Our readers will recollect that Ex-Gov. Boggs, of this State, was shot at, last fall at his residence in Jackson county. Fortunately the ball did not produce death, but the assassins escaped undetected. Governor Reynolds having obtained information, which induced the belief that it was the work of Orrin Porter Rockwell, of Nauvoo, offered a large reward for his apprehension. Joe Smith was also supposed to instigate the affair -- Rockwell being the instrument employed by Smith to effect his diabolical purposes. The officers of justice have kept a sharp look out for Rockwell since the Proclamation was made, but all efforts for his apprehension have proven unavailing until Sunday last, when he was taken in this city. Sufficient proof[s] of his identity were made, and he has been taken to Jefferson City to be delivered to the State authorities. He will, no doubt, be dealt with as he deserves, if his guilt is sufficiently established. His trial will take place, we suppose, in Jackson county, the place where the attempted assassination was made. We hear that he has been paying a flying visit to the Eastern States since a reward has been offered for him. If he be guilty, too much praise cannot be bestowed upon those who have been instrumental in apprehending him and bringing him to a just and well deserved punishment.


Notes: (forthcoming)

FROM NAUVOO. -- Joseph Smith, (the prophet,) Mayor of the city of Nauvoo, has published a proclamation in the Nauvoo Wasp, addressed to the citizens of the holy city, stating that there exists, up and down the Mississippi, and round about the city of Nauvoo, a band of desperadoes bound by oaths of secrecy, under severe penalties and that he understands some of the members, who have, through falsehood and deceit, been drawn into their snares, are through fear of the execution of said penalties on their persons, prevented from divulging their secret plans and depredations; the prophet mayor, therefore, grants and ensures protection against all personal violence to each and every citizen of the holy city, who will freely and voluntarily come forward and truly make known the names of all such abominable characters. The invitation will doubtless be generally responded to by the pious Nauvooans.


Note: The above article appeared in the Republican during the first part of May, 1843 -- exact date not yet determined.

AN ESCAPE. -- Jas. Waton, who was arrested a short time since as a participator in stealing the treasury notes from the customs house in N. O., and O. P. Rockwell, the Mormon, who has been committed as the person who attempted to assassinate Gov. Boggs, made their escape about six days ago from the jail at Independence. The jailer visited them and when inside the room, they ran out, locking the door upon him. They had to pass the room where the jailer's wife was, and she gave the alarm. They succeeded in getting but a short distance before they were taken and brought back.


Notes: (forthcoming)

... Joe Smith was lately indicted in some of the upper counties in Missouri, for treason and murder, growing out of the Mormon war. Immediately thereafter a writ was issued and a messenger despatched to Springfield, Ill., with a requisition from the Governor of Missouri on the Governor of Illinois for the arrest and delivery of Smith. It was intended to keep the whole proceedings a secret, to secure Joe's arrest; but in some way or another the Mormons at Springfield got wind of what was going on, and despatched a messenger to Smith at Nauvoo. Smith has left for parts unknown, or at least keeps himself so concealed that he cannot be arrested. It is reported that Rockwell, who is in jail at Independence for the attempted assassination of Governor Boggs, has signified a willingness to turn State's evidence and reveal the whole plot and actors. If this be true, it probably furnishes an additional motive for Smith to keep out of the clutches of the law...


Note 1: The exact title and text of this report remain uncertain. The above wording was taken from a reprint in the Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post of July 10, 1843.

Note 2: In a letter dated Aug. 14, 1843, Thomas Ford, the Governor of Illinois, summarized the matter in these words: " an indictment was found at a special term of the Davies Circuit Court, Missouri, held on the 5th day of June last, against Smith for treason. Upon this indictment the Governor of Missouri issued a requisition to the Governor of this State, demanding the arrest and delivery of Smith. A writ was thereupon duly issued by me for the apprehension and delivery of Smith as demanded. This writ was put into the hands of an officer of this state to be executed. The officer to whom it was directed immediately arrested Smith, and delivered him to Joseph H. Reynolds, the agent of Missouri, appointed to receive him. The writ has been returned to me as having been fully executed."

FOURTH OF JULY -- The Nauvoo Legion. -- The elegant steamer Annawon, Capt. Whitney, will make a pleasure trip to Nauvoo on the 4th, leaving this city at 12 o'clock on Monday, and will arrive at Nauvoo on the morning of the 4th in time to witness the parade of the famous Nauvoo Legion, composed of 1500 men, which will be reviewed on that day by the prophet "Joe." -- [This offers] a delightful opportunity to those of our citizens who have [not seen] the wonder of the West -- the city of Nauvoo, and many no doubt will embrace it. The Annawan is spacious, airy, and perfectly safe, and we know that nothing will be wanting, that her officers can provide, in the way of refreshments, music, attention, &c., which will contribute to the pleasure of the company and to make the trip delightful

---

News was bro't last evening by the steamer Osprey, that Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet, has been arrested and placed in jail at Ottawa, and further, that when the intelligence reached Nauvoo, 200 horsemen of the legion started immediately for Ottawa, with the intention of liberating him. The steamboat Iowa has also been chartered at Nauvoo by the Mormons, and is at present ascending the Illinois river, with 150 men, to second the attack of the horsemen on Ottawa. Ottawa is situated up the Illinois, and is distant about 300 miles from this city. We believe Smith has been traveling in the Northern part of the State, for the purpose of keeping from the arrest made under the requisition of the Governor of this State, which accounts for his being lodged in jail at Ottawa.


Note: The second news item above, telling of the arrest of Joseph Smith, may have actually appeared in the Republican of Saturday, July 1st -- the text is taken from a reprint published in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of July 8, 1843. Probably the secheduled pleasure cruise was cancelled, once the apprehension of Smith in Illinois became common knowledge in St. Louis.

... Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet, who was indicted a short time ago in some of the upper counties of Missouri for treason and murder, growing out of the Mormon war, has been arrested and placed in jail at Ottawa, Illinois, whither he had fled as soon as he obtained knowledge of a requisition having been made by the authorities of Missouri for his person.

The news of Smith's arrest was brought to St. Louis on the 29th ultimo by the steamboat Osprey, the passengers on which further report, that when the intelligence of his apprehension reached Nauvoo, two hundred horsemen of the Legion started immediately for Ottawa with the intention of liberating him, and that the steamboat Iowa had been chartered at Nauvoo by the Mormons to ascend the Illinois river with one hundred and fifty armed men in order to second the attack of the horsemen on Ottawa. Ottawa is situated up the Illinois, and is distant about three hundred miles from St. Louis...


Notes: (forthcoming)

A VISITOR. -- Gov. Ford, of Illinois has been in town for several days past, and departs, as we are informed, this morning. He says he has decided on not furnishing the agent of Missouri with a detachment of militia to arrest Joe Smith. We could not ascertain that the Governor was on any more important mission here than the purchase of a few lottery tickets.


Notes: (forthcoming)

...It is quite evident that law has lost all its obligations in the county in which the Mormons are principally located, and an embittered and hostile feeling is taking possession of the minds of both parties.... (under construction)


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction -- exact text uncertain)

MORMON DIFFICULTIES IN ILLINOIS. -- The Quincy Herald of the 9th instant states that four wagons passed through that place on Tuesday previous, on their way to the State arsonal at Alton, for the purpose of procuring arms to be used against the Mormons. The difficulties and the prospect of an immediate breach between the citizens and the Mormons has been brought to the knowledge of Governor Ford, and he has been earnestly appealed to, to maintain the peace and to protect the innocent. The state of exasperation between the Mormons and citizens is such that we will not be surprised to hear of actual histilities at any time, quite as violent as formerly existed between them and a portion of our own citizens.


Note: This article was probably published on February 11 or 12, 1844. The text has not yet been located for confimation.

(under construction -- exact text uncertain)

We see it stated, that the Mormon Prophet Jo Smith has turned his wife out of doors for being in conversation with a gentleman of the sect, which she hesitated or refused to disclose. It was understood yesterday, that she had arrived in this city.


Note: The text of the above report is taken from a reprint published in the Fort Madison Lee Co. Democrat of Apr. 27, 1844. The essentials of the "turning out of doors" account were first reported in the columns of the Warsaw Signal, on Apr. 17th, two days before she departed Nauvoo on a steamboat down the river. Some sources refer to this incident as Emma's "shopping trip" to St. Louis, but her temporary relocation in that city appears to have been the outcome, rather than the reason for leaving her husband. See the last two paragraphs of William Law's letter of Jan. 7, 1887 for some possible hints concerning marital discord within the Smith family during the early spring of 1844.

(under construction -- exact text uncertain)

JOE SMITH -- DISSENTION AMONG THE MORMONS AT NAUVOO. -- We have good reasons for placing reliance in the details of a letter, the contents of which hereafter stated, giving an account of an ememte at the chief city of the Mormons, Nauvoo. The occurrences took place on the 26th. On that day -- says the writer -- a fracas of an alarming and important character occurred in Nauvoo, threatening with impending destruction the Mormon government and even the life of the Prophet himself. It originated under the following circumstances: Joe Smith, Prophet and Mayor elect, having ordered his police to arrest a man by the name of Spencer, for an insult on his brother in his own house -- the residence of his mother also -- the accused refused to become a prisoner, alleging it was illegal to arrest without a writ from the Mayor. -- All the parties, however, collected round the Masonic Hall, or court-house. Joe Smith, Mayor, being present, ordered the police and the people to take said Spencer into custody. The constable having placed hands on him, Spencer put himself in a fighting position, and was assisted by Dr. Foster and his brother, younger Foster, and also James Higby -- who said they would not submit to the authority of the Prophet. Joe Smith put hands too, to assist in taking him, when the younger Foster took out a pistol, presented it, and said he would shoot the Prophet. At this moment I came up, and saw the struggle. The Prophet got hold of the pistol, and held firmly round the bretch until, by the assistance of Rockwell, a second, the Prophet succeeded in getting the pistol from Foster. The Dr. and Lasner at this time took up stands, and vociferated they would kill the Prophet -- said he was a villian and an impostor, and that he knew it; that they would be doing a meritorious act to rid the world of such a villian, an impostor and tyrant. Higden said he would certainly shoot him -- at any rate told him he remembered by-gone times -- knew of blood being shed on the island opposite; that he, the Prophet, was the right man. He (Rigby) belonged to his band -- had sustained him by money and force; he knew the Mormon Prophet, Joe Smith, was the author of murders, and it was high time he should die, and he would kill him. The Prophet got his hand cut and his nervous system shook. Finally, the authorities succeeded in bringing up three traversers before the court, It would be too long to write all the trial. -- Let the following suffice: The traversers manifested no disposition to withdraw their threats -- on the contrary, demanded their pistol from the Mayor, who gave it to them -- said he was always lenient, and would tyranize over no man. Foster took the pistol, and took another from his breast, examined to see all was properly loaded, and betrayed much wickedness and desperation. The court having heard the evidence, the Prophet made many observations about his clemency -- adverted to the threats, and denied ever having been privy to any murders on the island -- said he would maintain his authority and the law, should it cost life, and then fined the traversers -- Spencer for assaulting his brother, a cripple, in %100; and said Spencer, Dr. Foster and his brother young Foster, each $100 for resisting civil authorities. Appeals were taken in all the suits. The case is, at present, undergoing a second trial before a Squire in the upper part of the city, where the mother, a brother of Spencer, and his two daughters are called on to give evidence before a jury. The verdict is not yet returned. Spencer, in the pleadings, when the Elder Brother objected to his mother's evidence, on the ground of age and forgetfulness, called on his brother's daughters, who were present, and whose memories, he assured the court, were as bright as their faces (and they are undoubtedly handsome.) The court, however, overruled his motion.

Joe Smith has a number of enemies and his influence is beginning to decline, but I think his doctrine is on the increase.

There are about fifty masons and stonecutters about the Temple. It will be the most extraordinary building on the American Continent. We have a regular theatre, got up by the Mormons themselves Last night the play of Pizarro went off in good style to a large audience, of which about one hundred were ladies. I was astonished to see such an array of beauty in the New Jerusalem.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Life  in  Nauvoo.

Nauvoo, Hancock. Co., Ill. April 25th, 1844.       

Messrs. Editors: Here am I in the holy city of the Mormons, especially set apart and dedicated to the use of that peculiar people by their great High Priest, Gen. Joseph Smith, Esq. L. L. D. and H. O. A. X. What the Juggernaut is to a crowd of Hindoo devotees -- what Jerusalem was to the Crusaders, who poured out their blood to rescue the holy sepulchre from profanation -- what Mecca is to the troop of pilgrims who yearly throng the shrine of the 'False Prophet' -- so and such is Nauvoo to some of the weavers in Lancashire, the miners in Cornwall, and the cord-wainers who thump the lapstone near the former abode of the witches, which have given Salem immortality. Thither they have flocked: the cry being 'still they come,' until a prairie and river bottom which five years ago was a desert, is enlivened by the hum sent up by fifteen thousand human souls -- besides much cattle. How powerful is superstition! How sincere are those who yield themselves, body and soul, to its fatal embraces! Can any believer in the Trinity, or Predestination, or Apostolic succession -- or baptism by emersion -- or Purgatory, or the Virgin Mary, be more earnest, more devout, or more faithful than he, who thinks the everlasting Gospels were written on plates -- now deposited at Nauvoo, in Joe Smith's holy of holies -- but formerly dug out of a side hill of clay or gravel in the Western part of the State of New-York? -- The Mussulman cries out 'God is God and Mahomet is his Prophet' -- the Mormon varies it, with 'God is God and Joe Smith is his Prophet.' In many respects, Joe has the advantage over his illustrious predecessor: he, Joe, is not only Prophet, but is also Mormon King, and in his triune function of Prophet, Priest and King, he lords it over God's heritage with such a strict eye to the Lord's treasury, that he will by and by be enabled to present the world with a faint imitation of the outward glories of Solomon's temple.

Of course, neither you nor your readers expect me to trouble them with the history of Mormonism -- of it, as a form of superstition -- as a manifestation of that phrenzy to which men are sometimes subjected, of credulity and fanaticism. For 1800 years, to go back no further, there have, from time to time, started up some gloomy or hairbrained enthusiasts who were convinced that, shortly after the preaching of their belief, the sun would rise for the last time, and the things of time and sense be no longer. The Millerites are the latest example of this superstition -- not to mention others equally absurd and fanatical. These were the Anabaptists of Munster, the Fifth Monarchy men -- the followers of Joanna Southcote, and of Ann Lee. The face of society has been, and is now so speckled over with these eruptions of fanaticism and folly, that the remark may not be far from the truth: that the sane man is the exception, the madman the rule. But a truce to speculation, and now a few words about Nauvoo.

The 'town site' of Nauvoo is most beautiful; probably no situation on the Mississippi above St. Louis, can compare with it for beauty of location. Rising gradually from the river to a slight elevation, it extends out in a bread and level plain, nearly a mile, then rather more abruptly to a still higher elevation, on the highest point of which, the Temple is (to be) situated, the first story of which is now completed. -- Stone masons and other workmen, to the number of near a hundred, are busily at work upon it; all other public improvements are at present suspended, so that the faithful may concentrate their means; for the purpose of completing it without delay. If it is ever finished, (and the prospect seems now favorable,) it will be the most remarkable public building of modern times. It is to be built of stone, 127 feet, long, 88 feet broad, 26 feet high, with a tower 150 feet high from the ground, These are the general outside dimensions; the interior plan is yet undecided upon; or rather, the Prophet has not received a revelation in regard to the interior arrangements, the Lord having revealed to him thus far only, how the baptismal font must be constructed. This is quite finished. -- It is a large vessel built of wood -- oblong in shape -- about six feet deep, capable of containing twelve or fifteen hogsheads of water, and resting upon twelve oxen, carved out of wood; the beasts are as large as life, and about 'three times as natural.' -- Although especially revealed to Joe in these latter days, yet the idea is evidently borrowed from scripture, as may be found in 1st Kings, 7th chapter.

There are two public houses -- the 'Nauvoo Mansion' and the 'Masonic Hall.' The former is kept by the Prophet. Another hotel, three stories high, built of brick, situated near the Temple, is nearly completed. The Nauvoo House, when finished according to the present design, will be an elegant and commodious hotel -- fronting on two streets 127 feet; the foundation is already laid. The city is laid off into lots of one acre each -- the streets all intersect each other at right angles. It is impossible to estimate correctly the number of buildings by a general observation: there are many substantial brick buildings, stores and private dwellings, dotted over a space of near three thousand acres, comprising the limit of the city. The appearance of every thing here is flourishing.

In reference to Joseph Smith, and the Mormon religion, I presume there can be but one opinion out of the Church; but Joe and his religion have been the subject of gross and unfounded misrepresentations. That his followers are laboring under most unaccountable delusion, admits of little doubt -- the majority, however, are honest and sincere in their belief. Joe has, doubtless, become somewhat arrogant, not to say tyrannical. He has attempted to force measures of public policy, as well as articles of religious belief, which many of the better part of his people resist, causing at the present time some little trouble. In the end, such division will doubtless bring the whole system to an end; it is idle to think they can be put down by any other means. I cannot understand why it is that persons, having opportunity to judge correctly, will persist in misrepresenting these people and their leader. A story was recently put in circulation that Joe and his wife had quarreled &c. This story like a hundred others of similar character, is not only false, but without the shadow of foundation. So long as these people are misrepresented or persecuted, so long will they grow and flourish; so long as they have a pressure from without to resist, they will be united as one man.

The country in the immediate vicinity of Nauvoo is really beautiful, the land being of the best quality, with an abundance of timber, &c. To a great extent it is under cultivation; many of the Mormons being farmers, have settled on these lands and opened fine farms, giving support and employment to a great number of laborers.

You have seen it announced that Joseph Smith is a candidate for the Presidency of the United Stales. Many think this is a hoax -- not so with Joe and the Mormons. It is the design of these people to have candidates for electors in every State of the Union; a convention is to be held in Baltimore, probably next month. The leaders here are busy in organizing their plans -- over a hundred persons leave in a few days for different States, to carry them out as far as possible. I mention these facts only to show that Joe is really in earnest. He indignantly spurns the proposition to run for the second office on the same ticket with Mr. Van Buren: he thinks his chance would be much better alone than to be associated with the sage of Lindenwald; doubtless, it is equally as good. The true reason for this movement is, to prevent his followers in this country from becoming divided even upon political questions.

There are many thoughts suggested to the mind by a visit to this place; but I have neither the space nor present inclination to follow them out.

In conclusion, I would say, let no man sneer at these people, or deem them as of of little consequence, either for good or for evil. They are becoming of potent influence to the people of the State of Illinois. It is a serious question: What will be the end of these things?

When it is considered that four years since this place was a desert -- that but four families existed here, numbering scarcely twenty souls in all; and that now the population undoubtedly exceeds fifteen thousand, of hardy, persevering and enthusiastic people, surely it will strike the mind of the most ordinary observer that these people, whatever else may be thought of them, cannot with any degree of propriety be sneered at or deemed beneath notice.   W.


Note: The date of this article is uncertain -- probably it was published between June 1st and June 3rd. The text was copied from a reprint in the New York Weekly Tribune of June 8, 1844.

                                                    Warsaw, (Ill.,) June 13 - 8 A. M.
After the destruction of the printing office in Nauvoo, threats of summary vengeance were also made against the office of the Signal, in this place, and the life of its editor was to pay the forfeit of his publishing any thing farther concerning the Mormons or Joe Smith. During the evening of Tuesday last, and after this news had been received, a meeting of the citizens was called to take measures of self-defence; and after considerable discussion, the meeting adjourned until yesterday at 2 o'clock. -- At the hour appointed, a large number of citizens met, and a preamble and resolutions were passed, setting forth the grievances of the old citizens of the county, and resolving to arm themselves forthwith, and commence a course which will result in the riddance of the county of the Mormons, even to their utter extermination, if other means fail. Co-operation of the counties adjoining is also asked to aid in carrying out the objects of the meeting. A committee of vigilance was appointed for the purpose of ordering out of the township all the Mormons who still adhere to Joe Smith, and of inspecting all persons who may be suspected of acting as his spies.

While I write, this resolution is being carried into effect with regard to some of the most obnoxious Mormons in the town, and a number of suspicious individuals have been ordered to leave. Although this may appear to persons at a distance a harsh proceeding, yet here it is rendered absolutely necessary; for, with the threats that have been made, both against the lives and property of the citizens, and with a large body of Mormons in our midst, who make the implicit obedience of Joe's commands part of their religion, no other course could possibly have been adopted that would have secured us against the midnight torch and the unerring rifle of these Latter Day Saints.

Today, Capt. Glover, of the Warsaw Cadets, leaves for Quincy, for the purpose of getting a stand of arms now out of use in that city; and when he returns, every citizen who is capable of bearing arms, will enroll himself.

A county convention is to be held today at Carthage, for the purpose of having concert of action throughout the county. I shall advise you of its doings as soon as made public.

Whatever may be the result of these proceedings, a few days will determine; but of one thing you may rest assured, the Mormons will be compelled to leave, if strong arms and still stronger determinations can effect that object; and the old citizens of the county are as willing that it should commence now as at any other time.

As for the Mormons at Nauvoo, they seem as equally bent upon destruction; they appear mad, and evince no spirit of concession or conciliation, but wildly rush on from one act of aggression to another, until the law-abiding citizens of the county are lost in amazement at their daring acts of villainy.


Note: This article may have actually been printed in the Republican on June 15th.

(under construction -- exact text uncertain)

[officers were despatched to Nauvoo to arrest destroyers of the Expositor] ...but this, we venture to say, will not be done. The law is powerless for good in that region. A rumor prevailed at Warsaw that Joe Smith was arresting every man at Nauvoo, who was opposed to, or who would not justify his proceedings.


Note: This article may have been printed in the Republican on June 15th or 16th.

THE  MORMONS

Our intelligence from the seat of the disturbances at Nauvoo, is down to Friday night last. We learn by the Die Vernon, that great excitement existed in all the counties on both sides of the river, and that a resort to arms was inevitable. The Die Vernon, on her last trip, took about sixty stand of arms from Quincy to Warsaw, and efforts were making to get arms from other quarters. A week or two will determine the result of this movement. Some three hundred of the Mormons, it is understood, had left Nauvoo, but Joe Smith had put a stop to this migrating disposition by anathematizing all persons who had expressed any intention of quitting the city."

---

[proceedings of a meeting held at Carthage, on the 13th] ...the destruction of the Newspaper press at Nauvoo... -- 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 -- redress for injuries cannot be obtained by legal means... [the meeting declared that they were] ready to join 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."


Notes: (forthcoming)

                                  Warsaw, June 16, P. M.
Nothing of any importance has transpired since my last, in relation to the Mormon difficulties. -- Yesterday the constable of this township summoned the entire force of the township to hold themselves in readiness to assist the officers who have the writs for the capture of the Mormons engaged in the destruction of the printing office. They will rendezvous here to-morrow (Monday) for the purpose of drill, and will be joined by the posse of two townships below this -- part of the force will be armed with muskets and part with their own trusty rifles; they will probably move to Carthage on Tuesday or Wednesday to co-operate with the balance of the County.

We have no intercourse at all with Nauvoo at present, but learn that numbers of the Mormons are leaving; an ordinance has been passed by the City Council preventing persons from going out of the city, by which means several merchants who designed leaving, have been prevented.


Note: This article may have actually been printed in the Republican on June 19th.

TROUBLES  IN  ILLINOIS.

A new aspect is given to the proceedings of Joe Smith and his adherents at Nauvoo, in the destruction of the printing press of the "Nauvoo Expositor." of which we give an account to-day. If the corporate authorities of Nauvoo, of which Joe Smith is the head, can compass their lawless ends by such means as were adopted on this occasion, then similar measures may serve to rid them of all persons who may become obnoxious to them. Neither person nor property can be safe where such a control is exercised by reckless men, and in the present state of affairs there, it is not improbable that violence will be resorted to, to put down all opposition. If the authorities of Illinois had any respect for themselves -- any regard for the law -- any desire to protect the person and property of citizens from outrage and destruction, they would at once adopt measures to put an end to these arbitrary acts; but we have little hope of seeing this done so long as Joe Smith controls so many thousands of votes, and purchases an immunity from punishment by casting them for the Locofocos.

---

LATEST FROM THE MORMONS. -- By the last accounts from Nauvoo we learn that Joe Smith had issued a proclamation declaring martial law. The greatest excitement prevailed in the neighborhood, and the whole upper country was under arms. The streets of Warsaw were patrolled by armed men, and sanguinary results were anticipated.


Notes: (forthcoming)

TROUBLES  IN  ILLINOIS.

Matters at Nauvoo remain as stated in another column, although considerable excitement existed upon the subject of an invasion. Yesterday was the day fixed upon for the contemplated attack on the 'saintly city,' yet we do not apprehend that an actual issue had occurred, or will for the present, as the Mormon army is four thousand strong, fully equipped, and all the effective force that had been raised by the surrounding country, at our last advices, amounted to only fifteen hundred men, and those hardly armed.


Notes: (forthcoming)

[the Carthage constable was unable to arrest Smith, and] the local non-Mormons were very angry, saying]... Joe has tried the game too often.... (under construction -- exact text uncertain)


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMON AFFAIR. -- The steamboat Waverly left Nauvoo on Thursday afternoon, and Warsaw in the night. She la at Nauvoo some time, and ascertained that Gen. Jo. Smith had 2,300 men under arms, and ready for defensive operations. At Warsaw and Carthage, it was understood about 3,000 citizens were under arms, but were awaiting an additional force of a thousand men, before they directed an attempt to serve the writs in the hands of the officer. Of course, they would be ready to sustain the constituted authority, if necessary, to the extremity of making war upon Smith and his men.


Notes: (forthcoming)

In his address to the Mayor and City Council of Nauvoo, after reciting the facts, the Governor uses the following deprecatory, expostulating and threatening language:

I now express to you my opinion, that your conduct in destroying the press was a very gross outrage upon the laws and liberties of the people. It may have been full of libels, but this did not authorise you to destroy it. There are many newspapers in this State which have been wrongfully abusing me for more than a year; and yet such is my regard for the liberties of the press, and the rights of a free people, in a republican government, that I would shed the last drop of my blood to protect those presses from any illegal violence. You have violated the constitution in at least four particulars. You have violated that part of it which declares that the printing presses shall be free, being responsible for the abuse thereof, and thus the truth may be given in evidence. This article of the constitution contemplates that the proprietors of a libellous press may be sued for private damage, or may be indicted criminally, and that upon trial they should have a right to give the truth in evidence. In this case the proprietors have no notice of the proceeding.

*   *   *   *   *   *

You have also assumed to yourselves more power than you are entitled to in relation to writs of habeas corpus under your charter. I know that you have been told by lawyers, for the purpose of gaining your favor. that you have this power to any extent. In this they have deceived you for their own base purposes. Your charter supposes that you may pass ordinances, a breach of which will result in the imprisonment of the offender. -- For the purpose of giving more speedy relief to such persons, it was given to the Municipal Court of Nauvoo to issue writ of habeas corpus in all cases arising under the ordinances of the city. It was never supposed by the legislature, -- nor can the language of your charter be tortured to mean that a jurisdiction was intended to be conferred, which should apply to all cases of imprisonment under the general laws of the State, or of the United States, as well as the city ordinances.

It has also been reserved to you to make the discovery that a newspaper charged to be scurrillous or libellous may be legally abated or removed, as a nuisance. In no other State, county, city, town or territory in the United States, has ever such a thing been thought of before. -- Such an act, at this day, would not be tolerated even in England.

The result of my deliberations on this subject is, that I will have to require you and all persons in Nauvoo, accused or sued, to submit in all cases implicitly to the process of the Courts, and to interpose no obstacles to an arrest, either by warrant or habeas corpus or otherwise; and that all the people of the city of Nauvoo shall make and continue the most complete submission to the laws of the State, and the precepts of the Courts and Justices of the Peace.

In the particular case now under consideration, I require any and all of you who are or shall be accused, to submit yourselves to be arrested by the same constable, by virtue of the same warrant, and be tried before the same magistrate, whose authority has heretofore been resisted. Nothing short of this can vindicate the dignity of violated law, and allay the just excitement of the people.

*   *   *   *   *   *

You know the excitement of the public mind -- do not tempt it too far. A very little matter may do a very great injury, and if you are disposed to continue the causes of excitement, and render force necessary to cause submission, I would say, that your city was built, as it were, upon kegs of powder, which a very little spark may explode.

It is my intention to do all I can to preserve the peace, and even if obligated to call the militia, to prosecute the war so as not to involve the innocent, and comprehend all in the same punishment. But excitement is a matter which grows very fast upon men when assembled. [These] affairs, I much fear, may assume a revolutionary character, and the men may disregard the authority of their officers.

I tell you plainly, that if ever such submission is not made, as I have indicated, I will be obliged to call out the militia, and if a few thousands will not be sufficient, many thousands will be.

*   *   *   *   *   *

If the individuals accused cannot be found when required by the Constable, it will be considered by me as equivalent to a refusal to be arrested, and the militia will be ordered accordingly.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  WAR.

All our information tends to fix on the people concerned in the death of the Smiths, the odium of perfidious, black-hearted, cowardly murder -- so wanton as to be without any justification -- so inhuman and treacherous as to find no parallel in savage life, under any circumstances. Governor Ford declares his intention to seek out the murderers; and he owes it to his own honor and to that of the state, whose faith was most grossly violated, never to cease his exertions for this purpose. The Mormons, it will be seen, were quiet, and not disposed to commit any acts of aggression; their enemies, on the other hand, were evidently disposed to push them to extremities, and to force them to leave the State. This feeling may be checked by the alacrity with which Gov. Ford's orders were being executed, but it will be some time before peace and order can be restored -- the disgrace of past acts cannot be wiped out.

Troops were stationed at Warsaw and Carthage, as late as June 30, and great excitement prevailed. A descent on Nauvoo was feared. Gov. Ford established his headquarters at Quincy because he was afraid to trust either the troops or the citizens around Carthage and Warsaw.

The Governor has deputed a comission to visit the Mormons at Nauvoo, to inquire particularly into their situation, and give them such instructions or orders as they may deem necessary.

Gov. Ford is praised, even by political opponents for his manly course; but his failure to protect the Smiths has impaired confidence in his efficiency. The Mormons are thoroughly subdued.

The address of the Governor is generally liked by the Mormons, who in meeting assembled, passed resolutions declaring their determination to adhere rigidly to the laws of the State and that instead of an "appeal to arms," they should appeal to the majesty of the law. Their moderation and course are just and commendable and will do them more good than opposite measures.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction -- exact text uncertain)

[The Mormons at Nauvoo] They have built up a considerable town in a very brief period. They claim a population in the city of about 15,000, and we suppose they have at least 10,000. The buildings are scattered over a wide space, extending along the river bank five or six miles, and back into the country three and four miles. With the exception of the growth of the city, there are but few other evidences of industry or enterprise among them. They appear to have but few workshops or manufactories of any kind, and a stranger is puzzled to determine how they obtain the means of subsistence. There is at this time a great scarcity of provisions among them, and the surrounding country is but little if any better provided. These difficulties add greatly to the pressure of their condition. Their usual employments in many instances are suspended, and if the excitement continues long there must inevitably be a great amount of individual suffering.


Note: The above excerpt is from a reprint published in the Washington, D. C. Daily National Intelligencer of July 17, 1844.

Head Quarters.      
Quincy, June 29, 1844.     

To the People 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 Hiram, 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 * * * 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 disorder, 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.

THOMAS FORD.        

---

MORMON DISTURBANCES -- STATEMENT FROM AN
EYE WITNESS -- SIGNS OF PEACE.

At Nauvoo, on the 24, all was orderly and quiet. Messrs. Jones [sic - Jonas?] and Fellows, deputation from Gov. Ford returned to Quincy on the Osprey, reporting every thing quiet. The boat waited at Warsaw for these gentleman to address the people, where great manifestation of excited feeling still prevails, the inhabitants seeming bent upon the point that either themselves or the Mormons must leave the country. -- The editors of the Republican and Reveille left the Osprey at Quincy, to wait upon Gov. Ford, and to communicate with the committee from Warsaw.

The extra from the Mormon organ indulges in many lamentations for the death of the Prophet and his brother, and narrates how the deed was accomplished. The murder was committed about six o'clock in the evening, by an armed mob, of 150 to 200 men, painted red, black and yellow, who surrounded the jail, forced it, and poured a shower of bullets into the room where the men were confined. Each of the victims received four balls in his body, and John Taylor, editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, was shot in four places, but not seriously injured. About three o'clock the next day, the bodies of "the noble martyrs" were received at Nauvoo. They were met, the paper says --

By a great assemblage of people, east of the Temple on Mulholland street, under the direction of the city marshall, followed by Samuel H. Smith, brother of the deceased, Dr. Richards and Mr. Hamilton, of Carthage. The wagons were guarded by eight men. The procession that followed in Nauvoo, was the City Council, the lieutenant general's staff, the major general and staff, the brigadier and staff, commanders and officers of the Legion, and citizens generally, numbering about 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 was addressed by Dr. Richards, Judge Phelps, Wood and Reed 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.

We copy from the Neighbor the following statement of facts which occurred prior to the tragedy at the jail. It is from a member of the bar at Fort Madison, Iowa Territory, retained as counsel for the Smiths, and bears internal evidence of its correctness.

---

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 Hiram 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. Joseph Smith I left for Fort Madison in the Territory of Iowa, and arrived at Carthage where I expected to meet the general, his brother Hiram and the other persons implicated with them -- They arrived at Carthage late at night, and next morning voluntarily surrendered themselves to the constable, Mr. Bettisworth, 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 days, his excellency repeatedly expressed to the legal counsellors of the Smiths his determination to protect the prisoners and to see that they should have a fair and impartial examination so far as depended on the Executive of the State. On Tuesday morning soon after the surrender of the prisoners on the charge of riot, General Joseph Smith and his brother Hiram were both arrested on a charge of treason against the state of Illinois. The affidavits upon which the writs were issued were made by Henry 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 necessarily consumed considerable time, and when this was done it was near night, and the justice adjourned his court over without calling the Smiths to answer to the charge of treason, or even intimating to their counsel or 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 Bettisworth, 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 could be sent to jail. The constable, to our surprise, thereupon 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 Hiram 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 Hiram 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, so far as they relate to the prisoners having been brought 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 Bettisworth, constable of said county:

You are commanded to bring the bodies of Joseph Smith and Hiram 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.

At a meeting of the city council, held in the council room, in the city of Nauvoo, on the first day of July, 1844, having received instructions from Gov. Ford, through the agency of A. Jonas, Esq., and Col. Fellows, it was unanimously

Resolved, For the purpose of ensuring peace, and promoting the welfare of the county of Hancock, and surrounding country, that we will rightly sustain the laws and the Governor of the State, so long as they, and he, sustain us in all our constitutional rights.

Resolved, That to carry the foregoing resolution into complete effect, inasmuch as the governor has taken from us the public arms, that we solicit of him to do the same with all the rest of the public arms of the state.

Resolved, That to further secure the peace, friendship and happiness of the people, and allay the excitement which now exists, we will reprobate private revenge on the assassinators of General Joseph Smith, and General Hiram Smith, by any of the Latter Day Saints. That instead of "an appeal to arms," we appeal to the majesty of the law, and will be content with whatever judgment it shall award; and, should the law fail, we leave the matter with God.

Resolved unanimously, That this city council pledge themselves for the city of Nauvoo, that no aggressions by the citizens of said city shall be made on the citizens of the surrounding country; but we invite them, as friends, and neighbors, to use the Savior's golden rule, and "do unto others as they would have others do unto them," and we will do likewise.

PUBLIC  MEETING.

At a meeting of a large portion of the citizens of Nauvoo, convened at the stand in the afternoon of July 1, 1844: after hearing the above instructions and resolutions of the city council read, and being addressed by A. Jonas, Esq., and others, the meeting responded to the same with a hearty Amen! The citizens then passed a vote of thanks to the governor's agents for their kindly interference in favor of peace among the citizens of Hancock county and elsewhere around us. -- Messrs. Wood and Reid, the counsel for the Gen. Smiths, for their great exertions to have even handed justice meted to the Latter Day Saints; and they also passed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Chambers and Field -- the forme, one of the editors of the "Missouri Republican," and the latter, one of the editors of the Reveille, of St. Louis, for their honorable course of coming to Nauvoo for facts, instead of spreading rumors concerning the Latter Day Saints.

Mr. Chambers made a very appropriate speech, containing innuendos for the benefit of our citizens, that appeared, as the wise man said, "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." They also passed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Wood and Convers, Mayor and ex-Mayor of Quincy, for their friendly disposition in establishing peace in the region, and we are happy to say that all appears to be peace at Nauvoo.


Note: The title and full content of the above article has not yet been determined. It may have appeared in the Republican on July 4th or July 6th. The text is taken from a reprint published in the Ohio Sandusky Clarion of July 20, 1844.

... Gov. Ford has made a requisition on the U. S. Government for 500 men, to be stationed in Hancock county, in order to keep the peace between the Mormons and the Anti-Mormons....

---

... a man was shot just back of Warsaw, Ill. on Friday previous. The Guard stationed there saw three men, supposed to be horse thieves, fired on them and one fell, He was a Mormon and they were retreating at the time. This looks a little like shooting too fast. It shows the feeling toward Mormons in that quarter.


Note: The original Republican issue has not yet been consulted, to confirm the text of the above two article fragments.

  (article on Joseph Smith -- under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

 
(July 27th letter from Carthage saying, after the coming August election
the Mormons will control the county -- under construction)

 


Note: The editor mentions "Jack Mormons" as being "a class of men who adhere to the Mormons for the sake of votes and lucre -- a class more to be despised and feared than the Mormons themselves." This odd term had hitherto circulated mostly in Hancock county, Illinois.

Mormonism. -- Sidney Rigdon and Elder Hyde arrived in this city on yesterday evening. We learn that Rigdon, who professed to have had a revelation, and returned a few weeks since from Pittsburgh, to be the successor of Smith, has been regularly unchurched by the Twelve Apostles. He returns to Pittsburgh to establish a paper. His views of Mormonism remain unchanged, although they will not have him to rule over them. The administration of the affairs of the church for the present is to remain in the hands of the Twelve Apostles.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  WAR.

We learn [by] the officers and passengers of the steamer Osprey that Governor 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 Hiram Smith to trial. The troops are under the command of General 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," advertized by a 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 on the Mormons at Nauvoo, or some other Mormon settlement. From all we can learn, we suppose that 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 troops 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.


Notes: (forthcoming)

  (Gov. Ford & the Mormons -- under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon Difficulties -- The officers of the steamer Monona from the Upper Mississippi report, that it was said at Warsaw that Governor Ford was encamped in the vicinity of Nauvoo, with about 1500 men. All things were quiet at Nauvoo and Warsaw, but it was thought that if the Governor attempted to forcibly arrest any of the persons suspected to be concerned in the murder of the Smiths a conflict would ensue. -- The Governor had sent a message to Quincy, the purport of which was not known.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON AFFAIRS. -- Thomas Sharp, the editor of the Warsaw Signal, and Col. Williams, are prisoners in the hands of Gov. Ford. Whether they have given themselves up or have been seized at Warsaw, iss not known. One of the Springfield cadets, named Norris, was instantly killed, while the guard at the camp of the Governor was being relieved, on the night of the 28th; he was shot in consequence of a false alarm purposely given to try the men. Ford's troops were scattered about in the neighborhood of Warsaw. Many of the persons who were apprehensive of arrest, had crossed the river to Churchville. It was said that seventy writs had been issued against individuals.

The Boreas arrived yesterday afternoon from the upper Mississippi. At the time she passed Warsaw, all was quiet, and nobody seemed to know any thing about Governor Ford's movements or intentions.

Our informants were told at Quincy, that Sharp, the editor of the Signal, and Col. Williams were prisoners, in the hands of the Governor; whether they had hgiven themselves up or had been taken to Warsaw we could not with certainty learn.


Note: The above text is uncertain. It was taken from a reprint in the New York Herald of Oct. 13, 1844. When the original article has been located, the corrected text will be posted here.

END OF THE THIRD MORMON WAR. -- The war is ended and the troops are en route for home. To-day the Governor held a treaty with the individuals against whom the writs had been issued for being engaged in the killing of the Smiths, and after some considerable negotiation, the matter was finally settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Col. Williams and Thos. C. Sharpe, Esq., agreed to surrender if they could be taken to Quincy for their examination. -- This was agreed to on the part of the Governor. Further, they were to have an escort to protect them while in the custody of the officer. Insufficient evidence was adduced to warrant the judge to commit for trial, the prisoners were to give moderate bail for their appearance at court. If an indictment is then found, are to have a continuance and a change of venue. This all might have been accomplished without calling out twenty five hundred militia, if the Governor had taken the proper steps in the first instance...


Note: The above article appeared in the Republican during the first week of October -- probably on Oct. 4th.

GOV. FORD appears to be determined to keep up the [ressentment?] between the citizens of Hancock county and the Mormons, and if a collision [---- ---- -------], it will certainly not be his fault. By the officers of the steamer Osprey, which left Nauvoo on Saturday evening last, we learn that a part of the Nauvoo Legion were being armed, and were to march to Carthage, in compliance with an order from the Governor -- but for what purpose was not positively known, but was supposed to [circumstances] growing out of the trial of Sharpe and others, which is now progressing at that place. In a day or two we shall know the particulars. --


Notes: (forthcoming)

  (rumor of Mormon attack -- under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON DIFFICULTIES. -- We understand that the late grand jury of Hancock county, Illinois, assembled at Carthage, found indictments for the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, against Sharp, Williams and ten others, making in all twelve indictments. -- It is believed some curious and probable strange developments of the political maneuvering and management of some of the political managers in Illinois will me made in the course of these trials. We are told that nearly every one indicted has caused subpoenas to be issued for Governor Ford; and boast of what they can prove in justification or extenuations by the Governor, Time will show how far these expectations are to be realized.


Note: The above article appeared in the Republican during the first week of November.

  (Sheriff Minor Deming, etc. -- under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

  (Sheriff Deming arrests Jacob C. Davis. -- under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)