our city, yet the whine is + raised--"Repeal them--take them away!" Like the boy who swapped + off his jack-knife, and then cried, "Daddy, daddy, I have sold my + jack-knife and got sick of my bargain, and I want to get it back + again." + + But how are they going to help themselves? Raise mobs? And what + can mobocrats do in the midst of Kirkpatrickites? No better than a + hunter in the claws of a bear. If mobs come upon you any more here, + dung your gardens with them. We don't want any excitement; but + after we have done all, we will rise up, Washington-like, and break + off the hellish yoke that oppresses us, and we will not be mobbed. + + The day before I was taken at Inlet Grove, I rode with my wife + through Dixon to visit my friends, and I said to her, "Here is a + good people." I felt this by the Spirit of God. The next day I was + a prisoner in their midst, in the hands of Reynolds, of Missouri, + and Wilson, of Carthage. As the latter drove up, he exclaimed, + "Ha, ha, ha! By G--, we have got the Prophet now!" He gloried + much in it, but he is now our prisoner. When they came to take + me, they held two cocked pistols to my head, and saluted me with, + "G-- d-- you, I'll shoot you! I'll shoot you, G-- d-- you,"--repeating + these threats nearly fifty times, from first to last. I asked them + what they wanted to shoot me for. They said they would do it, if I + made any resistance. + + "Oh, very well," I replied, "I have no resistance to make." They + then dragged me away, and I asked them by what authority they did + these things. They said, "By a writ from the governors of Missouri + and Illinois." I then told them I wanted a writ of _habeas corpus_. + Their reply was, "G-- d-- you, _you shan't have it_." I told a man + to go to Dixon, and get me a writ of _habeas corpus_. Wilson then + repeated, "G-- d-- you, _you shan't have it:_ I'll shoot you." + + When we arrived at Dixon, I sent for a lawyer, who came; and + Reynolds shut the door in his face, and would not let me speak + to him, repeating, "G-- d-- you, I'll shoot you." I turned to him, + opened my bosom, and told him to "shoot away. I have endured so + much persecution and oppression that I am sick of life. Why, then, + don't you shoot and have done with it, instead of talking so much + about it?" + + This somewhat checked his insolence. I then told him that I + _would_ have counsel to consult, and eventually I obtained my + wish. The lawyers came to me and I got a writ of _habeas corpus_ + for myself, and also a writ against Reynolds and Wilson for + unlawful proceedings and cruel treatment towards me. Thanks to the + good citizens of Dixon, who nobly took their stand against such + unwarrantable and unlawful oppression, my persecutors could not get + out of the town that night, although, when they first arrived, they + swore I should not remain in Dixon five minutes, and I found they + had ordered horses accordingly to proceed to Rock Island. I pledged + my honor to my counsel that the Nauvoo city charter conferred + jurisdiction to investigate the subject; so we came to Nauvoo, + where I am now a prisoner in the custody of a higher tribunal than + the circuit court. + + The charter says that "the city council shall have power and + authority to make, ordain, establish and execute such ordinances + not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, or of + this State, as they may deem necessary, for the peace, benefit, + and safety of the inhabitants of said city." And also that "the + municipal court shall have power to grant writs of _habeas corpus_ + in all cases arising under the ordinances of the city council." + + The city council have passed an ordinance "that no citizen of this + city shall be taken out of this city by any writ, without the + privilege of a writ of _habeas corpus_." There is nothing but what + we have power over, except where restricted by the Constitution of + the United States. "But," says the mob, "what dangerous powers!" + Yes--dangerous, because they will protect the innocent and put down + mobocrats. The Constitution of the United States declares that + the privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ shall not be denied. + Deny me the writ of _habeas corpus_, and I will fight with gun, + sword, cannon, whirlwind, and thunder, until they are used up like + the Kilkenny cats. We have more power than most charters confer, + because we have power to go behind the writ and try the merits of + the case. + + If these powers are dangerous, then the Constitution of the United + States and of this State are dangerous; but they are not dangerous + to good men: they are only so to bad men who are breakers of the + laws. So with the laws of the country, and so with the ordinances + of Nauvoo: they are dangerous to mobs, but not to good men who wish + to keep the laws. + + We do not go out of Nauvoo to disturb anybody, or any city, town, + or place. Why, then, need they be troubled about us? Let them + not meddle with our affair, but let us alone. After we have been + deprived of our rights and privileges of citizenship, driven + from town to town, place to place, and State to State, with the + sacrifice of our homes and lands, our blood has been shed, many + having been murdered, and all this because of our religion--because + we worship Almighty God according to the dictates of our + conscience, shall we longer bear these cruelties which have been + heaped upon us for the last ten years in the face of heaven, and in + open violation of the Constitution and laws of these United States + and of this State? God forbid it. _I will not bear it_. If they + take away my rights, I will fight for them manfully and righteously + until I am used up. We have done nothing against the rights of + others. + + You speak of lawyers. I am a lawyer, too; but the Almighty God + has taught me the principle of law; and the true meaning and + intent of the writ of _habeas corpus_ is to defend the innocent + and investigate the subject. Go behind the writ, and if the form + of one that is issued against an innocent man is right, he should + not be dragged into another State, and there be put to death, or + be in jeopardy of life and limb, because of prejudice, when he is + innocent. The benefits of the Constitution and laws are alike for + all; and the great Eloheim has given me the privilege of having the + benefits of the Constitution and the writ of _habeas corpus_; and I + am bold to ask for this privilege this day; and I ask, in the name + of Jesus Christ and all that is sacred, that I may have your lives + and all your energies to carry out the freedom which is chartered + to us. Will you all help me? If so, make it manifest by raising the + right hand. [There was a unanimous response, a perfect sea of hands + being elevated.] Here is truly a committee of the whole. + + When at Dixon, a lawyer came to me as counsel. Reynolds and Wilson + said I should not speak to any man, and they would shoot any man + who should dare to speak to me. An old, grey-headed man came up and + said I should have counsel, and he was not afraid of their pistols. + + The people of Dixon were ready to take me from my persecutors, and + I could have killed them, notwithstanding their pistols; but I had + no disposition to kill any man, though my worst enemy--not even + Boggs. In fact, _he_ would have more hell to live in the reflection + of his past crimes than to die. After this, I had lawyers enough, + and I obtained a writ for Joseph H. Reynolds and Harmon T. Wilson, + for damage, assault, and battery, as well as the writ of _habeas + corpus_. + + We started for Ottoway, and arrived at Pawpaw Grove, thirty-two + miles, where we stopped for the night. Esquire Walker sent Mr. + Campbell, sheriff of Lee County, to my assistance, and he came and + slept by me. In the morning, certain men wished to see me, but I + was not allowed to see them. The news of my arrival had hastily + circulated about the neighborhood, and very early in the morning + the largest room in the hotel was filled with citizens, who were + anxious to hear me preach, and requested me to address them. + + Sheriff Reynolds entered the room and said, pointing to me, "I + wish you to understand this man is my prisoner, and I want you + should disperse. You must not gather around in this way." Upon + which, a aged gentleman, who was lame and carried a large, hickory + walking-stick, advanced towards Reynolds, bringing his hickory upon + the floor, and said, "You damned infernal puke, we'll learn you + to come here and interrupt gentlemen! Sit down there, (pointing + to a very low char,) and sit still. Don't open your head till + General Smith gets through talking. If you never learned manners + in Missouri, we'll teach you that gentlemen are not to be imposed + by a nigger-driver. You can _not_ kidnap men here, if you do in + Missouri; and if you attempt it here, there's a committee in this + grove that will sit on your case. And, sir, it is the highest + tribunal in the United States, _as from its decision there is no + appeal_." + + Reynolds, no doubt, aware that the person addressing him was at the + head of a committee who had prevented the settlers on the public + domain from being imposed upon by land speculators, sat down in + silence, while I addressed the assembly for an hour and a half on + the subject of marriage, my visitors having requested me to give + them my views of the law of God respecting marriage. + + My freedom commenced from that hour. We came direct from Pawpaw + Grove to Nauvoo, having got our writ directed to the nearest court + having authority to try the case, which was the municipal court of + this city. + + It did my soul good to see your feelings and love manifested + towards me. I thank God that I have the honor to lead so virtuous + and honest a people--to be your leader and lawyer, as was Moses + to the children of Israel. Hosannah! _Hosannah!!_ HOSANNAH!!! to + Almighty God, who has delivered us thus from out of the seven + troubles. I commend you to His grace; and may the blessings of + heaven rest upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. + + President Smith then introduced Mr. Cyrus Walker to the assembled + multitude, and remarked to him, "these are the greatest dupes, as a + body of people, that ever lived, or I am not as big a rogue as I am + reported to be. I told Mr. Warren I would not discuss the subject + of religion with you. I understand the Gospel and you do not. You + understand the quackery of law, and I do not." Mr. Walker then + addressed the people to the effect that, from what he had seen in + the Nauvoo city charter, it gave the power to try writs of _habeas + corpus_, etc. After which, President Smith continued as follows: + + "If the legislature have granted Nauvoo the right of determining + cases of _habeas corpus_, it is no more than they ought to have + done, or more than our fathers fought for. Furthermore if Missouri + continues her warfare, and to issue her writs against me and this + people unlawfully and unjustly, as she has done, and to take away + and trample upon our rights, I swear, in the name of Almighty God, + and with uplifted hands to Heaven, I will spill my heart's blood + in our defense. They shall not take away our rights; and if they + don't stop leading me by the nose, I will lead them by the nose, + and if they don't let me alone, I will turn up the world--I will + make war. When we shake our own bushes, we want to catch our own + fruit. The lawyers themselves acknowledge that we have all power + granted us in our charters that we could ask for--that we had more + power than any other court in the State; for all other courts were + restricted, while ours was not; and I thank God Almighty for it. I + will not be rode down to hell by the Missourians any longer; and it + is my privilege to speak in my own defense; and I appeal to your + integrity and honor that you will stand by and help me according to + the covenant you have this day made." + +In the meantime, a requisition was made on Sheriff Reynolds, to bring +his prisoner before the municipal court of Nauvoo, that the validity +of the writ, by virtue of which he held him, might be tested. Reynolds +refused to recognize the summons of the court; therefore, his prisoner +petitioned the court for a writ of _habeas corpus_ to be directed to +Sheriff Reynolds, commanding him to bring his prisoner before said +court, and there state the cause of his capture and detention, in order +that the lawfulness of his arrest might be inquired into. Reynolds +complied with the attachment, and the Prophet was delivered into the +charge of the city marshal. The next day, the municipal court held +a session, William Marks, acting chief justice, D. H. Wells, N. K. +Whitney, G. W. Harris, Gustavus Hills and Hiram Kimball, associate +justices. + +When Joseph was on trial for this same offense before Judge Douglass, +on a writ of _habeas corpus_ in 1841, as already related in a previous +chapter, the court refused to enter into the consideration of the +merits of the case, as the judge doubted whether on a writ of _habeas +corpus_ he had a right to go behind the writ and inquire into the +merits of the case. The same point was avoided by Judge Pope in +the hearing Joseph had before him on a similar writ, when charged +with being accessory before the fact in an assault upon the life of +ex-Governor Boggs. But the municipal court had no such scruples, and +at once proceeded to try the case _ex parte_, on its merits; and Hyrum +Smith, P. P. Pratt, Brigham Young, G. W. Pitkin, Lyman Wight and Sidney +Rigdon were examined as witnesses. Their affidavits before that court +concerning events that happened to the Saints in Missouri, afford the +most circumstantial, reliable, and exhaustive data for the history of +The Church while in that State that has ever been published. + +After hearing the testimony of these witnesses, and the pleading of +counsel, the court ordered that Joseph Smith be released from the +arrest and imprisonment of which he complained, for want of substance +in the warrant by which he was held, as well as upon the merits of the +case. + +At the conclusion of the trial the citizens of Nauvoo held a mass +meeting and passed resolutions thanking the people of Dixon and +vicinity, and of Lee County generally, for the stand they had taken in +defense of the innocent, and in favor of law and justice. + +A copy of the proceedings of the municipal court of Nauvoo, and of +all the papers connected with the case were immediately sent to the +governor, as also were affidavits from leading counsel and gentlemen +from Dixon, as to the treatment of Wilson and Reynolds, that the +governor and the world might know that they had not been injured. + +We may conclude the account of this adventure of Joseph's by saying +that about a year afterwards, a jury in Lee County awarded forty +dollars damages, and costs, against Wilson and Reynolds, for false +imprisonment and abuse of the Prophet--a verdict which, while it +confirms the unlawful course of those officers, and the fact that their +prisoner was abused, insults justice by awarding such an amount for +damages. + +At the time of this action before the municipal court of Nauvoo, it was +a question in Illinois whether said court had the authority to hear and +determine writs of _habeas corpus_ arising from arrests made by virtue +of warrants issued by the courts of the State or of the governor, as in +the foregoing case; or whether the clause in the city charter granting +the right of issuing such writs was not confined to cases arising from +arrests made on account of the violation of some city ordinance. The +clause in the charter giving to the municipal court the power to issue +writs of _habeas corpus_ was as follows: + + The municipal court shall have power to grant writs of _habeas + corpus_ in all cases arising under the ordinances of the city + council. + +And in addition there was the general welfare provision, which provided +that the + + City council shall have power and authority to make, ordain, + establish and execute such ordinances not repugnant to the + Constitution of the United States, or of this State, as they may + deem necessary for the peace, benefit and safety of the inhabitants + of said city. + +It was maintained on the part of those who believed that the municipal +court had the right to issue writs of _habeas corpus_ against process +issued from the State courts that all the power there was in Illinois +she gave to Nauvoo, and that the municipal court had all the power +within the limits of the city that the State courts had, and that power +was given by the same authority--the legislature. A number of lawyers +of more or less prominence in the State professed to hold the same +views; but little reliance can be put in the support they bring to the +case, since they were seeking political preferment and would, and did, +in their interpretations of the powers granted by the charter, favor +that side of the controversy most likely to please the citizens of +Nauvoo. + +Governor Ford, too, at the time, gave a tacit approval of the course +taken by the municipal court in issuing the writ of _habeas corpus_, +though he afterwards became very pronounced in his opposition to the +exercise of such powers. It occurred in this way: As soon as Joseph +was liberated, Sheriff Reynolds applied to Governor Ford for a posse +to retake him, representing that the Prophet had been unlawfully taken +out of his hands by the municipal court of Nauvoo. The governor refused +to grant the petition. Subsequently the governor of Missouri asked +Governor Ford to call out the militia to retake Joseph, but this he +also refused to do, and gave as a reason that "no process, officer, +or authority of the State had been resisted or interfered with," and +recited how the prisoner had been released on _habeas corpus_ by +the municipal court of Nauvoo. The governor acted in this instance +with perfect knowledge of what had taken place, for the petition and +statement of Reynolds were in his possession as were also complete +copies of all the documents, which contained the proceedings before +the municipal court of Nauvoo; and in addition to these sources of +information, the governor had dispatched a trusted, secret agent, a Mr. +Brayman, to Nauvoo who investigated the case and reported the result to +him. + +On the other hand it was contended that the grant in the charter was +intended by the legislature only to give the power to the municipal +court to issue writs of _habeas corpus_ in cases of arrest for +violation of city ordinances, and that giving power to the municipal +court to test the warrants or processes issued from the State courts, +was never contemplated by the legislature, and that the passage of any +ordinance by the city council that would bring about or authorize any +such unusual proceeding was an unwarranted assumption of power, utterly +wrong in principle and consequently subversive of good government. + +But whatever opinion may be entertained on the point under +consideration, there can be no question but what upon the broad +principles of justice the Prophet Joseph ought to have been set free. +The State of Missouri had no just claims upon him. He had been arrested +and several times examined on these old charges now revived by the +personal malice of John C. Bennett, and after being held a prisoner +awaiting indictment and trial for five months, so conscious were the +officers of the State that they had no case against him that they +themselves connived at his escape. After such proceedings to demand +that he be dragged again into Missouri among his old enemies was an +outrage against every principle of justice. + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +POLITICAL PERPLEXITIES--JOSEPH SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE +UNITED STATES. + +THE events related in the last two chapters occurred on the eve of an +election for United States representatives, State and county officers. +The Whig and Democratic parties were so divided in Illinois that the +citizens of Nauvoo held the balance of power in the congressional +district where they were located, and also in the county. Whichever +party they voted with, as they voted unitedly, gained the election. +This circumstance brought to the people of Nauvoo many concessions, and +caused the candidates of both political parties to fawn at their feet. +It was a case where "Bell boweth down, and Nebo stoopeth." But we shall +see that it also brought with it serious difficulties that contributed +in no small degree to hasten the fall of Nauvoo; and yet it was a +situation forced upon the Saints rather than a policy deliberately +chosen by them. The Prophet himself has given the very best explanation +of the enforced necessity of the Saints voting unitedly while in +Illinois, and I here quote that explanation: + + With regard to elections, some say all the Latter-day Saints vote + together and vote as I say. But I never tell any man how to vote, + or who to vote for. But I will show you how we have been situated + by bringing a comparison. Should there be a Methodist society here + and two candidates running for office, one says, "If you will vote + for me and put me in governor I will exterminate the Methodists, + take away their charters, etc." The other candidate says "If I am + governor, I will give all an equal privilege." Which would the + Methodists vote for? Of course they would vote _en masse_ for the + candidate that would give them their rights. Thus it has been + with us. Joseph Duncan said, if the people would elect him, he + would exterminate the Mormons and take away their charters. As to + Mr. Ford he made no such threats, but manifested a spirit in his + speeches to give every man his rights; hence The Church universally + voted for Mr. Ford, and he was elected governor. [1] + +In the election above referred to a circumstance occurred which greatly +intensified the political bitterness. It will be remembered that Cyrus +Walker refused to assist Joseph when under arrest at Dixon, unless he +would pledge him his vote in the then pending election. This Joseph did +and Walker was satisfied that he would go to Congress, as he expected +that Joseph's vote would bring to him the entire vote of Nauvoo, +which would insure his election; and so expressed himself to Stephen +Markham. But the day before election, which was Sunday, Hyrum told +Joseph that the Spirit had manifested it to him that it would be to the +best interests of the people to vote the Democratic ticket, including +Mr. Hoge, the Democratic candidate for Congress. Joseph made that +announcement in a public meeting, but in addressing the people he said: + + I am not come to tell you to vote this way, that way, or the other. + In relation to national matters I want it to go abroad to the whole + world that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has + not given me a revelation concerning politics. I have not asked Him + for one. I am a third party, and stand independent and alone. I + desire to see all parties protected in their rights. + +Referring to what Hyrum had communicated to him he said: + + I never knew Hyrum to say he ever had a revelation and it failed. + Let God speak, and all men hold their peace. + +Joseph kept his pledge personally, and voted for Cyrus Walker; but the +Democratic ticket was overwhelmingly successful in Nauvoo. + +It ought to be said here in justification of the course of the people +of Nauvoo, that very good evidence existed to the effect that the whole +difficulty connected with the arrest of Joseph at Dixon on the old +Missouri charges of "treason, arson," etc, etc., was a political scheme +planned with a view of securing the Mormon vote for the Whig party. +The _Illinois State Register_ in July published the following on the +subject of the arrest of the Prophet at Dixon, to justify the charge +it made that the whole affair was but a Whig plot to secure the Mormon +vote: + + The public is already aware that a demand was lately made upon the + governor of this State for the arrest of Joseph Smith, and that a + writ was accordingly issued against him. We propose now to state + some of the facts, furnishing strong grounds of suspicion that the + demand which was made on the governor here was a manoeuvre of the + Whig party. + + 1st. A letter was shown to a gentleman of this city, by the agent + of Missouri, from the notorious John C. Bennett to a gentleman in + one of the western counties of that State, urging the importance of + getting up an indictment immediately against Smith, for the five or + six years old treason of which he was accused several years ago. + + 2nd. This charge had been made once before, and afterwards + abandoned by Missouri. It is the same charge on which Smith was + carried before Judge Douglass and discharged two years ago. After + that decision, the indictment against Smith was dismissed, and the + charge wholly abandoned. + + 3rd. But in the letter alluded to, Bennett says to his Missouri + agent, Go to the judge, and never leave him until he appoints + a special term of court; never suffer the court to adjourn + until an indictment is found against Smith for treason. When an + indictment shall have been found, get a copy and go immediately to + the governor, and never leave him until you get a demand on the + governor of Illinois for Smith's arrest; and then dispatch some + active and vigilant person to Illinois for a warrant and let him + never leave the governor until he gets it; and then never let him + come back to Missouri without Smith. + + 4th. A special term of the circuit court of Daviess County, + Missouri, was accordingly called on the 5th day of June last. An + indictment was found against Smith for treason five years old. A + demand was made and a writ issued, as anticipated, by the 17th of + the same month. + + 5th. Bennett it is well known has for a year past been a mere tool + in the hands of the Whig junto at Springfield. He has been under + their absolute subjection and control, and has been a regular + correspondent of the _Sangamo Journal_, the principal organ of + the Whig party. He has been a great pet of both the _Journal_ and + the junto; and that paper has regularly announced his removals + from place to place, until latterly; and within the last year has + published more of his writings than of any other person, except the + editor. + + 6th. Cyrus Walker, a short time after his nomination, as the Whig + candidate for Congress in the 6th district, made a pilgrimage + to Nauvoo, for the purpose of currying favor with the Mormons, + and getting their support. But in this he was disappointed and + dejected; and it was generally believed that, failing to get the + Mormon vote, he would be beaten by his Democratic opponent. + + 7th. Let it be also borne in mind that the treason of which Smith + was accused was five or six years old; that it had been abandoned + as a charge by Missouri; that the circuit court of that State + sat three times a year; that Smith was permanently settled at + Nauvoo, no person dreaming that he would leave there for years + to come; that they might have waited in Missouri for a regular + term of the court, if the design was simply to revive a charge + of treason against Smith, with a perfect assurance that he would + always be found at home, and be as subject to arrest at one time + as another. But this delay did not suit the conspirators as it + would put off an attempt to arrest Smith until after the August + election. Let it be borne in mind also that the agent of Missouri, + after he had obtained the custody of Smith at Dixon, refused to + employ a Democratic lawyer, and insisted upon having a Whig lawyer + of inferior abilities, simply upon the ground as he stated, that + the Democrats were against him. Let it also be borne in mind + that Cyrus Walker, the Whig candidate for Congress, miraculously + _happened_ to be within six miles of Dixon when Smith was arrested, + ready and convenient to be employed by Smith to get him delivered + from custody; and that he was actually employed and actually did + get Smith enlarged from custody; and withal let it be remembered + that John C. Bennett is the pliant tool and pander of the junto + at Springfield; and that he was the instigator of an unnecessary + special term in Missouri, on the 5th day of June last, for the + purpose of getting Smith indicted. We say let all these facts + be borne in mind, and they produce a strong suspicion, if not + conviction, that the whole affair is a Whig conspiracy to compel + a Democratic governor to issue a writ against Smith, pending the + congressional elections, so as to incense the Mormons, create a + necessity for Walker's and perhaps Browning's professional services + in favor of Smith, to get him delivered out of a net of their own + weaving, and thereby get the everlasting gratitude of the Mormons + and their support for the Whig cause. (_Illinois State Register_, + quoted in History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, vol. XXI, p. + 762.) + +Such a plot coming to the knowledge of Joseph and the citizens of +Nauvoo would certainly justify them in voting against the perpetrators +of such an outrage. Of course it cannot be denied that Cyrus Walker was +justified in believing that the vote of Joseph Smith pledged to him at +Dixon, and which by him was made a condition precedent to his coming +to the assistance of Joseph, was understood as meaning something more +than the individual vote of the Prophet, nor do I think the Prophet +censurable for using any means at his command under the circumstances +to deliver himself from the hands of his enemies. But if afterwards +the people of Nauvoo learned--as they evidently did--that a plot had +been laid to ensnare them, to secure their vote though it involved +the liberty, and perhaps the life of their Prophet-leader, they were +justified in casting their votes against the men guilty of such perfidy. + +This sudden and unexpected change in the vote of the citizens of +Nauvoo, stirred up to the very depths the enmity of the defeated +political party; and when, shortly after the election, R. D. Foster, +who had been elected school commissioner, and G. W. Thatcher, who had +been elected clerk of the commissioner's court for the county, appeared +at the courthouse in Carthage to take the oath of office, and file +their bonds, an attempt was made to keep them from doing so; and the +court was threatened with violence if the Mormons were permitted to +qualify. + +They qualified, nevertheless; whereupon a call was issued for an +anti-Mormon meeting to convene in Carthage on the following Saturday, +August the 19th, to protest against the Mormons holding office. The +people of Carthage and vicinity assembled at the appointed time, +organized with a chairman, Major Reuben Graves; and a secretary, W. +D. Abernethy; and a committee of nine to draft resolutions. After +listening to speeches by Valentine Wilson, Walter Bagby and others, the +meeting adjourned to meet again on the sixth of September. + +To enumerate the crimes alleged against the Saints in general and in +particular against Joseph Smith, in the preamble to the resolutions +adopted at their second meeting, would be drawing up a list of all +the crimes that ever threatened the peace, happiness, prosperity and +liberty of a nation. They resolved that from recent movements among +the Mormons, there were indications that they were unwilling to submit +to the ordinary restrictions of law; and therefore concluded that +the people of Illinois must assert their rights in some way. That +while they deprecated anything like lawless violence, they pledged +themselves to resist all wrongs the Mormons should inflict upon them +in the future--"peaceably if they could, but forcibly if they must." +They called upon all good and honest men to assist in humbling the +pride of that "audacious despot," Joseph Smith; pledged themselves to +raise a posse and take him if the authorities of Missouri made another +demand for him; that it might not be said of them, that they allowed +the most outrageous culprits "to go unwhipped of justice." They agreed +to support no man of either political party who should truckle to the +Mormons for their influence, and finally + + Resolved that when the government ceases to afford protection, the + citizens of course fall back upon their original inherent right of + self-defense. + +One of the principal movers in these meetings was Walter Bagby, the +county collector, with whom Joseph had some difficulty in relation +to the payment of taxes. In the dispute that arose Bagby told Joseph +he lied, and for this insult Joseph struck him, and would doubtless +have thrashed him soundly but for the interference of Daniel H. Wells. +From that time on, Bagby became the relentless enemy of Joseph and the +inspirer of these meetings at Carthage; and afterwards went to Missouri +where he conferred with the Prophet's old enemies, and brought about +that concerted action between the Missourians and the anti-Mormons of +Illinois which resulted finally in his assassination. + +Later in the fall, acts of violence began to be perpetrated upon +the Mormon people who lived at a distance from Nauvoo; and threats +of violence were frequent. In December of the year of which I am +now writing--1843--a member of The Church living near Warsaw, by +the name of Daniel Avery, and his son Philander, were kidnapped by +Levi Williams, of Warsaw, John Elliot and others, and run across the +Mississippi to Missouri, where for several weeks Daniel Avery was kept +a prisoner in Clark County, while one Joseph McCoy was hunting up +witnesses to prove that he had stolen a mare from him. Philander Avery +escaped and returned to Illinois; but his father remained a prisoner, +and suffered great cruelty at the hands of his captors. Finally, +however, he was released by writ of _habeas corpus_, and went to Nauvoo +where he made affidavit as to his treatment. + +Wild rumors abounded also as to what the Missourians intended to do; +and some of the letters from Missouri that fell into Joseph's hands, +through friends of his, threatened Illinois with invasion, and for +a season it would seem that a border war was inevitable. Joseph was +careful to keep Governor Ford informed as to all acts of violence +perpetrated upon his people, and especially as to the threats of the +Missourians respecting an attack, and went so far as to tender the +services of the Legion to repel any attempted invasion of the State +should it occur. Governor Ford, however, refused to believe there was +any danger in the threats, and therefore would detail no portion of the +Legion, or of the other State militia, to be ready for such an assault. + +A petition signed by nearly all the citizens of Nauvoo, asking +the governor to issue no more warrants at the demand of Missouri +for the arrest of Joseph Smith on the old charges, was presented +to the executive, but the governor refused to give the people any +encouragement that he would favorably entertain their suit. + +In the meantime another important event began to take shape. As the +time of the presidential election was now approaching the probable +candidates for the office began to be discussed. + +It was well known that the vote of the citizens of Nauvoo would be +important, as it would most likely determine whether Illinois would go +Whig or Democratic. The political friends of John C. Calhoun at Quincy, +early perceived the importance of securing their favor, and began to +work for it. A Colonel Frierson, of Quincy, the political friend of +John C. Calhoun, expressed great sympathy for the Saints because of the +injustice and persecution they had received at the hands of Missouri, +and intimated to Brother Joseph L. Heywood that the Hon. B. Rhett, a +representative from South Carolina to the United States Congress, and +also a political friend to Mr. Calhoun, had expressed a willingness to +present to Congress a memorial for a redress of wrongs suffered by the +Saints in Missouri; but was careful to intimate to Brother Heywood, +and through him to the citizens of Nauvoo, that he supposed that Mr. +Calhoun would be a more acceptable candidate to them than Mr. Van Buren. + +Colonel Frierson afterwards went to Nauvoo, met in council with the +leading citizens, and drafted a memorial to Congress; a copy of which +he took with him to Quincy to obtain signers, but I think it never +reached the House of Representatives. + +The incident, however, suggested to the Prophet the propriety of +addressing letters to each of the candidates for the presidency--five +in number, viz.,--John C. Calhoun, Lewis Cass, Richard M. Johnson, +Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren--to ascertain what policy they would +adopt respecting the Saints and redressing the wrongs done them by +Missouri. Only two out of the number, however, gave a reply. They +were Calhoun and Clay. The former was of the opinion that the general +government possessed such limited and specific powers, that the +Missouri troubles did not come within its jurisdiction. As to his +treatment of the Latter-day Saints, as the Constitution and the laws of +the Union made no distinction between citizens of different religious +creeds, he should make none; but so far as the executive was concerned +all should have the full benefit of both, and none should be exempted +from their operation. [2] + +Clay partially disclaimed being a candidate for the presidency, but +said if he ever entered into that high office, he must do so free and +unfettered, with no guarantees but such as might be drawn from his +whole life, character and conduct. But he was careful to say, that he +had watched the progress of the Saints, and sympathized with them in +their sufferings under injustice, which had been inflicted upon them; +and thought that they, in common with other religious communities, +should enjoy the security and protection of the Constitution and laws. + +To these letters the Prophet Joseph wrote scathing replies. The +particular portion of Calhoun's answer with which he dealt, was that +which claimed that the general government had no jurisdiction in the +case of the Saints and Missouri, and handled rather severely the +senator's doctrine of the limited powers of the general government. [3] + +In reply to Henry Clay he dealt chiefly with his "no pledge nor +guarantee" doctrine, only such as could be drawn from his whole life, +character and conduct; and drew such a picture of that statesman's past +conduct, that the Kentucky senator could not feel flattered withal, to +say the least; and in good round terms he denounced the subterfuges +of politicians, and demanded of the nation justice in behalf of his +afflicted people. In reading this correspondence one cannot but think +that the Prophet is unnecessarily harsh of expression, and some phrases +we cannot help but feel are certainly unworthy of him. The faults of +these letters, however, are not so much the fault of the individual as +the fault of the times. Those were days when moderation in language was +certainly not characteristic of the political literature of the times. +Personal abuse often seems to have been mistaken for argument, and +severity of expression was often thought to out-weigh reason. One other +thing should be remembered also, and that is the Prophet Joseph very +largely depended upon others for the expression, for the literary form +of those ideas which he advanced, and these secondary persons yielded +too often to the spirit of the times in what they set down as coming +from the Prophet. + +When it was ascertained that from none of the candidates in the field, +the citizens of Nauvoo could hope for assistance in obtaining justice +for the wrongs they suffered in Missouri, Joseph allowed a convention +at Nauvoo to put his name in nomination for the office of president; +and he published his "Views on the Powers and Policy of the Government +of the United States," a document of great strength and one which +excited considerable comment from the press of the country, very much +of which was favorable. + +In this document the Prophet-candidate reviews the growth and +development of the American government until it reached the "_Acme_ +of American glory, liberty, and prosperity" under the administration +of General Jackson; and then the beginning of its decline under +the "withering touch of Martin Van Buren." He advocated prison +reform. Advised the people of the south to petition their respective +legislatures to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, "and save the +abolitionist from reproach and ruin, infamy and shame." He recommended +the payment of a reasonable price to the slave-holders of the south +for their slaves, to be paid by the surplus revenue, arising from the +sale of public lands, and reduction in the wages paid to congress-men. +The southern people, said he, are hospitable and noble. They will help +to rid so free a country of every vestige of slavery, whenever they +are assured of an equivalent for their property. He recommended more +economy in the national and state governments, and more equality among +the people. + +For the accommodation of the people he proposed the establishment of a +national bank, with branches in each State, the directors thereof to be +elected yearly by the people; and the profits arising from the business +to be used as revenue, in defraying the expenses of government, the +profits from the branch banks, being used in the respective States +where they existed; and those arising from the parent institution by +the general government; and reduce taxation to the extent of the net +profits of these institutions. + +In the light of the experience he and the Latter-day Saints had passed +through in Missouri, he advocated the idea of giving the president full +power to send an army to suppress mobs, "and appealed to the States to +repeal that relic of folly," which made it necessary for the governor +of a State to make a demand of the president for troops in case of +invasion or rebellion. "The governor himself," he goes on to say, "may +be a mobber; and instead of being punished, as he should be, for murder +or treason, he may destroy the very lives, rights and property he +should protect." + +He favored the annexation of Texas, and the extension of the authority +of the United States over contiguous territory on the west, and said: + + When a neighboring realm petitioned to join the Union of the Sons + of Liberty, my voice would be, _come_--yea, come Texas, come + Mexico, come Canada, and come all the world; let us be brethren, + let us be one great family, and let there be a universal peace. [4] + +On the seventeenth of June, 1844, a State convention was held at +Nauvoo, which ratified the views of Joseph on the "Powers and Policy +of the Government," passed a series of resolutions inviting all men of +all parties to assist in the work of reforming the government, and in a +formal manner putting in nomination General Joseph Smith for President +of the United States, and Sidney Rigdon for vice-president. + +James Arlington Bennett, of New York, was asked to take the second +place on the ticket first; but, he being of foreign birth, was not +eligible. Then the position was offered to Colonel Solomon Copeland, +but for some reason he did not accept; so the next choice was Sidney +Rigdon, who by that time had removed from Nauvoo to Pennsylvania. + +Arrangements were entered into, to hold a national convention in New +York on the thirteenth of July following, and preparations were made +for an active campaign in favor of the Prophet-nominee; but before the +time for the national convention had arrived, the standard bearer of +the new party of reform, Jeffersonian Democracy, [5] free trade and +sailors' rights, fell pierced by assassins' bullets--the victim of a +cruel mob. + +Of course Joseph had no hope that he would be elected to the +presidency, but by becoming a candidate, he gave the citizens of Nauvoo +an opportunity to act consistently with their views of what ought to +be done for the general good of the nation, and at the same time, +avoid the wrath of the political parties in the State of Illinois by +affiliating with neither of them in the ensuing election; for whenever +they voted with one of those parties the other became enraged and _vice +versa_. Doubtless the best reasons for, and the best justification of, +this movement on the part of the people of Nauvoo is to be found in an +editorial article from the _Times and Seasons_ for February, 1844--with +which I close this chapter: + + WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT? + + This is an inquiry which to us as a people is a matter of the most + paramount importance, and requires our most serious, calm, and + dispassionate reflection. Executive power, when correctly wielded, + is a great blessing to the people of this great commonwealth, and + forms one of the firmest pillars of our confederation. It watches + the interests of the whole community with a fatherly care; it + wisely balances the other legislative powers when overheated by + party spirit or sectional feeling; it watches with jealous care our + interests and commerce with foreign nations, and gives tone and + efficacy to legislative enactments. + + The President stands at the head of these United States, and + is the mouth-piece of this vast republic. If he be a man of an + enlightened mind and a capacious soul,--if he be a virtuous man, + a statesman, a patriot, and a man of unflinching integrity,--if + he possess the same spirit that fired the souls of our venerable + sires, who founded this great commonwealth, and wishes to promote + the universal good of the whole republic, he may indeed be made a + blessing to the community. + + But if he prostrates his high and honorable calling to base + and unworthy purposes,--if he makes use of the power which the + people have placed in his hands for their interests to gratify + his ambition, for the purpose of self-aggrandizement or pecuniary + interest,--if he meanly panders with demagogues, loses sight of the + interest of the nation, and sacrifices the Union on the altar of + sectional interests or party views, he renders himself unworthy of + the dignified trust reposed in him, debases the nation in the eyes + of the civilized world, and produces misery and confusion at home. + "When the wicked rule the people mourn." + + There is perhaps no body of people in the United States who + are at the present time more interested about the issue of the + presidential contest than are the Latter-day Saints. And our + situation in regard to the two great political parties is a most + novel one. It is a fact well understood that we have suffered + great injustice from the State of Missouri, that we petitioned to + the authorities of that State for redress in vain, that we have + also memorialized Congress under the late administration, and have + obtained the heartless reply that "Congress has no power to redress + your grievances." + + After having taken all the legal and constitutional steps that + we can, we are still groaning under accumulated wrongs. Is there + no power anywhere to redress our grievances? Missouri lacks the + disposition, and Congress lacks both the disposition and power (?); + and thus fifteen thousand inhabitants of these United States can + with impunity be dispossessed of their property; have their houses + burned, their property confiscated, many of their numbers murdered, + and the remainder driven from their homes and left to wander as + exiles in this boasted land of freedom and equal rights: and after + appealing again and again to the legally constituted authorities of + our land for redress, we are coolly told by our highest tribunals, + "We can do nothing for you." + + We have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars into the coffers + of Congress for their lands, and they stand virtually pledged + to defend us in our rights, but they have not done it. If a man + steals a dollar from his neighbor, or steals a horse or a hog, he + can obtain redress; but we have been robbed by wholesale, the most + daring murders have been committed, and we are coolly told that we + can obtain no redress. If a steamboat is set on fire on our coast + by foreigners, even when she is engaged in aiding and abetting the + enemies of that power, it becomes a matter of national interference + and legislation; or if a foreigner, as in the case of McLeod, + is taken on our land and tried for supposed crimes committed by + him against our citizens, his nation interferes, and it becomes + a matter of negotiation and legislation. But our authorities + can calmly look on and see the citizens of a country butchered + with impunity: they can see two counties dispossessed of their + inhabitants, their houses burned, and their property confiscated; + and when the crys of fifteen thousand men, women and children + salute their ears, they deliberately tell us that we can obtain no + redress! + + Hear it, therefore, ye mobbers! Proclaim it to all the scoundrels + in the Union! Let a standard be erected around which shall rally + all the renegadoes of the land: assemble yourselves and rob at + pleasure; murder till you are satisfied with blood; drive men, + women and children from their homes: there is no law to protect + them, and Congress has no power to redress their grievances; and + the great father of the Union (the President) has not got an ear to + listen to their complaints. + + What shall we do under this state of things? In the event of either + of the prominent candidates, Van Buren or Clay, obtaining the + presidential chair, we should not be placed in any better situation. + + In speaking of Mr. Clay, his politics are diametrically opposed to + ours. He inclines strongly to the old school of Federalists, and + as a matter of course would not favor our cause; neither could we + conscientiously vote for him. And we have yet stronger objections + to Mr. Van Buren on other grounds. He has sung the old song of + Congress--"Congress has no power to redress your grievances." + + But did the matter rest here, it would not be so bad. He was in + the presidential chair at the time of our former difficulties. We + appealed to him on that occasion, but we appealed in vain, and his + sentiments are yet unchanged. + + But all these thing are tolerable in comparison to what we have + yet to state. We have been informed from a respectable source that + there is an understanding between Mr. Benton, of Missouri, and Mr. + Van Buren, and a conditional compact entered into, that if Mr. + Benton will use his influence to get Mr. Van Buren elected, Van + Buren, when elected, shall use his executive influence to wipe away + the stain from Missouri by a further persecution of the Mormons, + and wreaking out vengeance on their heads, either by extermination + or by some other summary process. We could scarcely credit the + statement; and we hope yet for the sake of humanity, that the + suggestion is false: but we have too good reason to believe that we + are correctly informed. + + If, then, this is the case can we conscientiously vote for a man + of this description, and put the weapon in his hands to cut our + throats with? We cannot. And however much we might wish to sustain + the Democratic nomination, we cannot--we will not vote for Van + Buren. Our interests, our property, our lives, and the lives of our + families are too dear to us to be sacrificed at the shrine of party + spirit and to gratify party feelings. We have been sold once in the + State of Missouri, and our liberties bartered away by political + demagogues, through executive intrigue, and we wish not to be + betrayed again by Benton and Van Buren. + + Under these circumstances, the question again arises, Whom shall + we support? General Joseph Smith--a man of sterling worth and + integrity and of enlarged views--a man who has raised himself + from the humblest walks in life to stand at the head of a large, + intelligent, respectable and increasing society, that has spread + not only in this land, but in distant nations,--a man whose + talents and genius are of an exalted nature, and whose experience + has rendered him in every way adequate to the onerous duty. + Honorable, fearless, and energetic, he would administer justice + with an impartial hand, and magnify and dignify the office of Chief + magistrate of this land; and we feel assured that there is not a + man in the United States more competent for the task. + + One great reason that we have for pursuing our present course is, + that at every election we have been made a political target for + the filthy demagogues in the country to shoot their loathsome + arrows at. And every story has been put into requisition to blast + our fame from the old fabrication of "walk on the water" down to + "the murder of ex-Governor Boggs." The journals have teemed with + this filthy trash, and even men who ought to have more respect + for themselves--men contending for the gubernatorial chair have + made use of terms so degrading, so mean, so humiliating, that a + Billingsgate fisherwoman would have considered herself disgraced + with. We refuse any longer to be thus bedaubed for either party. + We tell all such to let their filth flow in its own legitimate + channel, for we are sick of the loathsome smell. + + Gentlemen, we are not going either to "murder ex-Governor Boggs, + nor a Mormon in this State for not giving us his money," nor are we + going to "walk on the water," nor "drown a woman," nor "defraud the + poor of their property," nor send "destroying angels after General + Bennett to kill him," nor "Marry spiritual wives," nor commit any + other outrageous act this election to help any party with. You must + get some other persons to perform these kind offices for you for + the future. We withdraw. + + Under existing circumstances, we have no other alternative; and + if we can accomplish our object, well: if not, we shall have the + satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and + have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw away our + votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than upon an + unworthy individual, who might make use of the weapon we put in his + hand to destroy us with. + + Whatever may be the opinions of men in general in regard to Mr. + Smith, we know that he needs only to be known to be admired; and + that it is the principles of honor, integrity, patriotism, and + philanthropy that have elevated him in the minds of his friends; + and the same principles, if seen and known, would beget the esteem + and confidence of all the patriotic and virtuous throughout the + Union. + + Whatever, therefore, be the opinions of other men our course is + marked out, and our motto from henceforth will be--GENERAL JOSEPH + SMITH. + +Footnotes + +1. History of Joseph Smith, Mill. Star, vol. xxi, p. 668. + +The remarks were made at a public meeting soon after the Prophet's +release by the municipal court of Nauvoo from the custody of Reynolds +and Wilson. + +2. See Appendix I. + +3. See Appendix II. + +4. See Appendix III. + +5. The fifth resolution adopted at the Nauvoo convention read as +follows: + +_Resolved_, that the better to carry out the principles of liberty and +equal rights, Jeffersonian Democracy, free trade, and sailors' rights, +and the protection of person and property, we will support General +Joseph Smith for the President of the United States at the ensuing +election. + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +THE PROJECTED MOVEMENT TO THE WEST. + +AS an evidence that the Prophet entertained no thought of success in +his candidacy for the office of Chief Executive, we may mention the +fact that, during the time that vigorous preparations were being made +for the presidential canvass, he was setting on foot a scheme for +taking the body of The Church into the west to settle Oregon. On the +twentieth of February, 1844, the Prophet in his journal says: + + "I instructed the Twelve Apostles to send out a delegation, and + investigate the location of California and Oregon, and hunt out + a good location, where we can remove to, after the temple is + completed, and where we can build a city in a day, and have a + government of our own, get up into the mountains, where the devil + cannot dig us out, and live in a healthy climate, where we can live + as old as we have a mind too." + +In accordance with that instruction, the Twelve called the council on +the twenty-first, and Jonathan Dunham, Phinehas H. Young and David +Fullmer volunteered to go; and Alphonzo Young, James Emmett, George D. +Watt, and Daniel Spencer were called to go. + +Subsequently a memorial was drawn up by the Prophet, asking Congress +to pass an enactment, authorizing him to raise a company for the +purpose of establishing colonies in that vast, unsettled section of the +country in the far West, known under the general name of Oregon. At +that time there was no particular government existing in the region to +which the names Oregon and California were loosely given. Nor was it +certain whether that country would fall into the possession of England +or the United States, as the northern boundary line question was then +unsettled, and England and the United States held the country by a +treaty of joint occupancy. As the Prophet preferred having an assurance +of protection from the government on his enterprise, he asked Congress +to pass the act before alluded to. + +Orson Pratt and John E. Page, two of the Twelve, went to Washington +in the interest of this scheme, and urged its consideration among the +Congressmen. Subsequently, in April, 1844, Orson Hyde was sent to +Washington in the interest of the same great project; and through the +influence of Mr. Hoge, Representative to Congress from the district +in which Nauvoo was included. Mr. Hardin, and Stephen A. Douglass, +succeeded in approaching a number of members of Congress on the subject +but received small encouragement, as Congressmen then, as now, were +extremely cautions in engaging in anything affecting their reputation +and prospects for political preferment for the future. But however much +these men objected to advocating anything which looked like favoring +openly the scheme of the Prophet, they all concurred in affirming +that he had the right to lead his people to Oregon to settle, and the +government would protect them. Stephen A. Douglass remarked, that if he +could command the following that Mr. Smith could, he would resign his +seat in Congress, to go to the West. On this subject Orson Hyde made +two exhaustive reports to the Prophet in letters from Washington, which +I here insert: + + WASHINGTON, April 25th, 1844. + + HON. SIR,--I take the liberty to transmit through you to the + council of our Church the result of my labors thus far. I + arrived in this place on the 23rd instant, by way of Pittsburgh, + Philadelphia, and New Jersey. + + I found Elder Orson Pratt here, Elder Page having been called home + to Pittsburgh on account of his wife's ill health. Elder O. Pratt + has been indefatigable in his exertions in prosecuting the business + entrusted to his charge. His business has been before the Senate, + and referred to the committee on the judiciary; and the report of + said committee is not yet rendered, which is the cause of his delay + in writing to you. + + Yesterday we conversed with Messrs. Hoge, Hardin, Douglass, and + Wentworth, and last evening we spent several hours with the + Hon. Mr. Semple They all appear deeply interested in the Oregon + question, and received us with every demonstration of respect that + we could desire. Mr. Hoge thought that the bill would not pass, + from the fact that there already exists between England and America + a treaty for the joint occupancy of Oregon, and that any act of our + Government authorizing an armed force to be raised, and destined + for that country, would be regarded by England as an infraction of + that treaty, and a cause of her commencing hostilities against us. + + But my reply was, These volunteers are not to be considered any + part or portion of the army of the United States, neither acting + under the direction or authority of the United States; and, said I, + for men to go there and settle in the character of emigrants cannot + be regarded by our Government as deviating in the least degree from + her plighted faith, unless she intends to tamely submit to British + monopoly in that country. + + Mr. H., said he would present the memorial, if we desired it. I + thanked him for his kind offer, but observed that I was not yet + prepared for the bill to be submitted, but wished to elicit all the + facts relative to the condition of Oregon, and also advise with + many other members relative to the matter; and we could better + determine then how the bill should be introduced. We do not want it + presented and referred to a standing committee, and stuck away with + five or ten cords of petitions, and that be the last of it; but we + want the memorial read, a move made to suspend the rules of the + house, and the bill printed, etc. + + Mr. Wentworth said--"I am for Oregon anyhow. You may set me down on + your list, and I will go for you if you will go for Oregon." + + Judge Douglass has been quite ill, but is just recovered; he will + help all he can; Mr. Hardin likewise. But Major Semple says that + he does not believe anything will be done about Texas or Oregon + this session, for it might have a very important effect upon the + presidential election; and politicians are slow to move when such + doubtful and important matters are likely to be affected by it. + He says that there are already two bills before the house for + establishing a territorial government in Oregon, and to protect the + emigrants there; and now he says, Were your bill to be introduced, + it might be looked upon that you claimed the sole right of + emigrating to and settling that new country to the exclusion of + others. He was in favor of the Oregon being settled, and he thought + the bills already before the house would extend equal protection to + us; and equal protection to every class of citizens was what the + government could rightly do; but particular privileges to any one + class they could not rightly do. + + I observed that the bill asked for no exclusive rights. It asks not + for exclusive rights in Oregon, neither do we wish it. Other people + might make a move to Oregon, and no prejudices bar their way, and + their motives would not be misinterpreted. + + But, said I, Missouri knows her guilt; and should we attempt to + march to Oregon without the government throwing a protective shield + over us, Missouri's crimes would lead her first to misinterpret + our intentions, to fan the flame of popular excitement against + us, and scatter the firebrands of a misguided zeal among the + combustible materials of other places, creating a flame too hot + for us to encounter--too desolating for us to indulge the hope of + successfully prosecuting the grand and benevolent enterprise we + have conceived. We have been compelled to relinquish our rights + in Missouri. We have been forcibly driven from our homes, leaving + our property and inheritances as spoil to the oppressor; and more + or less in Illinois we have been subject to the whims and chimeras + of illiberal men, and to threats, to vexatious prosecutions, and + lawsuits. + + Our government professes to have no power to help us, or to redress + the wrongs which we have suffered; and we now ask the government + to protect us while raising our volunteers. And when we get into + Oregon we will protect ourselves and all others who wish our + protection. And after subduing a new country, encountering all + its difficulties and hardships, and sustaining the just claims + of our nation to its soil, we believe that the generosity of + our government towards us will be equal to our enterprise and + patriotism, and that they will allow us a grant or territory of + land, which will be both honorable in them and satisfactory to us. + + This, he says, is all very just and reasonable. But still he thinks + that Congress will take no step in relation to Oregon, from the + fact that his resolution requesting the President of the United + States to give notice to the British government for the abolition + of the treaty of joint occupation was voted down; and while that + treaty is in force, our government dare do nothing in relation to + that country. This resolution was introduced by Mr. Semple to pave + the way for the passage of those bills in relation to a territorial + government in Oregon. + + All our members join in the acknowledgement that you have an + undoubted right to go to Oregon with all the emigrants you can + raise. They say the existing laws protect you as much as law can + protect you; and should Congress pass an additional law, it would + not prevent wicked men from shooting you down as they did in + Missouri. All the Oregon men in Congress would be glad if we would + go to that country and settle it. + + I will now give you my opinion in relation to this matter. It + is made up from the spirit of the times in a hasty manner, + nevertheless I think time will prove it correct:--That Congress + will pass not act in relation to Texas or Oregon at present. She + is afraid of England, afraid of Mexico, afraid the presidential + election will be twisted by it. The members all appear like + unskillful players at checkers--afraid to move, for they see not + which way to move advantageously. All are figuring and playing + round the grand and important questions. In the days of our Lord + the people neglected the weightier matters of the law, but tithed + mint, rue, anise, and cummin; but I think here in Washington they + do little else than tithe the _mint_. + + A member of Congress is in no enviable situation: if he will boldly + advocate true principles, he loses his influence and becomes + unpopular; and whoever is committed and has lost his influence has + no power to benefit his constituents, so that all go to figuring + and playing round the great points. + + Mr. Semple said that Mr. Smith could not constitutionally be + constituted a member of the army by law; and this, if nothing + else, would prevent its passage. I observed that I would in that + case strike out that clause. Perhaps I took an unwarrantable + responsibility upon myself; but where I get into a straight place, + I can do no better than act according to what appears most correct. + + I do not intend the opinion that I have hastily given shall abate + my zeal to drive the matter through, but I have given the opinion + for your benefit, that your indulgence of the hope that Congress + will do something for us may not cause you to delay any important + action. + + There is already a government established in Oregon to some extent; + magistrates have been chosen by the people, &c. This is on the + south of the Columbia. North of that river the Hudson Bay Company + occupy. There is some good country in Oregon, but a great deal of + sandy, barren desert. I have seen a gentleman who has been there, + and also in California. + + The most of the settlers in Oregon and Texas are our old enemies, + the mobocrats of Missouri. If, however, the settlement of Oregon + and Texas be determined upon, the sooner the move is made the + better; and I would not advise any delay for the action of our + government, for there is such a jealousy of our rising power + already, that government will do nothing to favor us. If the Saints + possess the kingdom, I think they will have to take it; and the + sooner it is done the more easily it is accomplished. + + Your superior wisdom must determine whether to go to Oregon, to + Texas, or to remain within these United States, and send forth the + most efficient men to build up churches, and let them remain for + the time being; and in the meantime send some _wise_ men among the + Indians, and teach them civilization and religion, to cultivate + the soil, to live in peace with one another and with all men. But + whatever you do, don't be deluded with the hope that government + will foster us, and thus delay an action which the present is the + most proper time that ever will be [in which to accomplish it.--R.] + + Oregon is becoming a popular question; the fever of emigration + begins to rage. If the Mormons become the early majority, others + will not come; if the Mormons do not become an early majority, the + others will not allow us to come. + + Elder Pratt is faithful, useful, and true; he has got the run of + matters here very well, and is with me in all my deliberations, + visitings, &c. + + Major Semple goes with us this evening to introduce us to the + President, and to view the White House. + + My heart and hand are with you. May heaven bless you and me. As + ever, I am + + ORSON HYDE. + + To the council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. + +Also the following letter:-- + + WASHINGTON, April 26, 1844. + + DEAR SIR,--Today I trouble you with another communication, which + you will please have the goodness to lay before our council. + + We were last evening introduced to the President at the White + House by the politeness of Major Semple, where we spent an hour + very agreeably. The President is a very plain, homespun, familiar, + farmer-like man. He spoke of our troubles in Missouri, and + regretted that we had met with such treatment. He asked us how we + were getting along in Illinois. I told him that we were contending + with the difficulties of a new country, and laboring under the + disadvantageous consequences of being driven from our property and + homes in Missouri. + + We have this day had a long conversation with Judge Douglass. He + is ripe for Oregon and the California. He said he would resign + his seat in Congress if he could command the force that Mr. Smith + could, and would be on the march to that country in a month. + + I learn that the eyes of many aspiring politicians in this place + are now upon that country, and that there is so much jealousy + between them that they will probably pass no bill in relation to + it. Now all these politicians rely upon the arm of our government + to protect them there; and if government were to pass an act + establishing a territorial government west of the Rocky Mountains + there would be at once a tremendous rush of emigration; but if + government pass no act in relation to it, these men have not + stamina or sufficient confidence in themselves and their own + resources to hazard the enterprise. + + The northern Whig members are almost to a man against Texas and + Oregon; but should the present administration succeed in annexing + Texas, then all the Whigs would turn round in favor of Oregon; for + if Texas be admitted, slavery is extended to the south; then free + States must be added to the west to keep up a balance of power + between the slave and the free States. + + Should Texas be admitted, war with Mexico is looked upon as + inevitable. The Senate have been in secret session on the + ratification of the treaty of annexation; but what they did we + cannot say. General Gaines, who was boarding at the same house + with Judge Douglass, was secretly ordered to repair to the Texan + frontier four days ago, and left immediately. I asked Judge D. if + he did not speak loud for annexation. He says, no. Santa Anna, + being a jealous, hot-headed pate, might be suspicious the treaty + would be ratified by the Senate, and upon mere suspicion might + attempt some hostilities, and Gaines had been ordered there to be + on the alert and ready for action if necessary. Probably our navy + will in a few days be mostly in the Gulf of Mexico. + + There are many powerful checks upon our government, preventing her + from moving in any of these important matters; and for aught I + know, these checks are permitted, to prevent our government from + extending her jurisdiction over that territory which God designs to + give to His Saints. Judge Douglass says he would equally as soon go + to that country without an act of Congress as with; 'and that in + five years a noble State might be formed; and then, if they would + not receive us into the Union, we would have a government of our + own.' He is decidedly of the opinion that congress will pass no act + in favor of any particular man going there; but he says if any man + will go, and desires that privilege, and has confidence in his own + ability to perform it he already has the right, and the sooner he + is off the better for his scheme. + + It is the opinion here among politicians that it will be extremely + difficult to have any bill pass in relation to the encouragement of + emigration to Oregon; but much more difficult to get a bill passed + designating any particular man to go. But all concur in the opinion + that we are authorized already. + + In case of a removal to that country, Nauvoo is the place of + general rendezvous. Our course from thence would be westward + through Iowa, bearing a little north until we came to the Missouri + river, leaving the State of Missouri on the left, thence onward + till we come to the Platte, thence up the north fork of the Platte + to the mouth of Sweetwater river in longitude 107 45' W., and + thence up said Sweetwater river to the South Pass of the Rocky + Mountains, about eleven hundred miles from Nauvoo; and from said + South Pass in latitude 42 28' north to the Umpaque and Klamet + valleys in Oregon, bordering on California, is about 600 miles, + making the distance from Nauvoo to the best portions of Oregon + 1,700 miles. + + There is no government established there; and it is so near + California that when a government shall be established there, it + may readily embrace that country likewise. There is much barren + country, rocks, and mountains, in Oregon; but the valleys are very + fertile. I am persuaded that Congress will pass no act in relation + to that country, from the fact that the resolution requesting + the President to give notice to the British government for the + discontinuance of the treaty of joint occupation of Oregon was + voted down with a rush; and this notice must be given before any + action can be had, unless Congress violates the treaty; at least so + say the politicians here. + + Judge Douglass has given me a map of Oregon, and also a report on + an exploration of the country lying between the Missouri river and + the Rocky Mountains on the line of the Kansas and Great Platte + rivers, by Lieutenant J. C. Fremont, of the corps of topographical + engineers. On receiving it I expressed a wish that Mr. Smith could + see it. Judge D. says it is a public document, and I will frank it + to him. I accepted his offer, and the book will be forthcoming to + him. The people are so eager for it here that they have even stolen + it out of the library. The author is Mr. Benton's son-in-law. + Judge D. borrowed it of Mr. B. I was not to tell anyone in this + city where I got it. The book is a most valuable document to any + one contemplating a journey to Oregon. The directions which I have + given may not be exactly correct, but the book will tell correctly. + Judge D. says he can direct Mr. Smith to several gentlemen in + California who will be able to give him any information on the + state of affairs in that country; and when he returns to Illinois, + he will visit Mr. Smith. + + Brother Pratt and myself drafted a bill this morning, and handed + it in to the committee on the judiciary from the Senate, asking + an appropriation of two million dollars for the relief of the + sufferers among our people in Missouri in 1836-9, to be deposited + in the hands of the city council of Nauvoo, and by them dealt out + to the sufferers in proportion to their loss. We intend to tease + them until we either provoke them or get them to do something + for us. I have learned this much--that if we want Congress to do + anything for us in drawing up our memorial, we must not ask what + is right in the matter, but we must ask what kind of a thing will + Congress pass? Will it suit the politics of the majority? Will + it be popular or unpopular? For you might as well drive a musket + ball through a cotton bag, or the Gospel of Christ through the + heart of a priest, case-hardened by sectarianism, bigotry, and + superstition, or a camel through the eye of a needle, as to drive + anything through Congress that will operate against the popularity + of politicians. + + I shall probably leave here in a few days, and Brother Pratt will + remain. I go to get money to sustain ourselves with. + + I shall write again soon, and let you know what restrictions, if + any, are laid upon our citizens in relation to passing through the + Indian territories. I shall communicate everything I think will + benefit. In the meantime if the council have any instructions to + us, we shall be happy to receive them here or at Philadelphia. + + John Ross is here; we intend to see him. It is uncertain when + Congress rises. It will be a long pull in my opinion. As ever, I am, + + Yours sincerely, + ORSON HYDE. + + Elder Pratt's best respects to the brethren. + +An event soon afterwards took place in the House of Representatives +before the Prophet's petition was introduced, which put at rest all +hopes of Congress doing anything at that time in relation to the Oregon +territory. A resolution was introduced giving Great Britain notice that +the treaty of joint occupancy of that country was at an end, but it +was promptly voted down. That virtually served public notice that the +Oregon question was not to be reopened by Congress, at least not until +the conclusion of the presidential election. + +Sufficient may be gathered from what is set down in the above, to prove +that the mind of the Prophet Joseph was bent on establishing his people +in the West--somewhere in the Rocky Mountains--so soon as they could +complete the temple. The subject began to take possession of his mind +wholly. Some eighteen months before his formal appeal to Congress, for +the privilege of settling with his people in the far West, under the +protecting aegis of the general government, _viz_., on the sixth of +August, 1842, he prophesied, that his people would continue to suffer +much persecution, and at last be driven to the Rocky Mountains. This is +the prophecy as it stands in the Prophet's journal: + + Saturday, sixth, [August]. Passed over the river to Montrose, + Iowa, in company with General Adams, Colonel Brewer, and others, + and witnessed the installation of the officers of the Rising Sun + Lodge, of Ancient York Masons, at Montrose, by General James Adams, + Deputy Grand Master of Illinois. While the Deputy Grand Master was + engaged in giving the requisite instruction to the Master elect, I + had a conversation with a number of brethren in the shade of the + building on the subject of our persecutions in Missouri, and the + constant annoyance which has followed us since we were driven from + that State. I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer + much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many + would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors, + or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some + of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build + cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of + the Rocky Mountains. [1]--_Millennial Star, Vol. xix, page 630_. + +As persecution in Illinois grew more relentless, and mobocrats more +bold, until the whole horizon appeared black, and threatening with +hatred toward the citizens of Nauvoo, the Prophet told them repeatedly +it was "light in the west." + +Footnotes + +1. See the author's work, "Succession in the Presidency," where the +subject is more exhaustively considered. + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +THE STANDARD OF PEACE. + +MEANTIME the people of Nauvoo, with the Prophet as chief mover in the +matter, sought to establish peaceful relations with their neighbors. +Armed conflict with surrounding peoples, or with any people, was no +part of the policy of Joseph Smith; and no part of the work that he +had in hand. It is true that it may be said of the work he introduced, +as Jesus said of the work which He began by His personal ministry that +it brought not peace but a sword; [1] in each case, however, "the +sword" has been found in the hands, not of those who have accepted the +Gospel, but in the hands of those who have rejected it, and opposed it, +and made war upon it. Early in the history of the work brought forth +by Joseph Smith the Lord commanded His servants to "renounce war and +proclaim peace;" [2] and true to this spirit of the work the Prophet +especially sought for peace. In the _Warsaw Signal_ of the 14th of +February Governor Ford published the following letter to the citizens +of Hancock County, in the hope, evidently, of quelling the threatening +storm: + + SPRINGFIELD, January 29, 1844. + + DEAR SIR,--I have received the copy of the proceedings and + resolutions of a meeting of the citizens of Hancock County, which + you did me the honour to send me. + + I have observed with regret that occasions have been presented for + disturbing the peace of your county; and if I knew what I could + legally do to apply a corrective, I would be very ready to do it. + But if you are a lawyer or at all conversant with the law, you will + know that, I as a governor, have no right to interfere in your + difficulties. + + As yet, I believe that there has been nothing like war among you; + and I hope that all of you will have the good sense to see the + necessity of preserving peace. If there is anything wrong in the + Nauvoo charters, or in the mode of administering them, you will see + that nothing short of legislative or judicial power is capable of + enforcing a remedy. + + I myself had the honor of calling the attention of the Legislature + to this subject at the last session; but a large majority of both + political parties in that body either did not see the evil which + you complain of, or, if they did, they repeatedly refused to + correct it. And yet a call is made upon me, to do that which all + parties refused to do at the last session. + + I have also been called upon to take away the arms from the + _Mormons_, to raise the militia to arrest a supposed fugitive, and + in fact to repeal some of the ordinances of the city of Nauvoo. + + Hancock County is justly famed for its intelligence; and I cannot + believe that any of its citizens are so ignorant as not to know + that I have no power to do these things. + + The absurd and preposterous nature of these requests gave some + color to the charge that they are made for political effect only. + I hope that this charge is untrue: for, in all candor, it would be + more creditable to those concerned to have their errors attributed + to ignorance than to a disposition to embroil the country in the + horrors of war for the advancement of party ends. + + But if there should be any truth in the charge, (which God forbid) + I affectionately entreat all the good citizens engaged in it to + lay aside their designs and yield up their ears to the voice of + justice, reason and humanity. All that I can do at present is to + admonish both parties to beware of carrying matters to extremity. + + Let it come to this--let a state of war ensue, and I will be + compelled to interfere with executive power. In that case also, I + wish, in a friendly, affectionate, and candid manner, to tell the + citizens of Hancock County, _Mormons_ and all, that my interference + will be against those who shall be the first transgressors. + + I am bound by the laws and Constitution to regard you all as + citizens of the State, possessed of equal rights and privileges, + and to cherish the rights of one as dearly as the rights of + another. I can know no distinction among you except that of + assailant and assailed. + + I hope, dear sir, you will do me the favor to publish this letter + in the papers of your county, for the satisfaction of all persons + concerned. + + I am, with the highest respect, + Your obedient servant, + THOMAS FORD. + +To this letter three days later the Prophet-mayor made the following +response in the _Nauvoo Neighbor_, under the caption + + PACIFIC INNUENDO. + + The very candid, pacific and highly creditable _advice_ which + Governor Ford has done himself the honor to address to "the + citizens of Hancock County, 'Mormons and all,'" and which appears + in the _Warsaw Signal_ of the 14th instant, is, like the balm + of Gilead, well calculated to ease the pain which has troubled + the heads and hearts of the Carthagenians, Warsawvians and other + over-jealous bodies for _weal and woe_. + + It certainly must be admitted, on all hands, that Governor Ford + has exalted himself as a mediator, patriot, lawyer, governor, + peacemaker, and friend of all, not only to magnify the law and make + it honorable, but also in pointing out the _path of peace_. + + Such is what the Latter-day Saints have ever sought at the hands of + those in authority; and with an approving conscience clear as the + crystal spring, and with a laudable intention warm as the summer + zephyr, and with a charitable prayer mellow as the morning dew, it + is now our highest consolation to hope that all difficulties will + cease, and give way to reason, sense, peace and goodwill. + + The Saints, if they will be humble and wise, can now _practice_ + what they _preach_, and soften by good examples, rather than harden + by a distinct course of conduct, the hearts of the people. + + For general information, it may be well to say that there has + never been any cause for alarm as to the Latter-day Saints. The + Legislature of Illinois granted a liberal charter for the city of + Nauvoo; and let every honest man in the Union who has any knowledge + of her say whether she has not flourished beyond the most sanguine + anticipations of all. And while they witness her growing glory, let + them solemnly testify whether Nauvoo has _wilfully injured_ the + country, county or a single individual _one cent_. + + With the strictest scrutiny publish the facts, whether a particle + of law has been evaded or broken: virtue and innocence need no + artificial covering. Political views and party distinctions never + should disturb the harmony of society; and when the whole truth + comes before a virtuous people, we are willing to abide the issue. + + We will here refer to the _three late dismissals_ upon writs + of _habeas corpus_, of Joseph Smith, when arrested under the + requisitions of Missouri. + + The first, in June, 1841, was tried at Monmouth, before Judge + Douglass, of the fifth judicial circuit; and as no exceptions + have been taken to that decision by this State or Missouri, but + Missouri had previously entered a _nolle prosequi_ on all the old + indictments against the "Mormons" in the difficulties of 1838, it + is taken for granted _that that decision was just_. + + The second, in December, 1842, was tried at Springfield before + Judge Pope in the United States District Court; and from that + honorably discharged, as no exceptions from any source have been + made to those proceedings, it follows as a matter of course _that + that decision was just_! + + And the third, in July, 1843, was tried at the city of Nauvoo, + before the municipal court of said city; and as no exceptions to + that discharge have been taken, and as the governor says there is + "evidence on the other side to show that the sheriff of Lee County + _voluntarily_ carried Mr. Reynolds (who had Mr. Smith in custody,) + to the city of Nauvoo without any coercion on the part of any one" + it must be admitted _that that decision was just_! + + But is any man still unconvinced of the justness of these + strictures relative to the two last cases, let the astounding fact + go forth, that _Orin Porter Rockwell_, whom Boggs swore was the + principal in his assassination, and accessory to which Mr. Smith + was arrested, _has returned home, "clear of that sin_." In fact, + there was not a witness to get up an indictment against him. + + The Messrs. Averys, who were unlawfully transported out of this + State, have returned to their families in peace; and there seems to + be no ground for contention, no cause for jealousy, and no excuse + for a surmise that any man, woman or child will suffer the least + inconvenience from General Smith, the charter of Nauvoo, the city + of Nauvoo, or even any of her citizens. + + There is nothing for a bone of contention! Even those ordinances + which appear to excite the feeling of some people have recently + been _repealed_; so that if the "intelligent" inhabitants of + Hancock County want peace, want to abide by the governor's advice, + want to have a character abroad grow out of their character at + home, and really mean to follow the Savior's golden rule, "_To do + unto others as they would wish others to do unto them_," they will + be still _now_, and let their own works praise them in the gates of + justice and in the eyes of the surrounding world. Wise men ought to + have understanding enough to conquer men with kindness. + + "A soft answer turns away wrath," says the wise man; and it will be + greatly to the credit of the Latter-day Saints to show the love of + God, by now kindly treating those who may have, in an unconscious + moment, done them wrong; for truly said Jesus, "_Pray for thine + enemies_." + + Humanity towards all, reason and refinement to enforce virtue, and + good for evil are so eminently designed to cure more disorders of + society than an appeal to "arms," or even _argument_ untempered + with _friendship_ and the "one thing needful," that no vision + for the future, guideboard for the distant, or expositor for the + present, need trouble any one with what he ought to do. + + His own good, his family's good, his neighbor's good, his country's + good, and all good seem to whisper to every person--the governor + has told you what to do--_now do it_. + + The Constitution expects every man to do his duty; and when he + fails the law urges him; or, should he do too much, the same master + rebukes him. + + Should reason, liberty, law, light and philanthropy now guide the + destinies of Hancock County with as much sincerity as has been + manifested for her notoriety or welfare, there can be no doubt + that peace, prosperity and happiness will prevail, and that future + generations as well as the present one will call Governor Ford a + peacemaker. The Latter-day Saints will, at all events, and profit + by the instruction, and call upon honest men to help them cherish + all the love, all the friendship, all the courtesy, all the kindly + feelings and all the generosity that ought to characterize _clever + people_ in a clever neighborhood, and leave candid men to judge + which tree exhibits the best fruit--the one with the most clubs and + sticks thrown into its boughs and the grass trodden down under it, + or the one with no sticks in it, some dead limbs and rank grass + growing under it; for by their signs ye can know their fruit, and + by the fruit ye know the trees. + + Our motto, then, is _Peace with all_! If we have joy in the love of + God, let us try to give a reason of that joy, which all the world + cannot gainsay or resist. And may be, like as when Paul started + with recommendations to Damascus to persecute the Saints, some one + who has raised his hand against us with letters to men in high + places may see a light at noonday, above the brightness of the sun, + and hear the voice of Jesus saying, "_It is hard for thee to kick + against the pricks_." + + Intelligence is sometimes the messenger of safety. And, willing to + aid the governor in his laudable endeavors to cultivate peace and + honor the laws, believing that very few of the citizens of Hancock + County will be found in the negative of such a goodly course; and + considering his views a kind of manifesto, or olive leaf, which + shows that there is rest for the soles of the Saints' feet, we give + it a place in the _Neighbor_, wishing it God speed, and saying, + _God bless good men and good measures!_ And as Nauvoo has been, so + it will continue to be, a good city, affording a good market to + a good country; and let those who do not mean to try the way of + transgressors, say "_Amen_." + +In addition to this in a note to the editor of the _Neighbor_, he +advised that he take no further editorial notice of the fulminations +of the editor of the _Warsaw Signal_ against the people of Nauvoo, +but recommended that the advice of Governor Ford be honored, and that +friendship and peace be cultivated with all men. + +The Prophet went further than this. He tendered the olive branch of +peace even to Missouri. He dictated the following to W. W. Phelps which +was published under the title-- + + A FRIENDLY HINT TO MISSOURI. + + One of the most pleasing scenes that can transpire on earth, when + a sin has been committed by one person against another, is, _to + forgive that sin_; and then, according to the sublime and perfect + pattern of the Savior, pray to our Father in heaven _to forgive + also_. + + Verily, verily, such a friendly rebuke is like the mellow zephyr + of summer's eve--it soothes, it cheers and gladdens the heart + of the humane and the savage. Well might the wise man exclaim, + "A soft answer turneth away wrath;" for men of sense, judgment, + and observation, in all the various periods of time, have been + witnesses, figuratively speaking, that _water, not wood, checks the + rage of fire_. + + Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called + the children of God." Wherefore, if the nation, a single state, + community, or family ought to be grateful for anything, _it is + peace_. + + Peace, lovely child of heaven!--peace, like light from the same + great parent, gratifies, animates, and happifies the just and the + unjust; and is the very essence of happiness below, and bliss above. + + He that does not strive with all his powers of body and mind, + with all his influence at home and abroad, and to cause others to + do so too, to seek peace and maintain it for his own benefit and + convenience, and for the honor of his State, nation, and country, + has no claim on the clemency of man; nor should he be entitled to + the friendship of woman or the protection of government. + + He is the canker-worm to gnaw his own vitals, and the vulture to + prey upon his own body; and he is, as to his own prospects and + prosperity in life, a _felo-de-se_ of his own pleasure. + + A community of such beings are not far from hell on earth, and + should be let alone as unfit for the smiles of the free or the + praise of the brave. * * * * * * + + So much to preface this friendly hint to the State of Missouri; + for, notwithstanding some of her private citizens and public + officers have committed violence, robbery, and even murder upon + the rights and persons of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day + Saints, yet compassion, dignity, and a sense of the principles of + religion among all classes, and honor and benevolence, mingled + with charity by high-minded patriots, lead me to suppose that + there are many worthy people in that State who will use their + influence and energies to bring about a settlement of all those old + difficulties, and use all consistent means to urge the State, for + her honor, prosperity, and good name, to restore every person she + or her citizens have expelled from her limits, to their rights, + and pay them all damage, that the great body of high-minded and + well-disposed Southern and Western gentlemen and ladies--the real + peacemakers of a western world, will go forth, good Samaritan-like, + and pour in the oil and wine, till all that can be healed are made + whole; and, after repentance, they shall be forgiven; for verily + the Scriptures say, "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that + repents, more than over ninety-and-nine just persons that need + no repentance." * * * * * * + + When you meditate upon the massacre at Haun's mill, forget not that + the constitution of your State holds this broad truth to the world, + that none shall "be deprived of _life, liberty, or property_, but + by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land." + + And when you assemble together in towns, countries, or districts, + whether to petition your legislature to pay the damage the Saints + have sustained in your State, by reason of oppression and misguided + zeal, or to restore them to their rights according to Republican + principles and benevolent designs, reflect, and make honorable, + or annihilate, such statute law as was in force in your State in + 1838,--viz., "If twelve or more persons shall combine to levy war + against any part of the people of this State, or to remove forcibly + out of the State or from their habitations, evidenced by taking + arms and assembling to accomplish such purpose, every person so + offending shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for + a period not exceeding five years, or by a fine not exceeding five + thousand dollars, and imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding + six months." + + Finally, if honor dignifies an honest people, if virtue exalts + a community, if wisdom guides great men, if principle governs + intelligent beings, if humanity spreads comfort among the needy, + and if religion affords consolation by showing that charity is + the first, best, and sweetest token of perfect love, then, O ye + good people of Missouri, like the woman in Scripture _who had lost + one of her ten pieces of silver_, arise, search diligently till + you find the lost piece, and then make a feast, and call in your + friends for joy. + + With due consideration, + I am the friend of all good men, + JOSEPH SMITH. + + Nauvoo, Ill., March 8, 1843. + +Surely this was going as far in the interests of peace as men or God +could require him to go; but alas! there was to be no peace. + +Footnotes + +1. Matt. x: 34-40. + +2. August, 1833, Doc. & Cov. Sec. xcviii. + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +"IN PERIL AMONG FALSE BRETHREN." + +THE winter of 1843-4 was big with events affecting the destinies +of Nauvoo. During that winter were set on foot conspiracies which +culminated in the destruction of Nauvoo. Men who stood nearest to the +Prophet Joseph, and who were bound in honor to defend his life, not +bare the knives that were to strike him down, combined together in +secret covenant for his overthrow. + +Owing to the constant efforts of the Prophet's enemies in Missouri, +to capture him and drag him to Missouri where he might be murdered +with impunity, the force of police in Nauvoo was increased by the +appointment of forty night-guards to patrol the city. These made it +less convenient for the conspirators, who worked, as men ever do when +engaged in such business--in the darkness. The night guards several +times came in contact with men moving about the city in a manner +which, to say the least, was suspicious; and soon complaints were +made by these same parties that the city government was arbitrary and +oppressive; they claimed that these night-watchmen threatened their +peace and even started rumors that Joseph had appointed them for the +purpose of intimidation. + +Among others who complained of the appointment of night-watchmen was +William Marks, president of the Nauvoo stake. Joseph, in the course +of a speech made at a meeting of the city council at the time of +the appointment of the special watchmen, referred to the danger of +invasion from Missouri and incidentally remarked: "We have a Judas +in our midst." This gave great offense to both William Marks and +the Law brothers. The Prophet in his journal, when speaking of the +circumstance, says: "What can be the matter with these men? Is it that +the wicked flee when no man pursueth, that hit pigeons always flutter, +that drowning men clutch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks +are absolutely traitors to The Church, that my remarks should produce +such excitement in their minds? Can it be possible that the traitor +whom Porter Rockwell reports to me as being in correspondence with my +Missouri enemies is one of my quorum [the First Presidency]? The people +in the town were astonished, almost every man saying to his neighbor, +'Is it possible that Brother Law or Marks is a traitor, and would +deliver Brother Joseph into the hands of his enemies in Missouri?' If +not what can be the meaning of all this? The righteous are bold as a +lion." [1] + +In the spring of 1844, the Prophet was apprised by two young men, +Denison L. Harris and Robert Scott, the latter living in the family of +William Law, of a secret movement then on foot to take his life, and +the lives of several other leading men of The Church; among them the +Prophet's brother, Hyrum. These young men were invited to the secret +meetings by the conspirators, but before going, conferred with the +Prophet, who told them to go, but to take no part in the proceedings of +these wicked men against himself. They carried out his advice, and at +the risk of their lives attended the secret meetings three times, and +brought to Joseph a report of what they had witnessed. [2] + +In addition to the testimonies of these young men was that of M. G. +Eaton, who expressed a willingness to make affidavit that there was a +plot laid to kill Joseph Smith and others, and would give the names +of those who had concocted it. There was also one A. B. Williams who +said the same thing. These men went before Daniel H. Wells, at the +time a justice of the peace, and made affidavit that such a plot as I +have spoken of existed. In their statements they named as leaders of +the movement, Chauncey L. Higbee, R. D. Foster, Joseph H. Jackson, and +William and Wilson Law. These names correspond with those given by the +young men before alluded to, except they also name Austin Cowles, a +member of the High Council, at Nauvoo, as one of the active and leading +conspirators. + +These statements were shortly confirmed by the action of the +conspirators themselves, as they soon came out in open as well as +secret opposition to the leading Church authorities; and in March a +number of them were excommunicated for unchristianlike conduct. Among +the number was William Law, a member in the First Presidency, his +brother Wilson Law; the Higbee brothers, Chauncey L., and Francis M., +and Dr. Robert D. Foster. + +An effort was made by these apostates to organize a church after the +pattern of the true Church, by the appointment of apostles, prophets, +presidents, etc., but it failed miserably, their following was +insignificant. These men were desperately wicked; in addition to gross +licentiousness they were guilty of theft and of counterfeiting money. +They brought much reproach upon the city of Nauvoo, since their crimes +were traced to her borders, and that fact went far towards undoing the +city's reputation abroad. But though these men at one time, and indeed +up to the time of their excommunication, held high official positions +in The Church and the city, their wickedness was not sustained either +by The Church laws or by the members of The Church, or citizens of +Nauvoo. It was known that there existed a band of desperate men within +the city, and these parties were suspected, but it required some time +to obtain proof sufficiently positive to act upon; and where the +counterfeiting was done was never learned. + +The mask having at last fallen from the faces of this coterie of +men, they joined with the avowed enemies of the Saints outside of +Nauvoo, and openly advocated the repeal of the city charter, which +but a short time before they had assisted to obtain. They violated on +several occasions the city ordinances, resisted the city officers, +and threatened the life of the mayor. These disturbances led to the +arrests and trials before the municipal court, from which the accused +generally appealed to the circuit courts; and retaliated by counter +arrests of the city authorities for false imprisonment, defamation of +character, etc. In all these cases the power of the municipal courts +to grant writs of _habeas corpus_ was freely exercised, and released +the city authorities, as the actions were malicious, and without +sufficient cause on which to base the complaints. Thus the affairs of +Nauvoo became more and more complicated, and the bitterness constantly +increased. + +At last the disaffected parties imported a press into the city and +proposed publishing a paper to be called the _Nauvoo Expositor_. It +avowed its intention in the prospectus it published to agitate for +the repeal of the Nauvoo charter, and also announced that since its +position in the city of the Saints afforded it opportunities of being +familiar with the abuses that prevailed, its publishers intended to +give a full, candid and succinct statement of facts as they really +existed in the city of Nauvoo, regardless of whose standing in the +community might be imperiled. The proprietors of the paper were the +band of conspirators already named, and Sylvester Emmons was employed +as editor. + +The first, and indeed the only number of the _Expositor_ was published +on the seventh day of June, 1844, and contained a most scandalous +attack upon the most respectable citizens of Nauvoo. It at once filled +the entire city with indignation, and the city council immediately took +into consideration what would be the best method of dealing with it. +The result of the council's meditations was this: Blackstone declared +a libelous press a nuisance; the city charter gave to city authorities +the power to declare what should be considered a nuisance and to +prevent and remove the same; therefore it was + + _Resolved_, by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that the + printing office from whence issues the _Nauvoo Expositor_ is a + public nuisance, and also all of said _Nauvoo Expositors_, which + may be or exist, in said establishment; and the mayor is instructed + to cause said printing establishment and papers to be removed + without delay, in such manner as he may direct. + +On receiving this order the mayor issued instructions to the city +marshal to destroy the press without delay, and at the same time gave +orders to Jonathan Dunham, acting Major-General of the Nauvoo Legion, +to assist the marshal with the Legion if called upon to do so. + +The marshal with a small force of men appeared before the _Expositor_ +printing establishment, informed one or more of the proprietors of the +character of his mission, and demanded entrance into the building to +carry out his instructions from the mayor. This was denied and the door +locked; whereupon the marshal broke in the door, carried out the press, +broke it in the street, pied the type and burned all the papers found +in the office, and then reported to the mayor, who sent an account of +these proceedings to the governor of the State. + +This act enraged the conspirators to a higher pitch of desperation. +They set fire to their buildings and then fled to Carthage, the county +seat of Hancock County, with the lie in their mouths that their lives +were in danger in Nauvoo, and that they were driven away from their +homes. Fortunately the police discovered the flames started by these +incendiaries in time to extinguish them, so that they failed to have +the smoking ruins of their own houses to support their story; but their +misrepresentations spread like wild-fire and inflamed the public mind, +already blinded with prejudice against the people of Nauvoo, to a point +which made violence almost certain. + +Francis M. Higbee made a complaint before Thomas Morrison, a justice of +the peace, against Joseph Smith and all the members of the Nauvoo city +council for riot committed in destroying the anti-Mormon press. The +warrant issued by the justice was served by Constable Bettisworth upon +Joseph Smith at Nauvoo. It required him and the others named in the +warrant to go before the justice issuing the warrant, "_or some other +justice of the peace_." Joseph called the attention of the constable +to this clause in the writ, and expressed a willingness to go before +Esquire Johnson, or any other justice of the peace in Nauvoo. But +Bettisworth was determined to take Joseph to Carthage before Justice +Morrison, who had issued the writ. Joseph was equally determined not to +go, and petitioned the municipal court for a writ of _habeas corpus_ +which was granted, and under it the prisoner was honorably discharged. +The other parties mentioned in the writ followed his example and were +also discharged. + +Meantime indignation meetings were held first at Warsaw, and afterwards +in Carthage. The men who had used their uttermost endeavors, for more +than two years to incite the people to acts of mob violence against the +Saints, had now a popular war cry--"unhallowed hands had been laid upon +the liberty of the press." "The law had ceased to be a protection to +lives or property in Nauvoo!" "A mob at Nauvoo, under a city ordinance +had violated the highest privilege in the government; and to seek +redress in the ordinary mode would be utterly ineffectual." Therefore +those in attendance upon these meetings adopted resolutions announcing +themselves at all times ready to co-operate with their fellow-citizens +in Missouri and Iowa to exterminate, _utterly exterminate_ the wicked +and abominable Mormon leaders, the authors of their troubles. + +Committees were appointed to notify all persons in the respective +townships suspected of being the "tools of the Prophet to leave +immediately, on pain of _instant vengeance_." And it was further +recommended that the adherents of Joseph Smith as a body, be "driven +from the surrounding settlements into Nauvoo; that the Prophet and +his miscreant adherents should then be demanded at their hands; and, +if not surrendered, a war of entire extermination should be waged to +the entire destruction, if necessary for the mob's protection, of his +adherents; and to carry out these resolutions every citizen was called +upon to arm himself." + +The mass meeting at Carthage, which had adopted the Warsaw resolutions +was in full blast when the news arrived of the failure of Constable +Bettisworth, to drag the Prophet into their midst. This increased the +excitement, and poured more gall into the cup of bitterness. It was +resolved that the "riot" in Nauvoo was still progressing, and of such +a serious character as to demand executive interference; and therefore +two discreet citizens were appointed to go to Springfield and lay the +case before Governor Ford. But this appeal to the executive was not to +interfere with the resolutions before passed--active preparations for +the extermination of the Mormons were to be continued. + +The authorities at Nauvoo also dispatched trusty messengers to Governor +Ford with truthful accounts of their proceedings, both as regards the +destruction of the press and their action in refusing to accompany +Constable Bettisworth to Carthage, that he might not be misled by a +false representation of the case, or influenced by the thousand and one +falsehoods that had been set on foot by the enemies of the Saints. + +Both parties then appealed to the executive of the State: the mob for +assistance to carry out their murderous designs, and to give their +proceedings a coloring of lawful authority, and the citizens of Nauvoo +for protection against the combinations of their avowed enemies bent +upon, and publicly pledged to their extermination. + +Without waiting the issue of this appeal, however, the mob forces +in Carthage, Warsaw and other localities began active operations by +sending their committees to the settlements of the Saints outside +of Nauvoo, and threatening them with destruction if they did not +accept one of three propositions: first, deny that Joseph Smith was +a Prophet of God, and take up arms and accompany the mob to arrest +him; second, gather up their effects and forthwith remove to the +city of Nauvoo; third, give up their arms and remain quiet until the +pending difficulties should be settled by the expulsion of their +friends. Usually a few days were given the people to consider these +propositions, which were utilized by the people in conferring with the +Prophet, to know what he advised under the circumstances. The advice +given, in its general purport was to yield up none of their rights as +American citizens to the demand of mobocrats, but to maintain their +rights wherever they were strong enough to resist the mob forces, and +when they were not strong enough, retreat to Nauvoo. + +Besides the reports which came to Nauvoo from the Saints who were +threatened, the air was filled with rumors of mob forces collecting on +every hand. Great excitement was reported to exist in upper Missouri, +the part of that State from which the Saints had been driven but six +years before; and it was reported that the Missourians were going over +into Illinois in large numbers to assist the anti-Mormons in and around +Carthage. That arms and ammunition were sent over the Mississippi to +the mob, is quite certain; and it is also known that Walter Bagley, the +tax-collector for Hancock County, had spent some time in Missouri as +an anti-Mormon agent and agitator; seeking to bring about a concerted +action between the old enemies of the Saints, and those of like ilk in +Illinois. + +While these hostile preparations were being made for his destruction, +and the extermination of his people, those at all acquainted with the +temperament of the Prophet Joseph, might well know that he was not +idle. He kept an efficient corps of clerks busy copying reports and +affidavits of threatened violence and insurrection, and sent them +to the governor, whom he petitioned to come to Nauvoo and in person +investigate the causes of the disturbance. Information was also sent to +the President of the United States, acquainting him with the prospects +of an insurrection, and an invasion of Illinois by Missourians, and +asking him for protection. + +Nor was Joseph and his associates neglectful of anything that would +have a tendency to allay the excitement. Jesse B. Thomas, judge of +the circuit in which Hancock County was located, advised him to go +before some justice of the peace of the county and have an examination +of the charges specified in the writ issued by justice Morrison of +Carthage, and that would take away all excuse for a mob, and he would +be bound to order them to keep the peace. Some advised the Prophet to +go to Carthage, but that he emphatically refused to do. But he and all +others named in justice Morrison's warrant went before Squire Wells, a +non-Mormon justice of the peace, and after a thorough investigation of +the case were acquitted. + +In addition to these movements, a mass meeting was held in Nauvoo, +at which John Taylor was chairman. Pacific resolutions were adopted, +denying the misrepresentations of the apostates, and appointing men to +go to the neighboring towns and settlements to present the truth to the +people and allay excitement. These men were authorized to say that the +members of the city council charged with riot and the violation of law, +were willing to go before the circuit court for an investigation of +their conduct in respect to the _Nauvoo Expositor_, and refused not to +be bound over for such a hearing. But when this announcement was made +and it was learned that Judge Thomas had advised this course to allay +excitement, the mob threatened that a committee would wait upon the +judge and give him a coat of tar and feathers for giving such advice. + +These pacific measures appearing to have little or no effect, and +active preparations for hostilities continuing on the part of the +enemy, Nauvoo was placed under martial law; the Legion was mustered +into service, and Joseph in person took command of it. He was in full +uniform when he appeared before the Legion, and mounting an unfinished +frame building near the Mansion, he took occasion to address the +Legion and the people for about an hour and a half; during which time +he reviewed the events that had brought upon Nauvoo the issue that +confronted them. + +To dispel any illusion that any of them might have that he was the only +one threatened, he said: + + It is thought by some that our enemies would be satisfied by my + destruction, but I tell you as soon as they have shed my blood, + they will thirst for the blood of every man in whose heart dwells + a single spark of the spirit of the fullness of the Gospel. The + opposition of these men is moved by the spirit of the adversary of + all righteousness. It is not only to destroy me, but every man and + woman who dares believe the doctrines that God hath inspired me to + teach to this generation-- + +Words which subsequent events will prove to have been prophetic. He +also said: + + We have forwarded a particular account of all our doings to the + governor. We are ready to obey his commands, and we expect that + protection at his hands which we know to be our just due. + +We may add also, that when a petition was sent to the governor to come +to Nauvoo in person to investigate the cause of the disturbance, the +service of the Legion was tendered him to keep the peace. But that +Joseph had come to a settled determination to maintain the rights of +the people at all hazards, and submit no longer to mob violence, may be +clearly understood from the spirit of these extracts from the speech +made to the Legion on the occasion of his taking command of it. + + We are American citizens. We live upon a soil for the liberties of + which our fathers periled their lives and split their blood upon + the battlefield. Those rights so dearly purchased shall not be + disgracefully trodden under foot by lawless marauders without at + least a noble effort on our part to sustain our liberties. Will you + stand by me to the death, and sustain at the peril of our lives, + the laws of our country, and the liberties and privileges which our + fathers have transmitted unto us, sealed with their sacred blood? + (Thousands shouted aye!) It is well. If you had not done it, I + would have gone out there, (pointing to the west) and would have + raised up a mighty people. + + I call upon all men from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, and from + Mexico to British America, whose hearts thrill with horror to + behold the rights of free men trampled under foot, to come to the + deliverance of this people from the cruel hand of oppression, + cruelty, anarchy and misrule to which they have long been made + subject. * * * I call upon God and angels to witness that I have + unsheathed my sword with a firm and unalterable determination that + this people shall have their legal rights and shall be protected + from mob violence, or my blood shall be split upon the ground like + water, and my body be consigned to the silent tomb. While I live, I + will never tamely submit to the dominion of cursed mobocracy. + +There was much more of a like tenor, but this is sufficient to show +the determination of the Prophet not to submit to the mobs then rising +about him; and the people warmly seconded his resolution. + +At this juncture Joseph requested his brother Hyrum to take his family +and go with them to Cincinnati. But Hyrum demurred and said, "Joseph, +I can't leave you!" Joseph, turning to a number of brethren present, +said: "I wish I could get Hyrum out of the way, so that he may live to +avenge my blood, and I will stay with you and see it out." But Hyrum +Smith was not the kind of man to leave his brother now that the hour +of his severest trial had come upon him. His noble nature revolted +at the thought, and though the spirit had doubtless whispered Joseph +that his life and that of Hyrum's would be sacrificed in the impending +crisis, his pathetic words, "Joseph, I can't leave you!" bear testimony +to the nobility of the soul that uttered them, and is a witness to +the strength of those bonds of love that bound him to his younger +brother. Moreover, in consequence of the Prophet's premonitions of his +approaching martyrdom, he had ordained his brother Hyrum to succeed him +in the presidency of The Church; and hence this consideration as well +as his affectionate regard for him as a brother doubtless led him to +try to get Hyrum out of harm's way. [3] + +Word was sent to Brigham Young, then on a mission in the eastern +States, to return to Nauvoo, and to communicate with the other Apostles +and request them also to return to Nauvoo, as likewise all the Elders, +and as many more good, faithful men as felt disposed to accompany them, +to assist the Saints. Thus every effort was being put forth by the +people of Nauvoo to resist oppression and maintain their rights. + +Footnotes + +1. Millennial Star, volume xxii: page 631. This Wm. Marks afterwards +was prominent among those who induced the Prophet to come back and +deliver himself up to his enemies after the Prophet had started west. +After the Prophet's death he joined the apostate James J. Strang in his +attempt to lead The Church, and still later was a principal factor in +bringing into existence the "Josephite" or "Reorganized Church." See +the author's work on "Succession in the Presidency of The Church." + +2. A full account of this conspiracy written by Horace Cummings was +published in the Contributor, vol. v. + +3. "If Hyrum had lived he would not have stood between Joseph and the +Twelve, but he would have stood for Joseph. Did Joseph ordain any man +to take his place? He did. Who was it? It was Hyrum. But Hyrum fell a +martyr before Joseph did."--_Brigham Young_, in a speech at the October +conference at Nauvoo, 1844. In _Times and Seasons_, Vol. v. p. 683. + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEMANDS OF GOVERNOR FORD. + +IN the midst of these preparations, a message was received from +Governor Ford, stating that he had arrived in Carthage in the interests +of peace, and hoped to be able to avert the evils of war by his +presence; and that he might the better judge of the situation he asked +that well-informed and discreet persons be sent to him at Carthage, +where he had established for the time his headquarters. This request +of the governor's was gladly complied with on the part of the people +of Nauvoo; and John Taylor and Dr. J. M. Bernhisel were appointed to +represent their version of the situation, and for that purpose were +furnished with a copy of the proceedings of the city council, and the +affidavits of a number of citizens bearing on the subjects that would +likely be discussed. + +These representatives of the citizens of Nauvoo, found the governor +surrounded by their enemies--the Laws, Fosters, and Higbees, besides +others living at Warsaw and Carthage. The only audience given to +Messrs. Taylor and Bernhisel was in the presence of these parties, by +whom they were frequently interrupted in the most insulting manner, and +the parties insulting and abusing them were unchecked by Governor Ford. + +After the governor had heard the statements of these gentlemen and +read the documents presented by them, he sent a written communication +to the mayor, Joseph Smith, in which he said that by destroying the +_Expositor_ press, the city council of Nauvoo had committed a gross +outrage upon the laws and liberties of the people, and had violated the +Constitution in several particulars. He also claimed that the municipal +court of Nauvoo had exceeded its authority in granting writs of _habeas +corpus_. He accepted the statement of the mob at Carthage that Joseph +Smith refused to be tried by any other court than the municipal court +of Nauvoo, although he had before him the most positive proof that +Joseph was willing to go before any justice of the peace in Hancock +County, except Justice Morrison of Carthage, where an angry mob had +collected, and were threatening his destruction, and since the warrant +was made returnable to the magistrate who issued it, or any other +justice in the county, the Prophet expressed a willingness to go before +any other justice, but very properly refused to go to Carthage. He was +even willing to be bound over to appear in the circuit court to answer +for the part he took in abating the _Expositor_ press as a nuisance. +Yet in the face of these facts--in the face of the fact that all the +parties charged with riot had appeared before D. H. Wells, a justice of +the peace and a non-Mormon, and after investigation were acquitted--yet +the governor charged the members of the city council with refusing +to appear before any other than the municipal court of Nauvoo for an +investigation. He demanded that the mayor and all persons in Nauvoo +accused or sued submit in all cases implicitly to the process of the +courts and to interpose no obstacles to an arrest, either by writ of +_habeas corpus_ or otherwise. And in the case of the mayor and a number +of the city council charged with riot, he required that they should +be arrested by the same constable, by virtue of the same warrant, and +tried before the same magistrate, whose authority he insisted had been +resisted. "Nothing short of this," he added, "can vindicate the dignity +of violated law, and allay the just excitement of the people." Messrs. +Taylor and Bernhisel called his attention to the state of excitement in +Carthage, and informed him that there were men there bent on killing +the Prophet, and that to ensure his safety it would be necessary for +him to be accompanied by an armed force which would doubtless provoke +a collision. In answer to this the governor advised them to bring no +arms, and pledged his faith as governor, and that of the State, to +protect those who should go to Carthage for trial. He also made the +same pledge in his written communication to Joseph. + +The conduct of the governor in thus adopting the reports of the enemies +of the citizens of Nauvoo, and menacing the city with destruction, if +his arbitrary commands were not complied with, created no small amount +of astonishment in Nauvoo. Joseph, however, wrote a courteous reply, +corrected the governor's errors, and also represented that the city +council of Nauvoo had acted on their best judgment, aided by the best +legal advice they could procure; but if a mistake had been made they +were willing to make all things right; but asked that the mob might be +dispersed, that their lives might not be endangered while on trial. +Relative to going to Carthage, however, Joseph pointed out the fact +that the governor himself in his written communication had expressed +his fears that he could not control the mob; "in which case," he went +on to say, "we are left to the mercy of the merciless. Sir, we dare not +come for our lives would be in danger, and we are guilty of no crime." + +On a hasty consultation with his brother Hyrum, Dr. Richards, and +Messrs. Taylor and Bernhisel, after the return of the latter from their +conference with Governor Ford it was decided that Joseph should proceed +to Washington and lay the case before President Tyler, and he informed +Governor Ford of this intention in the letter above referred to. That +plan, however, at a subsequent council meeting was abandoned; as Joseph +received an inspiration to go to the West, and all would be well. He +said to the trusted brethren in that council: + + The way is open. It is clear to my mind what to do. All they + want is Hyrum and myself; then tell everybody to go about their + business, and not collect in groups, but scatter about. There is + no danger; they will come here and search for us. Let them search; + they will not harm you in person or in property, and not even a + hair of your head. We will cross the river tonight and go away to + the West. + +This was between nine and ten o'clock on the night of the twenty-second +of June, and preparations were at once entered into to carry out +this impression of the Spirit. W. W. Phelps was instructed to take +the families of the Prophet and his brother to Cincinnati; and that +night O. P. Rockwell rowed Joseph, Hyrum and Dr. Richards over the +Mississippi to Montrose, and then returned with instructions to procure +horses for them and make all necessary preparations to start for "the +great basin in the Rocky Mountains." + +About ten o'clock the next day the governor's _posse_ arrived in Nauvoo +to arrest Joseph, but not finding him it returned to Carthage, leaving +a man by the name of Yates to watch for the Prophet's appearing. This +man said that if the mayor and his brother were not given up, the +governor had expressed a determination to send his troops into the city +and guard it until they were found, if it took three years. + +At this crisis, some of Joseph's friends instead of rendering him all +possible assistance to escape from his enemies, complained of his +conduct as cowardly and entreated him to return to Nauvoo and not leave +them like a false shepherd leaves his flock when the wolves attack +them. The parties most forward in making this charge of cowardice were +Reynolds Cahoon, L. D. Wasson and Hiram Kimball. Emma Smith, his wife, +also sent a letter by the hand of Reynolds Cahoon, entreating him to +return and give himself up, trusting to the pledges of the governor for +a fair trial. Influenced by these entreaties to return, and stung by +the taunts of cowardice from those who should have been his friends, +he said: "If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of none to +myself." And after a brief consultation with Rockwell and his brother +Hyrum, against his better judgment, and with the conviction fixed in +his soul that he would be killed, he resolved to return; and crossed +over the river that evening to Nauvoo. + +His first act after arriving in the beautiful city of which he was +the chief founder, was to send word to the governor, by the hand of +Theodore Turley and Jedediah M. Grant that he would be ready to go +to Carthage as early on the morrow as his (the governor's) _posse_ +could meet him--provided he could be assured a fair trial, and his +witnesses not be abused. That message was delivered to the governor, +and he decided at once to send a _posse_ to escort Joseph and his +party to Carthage; but through the influence which Wilson Law, Joseph +H. Jackson and others of like character had over him, he changed his +good intention of sending a _posse_, and ordered Joseph's messengers to +return that night with orders to him to be in Carthage the next day by +ten o'clock without an escort; and he threatened that if Joseph did not +give himself up by that time, Nauvoo would be destroyed. + +Owing to the jaded condition of their horses the messengers did not +reach Nauvoo until daylight of the twenty-fourth. After the orders of +the governor were delivered, the faithful brethren who reported them +began to warn the Prophet against trusting himself in the hands of his +enemies, but he stopped them and would not hear them further--he had +decided on his course. + +Early on the morning of the twenty-fourth Joseph and the members +of the city council, against whom complaints had been made before +Justice Morrison, accompanied by a few friends, started for Carthage +to give themselves up. As they passed the temple, the party paused, +and the Prophet looked with admiration upon the noble edifice and the +glorious landscape, which everywhere from that spot greets the eye, +and then said: "This is the loveliest place, and the best people under +the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them!" On the +outskirts of the city they passed the home of Squire D. H. Wells, who +at the time was sick. Joseph dismounted and called to see him. At +parting the Prophet said to him cheerfully: "Squire Wells, I wish you +to cherish my memory, and not think me the worst man in the world, +either." + +About ten o'clock the party arrived within four miles of Carthage and +there met a company of sixty mounted militiamen under the command of +Captain Dunn, on their way to Nauvoo with orders from Governor Ford to +demand the State arms in possession of the Nauvoo Legion. It was on the +occasion of meeting these troops that Joseph uttered those prophetic +words: + +"_I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's +morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards +all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me--he was +murdered in cold blood_." + +At the request of Captain Dunn he countersigned the governor's order +for the State arms. But the captain prevailed upon him to return to +Nauvoo and assist in collecting the arms, promising that afterwards +the militia under his command should escort himself and party into +Carthage, and he would protect them even at the risk of his own life, +to which his men assented by three hearty cheers. It is supposed that +Captain Dunn feared the people in Nauvoo might become exasperated and +resent the indignity offered them in demanding the surrender of the +State arms. Hence his anxiety to have Joseph return. A message was sent +to the governor informing him of this new move. + +The arms were collected without any difficulty, though the people +unwillingly surrendered them, since disarming them and allowing their +enemies who had vowed their extermination to keep their arms, smacked +of treachery; but the order of the governor and of their Prophet-leader +was complied with. + +The arms were taken to the Masonic Hall and stacked up, +Quartermaster-General Buckmaster receiving them. + +This demand for the State arms stirred the fiery indignation of Squire +Wells to the very depths of his soul. He arose from his bed of sickness +and carried what State arms he had--a pair of horse-pistols--to the +appointed place, and threw them at the feet of Officer Buckmaster with +the remark, "There's your arms!" Then as he glared at the officer, he +said: "I have a pair of epaulets at home, and I have never disgraced +them, either," and, too full of righteous wrath for further speech, he +walked away. + +The arms collected, Captain Dunn thanked the people for their +promptness in complying with the demands of the governor, and promised +them that while they conducted themselves in such a peaceable manner +they should be protected. The company of militia accompanied by Joseph +and his party started for Carthage about six o'clock in the evening. + +Passing the Masonic Hall where a number of the citizens of Nauvoo still +lingered, having been attracted there to witness the surrender of the +State arms, the Prophet Joseph raised his hat and said: "Boys, if I +don't come back, take care of yourselves. I am going like a lamb to the +slaughter." When the company was passing his farm Joseph stopped and +looked at it for a long time. Then after he had passed he turned and +looked again, and yet again several times. His action occasioned some +remarks by several of the company, to which, in reply he said: "If some +of you had such a farm, and knew you would not see it any more, you +would want to take a good look at it for the last time." + +It was midnight when the party entered Carthage, but a militia company +encamped on the public square--the Carthage Greys--were aroused and +gave vent to profane threats as the company passed, of which the +following is a specimen: "Where's the d--n Prophet?" "Stand away, you +McDonough boys, [1] and let us shoot the d--n Mormons!" "G--d d--n you, +old Joe, we've got you now!" "Clear the way, and let us have a view of +Joe Smith, the Prophet of God. He has seen the last of Nauvoo, we'll +use him up now!" + +Amid such profanity and abuse, and violent threats, much of which was +overheard by Governor Ford, the Prophet's party proceeded to Hamilton's +hotel, which it entered and took quarters for the night. Under the same +roof were sheltered the wicked apostates of Nauvoo, J. H. Jackson, the +Foster brothers, the Higbees and the Laws, besides other desperate men +who had sworn to take the life of the Prophet. + +The crowd which had followed the Nauvoo party from the public square +still hung round the Hamilton House yelling and cursing, and acting +like ravenous beasts hungry for their prey. Governor Ford pushed up a +window and thus addressed them: "Gentlemen, I know your great anxiety +to see Mr. Smith, which is natural enough, but it is quite too late +tonight for you to have that opportunity; but I assure you, gentlemen, +you shall have that privilege tomorrow morning, as I will cause him +to pass before the troops upon the square, and I now wish you, with +this assurance, quietly and peaceably to return to your quarters." In +answer to this there was a faint "Hurrah, for Tom Ford," and the crowd +withdrew. They could afford to wait. God's servants were in the hands +of the merciless. + +Footnotes + +1. Captain Dunn's company was composed chiefly of men from McDonough +County, hence the remark. + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +THE MARTYRDOM. + +EARLY in the morning following their entrance into Carthage, Joseph, +his brother Hyrum and the other members of the Nauvoo city council +named in the warrant of arrest sworn out by the Higbees, voluntarily +surrendered themselves to constable Bettisworth. Shortly afterwards the +Prophet was again arrested by the same constable on a charge of treason +against the State and people of Illinois, on the oath of Augustine +Spencer. Hyrum was arrested on a similar charge, sworn out by Henry O. +Norton. And thus the difficulties thickened. + +Soon after the second arrest, Governor Ford presented himself at their +rooms at the Hamilton house, and requested Joseph to accompany him, +as he desired to present him to the troops, to whom he had promised +the night before a view of the Prophet. The troops had been drawn up +in two lines and Joseph and Hyrum linking arms with Brigadier-General +Miner R. Deming passed down them, accompanied by their friends and +a company of Carthage Greys. They were introduced as General Joseph +and General Hyrum Smith. The Carthage Greys, a few minutes before, at +the headquarters of General Deming, had revolted and behaved in an +uproarious manner, but were pacified by the governor, and accompanied +him, General Deming and the Prophet and his party to where the other +troops were drawn up in line. Here they again revolted because the +Brothers Smith were introduced to the troops from McDonough County +as "Generals" Smith. Some of the officers of the Carthage Greys +threw up their hats, drew their swords and said they would introduce +themselves to "the d--ned Mormons in a different style." They were +again pacified by the governor, who promised them "full" satisfaction. +But they continued to act in such an insubordinate manner that General +Deming put them under arrest, [1] but afterwards released them without +punishment. + +Shortly after this episode with the Carthage Greys, a number of the +officers of other militia companies and other gentlemen curious to see +the Prophet crowded into the hotel. Joseph took occasion to ask them +if there was anything in his appearance to indicate that he was the +desperate character his enemies represented him to be. To which they +replied, "No, sir, your appearance would indicate the very contrary, +General Smith; but we cannot see what is in your heart, neither can +we tell what are your intentions." "Very true, gentlemen," quickly +replied the Prophet, "you cannot see what is in my heart, and you are +therefore unable to judge me or my intentions; but I can see what is in +your hearts, and will tell you what I see. I can see that you thirst +for blood, and nothing but my blood will satisfy you. It is not for +crime of any description that I and my brethren are thus continually +persecuted, and harassed by our enemies, but there are other motives, +and some of them I have expressed, so far as relates to myself; and +inasmuch as you and the people thirst for blood, I prophesy in the name +of the Lord that you shall witness scenes of blood and sorrow to your +entire satisfaction. Your souls shall be perfectly satiated with blood, +and many of you who are now present shall have an opportunity to face +the cannon's mouth from sources you think not of, and those people that +desire this great evil upon me and my brethren shall be filled with +sorrow because of the scenes of desolation and distress that await +them. They shall seek for peace and shall not be able to find it. +Gentlemen, you will find what I have told you will come true." [2] + +The members of the Nauvoo city council under arrest for riot, in +destroying the _Expositor_ press, were taken before R. F. Smith, +justice of the peace and also captain of the Carthage Greys. It +will be remembered perhaps that Governor Ford had told Joseph, in a +communication referred to in the last chapter, that nothing but his +appearing before Justice Morrison, who issued the writ against him +would vindicate the majesty of the law, but now the prisoners were at +Carthage where Justice Morrison lived, and could have appeared before +him, and were willing to do so, they were taken before another justice. + +In order to avoid increasing the excitement, the prisoners admitted +there was sufficient cause to be bound over to appear at the next term +of the circuit court for Hancock County. The bonds amounted to seven +thousand five hundred dollars. + +Justice Smith dismissed his court without taking any action on the +charge of treason under which the Brothers Smith were still held; but +about eight o'clock the same evening, Constable Bettisworth appeared +at their lodgings at the Hamilton House and insisted on their going to +jail. The Prophet demanded to see the copy of the mittimus which was at +first denied; but upon his counsel--Messrs Woods & Reid--informing the +constable that the accused were entitled to a hearing before a justice, +before they could be sent to jail, to the surprise of all present he +produced a mittimus, issued by Justice R. F. Smith. It stated that +Joseph and Hyrum Smith were under arrest charged with treason; "and +have been," so the paper read, "brought before me, a justice of the +peace, in and for said county, for trial at the seat of justice hereof, +which trial has been necessarily postponed, by reason of the absence of +material witnesses." Now, this mittimus, so far as it related to the +prisoners appearing before Justice Smith was an infamous falsehood, +"unless," as Lawyer Reid says, in the account he published of these +proceedings--"unless the prisoners could have appeared before the +justice _without being present in person or by counsel_!" The same +representation of the case was made to me by Lawyer James W. Woods, +who, at the time was associated with Mr. Reid as the Prophet's counsel, +whom I met in the summer of 1880, in Iowa, and from whom at that time I +received a detailed account of the proceedings. + +Joseph and his counsel and his friends protested most vigorously +against this unlawful proceeding, but to no avail. R. F. Smith finding +his mittimus unlawful, appealed to the governor as to what he should +do; to which the governor answered: "You have the Carthage Greys +at your command." That hint was sufficient. What the _justice_ had +illegally begun, the same person as _captain_ must with unlawful force +consummate! Yet when this same governor was appealed to for protection +against this unhallowed as well as unlawful proceeding, he expressed +himself as being very sorry the circumstance had occurred, but he +really could not interfere with the civic powers! + +Elder John Taylor went to the governor and reminded him of his pledges +of protection. Elder Taylor expressed his dissatisfaction at the course +taken, and told the governor that if they were to be subject to mob +rule, and to be dragged contrary to law to prison, at the instance +of every scoundrel whose oath could be bought for a dram of whisky, +his protection availed very little, and they had miscalculated the +executive's promises. + +In the meantime a drunken rabble had collected in the street in front +of the Hamilton House, and Captain Dunn with some twenty men came to +guard the prisoners to the jail. The Prophet's friends stood by him +in these trying times and followed him through the excited crowd in +the direction of the jail. Stephen Markham walked on one side of the +Prophet and his brother Hyrum and Dan Jones on the other, and with +their walking sticks kept back the rabble, which several times broke +through the guard, while Elder Taylor, Willard Richards and John S. +Fullmer walked behind them. + +The jail was reached in safety and the prisoners given in charge of +Mr. George W. Stigall, who first put them into the criminal's cell, +but afterwards gave them the more comfortable quarters known as the +"debtors' apartment." When night came the prisoners and their friends +stretched themselves out on the floor of the old jail--and so passed +the night of the twenty-fifth. + +Governor Ford represents in his "History of Illinois," that these men +were placed in prison to protect them from the rabble, [3] but says not +a word about the protests of the prisoners against being thrust into +jail, or the illegal means employed in putting them there. + +In the forenoon of the twenty-sixth, a lengthy interview took place +between Governor Ford and Joseph in which the whole cause of the +trouble was reviewed, the causes leading up to the destruction of +the _Expositor_ press, calling out the Legion on which the charge +of treason was based, and all other affairs connected with the +difficulties. Governor Ford condemned the action of the city council, +but the course pursued by that body was ably defended by Joseph, and +showed that even if they had been wrong in following the course they +had taken, it was a matter for the courts to decide and not a thing +for mobs to settle. In conclusion the Prophet told the Governor that +he considered himself unsafe in Carthage, as the town was swarming +with men who had openly sworn to take his life. He understood the +governor contemplated going to Nauvoo, accompanied by the militia, to +investigate certain charges about counterfeiting the United States +currency, and if possible secure the dies and other implements used in +manufacturing it, and Joseph demanded his freedom that he might go with +him. The governor promised him that he should go. [4] + +The false mittimus on which Joseph and Hyrum Smith were thrust into +prison, ordered the jailor to keep them in custody, "until discharged +by due course of law." But on the afternoon of the twenty-sixth, Frank +Worrell appeared before the jail in command of the Carthage Greys and +demanded that the prisoners be delivered up to the constable to be +taken before Justice R. F. Smith for trial. Against this proceeding the +jailor protested, as the prisoners were placed in his keeping until +"discharged by due course of law," and not at the demand of a constable +or military despot. But by threats amounting to intimidation, Worrell +compelled the jailor against his conviction of duty to surrender the +prisoners to him. + +Meantime a mob had gathered at the door of the jail and seeing that +things had assumed a threatening aspect, the Prophet stepped into +the crowd, locked arms with one of the worst mobocrats, and with his +brother Hyrum on the other arm, and followed by his faithful friends, +proceeded to the court house. He had been unlawfully thrust into +prison, and as illegally dragged out of it and exposed to imminent +danger among his worst enemies. + +The counsel for the Brothers Smith asked for a continuance until the +next day as they were without witnesses, not having been notified when +they would come to trial. A continuance was granted until noon the next +day. A new mittimus was made out and the prisoners committed again to +prison--their old quarters. But after the prisoners were again lodged +in jail, and without consulting either them or their counsel, Justice +R. F. Smith changed the time of trial from noon on the twenty-seventh +until the twenty-ninth. + +This change was made in consequence of a decision reached by Governor +Ford and his military council to march all his troops into Nauvoo, +except a company of fifty of the Carthage Greys that would be +detailed to guard the prisoners. So Mr. R. F. Smith, acting, it will +be remembered, in the double capacity of a justice of the peace and +captain of the Carthage Greys, as a justice altered the date of the +return of the subpoenas and excused the court until the twenty-ninth; +that as a captain of a company of militia he might attend the military +train entering Nauvoo in triumph! + +The evening of the twenty-sixth was spent very pleasantly by the +prisoners and their friends--John Taylor, Willard Richards, John S. +Fullmer, Stephen Markham and Dan Jones. Hyrum occupied the principal +part of the time in reading accounts from the Book of Mormon of the +deliverance of God's servants from prison, and in commenting upon them, +with a view, doubtless, of cheering his brother Joseph, since the +Prophet had expressed himself as having a presentiment of uneasiness as +to his safety, that he had never before experienced when in the hands +of his enemies. + +Late at night all retired to rest except Willard Richards, who by the +flickering flame of a tallow candle continued his work of writing out +some important documents. Joseph and Hyrum occupied the only bedstead +in the room, and their friends lay side by side on the mattresses +spread out on the floor. Sometime after midnight a single gun was fired +near the prison. Elder Richards started in his chair, and Joseph rose +from the bed where he had been lying, and stretched himself out on the +floor between Fullmer and Jones. + +"Lay your head on my arm for a pillow, Brother John," said the +Prophet to Fullmer as he kindly placed his arm under that person's +head. Soon all became quiet, except in a low tone Fullmer and the +Prophet continued to talk of presentiments the latter had received of +approaching death. "I would like to see my family again," said he, "and +I would to God that I could preach to the Saints in Nauvoo once more." +Fullmer tried to cheer him by saying he thought he would have that +privilege many times. + +Again all was silent, and everybody apparently asleep. But Joseph +turned to Dan Jones and was heard to say, "Are you afraid to die?" To +which the one addressed said: "Has that time come, think you? Engaged +in such a cause I do not think death would have many terrors." And then +the Prophet said: "You will yet see Wales"--his native land--"and fill +the mission appointed you, before you die." [5] So passed away the +night preceding the day which saw enacted that tragedy which robbed +earth of two of the noblest men that ever lived upon it. + +As the morning light struggled through the windows of Carthage jail, +the prisoners and their friends awoke, and the Prophet required Dan +Jones to go down stairs and enquire of the guard about the gun that was +fired in the night, what the meaning of it was, etc. + +Jones went accordingly, and found Frank Worrell in command of the guard +and the answer he received to his inquiry was this: "We have had too +much trouble to get old Joe here to let him ever escape alive, and +unless you want to die with him, you had better leave before sun down; +and you are not a d--n bit better than him for taking his part; and +you'll see that I can prophesy better than old Joe, for neither he nor +his brother, nor anyone who will remain with them, will see the sun set +today." This answer Jones related to Joseph, who told him to go to the +governor at once and report the words of the guard. On his way to the +governor's quarters at the Hamilton House, Jones passed a crowd of men +who were being addressed by a person unknown to him. He paused long +enough to hear these words: + +"Our troops will be discharged this morning in obedience to orders, +and for a sham we will leave the town; but when the governor and the +McDonough troops have left for Nauvoo this forenoon, we will return and +kill those men if we have to tear the jail down," (applause.) These +words and what the captain of the guard said were faithfully reported +to Governor Ford, in reply to which he said: "You are unnecessarily +alarmed for the safety of your friends, sir, the people are not that +cruel." + +Angered at such an answer the following conversation occurred: + + _Jones_. The Messrs. Smith are American citizens, and have + surrendered themselves to your excellency upon your pledging your + honor for their safety; they are also master Masons, and as such I + demand of you the protection of their lives. If you do not this, I + have but one more desire, and that is, if you leave their lives in + the hands of those men to be sacrificed-- + + _Governor Ford_. What is that, sir? + + _Jones_. It is that the Almighty will preserve my life to a proper + time and place, that I may testify that you have been timely warned + of their danger. + +The governor manifested some excitement during this conversation, +turning pale at the Masonic warning Jones gave him. The effect, +however, was but momentary. + +Jones returned to the jail after his conversation with the governor, +but was denied admission. He then returned to the governor to secure +a pass; and arrived at the square just as that officer was disbanding +the militia. It is customary when the militia has been called together +to assist in execution of the laws, or to suppress an insurrection, to +dismiss the respective companies in charge of their several commanders +to be marched home and there be disbanded. But in this instance the +governor disbanded all the troops, except the Carthage Greys whom, it +appears, he had selected to guard the jail, and the McDonough troops +who were to accompany him to Nauvoo. + +Governor Ford himself, in his history of Illinois, represents that +there were about twelve or thirteen hundred of the militia at Carthage +and some five hundred at Warsaw. As the disbanded militia left the +square, they acted in a boisterous manner, shouting that they would +only go a short distance from town. and then come back and kill old Joe +and Hyrum as soon as the governor was far enough out of town. Dan Jones +called the attention of the governor to these threats, but he ignored +them. I suppose these are the threats of which Governor Ford himself +speaks in his history of these unfortunate events, when he says: + + I had heard of some threats being made, but none of an attack upon + the prisoners whilst in jail. These threats seemed to be made by + individuals not acting in concert. They were no more than the + bluster which might have been expected, and furnished no indication + of numbers combining for this or any other purpose. + +It will be remembered that Governor Ford expressed a determination +to march with all his forces into Nauvoo, and Joseph having heard of +this, in the interview at the jail before alluded to, expressed a +desire to accompany him, and the governor promised him he should go. +This promise the governor failed to keep because a council of his +officers convinced him that to take the Prophet with him to Nauvoo +"would be highly inexpedient and dangerous." Indeed the whole plan of +marching all his forces into Nauvoo, was abandoned. The expedition had +been formed for the purpose of striking terror into the hearts of the +citizens of Nauvoo, by a display of military force in their midst, and +to satisfy the wishes of the anti-Mormons. Speaking of this projected +semi-invasion of Nauvoo and the preparations made for the start, +Governor Ford says: + + I observed that some of the people became more and more excited and + inflammatory the further the preparations were advanced. Occasional + threats came to my ears of destroying the city and murdering or + expelling the inhabitants. + + I had no objection to ease the terrors of the people by such a + display of force, and was most anxious also to search for the + alleged apparatus for making counterfeit money; and in fact to + inquire into all the charges made against that people, if I could + have been assured of my command against mutiny and insubordination. + But I gradually learned to my entire satisfaction that there was + a plan to get the troops into Nauvoo, and there to begin the war, + probably by some of our own party, or some of the seceding Mormons, + taking advantage of the night to fire on our own force, and then + lay it on the Mormons. + + I was satisfied that there were those amongst us fully capable of + such an act, hoping that in the alarm, bustle and confusion of a + militia camp, the truth could not be discovered, and that it might + lead to the desired collision. [6] + +Such are the reasons assigned by Governor Ford for abandoning his plan +of marching all his forces into Nauvoo. If he could persuade himself +to believe that he had those under his command, who would resort to +the means he himself alludes to in the foregoing, to bring about a +collision with the citizens of Nauvoo; and that he was fearful that +his whole command would mutiny when once in the city of the Saints, it +is unfortunate for the fame of Governor Ford that his fears could not +be aroused for the safety of his prisoners, who were left at the mercy +of those same militia forces, of which he himself was distrustful, the +only barrier between them and the fury of this mob-militia being a +guard made up of their bitterest enemies. + +To satisfy the anti-Mormons the governor told them he would take a +small force with him and go in search of counterfeiting apparatus and +would make a speech to the citizens of Nauvoo, detailing to them the +consequences of any acts of violence on their part. _En route_ for +Nauvoo, however, some of his officers expressed fears that the Smiths +would be killed, and the governor informs us that he reduced his +forces, leaving part of his command on the way, and pushed with all +speed for Nauvoo; that he might make a speech to the people there and +return to Carthage that night, giving up the idea of remaining several +days to search for counterfeiting apparatus and making inquiries into +the charges against the Mormon people. Leaving him to pursue to his +journey to Nauvoo, I return to note the events which took place at the +jail. + +Cyrus H. Wheelock visited Carthage jail early on the morning of the +27th, and when he departed for Nauvoo to secure witnesses and documents +for the impending trial on the charge of treason, he left with the +prisoners an old-fashioned, pepper-box revolver. Before leaving +Carthage, however, he went to Governor Ford, (he leaving Carthage +before the governor started,) and expressed his fears for the safety of +the prisoners. He then started for Nauvoo, but with a heavy heart. + +Dan Jones was sent to Quincy by the Prophet with a letter to lawyer +O. H. Browning, applying for his professional services in the pending +trial. The letter was handed to Jones by A. W. Babbitt, the former not +being allowed to enter the jail after leaving it in the morning. The +mob being informed by the guard of the letter, set up the cry that Joe +Smith was sending an order by Jones to the Nauvoo Legion to come and +rescue him. A crowd surrounded Jones and demanded the letter but the +fearless Welshman refused to give it up; whereupon some were in favor +of forcing it from him, but there was a disagreement in the crowd about +that, and while they were discussing the point, Jones mounted his horse +and rode away. + +Stephen Markham being seen on the streets in the afternoon, a number of +the Carthage Greys captured him, put him on his horse and forced him +out of town at the point of the bayonet, notwithstanding he held a pass +from the governor to go in and out of the jail at pleasure. This left +but Elders Richards and Taylor with the Prophet and his brother in the +prison. They passed the afternoon in pleasant conversation, reading and +singing. Elder Taylor sand a hymn entitled "A poor wayfaring man of +grief:" a peculiarly plaintive piece of poetry, and admirably suited to +their circumstances: + + A poor wayfaring man of grief Hath often crossed me on the way, Who + sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer, Nay. + + I had not power to ask His name, Whereto He went or whence He came, + Yet there was something in His eye That won my love, I knew not why. + + Once when my scanty meal was spread, He entered, not a word He + spake; Just perishing for want of bread, I gave Him all, He blessed + it, brake, + + And ate, but gave me part again; Mine was an angel's portion then, + For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste. + + I spied Him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; His + strength was gone, The heedless water mocked His thirst, He heard + it, saw it hurrying on. + + I ran and raised the suff'rer up; Thrice from the stream He drained + my cup, Dipped, and returned it running o'er; I drank and never + thirsted more. + + 'Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter-hurricane aloof; + I heard His voice abroad, and flew To bid Him welcome to my roof. + + I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest, And laid Him on my couch + to rest, Then made the earth my bed, and seemed In Eden's garden + while I dreamed. + + Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found Him by the highway + side; I roused His pulse, brought back His breath, Revived His + spirit, and supplied + + Wine, oil, refreshment--He was healed; I had myself a wound + concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up + my broken heart. + + In prison I saw Him next, condemned To meet a traitor's doom at + morn; The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored Him 'mid + shame and scorn. + + My friendship's utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for Him would + die; The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill, But the free spirit + cried, "I will!" + + Then in a moment to my view, The stranger darted from disguise; The + tokens in His hands I knew, The Savior stood before mine eyes. + + He spake, and my poor name He named, "Of Me thou hast not been + ashamed; These deeds shall thy memorial be, Fear not, thou didst + them unto Me." + +Late in the afternoon Mr. Stigall, the jailor, came in and suggested +that they would be safer in the cells. Joseph told him they would go in +after supper. Turning to Elder Richards the Prophet said; "If we go to +the cell will you go in with us?" + +_Elder Richards_. "Brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross +the river with you [referring to the time when they crossed the +Mississippi, _en route_ for the Rocky Mountains]--you did not ask me +to come to Carthage--you did not ask me to come to jail with you--and +do you think I would forsake you now? But I will tell you what I will +do; if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your +stead, and you shall go free." + +_Joseph_. "But you cannot." + +_Richards_. "I will, though." + +This conversation took place a little after five o'clock, and very soon +afterwards the attack was made on the jail. It appears that a crowd +came from the direction of Warsaw that evidently had an understanding +with the Carthage Greys and the members of that company on guard at the +jail, since the latter, without question, had but blank cartridges in +their guns; and the attack was made under the very eyes of the rest of +the company encamped but two or three hundred yards away on the public +square, and they made no effort whatever to prevent the assaults on the +prison. + +The guard at the jail played their part well. They fired blank shots +at the advancing mob, or discharged their pieces in the air. They were +"overpowered" (?), and the prison was in the hands of an infuriated mob. +A rush was made for the room where the prisoners were lodged, and a +shower of lead was sent in through the door and the windows from those +on the outside. + +As no account that I could possibly write would equal that given by an +eye-witness of the whole transaction, I here quote entire the account +of the tragedy by Elder Willard Richards, as it appeared in the _Times +and Seasons_ soon after the event, under the caption, + + TWO MINUTES IN JAIL. + + A shower of musket balls was thrown up the stairway against the + door of the prison in the second story, followed by many rapid + footsteps. + + While Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Mr. Taylor and myself, who + were in the front chamber, closed the door of our room against the + entry at the head of the stairs, and placed ourselves against it, + there being no lock on the door, and no catch that was unsealable. + + The door is a common panel, and as soon as we heard the feet at + the stair's head, a ball was sent through the door, which passed + between us, and showed that our enemies were desperadoes and we + must change our position. + + General Joseph Smith, Mr. Taylor and myself sprang back to the + front part of the room. General Hyrum Smith retreated two-thirds + across the chamber directly in front of and facing the door. A + ball was sent through the door which hit Hyrum on the side of his + nose, when he fell backwards, extending at full length without + moving his feet. From the holes in his vest (the day was warm and + no one had their coats on but myself) pantaloons, drawers, and + shirt, it appeared that a ball must have been thrown from without + through the window, which entered the back of his right side, and + passing through, lodged against his watch, which was in the right + vest pocket, completely pulverizing the crystal and face, tearing + off the hands and mashing the whole body of the watch. At the same + instant the ball from the door entered his nose. + + As he struck the floor he exclaimed emphatically, "_I am a dead + man_." Joseph looked towards him and responded, "_Oh dear! Brother + Hyrum_," and opening the door two or three inches with his left + hand, discharged one barrel of a six-shooter (the pistol left him + by C. H. Wheelock) at random in the entry, from whence a ball + grazed Hyrum's breast, and entering his throat passed into his + head, while other muskets were aimed at him as some balls hit him. + + Joseph continued snapping his revolver round the casing of the door + into the space as before, three barrels of which missed fire, while + Mr. Taylor with a walking stick stood by his side and knocked down + the bayonets and muskets, which were constantly discharging through + the doorway, while I stood by him ready to lend any assistance, + with another stick, but could not come within striking distance + without going directly in front of the muzzles of the guns. + + When the revolver failed, we had no more firearms, and expected an + immediate rush of the mob, and the doorway full of muskets half way + in the room, and no hope but instant death from within. Mr. Taylor + rushed into the window, which is some fifteen or twenty feet from + the ground. When his body was nearly on a balance, a ball from the + door within entered his leg, and a ball from without struck his + watch, a patent lever, in his vest pocket near his left breast, and + smashed it into "pie," leaving the hands standing at five o'clock, + sixteen minutes, and twenty-six seconds, the force of which ball + threw him back on the floor, and he rolled under the bed which + stood by his side, where he lay motionless, the mob continuing to + fire upon him, cutting away a piece of flesh from his left hip as + large as a man's hand, and were hindered only by my knocking down + their muzzles with a stick; while they continued to reach their + guns into the room, probably left handed, and aimed their discharge + so far round as almost to reach us in the corner of the room to + where we retreated and dodged, and there I commenced the attack + with my stick. + + Joseph attempted as a last resort to leap the same window from + which Mr. Taylor fell, when two balls pierced him from the door, + and one entered his right breast from without, and he fell outward + exclaiming, "_O Lord, my God_!" As his feet went out of the window + my head went in, the balls whistling all round. He fell on his left + side a dead man. At this instant the cry was raised, "_He's leaped + the window_," and the mob on the stairs and in the entry ran out. + + I withdrew from the window thinking it no use to leap out on a + hundred bayonets, then round Gen. Smith's body. Not satisfied + with this, I again reached my head out of the window, and watched + some seconds to see if there were any signs of life, regardless + of my own, determined to see the end of him I loved. Being fully + satisfied that he was dead, with a hundred men near his body and + more coming round the corner of the jail, and expecting a return + to our room, I rushed toward the prison door at the head of the + stairs, and through the entry from whence the firing had proceeded, + to learn if the doors into the prison were open. When near the + entry Mr. Taylor cried out "_Take me_!" I pressed my way until I + found all doors unbarred, returning instantly, caught Mr. Taylor + under my arm, and rushed up the stairs into the dungeon, or inner + prison, stretched him on the floor and covered him with a bed in + such a manner as not likely to be perceived, expecting an immediate + return of the mob. I said to Mr. Taylor, "This is a hard case to + lay you on the floor, but if your wounds are not fatal, I want you + to live to tell the story." I expected to be shot the next moment, + and stood before the doors awaiting the onset. + +There was, however, no further onset made on the jail. + +Three minutes after the attack was commenced, Hyrum Smith lay stretched +out on the floor of the prison dead, Elder Taylor lay not far from him +savagely wounded, the Prophet was lying by the side of the well curb, +[7] just under the window from which he had attempted to leap, the +plighted faith of a State was broken, its honor trailed in the dust, +and a stain of innocent blood affixed to its escutcheon which shall +remain a disgrace forever. + +When it was known that the Prophet was killed, consternation seemed +to seize the mob and they fled, for the most part, in the direction +of Warsaw, in the utmost confusion. Such wild confusion reigned in +Carthage that it was nearly midnight before Elder Richards could obtain +any help or refreshments for Elder Taylor. At last the wounded man +was taken to the Hamilton House and his wounds dressed. The bodies of +Joseph and Hyrum were also taken to the same place and laid out. + +Meantime Governor Ford had gone to Nauvoo, where he arrived some time +in the afternoon. Several thousands assembled to hear his speech, that +he went there to deliver; and he insulted them, by assuming that all +that their worst enemies had said of them was true, and threatened them +with most dire calamities. He himself in his history of Illinois, says +the people manifested some impatience and anger when he referred to the +misconduct alleged against them by their enemies; and well they might, +for baser falsehoods were never put in circulation to slander a people. + +The governor was invited to stay all night, but he refused and left the +city about 6:30 in the evening for Carthage, his escort riding full +speed up Main street performing the sword exercise; they passed the +temple, and so left the city. + +Three miles out of governor and his escort met George D. Grant and +David Bettisworth riding toward Nauvoo like madmen with the sad news of +the death of Joseph and Hyrum. The governor took them back with him to +Grant's house, one and one half miles east of Carthage, that the news +might not reach Nauvoo until he had had time to have the county records +removed from the court house, and warn the people of Carthage to flee, +as he expected an immediate attack from the Nauvoo Legion, and that the +whole country would be laid waste. + +After being taken back to Carthage, George D. Grant mounted another +horse and rode that night with the awful news to Nauvoo. + +On the arrival of Governor Ford at Carthage the following note was +addressed to Mrs. Emma Smith and Major-General Dunham of the Nauvoo +Legion, dated Midnight, Hamilton House, Carthage: + + The governor has just arrived; says all things shall be inquired + into, and all right measures taken. I say to all citizens of + Nauvoo--My brethren, be still, and know that God _reigns. Don't + rush out of the city_--don't rush to Carthage--stay at home and be + prepared for an attack from Missouri mobbers. The governor will + render every assistance possible--has sent orders for troops, + Joseph and Hyrum are dead, will prepare to move the bodies as soon + as possible. + + The people of the county are greatly excited, and fear the Mormons + will come out and take vengeance. I have pledged my word the + Mormons will stay at home as soon as they can be informed, and no + violence will be on their part, and say to my brethren in Nauvoo, + in the name of the Lord, be still; be patient, only let such + friends as choose come here to see the bodies. Mr. Taylor's wounds + are dressed, and not serious. I am sound. + + WILLARD RICHARDS. + +After the note was prepared the governor wrote an order to the people +of Nauvoo to defend themselves, and then about one o'clock in the +morning went out on the public square and advised all present to +disperse, as he expected the Mormons would be so exasperated that +they would burn the town. Upon this the people of Carthage fled in +all directions, and the governor and his _posse_ took flight in the +direction of Quincy; but there was no uprising and violence on the part +of the Saints. + +The next day the bodies of the murdered men were taken to Nauvoo. +About one mile east of the temple, on Mullholland street, they were +met by the people in solemn procession, under the direction of the +city marshal. Neither tongue nor pen can ever describe the scene of +sorrow and lamentation which was there beheld. The love of Joseph and +Hyrum for the Saints was unbounded, and it had begotten in the people +an affection for them that was equally dear and unselfish. They lived +in the hearts of the Saints, and thousands would have laid down their +lives willingly to have saved theirs. With their beloved and trusted +leaders thus brutally snatched from them; under such circumstances +of cruelty and official treachery, imagine, if you can, the mingled +feelings of sorrow and righteous indignation that struggled in every +heart, and sought expression! + +Arriving at the Mansion, the bodies were taken into it to be prepared +for burial; and Elder Willard Richards and others addressed some +eight or ten thousand of the people in the open air. The Saints were +advised to keep the peace. Elder Richards stated that he had pledged +his honor and his life for their conduct. When the multitude heard +that, notwithstanding the sense of outraged justice under which they +labored, and this cruel invasion of the rights of liberty and life--in +the very midst of their grief and excitement, with the means in their +right hands to wreak a terrible vengeance, they voted to a man to trust +to the LAW to deal with the assassins, and if that failed them, they +would call upon God to avenge them of their wrongs! History records +few actions so sublime as this; and it stands to this day a testimony +of the devotion of the Latter-day Saints to law and order, the like of +which is not paralleled in the history of our country, if in the world. + +Footnotes + +1. The manner of this incident about the revolt of the Carthage Greys +is thus related in Gregg's History of Hancock County: "It seems that +after the McDonough regiment had been disbanded, and were about to +return home, they expressed a desire to see the prisoners, [Joseph +and Hyrum]. The wish was reasonable, and as the easiest mode of +gratifying it, they were drawn up in line, and General Deming with the +two prisoners, one on each arm, and the Greys as an escort, passed +along the line of troops, Deming introducing them as General Joseph +Smith and General Hyrum Smith, of the Nauvoo Legion. The Greys not +aware that this was done at the request of the McDonough men, and not +satisfied to be made an escort to such a display, exhibited signs of +dissatisfaction, and finally gave vent to their feelings by hisses +and groans. As a punishment for this offense they were afterward +ordered under arrest. In the meantime there was great excitement in +the company. As a detachment of the troops was being detailed for the +purpose of putting the general's order into execution the officer in +command of the Greys addressed them a few words and then said: 'Boys +will you submit to an arrest for so trifling an offense?' 'No!' was the +unanimous response. 'Then load your pieces with ball,' was the sullen +order. In the meantime some explanations had been made, which permitted +General Deming to countermand the order of arrest, and the Greys were +quietly marched back to their encampment." + +This account says nothing of the fact that it was generally known, that +the night before, Governor Ford had promised all the troops a view of +Generals Smith, and the Greys had been in revolt at General Deming's +headquarters before the party including Joseph and Hyrum reached the +McDonough troops. Moreover, I was informed by Colonel H. G. Ferris, +when in Carthage in 1885, investigating these matters, that when word +arrived in that place that Joseph Smith would surrender himself to the +authorities, if the governor would pledge him protection and a fair +trial, the governor made a speech to the mixed multitude of troops +and citizens in which he stated the proposition of the Smiths, and +wanted to know if they would sustain him in pledging them protection to +which they responded in the affirmative. There was some talk, too, of +sending the Greys as a posse to escort the Smiths into Nauvoo. Against +this proceeding General Deming protested and told Governor Ford that +the pledge of protection made by the crowd and the troops was not to +be depended upon, it was insincere, and that the lives of the Smiths +were not to be trusted to the Greys. The governor however disregarded +the warning of General Deming. Colonel Ferris was present at this +meeting.--_B. H. R._ + +2. In view of the great civil war which a few years later desolated the +land it is clear that the above utterance was prophetic. + +3. Ford's History of Illinois, p. 338. + +4. For this conversation in _extenso_ as reported by Elder John Taylor +who was present, see Appendix IV. + +5. This prediction was fulfilled. Elder Dan Jones went on a mission to +Wales starting on the 28th of August, 1844, in company with Wilford +Woodruff, and performed a most wonderful mission in his native land. + +6. Ford's History of Illinois, page 340. + +7. It is said that after Joseph fell by the well curb under the +window from which he attempted to leap, he was set up against that +curb and Colonel Levi Williams ordered four men to fire at him, which +they did. It is then said that a ruffian bareheaded and barefooted, +his pantaloons rolled up above his knees and his shirt sleeves above +his elbows, approached the dead Prophet bowie-knife in hand with +the intention it is supposed of severing the head from the body. He +had raised his hand to strike, when a light so sudden and powerful +flashed upon the bloody scene that the mob was terror-stricken. The +arm of the would-be mutilator of the dead fell powerless at his side, +the four muskets of those who fired at him fell to the ground, while +their owners stood like marble statues unable to move, or join their +companions in the hurried and confused retreat they were then making, +and Colonel Williams had to call upon some of the retreating mob to +carry them away. The history is based upon the statements of Wm. M. +Daniels,--Blackenberry and a Miss Graham, but how far their statements +are correct I have no means of judging. When at Carthage I became +acquainted with W. R. Hamilton, son of the Mr. Hamilton who kept the +Hamilton House, referred to several times in these pages, and who +just previous to the murder of the Prophet and his brother had been +enrolled as a member of the company of Carthage Greys. At the time of +the attack on the jail he was on the public square and at once ran in +the direction of the jail and was in full view of it all the time. He +saw the Prophet appear at the window and half leap and half fall out of +it. After which the mob fled precipitously. According to his statement +there was no such an occurrence as setting the body against the well, +etc. He claims to have been about the first who went to the body of the +murdered man, and afterwards rendered some assistance in removing Elder +Taylor and the bodies of the martyrs to his father's house. + +It is worthy of note that nothing of all this is recorded by Willard +Richards, and it smacks too much of the fanciful. There is too much +deliberation in it to believe it to be the action of a mob.--_R_. + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +CONFUSION--CHOOSING A LEADER. + +THE Saints at Nauvoo were now as sheep without a shepherd. They had +never contemplated such a crisis as this. That their Prophet would be +taken from them had not entered their minds, although in the closing +days of his career he had frequently spoken of his fate if again +he should fall into the hands of his enemies. On the twenty-second +of June, five days preceding his death, at the conclusion of the +consultation with several of Nauvoo's leading citizens, and at which +time it was decided that the safest thing for himself and Hyrum to do +was to go West, he remarks in his journal: "I told Stephen Markham that +if I and Hyrum were ever taken again we should be massacred, or I was +not a Prophet of God." + +When the cowardly appeal made to him by false friends to return to +Nauvoo, after he had crossed the Mississippi on his way to the West, +was under consideration by himself and a few friends, he said to his +brother, Hyrum Smith: "Brother Hyrum, you are the oldest, what shall +we do?" Hyrum replied, "Let us go back and give ourselves up, and see +the thing out." "If you go back," replied the Prophet, "I shall go with +you, but we shall be butchered." Then again, after it was determined +to adopt the course suggested by Hyrum, and the party was on the way +to the river where they were to take boats for the Nauvoo side, the +Prophet lingered behind the rest of the party talking with O. P. +Rockwell. Those in advance shouted to them to come on. Joseph replied, +"It is no use to hurry, for we are going back to be slaughtered." + +On arriving at Nauvoo, Hyrum, too, seemed to have been impressed +with a sense of their approaching fate, for on the morning of the +twenty-fourth of June, when the first start was made for Carthage, +he read the following significant passage in the Book of Mormon, and +turned down the leaf upon it: + + And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give + unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came + to pass that the Lord said unto me, if they have not charity it + mattereth not unto you, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy + garments are clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou + shalt be made strong, even to the sitting down in the place which + I have prepared in the mansions of my father. And now I * * * * + bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea and also unto my brethren whom + I love, until we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ, + when all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your + blood. [1] + +I have already quoted the pathetic words of the Prophet on meeting +Captain Dunn's company of militia four miles out from Carthage, when +he said: "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a +summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God and +towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of +me--He was murdered in cold blood." + +I have also related the circumstance of his lingering to look at his +farm as he left Nauvoo for the last time, and clearly intimated that +he would never see it again. But notwithstanding these very plain +intimations concerning his approaching death, the Saints apparently +could not comprehend them. They did not sense them; and when his death +so sudden and pitiful did come, it scarcely seemed possible to them +that it had taken place. They were unprepared for it, and, as I say, +were now like sheep without a shepherd. + +Sidney Rigdon, the Prophet's first counselor, was in Pittsburg, +Pennsylvania. He had removed from Nauvoo to Pittsburg, notwithstanding +in a revelation [2] from God he had been required to make his home in +Nauvoo, and stand in his office and calling of counselor and spokesman +to the Prophet. The truth is that from the expulsion of the Saints +from Missouri in 1838-9, Sidney Rigdon had been of but little service +either to the Church or to the Prophet as a counselor. He was a man of +admitted ability as an orator, but lacked discretion; a man of fervid +imagination, but of inferior judgment; ambitious of place and honor, +but without that steadiness of purpose and other qualities of soul +which in time secure them. In the early years of The Church he suffered +much for the cause of God, but he also complained much; especially +was this the case in respect to the hardships endured in Missouri, +and subsequently of his poverty and illness at Nauvoo. This habit of +complaining doubtless did much to deprive him of the Spirit of the +Lord; for at times it bordered upon blasphemy. More than once he was +heard to say that Jesus Christ was a fool in suffering as compared with +himself! Having lost, in part at least, the Spirit of the Lord, his +interest in The Church and its work waned, and after the settlement at +Nauvoo he was seldom seen in the councils of the Priesthood. Moreover, +it was known that he was in sympathy and even in communication with +some of the avowed enemies of Joseph, among others with that arch +traitor, John C. Bennett, who was plotting the overthrow of both Joseph +and The Church. It was doubtless these considerations which led Joseph +to make an effort to get rid of Sidney Rigdon as counselor at the +October conference in 1843. + +On that occasion the Prophet represented to The Church that such had +been the course of Sidney Rigdon that he considered it no longer his +duty to sustain him as his counselor. Hyrum Smith, however, pleaded +the cause of his fellow-counselor, and so strongly urged the Saints +to deal mercifully with Sidney Rigdon, that when the question of +sustaining him was presented to the conference, the Saints voted in +his favor. "I have thrown him off my shoulders, and you have again +put him on me," said Joseph. "You may carry him, but I will not." And +so confident was he that Sidney Rigdon would continue to fail in the +performance of his duty, that he ordained Elder Amasa Lyman to succeed +him, both as counselor and spokesman. "Some of the Elders did not +understand how Elder Lyman could be ordained to succeed Elder Rigdon, +as The Church had voted to try him another year. Elder Joseph Smith +was requested to give an explanation. Why, said he, by the same rule +that Samuel anointed David to be king over Israel, while Saul was yet +crowned. Please read the sixteenth chapter of first Samuel. Elder +Smith's explanation, though short, proved a quietus to all their rising +conjectures." [3] + +Notwithstanding all his fair promises of amendment, Sidney Rigdon +continued neglectful of his high duties, and if for a time his old-time +enthusiasm revived--as it seemed to at the April conference following, +it was as the flickering flame of a tallow dip only--not the steady +rays of the ever-shining sun. He longed to return to the East; and +notwithstanding the word of the Lord commanding him to make his home +at Nauvoo, he frequently talked with Joseph about going to Pittsburg +to live, and finally obtained his consent to go there, and take his +family with him, and, as I said before, he was there when the martyrdom +occurred. + +William Law, who had been the Prophet's second counselor, was in +open apostasy and rebellion against him. He had been and was the +associate of a corrupt band of men bent on the destruction of the +Prophet. Prompted by a spirit of mercy, the April conference of 1843 +had passed without taking action against either William Law, or any of +the other apostates; but on the eighteenth of April, at a council of +the Priesthood, when six of the Twelve Apostles were present, William +Law and several other apostates were excommunicated from The Church; +and later William Law undertook the organization of a church after the +pattern of the Church of Christ, but it was a miserable failure. + +The Twelve Apostles were nearly all absent in the Eastern States on +missions; and although messengers were sent to call them to Nauvoo +immediately after the Prophet's martyrdom, it would be some time +before they could arrive. So that it was a time of general anxiety and +depression. + +It was in the midst of such circumstances as these that Sidney Rigdon +arrived in Nauvoo and demanded that he be appointed "guardian" of The +Church. He ignored the members of the quorum of the Twelve who were in +the city--Elders Willard Richards, John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt; he +conferred with Elder William Marks, president of the stake of Nauvoo, +and at once began agitating the question of appointing a "guardian" +to The Church. He arrived in Nauvoo on Saturday, the third of August; +next day he harangued the Saints, who assembled in the grove near +the temple, upon the necessity of appointing a "guardian" to build +up The Church to the martyred Prophet, and in the afternoon meeting +urged William Marks to make a special appointment for the Saints to +assemble on the following Tuesday for that purpose. Elder Marks was in +sympathy with Sidney Rigdon, but for some reason he refused to make +the appointment for Tuesday, but made it for Thursday, the eighth of +August. This was a most fortunate circumstance, since a sufficient +number of the Twelve to make a majority of that quorum arrived on the +evening of the sixth, and, of course, they were in time to be present +at the meeting to be held on the eighth. The day previous to that +meeting, however--the seventh of August--the Twelve called a meeting of +the high council and high priests, before which they called on Sidney +Rigdon to make a statement of his purposes and relate the revelation +he claimed to have received at Pittsburg, which prompted his journey +to Nauvoo. In substance he replied that the object of his visit was to +offer himself to the Saints as a "guardian;" that it had been shown to +him in vision at Pittsburg, that The Church must be built up to Joseph +the martyr; that all the blessings the Saints could receive would +be through their late Prophet; that no man could be a successor to +Joseph; that The Church was not disorganized, though the head was gone; +that he had been commanded to come to Nauvoo and see that The Church +was governed properly, and propose himself to be a "guardian" to the +people. [4] + +To this Elder Brigham Young replied: + + I do not care who leads this Church, even though it were Ann Lee; + but one thing I must know, and that is, what God says about it. I + have the keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the + subject. * * * Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and + powers belonging to the Apostleship which he himself held before he + was taken away, and no man nor set of men can get between Joseph + and the Twelve in this world or in the world to come. How often has + Joseph said to the Twelve, I have laid the foundation and you must + build thereon, for upon your shoulders the Kingdom rests. [5] + +The next day was the one appointed by Sidney Rigdon for The Church +to assemble and choose a "guardian." The attendance was large, as +intense interest had been awakened upon the subject to be considered. +Sidney Rigdon addressed the assembly, setting forth his claim to the +"guardianship" of The Church. He had full opportunity to present his +case and for one hour and a half spoke without interruption; but +despite his reputation as an orator, he failed to convince the Saints +that he was sent of God. + +As soon as Sidney Rigdon had closed his speech, Elder Brigham Young +arose and made a few remarks. It was on that occasion that he was +transfigured before the people, so that through him the Saints heard +the voice and felt the presence of their departed leader. George Q. +Cannon, who was present on that occasion, says: + + If Joseph had risen from the dead and again spoken in their + hearing, the effect could not have been more startling than it + was to many present at that meeting, it was the voice of Joseph + himself; and not only was it the voice of Joseph which was heard + but it seemed in the eyes of the people as if it were the very + person of Joseph which stood before them. A more wonderful and + miraculous event than was wrought that day in the presence of + that congregation, we never heard of. The Lord gave His people a + testimony that left no room for doubt as to who was the man chosen + to lead them. They both saw and heard with their natural eyes and + ears, and the words which were uttered came, accompanied by the + convincing power of God, to their hearts, and they were filled + with the Spirit and with great joy. There had been gloom, and in + some hearts, probably, doubt and uncertainty, but now it was plain + to all that here was the man upon whom the Lord had bestowed the + necessary authority to act in their midst in Joseph's stead. On + that occasion Brigham Young seemed to be transformed, and a change + such as that we read of in the scriptures, as happening to the + Prophet Elisha, when Elijah was translated in his presence, seemed + to have taken place with him. The mantle of the Prophet Joseph had + been left for Brigham. * * * The people said one to another: "The + spirit of Joseph rests on Brigham;" they knew that he was the man + chosen to lead them and they honored him accordingly. * * * As + far as our observation went (we were only a boy at the time) the + people were divided into three classes from the time of the death + of Joseph up to this meeting of which we speak. One class felt + clearly and understandingly that President Brigham Young was the + man whose right it was to preside, he being the president of the + Twelve Apostles, and that body being, through the death of Joseph + and Hyrum, the presiding quorum of The Church. Another class were + not quite clear as to who would be called to preside, but they + felt very certain that Sidney Rigdon was not the man. They did + not believe that God would choose a coward and traitor to lead + His people, to both of which characters they believed Rigdon had + a claim. The third class, and we think its members were few, was + composed of those who had no clear views one way or the other. They + were undecided in their feelings. * * * With very few exceptions, + then, the people returned to their homes from that meeting filled + with great rejoicing. All uncertainty and anxiety were removed. + They had heard the voice of the shepherd and they knew it. + +In the journal of Elder William C. Staines, of that date, the following +statement is recorded: + + Brigham Young said: "I will tell you who your leaders or guardians + will be. The Twelve--I at their head!" This was with a voice like + the voice of the Prophet Joseph. I thought it was he, and so did + thousands who heard it. This was very satisfactory to the people, + and a vote was taken to sustain the Twelve in their office, which, + with a few dissenting voices, was passed. + +President Wilford Woodruff, describing the event, says: + + When Brigham Young arose and commenced speaking * * * if I had + not seen him with my own eyes, there is no one that could have + convinced me that it was not Joseph Smith; and anyone can testify + to this who was acquainted with these two men. [6] + +The remarks of Elder Young, during which he was transfigured before +the people, closed the forenoon meeting. When in the afternoon The +Church again assembled Elder Young addressed them at some length on the +subject of appointing a leader for The Church, representing the claims +of the Twelve as the quorum having the right to act in the absence +of the late Prophet-President. Following are some quotations from a +summary of his speech taken down at the time: + + For the first time in my life, for the first time in your lives, + for the first time in the Kingdom of God in the nineteenth century, + without a prophet at our head, do I step forth to act in my + calling in connection with the quorum of the Twelve, as Apostles + of Jesus Christ unto this generation--Apostles whom God has called + by revelation through the Prophet Joseph, who are ordained and + anointed to bear off the keys of the Kingdom of God in all the + world. + + * * * If any man thinks he has influence among this people, to lead + away a party, let him try it, and he will find out that there is + a power with the Apostles, which will carry them off victorious + through all the world, and build up and defend The Church and + Kingdom of God. + + * * * If the people want President Rigdon to lead them, they may + have him; but I say unto you that the Quorum of the Twelve have + the keys of the Kingdom of God in all the world. The Twelve were + appointed by the finger of God. Here is Brigham, have his knees + ever faltered? Have his lips ever quivered? Here is Heber, [7] and + the rest of the Twelve, an independent body, who have the keys of + the Priesthood--the keys of the Kingdom of God--to deliver to all + the world; this is true, so help me God. They stand next to Joseph, + and are as the First Presidency of The Church. + + * * * You must not appoint any man at our head; if you should, the + Twelve must ordain him. You cannot appoint a man at our head; but + if you do want any other man or men to lead you, take them and we + will go our way to build up the Kingdom in all the world. + + * * * Brother Joseph, the Prophet, has laid the foundation for a + grand work, and we will build upon it; you have never seen the + quorums built one upon another. There is an almighty foundation + laid, and we can build a kingdom such as there never was in the + world; we can build a kingdom faster than the devil can kill the + Saints off. + + Now if you want Sidney Rigdon or William Law [8] to lead you, or + anybody else, you are welcome to them; but I tell you in the name + of the Lord, that no man can put another between the Twelve and the + Prophet Joseph. Why? Because Joseph was their file leader, and he + has committed into their hands the keys of the Kingdom in this last + dispensation, for all the world; don't put a thread between the + Priesthood and God. [9] + +Elder Amasa Lyman spoke in support of the Twelve; and then Sidney +Rigdon was granted the privilege of speaking; he declined personally, +but called on Elder W. W. Phelps to speak in his behalf. Elder Phelps, +while evidently having some sympathy with Elder Rigdon, supported the +claims of the Twelve. After further discussion Elder Young arose to +put the question as to whether The Church would sustain the Twelve or +Sidney Rigdon: + + I do not ask you to take my counsel or advice alone, but every one + of you act for yourselves; but if Brother Rigdon is the person you + want to lead you, vote for him, but not unless you intend to follow + him and support him as you did Joseph. * * * And I would say the + same of the Twelve, don't make a covenant to support them unless + you intend to abide by their counsel. * * * I want every man before + he enters into a covenant, to know what he is going to do; but we + want to know if this people will support the Priesthood in the name + of Israel's God. If you say you will, do so. [10] + +Elder Young was then about to put the question to the assembled quorums +as to whether they wanted Elder Rigdon for a leader, when, at the +request of the latter, the question on supporting the Twelve as the +presiding quorum in The Church was first put in the following manner: + + Do The Church want, and is it their only desire, to sustain the + Twelve as the First Presidency of this people? * * * If The Church + want the Twelve to stand as the head of this Kingdom in all the + world, stand next to Joseph, walk up into their calling, and hold + the keys of this Kingdom--every man, every woman, every quorum is + now put in order, and you are now the sole controllers of it--all + that are in favor of this in all the congregation of the Saints, + manifest it by holding up the right hand. (There was a universal + vote.) If there are any of a contrary mind--every man and every + woman who does not want the Twelve to preside, lift up your hands + in like manner. (No hands up.) This supersedes the other question, + and trying it by quorums. [11] + +This disposed of Sidney Rigdon. He had full opportunity to present his +case before The Church. The Saints had full opportunity and liberty to +vote for him had they wanted him for their leader; but they rejected +him and sustained the Twelve. + +Footnotes + +1. Book of Mormon, Ether, Chap. xii. + +2. Doc. & Cov., Sec. cxxiv, 103-106. + +3. Tract on Sidney Rigdon, by Jedediah M. Grant, pp. 15, 16. + +4. History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume xxv, page 215. + +5. History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume xxv, page 215. + +6. The above remark of President Woodruff's is taken from a testimony +of his following a discourse on the subject of Priesthood and the right +of succession, delivered by the writer.--_Deseret Evening News_, March +12, 1892. + +7. Heber C. Kimball. + +8. William Law had been a counselor to the Prophet Joseph, but was +found in transgression and apostasy, had been excommunicated, and was +among those who brought about the martyrdom at Carthage. + +9. Millennial Star, volume xxv: pages 216, 231-32-33. + +10. Millennial Star, volume xxv: page 264. + +11. That is, whether The Church wanted to have Sidney Rigdon for a +"guardian" or leader. + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +THE TRIAL OF THE MURDERERS. + +MEANTIME there was considerable excitement in Hancock County, since +the mob party were determined to elect officers who would screen the +murderers of the Prophets. The Saints were equally determined to vote +for those whom they believed would sustain law and order; and the +following were put forward as candidates for the county and district +offices and elected: M. R. Deming, sheriff; D. H. Wells, coroner; +George Coulson, commissioner; J. B. Backenstos and A. W. Babbitt, +representatives. + +The account of the trial of the miscreants charged with the murder of +the Prophet I take from Gregg's "History of Hancock County," beginning +at page 328: + + TRIALS AND ACQUITTALS. + + At the October [1844] term of the Hancock Circuit Court--present + Jesse B. Thomas, judge; William Elliott, prosecuting attorney; + Jacob B. Backenstos, clerk; General Minor R. Deming, sheriff. + + The following is the grand jury: + + Abram Lincoln, Jas. Reynolds, Th. J. Graham, Wm. M. Owens, Ebenezer + Rand, Th. Brawner, Ralph Gorrell, Brant Agnert, Martin Getter, Wm. + Smith, Th. Gilmore, Benj. Warrington, Reuben H. Loomis, Samuel + Scott, Jas. Ward, Samuel Ramsy, Th. H. Owen, David Thompson, John + J. Hickok. + + Abraham Golden, E. A. Bedell and Geo. Walker excused for cause. + Samuel Marshall refused to serve, and fined $5.00. + + The court began its session on Monday the 21st. There had been + rumors industriously circulated that the old citizens intended + to rally and interpose obstacles in the way of the court and + considerable anxiety was felt. The judge in his charge to the grand + jury alluded to this rumor and said he was glad to see that no such + demonstration was made. He charged them to do their duty in the + case likely to come before them and leave the consequences. His + charge gave general satisfaction. + + There was a rumor that a lot of Mormons and Indians were encamped + near the town and this rumor occasioned considerable uneasiness. + Orders were issued to investigate. The facts turned out to be that + a number of Mormons had come down from Nauvoo to attend court, + and had gone into camp to save expense. As to the Indians it was + ascertained that a company of them had gone through the county on + their way to Iowa, for some purpose unknown; but the two facts had + no connection with each other. + + On Tuesday the grand jury began their work, and on Saturday about + noon they brought into court two bills of indictment against nine + individuals--one for the murder of Joseph Smith and the other for + the murder of Hyrum Smith. The persons indicted were as follows: + Levi Williams, Jacob C. Davis, Mark Aldrich, Thomas C. Sharp, Wm. + Voras, John Wills, Wm. N. Grover,--Gallaher and--Allen. + + Murry McConnell, Esq., of Jacksonville by special appointment of + the governor was present assisting Mr. Elliot in the prosecution. + Messrs. Bushnell and Johnson of Quincy and Calvin A. Warren, and + perhaps others appeared for the defendants. + + Immediately on announcement of the indictments most of the + defendants appeared and asked for an immediate trial. This Mr. + McConnell objected to on the grounds of not being ready. His + witnesses before the grand jury had departed without being + recognized, and besides, Mr. Elliot had gone. It was finally + agreed that the causes should be postponed until next term, and + that no _capias_ should issue from the clerk in the interim if the + defendants would pledge themselves to appear at the time. Agreed + on--a compact which was afterwards violated by the prosecution. + + Subpoenas were asked for by the prosecution for between thirty + and forty witnesses, among whom were William M. Daniels and + Brackenberry, the two miracle men, and John Taylor, Mrs. Emma Smith + and Governor Ford. + + On May 19, 1845, court again met in special term at Carthage. + Present, Richard M. Young, judge; James H. Ralston, prosecuting + attorney; David E. Head, clerk; and R. H. Deming, sheriff. The + cause of the people _vs_. Williams _et al_ coming up, Messrs. + Williams, Davis, Aldrich, Sharp and Grover appeared and were + admitted to bail on personal recognizance in the sums of $5,000.00 + jointly and severally. Josiah Lamborn of Jacksonville as assistant + prosecuting attorney and William A. Richardson, O. H. Browning, + Calvin A. Warren, Archibald Williams, O. C. Skinner and Tho. + Morrison for defendants. Motion of defendants to quash the array of + jurors for first week, on account of supposed prejudice of county + commissioners who selected them and of the sheriff and deputies was + sustained. Also motion for the appointment of elisors for the same + cause, and absence of corner from county. The array was set aside, + and Tho. H. Owen and Wm. D. Arbenethy appointed elisors for the + case. These gentlemen had a thankless and arduous duty to perform. + Usually it is not difficult to find men willing to sit on juries; + in this case few were willing to try the experiment of going into + court, with the almost certainty of being rejected by one or the + other party, and the position was not an enviable one, if taken. + Ninety-six men were brought into court before the requisite panel + of 12 was full. The following are names of the jurors chosen: + + Jesse Griffiths, Joseph Jones, Wm. Robertson, William Smith, Joseph + Massey, Silas Griffiths, Jonathan Foy, Solomon J. Hill, James + Gittings, F. M. Walton, Jabez A. Beebe, Gilmore Callison. + + The trial lasted till the 30th when the jury was instructed by the + court and after a deliberation of several hours returned a verdict + of _not guilty_. + + Instructions to the jury had been asked by both parties, the + following among a list of nine asked by defendants' counsel, were + given, and probably had most influence on the verdict. + + "That where the evidence is circumstantial admitting all to be + proven that the evidence tends to prove, if then the jury can make + any supposition consistent with the facts, by which the murder + might have been committed without the agency of the defendants, it + will be their duty to make that supposition, and find defendants + not guilty. + + "That in making up their verdict, they will exclude from their + consideration all that was said by Daniels, Brackenberry and Miss + Graham. [Witnesses, see note, p. 319.] + + "That whenever the probability is of a definite and limited nature + whether in proportion of 100 to 1 or 1,000 to 1 or any rate is + immaterial, it cannot be made the ground of conviction, for to + act upon it in any case would be to decide that for the sake of + convicting many criminals, the life of one innocent man might be + sacrificed [Starkie 508.]" + + Same defendants, for murder of Hyrum Smith were requested to + enter into recognizance of $5,000 each (with fourteen sureties) + to the June term, 1845. At said term case was called, and Elliot + and Lamborn not answering, the cause was dismissed for want of + prosecution and defendants discharged. + + Colonel John Hay, in the _Atlantic Monthly_ for December, 1869, + published an article on this subject. Although but a mere boy at + the time of this trial he had within his reach sources of correct + information. (He was a member of the State department subsequently.) + + He says: "The case was closed. There was not a man on the jury, in + the court, in the county, that did not know the defendants had done + the murder. But it was not proven, and the verdict of not guilty + was right in law. * * * The elisors presented 99 men before 12 were + found ignorant enough and indifferent enough to act as jurors." + +The fact is, the trial amounted to nothing more than a farce. The law +had been outraged, the honor of the State betrayed, her plighted faith +was shamefully broken, and there was not virtue enough in the people to +demand its vindication. Nor is this at all an exaggerated statement of +the matter. The governor of Illinois himself--Thomas Ford--admits all +that is here said. Of the atrocious deed itself and his determination +to bring the murderers to justice he says: + +_I had determined from the first that some of the ringleaders in the +foul murder of the Smiths should be brought to trial. If these men had +been the incarnation of Satan himself, as was believed by many, their +murder was a foul and treacherous action, alike disgraceful to those +who perpetrated the crime, to the State, and to the governor, whose +word had been pledged for the protection of the prisoners in jail, +and which had been so shamefully violated; and required that the most +vigorous means should be used to bring the assassins to punishment_. [1] + +Speaking of the trial, Governor Ford says: + + Accordingly, I employed able lawyers to hunt up the testimony, + procure indictments, and prosecute the offenders. A trial was had + before Judge Young in the summer of 1845. The sheriff and panel of + jurors, selected by the Mormon court, were set aside for prejudice, + and elisors were appointed to select a new jury. One friend of the + Mormons and one anti-Mormon were appointed for this purpose; but as + more than a thousand men had assembled under arms at the court, to + keep away the Mormons and their friends, the jury was made up of + these military followers of the court, who all swore that they had + never formed or expressed any opinion as to the guilt or innocence + of the accused. The Mormons had one principal [1] witness who + was with the troops at Warsaw, had marched with them until they + disbanded heard their consultations, went before them to Carthage, + and saw them murder the Smiths. But before the trial came on, they + induced him to become a Mormon; and being much more anxious for the + glorification of the Prophet than to avenge his death, the Mormons + made him publish a pamphlet giving an account of the murder; in + which he professed to have seen a bright and shining light descend + upon the head of Joe Smith to strike some of the conspirators + with blindness; and that he heard supernatural voices in the air + confirming his mission as a Prophet! Having published this in a + book, he was compelled to swear to it in court, which of course + destroyed the credit of his evidence. This witness was afterwards + expelled by the Mormons, but no doubt they will cling to his + evidence in favor of the divine mission of the Prophet. [2] Many + other witnesses were examined who knew the facts, but under the + influence of the demoralization of faction, denied all knowledge of + them. It has been said, that faction may find men honest, but it + scarcely ever leaves them so. This was verified to the letter in + the history of the Mormon quarrel. The accused were all acquitted. + + During the progress of these trials, the judge was compelled to + permit the courthouse to be filled and surrounded by armed bands + who attended court to browbeat and overawe the administration + of justice. The judge himself was in a duress, and informed me + that he did not consider his life secure any part of the time. + The consequence was that the crowd had everything their own way; + the lawyers for the defense defended their clients by a long and + elaborate attack upon the governor; the armed mob stamped with + their feet and yelled their approbation at every sarcastic and + smart thing that was said, and the judge was not only forced to + hear it, but to lend it a kind of approval. [3] + +And now in conclusion, as promised in the footnote on this page, I +quote the statement of the martyrdom as vouched for by The Church, and +published in the book of Doctrine and Covenants: + + To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we + announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum + Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th + of June, 1844, about five o'clock p. m., by an armed mob, painted + black--of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell + calmly, exclaiming, "I am a dead man!" Joseph leaped from the + window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming, "O Lord, my + God!" They were both shot after they were dead in a brutal manner + and both received four balls. + + John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the + only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a + savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, + through the providence of God, escaped, "without even a hole in his + robe." + + Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more (save + Jesus only,) for the salvation of men in this world, than any other + man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, + he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by + the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing + it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting + gospel which it contained to the four quarters of the earth; has + brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this + Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and + instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many + thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city; and left + a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died + great in the eyes of God and his people, and like most of the + Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his + works with his own blood--and so has his brother Hyrum. In life + they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! + + When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended + requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his + assassination, he said, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; + but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of + offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, + AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME--HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD." + The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go--shall it be + said to the slaughter? Yes, for so it was,--he read the following + paragraph, near the close of the fifth chapter of Ether, in the + Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:-- + + "And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would + give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it + came to pass that the Lord said unto me, if they have not charity, + it mattereth not unto you, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy + garments are clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou + shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which + I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I * * * bid + farewell unto the Gentiles; yea and also unto my brethren whom + I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, + where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your + blood." The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force. + + Hyrum Smith was 44 years old; February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was + 38 in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed + among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will + be reminded that the "Book of Mormon," and this book of Doctrine + and Covenants of the Church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth + century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world: + and that if the fire can scathe a _green tree_ for the glory + of God, how easy it will burn up the "dry trees" to purify the + vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; + and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their + names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified. + + They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved + before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of + traitors and wicked men; and their _innocent blood_ on the floor of + Carthage jail, is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot + be rejected by any court on earth; and their _innocent blood_ on + the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of + the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth + of the everlasting Gospel, that all the world cannot impeach; and + their _innocent blood_ on the banner of liberty, and on the _magna + charta_ of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of + Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all + nations; and their _innocent blood_, with the innocent blood of all + the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord + of hosts, till He avenges that blood on the earth. Amen. + +Footnotes + +1. Ford's History of Illinois, page 367. + +2. This the "Mormons," however, have not done; and no well informed +"Mormon," regards the story as being vouched for in any authoritative +way by The Church. The only authoritative account of the sad martyrdom +of the Prophets for which The Church stands responsible is that +published in the Doctrine and Covenants, section cxxxv (and which +is published at the close of this chapter); and in that account the +element of the miraculous enters not at all. + +3. Ford's History of Illinois, pages 367, 368. + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +THE EXODUS--THE FALL OF NAUVOO. + + IT is thought by some that our enemies would be satisfied with + my destruction; but I tell you that as soon as they have shed my + blood, they will thirst for the blood of every man in whose heart + dwells a single spark of the spirit of the fullness of the Gospel. + The opposition of these men is moved by the spirit of the adversary + of all righteousness. It is not only to destroy me, but every man + and woman who dares believe the doctrines that God hath inspired me + to teach in this generation. + +Such were the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith to the Nauvoo Legion +on the eighteenth of June, 1844. And the action of the old citizens of +Hancock and the surrounding counties subsequent to the murder of the +Prophet, prove how truly inspired were the words we have quoted. For no +sooner did they discover that the work which Joseph had begun refused +to die with him, than they renewed hostilities, and sought by every +means their wicked hearts could devise to harass and destroy those who +devoted their energies to the consummation of the work which had been +started. + +The mockery of a trial given those who had murdered the Prophets, +emboldened the enemies of the Saints, for they saw justice powerless +to vindicate outraged law, and that with impunity they could prey upon +the citizens of Nauvoo, whom, it would seem, their hatred had selected +for a sacrifice. Thieves and blacklegs generally, saw the opportunity +of having their crimes charged upon an innocent people, and established +themselves in the vicinity of Nauvoo, though principally on the Iowa +side of the river, and all the thefts and acts of violence committed +by those renegades were charged up to the account of the citizens +of Nauvoo, and too gladly believed by the people in the surrounding +counties. + +Not only were the charges of theft and robbery made against the Sainst, +but they were also accused of hiding from justice any and all criminals +who came into their midst--that Nauvoo, in short, was a rendezvous for +outlaws, counterfeiters and desperate men generally. These charges led +the city council on the thirteenth of January, 1845, to investigate the +allegations and a series of resolutions were adopted stating that the +charges of theft for the most part were fabrications of their enemies +bent on ruining the reputation of the city, and defied those who made +the charges to sustain with proof a single case where the citizens of +Nauvoo had screened criminals from justice. + +The council also extended an invitation to all who had reasons to +believe that their stolen property was concealed in Nauvoo to come and +make diligent search for it, and pledged them the assistance of the +council. To hunt out crime and put away everything that could give rise +to even a suspicion of concealing criminals, the mayor was authorized +to increase the force of police if necessary to five hundred; and the +people were called upon to redouble their diligence in preventing +criminals from coming among them, and all such persons as soon as +discovered were to be given up to the officers of the law. + +The next day the action of the city council was submitted to the +citizens of Nauvoo, and they approved of it. Fifty delegates were +chosen and sent into the surrounding counties to disabuse the public +mind relative to the false accusations made against the Saints, and to +ask their co-operation in ridding the country of the counterfeiters and +thieves which infested it. But all these efforts were fruitless. The +falsehoods of their enemies outweighed the truths of the Saints, and +prejudice more cruel than hell itself hardened the hearts of the people +of Illinois against the appeals of the citizens of Nauvoo, and made +them deaf to all entreaties for justice. + +Twice during the summer of 1845, Governor Ford himself went to Nauvoo +to investigate these charges against her people; and when he came to +deal with the "Mormon troubles," in his message to the legislature that +fall, after speaking of the charges made, he said: + + Justice, however, requires me to say that I have investigated + the charge of promiscuous stealing, and find it to be greatly + exaggerated. I could not ascertain that there were a greater + proportion of thieves in that community than in any other of the + same number of inhabitants, and perhaps if the city of Nauvoo were + compared with St. Louis, or any other western city, the proportion + would not be so great. + +The prejudice, not to say bitterness, of Governor Ford against the +Saints would rob his statement of any suspected exaggeration favorable +to them. + +Nor is Governor Ford's voice the only one which vindicates the +character of the citizens of Nauvoo. The deputy sheriff of Hancock +County exonerated the Mormon people from any participation in the +thefts perpetrated in the surrounding country. He testified that stolen +property was brought through the country _via_ Nauvoo, passed over +the river to the Iowa side and taken into the interior, where it was +concealed. He also stated that there were some five or six persons in +Nauvoo who were assisting in this nefarious business, but said he, +"they are not Mormons nor are they fellowshiped by them." + +Notwithstanding all this, misrepresentation so far succeeded in +poisoning the minds of the public and the leading men in the State, +that in January, 1845, the city charter of Nauvoo and the charter of +the Legion were both repealed, and thus the protecting aegis of the +city government was snatched away from her citizens, when most they +needed it, and left them exposed to the fury of their enemies. + +Of this act of punic faith on the part of the State legislature, the +State attorney, Josiah Lamborn, in a letter to Brigham Young, said: + + I have always considered that your enemies have been prompted by + political and religious prejudices, and by a desire for plunder + and blood, more than for the common good. By the repeal of your + charter, and by refusing all amendments and modifications, our + legislature has given a kind of sanction to the barbarous manner + in which you have been treated. Your two representatives exerted + themselves to the extent of their ability in your behalf, but the + tide of popular passion and frenzy was too strong to be resisted. + It is truly a melancholy spectacle to witness the law-makers of a + sovereign State condescending to pander to the vices, ignorance and + malevolence of a class of people who are at all times ready for + riot, murder and rebellion. + +Senator Jacob C. Davis was one among those who had been indicated for +the murder of Joseph and Hyrum, and of him the attorney-general said: + + Your senator, Jacob C. Davis, has done much to poison the minds + of members against anything in your favor. He walks at large in + defiance of law an indicated murderer. If a Mormon was in his + position, the senate would afford no protection, but he would be + dragged forth to jail or the gallows, or be shot down by a cowardly + and brutal mob. + +In the meantime the Twelve Apostles, sustained by the Saints, put forth +every exertion to carry out the designs of their martyred Prophet +respecting Nauvoo. The Nauvoo House was hurried on, and the walls were +growing rapidly under the constant labor of the masons. Work, too, was +vigorously prosecuted at the temple. At the time of Joseph's death +that edifice was but one story high, yet on the twenty-fourth of May, +1845, about six o'clock in the morning the cap-stone was laid amid the +general rejoicing and shouts of "Hosanna" from the assembled thousands +of the Saints. As President Brigham Young finished laying the cap-stone +he stood upon it and said: + + The last stone is laid upon the temple, and I pray the Almighty in + the name of Jesus to defend us in this place, and sustain us until + the temple is finished and we have all got our endowments. + + The whole congregation then following the motion of President Young + shouted as loud as possible: Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! to God and + the Lamb! Amen! Amen! and Amen! [1] + + "So let it be, thou Almighty God," solemnly concluded President + Young. + +Thus the world began to understand that Mormonism was not born to die +with its earthly leaders. And it began to be whispered that the Prophet +Joseph dead was even more potent than when living. His testimony had +been sealed with his blood, and it gave to his life and his labors an +additional sanctity in the eyes of his followers, as well as making it +more binding upon the world. + +Seeing then the continued prosperity of Nauvoo and her citizens, the +people in the vicinity of that city and in the surrounding counties +again commenced hostilities, if, indeed, it may be said that they had +ever ceased. The enormity of the murder at Carthage jail had checked +them temporarily; for an instant the torch and assassin's knife had +dropped from their nerveless hands and they stood aghast, at that +deed of blood. But seeing the work the murdered Prophet had started +surviving his fall, they took up again the weapons of fell destruction +and rushed once more upon their victims. + +Early in September, 1845, mobbing the scattered families of the Saints +began in earnest. A meeting was held by anti-Mormons near what was +called the "Morley settlement," to devise means of getting rid of the +Mormons. During the meeting guns were fired at the house where it was +held, and the assault charged upon the Saints, though most likely it +was done by some of their own party--that they might have an excuse for +their meditated acts of violence upon the people of Nauvoo. Such was +the general belief at the time; and Governor Ford in his "History of +Illinois," speaking of this circumstance, says: + + In the fall of 1845, the anti-Mormons of Lima and Green Plains, + held a meeting to devise means for the expulsion of the Mormons + from their neighborhood. They appointed some persons of their own + number to fire a few shots at the house where they were assembled; + but to do it in such a way as to hurt none who attended the + meeting. The meeting was held, the house was fired at, but so as + to hurt no one; and the anti-Mormons suddenly breaking up their + meeting, rode all over the country spreading the dire alarm, that + the Mormons had commenced the work of massacre and death. [2] + +The attack was made upon the Morley settlement, and on the eleventh of +the month twenty-nine houses were burned down, while their occupants +were driven into the bushes where men, women and children laid drenched +with rain, anxiously awaiting the breaking of day. + +Speaking of this outrage, the editor of the Quincy _Whig_, Mr. +Bartlett, said: + + Seriously, these outrages should be put a stop to at once; if the + Mormons have been guilty of crime why punish them, but do not visit + their sins upon defenseless women and children. This is as bad + as the savages. * * * It is feared that this rising against the + Mormons is not confined to the Morley settlement, but that there + is an understanding among the antis in the northern part of this + [Adams] and Hancock counties to make a general sweep, burning and + destroying the property of the Mormons wherever it can be found. If + this is the case, there will be employment of the executive of the + State, and that soon. * * * Still later news from above [referring + to Hancock County] was received late on Monday night. The outrages + were still continued. The flouring mill, carding machine, etc., + of Norman Buel, a Mormon, one mile and a half west of Lima is + now a heap of ashes. Colonel Levi Williams, of Green Plains has + ordered out his brigade, it is said to aid the anti-Mormons. The + anti-Mormons from Shuyler [county] and the adjoining counties, + are flocking in and great distress of life and property may be + expected. Heaven only knows where these proceedings will end. It is + time the strong arm of power was extended to quell them. [3] + +In the midst of the exciting scenes which followed, the sheriff of +Hancock County, Mr. J. B. Backenstos proved himself a friend to law and +order. He did all in his power to arrest the spread of violence and +called upon all law-abiding citizens to act as a _posse comitatus_, +but announced it as his opinion that the citizens of Nauvoo had better +take no part in suppressing the mob-violence, since that might lead +to a civil war. At the same time he told the people of Hancock, that +"the Mormon community had acted with more than ordinary forbearance, +remaining perfectly quiet, and offering no resistance when their +dwellings, their buildings, stacks of grain, etc., were set on fire in +their presence. They had forborne until forbearance was no longer a +virtue." His vigorous efforts were making headway against the violators +of the law; but in consequence of some parties who had sought his life, +while acting in his official capacity, being killed, he was arrested +[4] by General John J. Hardin and placed on trial for murder; after +which mob-violence went unchecked of justice. + +In the midst of these tumultuous scenes a mass meeting of the citizens +was convened at Quincy on the twenty-second of September. It was +generally known that the Prophet Joseph had contemplated going west +with the main body of The Church, and it was one of the objects of this +meeting to appoint a committee to confer with The Church authorities +and learn what their present intentions were as to leaving the State. +It was expressed as the opinion of that meeting that the only basis +upon which the Mormon troubles could be settled would be the removal of +that people from Illinois. "It is a settled thing," said Mr. Bartlett, +editor of the Quincy _Whig_, in his issue following the meeting of the +above date-- + + It is a settled thing that the public sentiment of the State is + against the Mormons, and it will be in vain for them to contend + against it; and to prevent bloodshed, and the sacrifice of many + lives on both sides, it is their duty to obey the public will, and + leave the State as speedily as possible. That they will do this we + have a confident hope--and that too, before the last extreme is + resorted to--that of force. + +We are sorry to say that many of the leading men of Quincy, principally +prominent members of the bar, who before had been kindly disposed +towards the citizens of Nauvoo, now turned against them, and became +the advocates of violence, and lent the weight and influence of their +characters to the support and spread of mob-law. Among such we are +sorry to publish Major Warren and O. H. Browning, the latter having +defended the Prophet Joseph on more than one occasion when unjustly +charged with crime before the courts of the country. His burning words +of eloquence, in reciting the wrongs of the Saints, when cruelly +expelled from Missouri, would, one would think, have enlisted the +sympathy of adamantine hearts; and now to see him leagued with those +bent upon bringing about a repetition of these sorrows, is an event to +be truly deplored. + +In answer to the Quincy committee to state what their present +intentions were relative to leaving the State, the Twelve handed them +the following communication: + + NAUVOO, September 24, 1845. + + _Whereas_, a council of the authorities of the Church of Jesus + Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Nauvoo have this day received a + communication from Messrs. Henry Asbury, John P. Robins, Albert G. + Pearson, P. A. Goodwin, J. N. Ralston, M. Rogers and E. Congers, + committee of the citizens of Quincy, requesting us to communicate + in writing our disposition and intention at this time, particularly + with regard to removing to some place where the peculiar + organization of our Church will not be likely to engender so much + strife and contention as unhappily exists at this time in Hancock + and some of the adjoining counties; + + _And, whereas_, said committee have reported to us the doings of + a public meeting of the citizens of Quincy on the twenty-second + inst., by which it appears there are some feelings concerning us as + a people, and in relation to which sundry resolutions were passed, + purporting to be for the purpose of maintaining or restoring peace + to the country; + + _And, whereas_, it is our desire and ever has been, to live in + peace with all men, so far as we can, without sacrificing the right + to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences + which privilege is granted by the Constitution of these United + States; and, whereas, we have time and again, been driven from our + peaceful homes, and our women and children have been obliged to + live on the prairies, in the forests, on the roads and in tents, + in the dead of winter, suffering all manner of hardships--even to + death itself--as the people of Quincy well know; the remembrance + of whose hospitality, in former days, still causes our hearts to + burn with joy, and raise the prayer to heaven for blessing on + their heads; and, whereas, it is now so late in the season that + it is impossible for us, as a people, to remove this fall without + causing a repetition of like sufferings; and, whereas, it has + been represented to us from other sources than those named, and + even in some communications from the executive of the State, that + many of the citizens of the State were unfriendly to our views + and principles; and, whereas, many scores of our homes in this + country have been burned to ashes without any justifiable cause + or provocation, and we have made no resistance, till compelled + by the authorities of the county so to do, and that authority + not connected with our Church; and, whereas, said resistance to + mobocracy, from legally constituted authority, appears to be + misunderstood by some, and misconstrued by others, so as to produce + an undue excitement in the public mind; and, whereas, we desire + peace above all earthly blessings; + + _Therefore_, we would say to the committee above mentioned, and to + the governor, and all the authorities and people of Illinois, and + the surrounding States and Territories that we propose to leave + this county next spring, for some point so remote, that there will + not need be any difficulty with the people and ourselves, provided + certain propositions necessary for the accomplishment of our + removal shall be observed, as follows, to-wit: + + That the citizens of this and surrounding counties, and all men, + will use their influence and exertion to help us to sell or rent + our properties, so as to get means enough that we can help the + widow, the fatherless and the destitute to remove with us, + + That all men will let us alone with their vexatious law-suits so + that we may have time, for we have broken no laws; and help us to + cash, dry goods, groceries, etc., to good oxen, beef cattle, sheep, + wagons, mules horses, harness, etc., in exchange for our property, + at a fair price, and deeds given on payment, that we may have means + to accomplish a removal without the suffering of the destitute to + an extent beyond the endurance of human nature. + + That all exchange of property shall be conducted by a committee, + or by committees of both parties; so that all the business may be + transacted honorably and speedily. + + That we will use all lawful means, in connection with others + to preserve the public peace while we tarry; and shall expect, + decidedly, that we be no more molested with house-burning, or any + other depredations, to waste our property and time, and hinder our + business. + + That it is a mistaken idea, that we have proposed to leave in six + months, for that would be so early in the spring that grass may + not grow nor water run; both of which would be necessary for our + removal. But we propose to use our influence, to have no more seed + time and harvest among our people in this county after gathering + our present crops; and that all communications be made to us in + writing. + + By order of the council, + BRIGHAM YOUNG, + President. + + W. RICHARDS, + Clerk. + +The Quincy committee reported to the citizens of that city, the +propositions of The Church authorities, which were regarded as +satisfactory in part, but thought they were not so full or decisive +as was necessary. The mass meeting to which they reported, however, +accepted the propositions and decided to recommend the people in the +surrounding counties to do the same. "But," said one of the resolutions: + + We accept it [the proposition of The Church authorities] as an + unconditional proposition to remove. We do not intend to bring + ourselves under any obligation to purchase their property or + furnish purchasers for the same, but we will in no way hinder or + obstruct them in their efforts to sell; and will expect them to + dispose of their property, and remove at the time appointed. + + _Resolved_, that it is now too late to attempt the settlement of + the difficulties in Hancock County upon any other basis than that + of the removal of the Mormons from the State. + + _Resolved_, that whilst we shall endeavor, by all the means in our + power, to prevent the occurrence of anything which might operate + against their removal, and afford the people of Nauvoo any grounds + of complaint, we shall equally expect good faith upon their part; + and if they shall not comply with their own proposition, the + consequence must rest upon those who violate faith. And we now + solemnly pledge ourselves to be ready at the appointed time to act, + as the occasion may require, and that we will immediately adopt a + preliminary military organization, for prompt future action, if + occasion should demand it. + + _Resolved_, that in our opinion, the peace of Hancock County cannot + so far be restored as to allow the desired progress to be made, + in preparing the way for the removal of the Mormons, while J. B. + Backenstos remains sheriff of said county: and that he ought to + resign said office. + +Of the first of these resolutions Josiah B. Conyers, the author of +"A Brief History of the Hancock Mob," says with just indignation and +sarcasm: + + The first one, in our opinion, is unique. They accepted and + recommended to the people of the surrounding counties to accept an + unconditional proposition to remove. But understand, Mr. Mormon, + though we accept it and recommend the surrounding counties to do + so, likewise, (reprobate you, unconditionally) we do not intend to + bring ourselves under any obligation to purchase your property, + or to furnish purchasers; but we will be very kind and obliging, + and will in no way, hinder or obstruct you in your efforts to + sell, provided, nevertheless, this shall not be so construed as to + prevent us from running off the purchaser. But we expect this small + favor of you, viz., that you must dispose of your property, and + leave at the appointed time. [5] + +This mass meeting closed its business by arranging a plan for adopting +a preliminary military organization for prompt future action, if +occasion should demand. + +On the first and second of October an anti-Mormon convention assembled +at Carthage, in which nine counties, those immediately surrounding +Hancock, were represented. A committee on evidence, was appointed, on +which Archibald Williams, one of the Saints' bitterest enemies, was +chairman. It was its business to collect evidence in relation to the +depredations of the Mormons. The chairman made a report to which were +appended a number of affidavits, charging various crimes on the people +of Nauvoo. It is needless to say that the whole thing was an _ex patre_ +affair, and sustained by the men who had assisted in the murder of +Joseph and Hyrum Smith; and it was upon their evidence the convention +acted. + +The convention adopted the course followed by the mass meeting at +Quincy--that is, it agreed to accept the propositions of The Church +authorities, to remove, in the same spirit they were received at +Quincy, and proceeded to prepare a preliminary military organization +to act with promptitude, provided the Saints did not remove. The +convention also, + + _Resolved_, that it is expected as an indispensable condition to + the pacification of the county, that the old citizens be permitted + to return to their homes unmolested by the present sheriff + (Backenstos,) and the Mormons, for anything alleged against them; + any attempt on their part to arrest or prosecute such persons for + pretended offenses, will inevitably lead to a renewal of the late + disorder. + +O. H. Browning moved the following: + + _Resolved_, that the Hon. W. N. Purple, judge of this judicial + circuit court be requested not to hold a court in Hancock County + this fall; as, in the opinion of this convention, such court could + not be holden without producing a collision between the Mormons and + anti-Mormons, and renewing the excitement and disturbances which + have recently affected said county. + +And thus those guilty of mob violence and house burning were to be +protected by the Carthage convention from prosecution before the +courts; and those who might have the temerity to prosecute them and +vindicate the law, were threatened by a renewal of that same lawless +violence! Where, then, proud State of Illinois, was your majesty! Your +honor! Can you answer? If you, out of very shame, cannot look up and +reply, history answers for you, and tells you it was trailed in the +dust, under the very feet of as vile a set of traitors as ever brought +shame to their country! And where was your virtuous populace, the true +watch and guard of a State's honor? Alas, they were blinded by the +falsehoods prompted by malice and envy, and started on foot to shield +the guilty murderers of innocence, or quelled by the bold front of a +traitorous but successful mob. + +In the meantime every exertion was made by the citizens of Nauvoo, to +be ready for the great exodus in the spring. The temple had been so far +completed that a conference was held in it on the sixth of October, and +committees appointed to negotiate the sale of property and attend to +other branches of business. + +Nauvoo presented a busy scene in those days. Men were hurrying to and +fro collecting wagons and putting them in repair; the roar of the +smith's forge was well nigh perpetual, and even the stillness of night +was broken by the steady beating of the sledge and the merry ringing +of the anvil. Committees were seeking purchasers of real estate and +converting both that and personal property into anything that would be +of service to those just about to plunge into an unknown and boundless +wilderness. + +But while these efforts were being put forth on the part of the +people of Nauvoo, to fulfill their agreement with the mob forces, +the conditions of removal on the part of the old settlers were +frequently violated; and instances of mob violence were almost every +day occurrences. The people, who were making preparations to leave the +farms, gardens and homes they had redeemed from the wilderness, were +constantly threatened with destruction by the hostile demonstrations of +their heartless neighbors. + +To give an earnest of the intentions of the Mormons to leave the State +where they had suffered so much, and to thereby remove all occasion +for the implacable wrath of their enemies, that was so impatient that +it could not wait for the springtime to come, for the sacrifice of +its victims, the Twelve and the High Council, with about four hundred +families, crossed the Mississippi on the ice, on the eleventh of +February, 1846, and were soon lost to view in the wilderness of Iowa. +Others continued to follow as fast as they could make ready, until by +the latter part of April, the great body of The Church at Nauvoo had +gone. + +But now, purchasers for their property failed those who remained. +The people surrounding Nauvoo saw no need of purchasing that which +inevitably must become theirs. The result was that it became impossible +for this remnant, consisting for the most part, of the destitute, the +aged, infirm and sick, to remove. And surely a people who had still any +faith left in humanity, would be justified in the belief that these +could remain until an asylum was found for them by their friends, who +had already gone in search of new homes. But in this, be it said, to +the shame of Illinois, they were deceived. In the hardened hearts of +their enemies, however, there was no mercy, even for the helpless; no +pity for the sick or destitute. In their enemies' veins the milk of +human kindness had dried up. + +During the preparations for the exodus, Major Warren had been stationed +with a small military force in Hancock, to keep the peace; but about +the middle of April he received orders to disband his force on the +first of May, as that was adjudged by "the public expectation," to use +a phrase of Major Warren's, when the last of the Mormons should have +left the State. So soon as it was understood that there were still +left in Nauvoo a number of Mormons who would likely remain through +the summer to continue their efforts to dispose of property, an +uproar was raised in the surrounding counties, meetings were held and +resolutions adopted, demanding that they leave at once, under threats +of extermination. When the governor saw this new furore breaking out, +he countermanded the order for Major Warren to disband his forces, and +commanded him to hold his position and to preserve the peace until he +received further orders. + +The new impetus given to mob violence, however, was not to spend its +force without perpetrating some outrage, and a number of cowardly +attacks were made upon Mormons. On the eleventh of May, Major Warren +found it necessary to issue a circular from which I quote the following: + + The undersigned again deems it his duty to appear before you in a + circular. It may not be known to all of you, that the day after + my detachment was disbanded at Carthage, I received orders from + the executive to muster them into service again, and remain in the + county until further orders. + + I have now been in Nauvoo with my detachment a week and can say + to you with perfect assurance that the demonstrations made by the + Mormon population, are unequivocal. They are leaving the State, and + preparing to leave, with every means that God and nature has placed + in their hands. * * * The anti-Mormons desire the removal of the + Mormons; this is being effected peaceably and with all possible + dispatch. All aggressive movements, therefore, against them at this + time, must be actuated by a wanton desire to shed blood, or to + plunder. * * * + + A man of near sixty years of age, living about seven miles from + this place, was taken from his house a few nights since, stripped + of his clothing, and his back cut to pieces with a whip, for no + other reason than because he was a Mormon, and too old to make + successful resistance. Conduct of this kind would disgrace a horde + of savages. * * * To the Mormons I would say, go on with your + preparations and leave as fast as you can. Leave the fighting to + be done by my detachment. If we are overpowered, then recross the + river, and defend yourselves and property. + +To those busy trying to raise mob forces, principally Squire M'Calla +and Colonel Levi Williams, Major Warren gave warning that a previous +order to the effect that not more than four armed men, other than +State troops, should assemble together, would be enforced; and that +any mob which assembled would be dispersed; his force or the mob would +leave the field in double quick time. This had the effect of quieting +matters down for a season, but only until Major Warren's detachment was +disbanded. + +A meeting was held at Carthage on the sixth of June, to make +preparations for celebrating the fourth of July, the nation's natal +day. It was suggested at that meeting that, as all the Mormons had not +left the State, the people of Hancock County could not be considered +free; and under those circumstances, they ought not to celebrate the +fourth with the usual rejoicings. The meeting was therefore adjourned +to meet on the twelfth, for the purpose of taking into consideration +why it was that all Mormons had not left the city of Nauvoo. That +happened to be the day fixed by the governor on which to raise +volunteers for the Mexican war, which, in the meantime, had broken out; +so that there was considerable excitement among the militia of Hancock +County, and the mob leaders doubtless thought the time propitious for +making a demonstration against the few Saints still remaining in Nauvoo. + +A large body of men were found willing to march into Nauvoo, but it was +learned that the new citizens who had purchased much of the property of +the now exiled people, were unwilling to allow the mob forces to enter +the city, and meeting with this unexpected opposition, the mob forces +marched to Golden's point, distant from Nauvoo some five or six miles +down the river. At this juncture, Stephen Markham returned to Nauvoo +from the camp of the Apostles for some Church property; but it was +rumored that he had returned with a large body of men, and as Markham's +name was a terror among the enemies of the Saints, the mob took to +flight, though no one was in pursuit. It was a case of the wicked +fleeing when no man pursued. + +The committee at Quincy having control of the mob forces, either +chagrined by the cowardice of those who had collected at Golden's +point, or appalled at the prospect of innocent blood being found upon +their skirts, retired from the position which had been assigned them. +This disorganized the mob and they dispersed to their homes, but agreed +to assemble again at the call of their leaders; and laid an injunction +upon the Mormons in Nauvoo not to go outside of the city limits, except +in making their way westward. + +This order of the mob was disregarded by a party of new citizens and +a few Saints who went into the country several miles, to harvest a +field of grain. While engaged in their work, they were surrounded by +a mob and captured. They were robbed of their arms, stripped of their +clothing, and cruelly beaten with hickory goads. This outrage created +intense excitement in Nauvoo, and the new citizens and Saints made +common cause in bringing the perpetrators of it to justice. But while +the parties accused of the crime were under arrest in the hands of +the officers, a second party, consisting of P. H. Young and his son, +Richard Ballantyne, James Standing and Mr. Herring were kidnapped, and +held by their tormentors fourteen days, during which time they were +constantly threatened with death. They finally escaped, however, and +returned to Nauvoo. + +The parties accused of making the assault on those in the harvest +field, took a change of venue to Quincy, but whether they were ever +brought to trial or not, I cannot learn, but think they were not. + +Among those arrested for attacking the party of harvesters was Major +M'Calla; and in his possession was found a gun taken from the party. +The gun was recognized by several persons, among whom was Wm. Pickett, +and taken from him. The mobbers then and there made out a charge of +stealing, and got out warrants for the arrest of Pickett, Furness and +Clifford. Pickett, it would seem, had incurred the hatred of the mob, +and they desired to get him into their power. Word was brought to him +by a friend that the warrant was merely a subterfuge to get him into +the hands of his enemies; consequently, when one John Carlin, a special +constable from Carthage, undertook to arrest him, he asked if he would +guarantee his safety; being answered in the negative, he resisted the +officer and would not be taken. Though it is claimed that afterwards, +in company with several friends he went before the magistrate of Green +Plains, who, it was said, issued the warrant for his arrest. But as he +had no record of the warrant he refused to put him under arrest. The +other parties accused were acquitted on examination. + +The mob now, however, saw an opportunity to accomplish their full +purpose of destroying the city of Nauvoo. An officer had been resisted +by a citizen, and his fellow citizens approved his course! "Nauvoo was +in rebellion against the laws!" Carlin issued a proclamation calling +upon the citizens to come as a _posse comitatus_, to assist him in +executing the law. And to his clarion call, + + There was mounting in hot haste. + +The old mob forces were soon assembled at Carthage, and the command +given to Captain Singleton. + +The citizens of Nauvoo petitioned the governor for protection, and he +sent to them Major J. R. Parker, with a force of ten men from Fulton +County, and also authorized him to take command of such forces as +might volunteer to defend the city against any attacks that might be +threatened. He was also empowered "to pursue, and in aid of any peace +officer with a proper warrant, arrest the rioters who may threaten +or attempt such an attack, and bring them to trial;" and to assist +with an armed posse any peace officer in making an arrest, and with a +like force to guard the prisoners, during the trial, and as long as +he believed them in danger of mob violence. The commission bears date +August 24, 1846. + +Thus equipped, Major Parker went to Nauvoo and issued a proclamation +calling upon the mobs then collecting, "_in the name of the people of +Illinois, and by virtue of the authority vested in him by the governor +of the State to disperse_." The issue, then, was no longer between the +mob forces and the Mormons; it was between the recognized authority of +the State and this lawless banditti. Major Parker also announced that +he was authorized and prepared to assist the proper officers in serving +any writs in their hands. + +In answer to this proclamation Carlin issued a counter one to the +effect that if he met with resistance from Parker, he would consider +his detachment as a mob, and proceed accordingly. To which Parker +replied, if the forces under Carlin undertook to enter Nauvoo, he would +treat them as a mob. Parker also wrote to Singleton, and expressed a +desire to bring about a settlement of the difficulty without shedding +blood. To this communication Singleton replied that in Parker's +proposition he saw nothing looking to the expulsion of the remnant +of the Mormon people left in Nauvoo, and "that is," said he "a _sine +qua non_ with us." It will be remembered that Carlin's professed +object in calling for a posse was to arrest William Pickett; but now +something more is demanded--the immediate removal of the Mormons, the +surrender of Nauvoo, etc. Singleton concluded his terms to Parker, the +representative of the governor of the State, in these words: + + When I say to you, the Mormons must go, I speak the mind of the + camp and the country. They can leave without force or injury to + themselves or their property, but I say to you, sir, with all + candor, _they shall go_--they may fix the time within sixty days, + or I will fix it for them. + +At this juncture a committee of one hundred, which had been appointed +by the citizens of Quincy, arrived on the scene, to act--ostensibly--as +mediators, to bring about a peaceful solution of the trouble, but +one cannot help thinking their true mission was to insidiously carry +out the project of the mob. But I leave the reader to draw his own +inference respecting that; when he hears the terms proposed by that +committee, and which all classes of citizens in Nauvoo, seeing no +alternative, accepted: + +The terms offered were that the Mormons move out of the city, or +disperse within sixty days. A force of twenty-five to remain in the +city during that time, half the expense of maintaining them was to be +paid by the people of Nauvoo; for which amount they were to give bond; +that the Mormons surrender their arms, which should be returned to them +after they left the State; that as soon as those arms were surrendered, +the forces under Singleton were to disperse; that all hostilities cease +between the respective parties as soon as the agreement was accepted. + +The singularity about this agreement is that not one word is said about +giving up Pickett, to arrest whom the forces under Singleton were +ostensibly called out. Does it not reveal the fact that the Pickett +episode was merely a ruse--a pretext for gathering a mob to sack Nauvoo +and drive away the Mormons? + +This proposed settlement, however, was rejected by the mob forces. It +did not sufficiently gratify their implacable hatred. They did, in very +deed, as the Prophet Joseph foretold his people they would, thirst +for the blood of every man in whose heart dwelt a single spark of the +spirit of the fullness of the Gospel. But when the mob rejected these +terms, Singleton and other leaders left them; saying the Mormons had +done all that could be required of them. + +On the retirement of Singleton and others, the command of the mob was +given to Thomas S. Brockman, a Campbellite preacher, known familiarly +as "Old Tom," among his followers. He at once went into active +preparations for bombarding the city; and with a force of more than one +thousand men, and six pieces of cannon, took up a position about one +mile east of the city, in a cornfield just at the head of Mulholland +street; and not far from the house of Squire D. H. Wells. + +From this position Brockman issued the terms upon which he would grant +peace. The terms he offered were much more outrageous than those +proposed by the Quincy committee, and therefore were rejected by the +people of Nauvoo, both by Mormon and non-Mormon. Brockman addressed +his insolent terms of peace to "the commanding officer of Nauvoo, and +the trustees of the Mormon Church." The "commanding officer" was Major +Clifford, who had succeeded Major Parker in that position. He was +vested with the governor's commission as Parker had been, and it was to +this representative of Illinois' executive that the demand of Brockman +to surrender the city, and stack his arms, was addressed; so that he +and his mob forces were pitted against the laws and lawful authority of +the State, and we shall see, as we proceed, how mobs were more powerful +than the State authorities; or rather, how the lawful authorities of +the State were so lost to all sense of shame, so recreant to the trust +reposed in them, so neglectful of the honor and dignity of the State, +that they permitted their own representatives to be driven in disgrace +from the field by the mob led by Brockman: and furthermore, those same +authorities were so lost to every principle of humanity, that they +permitted the helpless and unoffending people to be driven from their +homes out into the wilderness to perish from exposure. + +The citizens of Nauvoo were not willing to allow Brockman's mob +to enter the city without making some effort to prevent him; and +although their forces numbered not more than three or four hundred, +they presented a determined front to the mob. They converted some +steam-boat shafts into cannon--five pieces in all--and threw up some +fortifications on the north of Mulholland street, facing the mob's +camp. These works were under command of Captain Lamareux. On the +south of of Mulholland street, the companies of Gates and Cutler were +stationed. + +On September 10th, 11th, and 12th, there was some desultory firing on +both sides, without much advantage being gained. On the thirteenth, +however, the mob-forces advanced in solid column, making a desperate +effort to reach Mulholland street, the principal street leading into +Nauvoo from the east. If the onset was desperate, the resistance was +equally determined. The main shock of the conflict was sustained for a +time by Gates' and Cutler's companies, and they must inevitably have +been overpowered by the superior numbers of the mob, had not Squire +Wells come up with Lamareux's company to reinforce them. The doughty +squire had ridden across an open field exposed to the fire of the +enemy, to where Lamareux's company lay behind their fortifications. +He called upon them to advance at once to check the approach of the +mob. There was one brave spirit who needed no second call to perform +his duty. That was William Anderson, captain of what was known as the +"Spartan Band." He leaped from behind the trenches and calling on his +men to follow, started for the front. The rest of Lamareux's company +did not so readily respond, and manifested a disposition to retreat +rather than advance. Squire Wells, observing this, and seeing Anderson +and his few brave followers rushing headlong into the conflict, raised +in his stirrups, and swinging his hat, shouted: "Hurrah for Anderson! +Who wouldn't follow the brave Anderson!" This rallied their spirits, +and they followed the squire to the front, where they were soon firing +at the enemy as steadily as their comrades. + +The mob forces by this time had nearly reached Mulholland street, but +now they recoiled from the rapid firing of the reinforcements and beat +a retreat to the house of a Mr. Carmichael, but a short distance from +Squire Wells' house. Here they waited until wagons came from their +camp, and putting their dead and wounded into them, returned to where +they were encamped in the morning. The number of killed and wounded of +the mob has never been ascertained, as the facts were kept concealed. +The intrepid Anderson and his equally brave son, a lad not more than +fifteen years of age fell in the engagement; and one Morris was killed +while crossing a field by a cannon ball. + +Negotiations were now renewed, and the citizens of Nauvoo, seeing that +the State authorities rendered them no assistance, but permitted even +their own authority to be braved by a lawless mob, and knowing that +they would eventually be overpowered, accepted the following terms of +settlement, in order to stop the further effusion of blood:-- + + 1. The city of Nauvoo will surrender. The force of Colonel Brockman + to enter and take possession of the city tomorrow, the seventeenth + of September, at three o'clock p. m. + + 2. The arms to be delivered to the Quincy committee, to be returned + on the crossing of the river. + + 3. The Quincy committee pledge themselves to use their influence + for the protection of persons and property from all violence, and + the officers of the camp and the men pledge themselves to protect + all persons and property from violence. + + 4. The sick and helpless to be protected and treated with humanity. + + 5. The Mormon population of the city to leave the State or disperse + as soon as they can cross the river. + + 6. Five men, including the Trustees of The Church, and five clerks, + with their families (Wm. Pickett not one of the number) to be + permitted to remain in the city, for the disposition of property, + free from all molestation and personal violence. + + 7. Hostilities to cease immediately, and ten men of the Quincy + committee to enter the city, in the execution of their duty as soon + as they think proper. + +These terms of capitulation were signed on the part of the citizens of +Nauvoo, by Almon W. Babbitt, Joseph L. Heywood and John S. Fullmer; and +on the part of the mob by Thomas S. Brockman and John Carlin; and by +Andrew Johnson on behalf of the Quincy committee. + +The rest of my story is soon told. There was a hasty flight of the +"Mormon" population and a number of the new citizens who had assisted +in the defense of Nauvoo. They left their homes without being able to +carry with them anything for their comfort. The sick, aged and infirm, +together with the youth, without regard to sex or condition, shared +the same fate; they had to lie out on the Mississippi bottoms where +many perished through exposure, and beyond all doubt, all would have +famished from hunger, had not their camp been filled with innumerable +flocks of quail, so tame that women and children caught hundreds of +them in their hands, and thus was the cry of hunger relieved, by what +would generally be regarded as a miraculous occurrence. [6] + +Brockman and his forces entered the city, and once in, he insolently +violated every condition of the treaty of surrender. But lest I +should be charged with inaccuracy--for such events as I am recording +seem almost too much to believe--I quote from the report made by Mr. +Brayman to Governor Ford. Mr. Brayman had acted as the Governor's +agent, for some time, in a secret capacity from the commencement of the +difficulties at Nauvoo, and the following abstract is from an elaborate +report he gives of the final struggle for the defense of the city. +Moreover, the fact that I have never seen this matter reproduced in any +of our books encourages me to insert it here: + + The force of General Brockman marched into the city at three + o'clock. From fifteen hundred to two thousand men marched in + procession, through the city, and encamped on the south side, near + the river. The march was conducted without the least disorder or + trespass upon persons or property. The streets were deserted--the + obnoxious persons had left the city, leaving but little to provoke + the resentment of the victors. But a few Mormons remained in the + city, and these were hastening their preparations for crossing the + river as soon as possible. On my return from Carthage to the city, + about noon, I learned that the Quincy committee had closed its + labors at sunrise and had left for home, leaving a sub-committee to + complete the reception and delivery of the arms of those Mormons + who had not yet departed. + + I also learned that in addition to the duty General Brockman had + assumed, under the treaty, of superintending the removal of the + Mormons from the State, he had issued an order for the expulsion + from the State, of all who had borne arms in defense of the city + against his force, and all who were in any manner identified with + the Mormons. + + It could scarcely be believed that such an order in such palpable + and gross violation of the unanimous pledge which had been signed + by the officers, agreed to by the whole force, and endorsed by + the Quincy committee, had been given. But on applying to General + Brockman, I learned that such an order had been given, and would be + executed. This order was rigorously enforced throughout the day, + with many circumstances of the utmost cruelty and injustice. Bands + of armed men traversed the city, entering the houses of citizens, + robbing them of arms, throwing their household goods out of doors, + insulting them, and threatening their lives. Many were seized and + marched to the camp, and after military examination, set across + the river, for the crime of sympathizing with the Mormons, or the + still more heinous offense of _fighting in the defense of the city, + under command of officers commissioned by_ YOU, [Governor Ford], + and instructed to make that defense. It is, indeed, painfully true, + that many citizens of this State, have been driven from it by an + armed force, because impelled by our encouragement, and a sense of + duty, they have bravely defended their homes and homes of their + neighbors from the assaults of a force assembled for unlawful + purposes. + + In the face of the pledge given to protect persons and property + from all violence, (excepting of course Mormon persons and + property), it may be estimated that nearly one half of the new + citizens of Nauvoo have been forced from their homes and dare + not return. Thus far, these citizens have appealed in vain for + protection and redress. + + It remains yet to be seen whether there is efficacy in the law, + power in the executive arm, or potency in public opinion sufficient + to right their grievous wrongs. It is disgraceful to the character + of the State, and a humiliation not to be borne, to permit a + military leader, acting without a shadow of lawful authority, but + in violation of law and right, not only to thwart the will of the + executive, but to impose upon citizens the penalty of banishment, + for acting under it. [7] + +Was this arch traitor, Brockman, hung for his treason against the +State? No; nor even tried or questioned, neither he nor his followers. +Perhaps it was thought that an investigation might reveal the fact to +the world that many high officials, and chief among them the governor +of the State, had been engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to drive +from Illinois an innocent community, whose rights they had not the +moral courage to defend against the fierce attacks of lawless mobs, +whose hands were crimson in the blood of innocence; and who repeatedly +trampled the honor and dignity of the State under their feet. + +After a time the most of the new citizens returned to the homes they +had purchased for little or nothing from the now exiled founders of the +beautiful city. But Nauvoo never prospered under its new masters. Out +of sympathy for those who had redeemed it from a wilderness, and some +portions of it from a swamp, its fields and gardens refused to yield in +their strength to the industry of other hands. Its decline was as rapid +and disastrous as its rise had been sudden and glorious. + +A French communistic society had purchased considerable property in +the deserted city, and into their hands passed the splendid temple the +Saints at such sacrifice had erected. Externally, the building had +been completed in the spring of 1846, even to the gilding of the angel +and the trumpet at the top of the spire. During the winter of 1845-6 +various rooms of the temple were dedicated for ordinance work, and +there hundreds of the faithful Saints received their endowments--the +sacred mysteries of the faith. The main court of worship was also +prepared; and on the evening of April 30th, 1846, the building was +privately dedicated, Joseph Young, the senior president of the First +Council of Seventy, offering the dedicatory prayer. On the first of +May, 1846, under the direction of Apostles Orson Hyde and Wilford +Woodruff, the edifice was publicly dedicated, according to the order of +the Holy Priesthood, revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. + +The temple was always a source of envy to the enemies of the Saints, +and it was feared that if it continued to stand it would be a bond +between its exiled builders and the city from which they had been +cruelly driven, and an inducement for them to return. On the tenth +of November, 1848, an incendiary, therefore, set it on fire, and the +tower was destroyed, and the whole building so shattered, that on the +twenty-seventh of May, 1850, a tornado blew down the north wall. I +was informed by M. M. Morrill, who at the time of my visit was mayor +of Nauvoo, and, by the way, one who had assisted in its defense when +attacked by the mob, that one Joseph Agnew, confessed to being the +incendiary. Finally all the walls were pulled down and the stone +hauled away for building purposes, until now, not one stone stands +upon another. Even the very foundation has been cleared away, and +the excavation for the basement filled up and the site covered with +inferior buildings. + +At the time of my visit, in the summer of 1885, the population +of Nauvoo numbered about seventeen hundred, nine-tenths of whom +were Germans. The principal occupation is grape-growing, vineyards +covering some portions of the city plat, which was once the principal +business center. The whole place has a half-deserted, half-dilapidated +appearance, and seems to be withering under a blight, from which it +refuses to recover. + +Such is the fate of Nauvoo, which once promised to be the first city +of Illinois, and beyond all question would have been so had there +existed sufficient virtue and honor in that State to have protected its +founders in their rights. + +* * * * * * * + + Still stands the forest primeval; but under the + Shade of its branches + Dwells another race, with other customs + And languages. + +The quotation connects me with my introduction, and reminds me that I +have completed the task proposed in these pages. But in the fate which +overtook the survivors of the Acadian peasant-exiles from Nova Scotia, +and the Mormons exiles from Illinois, the former fails altogether to +suggest the faintest hint of a parallel. + + Only along the shores of the mournful and + mystic Atlantic + Linger a few Acadian peasants, whose fathers + from exile + Wandered back to their native land to die + in its bosom, + +Finishes the story of the Acadian exiles. Not so the story of the +exiles from Illinois. They did not perish in exile, nor did merely a +handful of them, broken in spirits as in fortunes return to live silent +and sad on the site of their former homes. The Mormon exiles were not +broken and scattered--they remained a people; beyond their exile they +were destined to have a glorious history. Their faith in their religion +was not shattered. Their church was not disrupted. Their hearts were +not turned against their prophets. Their spirits were not blighted +nor their hearts bowed down beyond the power of recovery; nor their +fortunes so blasted that they could not hope for prosperity--for God +was with them. + +The institution--The Church--brought into existence, and its doctrines +developed amid so much of spiritual tempest and pursued so relentlessly +by mob violence, and which may be said to have had a second birth at +Nauvoo, and to have received sanctification from the martyrdom of her +earthly founder--The Church which these exiles bore with them into the +western wilderness was not born to die. Whatever might be the fate +of The Church and the Saints in other dispensations of the Gospel, +God had now introduced the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, +in which He has decreed that all things in Christ shall be gathered +together in one--even in Him. [8] A dispensation in which the salvation +of man and the redemption of the earth itself shall be consummated. +And the earth and men made ready for the all glorious reign of truth +and righteousness so long promised by God and His prophets. Hence +The Church was not destroyed; and the people who fled with her to +the wilderness did not perish. The blinding storms of sleet and rain +which enveloped their principal companies as in melancholy trains they +penetrated the wilderness of the then territory of Iowa, might easily +have been taken for God's curtain rung down upon the most melancholy +scene in America's history--the scene of a people in free America--the +boasted asylum for the oppressed, where religious freedom is guaranteed +by express constitutional provision--fleeing from the worst forms of +oppression--the oppression of mob violence invoked in Illinois to crush +their religious faith. But the curtain so rung down was not upon the +final act. The hand of God again rolled it up; and when He did, it was +to reveal to the world the exiles as the redeemers of desert wastes; +the planters of cities; the builders of temples, the founders of +States; and for themselves and for their religious faith so entrenched, +so strengthened, so enlarged that the world shall never, while the +earth itself remains, or sun or stars endure be rid of that faith +founded--under God--by JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET-MARTYR OF NAUVOO. + +Footnotes + +1. Wm. Clayton's journal, under date of May 24, 1845. + +2. Ford's History of Illinois, p. 406. + +3. The Hancock Mob, p. 4, by J. B. Conyers, M. D. + +4. He was acquitted at his trial which took place at Peoria. + +5. Hancock Mob, Conyers, pp. 13, 14. + +6. The condition of the exiled Saints at this period is graphically +described by General Thomas L. Kane, see appendix-- + +7. The Hancock Mob, by J.B. Conyers, M. D., pages 73, 74. + +8. Eph. 1: 9, 10. + + + +APPENDICES. + + + +APPENDIX I. + +CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JOSEPH SMITH AND JOHN C. CALHOUN. + + HON. JOHN C. CALHOUN. + + DEAR SIR,--As we understand you are a candidate for the Presidency + at the next election; and as the Latter-day Saints (sometimes + called Mormons, who now constitute a numerous class in the school + politic of this vast republic,) have been robbed of an immense + amount of property, and endured nameless sufferings by the State of + Missouri, and from her borders have been driven by force of arms, + contrary to our national covenants; and as in vain we have sought + redress by all constitutional, legal, and honorable means, in her + courts, her executive councils and her legislative halls; and as + we have petitioned Congress to take cognizance of our sufferings + without effect, we have judged it wisdom to address you this + communication, and solicit an immediate, specific and candid reply + to "_What will be your rule of action relative to us as a people_," + should fortune favor your ascension to the chief magistracy? + + Most respectfully, sir, your friend, + and the friend of peace, good order, + and constitutional rights, + JOSEPH SMITH. + + In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. + + FORT HILL, 2ND DECEMBER, 1843. + + SIR,--You ask me what would be my rule of action relative to the + Mormons or Latter-day Saints, should I be elected President; to + which I answer, that if I should be elected, I would strive to + administer the government according to the Constitution and the + laws of the Union; and that as they make no distinction between + citizens of different religious creeds, I should make none. As far + as it depends on the executive department, all should have the full + benefit of both, and none should be exempt from their operation. + + But as you refer to the case of Missouri, candor compels me to + repeat what I said to you at Washington, that, according to my + views, the case does not come within the jurisdiction of the + federal government, which is one of limited and specific powers. + + With respect, I am, &c., &c., + J. C. CALHOUN. + + Mr. Joseph Smith. + + NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, JANUARY 2, 1844. + + SIR,--Your reply to my letter of last November, concerning your + rule of action towards the Latter-day Saints, if elected president, + is at hand; and that you and your friends of the same opinion + relative to the matter in question may not be disappointed as to + me or my mind upon so grave a subject, permit me, as a law-abiding + man, as a well-wisher to the perpetuity of constitutional rights + and liberty, and as a friend to the free worship of Almighty God by + all, according to the dictates of every person's own conscience, to + say _I am surprised_ that a man or men in the highest stations of + public life should have made up such a fragile "view" of a case, + than which there is not one on the face of the globe fraught with + so much consequence to the happiness of men in this world or the + world to come. + + To be sure, the first paragraph of your letter appears very + complacent and fair on a white sheet of paper. And who, that is + ambitious for greatness and power, would not have said the same + thing? Your oath would bind you to support the Constitution and + laws; and as all creeds and religions are alike tolerated, they + must, of course, all be justified or condemned according to merit + or demerit. But why--tell me why are all the principal men held up + for public stations _so cautiously careful_ not to publish to the + world that they _will judge a righteous judgment_, law or no law? + for laws and opinions, like the vanes of steeples, change with the + wind. + + One Congress passes a law, another repeals it; and one statesman + says that the Constitution means this, and another that; and who + does not know that all may be wrong? The opinion and pledge, + therefore, in the first paragraph of your reply to my question, + like the forced steam from the engine of a steam-boat, makes the + show of a bright cloud at first; but when it comes in contact with + a purer atmosphere, dissolves to common air again. + + Your second paragraph leaves you naked before yourself, like a + likeness in a mirror, when you say that, "according to your view, + the federal government is one of limited and specific powers," and + has no jurisdiction in the case of the Mormons. So then a State can + at any time expel any portion of her citizens with impunity, and, + in the language of Mr. Van Buren, frosted over with your gracious + "_views of the case_," though the cause is ever so just, Government + can do nothing for them, because it has no power. + + Go on, then, Missouri, after another set of inhabitants (as the + Latter-day Saints did,) have entered some two or three hundred + thousand dollars' worth of land; and made extensive improvements + thereon. Go on, then, I say; banish the occupants or owners, or + kill them, as the mobbers did many of the Latter-day Saints, and + take their land and property as spoil; and let the legislature, + as in the case of the Mormons, appropriate a couple of hundred + thousand dollars to pay the mob for doing that job; for the + renowned senator from South Carolina, Mr. J. C. Calhoun, says the + powers of the federal government are so _specific and limited that + it has no jurisdiction of the case!_ O ye people who groan under + the oppression of tyrants!--ye exiled Poles, who have felt the iron + hand of Russian grasp!--ye poor and unfortunate among all nations! + come to the asylum of the oppressed; buy ye lands of the general + government; pay in your money to the treasury to strengthen the + army and the navy; worship God according to the dictates of your + own consciences; pay in your taxes to support the great heads of a + glorious nation: but remember a "_sovereign State_" is so much more + powerful than the United States, the parent government, that it + can exile you at pleasure, mob you with impunity, confiscate your + lands and property, have the legislature sanction it,--yea, even + murder you as an edict of an emperor, _and it does no wrong_; for + the noble senator of South Carolina says the power of the federal + government is _so limited and specific that it has no jurisdiction + of the case!_ What think ye of _imperium in imperio?_ + + Ye spirits of the blessed of all ages, hark! Ye shades of departed + statesmen listen! Abraham, Moses, Homer, Socrates, Solon, Solomon, + and all that ever thought of right and wrong, look down from your + exaltations, if you have any; for it is said, "In the midst of + counsellors there _is safety;_" and when you have learned that + fifteen thousand innocent citizens, after having purchased their + lands of the United States and paid for them, were expelled from + a "sovereign State," by order of the governor, at the point of + the bayonet, their arms taken from them by the same authority, + and their right of migration into said State denied, under pain + of imprisonment, whipping, robbing, mobbing, and even death, and + no justice or recompense allowed; and, from the legislature with + the governor at the head, down to the justice of the peace, with a + bottle of whisky in one hand and a bowie-knife in the other, hear + them all declare that there is no justice for a Mormon in that + State; and judge ye a righteous judgment, and tell me when the + virtue of the States was stolen, where the honor of the general + government lies hid, and what clothes a senator with wisdom. O + nullifying Carolina! O little tempestuous Rhode Island! Would it + not be well for the great men of the nation to read the fable + of the _partial judge;_ and when part of the free citizens of a + State had been expelled contrary to the Constitution, mobbed, + robbed, plundered, and many murdered, instead of searching into the + course taken with Joanna Southcott, Ann Lee, the French Prophets, + the Quakers of New England, and rebellious niggers in the slave + states, to hear both sides and then judge, rather than have the + mortification to say, "Oh, it is _my_ bull that has killed _your_ + ox! That alters the case! I must inquire into it; _and if, and if_-- + + If the general government has no power to reinstate expelled + citizens to their rights, there is a monstrous hypocrite fed + and fostered from the hard earnings of the people! A real "bull + beggar" upheld by sycophants. And although you may wink to the + priests to stigmatize, wheedle the drunkards to swear, and raise + the hue-and-cry of--"Impostor! false prophet! G-- d-- old Joe + Smith!" yet remember, if the Latter-day Saints are not restored + to all their rights and paid for all their losses, according to + the known rules of justice and judgment, reciprocation and common + honesty among men, that God will come out of His hiding place, and + vex this nation with a sore vexation: yea, the consuming wrath + of an offended God shall smoke through the nation with as much + distress and woe as independence has blazed through with pleasure + and delight. Where is the strength of government? Where is the + patriotism of a Washington, a Warren, and Adams? And where is a + spark from the watch-fire of '76, by which one candle might be lit + that would glimmer upon the confines of Democracy? Well may it be + said that one man is not a state, nor one state the nation. + + In the days of General Jackson, when France refused the first + installment for spoliations, there was power, force, and honor + enough to resent injustice and insult, and the money came; and + shall Missouri, filled with negro-drivers and white men stealers, + go "unwhipped of justice" for tenfold greater sins than France? + No! verily, no! While I have power of body and mind--while water + runs and grass grows--while virtue is lovely and vice hateful, and + while a stone points out a sacred spot where a fragment of American + liberty once was, I or my posterity will plead the cause of injured + innocence, until Missouri makes atonement for all her sins, or + sinks disgraced, degraded, and damned to hell, "where the worm + dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." + + Why, sir, the power not delegated to the United States and the + States belong to the people, and Congress sent to do the people's + business have all power; and shall fifteen thousand citizens groan + in exile? O vain men! will ye not, if ye do not restore them to + their rights and two million dollars' worth of property, relinquish + to them (the Latter-day Saints,) as a body, their portion of power + that belongs to them according to the Constitution? Power has its + convenience as well as inconvenience. "The world was not made for + Caesar alone, but for Titus too." + + I will give you a parable. A certain lord had a vineyard in a + goodly land, which men labored in at their pleasure. A few meek + men also went and purchased with money from some of these chief + men that labored at pleasure a portion of land in the vineyard, + at a very remote part of it, and began to improve it, and to eat + and drink the fruit thereof,--when some vile persons, who regarded + not man, neither feared the lord of the vineyard, rose up suddenly + and robbed these meek men, and drove them from their possessions, + killing many. + + This barbarous act made no small stir among the men in the + vineyard; and all that portion who were attached to that part of + the vineyard where the men were robbed rose up in grand council, + with their chief man, who had firstly ordered the deed to be done, + and made a covenant not to pay for the cruel deed, but to keep the + spoil, and never let those meek men set their feet on that soil + again, neither recompense them for it. + + Now, these meek men, in their distress, wisely sought redress + of those wicked men in every possible manner, and got none. + They then supplicated the chief men, who held the vineyard at + pleasure, and who had the power to sell and defend it, for redress + and redemption; and those men, loving the fame and favor of + the multitude more than the glory of the lord of the vineyard, + answered--"Your cause is just, but we can do nothing for you, + because we have no power." + + Now, when the lord of the vineyard saw that virtue innocence + was not regarded, and his vineyard occupied by wicked men, he + sent men and took the possession of it to himself, and destroyed + these unfaithful servants, and appointed them their portion among + hypocrites. + + And let me say that all men who say that Congress has no power to + restore and defend the rights of her citizens have not the love of + the truth abiding in them. Congress has power to protect the nation + against foreign invasion and internal broil; and whenever that + body passes an act to maintain right with any power, or to restore + right to any portion of her citizens, it is the SUPREME LAW OF THE + LAND; and should a State refuse submission, that State is guilty of + _insurrection or rebellion_, and the President has as much power + to repel it as Washington had to march against the "whisky boys + at Pittsburg," or General Jackson had to send an armed force to + suppress the rebellion of South Carolina. + + To close, I would admonish you, before you let your "_candor + compel_" you again to write upon a subject great as the salvation + of man, consequential as the life of the Savior, broad as the + principles of eternal truth, and valuable as the jewels of + eternity, to read in the eighth section and first article of + the Constitution of the United States, the _first, fourteenth_, + and _seventeenth_ "specific" and not very "limited powers" of + the federal government, what can be done to protect the lives, + property, and rights of a virtuous people, when the administrators + of the law and law-makers are unbought by bribes, uncorrupted by + patronage, untempted by gold, unawed by fear, and uncontaminated + tangling alliances--even like Caeser's wife, not only + _unspotted, but unsuspected!_ And God, who cooled the heat of a + Nebuchadnezzar's furnace or shut the mouths of lions for the honor + of a Daniel, will raise your mind above the narrow notion that the + general government has no power, to the sublime idea that Congress, + with the President as executor, is as almighty in its sphere as + Jehovah is in His. + + With great respect, I have the honor to be + Your obedient servant, + JOSEPH SMITH. + + Hon. ("Mr.") J. C. Calhoun, + Fort Hill, S. C. + + + +APPENDIX II. + +CLAY'S LETTER TO JOSEPH SMITH AND THE LATTER'S REPLY. + + ASHLAND, November 15, 1843. + + DEAR SIR:--I have received your letter in behalf of the Church of + Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stating that you understand that + I am a candidate for the presidency, and inquiring what will be my + rule of action relative to you as a people, should I be elected. + + I am profoundly grateful for the numerous and strong expressions of + the people in my behalf as a candidate for President of the United + States; but I do not so consider myself. That must depend upon + future events and upon my sense of duty. + + Should I be a candidate, I can enter into no engagements, make no + promises, give no pledges to any particular portion of the people + of the United States. If I ever enter into that high office, I must + go into it free and unfettered, with no guarantees but such as are + to be drawn from my whole life, character and conduct. + + It is not inconsistent with this declaration to say that I have + viewed with a lively interest the progress of the Latter-day + Saints; that I have sympathized in their sufferings under + injustice, as it appeared to me, which has been inflicted upon + them; and I think, in common with other religious communities, they + ought to enjoy the security and protection of the Constitution and + the laws. + + I am, with great respect, your friend and obedient servant, + + H. CLAY. + + To Joseph Smith, Esq. + + NAUVOO, ILL., May 13, 1844. + + SIR:--Your answer to my inquiry, "What would be your rule of + action towards the Latter-day Saints, should you be elected + President of the United States?" has been under consideration since + last November, in the fond expectation that you would give (for + every honest citizen has a right to demand it,) to the country a + manifesto of your views of the best method and means which would + secure to the people, _the whole people_, the most freedom, the + most happiness, the most union, the most wealth, the most fame, + the most glory at home, and the most honor abroad, at the least + expense. But I have waited in vain. So far as you have made public + declarations, they have been made, like your answer to the above, + soft to flatter, rather than solid to feed the people. You seem + to abandon all former policy which may have actuated you in the + discharge of a statesman's duty, when the vigor of intellect + and the force of virtue should have sought out an everlasting + habitation for liberty; when, as a wise man, a true patriot, and + a friend to mankind, you should have resolved to ameliorate the + lawful condition of our _bleeding_ country by a mighty plan of + wisdom, righteousness, justice, goodness and mercy, that would + have brought back the golden days of our nation's youth, vigor + and vivacity, when prosperity crowned the efforts of a youthful + republic, when the gentle aspirations of the sons of liberty were, + "We are one!" + + In your answer to my questions last fall, that peculiar tact of + modern politicians declaring, "_If you ever enter into that high + office, you must go into it free and unfettered; with no guarantees + but such as are to be drawn from your whole life, character and + conduct_," so much resembles a lottery-vendor's sign, with the + goddess of good luck sitting on the car of fortune, a-straddle of + the horns of plenty, and driving the merry steeds of beatitude, + without reins or bridle, that I cannot help exclaiming--O frail + man, what have you done that will exalt you? Can anything be drawn + from your _life, character or conduct_ that is worthy of being held + up to the gaze of this nation as a model of _virtue_, charity and + wisdom? Are you not a lottery picture, with more than two blanks + to a prize? Leaving many things prior to your Ghent treaty, let + the world look at that, and see where is the wisdom, honor and + patriotism which ought to have characterized the plenipotentiary + of the only free nation upon the earth? A quarter of a century's + negotiation to obtain our rights on the north-eastern boundary, + and the motley manner in which Oregon tries to shine as American + territory, coupled with your presidential race and some-by-chance + secretaryship in 1825, all go to convince the friends of freedom, + the golden patriots of Jeffersonian democracy, free trade and + sailors' rights, and the protectors of person and property, that an + honorable war is better than a dishonorable peace. + + But had you really wanted to have exhibited the wisdom, clemency, + benevolence and dignity of a great man in this boasted republic, + when fifteen thousand free citizens were exiled from their own + homes, lands and property, in the wonderful patriotic State of + Missouri, and you then upon your oath and honor occupying the + exalted station of a Senator of Congress from the noble-hearted + State of Kentucky, why did you not show the world your loyalty to + law and order, by using all honorable means to restore the innocent + to their rights and property? Why, sir, the more we search into + your character and conduct, the more we must exclaim from Holy + Writ, "The tree is known by its fruit." + + Again: this is not all. Rather than show yourself an honest man, + by guaranteeing to the people what you will do in case you should + be elected president, "you can enter into no engagement, make no + promises, and give no pledges as to what you will do. Well, it may + be that some hot-headed partisan would take such nothingarianism + upon trust; but sensible men and even _ladies_ would think + themselves insulted by such an evasion of coming events! If a + tempest is expected, why not prepare to meet it, and, in the + language of the poet, exclaim-- + + Then let the trial come; and witness thou + If terror be upon me,--If I shrink + Or falter in my strength to meet the storm + When hardest it besets me. + + True greatness never wavers; but when the Missouri compromise + was entered into by you for the benefit of _slavery_, there was + a mighty shrinkage of _western honor_; and from that day, sir, + the sterling Yankee, the struggling Abolitionist, and the staunch + Democrat, with a large number of the liberal-minded Whigs, have + marked you as a _black-leg_ in politics, begging for a chance to + _shuffle_ yourself into the Presidential chair, where you might + deal out the destinies of our beloved country for a _game of brag_ + that would end in--"_Hark from the tombs a doleful sound_." Start + not at this picture: for your "whole life, character and conduct" + have been spotted with deeds that cause a blush upon the face of + a virtuous patriot. So you must be contented in your lot, while + crime, cowardice, cupidity or low cunning have handed you down + from the high tower of a statesman to the black-hole of a gambler. + A man that accepts a challenge or fights a duel is nothing more + nor less than a murderer; for Holy Writ declares that, "_Whose + sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed:_" and when in + the renowned city of Washington the notorious _Henry Clay_ dropped + from the summit of a Senator to the sink of a scoundrel to shoot + at that chalk-line of a Randolph, he not only disgraced his own + fame, family and friends, but he polluted the _sanctum sanctorum_ + of American glory; and the kingly blackguards throughout the whole + world are pointing the finger of scorn at the boasted "asylum of + the oppressed," and hissing at American statesmen as _gentlemen + vagabonds and murderers_, holding the olive branch of peace in + one hand and a pistol for death in the other! Well might the + Savior rebuke the heads of this nation with "_Wo unto you scribes, + Pharisees, hypocrites!_" for the United States Government and + Congress, with a few honorable exceptions, have gone the way of + Cain, and must perish in their gainsayings, like Korah and his + wicked host. And honest men of every clime, and the innocent, poor + and oppressed, as well as heathens, pagans and Indians, everywhere, + who could but hope that the tree of liberty would yield some + precious fruit for the hungry human race, and shed some balmy + leaves for the healing of nations, have long since given up all + hopes of equal rights, of justice and judgment, and of truth and + virtue, when such polluted, vain, heaven-daring, bogus patriots + are forced or flung into the front rank of Government to guide + the destinies of millions. Crape the heavens with weeds of wo, + gird the earth with sack-cloth, and let hell mutter one melody + in commemoration of fallen splendor! for the glory of America + has departed, and God will set a flaming sword to guard the tree + of liberty, while such mint-tithing Herods as Van Buren, Boggs, + Benton, Calhoun and Clay are thrust out of the realms of virtue as + fit subjects for the kingdom of fallen greatness. _Vox reprobi, vox + Diaboli_! + + In your late addresses to the people of South Carolina, where + rebellion budded, but could not blossom, you "renounced ultraism," + "high tariff," and almost banished your "banking system" for the + more certain standard of "public opinion." This is all very well, + and marks the intention of a politician, the calculations of a + demagogue, and the allowance for leeings of a shrewd manager, just + as truly as the weathercock does the wind when it turns upon the + spire. Hustings for the South, barbecues for the West, confidential + letters for the North and "American System" for the East. + + Lull-a-by baby upon the tree top, + And when the wind blows the cradle will rock. + + Suppose you should also, taking your "whole life, character and + conduct" into consideration, and, as many hands make light work, + stir up the old "Clay party," the "National Republican party," the + "High Protective Tariff party," and the late coon-skin party, with + all their paraphernalia, _ultraism, ne plus ultraism, sine qua + non_, which have grown with your growth, strengthened with your + strength, and shrunk with your shrinkage, and ask the people of + this enlightened republic what they think of your powers and policy + as a statesman; for verily it would seem, from all past remains of + parties, politics, projects and pictures, that you are the _Clay_; + and the people the _potter_; and as some vessels are marred in the + hands of the potter, the natural conclusion is that _you are a + vessel of dishonor_. + + You may complain that a close examination of your "whole life, + character and conduct" places you, as a Kentuckian would pleasantly + term it, "in a bad fix." But, sir, when the nation has sunk deeper + and deeper into the mud at every turn of the great wheels of the + Union, while you have acted as one of the principal drivers, it + becomes the bounden duty of the whole community, as one man, to + whisper you on every point of government, to uncover every act of + your life, and inquire what mighty acts you have done to benefit + the nation, how much you have tithed the mint to gratify your lust, + and why the fragments of your raiment hang upon the thorns by the + path as signals to _beware_. + + But your _shrinkage_ is truly wonderful! Not only your banking + system and high tariff project have vanished from your mind "like + the baseless fabric of a vision," but the "annexation of Texas" + has touched your pathetic sensibilities of national pride so + acutely, that the poor Texans, your own _brethren_, may fall back + into the ferocity of Mexico, or be sold at auction to British + stock-jobbers, and all is well. For "I," the old Senator from + Kentucky, and fearful it would militate against my interest in the + north to enlarge the borders of the Union in the south. Truly "a + poor wise child is better than an old foolish king who will be no + longer admonished." Who ever heard of a nation that had too much + territory? Was it ever bad policy to make friends? Has any people + ever become too good to do good? No, never. But the ambition and + vanity of some men have flown away with their wisdom and judgment, + and left a croaking _skeleton_ to occupy the place of a noble + _soul_! + + Why, sir, the condition of the whole earth is lamentable. + Texas dreads the teeth and the nails of Mexico. Oregon has the + rheumatism, brought on by a horrid exposure to the heat and cold of + British and American trappers. Canada has caught a bad cold from + extreme fatigue in the patriot war. South America has the headache + cause by bumps against the beams of Catholicity and Spanish + Sovereignty. Spain has the gripes from age and inquisition. France + trembles and wastes under the effects of contagious diseases. + England groans with the gout, and wiggles with wine. Italy and the + German States are pale with the consumption. Prussia, Poland, and + the little contiguous dynasties, duchies and domains, have the + mumps so severely, that "the whole head is sick, and the whole + heart is faint." Russia has the cramp by lineage. Turkey has the + numb palsy. Africa, from the curse of God, has lost the use of her + limbs China is ruined by the queen's evil, and the rest of Asia + fearfully exposed to the small-pox, the natural way, from British + peddlers. The islands of the sea are almost dead with the scurvy. + The Indians are blind and lame; and the United States, which ought + to be the good physician with "balm from Gilead" and an "_asylum + for the oppressed_," has boosted and is boosting up into the + council chamber of the Government a clique of political gamblers, + to play for the old clothes and old shoes of a sick world, and + "_no pledge, no promise to any particular portion of the people_" + that the rightful heirs will ever receive a cent of their Father's + legacy. Away with such self-important, self-aggrandizing and + self-willed demagogues! Their friendship is colder than polar ice, + and their profession meaner than the damnation of hell. + + O man! when such a great dilemma of the globe, such a tremendous + convulsion of kingdoms shakes the earth from centre to + circumference; when castles, prison-houses, and cells raise a + cry to God against the cruelty of man; when the mourning of the + fatherless and the widow causes anguish in heaven; when the poor + among all nations cry day and night for bread, and a shelter from + the heat and storm; and when the degraded black slave holds up his + manacled hands to the great statesmen of the United States, and + sings-- + + "O liberty, where are thy charms, + That sages have told me are sweet?" + + And when fifteen thousand free citizens of the high-blooded + republic of North America are robbed and driven from one State + to another without redress or redemption, it is not only time + for a candidate for the presidency to pledge himself to execute + judgment and justice in righteousness, law or no law; but it is + his bounden duty as a man, for the honor of a disgraced country, + and for the salvation of a once virtuous people, to call for a + union of all honest men, and appease the wrath of God by acts of + wisdom, holiness, and virtue! "The fervent prayer of a righteous + man availeth much." + + Perhaps you may think I go too far with my strictures and + innuendos, because in your concluding paragraph you say "it is not + inconsistent with your declarations to say that you have viewed + with a lively interest the progress of the Latter-day Saints, that + you have sympathized in their sufferings under injustice; as it + appeared to you, which has been inflicted upon them, and that you + _think_, in common with all other religious communities, they ought + to enjoy the security and protection of the Constitution and the + laws." If words were not wind, and imagination not a vapor, such + "views" "_with a lively interest_" might coax out a few Mormon + votes; such "sympathy" for their suffering under injustice might + heal some of the sick yet lingering amongst them, raise some of + the dead, and recover some of their property from Missouri; and + finally, if thought was not a phantom, we might, in common with + other religious communities, "_you think, enjoy the security_ and + _protection of the Constitution and laws_." But during ten years, + while the Latter-day Saints have bled, been robbed, driven from + their own lands, paid oceans of money into the treasury to pay your + renowned self and others for legislating and _dealing_ out equal + rights and privileges to those _in common with all other religious + communities_, they have waited and expected in vain! If you have + possessed any patriotism, it has been veiled by your _popularity_, + for fear the Saints would fall in love with its charms. Blind + charity and dumb justice never do much towards alleviating the + wants of the needy; but straws show which way the wind blows. It + is currently rumored that your _dernier resort_ for the Latter-day + Saints is to migrate to Oregon or California. Such cruel humanity, + such noble injustice, such honorable cowardice, such foolish + wisdom, and such vicious virtue could only emanate from Clay. After + the Saints have been plundered of three or four millions of land + and property by the people and powers of the _sovereign_ State of + Missouri--after they have sought for redress and redemption, from + the county court to Congress, and been denied through religious + prejudice and sacerdotal dignity--after they have builded a city + and two temples at an immense expense of labor and treasure--after + they have increased from hundreds to hundreds of thousands, and + after they have sent missionaries to the various nations of the + earth to gather Israel, according to the predictions of all the + holy prophets since the world began, that great plenipotentiary, + the renowned secretary of state, the ignoble duelist, the gambling + senator, and Whig candidate for the presidency, _Henry Clay_, the + wise Kentucky lawyer, advises the Latter-day Saints to go to Oregon + to obtain justice and set up a government of their own. + + O ye crowned heads among all nations, is not Mr. Clay a wise man, + and very patriotic? Why, great God! to transport 200,000 people + through a vast prairie, over the Rocky Mountains, to Oregon, a + distance of nearly two thousand miles, would cost more than _four + millions!_ or should they go by Cape Horn in ships to California, + the cost would be more than _twenty millions!_ and all this to + save the United States from inheriting the disgrace of Missouri + for murdering and robbing the Saints with impunity! Benton and Van + Buren, who make no secret to say that if they get into power they + will carry out Boggs' exterminating plan to rid the country of the + Latter-day Saints, are + + "Little nipperkins of milk," + + compared to "Clay's" great aquafortis jars. Why, he is a real + giant in humanity! "Send the Mormons to Oregon, and free Missouri + from debt and disgrace!" Ah! sir, let this doctrine go to-and-fro + throughout the whole earth--that we, as Van Buren said, know your + cause is just, but the United States government can do nothing for + you, because it has no power. "_You must go to Oregon, and get + justice from the Indians!_" + + I mourn for the depravity of the world; I despise the hypocrisy + of Christendom; I hate the imbecility of American statesmen; I + detest the shrinkage of candidates for office from pledges and + responsibility; I long for a day of righteousness, when "He whose + right it is to reign shall judge the poor, and reprove with equity + for the meek of the earth;" and I pray God, who hath given our + fathers a promise of a perfect government in the last days, to + purify the hearts of the people and hasten the welcome day. + + With the highest consideration for virtue and unadulterated freedom, + + I have the honor to be, + Your obedient servant, + JOSEPH SMITH. + + Hon. Henry Clay, Ashland, Ky. + + + +APPENDIX III. + +JOSEPH SMITH'S VIEWS OF THE POWERS AND POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE +UNITED STATES. + +BORN in a land of liberty, and breathing an air uncorrupted with the +sirocco of barbarous climes, I ever feel a double anxiety for the +happiness of all men, both in time and in eternity. + +My cogitations, like Daniel's have for a long time troubled me, when I +viewed the condition of men throughout the world, and more especially +in this boasted realm, where the Declaration of Independence "holds +these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that +they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; +that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;" +but at the same time some two or three millions of people are held as +slaves for life, because the spirit of them is covered with a darker +skin than ours; and hundreds of our own kindred for an infraction, or +supposed infraction, of some over-wise statute, have to be incarcerated +in dungeon glooms, or suffer the more moral penitentiary gravitation +of mercy in a nutshell, while the duelist, the debauchee, and the +defaulter for millions, and other criminals, take the uppermost rooms +at feasts, or, like the bird of passage, find a more congenial clime by +flight. + +The wisdom which ought to characterize the freest, wisest, and most +noble nation of the nineteenth century, should, like the sun in his +meridian splendor, warm every object beneath its rays; and the main +efforts of her officers, who are nothing more or less than the servants +of the people, ought to be directed to ameliorate the condition of all, +black or white, bond or free; for the best of books says, "God hath +made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of +the earth." + +Our common country presents to all men the same advantages, the same +facilities, the same prospects, the same honors, and the same rewards; +and without hypocrisy, the Constitution, when it says, "We, the people +of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish +justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, +promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to +ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution +for the United States of America," meant just what it said without +reference to color or condition, _ad infinitum_. + +The aspirations and expectations of a virtuous people, environed with +so wise, so liberal, so deep, so broad, and so high a charter of +_equal rights_ as appear in said Constitution, ought to be treated +by those to whom the administration of the laws is entrusted with as +much sanctity as the prayers of the Saints are treated in heaven, that +love, confidence, and union, like the sun, moon, and stars, should bear +witness, + + (For ever singing as they shine,) + "_The hand that made us is divine_." + +Unity is power; and when I reflect on the importance of it to the +stability of all governments, I am astounded at the silly moves of +persons and parties to foment discord in order to ride into power on +the current of popular excitement; nor am I less surprised at the +stretches of power or restrictions of right which too often appear as +acts of legislators to pave the way to some favorite political scheme +as destitute of intrinsic merit as a wolf's heart is of the milk of +human kindness. A Frenchman would say, "_Presque tout aimer richesses +et pouvoir_." (Almost all men like wealth and power.) + +I must dwell on this subject longer than others; for nearly one hundred +years ago that golden patriot, Benjamin Franklin, drew up a plan of +union for the then colonies of Great Britain, that _now_ are such an +independent nation, which, among many wise provisions for obedient +children under their father's more rugged hand, had this:--"They have +power to make laws, and lay and levy such general duties, imports, +or taxes as to them shall appear most equal and just, (considering +the ability and other circumstances of the inhabitants in the several +colonies.) and such as may be collected with the least inconvenience +to the people, rather discouraging luxury than loading industry with +unnecessary burdens." Great Britain surely lacked the laudable humanity +and fostering clemency to grant such a just plan of union; but the +sentiment remains, like the land that honored its birth, as a pattern +for wise men _to study the convenience of the people more than the +comfort of the cabinet_. + +And one of the most noble fathers of our freedom and country's glory, +great in war, great in peace, great in the estimation of the world, and +great in the hearts of his countrymen, (the illustrious Washington,) +said in his first inaugural address to Congress--"I behold the surest +pledges that as, on one side, no local prejudices or attachments, no +separate views or party animosities will misdirect the comprehensive +and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of +communities and interests, so, on another, that the foundations of +our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles +of private morality, and the pre-eminence of free government be +exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its +citizens and command the respect of the world." + +Verily, here shine the virtue and wisdom of a statesman in such lucid +rays, that had every succeeding Congress followed the rich instruction, +in all their deliberations and enactments, for the benefit and +convenience of the whole community and the communities of which it +is composed, no sound of rebellion in South Carolina, no rupture in +Rhode Island, no mob in Missouri expelling her citizens by executive +authority, corruption in the ballot boxes, a border warfare between +Ohio and Michigan, hard times and distress, outbreak upon outbreak +in the principal cities, murder, robbery, and defalcation, scarcity +of money, and a thousand other difficulties, would have torn asunder +the bonds of the Union, destroyed the confidence of man with man, and +left the great body of the people to mourn over misfortunes in poverty +brought on by corrupt legislation in an hour of proud vanity for +self-aggrandizement. + +The great Washington, soon after the foregoing faithful admonition for +the common welfare of his nation, further advised Congress that "among +the many interesting objects which will engage your attention, that +of providing for the common defense will merit particular regard. To +be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving +peace." As the Italian would say--"_Buono aviso_." (Good advice.) + +The elder Adams, in his inaugural address, gives national pride such +a grand turn of justification, that every honest citizen must look +back upon the infancy of the United States with an approving smile, +and rejoice that patriotism in their rulers, virtue in the people, and +prosperity in the Union once crowned the expectations of hope, unveiled +the sophistry of the hypocrite, and silenced the folly of foes. Mr. +Adams said, "If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable, it is +when it springs not from _power_ or riches, grandeur or glory, but from +conviction of national innocence, information and benevolence." + +There is no doubt that such was actually the case with our young +realm at the close of the last century. Peace, prosperity, and union +filled the country with religious toleration, temporal enjoyment, and +virtuous enterprise; and grandly, too, when the deadly winter of the +"Stamp Act," "Tea Act," and other _close communion_ acts of royalty +had chocked the growth of freedom of speech, liberty of the press, and +liberty of conscience, did light, liberty, and loyalty flourish like +cedars of God. + +The respected and venerable Thomas Jefferson, in his inaugural address, +made more than forty years ago, shows what a beautiful prospect an +innocent, virtuous nation presents to the sage's eye where there is +space for enterprise, hands for industry, heads for heroes, and hearts +for moral greatness. He said, "A rising nation spread over a wide +and fruitful land, traversing all the seas with the rich productions +of their industry, engaged in commerce with nations who feel power +and forget right, advancing rapidly to destinies beyond the reach of +mortal eye,--when I contemplate these transcendent objects, and see the +honor, the happiness of this beloved country committed to the issue +and auspices of this day, I shrink from the contemplation, and humble +myself before the magnitude of the undertaking." + +Such a prospect was truly soul-stirring to a good man. But "since the +fathers have fallen asleep," wicked and designing men have unrobed the +government of its glory; and the people if not in dust and ashes, or +in sackcloth have to lament in poverty her departed greatness while +demagogues build fires in the north and the south, east and west to +keep up their spirits _till it is better times_. But year after year +has left the people to _hope_ till the very name of _Congress_ or +_State Legislature_ is as horrible to the sensitive friend of his +country as the house of "Bluebeard" is to his children, or "Crockford's +Hell of London" to meek men. + +When the people are secure and their rights properly respected, then +the four main pillars of prosperity--viz., agriculture, manufactures, +navigation, and commerce, need the fostering care of government; and +in so goodly a country as ours, where the soil, the climate, the +rivers, the lakes, and the sea coast, the productions, the timber, +the minerals, and the inhabitants are so diversified, that a pleasing +variety accommodates all tastes, trades, and calculations, it certainly +is the highest point of supervision to protect the whole northern and +southern, eastern and western, center and circumference of the realm, +by a judicious tariff. It is an old saying and a true one, "If you wish +to be _respected_, respect yourselves." + +I will adopt in part the language of Mr. Madison's inaugural +address--"To cherish peace and friendly intercourse with all nations, +having corresponding dispositions; to maintain sincere neutrality +towards belligerent nations; to prefer in all cases amicable discussion +and reasonable accommodation of differences to a decision of them by an +appeal to arms; to exclude foreign intrigues and foreign partialities, +so degrading to all countries, and so baneful to free ones; to foster +a spirit of independence too just to invade the rights of others, too +proud to surrender our own, too liberal to indulge unworthy prejudices +ourselves, and too elevated not to look down upon them in others; to +hold the union of the States as the basis of their peace and happiness; +to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union, as +well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect the rights +and authorities reserved to the States and to the people as equally +incorporated with and essential to the success of the general system; +to avoid the slightest interference with the rights of conscience or +the functions of religion, so wisely exempted from civil jurisdiction; +to preserve in their full energy the other salutary provisions in +behalf of private and personal rights, and of the freedom of the +press,"--so far as intention aids in the fulfillment of duty, are +consummations too big with benefits not to captivate the energies of +all honest men to achieve them, when they can be brought to pass by +reciprocation, friendly alliances, wise legislation, and honorable +treaties. + +The government has once flourished under the guidance of trusty +servants; and the Hon. Monroe, in his day, while speaking of the +Constitution, says, "Our commerce has been wisely regulated with +foreign nations and between the States. New States have been admitted +into our Union. Our territory has been enlarged by fair and honorable +treaty, and with great advantage to the original States; the States +respectively protected by the national government, under a mild +paternal system against foreign dangers, and enjoying within their +separate spheres, by a wise partition of power, a just proportion +of the sovereignty, have improved their police, extended their +settlements, and attained a strength and maturity which are the best +proofs of wholesome laws well administered. And if we look to the +condition of individuals, what a proud spectacle does it exhibit! On +whom has oppression fallen in any quarter of the Union? Who has been +deprived of any right of person or property?--who restrained from +offering his vows in the mode which he prefers to the divine Author of +his being? It is well known that all these blessings have been enjoyed +in their fullest extent; and I add, with peculiar satisfaction, that +there has been no example of a capital punishment being inflicted on +any one for the crime of high treason." What a delightful picture +of power, policy, and prosperity! Truly the wise man's proverb is +just--"_Sedaukauh teromain goy, veh-ka-sade le-u-meem khahmaut_." +(Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.) + +But this is not all. The same honorable statesman, after having had +about forty years' experience in the government, under the full tide +of successful experiment, gives the following commendatory assurance +of the efficacy of the _Magna Charta_ to answer its great end and +aim--_to protect the people in their rights_. "Such, then, is the happy +government under which we live; a government adequate to every purpose +for which the social compact is formed; a government elective in all +its branches, under which every citizen may by his merit obtain the +highest trust recognized by the Constitution, which contains within +it no cause of discord, none to put at variance one portion of the +community with another; a government which protects every citizen in +the full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect the nation +against injustice from foreign powers." + +Again, the younger Adams, in the silver age of our country's +advancement to fame, in his inaugural address (1825), thus candidly +declares the majesty of the youthful republic in its increasing +greatness:--"The year of jubilee, since the first formation of our +union, has just elapsed: that of the Declaration of Independence is +at hand. The consummation of both was effected by this Constitution. +Since that period, a population of four millions has multiplied to +twelve. A territory, bounded by the Mississippi, has been extended from +sea to sea. New States have been admitted to the Union, in numbers +nearly equal to those of the first confederation. Treaties of peace, +amity, and commerce have been concluded with the principal dominions +of the earth. The people of other nations, the inhabitants of regions +acquired, not by conquest, but by compact, have been united with us +in the participation of our rights and duties, of our burdens and +blessings. The forest has fallen by the ax of our woodsman. The soil +has been made to teem by the tillage of our farmers. Our commerce has +whitened every ocean. The dominion of man over physical nature has +been extended by the invention of our artists. Liberty and law have +marched hand in hand. All the purposes of human association have been +accomplished as effectively as under any other government on the globe, +and at a cost little exceeding, in a whole generation, the expenditures +of other nations in a single year." + +In continuation of such noble sentiments, General Jackson, upon his +ascension to the great chair of the chief magistracy, said, "As long +as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is +regulated by their will, as long as it secures to us the rights of +person and property, liberty of conscience, and of the press, it will +be worth defending; and so long as it is worth defending, a patriotic +militia will cover it with an impenetrable _aegis_." + +General Jackson's administration may be denominated the _acme_ of +American glory, liberty, and prosperity; for the national debt, which +in 1815, on account of the late war, was $125,000,000, and being +lessened gradually, was paid up in his golden day, and preparations +were made to distribute the surplus revenue among the several States; +and that august patriot, to use his own words in his farewell address, +retired, leaving "a great people prosperous and happy, in the full +enjoyment of liberty and peace, honored and respected by every nation +of the world." + +At the age, then, of sixty years, our blooming republic began to +decline under the withering touch of Martin Van Buren! Disappointed +ambition, thirst for power, pride, corruption, party spirit, faction, +patronage, perquisites, fame, tangling alliances, priestcraft, and +spiritual wickedness in _high places_, struck hands and revelled in +midnight splendor. + +Trouble, vexation, perplexity, and contention, mingled with hope, +fear, and murmuring, rumbled through the Union and agitated the whole +nation, as would an earthquake at the center of the earth, the world +heaving the sea beyond its bounds and shaking the everlasting hills; +so, in hopes of better times, while jealousy, hypocritical pretensions, +and pompous ambition were luxuriating on the ill-gotten spoils of +the people, they rose in their majesty like a tornado, and swept +through the land, till General Harrison appeared as a star among the +storm-clouds for better weather. + +The calm came, and the language of that venerable patriot, in his +inaugural address, while descanting upon the merits of the Constitution +and its framers, thus expressed himself:--"There were in it features +which appeared not to be in harmony with their ideas of a simple +representative democracy or republic. And knowing the tendency of power +to increase itself, particularly when executed by a single individual, +predictions were made that, at no very remote period, the government +would terminate in virtual monarchy. + +"It would not become me to say that the fears of these patriots have +been already realized. But as I sincerely believe that the tendency +of measures and of men's opinions for some years past has been in +that direction, it is, I conceive, strictly proper that I should take +this occasion to repeat the assurances I have heretofore given of my +determination to arrest the progress of that tendency, if it really +exists, and restore the government to its pristine health and vigor." + +This good man died before he had the opportunity of applying one +balm to ease the pain of our groaning country, and I am willing the +nation should be the judge, whether General Harrison, in his exalted +station, upon the eve of his entrance into the world of spirits, _told +the truth, or not_, with acting President Tyler's three years of +perplexity, and pseudo-Whig-Democrat reign to heal the breaches or show +the wounds, _secundum artem_ (according to art). + +Subsequent events, all things considered, Van Buren's downfall, +Harrison's exit, and Tyler's self-sufficient turn to the whole, go +to show, as a Chaldean might exclaim--"_Beram etai claugh beshmayauh +gauhah rauzeen_." (Certainly there is a God in heaven to reveal +secrets.) + +No honest man can doubt for a moment but the glory of American liberty +is on the wane, and that calamity and confusion will sooner or later +destroy the peace of the people. Speculators will urge a national bank +as a savior of credit and comfort. A hireling psuedo-priesthood will +plausibly push abolition doctrines and doings and "human rights" into +Congress, and into every other place where conquest smells of fame, +or opposition swells to popularity. Democracy, Whiggery, and cliquery +will attract their elements and foment divisions among the people, to +accomplish fancied schemes and accumulate power, while poverty, driven +to despair, like hunger forcing its way through a wall, will break +through the statutes of men to save life, and mend the breach in prison +glooms. + +A still higher grade of what the "nobility of nations" call "great men" +will dally with all rights, in order to smuggle a fortune at "one fell +swoop," mortgage Texas, possess Oregon, and claim all the unsettled +regions of the world for hunting and trapping; and should an humble, +honest man, red, black, or white, exhibit a better title, these gentry +have only to clothe the judge with richer ermine, and spangle the +lawyer's finger with finer rings, to have the judgment of his peers and +the honor of his lords as a pattern of honesty, virtue, and humanity, +while the motto hangs on his nation's escutcheon--"_Every man has his +price!_" + +Now, O people! people! turn unto the Lord and live, and reform this +nation. Frustrate the designs of wicked men. Reduce Congress at least +two-thirds. Two senators from a State and two members to a million of +population will do more business than the army that now occupy the +halls of the national legislature. Pay them two dollars and their board +per diem (except Sundays). That is more than the farmer gets, and he +lives honestly. Curtail the officers of government in pay, number, and +power; for the Philistine lords have shorn our nation of its goodly +locks in the lap of Delilah. + +Petition your State legislatures to pardon every convict in their +several penitentiaries, blessing them as they go, and saying to them, +in the name of the Lord, _Go thy way, and sin no more_. + +Advise your legislators, when they make laws for larceny, burglary, +or any felony, to make the penalty applicable to work upon roads, +public works, or any place where the culprit can be taught more +wisdom and more virtue, and become more enlightened. Rigor and +seclusion will never do as much to reform the propensities of men as +reason and friendship. Murder only can claim confinement or death. +Let the penitentiaries be turned into seminaries of learning, where +intelligence, like the angels of heaven, would banish such fragments of +barbarism. Imprisonment for debt is a meaner practice than the savage +tolerates, with all his ferocity. "_Amor vincit omnia_." (Love conquers +all.) + +Petition, also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave States, your +legislators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, and save the +abolitionist from reproach and ruin, infamy and shame. + +Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of +the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public lands and from the +deduction of pay from the members of Congress. + +Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to labor +like other human beings; for "an hour of virtuous liberty on earth is +worth a whole eternity of bondage." Abolish the practice in the army +and navy of trying men by court-martial for desertion. If a soldier or +marine runs away, send him his wages, with this instruction, that _his +country will never trust him again; he has forfeited his honor_. + +Make HONOR the standard with all men. Be sure that good is rendered +for evil in all cases; and the whole nation, like a kingdom of kings +and priests, will rise up in righteousness, and be respected as wise +and worthy on earth, and as just and holy for heaven, by Jehovah, the +Author of perfection. + +More economy in the national and state governments would make less +taxes among the people; more equality through the cities, towns, and +country, would make less distinction among the people; and more honesty +and familiarity in societies would make less hypocrisy and flattery in +all branches of the community; and open, frank, candid decorum to all +men, in this boasted land of liberty, would beget esteem, confidence, +union, and love; and the neighbor from any State or from any country, +of whatever color, clime, or tongue, could rejoice when he put his +foot on the sacred soil of freedom, and exclaim, The very name of +"_American_" is fraught with _friendship!_ Oh, then, create confidence, +restore freedom, break down slavery, banish imprisonment for debt, and +be in love, fellowship, and peace with all the world! Remember that +honesty is not subject to law. The law was made for transgressors. +Wherefore a Dutchman might exclaim--"_Ein cherlicher name ist besser +als Reichthum_." (A good name is better than riches.) + +For the accommodation of the people in every State and Territory let +Congress show their wisdom by granting a national bank, with branches +in each State and Territory, where the capital stock shall be held +by the nation for the mother bank, and by the States and Territories +for the branches; and whose officers and directors shall be elected +yearly by the people, with wages at the rate of two dollars per day for +services; which several banks shall never issue any more bills than the +amount of capital stock in her vaults and the interest. + +The net gain of the mother bank shall be applied to the national +revenue, and that of the branches to the States' and Territories' +revenues. And the bills shall be par throughout the nation, which will +mercifully cure that fatal disorder known in cities as _brokerage_, and +leave the people's money in their own pockets. + +Give every man his constitutional freedom, and the President full +power to send an army to suppress mobs, and the States authority to +repeal and impugn that relic of folly which makes it necessary for the +governor of a State to make the demand of the President for troops, in +case of invasion or rebellion. + +The governor himself may be a mobber; and instead of being punished, +as he should be, for murder or treason, he may destroy the very lives, +rights, and property he should protect. Like the good Samaritan, +send every lawyer, as soon as he repents and obeys the ordinances of +heaven, to preach the Gospel to the destitute, without purse or scrip, +pouring in the oil and the wine. A learned priesthood is certainly more +honorable than "_an hireling clergy_." + +As to the contiguous territories to the United States, wisdom would +direct no tangling alliance. Oregon belongs to this government +honorably; and when we have the red man's consent, let the Union +spread from the east to the west sea; and if Texas petitions Congress +to be adopted among the sons of liberty, give her the right hand of +fellowship, and refuse not the same friendly grip to Canada and Mexico. +And when the right arm of freemen is stretched out in the character +of a navy for the protection of rights, commerce and honor, let the +iron eyes of power watch from Maine to Mexico, and from California +to Columbia. Thus may union be strengthened, and foreign speculation +prevented from opposing broadside to broadside. + +Seventy years have done much for this goodly land. They have burst the +chains of oppression and monarchy, and multiplied its inhabitants from +two to twenty millions, with a proportionate share of knowledge keen +enough to circumnavigate the globe, draw the lightning from the clouds, +and cope with all the crowned heads of the world. + +Then why--oh, why will a once flourishing people not arise, phoenix-like, +over the cinders of Martin Van Buren's power, and over the sinking +fragments and smoking ruins of other catamount politicians, and over +the windfalls of Benton, Calhoun, Clay, Wright and a caravan of other +equally unfortunate law doctors, and cheerfully help to spread a +plaster and bind up the _burnt, bleeding wounds_ of a sore but blessed +country. + +The Southern people are hospitable and noble. They will help to rid so +free a country of every vestige of slavery, whenever they are assured +of an equivalent for their property. The country will be full of money +and confidence when a national bank of twenty millions, and a State +bank in every State, with a million or more, gives a tone to monetary +matters, and make a circulating medium as valuable in the purses of a +whole community, as in the coffers of a speculating banker or broker. + +The people may have faults, but they should never be trifled with. I +think Mr. Pitt's quotation in the British parliament of Mr. Prior's +couplet for the husband and wife, to apply to the course which the +king and ministry of England should pursue to the then colonies of the +_now_ United States, might be a genuine rule of action for some of the +_breath-made_ men in high places to use towards the posterity of this +noble, daring people:-- + + Be to her faults a little blind; + Be to her virtues very kind. + +We have had Democratic Presidents, Whig Presidents, a +pseudo-Democratic-Whig President, and now it is time to have _a +President of the United States;_ and let the people of the whole Union, +like the inflexible Romans, whenever they find a _promise_ made by a +candidate that is not _practiced_ as an officer, hurl the miserable +sycophant from his exaltation, as God did Nebuchadnezzar, to crop the +grass of the field with a beast's heart among the cattle. + +Mr. Van Buren said, in his inaugural address, that he went "into the +Presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of every +attempt, on the part of Congress, to abolish slavery in the district of +Columbia, against the wishes of the slave holding States, and also with +a determination equally decided to resist the slightest interference +with it in the States where it exists." + +Poor little Matty made this rhapsodical sweep with the fact before +his eyes, that the State of New York, his native State, had abolished +slavery without a struggle or a groan. Great God, how independent! +From henceforth slavery is tolerated where it exists, constitution or +no constitution, people or no people, right or wrong: _Vox Matti--Vox +Diaboli_ ("the voice of Matti"--"the voice of the Devil.") And, +peradventure, his great "sub-treasury" scheme was a piece of the same +mind. But the man and his measures have such a striking resemblance +to the anecdote of the Welshman and his cart-tongue, that when the +Constitution was so long that it allowed slavery at the capitol of a +free people, it could not be cut off; but when it was so short that it +needed a _sub-treasury_ to save the funds of the nation, _it could be +spliced!_ Oh, granny, granny, what a long tail our puss has got! (As a +Greek might say, _Hysteron proteron_, (the cart before the horse)). But +his mighty whisk through the great national fire, for the presidential +chestnuts, _burnt the locks of his glory with the blaze of his folly_! + +In the United States the people are the government, and their united +voice is the only sovereign that should rule, the only power that +should be obeyed, and the only gentlemen that should be honored at home +and abroad, on the land and on the sea. Wherefore, were I the President +of the United States, by the voice of a virtuous people, I would honor +the old paths of the venerated fathers of freedom; I would walk in +the tracks of the illustrious patriots who carried the ark of the +government upon their shoulders with an eye single to the glory of the +people and when that people petitioned to abolish slavery in the slave +States, I would use all honorable means to have their prayers granted, +and give liberty to the captive by paying the Southern gentlemen a +reasonable equivalent for his property; that the whole nation might be +free indeed! + +When the people petitioned for a national bank, I would use my best +endeavors to have their prayers answered, and establish one on national +principles to save taxes, and make them the controllers of its ways +and means. And when the people petitioned to possess the Territory of +Oregon, or any other contiguous territory, I would lend the influence +of a chief magistrate to grant so reasonable a request, that they +might extend the mighty efforts and enterprise of a free people from +the east to the west sea, and make the wilderness blossom as the rose. +And when a neighboring realm petitioned to join the union of the +sons of liberty, my voice would be _come_--yea, come, Texas; come, +Mexico; come, Canada; and come, all the world: let us be brethren, let +us be one great family, and let there be a universal peace. Abolish +the cruel custom of prisons (except certain cases), penitentiaries, +courts-martial for desertion; and let reason and friendship reign over +the ruins of ignorance and barbarity; yea, I would, as the universal +friend of man, open the prisons, open the eyes, open the ears, and open +the hearts of all people, to behold and enjoy freedom--unadulterated +freedom; and God, who once cleansed the violence of the earth with +a flood, whose Son laid down His life for the salvation of all His +Father gave Him out of the world, and who has promised that He will +come and purify the world again with fire in the last days, should be +supplicated by me for the good of all people. With the highest esteem, +I am a friend of virtue and of the people. + + JOSEPH SMITH. + +Nauvoo, Illinois, Feb. 7, 1844. + + + +APPENDIX IV. + +AN ACCOUNT OF THE MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH SMITH, BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. + +BEING requested by Elders George A. Smith and Wilford Woodruff, Church +historians, to write an account of events that transpired before, and +took place at, the time of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, in Carthage +jail, in Hancock County, State of Illinois, I write the following, +principally from memory, not having access at this time to any public +documents relative thereto farther than a few desultory items contained +in Ford's "History of Illinois." I must also acknowledge myself +considerably indebted to George A. Smith who was with me when I wrote +it, and who, although not there at the time of the bloody transaction, +yet, from conversing with several persons who were in the capacity of +Church historians, and aided by an excellent memory, has rendered me +considerable service. + +These and the few items contained in the note at the end of this +account are all the aid I have had. I would further add that the items +contained in the letter, in relation to dates especially, may be +considered strictly correct. + +After having written the whole, I read it over to the Hon. J. M. +Bernhisel, who with one or two slight alterations, pronounced it +strictly correct. Brother Bernhisel was present most of the time. I +am afraid that, from the length of time that has transpired since the +occurrence, and having to rely almost exclusively upon my memory, there +may be some slight inaccuracies, but I believe that in the general +it is strictly correct. As I figured in those transaction from the +commencement to the end, they left no slight impression on my mind. + +In the year 1844, a very great excitement prevailed in some parts of +Hancock, Brown and other neighboring counties of Illinois, in relation +to the Mormons, and a spirit of vindictive hatred and persecution was +exhibited among the people, which was manifested in the most bitter and +acrimonious language, as well as by acts of hostility and violence, +frequently threatening the destruction of the citizens of Nauvoo and +vicinity, and utter annihilation of the Mormons and Mormonism, and +in some instances breaking out in the most violent acts of ruffianly +barbarity. Persons were kidnapped, whipped, persecuted and falsely +accused of various crimes; their cattle and houses injured, destroyed, +or stolen; vexatious prosecutions were instituted to harass and annoy. +In some remote neighborhoods they were expelled from their homes +without redress, and in others violence was threatened to their persons +and property, while in others every kind of insult and indignity were +heaped upon them, to induce them to abandon their homes, the County or +the State. + +These annoyances, prosecutions and persecutions were instigated through +different agencies and by various classes of men, actuated by different +motives, but all uniting in the one object--prosecution, persecution +and extermination of the Saints. + +There were a number of wicked and corrupt men living in Nauvoo and +its vicinity, who had belonged to the Church, but whose conduct was +incompatible with the Gospel; they were accordingly dealt with by the +Church and severed from its communion. Some of these had been prominent +members, and held official stations either in the city or Church. Among +these were John C. Bennett, formerly mayor; William Law, counselor +to Joseph Smith; Wilson Law, his natural brother, and general in the +Nauvoo Legion; Dr. R. D. Foster, a man of some property, but with a +very bad reputation; Francis and Chauncey Higbee, the latter a young +lawyer, and both sons of a respectable and honored man in the Church, +known as Judge Elias Higbee, who died about twelve months before. + +Besides these, there were a great many apostates, both in the city +and county, of less notoriety, who for their delinquencies, had been +expelled from the Church. John C. Bennett and Francis and Chauncey +Higbee were cut off from the Church; the former was also cashiered from +his generalship for the most flagrant acts of seduction and adultery; +and the developments in the cases were so scandalous that the High +Council, before which they were tried, had to sit with closed doors. + +William Law, although counselor to Joseph, was found to be his most +bitter foe and maligner, and to hold intercourse, contrary to all law, +in his own house, with a young lady resident with him; and it was +afterwards proven that he had conspired with some Missourians to take +Joseph Smith's life, and was only saved by Josiah Arnold and Daniel +Garn, who, being on guard at his house, prevented the assassins from +seeing him. Yet, although having murder in his heart, his manners were +generally courteous and mild, and he was well calculated to deceive. + +General Wilson Law was cut off from the Church for seduction, +falsehood, and defamation; both the above were also court-martialed by +the Nauvoo Legion, and expelled. Foster was also cut off I believe, +for dishonesty, fraud and falsehood. I know he was eminently guilty of +the whole, but whether these were the specific charges or not, I don't +know, but I do know that he was a notoriously wicked and corrupt man. + +Besides the above characters and Mormonic apostates, there were +other three parties. The first of these may be called religionists, +the second politicians, and the third counterfeiters, black-legs, +horse-thieves and cut-throats. + +The religious party were chagrined and maddened because Mormonism came +in contact with their religion, and they could not oppose it from the +scriptures. Thus like the ancient Jews, when enraged at the exhibition +of their follies and hypocrisies by Jesus and His apostles, so these +were infuriated against the Mormons because of their discomfiture +by them; and instead of owning the truth and rejoicing in it, they +were ready to gnash upon them with their teeth, and to persecute the +believers in principles which they could not disprove. + +The political party were those who were of opposite politics to us. +There were always two parties, the Whigs and Democrats, and we could +not vote for one without offending the other; and it not unfrequently +happened that candidates for office would place the issue of their +election upon opposition to the Mormons, in order to gain political +influence from the religious prejudice, in which case the Mormons were +compelled, in self-defense, to vote against them, which resulted almost +invariably against our opponents. This made them angry; and although it +was of their own making, and the Mormons could not be expected to do +otherwise, yet they raged on account of their discomfiture, and sought +to wreak their fury on the Mormons. As an instance of the above, when +Joseph Duncan was candidate for the office of governor of Illinois, he +pledged himself to his party that, if he could be elected, he would +exterminate or drive the Mormons from the State. [1] The consequence +was that Governor Ford was elected. The Whigs, seeing that they had +been out-generaled by the Democrats in securing the Mormon vote, became +seriously alarmed, and sought to repair their disaster by raising a +crusade against the people. The Whig newspapers teemed with accounts +of the wonders and enormities of Nauvoo, and of the awful wickedness +of a party which could consent to receive the support of such +miscreants. Governor Duncan, who was really a brave, honest man, and +who had nothing to do with getting the Mormon charters passed through +the Legislature, took the stump on this subject in good earnest, and +expected to be elected governor almost on this question alone. + +The third party, composed of counterfeiters, black-legs, horse-thieves +and cut-throats, were a pack of scoundrels that infested the whole of +the western country at that time. In some districts their influence +was so great as to control important State and County offices. On this +subject Governor Ford has the following: + +"Then, again, the northern part of the State was not destitute +of its organized bands of rogues, engaged in murders, robberies, +horse-stealing and in making and passing counterfeit money. These +rogues were scattered all over the north, but the most of them were +located in the counties of Ogle, Winnebago, Lee and De Kalb. + +"In the County of Ogle they were so numerous, strong, and well +organized that they could not be convicted for their crimes. By getting +some of their numbers on the juries, by producing a host of witnesses +to sustain their defense, by perjured evidence, and by changing the +venue of one County to another, by continuances from term to term, and +by the inability of witnesses to attend from time to time at distant +and foreign Counties, they most generally managed to be acquitted." [2] + +There was a combination of horse-thieves extending from Galena to +Alton. There were counterfeiters engaged in merchandising, trading, +and store-keeping in most of the cities and villages, and in some +districts, I have been credibly informed by men to whom they have +disclosed their secrets, the judges, sheriffs, constables, and jailors, +as well, as professional men, were more or less associated with them. +These had in their employ the most reckless, abandoned wretches, who +stood ready to carry into effect the most desperate enterprises, +and were careless alike of human life and property. Their object in +persecuting the Mormons was in part to cover their own rascality, and +in part to prevent them from exposing and prosecuting them; but the +principal reason was plunder, believing that if they could be removed +or driven they would be made fat on Mormon spoils, besides having in +the deserted city a good asylum for the prosecution of their diabolical +pursuits. + +This conglomeration of apostate Mormons, religious bigots, political +fanatics and black-legs, all united their forces against the Mormons, +and organized themselves into a party, denominated anti-Mormons. Some +of them, we have reason to believe, joined The Church in order to +cover their infamous practices, and when they were expelled for their +unrighteousness only raged with greater violence. They circulated +every kind of falsehood that they could collect or manufacture against +the Mormons. They also had a paper to assist them in their nefarious +designs, called the _Warsaw Signal_, edited by a Mr. Thomas Sharp, a +violent and unprincipled man, who shrunk not from any enormity. The +anti-Mormons had public meetings, which were very numerously attended, +where they passed resolutions of the most violent and inflammatory +kind, threatening to drive, expel and exterminate the Mormons from the +State, at the same time accusing them of every evil in the vocabulary +of crime. + +They appointed their meetings in various parts of Hancock, M'Donough, +and other counties, which soon resulted in the organization of +armed mobs, under the direction of officers who reported to their +headquarters, and the reports of which were published in the +anti-Mormon paper, and circulated through the adjoining counties. We +also published in the _Times and Seasons_ and the _Nauvoo Neighbor_ +(two papers published and edited by me at that time) an account, not +only of their proceedings, but our own. But such was the hostile +feeling, so well arranged their plans, and so desperate and lawless +their measures, that it was with the greatest difficulty that we could +get our papers circulated; they were destroyed by postmasters and +others, and scarcely ever arrived at the place of their destination, +so that a great many of the people, who would have been otherwise +peaceable, were excited by their misrepresentations, and instigated to +join their hostile or predatory bands. + +Emboldened by the acts of those outside, the apostate Mormons, +associated with others, commenced the publication of a libelous paper +in Nauvoo, called the _Nauvoo Expositor_. This paper not only reprinted +from the others, but put in circulation the most libelous, false, and +infamous reports concerning the citizens of Nauvoo, and especially +the ladies. It was, however, no sooner put in circulation than the +indignation of the whole community was aroused; so much so, that they +threatened its annihilation; and I do not believe that in any other +city of the United States, if the same charges had been made against +the citizens, it would have been permitted to remain one day. As it was +among us, under these circumstances, it was thought best to convene +the city council to take into consideration the adoption of some +measures for its removal, as it was deemed better that this should be +done legally than illegally. Joseph Smith, therefore, who was mayor, +convened the city council for that purpose; the paper was introduced +and read, and the subject examined. All, or nearly all present, +expressed their indignation at the course taken by the _Expositor_, +which was owned by some of the aforesaid apostates, associated with +one or two others. Wilson Law, Dr. Foster, Charles Ivins and the +Higbees before referred to, some lawyers, storekeepers, and others in +Nauvoo who were not Mormons, together with the anti-Mormons outside of +the city, sustained it. The calculation was, by false statements, to +unsettle the minds of many in the city, and to form combinations there +similar to the anti-Mormon associations outside of the city. Various +attempts had heretofore been made by the party to annoy and irritate +the citizens of Nauvoo; false accusations had been made, vexatious +lawsuits instituted, threats made, and various devices resorted to, +to influence the public mind, and, if possible, to provoke us to the +commission of some overt act that might make us amenable to the law. +With a perfect knowledge, therefore, of the designs of these infernal +scoundrels who were in our midst, as well as those who surrounded us, +the city council entered upon an investigation of the matter. They felt +that they were in a critical position, and that any move made for the +abating of that press would be looked upon, or at least represented, +as a direct attack upon the liberty of speech, and that, so far from +displeasing our enemies, it would be looked upon by them as one of +the best circumstances that could transpire to assist them in their +nefarious and bloody designs. Being a member of the city council, I +well remember the feeling of responsibility that seemed to rest upon +all present; nor shall I soon forget the bold, manly, independent +expressions of Joseph Smith on that occasion in relation to this +matter. He exhibited in glowing colors the meanness, corruption, and +ultimate designs of the anti-Mormons; their despicable characters and +ungodly influences, especially of those who were in our midst. He told +of the responsibility that rested upon us, as guardians of the public +interest, to stand up in the defense of the injured and oppressed, to +stem the current of corruption, and, as men and Saints, to put a stop +to this flagrant outrage upon this people's rights. + +He stated that no man was a stronger advocate for the liberty of +speech and of the press than himself: yet, when this noble gift is +utterly prostituted and abused, as in the present instance, it loses +all claim to our respect, and becomes as great an agent for evil as it +can possibly be for good; and notwithstanding the apparent advantage +we should give our enemies by this act, yet it behooved us, as men, to +act independent of all secondary influences, to perform the part of men +of enlarged minds, and boldly and fearlessly to discharge the duties +devolving upon us by declaring as a nuisance, and removing this filthy, +libelous, and seditious sheet from our midst. + +The subject was discussed in various forms, and after the remarks made +by the mayor, every one seemed to be waiting for some one else to speak. + +After a considerable pause, I arose and expressed my feelings frankly, +as Joseph had done, and numbers of others followed in the same strain; +and I think, but am not certain, that I made a motion for the removal +of that press as a nuisance. This motion was finally put, and carried +by all but one; and he conceded that the measure was just, but +abstained through fear. + +Several members of the city council were not in The Church. The +following is the bill referred to: + + _Bill for Removing of the Press of the_ "_Nauvoo Expositor_." [3] + + Resolved by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that the + printing-office from whence issues the _Nauvoo Expositor_ is a + public nuisance; and also of said _Nauvoo Expositors_ which may + be or exist in said establishment; and the mayor is instructed to + cause said establishment and papers to be removed without delay, in + such manner as he shall direct. + + Passed June 10th, 1844. GEO. W. HARRIS, President _pro tem_. + + W. RICHARDS, Recorder. + +After the passage of the bill, the marshal, John P. Greene, was ordered +to abate or remove, which he forthwith proceeded to do by summoning a +posse of men for that purpose. The press was removed or broken, I don't +remember which, by the marshal, and the types scattered in the street. + +This seemed to be one of those extreme cases that require extreme +measures, as the press was still proceeding in its inflammatory course. +It was feared that, as it was almost universally execrated, should it +continue longer, an indignant people might commit some overt act which +might lead to serious consequences, and that it was better to use legal +than illegal means. + +This, as was foreseen, was the very course our enemies wished us to +pursue, as it afforded them an opportunity of circulating a very +plausible story about the Mormons being opposed to the liberty of the +press and of free speech, which they were not slow to avail themselves +of. Stories were fabricated, and facts perverted; false statements +were made, and this act brought in as an example to sustain the whole +of their fabrications; and, as if inspired by Satan, they labored +with an energy and zeal worthy of a better cause. They had runners to +circulate their reports, not only through Hancock County, but in all +the surrounding counties. These reports were communicated to their +anti-Mormon societies, and these societies circulated them in their +several districts. The anti-Mormon paper, the _Warsaw Signal_, was +filled with inflammatory articles and misrepresentations in relation +to us, and especially to this act of destroying the press. We were +represented as a horde of lawless ruffians and brigands, anti-American +and anti-republican, steeped in crime and iniquity, opposed to freedom +of speech and of the press, and all the rights and immunities of a free +and enlightened people; that neither person nor property were secure: +that we had designs upon the citizens of Illinois and of the United +States, and the people were called upon to rise _en masse_, and put us +down, drive us away, or exterminate us as a pest to society, and alike +dangerous to our neighbors, the State, and commonwealth. + +These statements were extensively copied and circulated throughout the +United States. A true statement of the facts in question was published +by us both in the _Times and Seasons_ and the _Nauvoo Neighbor;_ but +it was found impossible to circulate them in the immediate counties, +as they were destroyed in the post-offices or otherwise by the agents +of the anti-Mormons, and in order to get the mail to go abroad, I had +to send the papers a distance of thirty or forty miles from Nauvoo, +and sometimes to St. Louis (upward of two hundred miles), to insure +their proceeding on their route, and then one-half or two-thirds of the +papers never reached the place of destination, being intercepted or +destroyed by our enemies. + +These false reports stirred up the community around, of whom many, on +account of religious prejudice, were easily instigated to join the +anti-Mormons and embark in any crusade that might be undertaken against +us: hence their ranks swelled in numbers, and new organizations were +formed, meetings were held, resolutions passed, and men and means +volunteered for the extirpation of the Mormons. + +On these points Governor Ford writes: "These also were the active +men in blowing up the fury of the people, in hopes that a popular +movement might be set on foot, which would result in the expulsion or +extermination of the Mormon voters. For this purpose public meetings +had been called, inflammatory speeches had been made, exaggerated +reports had been extensively circulated, committees had been appointed, +who rode night and day to spread the reports and solicit the aid of +neighboring counties, and at a public meeting at Warsaw resolutions +were passed to expel or exterminate the Mormon population. This was +not, however, a movement which was unanimously concurred in. The county +contained a goodly number of inhabitants in favor of peace, or who at +least desired to be neutral in such a contest. These were stigmatized +by the name of Jack-Mormons, and there were not a few of the more +furious exciters of the people who openly expressed their intention to +involve them in the common expulsion or extermination. + +"A system of excitement and agitation was artfully planned and executed +with tact. It consisted in spreading reports and rumors of the most +fearful character. As examples: On the morning before my arrival at +Carthage, I was awakened at an early hour by the frightful report, +which was asserted with confidence and apparent consternation, that the +Mormons had already commenced the work of burning, destruction, and +murder, and that every man capable of bearing arms was instantly wanted +at Carthage for the protection of the county. + +"We lost no time in starting; but when we arrived at Carthage we could +hear no more concerning this story. Again, during the few days that the +militia were encamped at Carthage, frequent applications were made to +me to send a force here, and a force there, and a force all about the +country, to prevent murders, robberies, and larcenies which, it was +said, were threatened by the Mormons. No such forces were sent, nor +were any such offenses committed at that time, except the stealing of +some provisions, and there was never the least proof that this was done +by a Mormon. Again, on my late visit to Hancock County, I was informed +by some of their violent enemies that the larcenies of the Mormons had +become unusually numerous and insufferable. + +"They admitted that but little had been done in this way in their +immediate vicinity, but they insisted that sixteen horses had been +stolen by the Mormons in one night near Lima, and, upon inquiry, was +told that no horses had been stolen in that neighborhood, but that +sixteen horses had been stolen in one night in Hancock County. This +last informant being told of the Hancock story, again changed the venue +to another distant settlement in the northern edge of Adams." [4] + +In the meantime legal proceedings were instituted against the members +of the city council of Nauvoo. A writ, here subjoined, was issued +upon the affidavit of the Laws, Fosters, Higbees, and Ivins, by Mr. +Morrison, a justice of the peace in Carthage, the county seat of +Hancock, and put into the hands of one David Bettesworth, a constable +of the same place. + + _Writ issued upon affidavit by Thomas Morrison, J. P., State of + Illinois, Hancock County, ss_. + + "The people of the State of Illinois, to all constables, sheriffs, + and coroners of said State, greeting: + + "Whereas complaint hath been made before me, one of the justices + of the peace in and for the county of Hancock aforesaid, upon the + oath of Francis M. Higbee, of the said county, that Joseph Smith, + Samuel Bennett, John Taylor, William W. Phelps, Hyrum Smith, John + P. Greene, Stephen Perry, Dimick B. Huntington, Jonathan Dunham, + Stephen Markham, William Edwards, Jonathan Holmes, Jesse P. + Harmon, John Lytle, Joseph W. Coolidge, Harvey D. Redfield, Porter + Rockwell, and Levi Richards, of said county, did, on the tenth day + of June instant, commit a riot at and within the county aforesaid, + wherein they with force and violence broke into the printing office + of the _Nauvoo Expositor_, and unlawfully and with force burned and + destroyed the printing press, type and fixtures of the same, being + the property of William Law, Wilson Law, Charles Ivins, Francis M. + Higbee, Chauncey L. Higbee, Robert D. Foster and Charles A. Foster. + + "These are therefore to command you forthwith to apprehend the + said Joseph Smith, Samuel Bennett, John Taylor, William W. Phelps, + Hyrum Smith, John P. Greene, Stephen Perry, Dimick B. Huntington, + Jonathan Dunham, Stephen Markham, William Edwards, Jonathan + Holmes, Jesse P. Harmon, John Lytle, Joseph W. Coolidge, Harvey D. + Redfield, Porter Rockwell, and Levi Richards, and bring them before + me, or some other justice of the peace, to answer the premises, and + farther to be dealt with according to law. + + "Given under my hand and seal at Carthage, in the county aforesaid, + this 11th day of June, A. D. 1844. + + "THOMAS MORRISON, J. P." (Seal.) [5] + +The council did not refuse to attend to the legal proceedings in the +case, but as the law of Illinois made it the privilege of the persons +accused to go "or appear before the issuer of the writ, or any other +justice of the peace," they requested to be taken before another +magistrate, either in the city of Nauvoo or at any reasonable distance +out of it. + +This the constable, who was a mobocrat, refused to do; and as this +was our legal privilege we refused to be dragged, contrary to law, a +distance of eighteen miles, when at the same time we had reason to +believe that an organized band of mobocrats were assembled for the +purpose of extermination or murder, and among whom it would not be safe +to go without a superior force of armed men. A writ of _habeas corpus_ +was called for, and issued by the municipal court of Nauvoo, taking us +out of the hands of Bettesworth, and placing us in the charge of the +city marshal. We went before the municipal court and were dismissed. +Our refusal to obey this illegal proceeding was by them construed into +a refusal to submit to law, and circulated as such, and the people +either did believe, or professed to believe, that we were in open +rebellion against the laws and the authorities of the State. Hence mobs +began to assemble, among which all through the country inflammatory +speeches were made, exciting them to mobocracy and violence. Soon they +commenced their depredations in our outside settlements, kidnapping +some, and whipping and otherwise abusing others. + +The persons thus abused fled to Nauvoo as soon as practicable, and +related their injuries to Joseph Smith, then mayor of the city, +and lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion. They also went before +magistrates, and made affidavits of what they had suffered, seen +and heard. These affidavits, in connection with a copy of all our +proceedings were forwarded by Joseph Smith to Mr. Ford, then governor +of Illinois, with an expression of our desire to abide law, and a +request that the governor would instruct him how to proceed in the case +of arrival of an armed mob against the city. The governor sent back +instructions to Joseph Smith that, as he was lieutenant general of the +Nauvoo Legion, it was his duty to protect the city and surrounding +country, and issued orders to that effect. Upon the reception of these +orders Joseph Smith assembled the people of the city, and laid before +them the governor's instructions; he also convened the officers of the +Nauvoo Legion for the purpose of conferring in relation to the best +mode of defense. He also issued orders to the men to hold themselves in +readiness in case of being called upon. On the following day General +Joseph Smith, with his staff, the leading officers of the Legion, and +some prominent strangers who were in our midst, made a survey of the +outside boundaries of the city, which was very extensive, being about +five miles up and down the river, and about two and a half back in the +center, for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the ground, and +the feasibility of defense, and to make all necessary arrangements in +case of an attack. + +It may be well here to remark that numbers of gentlemen, strangers to +us, either came on purpose or were passing through Nauvoo, and upon +learning the position of things, expressed their indignation against +our enemies, and avowed their readiness to assist us by their counsel +or otherwise. It was some of these who assisted us in reconnoitering +the city, and finding out its adaptability for defense, and how to +protect it best against an armed force. The Legion was called together +and drilled, and every means made use of for defense. At the call of +the officers, old and young men came forward, both from the city and +the country, and mustered to the number of about five thousand. + +In the meantime our enemies were not idle in mustering their forces +and committing depredations, nor had they been; it was, in fact, their +gathering that called ours into existence; their forces continued to +accumulate; they assumed a threatening attitude, and assembled in large +bodies, armed and equipped for war, and threatened the destruction and +extermination of the Mormons. + +An account of their outrages and assemblages was forwarded to +Governor Ford almost daily; accompanied by affidavits furnished by +eye-witnesses of their proceedings. Persons were also sent out to +the counties around with pacific intentions, to give them an account +of the true state of affairs, and to notify them of the feelings and +dispositions of the people of Nauvoo, and thus, if possible, quell the +excitement. In some of the more distant counties these men were very +successful, and produced the salutary influence upon the minds of many +intelligent and well-disposed men. In neighboring counties, however, +where anti-Mormon influence prevailed, they produced little effect. At +the same time guards were stationed around Nauvoo, and picket guards +in the distance. At length opposing forces gathered so near that more +active measures were taken; reconnoitering parties were sent out, and +the city proclaimed under martial law. Things now assumed a belligerent +attitude, and persons passing through the city were questioned as to +what they knew of the enemy, while passes were in some instances given +to avoid difficulty with the guards. Joseph Smith continued to send on +messengers to the governor, (Philip B. Lewis and other messengers were +sent.) Samuel James, then residing at La Harpe, carried a message and +dispatches to him, and in a day or two after Bishop Edward Hunter and +others went again with fresh dispatches, representations, affidavits, +and instructions; but as the weather was excessively wet, the rivers +swollen, and the bridges washed away in many places, it was with great +difficulty that they proceeded on their journeys. As the mobocracy had +at last attracted the governor's attention, he started in company with +some others from Springfield to the scene of trouble, and missed, I +believe, both Brothers James and Hunter on the road, and, of course, +did not see their documents. He came to Carthage, and made that place, +which was a regular mobocratic den, his headquarters; as it was the +county seat, however, of Hancock County, that circumstance might, in a +measure, justify his staying there. + +To avoid the appearance of all hostility on our part, and to fulfill +the law in every particular, at the suggestion of Judge Thomas, judge +of that judicial district, who had come to Nauvoo at the time, and who +stated that we had fulfilled the law, but, in order to satisfy all he +would council us to go before Esquire Wells, who was not in our Church, +and have a hearing, we did so, and after a full hearing we were again +dismissed. + +The governor on the road collected forces, some of whom were +respectable, but on his arrival in the neighborhood of the difficulties +he received as militia all the companies of the mob forces who united +with him. After his arrival at Carthage he sent two gentlemen from +there to Nauvoo as a committee to wait upon General Joseph Smith, +informing him of the arrival of his excellency, with a request that +General Smith would send out a committee to wait upon the governor and +represent to him the state of affairs in relation to the difficulties +that then existed in the county. We met this committee while we were +reconnoitering the city, to find out the best mode of defense as +aforesaid. Dr. J. M. Bernhisel and myself were appointed as a committee +by General Smith to wait upon the governor. Previous to going, however, +we were furnished with affidavits and documents in relation both to our +proceedings and those of the mob; in addition to the general history of +the transaction, we took with us a duplicate of those documents which +had been forwarded by Bishop Hunter, Brother James, and others. We +started from Nauvoo in company with the aforesaid gentlemen at about +7 o'clock on the evening of the 21st of June, and arrived at Carthage +about 11 p. m. + +We put up at the same hotel with the governor, kept by a Mr. Hamilton. +On our arrival we found the governor in bed, but not so with the other +inhabitants. The town was filled with a perfect set of rabble and +rowdies, who, under the influence of Bacchus, seemed to be holding a +grand saturnalia, whooping, yelling and vociferating as if Bedlam had +broken loose. + +On our arrival at the hotel, and while supper was preparing, a man came +to me, dressed as a soldier, and told me that a man named Daniel Garn +had just been taken prisoner, and was about to be committed to jail, +and wanted me to go bail for him. Believing this to be a ruse to get me +out alone, and that some violence was intended, after consulting with +Dr. Bernhisel, I told the man that I was well acquainted with Mr. Garn, +that I knew him to be a gentleman, and did not believe that he had +transgressed law, and, moreover, that I considered it a very singular +time to be holding courts and calling for security, particularly as the +town was full of rowdyism. + +I informed him that Dr. Bernhisel and myself would, if necessary go +bail for him in the morning, but that we did not feel ourselves safe +among such a set at that late hour of the night. + +After supper, on retiring to our room, we had to pass through another, +which was separated from ours only by a board partition, the beds in +each room being placed side by side, with the exception of this fragile +partition. On the bed that was in the room which we passed through I +discovered a man by the name of Jackson, a desperate character, and a +reputed, notorious cut-throat and murderer. I hinted to the doctor that +things looked rather suspicious, and looked to see that my arms were +in order. The doctor and I occupied one bed. We had scarcely laid down +when a knock at the door, accompanied by a voice announced the approach +of Chauncey Higbee, the young lawyer and apostate before referred to. + +He addressed himself to the doctor, and stated that the object of +his visit was to obtain the release of Daniel Garn; that Garn he +believed to be an honest man; that if he had done anything wrong, it +was through improper counsel, and that it was a pity that he should +be incarcerated, particularly when he could be so easily released; +he urged the doctor, as a friend, not to leave so good a man in such +an unpleasant situation; he finally prevailed upon the doctor to go +and give bail, assuring him that on his giving bail Garn would be +immediately dismissed. + +During this conversation I did not say a word. + +Higbee left the doctor to dress, with the intention of returning and +taking him to the court. As soon as Higbee had left, I told the doctor +that he had better not go; that I believed this affair was all a ruse +to get us separated; that they knew we had documents with us from +General Smith to show to the governor; that I believed their object +was to get possession of those papers, and, perhaps, when they had +separated us, to murder one or both. The doctor, who was actuated by +the best of motives in yielding to the assumed solicitude of Higbee, +coincided with my views; he then went to Higbee, and told him that he +had concluded not to go that night, but that he and I would both wait +upon the justice and Mr. Garn in the morning. + +That night I lay awake with my pistols under my pillow, waiting for any +emergency. Nothing more occurred during the night. In the morning we +arose early, and after breakfast sought an interview with the governor, +and were told that we could have an audience, I think, at ten o'clock. +In the meantime we called upon Mr. Smith, a justice of the peace, who +had Mr. Garn in charge. We represented that we had been called upon +the night before by two different parties to go bail for a Mr. Daniel +Garn, whom we were informed he had in custody, and that, believing Mr. +Garn to be an honest man, we had now come for that purpose, and were +prepared to enter into recognizances for his appearance, whereupon Mr. +Smith, the magistrate, remarked that, under the present excited state +of affairs, he did not think he would be justified in receiving bail +from Nauvoo, as it was a matter of doubt whether property would not be +rendered valueless there in a few days. + +Knowing the party we had to deal with, we were not much surprised at +this singular proceeding; we then remarked that both of us possessed +property in farms out of Nauvoo in the country, and referred him to +the county records. He then stated that such was the nature of the +charge against Mr. Garn that he believed he would not be justified in +receiving any bail. We were thus confirmed in our opinion that the +night's proceedings before, in relation to their desire to have us give +bail, was a mere ruse to separate us. We were not permitted to speak +with Garn, the real charge against whom was that he was traveling in +Carthage or its neighborhood: what the fictitious one was, if I knew, I +have since forgotten, as things of this kind were of daily occurrence. + +After waiting the governor's pleasure for some time we had an audience; +but such an audience! + +He was surrounded by some of the vilest and most unprincipled men in +creation; some of them had an appearance of respectability, and many of +them lacked even that. Wilson, and, I believe, William Law, were there, +Foster, Frank and Chauncey Higbee, Mr. Mar, a lawyer from Nauvoo, a +mobocratic merchant from Warsaw, the aforesaid Jackson, a number of +his associates, among whom was the governor's secretary, in all, some +fifteen or twenty persons, most of whom were recreant to virtue, honor, +integrity, and everything that is considered honorable among men. I can +well remember the feelings of disgust that I had in seeing the governor +surrounded by such an infamous group, and on being introduced to men +of so questionable a character; and had I been on private business, I +should have turned to depart, and told the governor that if he thought +proper to associate with such questionable characters, I should beg +leave to be excused; but coming as we did on public business, we could +not, of course, consult our private feelings. + +We then stated to the governor that, in accordance with his request, +General Smith had, in response to his call, sent us to him as a +committee of conference; that we were acquainted with most of the +circumstances that had transpired in and about Nauvoo lately, and were +prepared to give him all information; that, moreover, we had in our +possession testimony and affidavits confirmatory of what we should +say, which had been forwarded to his excellency by Messrs. Hunter, +James, and others, some of which had not reached their destination, +but of which we had duplicates with us. We then, in brief, related an +outline of the difficulties, and the course we had pursued from the +commencement of the trouble up to the present, and handing him the +documents, respectfully submitted the whole. + +During our conversation and explanations with the governor we were +frequently, rudely and impudently contradicted by the fellows he had +around him, and of whom he seemed to take no notice. + +He opened and read a number of the documents himself, and as he +proceeded he was frequently interrupted by, "that's a lie!" "that's +a God damned lie!" "that's an infernal falsehood!" "that's a blasted +lie!" etc. + +These men evidently winced at the exposure of their acts, and thus +vulgarly, impudently, and falsely repudiated them. One of their +number, Mr. Mar, addressed himself several times to me while in +conversation with the governor. I did not notice him until after a +frequent repetition of his insolence, when I informed him that "my +business at that time was with Governor Ford," whereupon I continued my +conversation with his excellency. During the conversation, the governor +expressed a desire that Joseph Smith, and all parties concerned in +passing or executing the city law in relation to the press, had better +come to Carthage; that, however repugnant it might be to our feelings, +he thought it would have a tendency to allay public excitement, and +prove to the people what we professed, that we wished to be governed +by law. We represented to him the course we had taken in relation to +this matter, and our willingness to go before another magistrate other +than the municipal court; the illegal refusal of our request by the +constable; our dismissal by the municipal court, a legally constituted +tribunal; our subsequent trial before Squire Wells at the instance of +Judge Thomas, the circuit judge, and our dismissal by him; that we had +fulfilled the law in every particular; that it was our enemies who were +breaking the law, and, having murderous designs, were only making use +of this as a pretext to get us into their power. The governor stated +that the people viewed it differently, and that, notwithstanding our +opinions, he would recommend that the people should be satisfied. We +then remarked to him that, should Joseph Smith comply with his request, +it would be extremely unsafe, in the present excited state of the +country, to come without an armed force; that we had a sufficiency of +men, and were competent to defend ourselves, but there might be danger +of collision should our forces and those of our enemies be brought into +such close proximity. He strenuously advised us not to bring our arms, +and _pledged his faith as governor, and the faith of the State, that we +should be protected, and that he would guarantee our perfect safety_. + +We had at that time about five thousand men under arms, one thousand of +whom would have been amply sufficient for our protection. + +At the termination of our interview, and previous to our withdrawal, +after a long conversation and the perusal of the documents which we +had brought, the governor informed us that he would prepare a written +communication for General Joseph Smith, which he desired us to wait +for. We were kept waiting for this instrument some five or six hours. + +About five o'clock in the afternoon we took our departure with not the +most pleasant feelings. The associations of the governor, the spirit he +manifested to compromise with these scoundrels, the length of time that +he had kept us waiting, and his general deportment, together with the +infernal spirit that we saw exhibited by those whom he had admitted to +his counsels, made the prospect anything but promising. + +We returned on horseback, and arrived at Nauvoo, I think, at about +eight or nine o'clock at night, accompanied by Captain Yates in +command of a company of mounted men, who came for the purpose of +escorting Joseph Smith and the accused in case of their complying with +the governor's request, and going to Carthage. We went directly to +Brother Joseph's, when Captain Yates delivered to him the governor's +communication. A council was called, consisting of Joseph's brother, +Hyrum, Dr. Richards, Dr. Bernhisel, myself, and one or two others. + +We then gave a detail of our interview with the governor. Brother +Joseph was very much dissatisfied with the governor's letter and with +his general deportment, and so were the council, and it became a +serious question as to the course we should pursue. Various projects +were discussed, but nothing definitely decided upon for some time. + +In the interim two gentlemen arrived; one of them, if not both, sons of +John C. Calhoun. They had come to Nauvoo, and were very anxious for an +interview with Brother Joseph. + +These gentlemen detained him for some time; and, as our council was +held in Dr. Bernhisel's room in the Mansion House, the doctor lay down; +and as it was now between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning, and I had +had no rest on the previous night, I was fatigued, and thinking that +Brother Joseph might not return, I left for home and rest. + +Being very much fatigued, I slept soundly, and was somewhat surprised +in the morning by Mrs. Thompson entering my room about 7 o'clock, and +exclaiming in surprise, "What, you here! the brethren have crossed the +rive some time since." + +"What brethren?" I asked. + +"Brother Joseph, and Hyrum, and Brother Richards," she answered. + +I immediately arose upon learning that they had crossed the river, and +did not intend to go to Carthage. I called together a number of persons +in whom I had confidence, and had the type, stereotype plates, and most +of the valuable things removed from the printing office, believing +that, should the governor and his force come to Nauvoo, the first +thing they would do would be to burn the printing office, for I knew +they would be exasperated if Brother Joseph went away. We had talked +over these matters the night before, but nothing was decided upon. It +was Brother Joseph's opinion that, should we leave for a time, public +excitement, which was then so intense, would be allayed; that it would +throw on the governor the responsibility of keeping the peace; that +in the event of an outrage, the onus would rest upon the governor, +who was amply prepared with troops, and could command all the forces +of the State to preserve order; and that the act of his own men would +be an overwhelming proof of their seditious designs, not only to the +governor, but to the world. He moreover thought that, in the east, +where he intended to go, public opinion would be set right in relation +to these matters, and its expression would partially influence the +west, and that, after the first ebullition, things would assume a shape +that would justify his return. + +I made arrangements for crossing the river, and Brother Elias Smith +and Joseph Cain, who were both employed in the printing office with +me, assisted all that lay in their power together with Brother Brower +and several hands in the printing office. As we could not find out +the exact whereabouts of Joseph and the brethren, I crossed the river +in a boat furnished by Brother Cyrus H. Wheelock and Alfred Bell; and +after the removal of the things out of the printing office, Joseph Cain +brought the account books to me, that we might make arrangements for +their adjustment; and Brother Elias Smith, cousin to Brother Joseph, +went to obtain money for the journey, and also to find out and report +to me the location of the brethren. + +As Cyrus H. Wheelock was an active, enterprising man, and in the event +of not finding Brother Joseph I calculated to go to Upper Canada for +the time being, and should need a companion, I said to Brother Cyrus H. +Wheelock, "Can you go with me ten or fifteen hundred miles?" + +He answered, "Yes." + +"Can you start in half an hour?" + +"Yes." + +However, I told him that he had better see his family, who lived over +the river, and prepare a couple of horses and the necessary equipage +for the journey, and that, if we did not find Brother Joseph before, we +would start at nightfall. + +A laughable incident occurred on the eve of my departure. After making +all the preparations I could, previous to leaving Nauvoo, and having +bid adieu to my family, I went to a house adjoining the river, owned +by Brother Eddy. There I disguised myself so as not to be known, and +so effectually was the transformation that those who had come after me +with a boat did not know me. I went down to the boat and sat in it. +Brother Bell, thinking it was a stranger, watched my moves for some +time very impatiently, and then said to Brother Wheelock, "I wish that +old gentleman would go away; he has been pottering around the boat +for some time, and I am afraid Elder Taylor will be coming." When he +discovered his mistake, he was not a little amused. + +I was conducted by Brother Bell to a house that was surrounded by +timber on the opposite side of the river. There I spent several hours +in a chamber with Brother Joseph Cain, adjusting my accounts; and I +made arrangements for the stereotype plates of the Book of Mormon and +Doctrine and Covenants, to be forwarded east, thinking to supply the +company with subsistence money through the sale of these books in the +east. + +My horses were reported ready by Brother Wheelock, and funds on hand +by Brother Elias Smith. In about half an hour I should have started, +when Brother Elias Smith came to me with word that he had found the +brethren; that they had concluded to go to Carthage, and wished me to +return to Nauvoo and accompany them. I must confess that I felt a good +deal disappointed at this news, but I immediately made preparations +to go. Escorted by Brother Elias Smith, I and my party went to the +neighborhood of Montrose, where we met Brother Joseph, Hyrum, Brother +Richards and others. Dr. Bernhisel thinks that W. W. Phelps was not +with Joseph and Hyrum in the morning, but that he met him, myself, +Joseph and Hyrum, W. Richards and Brother Cahoon, in the afternoon, +near Montrose, returning to Nauvoo. + +On meeting the brethren I learned that it was not Brother Joseph's +desire to return, but that he came back by request of some of the +brethren, and that it coincided more with Brother Hyrum's feelings +than those of Brother Joseph. In fact, after his return, Brother Hyrum +expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the course taken, and +said he felt much more at ease in his mind than he did before. On our +return the calculation was to throw ourselves under the immediate +protection of the governor, and to trust to his word and faith for our +preservation. + +A message was, I believe, sent to the governor that night, stating that +we should come to Carthage in the morning, the party that came along +with us to escort us back, in case we returned to Carthage, having +returned. + +It would seem from the following remarks of General Ford that there was +a design on foot, which was, that if we refused to go to Carthage at +the governor's request, there should be an increased force called for +by the governor, and that we should be destroyed by them. In accordance +with this project, Captain Yates returned with his _posse_, accompanied +by the constable who held the writ. + +The following is the governor's remark in relation to this affair: + + "The constable and his escort returned. The constable made no + effort to arrest any of them, nor would he or the guard delay their + departure one minute beyond the time, to see whether an arrest + could be made. Upon their return they reported that they had been + informed that the accused had fled, and could not be found. I + immediately proposed to a council of officers to march into Nauvoo + with the small force then under my command, but the officers were + of the opinion that it was too small, and many of them insisted + upon a further call of the militia. Upon reflection I was of the + opinion that the officers were right in the estimate of our force, + and the project for immediate action was abandoned. + + "I was soon informed, however, of the conduct of the constable and + guard, and then I was perfectly satisfied that a most base fraud + had been attempted, that, in fact, it was feared that the Mormons + would submit, and thereby entitle themselves to the protection of + the law. It was very apparent that many of the bustling, active + spirits were afraid that there would be no occasion for calling + out an overwhelming militia force, for marching into Nauvoo, for + probable mutiny when there, and for the extermination of the Mormon + race. It appeared that the constable and the escort were fully in + the secret, and acted well their part to promote the conspiracy." + [6] + +In the morning Brother Joseph had an interview with the officers of +the Legion, with the leading members of the city council, and with the +principal men of the city. The officers were instructed to dismiss +their men, but to have them in a state of readiness to be called upon +in any emergency that might occur. + +About half past six o'clock the members of the city council, the +marshal, Brothers Joseph and Hyrum, and a number of others, started +for Carthage, on horseback. We were instructed by Brother Joseph Smith +not to take any arms, and we consequently left them behind. We called +at the house of Brother Fellows on our way out. Brother Fellows lived +about four miles from Carthage. + +While at Brother Fellow's house, Captain Dunn, accompanied by Mr. +Coolie, one of the governor's aides-de-camp, came up from Carthage _en +route_ for Nauvoo with a requisition from the governor for the State +arms. We all returned to Nauvoo with them; the governor's request was +complied with, and after taking some refreshments, we all returned to +proceed to Carthage. We arrived there late in the night. A great deal +of excitement prevailed on and after our arrival. The governor had +received into his company all of the companies that had been in the +mob; these fellows were riotous and disorderly, hallowing, yelling, and +whooping about the streets like Indians, many of them intoxicated; the +whole presented a scene of rowdyism and low-bred ruffianism only found +among mobocrats and desperadoes, and entirely revolting to the best +feelings of humanity. The governor made a speech to them to the effect +that he would show Joseph and Hyrum Smith to them in the morning. + +About here the companies with the governor were drawn up in line, and +General Demming, I think, took Joseph by the arm and Hyrum (Arnold says +that Joseph took the governor's arm), and as he passed through between +the ranks, the governor leading in front, very politely introduced them +as General Joseph Smith and General Hyrum Smith. [7] + +All were orderly and courteous except one company of mobocrats--the +Carthage Grays--who seemed to find fault on account of too much honor +being paid to the Mormons. There was afterwards a row between the +companies, and they came pretty near having a fight; the more orderly +not feeling disposed to endorse or submit to the rowdyism of the +mobocrats. The result was that General Demming, who was very much of a +gentleman, ordered the Carthage Grays, a company under the command of +Captain Smith, a magistrate in Carthage, and a most violent mobocrat, +under arrest. This matter, however, was shortly afterward adjusted, and +the difficulty settled between them. + +The mayor, aldermen, councilors, as well as the marshal of the city +of Nauvoo, together with some persons who had assisted the marshal +in removing the press in Nauvoo, appeared before Justice Smith, +the aforesaid captain and mobocrat, to again answer the charge of +destroying the press; but as there was so much excitement, and as +the man was an unprincipled villain before whom we were to have our +hearing, we thought it most prudent to give bail, and consequently +became security for each other in $500 bonds each, to appear before the +County Court at its next session. We had engaged as counsel a lawyer by +the name of Wood, of Burlington, Iowa; and Reed, I think, of Madison, +Iowa After some little discussion the bonds were signed, and we were +all dismissed. + +Almost immediately after our dismissal, two men--Augustine Spencer and +Norton--two worthless fellows, whose words would not have been taken +for five cents, and the first of whom had a short time previously +been before the mayor in Nauvoo for maltreating a lame brother, made +affidavits that Joseph and Hyrum Smith were guilty of treason, and +a writ was accordingly issued for their arrest, and the constable +Bettesworth, a rough, unprincipled man, wished immediately to hurry +them away to prison without any hearing. His rude, uncouth manner in +the administration of what he considered the duties of his office made +him exceedingly repulsive to us all. But, independent of these acts, +the proceedings in this case were altogether illegal. Providing the +court was sincere, which it was not, and providing these men's oaths +were true, and that Joseph and Hyrum were guilty of treason, still the +whole course was illegal. + +The magistrate made out a mittimus, and committed them to prison +without a hearing, which he had no right legally to do. The statue of +Illinois expressly provides that "all men shall have a hearing before +a magistrate before they shall be committed to prison;" and Mr. Robert +H. Smith, the magistrate, had made out a mittimus committing them to +prison contrary to law without such hearing. As I was informed of this +illegal proceeding, I went immediately to the governor and informed him +of it. Whether he was apprised of it before or not, I do not know; but +my opinion is that he was. + +I represented to him the characters of the parties who had made oath, +the outrageous nature of the charge, the indignity offered to men in +the position which they occupied, and declared to him that he knew +very well it was a vexatious proceeding, and that the accused were +not guilty of any such crime. The governor replied, he was very sorry +that the thing had occurred; that he did not believe the charges, but +that he thought the best thing to be done was to let the law take its +course. I then reminded him that we had come out there at his instance, +not to satisfy the law, which we had done before, but the prejudices +of the people, in relation to the affairs of the press; that at his +instance we had given bonds, which we could not by law be required to +do to satisfy the people, and that it was asking too much to require +gentlemen in their position in life to suffer the degradation of being +immured in a jail at the instance of such worthless scoundrels as +those who had made this affidavit. The governor replied that it was +an unpleasant affair, and looked hard; but that it was a matter over +which he had no control, as it belonged to the judiciary; that he, as +the executive, could not interfere with their proceedings, and that he +had no doubt but that they would immediately be dismissed. I told him +that we had looked to him for protection from such insults, and that +I thought we had a right to do so from the solemn promises which he +had made to me and to Dr. Bernhisel in relation to our coming without +guard or arms; that we had relied upon his faith, and had a right to +expect him to fulfill his engagements after we had placed ourselves +implicity under his care, and complied with all his requests, although +extrajudicial. + +He replied that he would detail a guard, if we required it, and see +us protected, but that he could not interfere with the judiciary. I +expressed my dissatisfaction at the course taken, and told him, that, +if we were to be subject to mob rule, and to be dragged, contrary to +law, into prison at the instance of every infernal scoundrel whose +oaths could be bought for a dram of whiskey, his protection availed +very little, and we had miscalculated his promises. + +Seeing there was no prospect of redress from the governor, I returned +to the room, and found the constable Bettesworth very urgent to +hurry Brothers Joseph and Hyrum to prison, while the brethren were +remonstrating with him. At the same time a great rabble was gathered in +the streets and around the door, and from the rowdyism manifested I was +afraid there was a design to murder the prisoners on the way to jail. + +Without conferring with any person, my next feelings were to procure +a guard, and seeing a man habited as a soldier in the room, I went to +him and said, "I am afraid there is a design against the lives of the +Messrs. Smith; will you go immediately and bring your captain; and, if +not convenient, any other captain of a company, and I will pay you well +for your trouble?" He said he would, and departed forthwith, and soon +returned with his captain, whose name I have forgotten, and introduced +him to me. I told him of my fears, and requested him immediately to +fetch his company. + +He departed forthwith, and arrived at the door with them just at the +time when the constable was hurrying the brethren down stairs. A number +of the brethren went along, together with one or two strangers; and all +of us, safely lodged in prison, remained there during the night. + +At the request of Joseph Smith for an interview with the governor, he +came the next morning, Thursday, June 26th, at half past 9 o'clock, +accompanied by Colonel Geddes, when a lengthy conversation was +entered into in relation to the existing difficulties; and after +some preliminary remarks, at the governor's request, Brother Joseph +gave him a general outline of the state of affairs in relation to +our difficulties, the excited state of the country, the tumultuous +mobocratic movements of our enemies, the precautionary measures used by +himself (Joseph Smith), the acts of the city council, the destruction +of the press, and the moves of the mob and ourselves up to that time. + +The following report is, I believe, substantially correct: + + _Governor_--"General Smith, I believe you have given me a general + outline of the difficulties that have existed in the country in + the documents forwarded to me by Dr. Bernhisel and Mr. Taylor; + but, unfortunately, there seems to be a great discrepancy between + your statements and those of your enemies. It is true that you + are substantiated by evidence and affidavit, but for such an + extraordinary excitement as that which is now in the country + there must be some cause, and I attribute the last outbreak to + the destruction of the _Expositor_, and to your refusal to comply + with the writ issued by Esquire Morrison. The press in the United + States is looked upon as the great bulwark of American freedom, + and its destruction in Nauvoo was represented and looked upon as + a high-handed measure, and manifests to the people a disposition + on your part to suppress the liberty of speech and of the press. + This, with your refusal to comply with the requisition of a writ, I + conceive to be the principal cause of this difficulty; and you are + moreover represented to me as turbulent, and defiant of the laws + and institutions of your country." + + _General Smith_--"Governor Ford, you, sir, as governor of this + State, are aware of the persecutions that I have endured. You know + well that our course has been peaceable and law-abiding for I have + furnished this State ever since our settlement here with sufficient + evidence of my pacific intentions, and those of the people with + whom I am associated, by the endurance of every conceivable + indignity and lawless outrage perpetrated upon me and upon this + people since our settlement here; and you know yourself that I have + kept you well posted in relation to all matters associated with the + late difficulties. If you have not got some of my communications, + it has not been my fault. + + "Agreeably to your orders, I assembled the Nauvoo Legion for the + protection of Nauvoo and the surrounding country against an armed + band of marauders; and ever since they have been mustered I have + almost daily communicated with you in regard to all the leading + events that have transpired; and whether in the capacity of mayor + of the city, or lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion, I have + striven, according to the best of my judgment, to preserve the + peace and to administer even-handed justice; but my motives are + impugned, my acts are misconstrued, and I am grossly and wickedly + misrepresented. I suppose I am indebted for my incarceration to + the oath of a worthless man, who was arraigned before me and fined + for abusing and maltreating his lame, helpless brother. That I + should be charged by you, sir, who know better, of acting contrary + to law, is to me a matter of surprise. Was it the Mormons or our + enemies who first commenced these difficulties? You know well it + was not us; and when this turbulent, outrageous people commenced + their insurrectionary movements I made you acquainted with them + officially, and asked your advice, and have followed strictly your + counsel in every particular. Who ordered out the Nauvoo Legion? + I did, under your direction. For what purpose? To suppress the + insurrectionary movements. It was at your instance, sir, that I + issued a proclamation calling upon the Nauvoo Legion to be in + readiness at a moment's warning to guard against the incursions of + mobs, and gave an order to Jonathan Dunham, acting major-general, + to that effect. + + "Am I, then, to be charged with the acts of others? and because + lawlessness and mobocracy abound, am I, when carrying out your + instructions, to be charged with not abiding law? Why is it that I + must be made accountable for other men's acts? If there is trouble + in the country, neither I nor my people made it; and all that we + have ever done, after much endurance on our part, is to maintain + and uphold the Constitution and institutions of our country, and to + protect an injured, innocent, and persecuted people against misrule + and mob violence. + + "Concerning the destruction of the press to which you refer, men + may differ somewhat in their opinions about it; but can it be + supposed that after all the indignities to which they have been + subjected outside, that people could suffer a set of worthless + vagabonds to come into their city, and, right under their own eyes + and protection, vilify and calumniate not only themselves, but + the character of their wives and daughters, as was impudently and + unblushingly done in that infamous and filthy sheet? + + "There is not a city in the United States that would have suffered + such an indignity for twenty-four hours. Our whole people were + indignant, and loudly called upon our city authorities for a + redress of their grievances, which, if not attended to, they + themselves would have taken into their own hands, and have + summarily punished the audacious wretches as they deserved. The + principle of equal rights that has been instilled into our bosoms + from our cradles as American citizens forbids us submitting to + every foul indignity, and succumbing and pandering to wretches so + infamous as these. But, independent of this, the course that we + pursued we consider to be strictly legal; for, notwithstanding + the result, we were anxious to be governed strictly by law, and + therefore we convened the city council; and being desirous in our + deliberations to abide by law, we summoned legal counsel to be + present on the occasion. Upon investigating the matter, we found + that our city charter gave us power to remove all nuisances. + Furthermore, after consulting Blackstone upon what might be + considered a nuisance, it appeared that that distinguished lawyer, + who is considered authority, I believe, in all our courts, states + among other things that 'a libelous and filthy press may be + considered a nuisance, and abated as such.' Here, then, one of + the most eminent English barristers, whose works are considered + standard with us, declares that a libelous and filthy press may + be considered a nuisance; and our own charter, given us by the + Legislature of this State, gives us power to remove nuisances; and + by ordering that press to be abated as a nuisance, we conceived + that we were acting strictly in accordance with law. We made that + order in our corporate capacity, and the city marshal carried it + out. It is possible there may have been some better way, but I must + confess that I could not see it. + + "In relation to the writ served upon us, we are willing to abide + the consequences of our own acts, but are unwilling, in answering + a writ of that kind, to submit to illegal exactions, sought to be + imposed upon us under the pretense of law, when we knew they were + in open violation of it. When that document was presented to me by + Mr. Bettesworth, I offered, in the presence of more than twenty + persons, to go to any other magistrate, either in our city, in + Appanoose, or any other place where we should be safe, but we all + refused to put ourselves into the power of a mob. What right had + that constable to refuse our request? He had none according to + law; for you know, Governor Ford, that the statute law in Illinois + is, that the parties served with the writ 'shall go before him who + issued it, or some other justice of the peace.' Why, then, should + we be dragged to Carthage, where the law does not compel us to + go? Does not this look like many others of our persecutions with + which you are acquainted? and have we not a right to expect foul + play? This very act was a breach of law on his part, an assumption + of power that did not belong to him, and an attempt, at least, to + deprive us of our legal and constitutional rights and privileges. + What could we do, under the circumstances, different from what we + did do? We sued for, and obtained a writ of _habeas corpus_ from + the municipal court, by which we were delivered from the hands of + Constable Bettesworth, and brought before and acquitted by the + municipal court. After our acquittal, in a conversation with Judge + Thomas, although he considered the acts of the party illegal, + he advised that, to satisfy the people, we had better go before + another magistrate who was not in our Church. In accordance with + his advice, we went before Esquire Wells, with whom you are well + acquainted; both parties were present, witnesses were called on + both sides, the case was fully investigated, and we were again + dismissed. And what is this pretended desire to enforce law, and + wherefore are these lying, base rumors put into circulation but + to seek, through mob influence, under pretense of law, to make us + submit to requisitions which are contrary to law and subversive + of every principle of justice? And when you, sir, required us to + come out here, we came, not because it was legal, but because you + required it of us, and we were desirous of showing to you, and + to all men, that we shrunk not from the most rigid investigation + of our acts. We certainly did expect other treatment than to be + immured in a jail at the instance of these men, and I think, from + your plighted faith, we had a right so to expect, after disbanding + our own forces, and putting ourselves entirely in your hands. And + now, after having fulfilled my part, sir, as a man and an American + citizen, I call upon you, Governor Ford, to deliver us from this + place, and rescue us from this outrage that is sought to be + practiced upon us by a set of infamous scoundrels." + + _Governor Ford_.--"But you have placed men under arrest, detained + men as prisoners, and given passes to others, some of which I have + seen," + + _John P. Greene, City Marshal_.--"Perhaps I can explain. Since + these difficulties have commenced, you are aware that we have been + placed under very peculiar circumstances; our city has been placed + under a very rigid police guard; in addition to this, frequent + guards have been placed outside the city to prevent any sudden + surprise, and those guards have questioned suspected or suspicious + persons as to their business. To strangers, in some instances, + passes have been given to prevent difficulty in passing those + guards; it is some of these passes that you have seen. No person, + sir, has been imprisoned without a legal cause in our city." + + _Governor_--"Why did you not give a more speedy answer to the posse + that I sent out?" + + _General Smith_.--"We had matters of importance to consult upon; + your letter showed anything but an amiable spirit. We have + suffered immensely in Missouri from mobs, in loss of property, + imprisonment, and otherwise. It took some time for us to weigh duly + these matters; we could not decide upon matters of such importance + immediately, and your posse were too hasty in returning; we were + consulting for a large people, and vast interests were at stake. We + had been outrageously imposed upon, and knew not how far we could + trust any one; besides, a question necessarily arose, How shall we + come? Your request was that we should come unarmed. It became a + matter of serious importance to decide how far promises could be + trusted, and how far we were safe from mob violence." + + _Colonel Geddes_.--"It certainly did look, from all I have heard, + from the general spirit of violence and mobocracy that here + prevails, that it was not safe for you to come unprotected." + + _Governor Ford_.--"I think that sufficient time was not allowed + by the posse for you to consult and get ready. They were too + hasty; but I suppose they found themselves bound by their orders. + I think, too, there is a great deal of truth in what you say, and + your reasoning is plausible, but I must beg leave to differ from + you in relation to the acts of the City Council. That Council, in + my opinion, had no right to act in a legislative capacity, and in + that of the judiciary. They should have passed a law in relation + to the matter, and then the Municipal Court, upon complaint, could + have removed it; but for the City Council to take upon themselves + the law-making and the execution of the law, is, in my opinion, + wrong; besides, these men ought to have had a hearing before their + property was destroyed; to destroy it without was an infringement + on their rights; besides, it is so contrary to the feelings of + American people to interfere with the press. And, furthermore, I + cannot but think that it would have been more judicious for you to + have gone with Mr. Bettesworth to Carthage, notwithstanding the + law did not require it. Concerning your being in jail, I am sorry + for that; I wish it had been otherwise. I hope you will soon be + released, but I can not interfere." + + _Joseph Smith_.--"Governor Ford, allow me, sir, to bring one thing + to your mind that you seem to have overlooked. You state that you + think it would have been better for us to have submitted to the + requisition of Constable Bettesworth, and to have gone to Carthage. + Do you not know, sir, that that writ was served at the instance of + an anti-Mormon mob, who had passed resolutions, and published them, + to the effect that they would exterminate the Mormon leaders? And + are you not informed that Captain Anderson was not only threatened + but had a gun fired at his boat by this said mob in Warsaw when + coming up to Nauvoo, and that this very thing was made use of as + a means to get us into their hands; and we could not, without + taking an armed force with us, go there without, according to their + published declarations, going into the jaws of death? To have taken + a force with us would only have fanned the excitement, and they + would have stated that we wanted to use intimidation; therefore, we + thought it the most judicious to avail ourselves of the protection + of the law." + + _Governor Ford_.--"I see, I see." + + _Joseph Smith_.--"Furthermore, in relation to the press, you say + that you differ from me in opinion. Be it so; the thing, after all, + is only a legal difficulty, and the courts, I should judge, are + competent to decide on that matter. If our act was illegal, we are + willing to meet it; and although I cannot see the distinction that + you draw about the acts of the City Council, and what difference + it could have made in point of fact, law, or justice between the + City Council, acting together or separate or how much more legal + it would have been for the Municipal Court, who were a part of the + City Council, to act separately instead of with the councilors, + yet, if it is deemed that we did a wrong in destroying that press, + we refuse not to pay for it; we are desirous to fulfill the law + in every particular, and are responsible for our acts. You say + that the parties ought to have a hearing. Had it been a civil + suit, this of course, would have been proper; but there was a + flagrant violation of every principle of right--a nuisance; and + it was abated on the same principle that any nuisance, stench, + or putrefied carcass would have been removed. Our first step, + therefore, was to stop the foul, noisome, filthy sheet, and then + the next in our opinion would have been to have prosecuted the man + for a breach of public decency. And, furthermore, again let me say, + Governor Ford, I shall look to you for our protection. I believe + you are talking of going to Nauvoo; if you go, sir, I wish to go + along. I refuse not to answer any law, but I do not consider myself + safe here." + + _Governor_.--"I am in hopes that you will be acquitted, and if I + go I will certainly take you along. I do not, however, apprehend + danger. I think you are perfectly safe either here or anywhere + else. I can not, however, interfere with the law. I am placed in + peculiar circumstances and seem to be blamed by all parties." + + _Joseph Smith_.--"Governor Ford, I ask nothing but what is legal; + I have a right to expect protection, at least from you; for, + independent of law, you have pledged your faith and that of the + State for my protection, and I wish to go to Nauvoo." + + _Governor_.--"And you shall have protection, General Smith. I did + not make this promise without consulting my officers, who all + pledged their honor to its fulfillment. I do not know that I shall + go tomorrow to Nauvoo, but if I do I will take you along." + +At a quarter past ten o'clock the governor left. + +At about half past twelve o'clock, Mr. Reed, one of Joseph's counsel, +came in, apparently much elated; he stated that, upon an examination of +the law, he found that the magistrate had transcended his jurisdiction, +and that having committed them without an examination, his jurisdiction +ended, that he had him upon a pin hook; that he ought to have examined +them before he committed them, and that, having violated the law +in this particular, he had no further power over them; for, once +committed, they were out of his jurisdiction, as the power of the +magistrate extended no farther than their committal, and that now they +could not be brought out except at the regular session of the Circuit +Court, or by a writ of _habeas corpus;_ but that if Justice Smith would +consent to go to Nauvoo for trial, he would compromise matters with +him, and overlook this matter. + +Mr. Reed further stated that the anti-Mormons, or mob, had concocted +a scheme to get out a writ from Missouri, with a demand upon Governor +Ford for the arrest of Joseph Smith, and his conveyance to Missouri, +and that a man by the name of Wilson had returned from Missouri the +night before the burning of the press for this purpose. + +At half past two o'clock Constable Bettesworth came to the jail with +a man named Simpson, professing to have some order, but he would not +send up his name, and the guard would not let him pass. Dr. Bernhisel +and Brother Wasson went to inform the governor and council of this. At +about twenty minutes to three Dr. Bernhisel returned, and stated that +he thought the governor was doing all he could. At about ten minutes to +three Hyrum Kimball appeared with news from Nauvoo. + +Soon after Constable Bettesworth came with an order from Esquire Smith +to convey the prisoners to the court-house for trial. He was informed +that the process was illegal, that they had been placed there contrary +to law, and that they refused to come unless by legal process. I was +informed that Justice Smith (who was also captain of the Carthage +Grays) went to the governor and informed him of the matter, and that +the governor replied, "You have your forces, and of course can use +them." The constable certainly did return, accompanied by a guard of +armed men, and by force, and under protest, hurried the prisoners to +the court. + +About four o'clock the case was called by Captain Robert F. Smith, +J. P. The counsel for the prisoners called for subpoenas to bring +witnesses. At twenty-five minutes past four he took a copy of the order +to bring the prisoners from jail to trial, and afterwards he took names +of witnesses. + +Counsel present for the State; Higbee, Skinner, Sharp, Emmons, and +Morrison. Twenty-five minutes to five the writ was returned as served, +June 25th. + +Many remarks were made at the court that I paid but little attention +to, as I considered the whole thing illegal and a complete burlesque. +Wood objected to the proceedings in total, in consequence of its +illegality, showing that the prisoners were not only illegally +committed, but that, being once committed, the magistrate had no +further power over them; but as it was the same magistrate before whom +he was pleading who imprisoned them contrary to law, and the same who, +as captain, forced them from jail, his arguments availed but little. +He then urged that the prisoners be remanded until witnesses could be +had, and applied for a continuance for that purpose. Skinner suggested +until twelve o'clock next day. Wood again demanded until witnesses +could be obtained; that the court meet at a specified time, and that, +if witnesses were not present, again adjourn, without calling the +prisoners. After various remarks from Reed, Skinner, and others, the +court stated that the writ was served yesterday, and that it will give +until tomorrow at twelve m. to get witnesses. + +We then returned to jail. Immediately after our return Dr. Bernhisel +went to the governor, and obtained from him an order for us to occupy +a large open room containing a bedstead. I rather think that the same +room had been appropriated to the use of debtors; at any rate, there +was free access to the jailer's house, and no bars or locks except +such as might be on the outside door of the jail. The jailer, Mr. +George W. Steghall, and his wife, manifested a disposition to make us +as comfortable as they could; we ate at their table, which was well +provided, and, of course, paid for it. + +I do not remember the names of all who were with us that night and the +next morning in jail, for several went and came; among those that we +considered stationery were Stephen Markham, John S. Fullmer, Captain +Dan Jones, Dr. Willard Richards, and myself. Dr. Bernhisel says that +he was there from Wednesday in the afternoon until eleven o'clock next +day. We were, however, visited by numerous friends, among whom were +Uncle John Smith, Hyrum Kimball, Cyrus H. Wheelock, besides lawyers, +as counsel. There was also a great variety of conversation, which was +rather desultory than otherwise, and referred to circumstances that had +transpired, our former and present grievances, the spirit of the troops +around us, and the disposition of the governor; the devising for legal +and other plans for deliverance, the nature of testimony required; the +gathering of proper witnesses, and a variety of other topics, including +our religious hopes, etc. + +During one of these conversations Dr. Richards remarked: "Brother +Joseph, if it is necessary that you die in this matter, and if they +will take me in your stead, I will suffer for you." At another time, +when conversing about deliverance, I said, "Brother Joseph, if you +will permit it, and say the word, I will have you out of this prison +in five hours, if the jail has to come down to do it." My idea was +to go to Nauvoo, and collect a force sufficient, as I considered the +whole affair a legal farce, and a flagrant outrage upon our liberty and +rights. Brother Joseph refused. + +Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock came in to see us, and when he was about +leaving drew a small pistol, a six-shooter, from his pocket, remarking +at the same time, "Would any of you like to have this?" Brother +Joseph immediately replied, "Yes, give it to me;" whereupon he took +the pistol, and put it in his pantaloons pocket. The pistol was a +six-shooting revolver, of Allen's patent; it belonged to me, and was +one that I furnished to Brother Wheelock when he talked of going with +me to the east, previous to our coming to Carthage. I have it now in +my possession. Brother Wheelock went out on some errand, and was not +suffered to return. The report of the governor having gone to Nauvoo +without taking the prisoners along with him caused very unpleasant +feelings, as we were apprised that we were left to the tender mercies +of the Carthage Grays, a company strictly mobocratic, and whom we knew +to be our most deadly enemies; and their captain, Esquire Smith, was a +most unprincipled villain. Besides this, all the mob forces, comprising +the governor's troops, were dismissed, with the exception of one or two +companies, which the governor took with him to Nauvoo. The great part +of the mob was liberated, the remainder was our guard. + +We looked upon it not only as a breach of faith on the part of +the governor, but also as an indication of a desire to insult us, +if nothing more, by leaving us in the proximity of such men. The +prevention of Wheelock's return was among the first of their hostile +movements. + +Colonel Markham then went out, and he was also prevented from +returning. He was very angry at this, but the mob paid no attention +to him; they drove him out of town at the point of the bayonet, and +threatened to shoot him if he returned. He went, I am informed, to +Nauvoo for the purpose of raising a company of men for our protection. +Brother Fullmer went to Nauvoo after witnesses; it is my opinion that +Brother Wheelock did also. + +Some time after dinner we sent for some wine. It has been reported by +some that this was taken as a sacrament. It was no such thing; our +spirits were generally dull and heavy, and it was sent for to revive +us. I think it was Captain Jones who went after it, but they would not +suffer him to return. I believe we all drank of the wine, and gave some +to one or two of the prison guards. We all of us felt unusually dull +and languid, with a remarkable depression of spirits. In consonance +with those feelings I sang a song, that had lately been introduced into +Nauvoo, entitled, "A poor, wayfaring man of grief," etc. + +The song is pathetic, and the tune quite plaintive, and was very much +in accordance with our feelings at the time, for our spirits were all +depressed, dull and gloomy, and surcharged with indefinite ominous +forebodings. After a lapse of some time, Brother Hyrum requested me +again to sing that song. I replied, "Brother Hyrum, I do not feel like +singing;" when he remarked, "Oh, never mind; commence singing, and you +will get the spirit of it." At his request I did so. Soon afterwards +I was sitting at one of the front windows of the jail, when I saw a +number of men, with painted faces, coming around the corner of the +jail, and aiming towards the stairs. The other brethren had seen the +same, for, as I went to the door, I found Brother Hyrum Smith and Dr. +Richards already leaning against it. They both pressed against the +door with their shoulders to prevent its being opened, as the lock and +latch were comparatively useless. While in this position, the mob, who +had come up stairs, and tried to open the door, probably thought it +was locked, and fired a ball through the keyhole; at this Dr. Richards +and Brother Hyrum leaped back from the door, with their faces towards +it; almost instantly another ball passed through the panel of the +door, and struck Brother Hyrum on the left side of the nose, entering +his face and head. At the same instant, another ball from the outside +entered his back, passing through his body and striking his watch. The +ball came from the back, through the jail window, opposite the door, +and must, from its range, have been fired from the Carthage Grays, who +were placed there ostensibly for our protection, as the balls from the +fire-arms, shot close by the jail, would have entered the ceiling, we +being in the second story, and there never was a time after that when +Hyrum could have received the latter wound. Immediately, when the balls +struck him, he fell flat on his back, crying as he fell, "I am a dead +man." He never moved afterwards. + +I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested +in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, +leaning over him, exclaimed, "Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!" He, +however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined +expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the +six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door +slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of +the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two +or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed, +died. I had in my hands a large, strong hickory stick, brought there +by Brother Markham, and left by him, which I had seized as soon as I +saw the mob approach; and while Brother Joseph was firing the pistol, +I stood close behind him. As soon as he had discharged it he stepped +back, and I immediately took his place next to the door, while he +occupied the one I had done while he was shooting. Brother Richards, +at this time, had a knotty walking-stick in his hands belonging to me, +and stood next to Brother Joseph, a little farther from the door, in +an oblique direction, apparently to avoid the rake of the fire from +the door. The firing of Bother Joseph made our assailants pause for a +moment; very soon after, however, they pushed the door some distance +open, and protruded and discharged their guns into the room, when I +parried them off with my stick, giving another direction to the balls. + +It certainly was a terrible scene: streams of fire as thick as my arm +passed by me as these men fired, and, unarmed as we were, it looked +like certain death. I remember feeling as though my time had come, +but I do not know when, in any critical position, I was more calm, +unruffled, energetic, and acted with more promptness and decision. It +certainly was far from pleasant to be so near the muzzles of those +fire-arms as they belched forth their liquid flames and deadly balls. +While I was engaged in parrying the guns, Brother Joseph said, "That's +right, Brother Taylor, parry them off as well as you can." These were +the last words I ever heard him speak on earth. + +Every moment the crowd at the door became more dense, as they were +unquestionably pressed on by those in the rear ascending the stairs, +until the whole entrance at the door was literally crowded with +muskets and rifles, which, with the swearing, shouting and demoniacal +expressions of those outside the door and on the stairs, and the firing +of the guns, mingled with their horrid oaths and execrations, made it +look like Pandemonium let loose, and was, indeed, a fit representation +of the horrid deed in which they were engaged. + +After parrying the guns for some time, which now protruded thicker +and farther into the room, and seeing no hope of escape or protection +there, as we were now unarmed, it occurred to me that we might have +some friends outside, and that there might be some chance of escape +in that direction, but here there seemed to be none. As I expected +them every moment to rush into the room--nothing but extreme cowardice +having thus far kept them out--as the tumult and pressure increased, +without any other hope, I made a spring for the window which was right +in front of the jail door, where the mob was standing, and also exposed +to the fire of the Carthage Grays, who were stationed some ten or +twelve rods off. The weather was hot, we all of us had our coats off, +and the window was raised to admit air. As I reached the window, and +was on the point of leaping out, I was struck by a ball from the door +about midway of my thigh, which struck the bone, and flattened out +almost to the size of a quarter of a dollar, and then passed on through +the fleshy part to within about half an inch of the outside. I think +some prominent nerve must have been severed or injured, for, as soon as +the ball struck me, I fell like a bird when shot, or an ox when struck +by a butcher, and lost entirely and instantaneously all power of action +or locomotion. I fell upon the window-sill, and cried out, "I am shot!" +Not possessing any power to move, I felt myself falling outside of the +window, but immediately I fell inside, from some, at that time, unknown +cause. When I struck the floor my animation seemed restored, as I have +seen it sometimes in squirrels and birds after being shot. As soon as I +felt the power of motion I crawled under the bed which was in a corner +of the room, not far from the window where I received my wound. While +on my way and under the bed I was wounded in three other places; one +ball entered a little below the left knee, and never was extracted; +another entered the forepart of my left arm, a little above the wrist, +and, passing down by the joint, lodged in the fleshy part of my hand, +about midway, a little above the upper joint of my little finger; +another struck me on the fleshy part of my left hip, and tore away the +flesh as large as my hand, dashing the mangled fragments of flesh and +blood against the wall. + +My wounds were painful, and the sensation produced was as though a +ball had passed through and down the whole length of my leg. I very +well remember my reflections at the time. I had a very painful idea of +becoming lame and decrepit, and being an object of pity, and I felt as +though I would rather die than be placed in such circumstances. + +It would seem that immediately after my attempt to leap out of the +window, Joseph also did the same thing, of which circumstance I have +no knowledge only from information. The first thing that I noticed +was a cry that he had leaped out of the window. A cessation of firing +followed, the mob rushed down stairs, and Dr. Richards went to the +window. Immediately afterwards I saw the doctor going towards the jail +door, and as there was an iron door at the head of the stairs adjoining +our door which led into the cells for criminals, it struck me that the +doctor was going in there, and I said to him, "Stop, doctor, and take +me along." He proceeded to the door and opened it, and then returned +and dragged me along to a small cell prepared for criminals. + +Brother Richards was very much troubled, and exclaimed, "Oh! Brother +Taylor, is it possible that they have killed both Brother Hyrum and +Joseph? it cannot surely be, and yet I saw them shoot them;" and, +elevating his hands two or three times, he exclaimed, "Oh Lord, my God, +spare thy servants!" He then said, "Brother Taylor, this is a terrible +event;" and he dragged me farther into the cell, saying, "I am sorry +I can do no better for you," and, taking an old, filthy mattress, he +covered me with it, and said, "That may hide you, and you may yet live +to tell the tale, but I expect they will kill me in a few moments." +While lying in this position I suffered the most excruciating pain. + +Soon afterwards Dr. Richards came to me, informed me that the mob had +precipitately fled, and at the same time confirmed my worst fears that +Joseph was assuredly dead. I felt a dull, lonely, sickening sensation +at the news. When I reflected that our noble chieftain, the prophet +of the living God, had fallen, and that I had seen his brother in the +cold embrace of death, it seemed as though there was a void or vacuum +in the great field of human existence to me, and a dark, gloomy chasm +in the kingdom, and that we were left alone. Oh how lonely was that +feeling! How cold, barren and desolate! In the midst of difficulties +he was always the first in motion; in critical positions his counsel +was always sought. As our prophet he approached our God, and obtained +for us his will; but now our prophet, our counselor, our general, our +leader was gone, and amid the fiery ordeal that we then had to pass +through, we were left alone without his aid, and as our future guide +for things spiritual or temporal, and for all things pertaining to this +world or the next, he had spoken for the last time on earth! + +These reflections and a thousand others flashed upon my mind. I +thought, Why must the good perish, and the virtuous be destroyed? +Why must God's nobility, the salt of the earth, the most exalted of +the human family, and the most perfect types of all excellence, fall +victims to the cruel, fiendish hate of incarnate devils? + +The poignancy of my grief, I presume, however, was somewhat allayed by +the extreme suffering that I endured from my wounds. + +Soon afterwards I was taken to the head of the stairs and laid there, +where I had a full view of our beloved and now murdered Brother Hyrum. +There he lay as I had left him; he had not moved a limb; he lay placid +and calm, a monument of greatness even in death; but his noble spirit +had left its tenement, and was gone to dwell in regions more congenial +to its exalted nature. Poor Hyrum! he was a great and good man, and my +soul was cemented to his. If ever there was an exemplary, honest, and +virtuous man, an embodiment of all that is noble in the human form, +Hyrum Smith was its representative. + +While I lay there a number of persons came around, among whom was a +physician. The doctor, on seeing a ball lodged in my left hand, took +a penknife from his pocket and made an incision in it for the purpose +of extracting the ball therefrom, and having obtained a pair of +carpenter's compasses, made use of them to draw or pry out the ball, +alternately using the penknife and compasses. After sawing for some +time with a dull penknife, and prying and pulling with the compasses, +he ultimately succeeded in extracting the ball, which weighed about +half an ounce. Some time afterwards he remarked to a friend of mine +that I had "nerves like the devil," to stand what I did in its +extraction. I really thought I had need of nerves stand such surgical +butchery, and that, whatever my nerves may be, his practice was +devilish. + +This company wished to remove me to Mr. Hamilton's hotel, the place +where we had stayed previous to our incarceration in jail. I told them, +however, that I did not wish to go; I did not consider it safe. They +protested that it was, and that I was safe with them; that it was a +perfect outrage for men to be used as we had been; that they were my +friends; that it was for my good they were counseling me, and that I +could be better taken care of there than here. + +I replied, "I don't know you. Who am I among? I am surrounded by +assassins and murderers; witness your deeds! Don't talk to me of +kindness or comfort; look at your murdered victims. Look at me! I want +none of your counsel nor comfort. There may be some safety here; I can +be assured of none anywhere," etc. + +They G-- d-- their souls to hell, made the most solemn asseverations, +and swore by God and the devil, and everything else that they could +think of, that they would stand by me to death and protect me. In half +an hour every one of them had fled from the town. + +Soon after a coroner's jury were assembled in the room over the body +of Hyrum. Among the jurors was Captain Smith, of the Carthage Grays, +who had assisted in the murder, and the same justice before whom we had +been tried. I learned of Francis Higbee as being in the neighborhood. +On hearing his name mentioned, I immediately arose and said, "Captain +Smith, you are a justice of the peace; I have heard his name mentioned; +I want to swear my life against him." I was informed that word was +immediately sent to him to leave the place, which he did. + +Brother Richards was busy during this time attending to the coroner's +inquest, and to the removal of the bodies, and making arrangements for +their removal from Carthage to Nauvoo. + +When he had a little leisure, he again came to me, and at his +suggestion I was removed to Hamilton's tavern. I felt that he was the +only friend, the only person, that I could rely upon in that town. It +was with difficulty that sufficient persons could be found to carry +me to the tavern; for immediately after the murder a great fear fell +upon all the people, and men, women, and children fled with great +precipitation, leaving nothing nor anybody in the town but two or three +women and children and one or two sick persons. + +It was with great difficulty that Brother Richards prevailed upon +Mr. Hamilton, hotel-keeper, and his family, to stay; they would not +until Brother Richards had given a solemn promise that he would see +them protected, and hence I was looked upon as a hostage. Under these +circumstances, notwithstanding, I believe they were hostile to the +Mormons, and were glad that the murder had taken place, though they +did not actually participate in it; and, feeling that I should be a +protection to them, they stayed. + +The whole community knew that a dreadful outrage had been perpetrated +by those villains, and fearing lest the citizens of Nauvoo, as they +possessed the power, might have a disposition to visit them with a +terrible vengeance, they fled in the wildest confusion. And, indeed, +it was with very great difficulty that the citizens of Nauvoo could be +restrained. A horrid, barbarous murder had been committed, the most +solemn pledge violated, and that, too, while the victims were, contrary +to the requirements of the law, putting themselves into the hands of +the governor to pacify a popular excitement. This outrage was enhanced +by the reflection that our people were able to protect themselves +against not only all the mob, but against three times their number and +that of the governor's troops put together. They were also exasperated +by the speech of the governor in town. + +The whole events were so faithless, so dastardly, so mean, cowardly, +and contemptible, without one extenuating circumstance, that it would +not have been surprising if the citizens of Nauvoo had arisen _en +masse_, and blotted the wretches out of existence. The citizens of +Carthage knew they would have done so under such circumstances, and, +judging us by themselves, they were all panic-stricken, and fled. +Colonel Markham, too, after his expulsion from Carthage, had gone home, +related the circumstances of his ejectment, and was using his influence +to get a company to go out. Fearing that when the people heard +that their prophet and patriarch had been murdered under the above +circumstances they might act rashly, and knowing that if they once got +roused, like a mighty avalanche they would lay the country waste before +them and take a terrible vengeance--as none of the Twelve were in +Nauvoo, and no one, perhaps, with sufficient influence to control the +people, Dr. Richards, after consulting me, wrote the following note, +fearing that my family might be seriously affected by the news. I told +him to insert that I was slightly wounded. + + _Willard Richards' Note from Carthage Jail to Nauvoo_. [8] + + "Carthage jail, 8 o'clock 5 min. p. m., June 27th, 1844. + + "Joseph and Hyrum are dead. Taylor wounded, not very badly. I am + well. Our guard was forced, as we believe, by a band of Missourians + from 100 to 200. The job was done in an instant, and the party fled + towards Nauvoo instantly. This is as I believe it. The citizens + here are afraid of the 'Mormons' attacking them; I promise them no. + + W. RICHARDS. + + "N. B.--The citizens promise us protection; alarm guns have been + fired. + + "JOHN TAYLOR." + +I remember signing my name as quickly as possible, lest the tremor of +my hand should be noticed, and the fears of my family excited. + +A messenger was dispatched immediately with the note, but he was +intercepted by the governor, who, on hearing a cannon fired at +Carthage, which was to be the signal for the murder, immediately +fled with his company, and fearing that the citizens of Nauvoo, when +apprised of the horrible outrage, would immediately rise and pursue, he +turned back the messenger, who was George D. Grant. A second one was +sent, who was treated similarly; and not until a third attempt could +news be got to Nauvoo. + +Samuel H. Smith, brother to Joseph and Hyrum, was the first brother I +saw after the outrage; I am not sure whether he took the news or not; +he lived at the time in Plymouth, Hancock County, and was on his way to +Carthage to see his brothers, when he was met by some of the troops, +or rather mob, that had been dismissed by the governor, and who were +on their way home. On learning that he was Joseph Smith's brother they +sought to kill him, but he escaped, and fled into the woods, where he +was chased for a length of time by them; but, after severe fatigue, +and much danger and excitement, he succeeded in escaping, and came +to Carthage. He was on horseback when he arrived, and was not only +very much tired with the fatigue and excitement of the chase, but was +also very much distressed in feelings on account of the death of his +brothers. These things produced a fever, which laid the foundation for +his death, which took place on the 30th of July. Thus another of the +brothers fell a victim although not directly, but indirectly to this +infernal mob. + +I lay from about five o'clock until two next morning without having my +wounds dressed, as there was scarcely any help of any kind in Carthage, +and Brother Richards was busy with the dead bodies, preparing them for +removal. My wife Leonora started early the next day, having had some +little trouble in getting a company or a physician to come with her; +after considerable difficulty she succeeded in getting an escort, and +Dr. Samuel Bennet came along with her. Soon after my father and mother +arrived from Oquakie, near which place they had a farm at that time, +and hearing of the trouble hastened along. + +General Demming, Brigadier General of the Hancock County Militia, was +very much of a gentleman, and showed me every courtesy, and Colonel +Jones also was very solicitous about my welfare. + +I was called upon by several gentlemen of Quincy and other places, +among whom was Judge Ralston, as well as by our own people, and a +medical man extracted a ball from my left thigh that was giving me much +pain; it lay about half an inch deep, and my thigh was considerably +swollen. The doctor asked me if I would be tied during the operation; +I told him no; that I could endure the cutting associated with the +operation as well without, and I did so; indeed, so great was the pain +I endured that the cutting was rather a relief than otherwise. + +A very laughable incident occurred at the time; my wife Leonora went +into an adjoining room to pray for me, that I might be sustained during +the operation. While on her knees at prayer, a Mrs. Bedell, an old lady +of the Methodist association, entered, and, patting Mrs. Taylor on her +back with her hand, said, "There's a good lady, pray for God to forgive +your sins, pray that you may be converted, and the Lord may have mercy +on your soul." + +The scene was so ludicrous that Mrs. Taylor knew not whether to laugh +or be angry. Mrs. Taylor informed me that Mr. Hamilton, the father of +the Hamilton who kept the house, rejoiced at the murder, and said in +company that "it was done up in the best possible style, and showed +good generalship;" and she further believed that the other branches of +the family sanctioned it. These were the associates of the old lady +referred to, and yet she could talk of conversion and saving souls in +the midst of blood and murder: such is man and such consistency. + +The ball being extracted was the one that first struck me, which I +before referred to: it entered on the outside of my left thigh, about +five inches from my knee, and, passing rather obliquely towards my +body, had, it would seem, struck the bone, for it was flatted out +nearly as thin and large as a quarter of a dollar. + +The governor passed on, staying at Carthage only a few minutes, and +he did not stop until he got fifty miles from Nauvoo. There had been +various opinions about the complicity of the governor in the murder, +some supposing that he knew all about it, and assisted or winked at its +execution. It is somewhat difficult to form a correct opinion; from +the facts presented it is very certain that things looked more than +suspicious against him. + +In the first place, he positively knew that we had broken no law. + +Secondly. He knew that the mob had not only passed inflammatory +resolutions, threatening extermination to the Mormons, but that they +had actually assembled armed mobs and commenced hostilities against us. + +Thirdly. He took those very mobs that had been arrayed against us, and +enrolled them as his troops, thus legalizing their acts. + +Fourthly. He disbanded the Nauvoo Legion, which had never violated law, +and disarmed them, and had about his person in the shape of militia +known mobocrats and violators of the law. + +Fifthly. He requested us to come to Carthage without arms, promising +protection, and then refused to interfere in delivering us from prison, +although Joseph and Hyrum were put there contrary to law. + +Sixthly. Although he refused to interfere in our behalf, yet, when +Captain Smith went to him and informed him that the persons refused to +come out, he told him that he had a command and knew what to do, thus +sanctioning the use of force in the violation of law when opposed to +us, whereas he would not for us interpose his executive authority to +free us from being incarcerated contrary to law, although he was fully +informed of all the facts of the case, as we kept him posted in the +affairs all the time. + +Seventhly. He left the prisoners in Carthage jail contrary to his +plighted faith. + +Eightly. Before he went he dismissed all the troops that could be +relied upon, as well as many of the mob, and left us in charge of the +"Carthage Grays," a company that he knew were mobocratic, our most +bitter enemies, and who had passed resolutions to exterminate us, and +who had been placed under guard by General Demming only the day before. + +Ninthly. He was informed of the intended murder, both before he left +and while on the road, by several different parties. + +Tenthly. When the cannon was fired in Carthage, signifying that the +deed was done, he immediately took up his line of march and fled. How +did he know that this signal portrayed their death if he was not in the +secret? It may be said some of the party told him. How could he believe +what the party said about the gun signal if he could not believe the +testimony of several individuals who told him in positive terms about +the contemplated murder? + +He has, I believe, stated that he left the "Carthage Grays" there +because he considered that, as their town was contiguous to ours, and +as the responsibility of our safety rested solely upon them, they would +not dare suffer any indignity to befall us. This very admission shows +that he did really expect danger; and then he knew that these people +had published to the world that they would exterminate us, and his +leaving us in their hands and taking of their responsibilities was like +leaving a lamb in charge of a wolf, and trusting to its humanity and +honor for its safe-keeping. + +It is said, again that he would not have gone to Nauvoo, and thus +placed himself in the hands of the Mormons, if he had anticipated any +such event, as he would be exposed to their wrath. To this it may be +answered that the Mormons did not know their signals, while he did; +and they were also known in Warsaw, as well as in other places; and as +soon as the gun was fired, a merchant of Warsaw jumped upon his horse +and rode directly to Quincy, and reported "Joseph and Hyrum killed, and +those who were with them in jail." He reported further that "they were +attempting to break jail, and were all killed by the guard." This was +their story; it was anticipated to kill all, and the gun was to be the +signal that the deed was accomplished. This was known in Warsaw. The +governor also knew it and fled; and he could really be in no danger in +Nauvoo, for the Mormons did not know it, and he had plenty of time to +escape, which he did. + +It is said that he made all his officers promise solemnly that they +would help him to protect the Smiths; this may or may not be. At any +rate, some of these same officers helped to murder them. + +The strongest argument in the governor's favor, and one that would bear +more weight with us than all the rest put together, would be that he +could not believe them capable of such atrocity; and, thinking that +their talk and threatenings were a mere ebullition of feeling, a kind +of braggadocio, and that there was enough of good moral feeling to +control the more violent passions, he trusted to their faith. There +is, indeed, a degree of plausibility about this, but when we put it in +juxtaposition to the amount of evidence that he was in possession of, +it weighs very little. He had nothing to inspire confidence in them, +and everything to make him mistrust them. Besides, why his broken +faith? why his disregard of what was told him by several parties? +Again, if he knew not the plan, how did he understand the signal? Why +so oblivious to everything pertaining to the Mormon interest, and so +alive and interested about the mobocrats? At any rate, be this as it +may, he stands responsible for their blood, and it is dripping on his +garments. If it had not been for his promises of protection, they would +have protected themselves; it was plighted faith that led them to the +slaughter; and to make the best of it, it was a breach of that faith +and a non-fulfillment of that promise, after repeated warning, that led +to their death. + +Having said so much, I must leave the governor with my readers and +with his God. Justice, I conceive, demanded this much, and truth could +not be told with less; as I have said before, my opinion is that the +governor would not have planned this murder, but he had not sufficient +energy to resist popular opinion, even if that opinion led to blood and +death. + +It was rumored that a strong political party, numbering in its ranks +many of the prominent men of the nation, were engaged in a plot for the +overthrow of Joseph Smith, and that the governor was of this party, +and Sharp, Williams, Captain Smith, and others were his accomplices, +but whether this was the case or not I do not know. It is very certain +that a strong political feeling existed against Joseph Smith, and I +have reason to believe that his letters to Henry Clay, were made use of +by political parties opposed to Mr. Clay, and were the means of that +statesman's defeat. Yet, if such a combination as the one referred to +existed, I am not apprised of it. + +While I lay at Carthage, previous to Mrs. Taylor's arrival, a pretty +good sort of a man, who was lame of a leg, waited upon me, and sat up +at night with me; afterwards Mrs. Taylor, mother and others waited upon +me. + +Many friends called upon me, among whom were Richard Ballantyne, +Elizabeth Taylor, several of the Perkins family, and a number of the +brethren from Macedonia and La Harpe. Besides these, many strangers +from Quincy, some of whom expressed indignant feelings against the mob +and sympathy for myself. Brother Alexander Williams called upon me, who +suspected that they had some designs in keeping me there, and stated +that he had, at a given point in some woods, fifty men, and if I would +say the word he would raise other fifty, and fetch me out of there. +I thanked him, but told him I thought there was no need. However, +it would seem that I was in some danger; for Colonel Jones, before +referred to, when absent from me, left two loaded pistols on the table +in case of an attack, and some time afterward, when I had recovered +and was publishing the affair, a lawyer, Mr. Backman, stated that he +had prevented a man by the name of Jackson, before referred to, from +ascending the stairs, who was coming with a design to murder me, and +that now he was sorry he had not let him do the deed. + +There were others also, of whom I heard, that said I ought to be +killed, and they would do it, but that it was too damned cowardly to +shoot a wounded man; and thus, by the chivalry of murderers, I was +prevented from being a second time mutilated or killed. Many of the +mob, came around and treated me with apparent respect, and the officers +and people generally looked upon me as a hostage, and feared that my +removal would be the signal for the rising of the Mormons. + +I do not remember the time that I stayed at Carthage, but I think three +or four days after the murder, when Brother Marks with a carriage, +Brother James Allred with a wagon, Dr. Ells, and a number of others on +horseback, came for the purpose of taking me to Nauvoo. I was very weak +at the time, occasioned by the loss of blood and the great discharge +of my wounds, so when my wife asked me if I could talk I could barely +whisper, no. Quite a discussion arose as to the propriety of my +removal, the physician and people of Carthage protesting that it would +be my death, while my friends were anxious for my removal if possible. + +I suppose the former were actuated by the above-named desire to keep +me. Colonel Jones was, I believe, sincere; he had acted as a friend all +the time, and he told Mrs. Taylor she ought to persuade me not to go, +for he did not believe I had strength enough to reach Nauvoo. It was +finally agreed, however, that I should go; but it was thought that I +could not stand riding in a wagon or carriage, they prepared a litter +for me; I was carried down stairs and put upon it. A number of men +assisted to carry me, some of whom had been engaged in the mob. As soon +as I got down stairs, I felt much better and strengthened, so that I +could talk; I suppose the effect of the fresh air. + +When we got near the outside of the town I remembered some woods that +we had to go through, and telling a person near to call for Dr. Ells, +who was riding a very good horse, I said, "Doctor, I perceive that the +people are getting fatigued with carrying me; a number of Mormons live +about two or three miles from here, near our route, will you ride to +their settlement as quick as possible, and have them come and meet us?" +He started off on a gallop immediately. My object in this was to obtain +protection in case of an attack, rather than to obtain help to carry me. + +Very soon after the men from Carthage made one excuse after another +until they had all left, and I felt glad to get rid of them. I found +that the tramping of those carrying me produced violent pain, and a +sleigh was produced and attached to the hind end of Brother James +Allred's wagon, a bed placed upon it, and I propped up on the bed. Mrs. +Taylor rode with me, applying ice and ice-water to my wounds. As the +sleigh was dragged over the grass on the prairie, which was quite tall, +it moved very easy and gave me very little pain. + +When I got within five or six miles of Nauvoo the brethren commenced to +meet me from the city, and they increased in number as we drew nearer, +until there was a very large company of people of all ages and both +sexes, principally, however, men. + +For some time there had been almost incessant rain, so that in many +low places on the prairie it was from one to three feet deep in water, +and at such places the brethren whom we met took hold of the sleigh, +lifted it, and carried it over the water; and when we arrived in the +neighborhood of the city, where the roads were excessively muddy and +bad, the brethren tore down the fences, and we passed through the +fields. + +Never shall I forget the difference of feeling that I experienced +between the place that I had left and the one that I had now arrived +at. I had left a lot of reckless, bloodthirsty murderers, and had +come to the City of the Saints, the people of the living God; friends +of truth and righteousness, thousands of whom stood there with warm, +true hearts to offer their friendship and services, and to welcome +my return. It is true it was a painful scene, and brought sorrowful +remembrance to mind, but to me it caused a thrill of joy to find myself +once more in the bosom of my friends, and to meet with the cordial +welcome of true, honest hearts. What was very remarkable, I found +myself very much better after my arrival at Nauvoo than I was when I +started on my journey, although I had travelled eighteen miles. + +The next day as some change was wanting, I told Mrs. Taylor that if she +could send to Dr. Richards, he had my purse and watch, and they would +find money in my purse. + +Previous to the doctor leaving Carthage, I told him that he had better +take my purse and watch, for I was afraid the people would steal them. +The doctor had taken my pantaloons' pocket, and put the watch in it +with the purse, cut off the pocket, and tied a string around the top; +it was in this position when brought home. My family, however, were not +a little startled to find that my watch had been struck with a ball. I +sent for my vest, and, upon examination, it was found that there was +a cut as if with a knife, in the vest pocket which had contained my +watch. In the pocket the fragments of the glass were found literally +ground to powder. It then occurred to me that a ball had struck me at +the time I felt myself falling out of the window, and that it was this +force that threw me inside. I had often remarked to Mrs. Taylor the +singular fact of finding myself inside the room, when I felt a moment +before after being shot, that I was falling out, and I never could +account for it until then; but here the thing was fully elucidated, +and was rendered plain to my mind. I was indeed falling out, when some +villain aimed at my heart. The ball struck my watch, and forced me +back; if I had fallen out I should assuredly have been killed, if not +by the fall, by those around, and this ball intended to dispatch me, +was turned by an overruling Providence into a messenger of mercy, and +saved my life. I shall never forget the feelings of gratitude that +I then experienced towards my Heavenly Father; the whole scene was +vividly portrayed before me, and my heart melted before the Lord. I +felt that the Lord had preserved me by a special act of mercy; that my +time had not yet come, and that I had still a work to perform upon the +earth. + + (Signed), + + JOHN TAYLOR. + +Footnotes + +1. See his remarks as contained in his History of Illinois, page 269. + +2. Ford's History of Illinois, page 246. + +3. _Deseret News_, No. 29, Sept. 23, 1857, p. 226. + +4. Ford's History of Illinois, page 330, 331. + +5. _Deseret News_, No. 30, September 30, 1857, page 233. + +6. Ford's History of Illinois, page 333. + +7. The _Deseret News_ gives the following account of Joseph and Hyrum +Smith's passing through the troops in Carthage: + +"CARTHAGE, June 25, 1844. + +"Quarter past nine. The governor came and invited Joseph to walk +with him through the troops. Joseph solicited a few moments' private +conversation with him, which the governor refused. + +"While refusing, the governor looked down at his shoes, as though he +was ashamed. They then walked through the crowd, with Brigadier General +Miner R. Demming, and Dr. Richards, to General Demming's quarters. The +people appeared quiet until a company of Carthage Grays flocked round +the doors of General Demming in an uproarious manner, of which notice +was sent to the governor. In the meantime the governor had ordered +the McDonough troops to be drawn up in line, for Joseph and Hyrum to +pass in front of them, they having requested that they might have a +clear view of the General Smiths. _Joseph had a conversation with the +governor for about ten minutes, when he again pledged the faith of the +State that he and his friends should be protected from violence_. + +"Robinson, the postmaster, said, on report of martial law being +proclaimed in Nauvoo, he had stopped the mail, and notified the +postmaster general of the state of things in Hancock County. + +"From the general's quarters Joseph and Hyrum went in front of the +lines, in a hollow square of a company of Carthage Grays. At seven +minutes before ten they arrived in front of the lines, and passed +before the whole, Joseph being on the right of General Demming and +Hyrum on his left, Elders Richards, Taylor and Phelps following. +Joseph and Hyrum were introduced by Governor Ford about twenty times +along the line as General Joseph Smith and General Hyrum Smith, the +governor walking in front on the left. The Carthage Grays refused to +receive them by that introduction, and some of the officers threw up +their hats, drew their swords, and said they would introduce themselves +to the damned Mormons in a different style. The governor mildly +entreated them not to act so rudely, but their excitement increased; +the governor, however, succeeded in pacifying them by making a speech, +and promising them that they should have 'full satisfaction.' General +Smith and party returned to their lodgings at five minutes past +ten."--_Deseret News, No. 35, Nov. 4, 1857, page 274_. + +8. _Deseret News_, No. 38, Nov. 25, 1857, p. 297. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, by B. H. Roberts + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 50302 *** |