The public must excuse the "Register" and "Times" if they should not give any attention to the Canal or the Kidnapping at Nauvoo. They are at present very closely engaged in discussing the merits of the interesting correspondence lately made public by the Register.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Nauvoo Neighbor understands that Gov. Ford has ordered those persons who were engaged in kidnapping the Averys in this State, to be arrested and bound over for appearance at court.

Avery, the elder, who was kidnapped, has been tried in Missouri, and discharged.

---

O. P. Rockwell has been discharged from prison in Missouri, and has returned to Nauvoo.

---

On the 9th there was great excitement at Carthage -- an officer and his posse having to come to that place from Nauvoo, to arrest a citizen. The inhabitants prevented the arrest. We have not heard of the termination of the affair.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Gen. Joseph Smith,of the Nauvoo Legion, is announced in the Nauvoo paper as a candidate for President of the United States. We also hear it stated that General Hyram Smith will be a candidate for Congress for the sixth district.

Notes: (forthcoming)

The authorities of Nauvoo have repealed their ordinance, the object if which was to prevent the arrest of Joseph Smith, by the authorities of this State.

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  GLOBE  AND  JOE  SMITH.

The Globe of the 14th has a long article, attacking Joe Smith's "views of government," as lately published by him in the Nauvoo paper. -- The real cause for this attack, we presume, may be found in the fact, that Smith does not choose to buckle on his armor, and support Martin Van Buren for President. Smith has done pretty well for the Globe party, by electing one member to Congress for them; and as it is an object for the Globe to keep him there, we presume, the editors were satisfied, that however much they might abuse Smith, he would be compelled to go for Hoge again. The Globe evidently believes in the potency of the rod held over Joe by Gov. Ford.

The following paragraph and quotation from Smith's "views," we copy from the Globe. If Joe never misses the truth more than in the quotation here made, he will get along quite well.

(From the Globe)

"We cannot refrain from treating our readers to the following glowing passage in which our friend Joseph so eloquently describes the defeat of Mr. Van Buren. We have read nearly all the whig slants on this same subject; and we have met with nothing equal to the gloomy grandeur of this portentous paragraph:

"'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 centre of the earth, heaving the sea beyond its bounds, and shaking the everlasting hills. So, in hopes of better times, while jealousy, hypocritical pretesions, 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 Gen. Harrison appeared as a star among the storm-clouds, for better weather.'"

Notes: (forthcoming)

In taking a vote for President on a boat passing down from Nauvoo, Mr. Van Buren received two and Joe Smith two. It was "nip and tuck" between these two candidates.

Notes: (forthcoming)

From the Nauvoo Neighbor
PUBLIC  MEETING.

Yesterday at ten o'clock A. M., a Public Meeting was held in the large room over Gen. Smith's Store, for the purpose of consulting upon measures for the furtherance of our designs in the next Presidential election.

The meeting was addressed in a very spirited manner by several gentlemen present, setting forth our grievances, our rights our numbers, and our political influence. From the statements presented, we have no reason to doubt, but that we can bring, independent of any other party, from two, to five hundred thousand voters, into the field. Several gentlemen were nominated to attend to the Baltimore Convention, to make overtures to that body.

It was resolved, that a State convention be held in the City of Nauvoo, on the second day of May next.

Mr. W. W. Phelps, moved that the proceedings of their meeting be published in the Nauvoo Neighbor, with a request that the State Register, Sangamo Journal, and all other papers in the State, publish the same.

John Taylor, President.    
Wm. Clayton, Clerk.        

Since our paper went to press there has been another meeting held, at which it was:

Resolved, That the State Convention to be holden in this city be postponed till Friday the 17th day of May: and that each county in the state be requested to send one or two delegates to said Convention, to whom the hospitality of the citizens of the city will be tendered.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Sometime ago Jeremiah Smith, who alledges that he has claims on government, visited Washington and representing himself as another person of the same name, and who had claims also against the government, [received] the money of the latter, and sought for safety and security at Nauvoo, under the protection of Joe Smith. A process was ordered for his arrest by Judge Pope; the man was taken by a deputy marshall in Nauvoo; where Joe took him out of the Deputy Marshall's hands by a writ of "Habeas Corpus" issued by the Municipal Council of Nauvoo. Joe however, came to the conclusion to send the prisoner to Springfield -- not to release him, and he is now in this city. He has been demanded by the authorities at Washington and will be sent there immediately, unless the prisoners can find bail, of which there is little prospect.

The unauthorized powers which the City Council of Nauvoo have exercised latterly, and continue to exercise, are producing a feeling in the public mind, hostile to the continuance of the charter of Nauvoo. Indeed, a portion of its own citizens, are in favor of its unqualified repeal. While it was a matter of uncertainty whether Joe would permit Smith to come to this place, and give himself up, it was currently reported and of the fact we have no doubt, that Gov. Ford had avowed that he was ready to furnish all the necessary military force to bring Joe Smith and the Municipal Court of Nauvoo prisoners to this city, if required to do so by the U. States Marshall.

---

Joe Smith has lately received a letter from Gov. Ford. So states the Warsaw Signal. Now we should like to know if there is any connection between this letter and Joe's recent attack upon Henry Clay. Let us have the papers, Governor.

---

It is stated that Hyram Smith, a brother of Joe, was in the loco foco convention, held at Rock Island, which nominated Mr. Hoge for Congress, and that Smith said he had a revelation from God, that 2,000 mormon votes would be cast for Hoge! What blasphemy!


Notes: (forthcoming)

A number of seceders from the Mormon Church at Nauvoo, recently established a paper in that city called the Nauvoo Expositor. The first number having been published, and containing statements and affidavits very disreputable to Smith and the leading Mormons, the City authorities were convened, the establishment declared a nuisance, and the materials of the printing office were taken out into the street and burned. We learn these facts from the Nauvoo Neighbor Extra.

---

Later

The St. Louis Republican of the 17th, contains accounts from Nauvoo and Hancock county including the 15th. Great excitement continued to exist in all the Counties on both sides of the river, and it was judged than an appeal to arms was inevitable. Sixty stand of arms has been taken from Quincy to Warsaw (Warsaw is twelve miles from Nauvoo.) Several hundred Mormons had left Nauvoo; but Smith had put a stop to this immigrating disposition by anathematizing all persons who had expressed any disposition to leave the city.

The same paper contains the proceedings of a meeting held at Carthage, on the 13th inst., in which the destruction of the Newspaper press at Nauvoo is referred to -- the threat to destroy the press at Warsaw and to take the life of its editor, by Hiram Smith -- the tendency of the proceedings at Nauvoo to subvert all law -- that redress for injuries cannot be obtained by legal means, &c., the meeting declared that they were ready to join their fellow citizens of other counties and those of Iowa and Missouri, "to exterminate, utterly exterminate, the wicked and abominable Mormon leaders, the authors of their troubles." Other resolutions of a similar character were passed -- inflammatory speeches were made, and it was understood that a large military force would be concentrated near Nauvoo immediately, and an attack be made upon that place on Friday the 21st inst.

Most of the statements we have copied on this matter, come from anti-mormon authority. The first article on this subject, however, is from the Nauvoo Neighbor, a Mormon paper. A few days will dispose of this affair. We soon hope to announce the rule of law and order in Nauvoo and the region round about.


Notes: (forthcoming)

TREMENDOUS  EXCITEMENT -- UNPARALLELED  OUTRAGE.

On Board Steamer "Osprey"      
June 12, 1844.        

Mr. Editor: -- In behalf of the Publishers of the "Nauvoo Expositor," and for the purpose of informing the public, I hasten to lay down before your readers and the community generally the particulars of one of the most unparalleled outrages ever perpetrated in the country.

On Monday evening last week a Company consisting of some two or three hundred of the Nauvoo Legion, assisted by as many volunteers, armed with Muskets, Swords, Pistols, Bowie-knives, &c. marched up in the front of the office of the "Expositor" -- entered the building by opening the door with a sledge hammer, and destroyed the Press and all the materials, by throwing them into the street and setting the whole on fire.

This took place between the hours of 7 and 10 P. M. The particulars are as follows: A large and respectable portion of the city having become fully convinced by the most conclusive testimony, and their own observation that the character of Joe Smith, in connection with many of the Mormon leaders had become corrupt, that longer countenance would be crime, they early in April last, resolved themselves into a new Society, styled the "Reformed Mormon Church," and appointed William Law as President. The old Church party felt very uneasy about the establishment of this new party, and commenced a tirade of abuse and slander, against the characters and persons of those who had heretofore stood in high estimation, simply because they dared to think for themselves, and express their honest opinions.

The new party, having no organ through which to speak, being denied the privilege of publishing anything against Joe (however true it might be) had the only alternative left, to establish a press of their own, or else, quietly submit to the foul and false assertions which were heaped upon them by wholesale, as often as the Nauvoo Neighbor made its appearance.

For the purpose then, of establishing an independent press in Nauvoo, thru which they might advocate equal rights to every citizen whereby all might speak for themselves, a company of several gentlemen (some of whom were members of the New Church, and some non-church) formed themselves into a committee to publish the "Nauvoo Expositor," the first number [of] which appeared on the 7th ult, as proposed by the Prospectus. The next day an extra session of the city council was called for the purpose of adopting means and measures to bring our youthful paper to an immediate and untimely fall. -- The Expositor was eagerly sought on all hands -- some had the audacity to read it in the public street, while others, -- poor, pitiable creatures -- would conceal it in their pockets and repair to some private corner and there peruse it! In the council various opinions were expressed as to the modus operandi of suppressing our odious paper, whose only offence was, telling the truth and exposing to public gaze the iniquity of those who were governing us with a heart of steel and a rod of iron. Some suggested the propriety of passing an ordinance in relation to libels, but Joe and Hiram (Joe's brother) raved and swore away with a vengeance, declaring it a nuisance. which should be demolished on the spot, together with the property of all concerned with its publication, if they made any resistance or defence. One liberal councilman thought they should notify, but this was objected to, the ordinance was passed, the orders given, and troops presented themselves, as full of fight as Joe is of folly.

The excitement here became tremendous. Surrounded on all sides by a ruthless and merciless gang of ruffians, and being few in number ourselves, we knew not what to do" our feelings were too deeply wounded for utterance -- already insulted beyond endurance, we must now submit to the forfeiture of our rights to the mercy of the mob, and that under sanction of law. We concluded to make no resistance. When they marshaled their troops before the office, F. M. Higbee and myself, in behalf of the Publishers forbade their entering the premises or laying hands on the press; they paid no regard to his commands, but marched up stairs, broke open the door -- entered the office, and demolished the Press: threw out the tables, stands, desks, and scattered the type in all directions. And clearing out of the office, they piled up the combustible materials and set fire and burnt them to ashes, while the multitude made the air ring with hideous yells.

This constitutes the history of this disgraceful and most outrageous affair. We have given a simple statement of facts as they took place without the aid of fancy or fiction, and shall conclude this sketch by stating to the Public that this is but a specimen of the unjustice that is meted out to those whose ambition soared higher than to obey or be the victim of such a tyrannical wretch as Jo Smith -- a man notorious for villainy -- a man, whose crimes are too dark to be recorded, whose character is stained with deeds that would blacken the bottomless pit. We mean all we say, in relation to this monster. Facts have recently been developed which fully substantiate the position. It is a fact too well known to be disputed or denied, that Joe did employ Rockwell and others to shoot ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and by J. H. Jackson's statement, tried to hire him to go to Missouri and rescue Rockwell and perpetrate the same diabolical deed, if he had an opportunity. Dr. R. D. Foster has made affidavit, also, which is now on file, that he offered him $300 to pay his expenses in going to Missouri and shooting Boggs, stating, it was the will of God, and must be done and would reward him handsomely.

It is a lamentable fact, that he has ensnared scores of credulous and superstitious females (both married and single,) in his seductive met, under pretence of Divine authority, thereby involving families and individuals in disgrace and infamy; and after gratifying his most hellish lust, has, to clear himself, thrown down the lie upon them, adding the blackest insult to the foulest injury.

It is a fact, generally known, that he has been prominently engaged in the manufacture of bogus money and counterfeiting.

It is a fact, he now stands indicted before the Hancock Circuit Court, for perjury, fornication and adultery.

It is a fact that he has used his office and assumed power of the city Charter, in protecting and shielding fugitives from justice, charged with high misdemeanors.

It is a fact that he lives upon the spoils of his dupes in splendor, while thousands are in a state of starvation. And last, though not least, it is an act that has capped the climax of his outrages by authorizing the destruction of a Public Press. Not satisfied with personal injury, he resorts to open contempt and violation of one of the most sacred features of American Institutions -- the liberty of the Press.

We repeat it, history affords no parallel to the iniquities and enormities of this tyrant who, dressed in a little brief authority perpetrates deeds at which Heaven weeps and human nature falls back ashamed of her own depravity.

In this situation -- robbed of our property -- stripped of our rights, and outraged on every hand, we present our case before a free and enlightened public, leaving it with them to say how long we shall be subjected to a sacrifice of our nearest and dearest rights at the shrine of unhallowed ambition.

Respectfully, &c.,               Charles A. Foster.

---

The St. Louis Reveille of the 19th says that several pieces of cannon have been taken from that place by the Steamboat Die Vernon, for Warsaw the headquarters of the Anti-Mormons.


Note: Charles A. Foster was the brother of Dr. Robert D. Foster (1811-1878) of Nauvoo, who is addressed in Sec. 124 of the LDS Doctrine & Covenants and who served as a physician to Sidney Rigdon and other Mormon leaders. Charles' name appears next to that of Robert, as one of the publishers, on the final page of the Nauvoo Expositor, for which Charles is listed as the correspondence clerk. An earlier letter by of Charles A. Foster was printed in the Warsaw Signal of May 8, 1844. Charles is also mentioned in Joseph Smith's affidavit of June 21, 1844 and in various late-1844 articles in the Nauvoo Neighbor, where he is named as one of the conspirators in the plot to murder Joseph and Hyrum Smith. For more on the 1844 evacuation of the Fosters from Nauvoo, see Steven G. Barnett's "Wilson Law..." in BYU Studies vol. XiX no. 2, pp. 244 ff.

THE  MORMON  DIFFICULTIES.

Notwithstanding all the rumors which are afloat, we are unable to state any thing very definite in relation to affairs at Nauvoo, or "in the region round about" that city. It is certain that the Governor has called out some of the neighboring militia -- that bodies of armed men had collected without waiting a call from the Governor -- that the Governor had accepted the services of militia at St. Louis under certain contingencies -- that he had demanded of Smith the State arms at Nauvoo -- that it had been reported that they were given up -- that Smith and his Council had given themselves up to be tried by our laws for alleged offences. Thus far our news seems to be certain. Rumor says further, that on Thursday of last week Joe Smith, Hyram Smith, and Dr. Richards were shot by a mob at Carthage. We are incredulous in regard to the truth of this rumor. We cannot think that under the circumstances of the case -- the excitement against these men among the anti-mormons -- Gov. Ford would have received them as prisoners, to be tried under our laws -- had pledged himself for their protection -- and then placed them in a situation where they would be murdered. The rumor is too preposterous for belief.

We await with much anxiety to hear the truth on this subject; and this feeling is general in this community.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  DISTURBANCES.
THE  ASSASSINATION  OF  JOE  AND  HIRAM  SMITH:
(THE  MORMON  ACCOUNT.)

From the Nauvoo Neighbor Extra of June 30th.    

On Monday the 24th inst.; after Gov. Ford had sent word, that those eighteen persons demanded on a warrant, among whom were Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, should be protected, by the militia of the State, they in company with some ten or twelve others, started for Carthage, four miles from that place, they were met by Capt. Dunn, with a company of cavalry, who had an order from the Gov. for the "State Arms." Gen. Smith endorsed his acceptance of the same, and both parties returned to Nauvoo to obtain same arms. After the arms were obtained both parties took up the line of march for Carthage, where they arrived about five minutes before twelve o'clock at night. -- Captain Dunn nobly acquitting himself, landed us safely at Hamilton's Hotel.

In the morning we saw the Governor and he pledged the faith of the State. that we should be protected. Gen. Smith and his brother Hyrum were arrested by a warrant founded upon the oaths of H. O. Norton and Augustine Spencer for treason. Knowing the threats from several persons that the two Smiths should never leave Carthage alive, we all began to be alarmed for their personal safety. The Gov. and Gen. Deming conducted them before the McDonough troops and introduced as Gen. Joseph Smith and Gen. Hyrum Smith. This maneuver came near raising a mutiny among the "Carthage Grays," but the Governor quelled it.

In the afternoon, after great exertions on the part of our counsel, we dispensed with an investigation, and voluntarily gave bail for our appearance to the Circuit Court, to answer in the case of abating the Nauvoo Expositor, as a nuisance.

At evening the Justice made out a mittimus, without an investigation, and committed the two Gen. Smiths to prison until discharged by due course of law, and they were safely guarded to jail. In the morning the Gov. went to jail and had an interview with these men, and to every appearance all things were explained on both sides

The constable then went to take these men from the jail, before the Justice for examination, but the jailer refused to let them go, as they were under his direction until "discharged by due course of law," but the Governor's troops, to the amount of one or two hundred, took them to the Court House, when the hearing was continued till Saturday the 29th, and they were remanded to jail. Several of our citizens had permits from the Governor to lodge with them, and visit them in jail. It now began to be rumored by several men, whose names will be forthcoming in time that there was nothing against these men, the law could not reach them, but powder and ball would! The Governor was made acquainted with these facts, but on the morning of the 27th, he disbanded the McDonough Troops, and sent them home; took Capt. Dunn's company of Cavalry and proceeded to Nauvoo, leaving these two men and three or four friends, to be guarded by 8 men at the jail; and a company in town of 60 men, 80 to 100 rods from the jail, as a corps in reserve.

About six o'clock in the afternoon the guard was surprised by an armed mob of from 150 to 250, painted red and black and yellow, which surrounded the jail, forced in -- poured a shower of bullets into the room where these unfortunate men were held, "in durance vile," to answer to the laws of Illinois, under the solemn pledge of the faith of the State, by Governor Ford, that they should be protected, but the mob ruled!! They fell as Martyrs amid this tornado of lead, each receiving four bullets! John Taylor was wounded by four bullets in his limbs but not seriously. Thus perishes the hope of law; thus vanishes the plighted faith of the State; thus the blood of innocence stains the constituted authorities of the United States, and thus have two among the most noble martyrs since the slaughter of Abel, sealed the truth of their divine mission, by being shot, by a mob for their religion!

Messengers were dispatched to Nauvoo, but did not reach there till morning. The following was one of the letters:

12 o'clock at night, 27th June,    
Carthage, Hamilton's Tavern.    

To Mrs. Emma Smith, and Maj. Gen. Dunham, &c. --
    The Governor has just arrived; says all things shall be inquired into, and all measures taken.

I say to all the 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 Gov. will render every assistance possible -- has sent out orders for troops -- Joseph and Hiram are dead, but not by the Carthage people -- the guards were there as I believe.

We 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 that 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.
JOHN TAYLOR,
SAMUEL H. SMITH. Defend yourself until protection can be furnished necessary, June 27th, 1844.

THOMAS FORD, Governor.
and Commander in Chief.

---

Mr. Orson Spencer:

Dear Sir: -- Please deliberate on this matter; prudence may obviate material destruction. I was at my residence when this horrible crime was committed. It will be condemned by three fourths of the citizens of the county -- be quiet or you will be attacked from Missouri.
                                        M. R. DEMING.

---

The Governor, as well as the citizens of Carthage, was thunder struck! and fled.

The Legion in Nauvoo was called out at 10 A. M. and addressed by Judge Phelps, Col. Buckmaster of Alton, the Governor's aid, and others, and all excitement and flurry allayed and preparations were made to receive the bodies of the noble martyrs. About 3 o'clock, they were met by a great assemblage of people, east of the Temple on Mulholland street, under the direction of the city Marshal, followed by Samuel H. Smith, the brother of the deceased, Dr. Richards and Mr. Hamilton, of Carthage. The waggons were guarded by 8 men. The procession that followed in Nauvoo, was the city Council, the Lieut. Gen's. Staff, the Major Gen. and staff, the brigadier and staff, commanders and officers of the Legion and citizens generally which numbered several thousands, amid the most solemn lamentations and wailings that ever ascended into the ears of the Lord of Hosts to be avenged of our enemies!

When the procession arrived, the bodies were both taken into the "Nauvoo Mansion;" the scene at the mansion cannot be described; the audience addressed by Dr. Richards, Judge Woods and Reed, Esqs.. of Iowa and Col. Markham. It was a vast assemblage of some 8 or 10, 000 persons and with one united voice resolved to trust to the law for a remedy of such a high handed assassination, and when that failed, to call upon God to avenge us of our wrongs! Oh widows and orphans! Oh Americans weep, for the glory of freedom has departed!

---

STATEMENT  OF  FACTS!

At the request of many persons who wish that the truth may go forth to the world in relation to the late murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, by a band of lawless assassins, I have consented to make a statement of the facts so far as they have come to my knowledge, in an authentic shape, as one of the attorneys employed to defend the said Smiths against the charges brought against them; and other persons at Carthage in the State of Illinois.

On Monday the 24th inst., at the request of Gen. Smith I left Fort Madison in the Territory of Iowa and arrived at Carthage where I expected to meet the General, his brother Hyrum and the other persons implicated with them; they arrived at Carthage late at night and next morning voluntarily surrendered themselves to the constable, Mr. Bettersworth, who held the writ against them on a charge of riot for destroying the press, type and fixtures of the Nauvoo Expositor, the property of William and Wilson Law, and other dissenters, charged to have been destroyed on the 10th inst.

Great excitement prevailed in the county of Hancock, and had extended to many of the surrounding counties. A large number of the militia of several counties were under arms at Carthage the Head Quarters of the commanding Gen. Deming; and many other troops were under arms at Warsaw and other places in the neighborhood. The Governor was at Head Quarters in person, for the purpose [of] seeing that the laws of the land were executed and had pledged his own faith and the faith of the State of Illinois that the Smiths and the other persons concerned with them should be protected from personal violence, if they would surrender themselves to be dealt with according to law. During the two succeeding says his Excellency repeatedly expressed to the legal counselors of the Smiths his determination to protect the prisoners and to see that they have a fair and impartial examination [as] far as depended on the Executive of the State. On Tuesday morning soon after the surrender of the prisoners on the charge of riot, Gen. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were both arrested on a charge of treason against the State of Illinois. The affidavits upon which the writs [were] issued were made by Hyrum Norton and Augustine Spencer.

On Tuesday afternoon the two Smiths and other persons, on the charge of riot, appeared before R. F. Smith, a justice of the peace residing at Carthage, and by advice of counsel, in order to prevent if possible, any increase of excitement, voluntarily entered into recognizance in the sum of five hundred dollars each with unexceptionable security for their appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court for said county. The whole number of persons recognized is fifteen, most if not all of them leading men in the Mormon church.

Making out the bonds and justifying bail necessary consumed considerable time, and when this was done it was near night, and the Justice adjourned his court over without calling on the Smiths to answer to the charge of treason or even intimating to their counsel of the prisoners that they were expected to enter into the examination that night. In less than an hour after the adjournment of the court, constable Bettersworth who had arrested the prisoners in the morning, appeared at Hamilton's Hotel, at the lodgings of the prisoners and their counsel and insisted that the Smiths should go to jail. Mr. Woods of Burlington, Iowa, and myself, as counsel for the prisoners; insisted that they were entitled to be brought before the justice for examination before they should be sent to jail. The constable to our surprise, there-upon exhibited a mittimus from said justice as follows:

State of Illinois, Hancock County.

The people of the State of Illinois to the keeper of the jail of the said county, greeting:

Whereas Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith of the county aforesaid have been arrested upon the oath of Augustine Spencer and Henry O. Norton, for the crime of treason, and have been brought before me as a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, for trial at the seat of Justice there of, which trial has been necessarily postponed by reason of the absence of material witnesses, to wit Francis M. Higbee and others; therefore I command you in the name of the people to receive the said Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith into your custody in the jail of the county aforesaid, there to remain until discharged by due course of law.

Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of June, A. D. 1844.
                                     (Signed.)
                                     R. P. SMITH, J. P.  {L. S.}


His Excellency did not think it within the sphere of his duty to interfere, and the prisoners were removed from their lodgings to jail. The recitals of the mittimus before the justice for trial, and it there appearing that the necessary witnesses of the prosecution were absent, is wholly untrue, unless the prisoners could have appeared before the justice without being present in person or by counsel; nor is there any law of Illinois within my knowledge which permits a justice to commit persons charged with crimes, to jail without examination as to the probability of their guilt.

On Wednesday forenoon the Governor in company with one of his friends visited the prisoners at the jail, and again assured them that they should be protected from violence, and told them if the troops marched the next morning to Nauvoo as his Excellency then expected they should be taken along, in order to insure their personal safety.

On the same morning, some one or more of the counsel for the prosecution, expressed their wish to me, that the prisoners should be brought out of jail for examination; they were answered that the prisoners had already been examined, and that the justice and constable had no further control of the prisoners and that if the prosecutors wished the prisoners brought out of jail, they should bring them out on a writ of Habeas Corpus or some other due course of law. The constable after this conversation went to the jail with the following order to the jailer:

State of Illinois, Hancock County. ss.

To David Bettersworth, constable of said county:

You are commanded to bring the bodies of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith from the jail of said county, forthwith before me at my office for an examination on the charge of treason, they having been committed for safe keeping until trial could be had on such examination and the state now being ready for such examination.

Given under my hand and seal this 26th day of June 1844.
                                     (Signed.)
                                     R. P. SMITH, J. P.  {L. S.}


And demanded the prisoners, but as the jailer could find no law authorizing a justice of the peace, to demand prisoners committed to his charge, he refused to give them up, until discharged from his custody by due course of law. Upon the refusal to give up the prisoners the company of Carthage Greys marched to the jail, by whose orders I know not, and compelled the jailer against his will and conviction of duty, to deliver the prisoners to the constable, who, forthwith, took them before Justice Smith, the Captain of the Carthage Greys. The counsel for prisoners then appeared, and asked for subpoenas for witnesses on the part of the prisoners, and expressed their wish to go into the examination soon, as witnesses could be brought from Nauvoo to Carthage; the justice thereupon fixed the examination for 12 o'clock, on Thursday the 27th inst.; whereupon, the prisoners were remanded to prison. Soon after a council of the military officers was called by the Governor, and was determined to march the next morning, the 27th inst. to Nauvoo, with all the troops, except one company which was to be selected by the Governor from the troops whose fidelity was more to be relied on to guard the prisoners, whom it was determined should be left at Carthage. On Thursday morning, another consultation of officers took place, and the former orders for marching to Nauvoo with the whole army, were countermanded. One company were ordered to accompany the Governor, to Nauvoo, the Carthage Greys, who had but two days before, been under arrest for insulting the commanding General, and whose conduct had been more hostile to the prisoners, and the other troops including those rendezvoused at Golden's Point from Warsaw, and who had been promised that they should be marched to Nauvoo were disbanded. A guard of only eight men were stationed at the jail, whilst the rest of the Greys were in camp at a quarter of a mile's distance, and whilst his excellency was haranguing the peaceable citizens of Nauvoo, and asking them to give up all their own arms, the assassins were murdering the prisoners in jail, whom the Governor had pledged himself and the State to protect.

H. T. REID.

Here follows a similar statement from James W. Woods, Esq., another counsel of Smith's, which we have not room to publish.

---

The Governor's Proclamation in reference to the Outrage -- and call for troops.

TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS.

I desire to make a brief but true statement of the recent disgraceful affair at Carthage, in regard to the Smiths, so far as circumstances have come to my knowledge. The Smiths, Joseph and Hyrum, have been assassinated in Jail, by whom it is not known, but will be ascertained. I pledged myself for their safety, and upon the assurance of that pledge, they surrendered as prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public arms in their possession, and the Nauvoo Legion submitted to the command of Capt. Singleton, of Brown county, deputed for that purpose by me. All these things were required to satisfy the old citizens of Hancock that the Mormons were peaceably disposed; and to allay jealousy and excitement in their minds. It appears however that the compliance of the Mormons with every requisition made upon them failed of that purpose. The pledge of security to the Smiths, was not given upon my individual responsibility. Before I gave it, I obtained a pledge of honor by a unanimous vote from the officers and men under my command, to sustain me in performing it. If the assassination of the Smiths was committed by any portion of these, they have added treachery to murder, and have done all they could to disgrace the state, and sully public honor.

On the morning of the day the deed was committed, we had proposed to march the army under my command into Nauvoo. I had however discovered on the evening before, that nothing but utter destruction of the city would satisfy a portion of the troops; and that if we marched into the city, pretext would not be wanting for commencing hostilities. The Mormons had done every thing required, or which ought to have been required of them. Offensive operations on our part would have been as unjust and disgraceful, as they would have been impolitic, in the present critical season of the year, the harvest and the crops. For these reasons I decided in a council of officers, to disband the army, except three companies, two of which were retained as a guard for the Jail. With the other company I marched into Nauvoo, to address the inhabitants there, and tell them what they might expect in case they designedly or imprudently provoked a war. I performed this duty as I think plainly and emphatically, and then set out to return to Carthage. When I had marched about three miles, a messenger informed me of the occurrences at Carthage. I hastened on to that place. -- The guard, it is said, did their duty but were overpowered. Many of the inhabitants of Carthage had fled with their families. Others were preparing to go. I apprehended danger in the settlements from the sudden fury and passion of the Mormons and sanctioned their movements in this respect.

General Deming volunteered to remain with a few troops to observe the progress of events, to defend property against small numbers, and with orders to retreat if menaced by a superior force. I decided to proceed immediately to Quincy, to prepare a force, sufficient to suppress disorders, in case it should ensue from the foregoing transactions or from any other cause. I have hopes that the Mormons will make no further difficulties. In this I may be mistaken. The other party may not be satisfied. They may recommence aggression. I am determined to preserve the peace against all breakers of the same, at all hazards. I think present circumstances warrant the precaution, of having a competent force at my disposal, in readiness to march at a moment's warning. My position at Quincy will enable me to get the earliest intelligence, and to communicate orders with the greatest celerity.

I have decided to issue the following general orders:

                                  HEAD QUARTERS,
                            Quincy, June, [29], 1844.
It is ordered that the commandants of regiments in the counties of Adams, Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton and McDonough, and the Regiments composing Gen. Stapp's brigade, will call their respective Regiments and Battalions together immediately upon the receipt of this order, and proceed by voluntary enlistment to enroll as many men as can be armed in their respective Regiments. They will make arrangements for a campaign of twelve days, and provide themselves with arms, ammunition, and provisions accordingly, and hold themselves in readiness immediately to march upon the receipt of further orders.

The independent companies of Riflemen, Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery in the above named Counties, and in the County of Sangamon will hold themselves in readiness in like manner.

THOMAS FORD, Governor
and Commander in Chief.

---

Affairs at Warsaw -- the assassination -- fears of revenge -- abandonment of Warsaw by the women and children -- abandonment of Carthage -- discharge of the McDonough and Hancock troops.

From the Warsaw Signal of June 29.    

On Thursday evening Gov. Ford had given orders that all the troops should march to Nauvoo on Friday. On Thursday, the army was to rendezvous at Golden's Point about 5 miles from the city. The object for this visit was not made known, but rests entirely on surmise. On Thursday morning a council of officers was called in Carthage, and on account of the desire of the troops from Schuyler and McDonough, to return home, and the fear that if the army were marched into Nauvoo, it could not be controlled, it was determined immediately to disband the troops. This was accordingly done, with the exception of the Carthage and Augusta troops, and a company under Capt. Singleton, who had possession of Nauvoo. The troops from other counties who had been disbanded, immediately returned to their homes, and Gov. Ford, accompanied by the Augusta Dragons, took up the line of march for Nauvoo.

About four o'clock, P. M., a company of about one hundred armed men, marched to the jail in Carthage, and demanded the prisoners. A rush was made on the guards, who fired, but hurt nobody. They were immediately secured, and the men rushed up stairs to the room of the prisoners. For about two minutes, [the] discharge of fire arms within the jail was very rapid. Finally Joe raised the window, exclaimed, "oh my God," and threw himself out. He fell heavily on the ground, and was soon despatched. Hiram was shot in the jail. There were two other prisoners, Dr. Richards who we learn was not hurt, and J. Taylor, editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, who received five balls in his arms and legs. Immediately on the work being done, the men fled.

It was expected that as soon as the news reached Nauvoo, the Mormons would take vengeance on Carthage and Warsaw. The Messenger, however, who started for Nauvoo met Gov. Ford returning to Carthage, and was not permitted to go further. The Governor sent for Capt. Singleton's men, who were in Nauvoo, and proceeded to Carthage. The Public Records were removed to Augusta, and the women and children sent out of the town. Gov. Ford left for Augusta, and we learn this morning that he had proceeded to Quincy.

In Warsaw, as soon as the news of the death of the two Smiths was received, every thing was placed in an attitude for defence, and the inhabitants of the surrounding country requested to come to our aid.

A portion of the women and [children] passed over the river. On Friday afternoon five companies from Quincy being about two hundred and fifty in number arrived on the Boreas. Many from Missouri and Iowa have also come to our aid. We have three cannon, plenty of ammunition, and we are fully prepared for any attack which the Mormons can make.

By the stage driver from Nauvoo, we learn that about thirty men were sent for the dead bodies of Joe and Hyrum, and that they were to be buried on the same evening, with military honors.

What will be the final issue is yet to be ascertained -- various [surmises] are afloat; but our opinion is, that either the old citizens or the Mormons must leave. The county cannot be quieted until the expulsion of one or the other is effected.

We neglected to mention in the proper place, that on Monday last, about half of the arms belonging to the State in possession of the Mormons, were taken from them, and all the cannon.

The prisoners were not in cells, but in the private room of the jailer, the windows of which were not barred.

---

The Governor reaches Quincy -- sends H. Fellows and A. Jones, Esq'rs. to Nauvoo and Warsaw to ascertain the dispositions of the belligerent parties -- prospects of peace at Nauvoo -- great prospects of further disturbances at Warsaw -- the Governor's course, &c. &c.

On Gov. Ford's arrival at Quincy, he appointed Hart Fellows and A. Jonas, Esqrs., to proceed immediately to Nauvoo, and ascertain whether the people there were determined to avenge the deaths of their leaders, and then return to Warsaw -- ascertain the disposition of the people there -- and direct the return of persons from Missouri and Iowa, who had come to take part in the disturbances.

These gentlemen proceeded according to directions. The City Council of Nauvoo passed resolutions expressive of their determination to abide the action of the laws so long as the Governor shall sustain them in their constitutional rights -- that they reprobated private revenge -- and called upon the Governor to stay vexatious law proceedings against them until the citizens of Nauvoo can go to Carthage, or any other place for trial without fear of assassination. At a meeting of the citizens of Nauvoo the same desires and determination were announced.

We learn from reports that a similar determination was not manifested at Warsaw. The people and inhabitants congregated there -- expressed a determination to force the Mormons to leave the country.

Gov. Ford was at Quincy at the last dates. The papers intimate that he made Quincy his head quarters, because he was not safe in Hancock county -- there being much excitement against him among the Anti-Mormons.

We have thus given all the most important information we have from the seat of disturbance. Every man is qualified to form his own opinion of the state of affairs from the facts given. We have no doubt that the Governor is doing what he thinks his duty requires of him in the matter. The votes of the Mormons have given rise to much difficulty; and if his excellency shall so act as to prevent, hereafter the policy of his party from being governed by a desire to secure the votes of the Mormons, he will do an act for which he cannot be too strongly commended. Our language in reference to the reported assassinations at Carthage last week, having been tortured by the Register into a meaning never designed by us -- we repeat on that subject, that although the Smiths were placed in a position where their enemies could glut their vengeance upon them without resistance -- where they could be premediately assassinated -- we have never supposed that such a thought ever entered the heart of Gov. Ford. The suggestion is a vile calumny upon him as well as ourselves. The placing of the Smiths, however, in the Carthage jail, under all the circumstances of the case, was a "blunder," which must be felt and acknowledged by every law-abiding citizen of our State.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

The St. Louis Republican says that Gov. Ford has made a requisition upon the general government for four hundred troops, to preserve the peace in the neighborhood and at Nauvoo.

---

A gentleman who left Hancock county on Thursday last says, that all is quiet in that country. There was, however, deep feeling of dissatisfaction existing between the late hostile parties. He says much distress exists in Nauvoo on account of the want of provisions -- as there is little or no intercourse between the city and the country. Our informant was apprehensive of further outbreaks. A son of Joe Smith, it is said, had received the revelation that he was to be the successor to the prophet.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

ANOTHER  PROCLAMATION  OF  GOV.  FORD.

Below will be found one of the most remarkable documents, that we have seen for many a day. It is contained in the Warsaw Signal of last Wednesday, and purports to be a "Proclamation" from Gov. Ford, "To the People of Hancock County." We say "purports" to be such; for we entertain serious doubts of its genuineness. If, however, it is not a genuine Executive missile, then has the infamous scoundrel or scoundrels who got it up, been most successful in gulling the people with it; for as far as we learn by the Signal, no one there has doubted its genuineness. The editor evidently regards it as genuine, and proceeds to comment upon it with warmth. He says, "The above communication from Gov. Ford, was received on Sunday evening last." Here follows the Proclamation.

TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  WARSAW  IN  HANCOCK  COUNTY.

I am continually informed of your preparations and threats to renew the war, and exterminate the Mormons. One might suppose that you ought to rest satisfied with what you have already done. The Mormon leaders if they resisted the law, have submitted to its authority. They have surrendered the public arms; and appeared to be ready to do any thing required, to make atonement for whatever wrong may have been done. Since the assassination of their two principal leaders, under circumstances well calculated to inflame their passions, and drive them to excesses for the purposes of revenge, they have been entirely peaceful and submissive; and have patiently awaited the slow operation of the laws to redress the wrongs of which they complained. There has been no retaliation; no revenge; and for anything I can ascertain, there will be none. Those of your people, who are charged with being the most hostile to them, have lived, if they knew it, in perfect security from illegal violence. I am anxious for a pacification of your difficulties. You cannot drive out or exterminate the Mormons. Such an effort would be madness, and would not be permitted by the people of the State. You cannot be sustained in it either by force or law. You are blinding yourselves to your weakness, and keeping an agitation which must fail of the purpose intended, and recoil with terrible energy upon your heads. I exhort you to reconsider your infatuated resolutions. Try your Mormon neighbors again, and if you cannot dwell together in amity, you may at least refrain from injuring each other. From the moderation of the Mormons, under what they conceive to be the deepest injury, you might well hope that if they ever entertained designs inconsistent with your liberty and happiness, that those designs have been abandoned. They are also interested in preserving the peace. It is not natural to suppose that they, any more than yourselves, wish to live in continual alarm. They hope for quiet, and will be peaceful and submissive in order to enjoy it. But you are continually driving them to desperation by an insane course of threatening and hostility, and depriving yourselves of peace by the same means used to disquiet them.

If I have said any thing severe in this address, I pray you attribute it to my deep conviction that your course is improper and unwarrantable. Such is the opinion of the people at large in the State, and all over the country. From being right in the first instance, you have put yourselves in the wrong, and there are none to sustain you. As men of sense, you are bound to see, if you will open your eyes, you cannot effect your purposes. -- Nevertheless you are still training and drilling, and keeping together, and threatening a renewal of the war. -- I have said to you often that you cannot succeed; by this time you ought to see it for yourselves. -- What can your small force do against two thousand armed men, entrenched in a city, and defending themselves, their wives and children -- Besides, if you are the aggressors, I am determined that all the power of the State shall be used to prevent your success. I can never agree that a set of infatuated and infuriated men shall barbarously attack a peaceful people, who have submitted to all the demands of the law; and when they had full power to do so, refrained from inflicting vengeance upon their enemies. -- You may count on my most determined opposition -- upon the opposition of the law and upon that of every peaceful law-abiding citizen of the country. This is not spoken in anger. God knows, I would do you no injury unless compelled to do so to sustain the laws. But mob violence must be put down. It is threatening the country with anarchy and ruin. It is menacing our fair form of government, and destroying the confidence of the patriot in the institution[s] of his country.

I have been informed that the Mormons about Lima and Macedonia, have been warned to leave the settlements. -- They have a right to remain and enjoy their property. As long as they are good citizens, they shall not be molested, and the sooner those misguided persons withdraw their warning and retrace their steps, the better it will be for them.
                                           THOMAS FORD.
July 25, 1844.


Now some of the remarkable things about this proclamation are these:

First -- That Warsaw should be selected to bear the whole burden of his Excellency's denunciation. We dare assert -- because we know the fact -- that ALL HANCOCK COUNTY -- and every town and neighborhood in it -- excepting the Mormons themselves -- have just as much thought of attacking Nauvoo as Warsaw has. But it may be asked, why do they keep up a continual training? That we answer by asking, if they are the only citizens of Illinois who keep up a training? There are military companies all over the county who train regularly. Besides are not the Mormons themselves training from week to week? And have they not done so for four years past? And if it is so very dangerous for men to train when the times look warlike, how much more dangerous must it be for large bodies of men (known to be bad citizens at that) to do so in a time of profound peace? But there is no need of it now! Then for what has Governor Ford made a requisition upon the United States for 500 troops?

Again -- it does seem to us supremely ridiculous that any man -- much less the Governor of the State -- could suppose that the little town of Warsaw, which today can't raise 150 men, is so Quixotic as to think of attacking Nauvoo!

The Governor speaks of the Mormons having been warned away from Lima and Macedonia; and the poor Warsawans must bear the blame for that! Lima is in Adams county, 14 miles off; and Macedonia, in the eastern part of Hancock county, 25 miles off; and with both of which places Warsaw never had but little intercourse.

The Governor intimates that the arms have been given up, and the Mormons are disposed to be peaceable.

Can it be possible that Governor Ford is ignorant of the fact, that of 600 or 700 stand of arms, not half have been given up? And does he believe in the professions of these men, that they are peaceable dispose[d]? They sing the syren song of peace more "pathetically," to be sure, but yet no louder or oftener, than they have always sung it. But what can he want with the United States troops if all is peaceable? Not, surely to whip 100 men of the town of Warsaw.

We have called this an extraordinary document. It is such. Why must Warsaw be singled out from the rest of this County in this matter? Or why should Hancock be singled out to bear the odium of wishing to exterminate the Mormons? Of either it is a totally untrue assumption. They do perhaps almost all believe that it will be impossible for them to remain together. And we can tell Gov. Ford that that opinion is not confined either to Warsaw or Hancock County. It is general in the Counties adjoining, and wherever the position of things is understood. It is not, however, our belief. With promptness on the part of the Executive, and a determination on the part of the people, to abide by the law, we believe that all may yet be well.

Of one thing let the Governor and the public beware: in all this matter (except as to the degree of censure for the past) the old citizens of Hancock County, are ONE PEOPLE. Whigs and Democrats are not known in it. The detestable miscreants of either party, who would fan the flame of civil discord for the sake of office, and thus fatten as it were on human blood, are loathed among them. And it is from just such men, that Gov. Ford has received the information on which this proclamation is based. He should be careful how he trusts to wolves in sheeps clothing.

Were it not for the respect we have for Gov. Ford, and for the respect which is due to him as chief Magistrate, we should pronounce this a base Electioneering trick. The time -- the honied words -- the occasion -- (occasion, do you say? the total want of occasion, rather). All tend to force that conclusion upon us. But we will not believe it.

P. S. Since the above was in type, we have conversed with a leading Democrat of Hancock County, and put the question to him directly. -- Is this considered in Hancock County a political move on the part [of the] Governor? His answer was emphatically, Yes! Every Democrat in Hancock looks upon it in that light!

We have not a word of comment.

---

GOVERNOR  AND  THE  MORMON  VOTES.

We ask the most serious attention of the readers to the following Proclamation of Governor Ford, and to the remarks which accompany it from the Rock Island "Upper Mississippian." These articles (the proclamation and the remarks,) with the additional fact, as it is understood and believed, that the leaders of the loco foco party stand pledged to sustain the Nauvoo Charters, furnish ample reasons why the whole Mormon vote was thrown for loco foco candidates.

The late difficulties in the neighborhood of Nauvoo will cost the State some 25 or 30,000 dollars. The people of Illinois must pay this money by taxation; but what care our leading loco focos for the expenditure of this money, so long as they have been able to make votes out of it!


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONS  AND  GOV.  FORD.

The following article and communication from the Quincy Whig, will arrest the attention of the reader. The communication furnishes reasons, in addition to those given in our last paper, why the Mormons, who were indisposed to take any part in the late election, were induced to go en masse for the loco foco party. We may be certain that so long as that party are in power in this State, the Mormons will be induced to sustain them, either through intrigue, or what is nearly equivalent to force, necessity.

We trust that means will be adopted to procure a copy of the letter of Governor Ford to W. W. Phelps. It is a public document. Tho's Ford was acting in the capacity of Governor, and it cannot be legally suppressed. We call upon W. W. Phelps to publish it in the column of the "Neighbor." The people of this State want to see what Gov. Ford has done in the late outrages; all his acts from beginning to end. They demand that there shall be no suppression of the documents" no denunciation of a mass of our citizens publicly, and by a private communication, apologizing to them. promise them favors for the purpose of getting into their good graces. -- All the people require is, that they be informed of all the facts in the case, so that all may have the means of forming a just estimate of the official services of Gov. Ford.

It is intimated that Gov. Ford promised the Mormons to arrest those engaged in killing Joseph and Hyrum Smith, soon after the election. But Gov. Ford having secured the Mormon vote, flushed with success, has gone off to attend a party Convention at Nashville.

We have good reasons for believing that Gov. Ford is in possession of all the facts in relation to the murder of the Smiths. He knows the names of the individuals concerned to a great extent, and especially does he know the name of the leader. As that leader was a captain in the loco foco party, of course he was not to be arrested before the election. It might have diverted votes from his party candidate; -- whereas the scheme in operation was well designed to secure the votes of the anti-Mormons, as well as those of the Mormons.

We understand that the documents in the Governor's hands state these circumstances" -- that when it was learned at Warsaw that Joe and Hyrum Smith were in prison at Carthage, there was a draft among the anti-Mormon troops at Warsaw of every tenth man; that ____ was appointed Captain; that they disguised themselves and proceeded to the neighborhood of Carthage; that an arrangement was made by which they should ostensibly attack the guard at the jail, fire over their heads, seize them, and then execute their purposes of killing the Smiths. The plan was fully carried out. The Governor at this time, however, is apparently too much engaged in politics to give attention to this matter, and it will probably be not disturbed again until the approach of another election.

We again invite Mr. Phelps to publish the communication of Gov. Ford, unless the communication is of such a character as to reflect discredit on all the parties concerned.

---

From the Quincy Whig.    

GOV.  FORD  AND  THE  MORMONS.

In corroboration of the statements we made against Gov. Ford, previous to the election, we give the following letter from a friend at Burlington. In publishing his letter contrary to his wish, we urge the importance of the information it contains. It is now manifest to the world that a most base political game has been played to get the Mormon votes, in which that unscrupulous political tool, Thomas Ford, has acted a leading part. Read citizens, read, and see to what lengths the locofoco leaders will go, in tampering with the Mormons. Ford has used that people three times for the benefit of his party. -- But to the letter:

                Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 4, 1844.
Mr. S. M. Bartlett:
Dear Sir: -- I have for the last few days been at Nauvoo watching the movement of things, and I can assure you that your speculations, in the last Whig, in relation to the intrigue of Gov. Ford for Mormon votes, are correct. The whole Mormon vote to-morrow will be given to Hoge for Congress, but I trust it will not be sufficiently large to elect him, though I have my fears. The addresses to the Warsaw people were without a doubt intended for the Nauvoo market, and I have it from both the Warsaw and Nauvoo people, that they were sent to Nauvoo some two days before they were sent to Warsaw. The issuing of that address, was without the shadow of doubt, an infamous electioneering trick, and it should consign that miserable little demagogue and party tool Tom Ford, to the lowest depth of infamy. But that is not all, nor the worst. I was yesterday told by Mr. Babbitt, the Mormon candidate for the Legislature, that Ford had recently sent a private communication to the Mormons, covering three sheets, and directed to W. W. Phelps, who is one of the leaders at Nauvoo and a great locofoco. That communication contains a detailed explanation of his conduct in the late trouble, and he seeks in it to do away with the prejudice which the Mormons have against him. He tells them he thinks it better not to move in arresting those who murdered Joe and Hyrum Smith till after the election, as he should have to call out the militia to do it, AND THAT THEY WOULD ALL TURN MOB!! He also encloses to those rascals the answer of Col. Harney to his requisition for U. S. Troops, who says that he has not 500 troops at any one station, which he can spare, and that he has transmitted his letter to the authorities at Washington. Ford then tells them when he gets the 500 U. S. Troops, he will have the murderers arrested. The other matters which this dignified Gov. of the great State of Illinois alludes to in his communication, can well be imagined.

It has been the wish of three fourths of the Mormons not to vote at all this year, but that would not answer the purposes of Hoge and the unprincipled band at Springfield, for Hoge's election depends entirely upon the Mormon vote. They held a meeting at Nauvoo on Friday, to determine whether they would run a ticket or vote at all or not, and I was told that four fifths of all who went to the meeting were opposed to doing anything. But who should appear on the spot to pull the wire but one of Ford's emissaries from Springfield, R. D. Taylor, commonly called Dick Taylor. Dick "fugles" with some of the leaders -- gets a committee appointed, who report to the meeting a full church ticket -- with Hoge at the head of it -- and which, after much confusion, is adopted, and will be voted to-morrow. Dick then made a speech to them in behalf of Hoge, and in which he abused and misrepresented Sweat most outrageously.

The above are facts in relation to the last bargain and intrigue for Mormon votes, which you can use as you may think proper.
                Your's, truly.

Notes: (forthcoming)

GOV.  FORD  AND  THE  MORMONS.

The Governor is becoming sensitive on this matter. He denies in the last Register that he has "honey-fugled" the Mormons. We are not surprised at the Governor's sensitiveness. Public opinion is somewhat against him. Scarcely any doubt exists among a numerous portion of our citizens, that the trouble[s] with the Mormons have been so managed as to secure their votes for the Governor's party. The party action of the Governor -- his interference in elections, as witness his trip to Nashville, and his speech as Jacksonville -- is not calculated to give an extraordinary force to his declaration of innocence.


Notes: (forthcoming)

FURTHER  REMARKS --  THE  MORMON  DIFFICULTIES.

The troops mustered into service by the Governor from Sangamon, are on their march to Hancock County, the seat of anticipated disturbances, although the last news from that region represents every thing quiet as usual. The three independent companies of this city, as in duty bound, promptly responded to the call of the Governor, without stopping to inquire into the reasons which influenced the Commander in Chief, to make the requisition upon them; and of course are in no way responsible for the consequences that may result to the State from this movement of the executive. But as conductors of a public journal, it is our right as well as duty, to lay before the public the facts, as far as they have come to our knowledge, connected with the past and present Mormon disturbances, with which his excellency has been concerned; and we wish it distinctly understood, that in any remarks we may see proper to make now or hereafter, that we do not intend the slightest reflection upon any officer or private under his command. We propose to review, the official acts of the executive of the State, as we understand them, and leave the public to decide upon the correctness and propriety of our course.

It is not our intention to go into a detailed history of all that has transpired since the first founding of Nauvoo by the Mormons. The public are already familiar with the history of Joe Smith's operations in Illinois, but they may not be as well informed upon all matters relative to Governor Ford's connexion with them, as they may desire; and it is for the purpose of supplying this deficiency, that we pass in review before them some of the most prominent incidents that have transpired within the last few months.

It has been a matter of public notoriety throughout the length and breadth of the State, that the Mormons, headed by those unprincipled scoundrels, Joe and Hyrum Smith, had established in the county of Hancock a government which they openly declared placed them entirely above the constituted authorities of the State; and that they had, in several instances, set at defiance writs issued by the State authorities for the apprehension of Joe Smith and other individuals, and in some instances had gone as far as to imprison the officers charged with their execution. These and similar outrages had been committed again and again with impunity by this band of ruffian outlaws; and yet no measures had been taken by our executive to enforce the laws and protect the peace and dignity of the State. But this was not all. It was equally notorious that they had been for years in the daily practice of plundering the peaceable citizens of Hancock county of their property, and when pursued into Nauvoo, and the property found upon the mormon culprit by the rightful owner, they never failed in proving to the entire satisfaction of the city courts by lying witnesses, that the property had been their's for months or years before. If complaint was made to the Hancock circuit court, the result was the same. The Mormons having entire control of the county offices, whenever they chose, they could have a majority of the grand jury, and consequently no mormon could be indicted on the complaint of an anti-Mormon. The old citizens of Hancock, who had spent years of toil in securing for themselves and families a home, found themselves suddenly and without provocation on their part, stripped of their dearest rights, their property daily and hourly depredated upon without the possibility of redress by an appeal to the law.

They had time and again called for a redress of their grievances, but in vain; yet they continued for years longer to bear with patience all these hardships, in the hope, that in compliance with the provisions of the constitution, Joe Smith would be surrendered to the authorities of Missouri, where he would suffer the penalty of the crimes of which he should be found guilty by due process of law. But in this reasonable hope they were doomed to disappointment, as the following statement will show:

Some eighteen months ago the Governor of Missouri made a requisition upon Gov. Ford. -- The Governor issues his warrant for his arrest, and places it in the hands of the proper officer. The officer finds Joe at Dixon, Ills., and arrests him; but Joe takes the officer by force to Nauvoo, and by the agency of a mock trial, before his City Council, is discharged from custody. The officer repairs to Springfield, applies to Gov. Ford for a military force to enable him to execute the writ, and receives for an answer "That he finds nothing in the Laws or Constitution of the State to authorize him to call out the military for such a purpose;" and consequently Joe Smith is suffered to run at large and continue his depredations on the good people of Hancock county.

Now, mark the remarkable and extraordinary coincidence. At that time a canvass was going on in that District for Congress. It was generally conceded that the Mormon vote would elect the member of Congress; and it was also expected that Joe Smith would throw the Mormon vote for the Whig candidate, on account of personal friendship. Gov. Ford's refusal to call out the military to enforce the law by the arrest of Joe, reaches Nauvoo about two days before the election, and lo, and behold! they vote en mass for Gov. Ford's friend, Mr. Hoge.

Joe Smith now considers himself safe, and gathering impudence from a supposed impunity from arrest, he bids open defiance to the legal authorities of Illinois and Missouri, and riots in his disgusting debaucheries, and as a last and crowning act of tyranny and oppression, he declares a public journal established at Nauvoo, for the purpose of exposing his corruptions to the public, a public nuisance, and directs his Marshal to destroy the press, which was accordingly done, and its proprietors escape with their lives to Warsaw.

The citizens of Hancock now become alarmed for their safety, and finding that the law had on all former occasions failed to redress their grievances, and protect them in their rights, and despairing of all aid from the Executive of the State, resolved to take matters into their own hands and rid themselves of a public nuisance that was laying waste their county, and which had reduced the value of their farms from one and five thousand dollars to as many hundreds.

In the mean time Joe writes letters denouncing the prominent loco foco candidates for the Presidency, and proclaims himself a candidate for that exalted station. A warrant is now issued for Joe Smith and his city council, for destroying the press, by a Justice of the Peace for Hancock county, and as usual it is treated with contempt. The officer applies for a military force to aid the execution of the law, and the Governor very promptly orders out two or three thousand troops and marches them to the scene of action, and commands Joe to surrender, and after much parlaying, billet-doux writing and sundry closetings with Joe's friends; and pledges from his Excellency of immunity from all harm, Joe and Hyrum repair to Carthage and surrender themselves to trial, and give bond for their appearance at the next term of the Hancock county circuit court, to undergo a mock trial before a Mormon jury with Mormon witnesses. They are now arrested on a charge of treason against the State and placed in jail until they could be bound over for trial, which every body knew from past experience would end in a judicial farce.

The citizens of Hancock, seeing that he was about again to escape what they deemed a just retribution for his past crimes, and a recollection of their past injuries, pressing upon them, in a fit of phrenzy, they break into the jail at the risk of their lives, commit an act over which we would, if we could draw the veil of oblivion, however much, as they may suppose and argue there may be in all the circumstances of the provocation to palliate the act. Of one thing we are assured, by persons who have visited the Mormon religion, and that is, that nineteen-twentieths of the anti-Mormons may justly be considered as accessaries either before or after the fact, and are therefore equally guilty with the 200 who were actually detailed to execute the deed.

A general panic now seizes the Governor, and he makes a rapid retreat to Quincy, advising all in his route through Hancock county, to flee to a place of safety, in expectation that the Mormons would revenge the death of their prophets. This apprehension proved groundless; quiet was soon restored, and the troops returned to their homes. The Mormons had imbibed the impression, in consequence, no doubt, of the blundering and unmilitary conduct of the Governor, that he had left their Prophets in Carthage in charge of the Hancock troops, whom they regarded as their most deadly enemy, for the express purpose of giving their enemies an opportunity of assassinating them, and thus remove Joe out of the way of his favorite for the Presidency, James K. Polk.

From that time to this it would seem that he has been labouring to reinstate himself in the confidence of the Mormons. Immediately after the death of the Smiths, he publishes a most violent and vindictive philippic against the citizens of Hancock, in the shape of an official proclamation, calculated to soothe the exasperated feelings of the Mormons, at the expense of a repetition of the tragedy that had been recently enacted, by goading the people of that county on to acts of desperation. This did not have the effect of reconciling the Mormons to the Governor and his party, and they resolved not to participate at all in the election then about to come off for Congress. It was believed and the result, proved, that if they adhered to their resolution the Locofocos must lose a member of Congress. Something more was obliged to be done to avoid so dire a calamity. A second proclamation was issued a few days before the election, filled with violent abuse of the anti-Mormons, and lauding the Mormons for their disposition to obey the law and preserve the peace, and promising them the entire military force of the State if necessary, to protect them from injury from the assaults of the "murderous outlaws" of Hancock county. This document reached Nauvoo a few days before the election; and what follows? The Mormons reverse their decision not to vote at all, and vote in mass the Polk and Dallas ticket, not only in Nauvoo, but throughout the State.

Now admitting it to be true, as his Excellency alledges in his recent letter, that he had acted throughout the entire transactions with a view solely for the preservation of the peace and the character and dignity of the State, without the slightest reference to party considerations; is it not most extraordinary, that throughout his entire official intercourse with the Mormons, every act should have operated to the political advantage of his own party friends? And that every thing should have been so timed as to secure these results, as certainly as that effect follows cause?

The order issued last week to officers of the different counties calling out 1500 men; sets forth in substance, (we quote from memory, not having been able to procure a copy) that "whereas the citizens of Hancock have advertised that a grand military Wolf Hunt will take place in that county on the 27th instant, &c."

Thus it seems 2500 militia are called out and marched to Hancock county, not to execute the law, nor to suppress an insurrection or rebellion, for nothing of the kind actually exists; but for the purpose of preventing an anticipated breach of the peace at some future period.

Now, will it not strike the reader as very strange, that the same Governor who eighteen months ago, could find "nothing in the constitution or laws of the State to justify his calling out the militia" to arrest an individual, surrounded by his Nauvoo Legion of 2,000 armed men, and bidding defiance to an officer, charged with the service of a writ issued by the executive of a sovereign State; can now find ample authority for calling into service 2,500 men, at an expense to the State of at least 40,000 dollars, for the purpose of protecting the citizens of Nauvoo, (who boast of being able to muster 2,000 well drilled troops at a moment's warning;) against an anticipated attack from a party of "Wolf Hunters?" We take the following extract from the Governor's last proclamation, dated July 25th, before alluded to, for the purpose of showing his opinion then, of the ability of the Mormons to protect themselves against any force which the anti-Mormons might bring against them:

I have said to you often that you cannot succeed; by this time you see it yourselves. What can your small force do against two thousand armed men, entrenched in a city, and defending themselves, their wives and their children? Now, we would ask, what has transpired within the last few weeks to render necessary a militia force of 2500 men to protect these same Mormons from an attack from this "small anti-Mormon force." Why this remarkable sensitiveness manifested by the Executive, at this particular time, for the preservation of the peace, and execution of the laws, in the county of Hancock?

It is generally conceded by all acquainted with the state of the public sentiment in the Mormon region, that peace and quietness can never be restored until one party or the other leaves the country. We are free to acknowledge that all our sympathies are with the old citizens of Hancock County. They are identified with us in interest and feeling, and God forbid that through any agency of ours they shall be driven from their homes endeared to them by every association and tie that binds men to earth; in order that a set of lawless debauchees, may riot in their licentiousness over Hancock county, the fairest portion of the State, free and unrestrained; and we will not believe that the people of Illinois will countenance their executive in the adoption of a course of policy calculated to secure such a result. Are they willing to [be] taxed to the amount of hundred[s] of thousands of dollars for the purpose of sustaining in our midst an independent community, with their Legion of 2000 armed men?

This band of Mormons have in the course of four or five years obtained undisputed sway over one county of the State. Should they continue to increase in the same ratio for the future, how long will it be before they will have entire control of the State?

Since the main portion of this article was written, it has been given out, by those who appear to have the confidence of the Governor, that his real object in marching troops into Hancock county, is for the purpose of arresting the band of 200 men who participated in killing the Smiths, in anticipation of their resisting the service of legal process. If this be the Governor's real and sole object, notwithstanding his orders for calling out the troops would seem to imply the contrary, we hope the accused will offer no resistance to the regular operations of the law, but yield implicit obedience to all legal process; and thus show to the world that the denunciations against them by the Governor have been uncalled for and without foundation. He will not deprive them of the privilege of being tried in a neighboring county, where all the circumstances calculated to palliate the offence with which they stand charged will have their weight and influence.

We sincerely hope that nothing will be done by the people of Hancock, calculated to justify the enormous expenditure of public money now being made by the executive of the State, or that shall authorise the assumption of his excellency, that the anti-mormons in that region, are a "riotous disorderly class of people." Let them hear, and forbear a little longer, and the people of Illinois will see to it, as we believe, that their grievances shall be redressed, and they shall be enabled to enjoy, with the mass of our citizens, the peaceable and undisturbed possession of their homes and the rights and privileges which justly belong to them.

Our limits forbid our pursuing the subject further at this time; but we shall advert to it again hereafter. In the meantime we shall keep our readers informed of [all] that transpires of interest to them, at the seat of war.

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Springfield, Thursday, Sept. 26, 1844.    

THE  ANTI-MORMON  WAR.

On Tuesday last some surprise, curiosity and excitement, were exhibited in this city, on account of the unexpected appearance of an order from the Governor, calling for troops to be sent to Macomb, to reach that place on the 24th inst. Why is all this? was the question in the mouth of every one. All the answer that could be given was, that a great wolf hunt was to come off in Hancock county on the 27th; and that the suspicion existed that there was to be a large meeting of anti-mormons in that county, at that time, for the purpose of driving the Mormons from the State. The Independent companies of the city very promptly prepared to obey orders; but the militia were slow to answer the call of the Governor.

With the facts of the last Mormon campaign before this people, it is not a matter of surprise, that there should have been enquiry among our tax-paying citizens, for the reasons which prompted the course of the Governor. But they obtained little satisfaction and the result seemed to be, that of the whole matter as set down as connected with politics -- originating, most feared, as all other mormon excitements and movements had done. On Friday, however, the State Register, the organ of his Excellency, appeared, and contained the following articles:

From the last Illinois State Register.    

We learn that his Excellency Gov. Ford, has called out 2500 of the Militia of the State, in consequence of the reception of the information here, that the anti-Mormon party of Hancock county had issued handbills, for the assemblage of a military meeting at Warsaw, on the 17th of this month. We learn also that this handbill requests the presence of the people of Missouri on that day, armed, &c. We trust no good citizen of Missouri will enter this State, with any hostile purpose towards any of its citizens; and we trust no citizen of our own State will violate the laws, by an armed attack upon the constituted authorities. Such hostile attack is treason, by the general laws of the country; and conviction under the laws, subjects the guilty to the punishment of death.

Under the circumstances we feel confident the militia of the State will promptly respond to the call of the Executive, for the preservation of the public peace, and to prevent the violation of the constitution and laws of the State. We live in a land where the laws must be supported by the people themselves; for they are enacted only by their consent and appreciation. The great experiment, whether man can govern himself, without the intervention of a King, it is the duty of every patriot to sustain; and we feel confident no American freeman will stand idle, in such an emergency, when called upon by the legally constituted authorities, to take part on the side of the laws and institutions of his country.

MORMON  AFFAIRS

The inquiry has been made, why some steps have not been taken to bring the authors of the late outbreak at Carthage, to Justice? For the information of such of our readers, as take an interest in this matter we are enabled to state from the Governor himself that this delay was necessary, in the first instance to await the result of an application to the government of the U. States for a portion of the regular Army to be stationed in Hancock county, to suppress any further disturbances growing out of these prosecutions or any other cause. This application was made through Col. Jearney, of St. Louis; and it was not until some time in the month of August that he ascertained that the Government refused it.

Since the return of the Governor from Nashville, he has caused notice to be given that he is ready to sustain, as far as he can with the Militia, the proper authorities of Hancock in proceeding with the prosecutions.

It is not expected by any one, that the Governor himself will commence the prosecutions. -- This is the proper business of the officers interested in that county, and it will become the duty of the Governor to sustain them with the force of the State to uphold the laws in case they are resisted.

We have heard it supposed that the Governor ought to offer a reward for the criminals. This is however an error, unless the accused have broke jail or escaped from justice, as will be seen, by reference to the 8th Section of the Act concerning the fugitives from the justice. Revised Laws, 1833, page 320. As the Governor has no information, either personal or official, that any of the accused have escaped or fled, a proper case does not exist for the offer of a reward.

The public are generally informed of the result of Governor Ford's last Mormon campaign. After a display of a large military force in Hancock county, much marching and counter-marching, Joe Smith and Hyrum Smith, were killed; -- the troops were discharged; -- the Governor issued proclamations; held a correspondence with W. W. Phelps, a leading Mormon; -- applied to the government for the U. States troops to keep the peace in Hancock county; -- was refused; -- retired on St. Louis; -- subsequently appeared at Nashville; -- returned to this city, and is now making arrangements for a new Mormon campaign.


The articles we have copied from the Register, were of course authorized by his Excellency. Let us look at them. The first denounces as guilty of TREASON any man who comes into the State from Missouri, for the purpose of sustaining the anti-Mormons against the constituted authorities of this State. We are credibly informed that when the penitentiary convict from Rhode Island -- who was convicted of TREASON for levying war against the constituted authorities of that State, and sent to the penitentiary, -- was lecturing the "democracy" here, in language and manner perfectly disgusting to many of the most respectable of the party, Gov. Ford was present, and sanctioned the cheers and clapping in approbation of this infamous orator; a fellow who was engaged in TREASON in Rhode Island!! It may be unpleasant to his excellency, to revert to this fact, bur when we hear him discoursing of TREASON, we cannot help recurring to the time when he approved of the TREASON of Luther, Dorr's humbug Secretary of State, of the pretended government of Rhode Island. It seems to us that lectures from such a source, on the duty of good citizens to sustain "the legally constituted authorities," come with a queer grace.

The second article intimates that the Governor, having failed to get United States troops to keep in awe and subjection the anti-mormons, and to sustain the prosecutions against the murders of Joe Smith, has given notice to somebody in Hancock County, that he is now ready to employ the military force of the State for that purpose.

The Governor appears to us, to apologize, to the Mormons, for not offering a reward for the supposed criminals. The Mormons will probably be satisfied with this apology, more especially, as it is accompanied by the distinct annunciation that the prosecutions will be sustained by the military force of the State. If this course is adopted, the Governor will unquestionably find, in due time, that a considerable number of individuals will be indicted for the killing of the Smiths, and their necks will be in great jeopardy of the halter.

The following paragraph which we copy from the late work of G. T. M. Davis, Esq. detailing the late events in the Mormon region, will show that -- should the Mormon officers of Hancock County, be "sustained," no doubt can exist, but numerous indictments will be found against individuals for the murder of the Smiths.

The only way that indictments were found against Joe Smith at the last term of the Hancock Circuit Court, for perjury, adultery and fornication, was this: The County Commissioner's Court, which selects the grand petit jury and which is composed of three members, consisted of one Mormon, a Jack Mormon, and an anti-Mormon, or old citizen. The Jack Mormon growing alarmed at the increasing outrages committed by the Mormons against all the laws of society, at the term of the County Commissioner who was one of the old citizens, and selected a grand and petit jury, the majority of whom were from the body of the old citizens. The result was, that the grand jury, according to the testimony before them, found the bill of indictment against "Joe." Under the practice of the State of Illinois, process would issue during vacation, returnable to the next term of the Court, or if there was any danger of escape, a capias would issue instanter. But the defendant would have a right, unless confined in a jail, to continue his case until the next term of the Court. This secured Smith against a trial until this fall. In the meantime the August election comes off, at which there is to be elected a County Commissioner for Hancock, in the place of the member of the court who is an anti-Mormon. The Mormons hold a large majority in that county, and the result would be the selection of another strong Mormon, which would make the Court stand two Mormons and one Jack Mormon. At the September term of the County Commissioner's Court, the panel of grand and petit jurors would be selected to serve at the fall term of the Circuit Court. And the result would show, that both the grand and petit jurors would be nine tenths Mormons.. Before this grand jury of Mormons, the complaints against the two Smiths, for riot in the destruction of the press, treason, &c., would go. And no man in his senses can shut his eyes to the fact, that no bills of indictment would be found against them upon any charge. In this way they were placed entirely beyond the reach of law, as they must be indicted in the county where the offence was committed, or not al all. This the counsel of the Smiths, as well as the prisoners themselves, well knew, and it accounts satisfactorily for the readiness with which they waived the examination, and entered into recognizance for their appearance at court. The whole of them know that it was the last of it and that Joe having his minions in office as County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk of the Circuit Court, &c., &c., they could and would successfully defeat the ends of justice.

The advantage which all his principal men had, in this respect, will appear most manifest from the following facts; an individual owed a large amount in the city of St. Louis and failed. Previous to his failing he transferred a large amount of property to his father, or some other near connection, and then turned Mormon. The fraud was so palpable, that the creditors filed a bill in chancery to set aside the conveyances. Testimony was taken in the [cause], and on its hearing, the fraud was made to appear so manifest, that the counsel of the defendants refused to address the jury. -- One of the defendants, nothing daunted at the course of his counsel, remarked to him, "you need have no fears, the jury will stand ten for me, to two against me." The jury retired and after a long absence came into court and stated their inability to agree, when they were discharged, upon inquiry, as the defendant had anticipated, they stood ten for finding a verdict for the defendants, and two for the complainant. -- This was stated to me by one of the most prominent members of the bar in the city of Quincy, who was engaged in the cause. The reason why the defendants were able to judge so accurately of what would be their decision, even before retiring from the jury box, was, that ten of the jury were Mormons and two of them old citizens. With a state of things like this, every reasonable man must see and acknowledge, that there was no such thing in Hancock county as legal redress for any citizen of that county when his opponent was a Mormon. The records of the court of Hancock show that in any contested case between a Mormon and an anti-Mormon. there is scarcely a solitary exception, but what the Mormon succeeded. O. C. Skinner, Esq., of Carthage, who has done a great deal of business for the Mormons, asserts publicly, that it was only necessary to inform a Mormon what he must prove, to succeed, the testimony was always forthcoming.

We cannot predict the result of this military movement. -- We trust, that the Mormons will be satisfied with the measures of Gov. Ford, and vote the loco foco ticket at the next election. We had rather lose the State than see these excitements, outrages, this "backing and filling" of our rulers -- for and against the Mormons. We can lose this State and elect Mr. Clay. Of this we have no doubt. Our State has been taxed enough, and is deeply enough in debt already, to carry out "Van Buren measures," without a new series of campaigns to gratify the Mormons and secure the State for "Polk, Dallas, Oregon and Texas."

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MORMON  THIEVES

As stated last week that several horses had been stolen from the neighborhood of Bear Creek, but we had not then ascertained who were the sufferers. We have since learned that Mahon _____ lost two horses, Edward Day two, Mr. Shepherd one, Truman Kinny one, George ______ one, and R. Gilham one. The Latter Day Saints, not content with fleecing the Gentiles, commenced on each other. Sidney [Knowleton] had a yoke of cattle stolen by a brother Mormon in whom he placed the utmost confidence.

The northern part of the county, the complaints of the thieving operations of the Mormons are more numerous than Ever. Every description of loose property, such as Bee gums, plows, harness, &c., unless closely guarded is taken away. We have heard within the past week of other horse thieving operations, but do not know the particulars.

In view of the fact, that no man appears to be [safe] in his property within the county, we conceive that it is the duty of the citizens to take active measures to prevent future depredations. Let there at least be an organization for the purpose of ferreting out offenders.
                                        Warsaw Signal.

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The following is the communication from Nauvoo, published in the Alton Telegraph:

"There is a very unpleasant state of things anticipated in this county in October, at Court time. It is the intention of the Mormons at that time to urge the ferreting out of the assassins, as they term them. They state the Governor is going to lend them no assistance, for he was at the bottom of the plot; and they will try what virtue there is in the Civil law; and if it is brought successfully to bear, it will save an appeal to the lex talionis. They have succeeded in electing their ticket to a man. over the citizens of the county; and consequently anticipate a Mormon jury. There is, therefore, little doubt but that indictments will be [found] against several individuals in the county -- particularly in Warsaw, for the Mormons love Warsaw as a christian loves the liquid fires of the [Tartarlan] regions. The Mormons anticipate, if any individual refuses to be arrested, a call will be made by Sheriff Deming, of sable notoriety, upon the Mormon junto, for a posse from Nauvoo; if the Legion is not sufficiently strong, the [leader] Deming will unite the civil with [his] military power, and by this means, be enabled to [stretch] men's necks to order. It is very evident something of a serious character is entertained upon the part of the Mormons, if any resistance is shown by [any] individual or individuals; which there will be, if any attempt is made to arrest. They have just had a complete organization in the Legion -- elected a Lieutenant General and Major General, and still seem determined to [crowd] things ne plus ultra."


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  TROUBLES.

We have nothing of very great importance from the Mormon region. The troops rendezvoused at Rushville, left that place on Wednesday of last week, and marched immediately to Carthage. Their number is supposed to have been about 600. The following article from the St. Louis Republican of Saturday, seems to be authentic:

THE  MORMON  WAR.

We learn by the officers and passengers of the steamer Osprey, that Gov. Ford and his troops have reached Carthage. The purpose of the Governor in ordering out the troops seems to be a determination to bring the murderers of Joe and Hyrum to trial. The troops are under the command of Gen. J. J. Hardin, subject, of course, to the direction of the Governor. The reason assigned by the Governor's friends for ordering out the troops in the first instance, was a "wolf-hunt," advertised by s portion of the people of Hancock county, to come off on the 26th and 27th instant. This hunt, it was believed by the Governor, was a pretext to get the people assembled, aroused, and then to make an attack upon the Mormons at Nauvoo, or some other Mormon settlement. From all we can learn, we suppose the wolf-hunt was abandoned after the orders of the Governor were issued.

The Governor was at Carthage. Writs were issued and placed in the hands of the Sheriff for the arrest of Thomas C. Sharp, editor of the Warsaw Signal, and for Col. Williams, of the same place, both charged with participating in the murder of the Smiths. The Sheriff came to Warsaw and attempted to arrest Sharp, but he refused to surrender himself, and in this resolution was sustained by the people of Warsaw. The Sheriff returned and reported his inability to arrest him, when three hundred of the troops were ordered to march to Warsaw. The troop had not arrived at Warsaw before the Osprey left. but Sharp and Williams had escaped to the Missouri side of the river, and, we presume, will not be taken. A gentleman has furnished the following in manuscript, which appears to be a copy of an address from Sharp, intended for his paper. His admission for participating, so far as to exasperate others to the commission of the murder, are explicit; and, it seems to us, would at least make him an accessory. He also seems to admit that he was with the crowd. The Gov. will have to move very promptly if he expects to capture any of the participators in that affair.

Just as our paper was going to press this morning, a man came into our office, and said that he had a writ for me. Well, sir, let me see it. He produced the paper, which proved to be a warrant for the murder of Joe and Hyrum Smith, issued by Aaron Johnson, Justice of the Peace in Nauvoo. After reading, I told the officer that if my friends said go, I would go, if not, I would stand fast. Accordingly I went out, and conversed with the citizens, and unanimously they said don't go. I then told the officer that he could return and report progress, but I could not go with him, for I was not to be singled out as the sole object of Mormon vengeance. Now, gentle reader, I did not help to kill Joe Smith, for I did not go to the jail, with those who killed him. If my influence helped to produce the state of feeling that resulted in his death, why I am in common with some hundred others, guilty -- not of murder, but of an extra judicial execution. I have the most satisfactory proof that Joe Smith threatened my life, and sought to take it; if I had, therefore, killed him I should only have acted in self-defence. The writ only included Col. Williams and myself. Thus it will appear that it is not the guilty, but those most obnoxious to the Latter Day Saints, who are to be selected as victims. The officer, who is deputy Sheriff, says that his orders are to arrest and return the prisoners to the Sheriff, in Carthage, from thence I suppose I am to be taken to Nauvoo; but I will not go to Nauvoo unless my fellow citizens say so. I did not resist the officer, but my friends advised me not to go, and the officer did not call on any of the citizens to aid him in taking me. After I told him I would not go, he troubled me no further.

Fellow-citizens, shall we submit?
                                        THOMAS C. SHARP.

Though the Governor was manifestly anxious to secure these men, the arrangements for the purpose were badly made. The Governor mat demand them of the Governor of Missouri. Will he obey the requisition? Will he not rather follow the lead of the Governor of Illinois in the demand which he made for Smith? So far as the presses of the State have spoken of the measures of the Governor, in calling out 2,500 militia, to suppress a wolf-hunt in Hancock county, as far as we have seen, with the exception of the State Register, it has been [received] with unqualified condemnation. We especially now allude to the Morgan Journal, the Rushville Whig and Alton Telegraph and Quincy Whig. The loco foco papers, which have come to hand, have no opinions to express on the subject.

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DEPLORABLE  OCCURRENCE.

Late on Tuesday night last, an express arrived in this city, from Nauvoo, for the purpose of informing the friends of Mr. JOHN NORRIS, the late member of Capt. Johnson's company of Springfield Cadets, of his sudden death, near Nauvoo on Sunday morning last. It appears that on Saturday night, there was a false alarm in the camp -- the sentinels were called in -- Mr. Norris mistook the order, and remained at his post -- shots were fired -- and a ball passed through the body of Mr. Norris -- of which wound he survived until 3 o'clock Sunday morning.

On Tuesday morning at about 8 o'clock, the body was brought to this city, under the care of a relative, Mr. A. R. Robinson. Arrangements having been previously made for the funeral, -- these proceedings took place at 10 o'clock.

Mr. Norris was an excellent young man, and his premature death will be regretted by a large circle of friends.

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We learn from Maj. A. R. Robinson, that the army remained in the neighborhood of Nauvoo; and that the troops did not go to Warsaw. We further learn that the persons implicated in the murder of the Smiths, had passed over the river to Missouri, and that the Governor had offered a reward of 200 dollars for each of them. No time was fixed for the return of the troops as far as Maj. Robinson was informed.

P. S. The troops left Nauvoo for Warsaw on Sunday morning at 7 A. M.

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In a communication in the Rock Island paper by one of the Laws, a seceding Mormon, he makes the following statement -- from which we are to understand that a most foul murder has been committed at Nauvoo:

"They regarded not life, but sought the destruction of all who were obnoxious to them, even by the hand of the midnight assassin. Their enemies were not those alone who suffered -- the lonely traveller, a stranger in a strange land, if suspected of having gold, may have slept in Nauvoo, and dreamed of home, of friends, and awoke suddenly to plead for life in vain."


Notes: (forthcoming)

GOV.  FORD'S  MORMON  WAR.

In order to inform our readers, and in the absence of official reports touching the operations of this army in the Mormon Region, we copy extracts from the newspapers of the day. It is hoped that the Governor will so far gratify the sovereign people, as to give them a knowledge of the causes which led to the late invasion of Hancock County, and the good accomplished by the measure.

The military companies of this city, belonging to the expedition, reached home on Saturday.

The last State Register most decidedly approved of the results of the expedition, though the editors had then heard of no results, so far as we could gather from the article, of the least importance. The Quincy Herald, also, mot empathically approves of the movement of the Governor, though in the same paper the editor says he is ignorant of the cause which led to the calling out of the troops.

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FROM  NAUVOO.

We have but little news from Nauvoo the past week, our latest advices state that the mormons were very much frightened at the movements of Governor Ford. They appear to have no confidence in his Excellency, and dread the idea of militia entering the city.

On last Sunday week, O. P. Rockwell and a Mr. Kimball had a regular set to, at "fisticuffs." Rockwell got his shirt torn off, but he whipped Kimball, and gave him a regular chase through the streets. The Mormons are very much afraid of Rockwell, and his overbearing spirit is making him exceedingly troublesome to them.

The split in the church is wider than ever, but quiet prevails in the city at present, on account of the movements. The circular of Rigdon's friends we publish, to day, that our readers may learn the temper of the present controversy.

The Mormons are still leaving their city and if the Governor had not taken such special pains to relieve their fears we believe that they would all scatter soon.

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From the St. Louis Era.       

A TREATY. -- From the officers of the Die Vernon, which arrived today, we learn that Gov. Ford has capped the climax of his mighty and most praise worthy exertions in behalf of the Mormons; and whatever may have been our opinions heretofore of his generalissimo qualifications, we must confess that we were not prepared to receive the intelligence that he had made a treaty with fugitives from justice; men for whose apprehension and confinement it is said he offered large rewards; men for whose arrest a Proclamation calling out 2,500 militia has been issued, and the burden of an additional debt of over twenty thousand dollars entailed upon an already over-burdened and paupered State. But wonders will never cease. Before disbanding his army, we learn that a council of war, or something else, was held, and that was then determined that a treaty of capitulation should be entered into with the fugitives from justice. Accordingly, commissioners were sent from both sides, and stipulations of a treaty agreed to. The following, we learn, are some of the conditions of this important document -- signed, sealed and delivered.

1st. That they shall be taken before Judge Thomas of this circuit, for examination, so soon as the witnesses can be procured.

2nd. In case there should be sufficient evidence to commit, then the Governor is to advise the prosecuting officer to admit them to bail upon reasonable bonds.

3rd. In case an indictment is found, the Governor is to agree to a continuance of the case to the next succeeding term.

4th. At the next term, the Governor will agree to a change of venue, if the parties show cause.

5th. The prisoners to be under charge of Gen. John J. Hardin.

Then, and not until then, was the white flag of peace hung out; the troops were disbanded, and we suppose a farewell address delivered to them from the Commander in Chief. Sharp, Williams, and others, for whose arrest writs had been issued crossed the Rubicon, and gave themselves up. After entering into the bonds of a military treaty with his Excellency, they accompanied him, as they stipulated to do, to Quincy, where, we learn, they were taken before Judge Thomas for examination; but when he ascertained that a treaty had been made between the high contending parties, he refused to have anything to do with the matter.

The Governor lost his temper; chagrined, disappointed, confused and confounded, he is said to have left on yesterday morning for Springfield. Sharp and the other refugees, were at Quincy yesterday about noon, under no restraint other than those of the little nice points of honor and the head of one of the greatest States of this Union, they may feel in duty bound to observe. The creme of the joke is that they have since remarked, that they wished they had made the Governor lay down his arms, and then he could have marched off under the horrors of war.

The following communication is from Hancock County:

Mr. Editor:-- The citizens of this county were not a little surprised as well as amused on learning that Gov. Ford, was on his march to this county with 2500 troops, for the avowed purpose of putting a stop to a Wolf Hunt, which would, it was said, come off in the county about the 26th inst. There was to have been a military training in this county at that time, and I suppose some one gave word out, for the purpose of having some talk -- that there was to be a wolf hunt at that time -- That the anti-Mormon party intended to raise a force at that time to expel the Mormons from the State, or in any manner disturb the quiet of this community, as has been given out by the governor, is not true. It appears to some of us at least that the Governor ought, before he called out to the military at the expense of the State, to have ascertained the facts in the case -- Can the governor be justified in putting the State to 40 or 60 thousands Dollars expense by marching troops into Hancock county, in a time of profound peace. We think not. Had he put himself to a little trouble he might have learned, that, the citizens of Hancock county, had no intention of molesting the Mormons at this time. -- But, I suppose, Gov. Ford would not believe the old citizens of this county, if they were to tell him the truth in the matter. I am credibly informed that when the troops landed at Carthage some of the most respectable and worthy of the old citizens went to the Governor, and tried to convince him that the citizens of this county, had no intention of disturbing Mormons; but the Gov. told them he knew better, and they knew better -- that they were d--d liars, &c.

Now, to the governor, this may all appear very respectful language, but to us who are citizens of Hancock, and who pretend to know what our intentions towards the Mormons are, the language appears rather harsh.

If, as some of the Gov.'s friends intimate, his object in bringing the troops to this county, is for the purpose of arresting the mob that killed the Smiths, why did he not say so? And why did he not wait until it was ascertained that the mob would resist the proper officer? Gov. Ford appears to be acting on the principle of the lady who when she went to leave home on a visit, called her children to her and gave them a whipping -- when they asked the cause, she replied, that she whipped them to make them good children in her absence. Gov. Ford is afraid an attack will be made on his dear friends, the Mormons, as the mob who killed the Smiths will resist the officers legally authorized to arrest them.

Of one thing I am certain; Gov. Ford will leave the county in a much worse condition than when he came here, and there will be much more likelihood of an out-break after he leaves the county than there was before he came into it -- marching so many troops into the county, and threatening the citizens with what they may expect if they disturb the Mormons, will have a tendency to exasperate the people, and I should not be at all surprised if we should have an outbreak after the troops leave, should the Mormons not walk very circumspect.
                                       Respectfully yours.
                                                      An old citizen of Hancock.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMON EXPEDITION

The Register contains several affidavits, the object of which is to prove that the Governor was not hoaxed in getting up the Mormon expedition. These affidavits give rumor of the intention of the wolf-hunters to drive off the Mormons. We have no doubt that such rumors were in circulation, and that they were put into circulation for the very purpose of frightening the Mormons off. But we have not yet seen efidence, satisfactory to us, that the wolf-hunters designed to drive them away by force of arms. The Governor's letter to the people of Warsaw, shows, that they had not the power to do this; and the late publications in the Register, also satisfy us that the Governor has all confidence in his Mormon Legion, not only to protect the Mormons, but to make an offensive war on the anti-Mormons, if he should permit or direct them to do so.

But there's another view of this matter. When the Governor called out 2500 troops, the avowed object was to suppress the wolf-hunt, and our public functionaries changed their ground, and stated that their object was to sustain the laws -- to secure arrests, and to protect the court. Now, however, we have a back somerset -- and are informed, and affidavits brought to prove, that the object was mainly to protect the Mormons.

It will be recollected here, that the Governor's order, for calling out the troops, was dated on the fifteenth of September; and that these affidavits, on which the Governor places such reliance, are all dated the 27th and 28th (Sunday) September. This fact looks to us very much like an after thought; and that the Governor, after getting into Hancock county, and finding no adequate cause for putting the State to the expense he had done, thought it expedient to have these affidavits prepared. We should not be surprised to be informed that Murray McConnell was engaged in this business. If it was through his instrumentality that the troops were called out, he could have done no less.

The affidavits alluded to, are accompanied by a reference to Gen. Hardin and Col Baker in support of the expediency of the Mormondom expedition. We have reason to believe that neither of these gentlemen feel themselves under obligations to the Register, or the clique which rule here, for endeavoring to make them responsible for the Governor's military movements. If the Governor has been hoaxed into calling out the militia, he seems determined to divide the responsibility among his subalterns -- What stronger proof can there be, that the Governor and Register are satisfied that the people of this State regard his movements in the late invasion of Hancock county, as without adequate cause or jurisdiction.

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There has been a serious split in the Mormon Church. Sidney Rigdon who [had] the getting up of the book of "Doctrines and Covenants," arranged the matter so that in case of Joe Smith's decease, he should be the next great man. That book has hitherto been held as authority. Those in command at Nauvoo, fond of power, have repudiated this provision of their authorities. As a consequence a considerable number of the Saints have published a declaration, in which they say, there is no Church of the Latter Day Saints but that connected with Rigdon. It has been intimated that it may be one object of Gov. Ford's special agent in Mormondom, Murry McConnell, to heal this division in the Mormon Church.

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J. H. Jackson, one of those men charged with the murder of Joe Smith, for whom the Governor has offered a reward, is an ex-mormon. Some few weeks ago he published a history of his connection with the Mormon church. His story is like all which have preceded it, coming from those who have left that concern. He says that while the Governor was at Carthage with his troops, in his first campaign, he told the Governor that if he would march them to Nauvoo, he would show them the apparatus of Smith and the Mormon Apostles for making bogus money. He says the proposition was declined. We suppose this machine is not secreted. The Mormons are anxious to get Jackson. If his statement is correct, they have already tried to assassinate him.

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We have received "The Prophet," a Mormon paper, edited by Wm. Smith, and published in New York. Smith had a vision, in which he was told that the Mormons in that quarter, should go for "Polk and Dallas."

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Late news from Mormondom represents that the country is now as quiet as it was before Gov. Ford appeared there in battle array.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Quincy Whig says, if the Governor wants to see tragedy, he could do no better than to call out the Nauvoo Legion, to put down the old citizens of Hancock. We have no idea that the Governor is disposed to do this. It was a foolish threat, and will not, we trust, be carried out.

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At the last advices from Nauvoo, the Mormons had not been informed whether they must vote or not in the coming election. Walthers insists on their voting for Polk; but the Governor has expressed the opinion that it would be quite as well for the Mormons if they should not vote. At State elections their votes are desired by the party. At the Presidential election the locos suppose they can carry the State without them. -- "the case being altered, alters the case."


Notes: (forthcoming)

INDICTMENTS  IN  MORMONDOM. -- The Nauvoo Neighbor of Oct. 30, contains the following:

"THE MURDERS AT CARTHAGE. -- We understand that true bills of indictment have been found against several persons of Hancock county, for the murder of Joseph and Hyram Smith, on the 27th June last. Among the most conspicuous are Col. Levi Williams, Thomas C. Sharp, Mark Aldrich, and Jacob C. Davis, a Senator in the Legislature of Illinois.

"Since these indictments were found, strong symptoms have developed themselves in the case of the Laws, Fosters, and Higbees.

"There is more truth whispered round Hal,
Than your philosophy ever dreamed of." No mention is made by the Mormon paper of indictments of persons for destroying the press at Nauvoo: yet we have seen it stated that two or three were indicted for that outrageous act. The late Jack Mormon sheriff was indicted for forgery.

The individuals indicted for the murder of the Smiths, asked for an immediate trial. -- They have subpoenaed the Governor as a witness, in their respective cases.

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ROBBERY  AT  NAUVOO. -- The Mormons still seem to think that they render God service by robbing the Gentiles. On the night of the 16th of October, the store of Mr. Harrison Kimball of Nauvoo, was robbed. A small safe, painted green, was taken, containing about $400 in gold, silver and paper money. A receipt for $8,000 worth of notes, given by Gamble and Walker; certificates of stocks for $10,000 of the Farmers and Mechanics Insurance Company of St. Louis, 1 piece of blue cloth; 1 piece of blue ky jeans; 1 piece mixed cloth; 1 piece olive cloth; 30 pieces prints, linsey, blue drills, bleached sheetings and 1 $10 bill on the Jefferson County Bank, New York, No. 4121, letter A.  Nothing has been heard of the goods or money since they so mysteriously disappeared.
                                       New Era.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON CHARTERS. -- The bill to repeal the charter of the city of Nauvoo and of the Nauvoo Legion, passed the Senate on Thursday of last week. The debates on this subject, will be found extremely interesting. A large majority of the Senate were in favor of their repeal. It is supposed the bill will pass the House.

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Repeal of the Mormon charters -- Mr. Dougherty, from the judiciary committee, reported back to the Senate the bill to repeal the charter of the city of Nauvoo, with amendments. (The Legion, and make provision for the appointment of a Receiver, to make the sale of the property of the city of Nauvoo, to pay city debts.) The amendments were agreed to.

Mr. Killpatrick moved an amendment, which would have the effect of modifying, and not repealing, the charter of the city of Nauvoo.

Mr. Doughtery was opposed to a modification of the charter. There was, he said, nothing in the charter of Nauvoo which would enable a law loving and a law abiding community to pass such ordinances as had been passed under it. So long as that people had the color of law to justify them, they would go on as they had done. To put a stop to the evils which the people of the State had all witnessed, it was necessary that the Nauvoo charter should be wholly repealed. Nothing less would satisfy the people; nothing less would effect the object desired. Mr. D. then read the report of the committee, which accompanied the bill. The report referred to several ordinances enacted under the charter, which outraged all law, and concluded with stating, that in the event of a repeal of the charter, the people of the city could organize a town government under the general incorporation which had been so grossly abused, taken from the people of Nauvoo.

Mr. Killpatrick stated, that at the last session of the Legislature, he introduced a bill containing similar provisions with those he had just offered as an amendment. He said that rights had accrued under the charter, which it would be unjust to interfere with. He had heard of no petition, for the repeal of this charter from any quarter; and we had the highest evidence that the citizens of Nauvoo were a quiet, peaceable and honest people. Indeed, we had seen a large body of the militia of the State, with the Governor at their head, take the field, to protect them in their rights and privileges. These facts had been stated in the Proclamation of the Governor of this State -- and more especially in his address, designed for the particular benefit of the people of Warsaw, -- who, he denounced for their unhallowed disposition towards the Mormons. Mr. K. then defended his amendment, which was designated to repeal the power to issue writs of habeas corpus, to disband the Nauvoo Legion, and prevent the passage of objectionable and illegal ordinances. His object was to give the same power only to Nauvoo that was possessed by the people of other cities. He had no respect for the high spiritual claims of the people of Nauvoo, -- he abhorred those pretensions -- but he deprecated the wanton disposition to repeal charters -- a doctrine and a practice which had greatly injured the character of the State. We had given the people of Nauvoo a city charter; it had existed for four years, and vested rights had accrued under it; and had we the right or the power to repeal it? Suppose that under the late Canal law, the bond holders had advanced the money called form and they had gone to work under the law, and from whim or caprice we should repeal the law? The people of Nauvoo have now vested rights under their charter -- just as much as the bond holders would have had under the state of things supposed. -- This practice of repealing charters is all wrong, and cannot add to the character of the State for honest and just legislation.

Mr. Davis at the last session was opposed to the repeal of the charter. He was now in favor of its repeal, on the ground that its provisions had been abused. All writers on the subject had agreed, the public corporations were those of boroughs, towns and cities, and that the power which originated their charters, had a right to repeal them. The gentleman from Scott had referred to the canal charter as a case parallel with that now under consideration. But there were no pledges made by the State to the people of Nauvoo; no contract made with them -- and there were no vested rights under the charter. The committee had recommended a repeal on the grounds that the powers conferred had been grossly abused.

The charter itself, if given to any other people, could not be objected to. A modification would not remedy the evil. Give the Mormons power to pass any ordinance, and they will have all the power they want. They would under this power set up, as they had done, an independent government in this State, in defiance, not only of our laws, but those of the United States. We had been told that no petition had been presented for this repeal from Hancock county. The gentleman does not say that the public sentiment of the State is not in favor of the measure. But the reason that petitions [had been] presented for this repeal from Hancock county, was the known fact that the Mormons could out-petition the old settlers of that county. Why were the militia called out -- why in time of profound peace were the citizens of this State called from their occupations, to march in war-array into Hancock county. Just because their charter had enabled the people of Nauvoo to violate all law, all good government, all those principles which had been held sacred in free governments. Here Mr. D. read an address by the Governor, in which he denounced sundry acts under this charter, referring to the act declaring the public press a nuisance -- calling out the Nauvoo Legion to destroy the press, &c. -- as conduct not to be tolerated. This outrage was done under the ordinary power given to cities to remove nuisances. He also referred to the fact, that Joe Smith had been arrested under the laws of the State, and had discharged himself by a decision of a court made up of his creatures, and of which he was the head. There was an ordinance enacted under this charter, which forbade the execution of a writ in Nauvoo unless it was endorsed and permission given to serve it by Joe Smith, with the penalty to the officer of some hundred dollars fine and six months imprisonment. There was another ordinance, which forbade an arrest of Joe Smith, under the penalty of imprisonment of life of the officer, and no pardon to be granted by the Governor except with the permission of Joe Smith. Mr. D. referred to several other ordinances passed by the mormons under this charter equally in contempt and defiance of the laws and constitution of the State; and declared there was no other remedy for the evil than a total repeal. He said the old citizens of Hancock were longer unwilling to have their property stolen -- carried to Nauvoo -- and for having the hardihood to claim their own property, be whipped, and abused, and fined. The outrages of the people to commit excesses. These outrages, too, have led to the military farces in Hancock county -- to an expense to be paid by the people of this State of some 20,000 dollars -- to a great expenditure of corn and oats -- and some fast running, for which no adequate compensation could be made. These farces may amuse the people of other portions of the State, but the people of Hancock wished them ended. He repeated, that the main cause of all their difficulties was the charter. Let that be done away, and peace and quiet will be likely to be restored.

Mr. Killpatrick then offered an amendment to his amendment, the object of which, was to prevent the city authorities from passing laws in violation of the laws of this State, and of the United States.

Mr. Cavarly said this debate had suddenly sprung up, unexpectedly to him. He had not intended, a question of greater magnitude than would again come before the Senate the present session. It was calculated greatly to effect the excited state. It is alleged that in one portion of the country, enormous outrages had been committed under the color of chartered rights. If this be so, this body is the proper and grand arbiter to examine into those abuses, and apply the remedy. -- What are these alleged abuses? We have heard from one Senator, that the peaceable, law-loving character of the people of Nauvoo, had been endorsed by the Governor; while the Senator from Hancock has stated on the same high authority, that acts had been perpetrated in Nauvoo, under the authority of their city charter, the like of which, had hurled even a King from his throne, in a despotic government. He held that every citizen who came to this State, was entitled to the protection of its laws. These were his natural rights. But to personify Nauvoo -- she had no natural rights; but she had artificial rights given her by law, for the security of the rights of her people. Can a man forfeit his natural rights? Who denies it? For crime he can be incarcerated in prison, forfeit his rights to liberty. And cannot an artificial person so abuse his artificial rights as to forfeit them? You cannot punish an artificial person by imprisonment. How then can it be done? and how is it to be done? The Hon. member from Union, has properly answered these questions and proposed the proper remedy -- by doing away with the power to commit evil. The time has arrived when power abused by chartered companies should be arrested. Two years ago when he was on this [floor], he declared himself willing to prune away the objectionable features of the Nauvoo charter, and put a period to the abuses which had sprung up under it. He did not wish by his present action to affect the rights of individuals. To every man he would accord the privilege claimed by himself, to worship God in a way most congenial to his sense of duty. The question was, had the people of Nauvoo abused the powers given them by the Legislature? If so, how could we arrest the evil? In no other way than to repeal the Nauvoo charter, and other charters which have brought evil upon us. Let the members of the Nauvoo Legion mix and unite with other portions of our militia. Let them discipline themselves as do other brigades.

We are called to protect vested rights, and the canal law is referred to for the purpose of showing the importance of this principle. But there is no similitude between the canal law and the charter of Nauvoo. There were no vested rights granted under that charter; and no vested rights or privileges would be taken from the people of Nauvoo by a repeal. Have such abuses taken place as to justify and require the adoption of the measure? Let them be made manifest and he would go as far as any one for repeal. There was no similitude, he repeated, between the cases of the canal charter and the city charter of Nauvoo. If bond holders to whom we had given every thing we possess, refuse to accede to our affairs, we will seek another mode to finish our canal. Abuses had been practiced under this Nauvoo charter. Something should be promptly done; and he desired to do what was right and just under the circumstances. -- Shall we so curtail the charter so as to leave the people of Nauvoo power merely to repair roads, dig wells, and build markets? It was well said that the general incorporation law would enable them to perfect such an organization as would accomplish these and other similar objects. Two years ago the Senator from Washington, not now in his seat, proposed a repeal of the Nauvoo charter. He called for the reasons -- for proof of the abuses complained of -- but they were not furnished him then -- now it had been presented in a manner not to be mistaken, that abuses exist, which have led to the calling out of the militia of the State, to suppress the excitement growing out of them. Why all this? Was it for abuses practiced, or prejudices of the people invading the rights of the people of Nauvoo? If he believed the latter to be the case -- that the old citizens of Hancock had caused all this excitement, -- he would not interfere. But he must believe that there have been great abuses under this charter. And the question recurred, what shall we do? Under an excited state of feeling we might go far out of our proper course. But believing that abuses had and do exist, he felt that there was no security but in repeal. There were rights existing under this charter. The city was largely in debt. The Receiver would convert the city property into money, and pay these debts to the extent of the property of the city. If there was a deficit, the question would arise how it should be paid? The laborer -- who had borne the heat of the summer's sun and the winter's cold, in the employ of the city, should not be permitted to meet the case -- but at the present time there should be no delay in repealing the charter of Nauvoo.

Mr. Davis moved to lay the amendments offered by Mr. Killpatrick on the table.

Mr. Edwards said that there were rights under this charter which ought not to be disturbed. The Receiver would dispose of the city property, and when that was expended, how were the remaining debts to be paid? There would be no power to tax the people to raise money for this purpose. These were serious questions to be considered in connection with the proposed repeal. He was opposed to laying Mr. Killpatrick's on the table.

Mr. Constable defended the position taken by Mr. Killpatrick on this subject. If any part of the charter was permitted to exist, we should have a recurrence of the outrages we had witnesses. No evils which would follow the repeal would compare with those which had existed under the charter. He referred to the remarks of the Senator from Scott in relation to vested rights: and said that no vested rights were involved in the present case. The charter was granted mainly for police purposes -- and yet, under this charter, ordinances were enacted and carried into effect, which produced outrage and excitement, that required an army to suppress, and an expenditure of some 20,000 dollars. -- Would it not be better for the State to assume the debts of Nauvoo, than to permit the recurrence of the scenes lately exhibited in Hancock county? Senators would do well in endeavoring to avoid Syclla, not to fall into Charybdis. He had made up his mind that no evils would result from a repeal equal to those which would follow the continuance of the charter.

Mr. Killpatrick further defended his amendments. He had seen no evidence to justify the proposed repeal. From the publications of the Governor, he had been led to suppose that the Mormons had been greatly injured -- and he instanced the death of Joe and Hyrum Smith as evidence of the disposition of the people towards the Mormons.

Mr. Davis replied -- [referred] to the ordinances he had read -- to the publications of the Governor -- to known and acknowledged facts -- as reasons why the charter of Nauvoo should be repealed.

Mr. Dougherty replied to Mr. [Killpatrick] in relation to vested rights, assumed to have accrued under the Nauvoo charter. When he closed, the Senate adjourned.

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The Governor communicated to the Senate on Monday a lengthy history of the Mormon disturbances, which was read and 2500 copies ordered to be printed for the use of the two Houses.


Notes: (forthcoming)