READINGS IN EARLY MORMON HISTORY (Newspapers of Illinois) Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois Western World (Warsaw Signal) 1841 Articles 1840 | 1841 | 1842 | 1843 | 1844 | 1845 | 1846-47 | 1848-52
misc. Ill. papers | Alton Telegraph | Sangamo Journal Quincy papers | Peoria papers | Nauvoo Wasp, etc. Old Newspaper Articles Index |
No. 36. Warsaw, Illinois, Jan. 13, 1841. Vol. I. To CORRESPONDENTS. -- We received a communication not long since, under the signature of 'King David,' which, although it would be highly amusing to our readers, we are compelled to decline publishing, for reason that it would be contrary to the principle which we established for conducting this paper -- 'never to suffer ourselves, or others, through our columns, to interfere with the internal polity of the Mormons.' 'Aunt Nelly,' and 'Bets Travers,' may know a great deal about kitchen matters, but we protest against receiving their speculations as authority in state affairs. |
No. 37. Warsaw, Illinois, Jan. 20, 1841. Vol. I. ==> A proclamation has been recently issued by the Presidents of the Church of Latter day Saints (Mormons) calling upon all who are converts to the new faith to take up their residence as soon as practicable at or in the vicinity of Nauvoo. This City having recently received a charter of the most liberal character, the Mormons have determined to make it the gathering place of the Saints throughout the earth |
No. 39. Warsaw, Illinois, Feb. 3, 1841. Vol. I. THE MORMONS. -- While Col. Benton, in the Senate of the U. States, is endeavoring to procure an appropriation to pay off the troops who served against the Mormons in Missouri, two individuals of that persecuted people have petitioned the House for relief from the outrages committed upon them, and the Mormons generally, by the same troops. The memorial of the Mormons alluded to -- Messers. Elias Higbee and Rob't Thompson -- states that "they have purchased lands of the general government, lying in the State of Missouri, from which they have been driven with force, by the constituted authorities of that State, and prevented occupying the same" (embracing details of the measures employed by the State for that purpose) -- for which they pray Congress to "provide a remedy," -- This petition was laid before the House on the 21st of December, referred to the Committee on the Judicary, and ordered to be printed. We have received a copy of this document from our Representative -- and as it gives authentic details of the transaction to which it refers, is a document of more than general interest. -- |
No. 42. Warsaw, Illinois, Feb. 24, 1841. Vol. I. THE MORMONS . -- The city of Nauvoo was organized on the 3d. inst., when the inaugural address of Mayor General Bennett, was delivered. His Honor appears rather bombastic notwithstanding severe criticisms which he adopts on the verbosity of modern literature. On the whole, however, the address is a creditable production, and appears to maintain throughout a high moral bearing. |
No. 43. Warsaw, Illinois, Mar. 3, 1841. Vol. I.
Historical and Descriptive Sketches of Hancock County:
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No. 44. Warsaw, Illinois, Mar. 10, 1841. Vol. I.
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No. 46. Warsaw, Illinois, Mar. 24, 1841. Vol. I.
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No. 48. Warsaw, Illinois, Apr. 7, 1841. Vol. I. THE MORMONS. -- The ceremony of laying the comer stone of the Temple at Nauvoo, passed off yesterday (6th) with great parade. The number assembled is variously estimated; we should think however about 7000 or 8000, some say as high as 12,000. The Nauvoo Legion consisting of 650 men, was in attendance, and, considering the short time they have had to prepare, made a very respectable appearance. Mr. Rigdon officiated at the laying of the chief comer stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour's length. On the whole the exercises passed off with the utmost order, without accident or the slightest disturbance. Gen. Bennett commanded the legion, under the direction of the Prophet, and acquitted himself in a truly officer-like manner. -- We have no time for further comments this week. |
No. 49. Warsaw, Illinois, Apr. 14, 1841. Vol. I.
[Calling for a convention to be held in Carthage] The reason of our calling public attention to this matter is, that there are now in the field three candidates, for the office of School Commissioner, two of whom are well qualified for the office but the third has no other qualification to recommend him, than the fact of his being a Mormon -- and it is feared if some such step as is above suggested is not taken, he will be elected. |
No. 50. Warsaw, Illinois, Apr. 21, 1841. Vol. I.
We clip the following from the St. Louis Republican. |
No. 51. Warsaw, Illinois, Apr. 28, 1841. Vol. I.
SKETCHES OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
This County is bounded on the north by the Counties of Henderson and Warren; on the south by the County of Adams; on the east by the Counties of McDonough and Schuyler: and on the west by the Mississippi river, which separates it from the State of Missouri, and the Territory of Iowa. It embraces twenty two Townships, each 6 miles square -- beginning on the S.E. with Township 3 North and 5 West, and ending on the N. W. with Township. 7 North and 8 West. In shape it is nearly a perfect square -- having five tiers one each boundary -- abridged of three only by a magnificent bend in the Father of Waters, which increases the extent of our water communication. The face of the country is mostly level, with some beautiful undulations, and near the streams, a few bold hills. The soil of the County is rich, and well adapted to the purposes of agriculture. As much has been said by superficial observers and thoughtless complainers, of the disproportion of prairie and wet land in Hancock, I shall be justified in attempting to set these in their true light. It is unfortunate for the interests of our County, in these respects, that two or three of our principals roads are located over those small glades, or strips of ground which are calculated to give to the unthinking an unfavorable impression of the character of the soil. Hence the frequent cries of "bogs, mud holes, ponds, crawfish-county, Atlantic ocean, out of sight of land, &c -- these last two are intended to give an idea of the great extent of our prairie. But, I think, a thorough, impartial examination of the subject will wholly remove or greatly diminish the ground of the complaints. |
Vol. II. No. 1. Warsaw, Illinois, May 12, 1841. Whole No. 53. THE NEW VOLUME. ==> According to a promise made in our last number, we this week issue our paper under a new name. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, May 19, 1841. No. 2. APPOINTMENT. We have no disposition to complain of the official acts of Judge Douglass, for whom, as a man and an officer, we maintain the highest regard, but there is one act of his which receives our unqualified disapprobation; and we speak advisedly when we say that it is frowned on with indignity by nine-tenths of the substantial citizens of the county -- we speak of the appointment of Gen. BENNETT to be Master in Chancery. Whether from political motives or personal regard, it is certainly an act that has astonished the members of both parties, by its indiscretion. Bennett has but recently become an inhabitant of this state. He came here followed by evil report-he joins a sect and advocates a creed in which no one believes he has any faith -- his true character is not known to our citizens, nor have they any confidence in him -- under such circumstances we believe, and we are not alone in this belief, that Judge Douglass has committed an error in countenancing and encouraging such a man by the gift of a responsible office -- an office involving the rights, and in certain instances the liberties of freemen. We, for one, say, let the citizens of this county remonstrate against the appointment. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, June 2, 1841. No. 4.
Highly Important!! In our paper of week before last, we took occasion to express an honest opinion in relation to the Mormons, and some of their leaders -- an opinion which we believe is concurred in by nine-tenths of the community. No sooner, however, had our paper reached Nauvoo, than it caused the following highly important revelation to be forwarded us, from his holiness, the Prophet. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, June 9, 1841. No. 5. JOE SMITH ARRESTED. It is, doubtless, known to most of our readers that Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, was arrested on Saturday last, in Quincy, on the warrant of Governor Carlin, under the requisition of the Governor of Missouri. He was, however brought up on a habeas corpus before Calvin A. Warren, Master in Chancery for Adams county, and Judge Douglass having arrived in the city just at the time, he ordered the Prophet to be taken to Monmouth, to be examined before him. The Judge arrived in this place on Sunday morning last on his way to Monmouth where the Court is now sitting. We understand that a question has been raised as to the legality of the arrest, and the object of the examination is to decide the point. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, June 16, 1841. No. 6.
We neglected in our last to state that the Mormons had nominated Walter Bagby for School Commissioner, and John T. Darnet for County commissioner. -- The former resides at Carthage, the latter at or in the neighborhood of Nauvoo. -- We have heard some persons say that this nomination does away with the necessity of a convention, and that we should acquiesce. We second the motion, with this slight amendment -- that at the election, Joe Smith be delegated to do all our voting. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, June 23, 1841. No. 7.
ANTI-MORMON MEETING. At an Anti-Mormon meeting of the citizens of Warsaw precinct, Hancock county, Illinois, holden on the 19th of June, 1841, for the purpose of electing delegates to the Anti-Mormon convention, to be held at Carthage, Hancock county, Ill., on the 28th inst., for the purpose of nominating suitable candidates, to be voted for by the Anti-Mormon citizens of Hancock county, at the ensuing election: A. [I.] Chittenden, was appointed Chairman, and W. B. Chipley, Secretary of the meeting. The object of the meeting being stated, on motion, A. M. Worthen, J. B. Salisbury, and W. B. Chipley, were appointed a committee, to report to the meeting the names of suitable delegates, to attend the convention, to be held at Carthage, on the 28th inst. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, July 7, 1841. No. 9.
For the Warsaw Signal.
FELLOW CITIZENS. -- At a drill of the Nauvoo Legion, at Ramus, a Mormon town situated in the western part of Hancock county, General Smith, otherwise the Prophet, stated, in a public speech, that Governor Carlin and suit, and many other respectable citizens of Quincy, together with Judge Douglass, and other officers of the State, were to visit Nauvoo on the 3d July next, to witness their splendid parade. Now we, the Gentiles, lookers on and suffers in the loss of porkers, &c., feeling that your own interests and the honor of the State is concerned in this matter, calmly warn you to keep away from these Mormons. We have long viewed with disgust upon the fawning sycophancy of politicians to this people; but we have been silent. Now, however, that it is officially announced, that the chief functionaries of our State are about to lend countenance to this most corrupt and abominable combination, we feel that, as citizens, it is our privilege, nay, our duty, to speak out. -- Know, therefore, that the politicians, of either party, who will fawn on the Prophet, or permit friends to do so in order to obtain his political influence, will be proscribed by the independent citizens of this and adjoining counties. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, July 14, 1841. No. 10. THE MORMONS. The following narrative was written by the Rev. John A. Clark, now of the city of Philadelphia, a gentleman of unquestionable veracity, in whose statements every confidence may justly be placed. It bears on its face the evidence of sincerity and truth. From it the reader will learn all that is essential to know of the origin of the singular imposture by which Smith and his Mormon aiders and abettors have succeeded in making so many weak and miserable dupes. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, July 21, 1841. No. 11.
For the Warsaw Signal.
MR. EDITOR. -- Perhaps some of your readers would like to know the proper translation into English of the reformed Egyptian names that the President and High Council of the Mormons, at Nauvoo, have assumed as appropriate to themselves, and taken from the reformed Egyptian vocabulary -- such as Gazelem, Pelagoram, &c. It is presumed that most of your readers are well acquainted with the ancient history and also the history of Joseph and the Israelites living in Egypt a considerable length of time. It is also presumed that your readers are well aware, from history, that the Egyptians allowed a good spirit as creator, but left his creatures to be troubled in various ways, by a host of evil spirits; and that the Egyptians sacrificed to those evil spirits, and paid their greatest adorations to them, to appease them -- and that the Israelites worshipped the great creator, which we term God. Now, Hebrew and the Egyptian language become prevalent in some places, and a new vocabulary had to be made, called the reformed Egyptian. Your readers will also recollect that Jannus and Jambres withstood Moses; and that the Egyptians contended that the objects of their worship were as good as that of the Israelites: and that their Magicians were equal to the Israelite's God. It will be recollected that the Egyptians had in view many evil spirits, and of various grades and degrees, such as we term devils -- but when they saw that the Israelites' God was greater than theirs, because theirs could not keep the Red Sea from closing on their people and drowning them, they wished to have a part of his greatness attached to their idols or evil spirits, and so call them by new names, and [have the] names placed in the new vocabulary; and as they really supposed that the objects of their worship had various grades in office, they gave one the name of Gazelem, which is a reformed Egyptian word, and literally translated into our manner of speech, is, Presiding Great Devil. Pilagoram, is another reformed Egyptian word, and so of all the names that the high council have assumed to themselves -- and also the name Nauvoo. Pilagonoram, a reformed Egyptian word, and handed down according to our manner of speech, signifies Superior Ugly Devil, &c. I need not give all of their names this time; but will merely give the translation of Nauvoo. The word Nauvoo is a compound word, and has several meanings -- one is the meaning of a dwelling place for devils, or where their evil deities delighted to dwell -- it is strictly a reformed Egyptian word; and being handed down according to our manner of speech, signifies, place where Devils delight to dwell, &c. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, July 28, 1841. No. 12.
ANTI-MORMON NOMINATIONS:
FELLOW CITIZENS. -- On Monday next you will be called to decide the question which has for some months past been agitated in your midst. On that occasion we sincerely hope that those of you who wish that this county should be ruled by the free, independent, and thinking citizens, and not by a politico-military Church, will give your votes to our worthy fellow citizens, RICHARD WILTON and ROBERT MILLER. If you suffer yourselves to be defeated in this contest, be assured, that you will surrender the county to be governed hereafter by one who has, under the garb of religion, defied the laws of men, and desecrated those of heaven -- A man whom the station of a "money digger," to the leader of a fanatical band, which now numbers thousands. -- A man whose history proves him to be a greater knave, a more consumate impostor, and a more impious blasphemer than any whose acts disgrace the annals of villainy or hypocrisy. Do you, Fellow Citizens, wish such a man to be the dispenser of political favors in your county? Do you wish to see him select your Representatives, your sheriffs, and your commissioners, from amongst his minions? Do you wish the selection of the Grand and Petit Jury to be placed under his direction? Do you wish your own rights and the rights of your fellow citizens to be thus jeopardized, and thus place it in the power of such a knave, to sacrifice all whom he may choose to consider his enemies? If not, now is the time for action -- urgent and energetic action.
For the Warsaw Signal.
FELLOW CITIZENS. -- once again I address you on the subject of the "Anti-Mormon Convention." |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, August 4, 1841. No. 13.
We understand that the Surveyor, Mr. Williams, has nearly finished laying out the School section, and of course we may soon expect the arrival of some of our destined neighbors. We have not heard what name Joe intends to give to the new city; but we have a first rate one in our mind's eye, which we will suggest, believing it to be highly appropriate. We would call it "MONEY-DIGGERSVILLE" -- quite a mouthful, but still symphonious. Now we think this will be just the thing exactly; because it will forever remain a striking momento of the glorious and dignified origin of our modern race of prophets. Besides this, it is a plain English name -- none of your mysterious cognomens scared up from a heathenish vocabulary, which none but learned men, such as Joe Smith, can understand -- it is something that every man can see through. -- And that is not all, there is no liability to mistake in the meaning, which is not always the case. For instance in the name Nauvoo; Joe, being a learned man, thought it meant beautiful situation, but other Doctors say it means a place "where devils delight to dwell." But that's no matter, for either way it is very appropriate. What do you say, Joe? Money-diggersville! Why there is not another town of that name in the Union, nor in the whole world; and you know rarity is a great charm in this age of improvement. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, August 11, 1841. No. 14.
Death of Don Carlos Smith. -- We learn with regret that Don Carlos Smith brother to the Prophet, and one of the editors of the "Times and Seasons," died at Nauvoo, on Saturday morning last, in the 24th year of his age. His death was very sudden. he was buried on Sunday afternoon with military honors -- he having been an officer of the Staff attached to the Nauvoo Legion. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, August 25, 1841. No. 16. KEOKUK'S VISIT TO NAUVOO. We understand that one day last week, they had quite a pageant at Nauvoo. The Indian Chief Keokuk, with about fifty of his followers -- warriors, squaws and papooses -- took occasion to pay a special visit to their brother, the Revelator and Prophet, to smoke the pipe of peace with him in his wik-ke-up -- and discourse of the wonders of the New Jerusalem. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, September 1, 1841. No. 17.
Obituary. -- R. B. Thompson, another of the editors of the Times and Seasons, died at Nauvoo, on Friday the 27th, ult., after a short illness. Don Carlos Smith, another of the editors (brother of Jos. Smith,) died about a fortnight before, and this afflicting loss leaves that paper under the entire control of Mr. Ebenezer Robinson, one of its original publishers. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, September 8, 1841. No. 18. A MISTAKE. The Post-Master at Nauvoo -- Sidney Rigdon, Esq., in notifying us of the discontinuance of one of our subscribers there, says he does so in consequence of our having 'exhausted the subject of Mormonism,' and that he designs seeking elsewhere for such intelligence as he desires. Far from it! Indeed, we are daily becoming more and more convinced, that there is an inexhaustable fund of knavery in it. We beg of him not to become alarmed at our silence -- we have other duties occasionally to perform and cannot devote too much time to that. For some knowledge of the "whereabouts" of the intelligence he seeks, we refer our late patron to the advertising columns of to-day's paper. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, September 15, 1841. No. 19.
MORMONISM PORTRAYED; The above-named work has just been published, and is now for sale. It is a calm and sober exposition of Mormonism, by one who knows it in all its phases and aspects -- addressed to the reason and judgment and common sense of the reader. No unprejudiced person can rise from a perusal of its pages, without feeling that the religion of these people is just no religion at all -- that it abounds in gross errors and the most ridiculous fooleries -- and that its authors are designing Knaves, ignorant Pretenders, and most infamous Blasphemers. This is hard language, but it is TRUE -- and in relation to such matters, the truth should always be told. Read -- and then determine. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, September 22, 1841. No. 20. MORMONISM AT MONTROSE. We have received from Mr. Harris, an account of his recent visit to Montrose Iowa, which we give below, for the information of the public. We ask what is to be thought of a set of men professing to be followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, who would give vent to such vindictive passions? Are they fit for the companionship of civilized beings? |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, September 29, 1841. No. 21. THE MORMONS. We are never astonished when we find in the columns of a rank political journal, a statement which the editor knew to be false in every particular, for at the present day, articles and deception appear to be regarded as the most powerful weapons of party warfare. But when we find a paper, avowedly religious in its objects, waging an open war against every species of vice, making a statement to the public, which the editor knows to be notoriously false, we are forced to confess that there are stranger things on this earth than was "ever dreamed of in our philosophy." -- We make this remark in reference to a statement contained in the last "Times and Seasons," wherein it is said, that "perfect harmony and good feeling prevails between us, (the Mormons) and our neighbors, with the exception of two or three individuals, whose names are not worthy of mention." Now, it is surprising how any man can have the effrontery to make such an assertion, in a community where every individual knows it is utterly false. Is it not a notorious fact, that at Montrose, I. T. there exists continual excitement, and the most deadly hatred between the Mormons and citizens? Is it not equally notorious, that in this county a great majority of the old citizens regard the Mormon church as a swindling institution, and the whole scheme of Mormonism as a system of knavery? Is it not true, that the excitement some time since in the neighborhood of Bear Creek, was aroused to such an extent that the people armed themselves on both sides? Is it not true that the old citizens were so indignant at the political aggressions of the Mormons, that in the late election a party was organized in opposition to them, which at the ballot box was triumphant? Yet the veritable organ of this reputable church tells the world there is no excitement here; but perfect amity and good feeling; when he knows, or ought to know that such a class of knaves cannot be congregated in the midst of a civilized community, without engendering excitement. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, October 6, 1841. No. 22. MORMON TEMPERANCE. We have heretofore noticed the humbug professions of the Mormons in relation to Temperance; but we have not stated the exact object they have in view, in making their sanctimonious laws on the subject, in the holy city. It is now apparent that the design never was to suppress the sale of ardent spirits; for Groceries -- otherwise Grig shops -- are as numerous in Nauvoo as ever, -- and not only this, the Prophet, in order to increase the inspiration of his followers, has established -- or allowed to be established -- a grocery in the immediate vicinity of the Temple. It is, therefore, evident, that all their parade and humbug about Temperance, has been made merely as a gull-trap, designed to convey the impression abroad, that they are a very virtuous and self-denying people; and, of course, all the statements made in regard to their wickedness, as mere slander. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, October 13, 1841. No. 23. ANOTHER ROBBERY AT MONTROSE. In our last, we published Messers. Kilbourn's letter, giving an account of thirteen distinct robberies, which have been committed, evidently by the Mormons, upon their premises. We now have to announce the fourteenth, which took place in the early part of last week. The clerk -- if our information is correct -- left the store about 8 o'clock in the evening, and returned about nine, when he found that the store had been broken open, and about $300 worth of goods taken out. -- Now, we ask, in the name of common sense, if there was not concerted action among the Mormons, how could such a robbery have been committed, so early in the evening, in the town of Montrose? -- It is useless to lay it upon individuals; for the circumstances show that there was concert, and the frequency of the robberies, manifests a design to drive the Kilbourns from the place. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, October 20, 1841. No. 24. A MORMON-- ALL BUT THE FAITH. We were informed by Calvin A. Warren, Esq., -- in propria persona -- that he was baptised at Nauvoo last week, certain. It is a hard case, when a gentleman in such high standing, consents to become one of Joe's emissaries. So thought we, and so did he -- for like most new Mormons, he lost his pocket-book; but fortunately there was no cash in it. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, October 27, 1841. No. 25. MESSRS. KILBOURN'S LETTER NO. II. We call the attention of the public to the second Letter of the Messrs. Kilbourn, published in another column of to-day's paper. It goes still further to confirm what we have so often stated -- viz: that Mormonism is nothing more than a system of swindling. The facts declared in this letter, have long been notorious in these parts; and those conversant with half-breed titles, have long since understood the game which Galland and his saintly co-adjutors have been playing. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, November 24, 1841. No. 29. MORMON EXCITEMENT. We understand that on Saturday last, the citizens living in the bottom. immediately below this place, met together, and formally gave notice to the several Mormon families residing in the neighborhood, to leave in a certain number of days, under the penalty of being removed, vi et armis, in case of refusal. The reason assigned by the citizens, for this proceeding, is, that the extent of the depradations upon their property, recently committed, evidently by these people, is insupportable; they have, therefore, no alternative left, but to remove themselves or else remove the depredators. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, December 1, 1841. No. 30. THE NEW EMIGRANTS. Consider able excitement was produced in town, by the arrival, last week, of a great body of English Mormons, and much anxiety was manifested by our citizens, to ascertain how they would be disposed of; whether Jo would take them to Nauvoo, in order to lighten them of their loose change, or whether they would be allowed to settle on our School Section. It appears that the first expedient has been adopted, as the major part of them have already taken their departure for the Holy City. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, December 8, 1841. No. 31. MORMON MILITARY OPERATIONS. Our [readers] will recollect that we mentioned some time since that there was a grocery in Nauvoo near the Temple, which had, notwithstanding the Temperance laws of the city, been countenanced for some time. Joe recently found out that this grog shop was not a benefit to his cause, and therefore declared it a nuisance. Not being moved according to order he called out the terrible Nauvoo Legion, which with swords, spears, muskets, pistols and banners, marched in solid column, with undaunted hearts, up to Temple Hill, and there made a most valiant assault upon said grog shop, and totally demolished it. This most courageous action of the Nauvoo Legion will undoubtedly entitle it to a high place on the tablet of fame, more especially when it is remembered that this was their first battle, and their enemy was a grog-shop, eight feet long by ten wide. -- Wonderful men!!! |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, December 15, 1841. No. 32. The Prophet at Home. A Reverend gentleman, who lately visited Nauvoo, gives, in a communication to the Mo. Republican, the following description of his interview with Jo. Smith. |
Vol. 2. Warsaw, Illinois, December 29, 1841. No. 34.
==> Joe Smith, we understand, refuses to pay his taxes. Of course his followers will feel themselves justified in doing likewise. |