Brother Soby does not know that it was a policeman who stopped him.

Brother Marks does not know that the police kindled the fire before

his house. Let the police have canes. Let the citizens pass and

repass at all times of night.

Councilor Taylor spoke. Thought the conclusion drawn up by Brother

Soby, that Joseph or somebody was going to get revenged by setting

the guard to kill Marks, was the most contemptible that could be

imagined; and if Brother Soby had had the respect for Brother

Joseph he ought to have had, he could not have formed such a

conclusion.

Mayor referred to Francis Higbee's testimony. Thought Francis

Higbee had better stay at home and hold his tongue, lest rumor turn

upon him and disclose some private matters which he would prefer

kept hid. Did not believe there was any rumor of the kind afloat,

or he could have told some of the names of his informants. Thought

the young men of the city had better withdraw from his society, and

let him stand on his own merits. I by no means consider him the

standard of the city.

There has been a system of corruption and debauchery, which these

rumors have grown out of; and the individuals who are the authors

of them are those who do not want a police: they want to prowl in

the streets at pleasure without interruption.

Alderman Orson Spencer spoke, approving the conduct of the police.

General Wilson Law said. "I am Joseph's friend: he has no better

{170} friend in the world: I am ready to lay down my life for him;"

and upon that the mayor and General Wilson Law shook hands.

The ordinance concerning the forty policemen read twice.

The mayor objected to assuming the entire disposal of the police

beyond the definition of the ordinance.

Alderman George A. Smith said he could sleep with a fire near his

house, if there were some of the police warming themselves by it;

and he believed any honest man could do the same.

The police received the thanks of the council.

The cross-examination and speeches are generally omitted.

Council adjourned at dusk for the want of candles.

[Sidenote: Reflections of the Prophet as to Traitors in High Places]

What can be the matter with these men? Is it that the wicked flee

when no man pursueth, that hit pigeons always flutter, that drowning

men catch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks are absolutely

traitors to the Church, that my remarks should produce such an

excitement in their minds. Can it be possible that the traitor whom

Porter Rockwell reports to me as being in correspondence with my

Missouri enemies, is one of my quorum? The people in the town were

astonished, almost every man saying to his neighbor, "Is it possible

that Brother Law or Brother Marks is a traitor, and would deliver

Brother Joseph into the hands of his enemies in Missouri?" If not, what

can be the meaning of all this? "The righteous are as bold as a lion."

A number of gentlemen boarding at my house conversed with me on

national affairs. I sent for Brother Phelps, who came and read my

letter to John C. Calhoun, with which they were highly edified.

Elder Brigham Young went to La Harpe for the purpose of instructing the

Saints.

Commenced snowing a little before sunset, and continued all night.

_Saturday, 6.--_Snow about four inches deep. I rode out with Emma in a

sleigh.

The Bishops and lesser Priesthood met at Henry W. Miller's hall.

{171} _Sunday, 7.--_At home in the morning. In the afternoon, rode out

to my farm, and preached in Brother Cornelius P. Lott's house.

The Twelve Apostles attended meetings and preached in different parts

of the city.

At six p.m. attended prayer-meeting with the quorum in the assembly

room. Law and Marks absent.

_Monday, 8.--_At home in the morning.

At eleven went to my office to investigate a difficulty between John D.

Parker and his wife. After laboring with them about two hours, brought

about a reconciliation.

I also had an interview with William Law in the streets.

My uncle, John Smith, from Macedonia, visited me.

Amos Fielding arrived from Liverpool.

_Tuesday, 9.--_At home.

I insert the following from the _Neighbor_, as a specimen of the

respect which the Carthage mob has for law or justice:

DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR AT CARTHAGE--OFFICERS RESISTED.

On Tuesday last Horace S. Eldredge, one of our county officers,

went to Carthage for the purpose of arresting Milton Cook, on the

charge of bastardy, and bringing him before R. D. Foster, justice

of the peace of this county, before whom affidavit had been made

to that effect. He found the accused in Bartlett's grocery,

(Carthage,) and arrested him.

Cook had a gun that he said he had loaded for the purpose, and

would make a hole through the constable if he molested him, and

swore he would not be taken.

Harmon T. Wilson and others then stepped forward to his assistance,

and said that they had sworn to stand by him, and that he should

not go. He [Eldredge] then returned with his process to the justice

of the peace, and told him what had occurred.

Mr. R. D. Foster then summoned eleven men to go along with the

constable and assist him in bringing the delinquent. They went out

and drove to the grocery, where they expected to find him; but he

was not there. They then went out for a short time, without making

known their business, when they saw an armed force gathering.

{172} They shortly afterwards returned to the grocery, and saw him

there where he swore he would not be taken. There was also an armed

force standing in the door, who also swore he should not be taken.

The officer having the process, Mr. Markham and Mr. Eagle stepped

forward and wished to reason the case with them, the officer at the

same time demanding their assistance. They were met with an armed

force of about twenty, four of whom stood in the doorway, two with

guns and bayonets, and two with pistols.

The two having the bayonets charged directly at Mr. Markham, and

swore they would run him through, and rushed upon him with their

bayonets. He, however, warded off their blows with his arm, and

the bayonet glanced and struck Mr. John Eagle in the abdomen. The

bayonet went through his clothes, scratched his body, and glanced

off without doing any further injury, other than giving him a

slight cut in the hand.

Those having the pistols then attempted to shoot, when Mr. Markham

seized the hand of one of them that held the pistol, and prevented

him from firing. The other put his pistol to Mr. Eagle's breast,

and swore he would shoot him.

The company at that time used all their force, and crowded the

officers and their assistants some distance back, and carried off

and secreted the prisoner. The officer and his company then went to

the tavern to stay all night.

The next morning, about eight o'clock, the constable and Mr.

Markham went to the grocery and searched, and Bartlett said that he

was gone--that he had taken his horse and gone out of town.

They then saw a company of men gathered at Harmon T. Wilson's

store, armed with guns, bayonets, pistols, clubs, and other

missiles. Mr. Markham went to the store, where he found the

constable and the prisoner. There were fifty in and about the

store, all armed.

Mr. Eldredge then told the company present who he was, and demanded

all in the house to assist in taking the prisoner, and then seized

him. As soon as he laid hold of the prisoner, about six or eight

men laid hold of the constable. Mr. Markham assisted the constable.

When Mr. Markham had nearly succeeded in liberating the constable,

a man who was called Dr. Morrison, drew his pistol and shot at

Markham. The ball missed Markham, but came so near Mr. Coltrin's

head, who was one of the assistants, as to graze his forehead.

As there were only four of the assistants in the store, they were

overpowered by superior numbers, and the prisoner was taken away

from them.

They saw that it would be impossible to take him without bloodshed,

and consequently returned home. The parties engaged in this affray

{173} swore that, regardless of all law, they would defend the

prisoner, and he should not be taken.

We have received the above particulars from Mr. Markham, and can

consequently rely upon the correctness of the statement, as he is

one of the parties mentioned. The woman who was _enciente,_ who

made the affidavit, is not in the Church, neither is Mr. Eagle--the

person who was struck with the bayonet. Mr. Eagle has gone to the

governor to make complaint.

We think that it is high time that prompt measures be taken to put

a stop to such abominable outrages. If officers can be insulted in

this manner and the law violated with impunity, we think that we

shall speedily slide back into the barbarous ages.

Some of our mobocratic friends who assembled at a mobocratic

meeting some time ago in Carthage, were considerably chagrined at

our terming them mobocrats. We wonder whether they now believe

that they are, or not? If such proceedings as those are cherished,

farewell to our Republican institutions! farewell to law, equity,

and justice! and farewell to all those sacred ties that bind men to

their fellowmen!

We would here ask where the sheriff was. Why was he not applied to?

We merely ask for information. We don't know that he was present

or applied to. If he was, it certainly was his duty to see the law

magnified.

_Wednesday 10.--_At home.

[Sidenote: John Smith, Uncle of the Prophet, Ordained a Patriarch.]

Ordained Uncle John Smith a patriarch. Enjoyed myself well in an

interview with the brethren and concluded to take a ride part way with

my uncle on his return to Macedonia.

In consequence of a visit from some gentlemen from Carthage, I called

the City Council together at seven p.m. I copy the minutes:--

_Special Session of City Council; Complaints of Carthage Citizens

Considered_.

January 10, 1844, 7 p.m.

Names of members called.

The mayor said:--"Messrs. Backman, Hamilton, and Sherman, lawyers

from Carthage, have called on me and told me that the occasion of

the excitement at Carthage and the resistance to the law, in the

case of the arrest of Cook, was the late ordinance of this council

to prevent unlawful search or seizure of person or property by

foreign {174} process in the city of Nauvoo; that they considered

said ordinance was designed to hinder the execution of the statutes

of Illinois within this city; consequently, they, the old citizens,

felt disposed to stop the execution of processes issuing from the

city precincts. They also raised objections against the process by

Justice Foster for the apprehension of Cook, because it was made

returnable to him alone, whereas they said the statute required it

to be made returnable before himself or some other justice.

I explained to them the nature and reason of the ordinance--that

was to prevent kidnapping under the pretense of law or process,

and to facilitate the apprehension of thieves, &c., in this city,

by throwing all foreign processes into the hands of the marshal,

who would be most likely to know the hiding-places of fugitives

from justice, who might secrete themselves in our city; and said

that if any wrong impression had gone abroad with regard to the

motives of the council in passing said ordinance, I would call the

council immediately, that they might have the opportunity of giving

any explanation necessary, so that the public might understand the

ordinance in its true light. I have therefore called the council

accordingly. I also referred the lawyers from Carthage to the

statute which requires all processes issued in cases of bastardy

to be returnable alone to the justice issuing the same, which

they doubted until showed them the law, when they looked a little

crest-fallen and foolish."

After deliberation, an additional section relative to the foregoing

ordinance was read three times, and passed, by way of amendment:--

"Section 3. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of

Nauvoo, that nothing in the foregoing ordinance shall be so

construed as to prevent, hinder, or thwart the designs of justice,

or to retard the civil officers of the state or county in the

discharge of their official duties, but to aid and assist them

within the limits of this city.

"Passed January 10, 1844.

"JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.

"WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder."

Council adjourned.

Wrote a letter to Esquire Backman to inform him what the City Council

had done.

[Sidenote: Complaints of F.M. Higbee against the Prophet.]

I received a long equivocating letter from Francis M. Higbee, charging

me with having slandered his character and demanding a public trial

before the Church. It contains no denial of the charges which he

accuses me of having spoken against him, but is full of bombast.

{175}

_Thursday 11.--_At home.

Rode out, ten a.m., and returned at half-past one p.m.

This morning William Jones, who had stayed all night at Wilson's Tavern

in Carthage, was arrested without process by Colonel Levi Williams and

his company, who kept him in custody until noon without rations.

The Twelve Apostles gave an invitation to the Saints in Nauvoo to cut

and draw for me seventy-five or one hundred cords of wood on the 15th

and 16th instant.

_Friday 12.--_Thaw: snow nearly gone.

[Sidenote: Conference in Michigan]

A conference was held in Brownstown, Main county, Michigan. Elder

Mephibosheth Sirrine, president; and Gehiel Savage, clerk. Nine

branches were represented, containing 6 elders, 9 priests, 7 teachers,

1 deacon, 136 members, and 45 scattered members; one hundred members

having removed from that state to Nauvoo since the conference in July

last.

_Saturday 13.--_At home in the morning.

At ten o'clock, attended City Council, where a bill for an ordinance

concerning the recording of deeds in this city was taken under

consideration, and read twice. It elicited much discussion.

The ten policemen who were not present at the meeting of the City

Council on the 5th instant were sworn in the matter of William Law and

William Marks, and testified they had received no private instructions

whatever from me.

A discussion took place on the subject of granting licenses for the

sale of spirits.

I signed resolutions passed at a court martial held this morning.

Stephen M. Farnsworth was chosen president of the priests' quorum, and

William Carmichael and William Box his counselors.

_Sunday 14.--_At home all day.

{176} A prayer-meeting was held at the assembly room. I did not attend.

Warm and rainy towards evening.

The Twelve Apostles preached at private houses in various parts of the

city.

A branch of the Church was organized in New Orleans, with 34 members.

T. B. Jackaway, president, and E. L. Brown, clerk.

_Monday 15.--_At home. Wrote to Sister Maria L. Campbell, Elmira, N. Y.

[Sidenote: A Wood Bee]

At nine, a.m., teams began to arrive with wood, according to the

appointment of the Twelve Apostles, there being about 200 of the

brethren chopping in the woods, and from thirty to forty teams engaged

in drawing the wood to my house. About 100 loads were drawn, and as

many more chopped, and left to be drawn another day.

[Sidenote: Threats of Francis M. Higbee.]

At ten, a.m., Dr. Richards called, and told me it was reported that

Francis M. Higbee was going to put me under $10,000 bonds for speaking

against him.

At the same time, Constable Eldredge summoned me to attend a court as

witness before Esquire Johnson; and I went accordingly, to give my

testimony.

The Twelve Apostles wrote the following letter:--

_Letter: The Twelve Apostles to the Saints at Morley

Settlement--Material Help Asked for_.

NAUVOO, January 15, 1844.

_To President Isaac Morley and the Saints at Morley Settlement, the

Twelve send greeting_:--

BELOVED BRETHREN--While the work of the Lord is great and sought

out by all them that have pleasure therein, the Lord of the

vineyard has laid special charges upon some of His servants to

execute; and while we are striving by all means to raise funds to

hasten the Temple the approaching spring, we are not unmindful of

the "History of the Church," the "Great Proclamation to the Kings

of the Earth," and the "Memorials to Congress," &c., all of which

are now before the Church, though their {177} progress is retarded

for the want of the necessities of life, in the families of those

who are employed in this business.

Two or three clerks are necessarily employed, and that continually,

by our Prophet, who cheerfully devote their time--not a _tenth,_

but the _whole,_ to roll on these desirable objects; but their

hands are palsied and their pens stayed, more or less. Therefore,

with the approbation of our President, we again call on you, as

those who have ever been ready to listen to the wants of the

Church, that you would raise such collections of provisions as you

may have at your disposal, and forward the same _without delay_ to

us, for the special benefit of the clerks of President Smith or the

Church. Asking no more, it is right they should not go hungry or

naked.

Do you ask what is wanting? We answer, Look to your own households,

and say what it requires to make them comfortable, and you will

know just what is wanting by these men. _Eatables of every kind,_

and even soap to keep their hands clean, is scarce at Nauvoo, and

it takes many lights to keep the pen in motion these long evenings.

The President has plenty to do without supporting a number of

clerks, whose business as deeply concerns every other individual in

the Church as himself, although he has done it to a great extent

and with great inconvenience; and we are confident that when you

are made acquainted with the facts, you will be unwilling that

_Joseph_ should _do all, and get all the blessing._ And as you

shall continue your liberality in temporal things, God shall pour

out upon your heads blessings spiritual and temporal; and _now_ is

the time for _action_.

All is peace at Nauvoo, and the last report from the Carthaginians

was, they were beginning to think it was time to throw down their

arms and attempt a compromise. But the "Mormons" can truly say they

have had no quarrel with them. It has all been between the citizens

and the law, their own officers being the executors thereof; and we

feel disposed to let them fight it out among themselves, while we

live in peace and laugh at their folly.

With our prayers and blessings, we subscribe ourselves

Your brethren in Christ Jesus.

In behalf of the quorum,

B. YOUNG, President.

W. RICHARDS, Clerk.

The Municipal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Francis M.

Higbee, on affidavit of Orson Pratt.

East wind in forenoon, and some rain. Brisk wind from N.W. in afternoon.

[Sidenote: Andrews' Appeal to the State of Maine.]

{178} Benjamin Andrews published in the _Times and Seasons_ "An Appeal

to the people of the State of Maine" setting forth the persecutions,

murders, and robberies committed upon the Saints by the people of the

State of Missouri, and soliciting the assistance of his native State in

procuring redress.

_Tuesday, 16.--_Cold and windy.

[Sidenote: Francis M. Higbee on Trial--Reconciliation with Prophet.]

At ten, a.m., Francis M. Higbee was brought up before the Municipal

Court, on complaint of Orson Pratt, for absenting himself from City

Council without leave, when summoned as a witness, and for slanderous

and abusive language towards one of the members of the Council.

The court adjourned, and the City Council commenced their session,

continuing till two o'clock, during which time a reconciliation took

place with Francis M. Higbee, who had written a slanderous letter

concerning me, and said many hard things, which he acknowledged; and I

forgave him. I went before the Council and stated that all difficulties

between me and F. M. Higbee were eternally buried, and I was to be his

friend for ever. To which F. M. Higbee replied, "I will be his friend

for ever, and his right-hand man."

A number of the brethren assembled and chopped up the firewood which

had been hauled to my house yesterday, and piled it up ready for use.

The following "Ordinance concerning the sale of Spirituous Liquors" was

passed by the City Council:

_An Ordinance concerning the Sale of Spirituous Liquors_.

Whereas, the use and sale of distilled and fermented liquors for

all purposes of beverage and drink by persons in health are viewed

by this City Council with unqualified disapprobation:

Whereas, nevertheless the aforesaid liquors are considered highly

beneficial for medical and mechanical purposes, and may be safely

employed for such uses, under the counsel of discreet persons:

Therefore,

{179} Sect. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of

Nauvoo, that the Mayor of this city is hereby authorized to sell

said liquors in such quantities as he may deem expedient.

Sect. 2. Be it further ordained, that other persons not exceeding

one to each ward of the city, may also sell said liquors in like

quantities for medical and mechanical purposes by obtaining a

license of the Mayor of the city. The above ordinance to be in full

force and effect immediately after its passage,--all ordinances to

the contrary notwithstanding.

Passed January 16, 1844.

JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.

W. RICHARDS, Recorder.

An ordinance was also passed, authorizing Henry G. Sherwood to make out

a city directory, and to establish an intelligence office in the city.

Also the following ordinance:--

_An Ordinance concerning Witnesses and Jurors' Fees_.

Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nauvoo, that

hereafter all persons subpoenaed and attending upon courts of trial

as witnesses, or as jurors in civil cases, shall not be compelled

to testify or be held in attendance either as witness or juror,

unless they shall first be tendered the sum of fifty cents per day

for each witness and each juror subpoenaed.

Passed January 16, 1844.

JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.

W. RICHARDS, Recorder.

_Wednesday, 17.--_At home settling accounts with various individuals.

Gave deed of a lot to John Lytle.

The steamer _Shepherdess_ sank near St. Louis, drowning forty

passengers.

_Thursday, 18.--_At home, and wrote letters to Reuben McBride and

Joseph Coe, Kirtland; Clark Leal, of Fountain Green; and to Justin J.

Butterfield, Esq., Chicago.

[Sidenote: Assault Upon Nelson Judd.]

This afternoon a man called on Brother Nelson Judd, and said he wanted

to sell him some wood below Davidson Hibbard's. He went to see the

wood, the man saying he would meet him at the place. When below,

Hibbard's two {180} men came up on horseback, and told him they had

a warrant for him, for taking away Avery's things for Bear Creek.

One shot at him twice and the other snapped at him twice with their

pistols. Judd then coolly said, "Now, 'tis my turn," putting his hand

into his pocket, although he knew he had no pistols: yet the men fled.

There was a cotillion party at the Mansion this evening.

_Friday, 19.--_Rode out in the course of the day. In the evening,

gave a lecture on the Constitution of the United States, and on the

candidates for the Presidency.

Mild weather. Cloudy in the afternoon.

A meeting was held in the assembly room to devise means for the

founding of another library institution in Nauvoo.

{181}

CHAPTER VIII.

PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON TO QUEEN VICTORIA--THE SEALING

POWERS OF THE PRIESTHOOD--GOVERNOR FORD'S WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF

HANCOCK COUNTY--APOSTROPHE TO MISSOURI--JOSEPH SMITH NOMINATED FOR

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES--HIS VIEWS ON THE POWERS AND POLICY OF

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

_Saturday, January 20th, 1844.--_Held Mayor's Court on the case--"City

of Nauvoo _versus_ Stephen Wilkinson," for breach of ordinance. I

discharged the defendant, he paying costs.

At six, p.m., prayer-meeting in the assembly room. I was at home.

The High Council met, but, having no business, adjourned.

"STANZAS"

_On the Presentation of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria_.

BY MISS E. R. SNOW.

Before leaving London, Elder Lorenzo Snow presented to her Majesty

Queen Victoria, and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, through

the politeness of Sir Henry Wheatly, two neatly bound copies of

the Book of Mormon, which had been donated by President Brigham

Young, and left in the care of Elder Snow for that purpose; which

circumstance suggested the following lines:--

Of all the monarchs of the earth

That wear the robes of royalty,

She has inherited by birth

The broadest wreath of majesty.

{182} From her wide territorial wing

The sun does not withdraw its light,

While earth's diurnal motions bring

To other nations day and night.

All earthly thrones are tottering things,

Where lights and shadows intervene;

And regal honor often brings

The scaffold or the guillotine.

But still her sceptre is approved;

All nations deck the wreath she wears:

Yet, like the youth whom Jesus loved,

One thing is lacking even there.

But lo! a prize possessing more

Of worth than gems with honor rife--

A herald of salvation bore

To her the words of endless life.

That GIFT, however fools deride,

Is worthy of her royal care:

She'd better lay her crown aside

Than spurn the light reflected there.

Oh would she now her influence bend--,

The influence of royalty,

Messiah's kingdom to extend,

And Zion's "nursing mother" be.

Thus with the glory of her name

Inscribed on Zion's lofty spire,

She'd win a wreath of endless fame,

To last when other wreaths expire.

Though over millions called to reign--

Herself a powerful nation's boast,

'Twould be her everlasting gain

To serve the King, the Lord of Hosts.

For there are crowns and thrones on high,

And kingdoms there to be conferred;

There honors wait that never die;

There fame's immortal trump is heard.

{183} Truth echoes--'tis Jehovah's word;

Let kings and queens and princes hear;

In distant isles the sound is heard;

Ye heavens rejoice! O earth, give ear!

The time, the time is now at hand

To give a glorious period birth:

The son of God will take command

And rule the nations of the earth.

Nauvoo, Jan. 20, 1844.

_Sunday 21.--_Preached at the southeast corner of the temple to several

thousand people, although the weather was somewhat unpleasant. My

subject was the sealing of the hearts of the fathers to the children,

and the hearts of the children to the fathers.

[The following synopsis was reported by Elder Wilford Woodruff:]--

_Discourse: The Sealing Power in the Priesthood_.

When I consider the surrounding circumstances in which I am placed

this day, standing in the open air with weak lungs, and somewhat

out of health, I feel that I must have the prayers and faith of

my brethren that God may strengthen me and pour out His special

blessing upon me, if you get very much from me this day.

There are many people assembled here to-day, and throughout the

city, and from various parts of the world, who say that they have

received to a certainty a portion of the knowledge from God, by

revelation, in the way that He has ordained and pointed out.

I shall take the broad ground, then, that we have received a

portion of knowledge from God by immediate revelation, and from the

same source we can receive all knowledge.

What shall I talk about to-day? I know what Brother Cahoon wants

me to speak about. He wants me to speak about the coming of Elijah

in the last days. I can see it in his eye. I will speak upon that

subject then.

The Bible says, "I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the

coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn

the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the

children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a

curse."

{184} Now, the word _turn_ here should be translated _bind_, or

seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is

it to be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of

Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God

gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on

Mount Zion.

But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building

their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and

receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings,

anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in

behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that

they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to

thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the

hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the

fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah. And I would to God

that this temple was now done, that we might go into it, and go to

work and improve our time, and make use of the seals while they are

on earth.

The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead,

and gather together their living relatives, that they may be saved

also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed

falls upon the world.

I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might and gather

together all their living relatives to this place, that they may

be sealed and saved, that they may be prepared against the day

that the destroying angel goes forth; and if the whole Church

should go to with all their might to save their dead, seal their

posterity, and gather their living friends, and spend none of their

time in behalf of the world, they would hardly get through before

night would come, when no man can work; and my only trouble at the

present time is concerning ourselves, that the Saints _will be

divided, broken up, and scattered,_ before we get our salvation

secure; for there are so many fools in the world for the devil to

operate upon, it gives him the advantage oftentimes.

The question is frequently asked "Can we not be saved without

going through with all these ordinances, &c.?" I would answer,

No, not the fullness of salvation. Jesus said, "There are many

mansions in my Father's house, and I will go and prepare a place

for you." _House_ here named should have been translated kingdom;

and any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a

celestial law, and the whole law too.

But there has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the

heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots

with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even

the Saints are slow to understand.

{185} I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the

Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see

some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God,

will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is

contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all.

How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and

receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called,

but few are chosen.

Prayer-meeting in the Assembly Room.

_Monday, 22.--_Rainy; wind easterly; mud very deep.

[Sidenote: Nauvoo Mansion Leased.]

Rented the Nauvoo Mansion and stables to Ebenezer Robinson for one

thousand dollars per annum and board for myself and family and horses,

reserving to myself three rooms in the house.

Prayer-meeting at President Young's; ten present.

[Sidenote: Sale of the Printing Establishment to John Taylor]

_Tuesday. 23.--_Ebenezer Robinson took possession of the Nauvoo

Mansion, to continue it as a public-house. W. W. Phelps, Newel K.

Whitney and Willard Richards valued the printing office and lot at

$1,500; printing apparatus, $950; bindery, $112; foundry, $270; total,

$2,832. I having sold the concern to John Taylor, who in consideration

was to assume the responsibility of the Lawrence estate.

There was a cotillion party in the evening at the Nauvoo Mansion. The

night was clear and cold.

The ship _Fanny,_ Captain Patterson, sailed from Liverpool with 210

Saints on board.

_Wednesday, 24.--_Called at my office about one o'clock. I think the

appraised valuation of the printing office rather too low.

Weather very cold.

The mob party at Carthage, Warsaw, and Green Plains continued their

agitation.

_Thursday, 25.--_At home.

Prayer-meeting at Brother Brigham's: eight of the Twelve Apostles

present. Weather extremely cold.

I approved of the doings of a general court-martial held January 13th.

{186} _Friday, 26.--_I dictated to my clerk an article on the situation

of the nation, referring to the President's Message, &c.

Prayer-meeting at Brother Young's: eight of the Twelve Apostles

present. Elder Orson Hyde went to Carthage to preach. Weather clear and

cool.

_Saturday, 27.--_Weather extremely cold and clear.

Prayer-meeting in the assembly room. High Council met, but, having no

business, adjourned.

_Sunday, 28.--_I had some company in the evening from Warsaw. I

conversed with them on politics, religion, &c. Prayer-meeting in the

assembly room. Weather very cold.

I insert the following from the _Millennial Star_:--

_Importance of Elders Keeping Journals, Case of Healing Recorded_.

MR. EDITOR:--The idea has frequently crossed my mind, that were the

Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ in this age to keep a journal

of their travels and ministry, and record all the healings and

miracles they had witnessed from time to time,--that should their

separate journals be afterwards collected together and published

in a volume, I am inclined to believe that a far greater number of

manifest displays of the power of God would be therein recorded

than is found in the journals of the Elders of the Church of Jesus

Christ in the early ages, at least so far as they are faithfully

handed down to us in the New Testament Scriptures.

And although, as in days of old, we are frequently branded with the

epithets of "fools, fanatics, religious enthusiasts, dupes, and

vile impostors," yet "what we have felt and seen, with confidence

we tell."

We have frequently heard from individuals on whose testimony we

can rely with the greatest confidence, of extraordinary displays

of the power of God in the gift of healing; such, for instance,

as the blind receiving their sight, the deaf having their hearing

restored, the lame man being made to "leap as an hart," the dumb

spirit being cast out, and one instance of the dead being restored

to life.

Another instance of the kind last mentioned, with a heart

overflowing with gratitude, I desire to record. On the afternoon of

yesterday, a child of mine, a girl aged eight years, was sliding

on the rails of the staircase, when on a sudden she turned over,

and fell from top to bottom with a most tremendous crash, falling

on her head, and being completely double when picked up by her

mother,--so much so indeed, that {187} her brother, who heard

the noise, looked out of the kitchen, and seeing something lying

in the passage motionless, concluded that his sister had thrown

some dirty linen over the rails, and took no further notice. Her

mother, on hearing the noise occasioned by her fall, hastened out

of the parlor to the fatal spot, and immediately discovered it

was poor Mary Jane, who lay motionless, speechless, senseless,

yea, lifeless. She instantly took her up in her arms, and when she

beheld her appearance, in an agony she cried out, "My child is

dead! she has fallen and killed herself."

By this time I had hastened to the horrid scene, where I beheld

my lovely girl stretched on the lap of her disconsolate mother,

without the slightest appearance of life. I immediately examined

her, and found that she breathed not, and that her pulsation

had ceased. Her eyes also were wide open, and quite fixed as in

death, and there appeared to be gathering over them the film of

dissolution. In fact, if it be true that Eutychus (the young man

mentioned in the 20th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, who fell

from an upper story,) was taken up dead, it is equally true that my

daughter was taken up dead, for there was not the slightest vestige

of life apparent.

At this moment, with heart uplifted to my Heavenly Father, I, in

mighty faith, placed my hands upon her and ejaculated, "Lord,

heal my child!" when in one moment she shewed signs of life, and

attempted to speak.

I immediately gave her to drink a little cold water, and bathed her

head with the same. She then sat up and vomited considerably, and

she is now so far recovered as this morning to sing a verse of a

hymn and walk about as usual.

During my presidency over the Liverpool Conference, which is nearly

eighteen months, I have witnessed many cases of healing, but never

any so very striking as the one I have just related.

If you deem the narrative worthy of a place in your pages of the

_Millennial Star,_ you are quite at liberty to insert it.

I remain, dear brother,

Yours sincerely in the Gospel of Jesus,

GEORGE MITCHELSON.

[Sidenote: The Presidential Election Considered.]

_Monday, 29.--_At ten, a.m., the Twelve Apostles, together with Brother

Hyrum and John P. Greene, met at the mayor's office, to take into

consideration the proper course for this people to pursue in relation

to the coming Presidential election.

The candidates for the office of President of the United States at

present before the people are Martin Van Buren {188} and Henry Clay.

It is morally impossible for this people, in justice to themselves, to

vote for the re-election of President Van Buren--a man who criminally

neglected his duties as chief magistrate in the cold and unblushing

manner which he did, when appealed to for aid in the Missouri

difficulties. His heartless reply burns like a firebrand in the breast

of every true friend of liberty--"_Your cause is just, but I can do

nothing for you_."

As to Mr. Clay, his sentiments and cool contempt of the people's

rights are manifested in his reply--_"You had better go to Oregon for

redress,"_ which would prohibit any true lover of our constitutional

privileges from supporting him at the ballot-box.

It was therefore moved by Willard Richards, and voted unanimously--

That we will have an independent electoral ticket, and that Joseph

Smith be a candidate for the next Presidency; and that we use all

honorable means in our power to secure his election.

I said--

_The Prophet on the Campaign_.

If you attempt to accomplish this, you must send every man in

the city who is able to speak in public throughout the land

to electioneer and make stump speeches, advocate the "Mormon"

religion, purity of elections, and call upon the people to stand by

the law and put down mobocracy. David Yearsly must go,--Parley P.

Pratt to New York, Erastus Snow to Vermont, and Sidney Rigdon to

Pennsylvania.

After the April Conference we will have General Conferences all

over the nation, and I will attend as many as convenient. Tell the

people we have had Whig and Democratic Presidents long enough:

we want a President of the United States. If I ever get into the

presidential chair, I will protect the people in their rights and

liberties. I will not electioneer for myself. Hyrum, Brigham,

Parley and Taylor must go. Clayton must go, or he will apostatize.

The Whigs are striving for a king under the garb of Democracy.

There is oratory enough in the Church to carry me into the

presidential chair the first slide.

Captain White, of Quincy, was at the Mansion last night, {189} and this

morning drank a toast. * * * "May Nauvoo become the empire seat of

government!"

[Sidenote: Commencement of the Prophet's Views on Powers and Policy of

U.S.]

I dictated to Brother Phelps the head of my pamphlet, entitled, "Views

on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States."

A Millerite lecturer came into the office with Brother Clayton, about

five, p.m. I had some conversation with him about the definition of the

Greek word Hades, and the Hebrew word Sheol, &c. He lectured in the

evening in the hall.

Prayer-meeting at Elder Brigham Young's.

Governor Ford wrote the following expostulatory epistle to the citizens

of Hancock County, through the _Warsaw Signal_:--

_Governor Ford's Warning to the People of Hancock County_.

SPRINGFIELD January 29, 1844.

DEAR SIR:--I have received the copy of the proceeding and

resolutions of a meeting of the citizens of Hancock County, which

you did me the honor to send me.

I have observed with regret that occasions have been presented for

disturbing the peace of your county; and if I knew what I could

legally do to apply a corrective, I would be very ready to do it.

But if you are a lawyer, or at all conversant with the law, you

will know that I, as a governor, have no right to interfere in your

difficulties.

As yet, I believe that there has been nothing like war among you:

and I hope that all of you will have the good sense to see the

necessity of preserving peace. If there is anything wrong in the

Nauvoo charters, or in the mode of administering them, you will see

that nothing short of legislative or judicial power is capable of

enforcing a remedy.

I myself had the honor of calling the attention of the Legislature

to this subject at the last session; but a large majority of both

political parties in that body either did not see the evil which

you complain of, or, if they did, they repeatedly refused to

correct it. And yet a call is made upon me to do that which all

parties refused to do at the last session.

I have also been called upon to take away the arms from the

_Mormons,_ to raise the militia to arrest a supposed fugitive, and

in fact to repeal some of the ordinances of the City of Nauvoo.

Hancock County is justly famed for its intelligence; and I cannot

{190} believe that any of its citizens are so ignorant as not to

know that I have no power to do these things.

The absurd and preposterous nature of these requests give some

color to the charge that they are made for political effect only.

I hope that this charge is untrue; for, in all candor, it would be

more creditable to those concerned to have their errors attributed

to ignorance than to a disposition to embroil the country in the

horrors of war for the advancement of party ends.

But if there should be any truth in the charge, (which God forbid.)

I affectionately entreat all the good citizens engaged in it to

lay aside their designs and yield up their ears to the voice of

justice, reason, and humanity. All that I can do at present is to

admonish both parties to beware of carrying matters to extremity.

Let it come to this--let a state of war ensue, and I will be

compelled to interfere with executive power. In that case also, I

wish, in a friendly, affectionate, and candid manner, to tell the

citizens of Hancock County, _Mormons_ and all, that my interference

will be against those who shall be the first transgressors.

I am bound by the laws and Constitution to regard you all as

citizens of the State, possessed of equal rights and privileges,

and to cherish the rights of one as dearly as the rights of

another. I can know no distinction among you except that of

assailant and assailed.

I hope, dear sir, you will do me the favor to publish this letter

in the papers of your county, for the satisfaction of all persons

concerned.

I am, with the highest respect,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS FORD.

_Tuesday 30.--_At eleven, a.m., I went into the office with Colonel

Jackson.

One, p.m., held mayor's court at my office, on the case "City _versus_

Thomas Coates." Fined the defendant $25 and costs for beating John

Ellison.

A Millerite preached again in the assembly room, and Elder Rigdon

replied to him. There was a full house.

Prayer-meeting at Elder Brigham Young's.

[Sidenote: Winchester's Mission to Warsaw.]

_Wednesday, 31.--_Eleven, a.m., I called at the office, and told

Benjamin Winchester to go to Warsaw and preach the first principles of

the Gospel, get some lexicons, and return home.

{191} Prayer-meeting at Elder Brigham Young's in the evening. There

seems to be quite a revival throughout Nauvoo, and an inquiry after the

things of God, by all the quorums and the Church in general.

[Sidenote: Rigdon's Appeal to Pennsylvania.]

Sidney Rigdon published a lengthy appeal to the Legislature of the

State of Pennsylvania, setting forth in pathetic style the grievances

he had suffered through the persecution against the Church by the State

of Missouri, which concludes as follows:--

_Peroration of Rigdon's Appeal to Pennsylvania_.

In confidence of the purity and patriotism of the representatives

of the people of his native state, your memorialist comes to your

honorable body, through this his winged messenger, to tell you that

the altar which was erected by the blood of your ancestors to civil

and religious liberty, from whence ascended up the holy incense of

pure patriotism and universal good will to man, into the presence

of Jehovah, a savior of life, is thrown down, and the worshipers

thereat have been driven away, or else they are lying slain at

the place of the altar. He comes to tell your honorable body that

the temple your fathers erected to freedom, whither their sons

assembled to hear her precepts and cherish her doctrines in their

hearts, has been desecrated--its portals closed, so that those who

go up thither are forbidden to enter.

He comes to tell your honorable body that the blood of the heroes

and patriots of the revolution, who have been slain by wicked hands

for enjoying their religious rights, the boon of Heaven to man, has

cried and is crying in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, saying,

"Redress, redress our wrongs, O Lord God of the whole earth."

He comes to tell your honorable body that the dying groans of

infant innocence and the shrieks of insulted and abused females,

and many of them widows of revolutionary patriots, have ascended up

into the ears of Omnipotence, and are registered in the archives

of eternity, to be had in the day of retribution as a testimony

against the whole nation, unless their cries and groans are heard

by the representatives of the people, and ample redress made, as

far as the nation can make it, or else the wrath of the almighty

will come down in fury against the whole nation.

Under all these circumstances, your memorialist prays to be heard

{192} by your honorable body touching all the matters of his

memorial. And as a memorial will be presented to Congress this

session for redress of our grievances, he prays your honorable body

will instruct the whole delegation of Pennsylvania, in both houses,

to use all their influence in the national councils to have redress

granted.

And, as in duty bound, your memorialist will ever pray.

SIDNEY RIGDON.

Miss E. R. Snow published the following apostrophe to--

"MISSOURI."

What aileth thee, O Missouri! that thy face should gather

blackness? and why are thy features so terribly distorted?

Rottennesss has seized upon thy vitals, corruption is preying upon

thy inward parts, and the breath of thy lips is full of destructive

contagion.

What meaneth thy shaking? and why art thou terrified? Thou hast

become like Belshazzar. "_Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin_!" is indeed

written against thee; but it is the work of thine own hand;

the characters upon thy wall are of thine own inscription; and

wherefore dost thou tremble?

Wouldst thou know the interpretation thereof? Hast thou sought for

a Daniel to declare it unto thee? Verily one greater than a Daniel

was in thy midst; but thou hast butchered the Saints, and hast

hunted the Prophets like Ahab of old.

Thou has extinguished the light of thy own glory; thou hast plucked

from thy head the crown of honor; thou hast divested thyself of the

robe of respectability; thou hast thrust from thine own bosom the

veins that flowed with virtue and integrity.

Thou hast violated the laws of our sacred constitution; thou hast

unsheathed the sword against thy dearest national rights, by rising

up against thine own citizens, and moistening thy soil with the

blood of those that legally inherited it.

When thou hadst torn from helpless innocence its rightful

protectors thou didst pollute the holy sanctuary of female virtue,

and barbarously trampled upon the most sacred gems of domestic

felicity.

Therefore the daughters of Columbia count thee a reproach, and

blush with indignation at the mention of thy name.

Thou hast become an ignominious stain on the escutcheon of a noble,

free and independent republic; thou hast become a stink in the

nostrils of the Goddess of Liberty.

{193} Thou art fallen--thou art fallen beneath the weight of thine

own unhallowed deeds, and thine iniquities are pressing as a heavy

load upon thee.

But although thy glory has departed--though thou hast gone down

like a star that is set forever, thy memory will not be erased;

thou wilt be had in remembrance even until the Saints of God shall

forget that the way to the celestial kingdom is "through great

tribulation."

Though thou shouldst be severed from the body of the Union, like a

mortified member--though the lion from the thicket should devour

thee, thy doings will be perpetuated; mention will be made of them

by the generations to come.

Thou art already associated with Herod, Nero, and the bloody

Inquisition; thy name has become synonymous with oppression,

cruelty, treachery, and murder.

Thou wilt rank high with the haters of righteousness and the

shedders of innocent blood: the hosts of tyrants are waiting

beneath to meet thee at thy coming.

O ye wise legislators! ye executives of the nation! ye distributors

of justice! ye advocates of equal rights! arise and redress the

wrongs of an innocent people, and redeem the cause of insulted

liberty.

Let not the contagious spirit of corruption wither the sacred

wreath that encircles you, and spread a cloud of darkness over the

glory of your star-spangled banner;

Lest the monarchs of the earth should have you in derision; lest

you should be weighed in the balance with the heathen nations,

and should be found wanting; lest the arm of the Lord should be

revealed in judgment against you; lest an arrow of vengeance

from the almighty should pierce the rotten fabric of a once

sheltering constitution, and your boasted confidence become like

an oak dismembered of its branches, whose shattered trunk is torn

piecemeal by the uprising of the tempest!

For the cries of the widow and fatherless, the groans of the

oppressed and the prayers of the suffering exile have come up

before the God of Hosts, who brought our pilgrim fathers across the

boisterous ocean, and raised up a Washington to break the yoke of

foreign oppression.

Morley Settlement, January, 1844.

_Thursday, February 1.--_At home: weather cold.

[Sidenote: An Appeal to Massachusetts--Phineas Richards.]

Phinehas Richards published a thrilling appeal to the inhabitants of

his native state of Massachusetts, to consider the wrongs sustained in

the loss of lives and property, and other damages {194} done to the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he is a member.

Elder Reuben Hedlock wrote to President Brigham Young, giving the names

of those who had emigrated at the expense of the office, amounting to

$2,378; which is due from the emigrants.

_Friday, 2.--_Dr. Willard Richards called and read Phinehas Richards'

appeal to the inhabitants of Massachusetts, for redress of Missouri

grievances.

Prayer-meeting at Elder Brigham Young's. Weather cold.

I went into the assembly room, where I found Elders Wilford Woodruff,

Willard Richards, and W. W. Phelps, to whom I related the following

dream, which Elder Willford Woodruff reported:

_The Prophet's Dream--Troubled Waters Overcome_.

I was standing on a peninsula, in the midst of a vast body of water

where there appeared to be a large harbor or pier built out for

boats to come to. I was surrounded by my friends, and while looking

at this harbor I saw a steamboat approaching the harbor. There were

bridges on the pier for persons to cross, and there came up a wind

and drove the steamboat under one of the bridges and upset it.

I ran up to the boat, expecting the persons would all drown; and

wishing to do something to assist them, I put my hand against the

side of the boat, and with one surge I shoved it under the bridge

and righted it up, and then told them to take care of themselves.

But it was not long before I saw them starting out into the channel

or main body of the water again.

The storms were raging and the waters rough. I said to my friends

that if they did not understand the signs of the times and the

spirit of prophecy, they would be apt to be lost.

It was but a few moments after when we saw the waves break over the

boat, and she soon foundered and went down with all on board.

The storm and waters were still very rough; yet I told my friends

around me that I believed I could stem those waves and that storm,

and swim in the waters better than the steamboat did; at any rate I

was determined to try it. But my friends laughed at me, and told me

I could not stand at all, but would be drowned.

{195} The waters looked clear and beautiful, though exceedingly

rough; and I said I believed I could swim, and I would try it

anyhow. They said I would drown. I said I would have a frolic in

the water first, if I did; and I drove off in the raging waves.

I had swam but a short distance when a towering wave overwhelmed

me for a time; but I soon found myself on the top of it, and soon

I met the second wave in the same way; and for a while I struggled

hard to live in the midst of the storm and waves, and soon found I

gained upon every wave, and skimmed the torrent better; and I soon

had power to swim with my head out of water: so the waves did not

break over me at all, and I found that I had swam a great distance;

and in looking about, I saw my brother Samuel by my side.

I asked him how he liked it. He said, "First rate," and I thought

so too. I was soon enabled to swim with my head and shoulders out

of water, and I could swim as fast as any steamboat.

In a little time it became calm, and I could rush through the

water, and only go in to my loins, and soon I only went in to my

knees, and finally could tread on the top of the water, and went

almost with the speed of an arrow.

I said to Samuel, See how swift I can go! I thought it was great

sport and pleasure to travel with such speed, and I awoke.

_Saturday 13.--_Prayer-meeting in the assembly room.

The High Council met. Did but little business.

A rather favorable article appears in Niles' _National Register_ of

this date, noticing the correspondence between myself and John C.

Calhoun, a copy of which is contained in the political department of

the same number.

It also notices the correspondence between myself and James Arlington

Bennett, publishing the same, with some of our city ordinances. The

editor also quotes the following from the _Hawk Eye_:--

_Mormon Improvements._

Although much complained has been made about the Mormons, we saw

on our late trip evidences of improvement on our prairies which we

consider highly creditable to the Mormons who made them, without

whom we doubt whether they would have been made for many years to

come. All those who have traveled over the large prairie between

Fort Madison, Warsaw and Carthage, remember how dreary it was a few

{196} years since. Now it is studded with houses and good farms.

The English, who understand hedging and ditching far better than

our people, have gone upon that prairie and have enclosed extensive

fields in this manner. Along the old Rock Island tract, which we

traveled seven years ago, and which was then a dreary waste, we

saw a field enclosed with a good sod fence, six miles long and one

wide. We think such enterprise is worthy to be mentioned. As long

as the Mormons are harmless, and do not interfere with the rights

of our people we think they should be treated well. We shall never

convince them that they are a deluded people, as far as their

religious notions are concerned, in any other way.

[Sidenote: The 144,000 Selection Begun.]

_Sunday 4.--_I attended prayer-meeting with the quorum in the assembly

room, and made some remarks respecting the hundred and forty-four

thousand mentioned by John the Revelator, showing that the selection of

persons to form that number had already commenced.

President Brigham Young held a meeting at Brother Chamberlain's, in the

neighborhood north of the city; and Elder Wilford Woodruff, at Thomas

Kingston's, six miles east of the city.

[Sidenote: City Council]

_Monday 5.--_The regular session of the Municipal Court was opened in

the Mayor's office. Present, George W. Harris, George A. Smith, and N.

K. Whitney. Adjourned to the Nauvoo Mansion, on account of the severity

of the weather. I presided as Chief Justice. The assessors of the

different wards in the city presented their tax-lists, which occupied

nearly all day. The court remitted the taxes of the widows and of the

poor who were unable to pay.

[Sidenote: Architecture of the Nauvoo Temple.]

In the afternoon, Elder William Weeks (whom I had employed as architect

of the Temple,) came in for instruction. I instructed him in relation

to the circular windows designed to light the offices in the dead

work of the arch between stories. He said that round windows in the

broad side of a building were a violation of all the known rules of

architecture, and contended that they should be semicircular--that the

{197} building was too low for round windows. I told him I would have

the circles, if he had to make the Temple ten feet higher than it was

originally calculated; that one light at the centre of each circular

window would be sufficient to light the whole room; that when the whole

building was thus illuminated, the effect would be remarkably grand. "I

wish you to carry out _my_ designs. I have seen in vision the splendid

appearance of that building illuminated, and will have it built

according to the pattern shown me."

[Sidenote: Originality of Bank Views.]

Called at my office in the evening, and revised my "Views of the Powers

and Policy of the Government of the United States." I was the first one

who publicly proposed a national bank on the principles set forth in

that pamphlet.

_Tuesday, 6.--_Very cold day.

I spent the evening with my brother Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, and the

Twelve Apostles and their wives, at Elder John Taylor's; took supper,

and had a very pleasant time.

_Wednesday, 7.--_An exceedingly cold day. In the evening I met with my

brother Hyrum and the Twelve Apostles in my office, at their request,

to devise means to promote the interests of the General Government.

I completed and signed my "Views of the Powers and Policy of the

Government of the United States," which I here insert:

_Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United

States.--Joseph Smith._

Born in a land of liberty, and breathing an air uncorrupted with

the sirocco of barbarous climes, I ever feel a double anxiety for

the happiness of all men, both in time and in eternity.

My cogitations, like Daniel's have for a long time troubled me,

when I viewed the condition of men throughout the world, and

more especially in this boasted realm, where the Declaration of

Independence "holds these truths to be self-evident, that all men

are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with

certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and

the pursuit of happiness;" but at the same time some two or three

millions of people are held as slaves for life, because the spirit

in them is covered with a darker skin than ours; and hundreds of

our own kindred for an infraction, or supposed infraction, {198}

of some over-wise statute, have to be incarcerated in dungeon

gloom, or penitentiaries, while the duellist, the debauchee, and

the defaulter for millions, and other criminals, take the uppermost

rooms at feasts, or, like the bird of passage, find a more

congenial clime by flight.

The wisdom which ought to characterize the freest, wisest, and most

noble nation of the nineteenth century, should, like the sun in

his meridian splendor, warm every object beneath its rays; and the

main efforts of her officers, who are nothing more nor less than

the servants of the people, ought to be directed to ameliorate the

condition of all, black or white, bond or free; for the best of

books says, "God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to

dwell on all the face of the earth."

Our common country presents to all men the same advantages, the

facilities, the same prospects, the same honors, and the same

rewards; and without hypocrisy, the Constitution, when it says,

"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more

perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,

provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and

secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do

ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of

America," meant just what it said without reference to color or

condition, _ad infinitum_.

The aspirations and expectations of a virtuous people, environed

with so wise, so liberal, so deep, so broad, and so high a

charter of _equal rights_ as appears in said Constitution, ought

to be treated by those to whom the administration of the laws is

entrusted with as much sanctity as the prayers of the Saints are

treated in heaven, that love, confidence, and union, like the sun,

moon, and stars, should bear witness,

"For ever singing as they shine,

The hand that made us is divine!"

Unity is power; and when I reflect on the importance of it to the

stability of all governments, I am astounded at the silly moves of

persons and parties to foment discord in order to ride into power

on the current of popular excitement; nor am I less surprised at

the stretches of power or restrictions of right which too often

appear as acts of legislators to pave the way to some favorite

political scheme as destitute of intrinsic merit as a wolf's heart

is of the milk of human kindness. A Frenchman would say, _"Presque

tout aimer richesses et pouvoir."_ (Almost all men like wealth and

power.)

I must dwell on this subject longer than others; for nearly one

hundred years ago that golden patriot, Benjamin Franklin, drew

up a plan of union for the then colonies of Great Britain, that_

now_ are such {199} an independent nation, which, among many

wise provisions for obedient children under their father's more

rugged hand, had this:--"They have power to make laws, and lay

and levy such general duties, imports, or taxes as to them shall

appear most equal and just, (considering the ability and other

circumstances of the inhabitants in the several colonies,) and such

as may be collected with the least inconvenience to the people,

rather discouraging luxury than loading industry with unnecessary

burthens." Great Britain surely lacked the laudable humanity and

fostering clemency to grant such a just plan of union; but the

sentiment remains, like the land that honored its birth, as a

pattern for wise men _to study the convenience of the people more

than the comfort of the cabinet_.

And one of the most noble fathers of our freedom and country's

glory, great in war, great in peace, great in the estimation of the

world, and great in the hearts of his countrymen, (the illustrious

Washington,) said in his first inaugural address to Congress--"I

behold the surest pledges that as, on one side, no local prejudices

or attachments, no separate views or party animosities will

misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch

over this great assemblage of communities and interests, so, on

another, that the foundations of our national policy will be laid

in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and

the pre-eminence of free government be exemplified by all the

attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command

the respect of the world."

Verily, here shine the virtue and wisdom of a statesman in such

lucid rays, that had every succeeding Congress followed the

rich instruction in all their deliberations and enactments,

for the benefit and convenience of the whole community and the

communities of which it is composed, no sound of a rebellion in

South Carolina, no rupture in Rhode Island, no mob in Missouri

expelling her citizens by Executive authority, corruption in

the ballot-boxes, a border warfare between Ohio and Michigan,

hard times and distress, outbreak upon outbreak in the principal

cities, murder, robbery, and defalcation, scarcity of money, and

a thousand other difficulties, would have torn asunder the bonds

of the Union, destroyed the confidence of man with man, and left

the great body of the people to mourn over misfortunes in poverty

brought on by corrupt legislation in an hour of proud vanity for

self-aggrandizement.

The great Washington, soon after the foregoing faithful admonition

for the common welfare of his nation, further advised Congress

that "among the many interesting objects which will engage

your attention, that of providing for the common defense will

merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the

most effectual means of preserving peace." As the Italian would

say--"_Buono aviso_."

{200} The elder Adams, in his inaugural address, give national

pride such a grand turn of justification, that every honest

citizen must look back upon the infancy of the United States with

an approving smile, and rejoice that patriotism in their rulers,

virtue in the people, and prosperity in the Union once crowded the

expectations of hope, unveiled the sophistry of the hypocrite,

and silenced the folly of foes. Mr. Adams said, "If national

pride is ever justifiable or excusable, it is when it springs not

from _power_ or riches, grandeur or glory, but from conviction of

national innocence, information, and benevolence."

There is no doubt such was actually the case with our young realm

at the close of the last century. Peace, prosperity, and union

filled the country with religious toleration, temporal enjoyment,

and virtuous enterprise; and grandly, too, when the deadly winter

of the "Stamp Act," the "Tea Act," and other close communion acts

of Royalty had choked the growth of freedom of speech, liberty

of the press, and liberty of conscience--did light, liberty, and

loyalty flourish like the cedars of God.

The respected and venerable Thomas Jefferson, in his inaugural

address, made more than forty years ago, shows what a beautiful

prospect an innocent, virtuous nation presents to the sage's eye,

where there is space for enterprise, hands for industry, heads for

heroes, and hearts for moral greatness. He said, "A rising nation

spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing all the seas

with the rich productions of their industry, engaged in commerce

with nations who feel power and forget right, advancing rapidly

to destinies beyond the reach of mortal eye,--when I contemplate

these transcendent objects, and see the honor, the happiness, and

the hopes of this beloved country committed to the issue and the

auspices of this day. I shrink from the contemplation, and humble

myself before the magnitude of the undertaking."

Such a prospect was truly soul-stirring to a good man. But "since

the fathers have fallen asleep," wicked and designing men have

unrobed the Government of its glory; and the people, if not in

dust and ashes, or in sackcloth, have to lament in poverty her

departed greatness, while demagogues build fires in the north and

south, east and west, to keep up their spirits _till it is better

times._ But year after year has left the people to _hope_, till the

very name of _Congress or State Legislature_ is as horrible to the

sensitive friend of his country as the house of "Bluebard" is to

children, or "Crockford's" Hell of London to meek men. [1]

When the people are secure and their rights properly respected,

then the four main pillars of prosperity--viz., agriculture,

manufactures, {201} navigation, and commerce, need the fostering

care of Government; and in so goodly a country as ours, where the

soil, the climate, the rivers, the lakes, and the sea coast, the

productions, the timber, the minerals, and the inhabitants are

so diversified, that a pleasing variety accommodates all tastes,

trades, and calculations, it certainly is the highest point of

supervision to protect the whole northern and southern, eastern

and western, centre and circumference of the realm, by a judicious

tariff. It is an old saying and a true one, "If you wish to be

_respected,_ respect yourselves."

I will adopt in part the language of Mr. Madison's inaugural

address,--"To cherish peace and friendly intercourse with all

nations, having correspondent dispositions; to maintain sincere

neutrality towards belligerent nations; to prefer in all cases

amicable discussion and reasonable accommodation of differences

to a decision of them by an appeal to arms; to exclude foreign

intrigues and foreign partialities, so degrading to all countries,

and so baneful to free ones; to foster a spirit of independence

too just to invade the rights of others, too proud to surrender

our own, too liberal to indulge unworthy prejudices ourselves, and

too elevated not to look down upon them in others; to hold the

union of the States as the basis of their peace and happiness;

to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union,

as well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect the

rights and authorities reserved to the States and to the people

as equally incorporated with and essential to the success of the

general system; to avoid the slightest interference with the rights

of conscience or the functions of religion, so wisely exempted from

civil jurisdiction; to preserve in their full energy the other

salutary provisions in behalf of private and personal rights, and

of the freedom of the press,--so far as intention aids in the

fulfillment of duty, are consummations too big with benefits not to

captivate the energies of all honest men to achieve them, when they

can be brought to pass by reciprocation, friendly alliances, wise

legislation, and honorable treaties."

The Government has once flourished under the guidance of trusty

servants; and the Hon. Mr. Monroe, in his day, while speaking of

the Constitution, says, "Our commerce has been wisely regulated

with foreign nations and between the States. New States have

been admitted into our Union. Our Territory has been enlarged

by fair and honorable treaty, and with great advantage to the

original States; the States respectively protected by the national

Government, under a mild paternal system against foreign dangers,

and enjoying within their separate spheres, by a wise partition of

power, a just proportion of the sovereignty, have improved their

police, extended their settlements, and attained a strength and

maturity which are the best proofs of {202} wholesome laws well

administered. And if we look to the condition of individuals, what

a proud spectacle does it exhibit! On whom has oppression fallen

in any quarter of our Union? Who has been deprived of any right

of person or property?--who restrained from offering his vows in

the mode which he prefers to the Divine Author of his being? It

is well know that all these blessings have been enjoyed in their

fullest extent; and I add, with peculiar satisfaction, that there

has been no example of a capital punishment being inflicted on

any one for the crime of high treason." What a delightful picture

of power, policy, and prosperity! Truly the wise man's proverb is

just--Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any

people.

But this is not all. The same honorable statesman, after having had

about forty years' experience in the Government, under the full

tide of successful experiment, gives the following commendatory

assurance of the efficiency of the _Magna Charta_ to answer its

great end and aim--_to protect the people in their rights._ "Such,

then, is the happy Government under which we live; a Government

adequate to every purpose for which the social compact is formed;

a Government elective in all its branches, under which every

citizen may by his merit obtain the highest trust recognized by the

Constitution, which contains within it no cause of discord, none

to put at variance one portion of the community with another, a

Government which protects every citizen in the full enjoyment of

his rights, and is able to protect the nation against injustice

from foreign powers."

Again, the younger Adams, in the silver age of our country's

advancement to fame, in his inaugural address (1825), thus candidly

declares the majesty of the youthful republic in its increasing

greatness;--"The year of jubilee, since the first formation of our

union, has just elapsed: that of the Declaration of Independence

is at hand. The consummation of both was effected by this

Constitution. Since that period, a population of four millions has

multiplied to twelve. A Territory, bounded by the Mississippi, has

been extended from sea to sea. New States have been admitted to the

Union, in numbers nearly equal to those of the first confederation.

Treaties of peace, amity, and commerce have been concluded with the

principal dominions of the earth. The people of other nations, the

inhabitants of regions acquired, not by conquest, but by compact,

have been united with us in the participation of our rights and

duties, of our burdens and blessings. The forest has fallen by the

ax of our woodsman. The soil has been made to teem by the tillage

of our farmers. Our commerce has whitened every ocean. The dominion

of man over physical nature has been extended by the invention of

our artists. Liberty and law have marched hand in hand. All the

purposes of human association have been accomplished as effectively

{203} as under any other Government on the globe, and at a cost

little exceeding, in a whole generation, the expenditures of other

nations in a single year."

In continuation of such noble sentiments, General Jackson, upon

his ascension to the great chair of the chief magistracy, said,

"As long as our Government is administered for the good of the

people, and is regulated by their will, as long as it secures to us

the rights of person and property, liberty of conscience, and of

the press, it will be worth defending; and so long as it is worth

defending, a patriotic militia will cover it with an impenetrable

_aegis_."

General Jackson's administration may be denominated the _acme_ of

American glory, liberty, and prosperity; for the national debt,

which in 1815, on account of the late war, was $125,000,000, and

being lessened gradually, was paid up in his golden day, and

preparations were made to distribute the surplus revenue among the

several States; and that august patriot, to use his own words in

his farewell address, retired, leaving "a great people prosperous

and happy, in the full enjoyment of liberty and peace, honored and

respected by every nation of the world."

At the age, then, of sixty years, our blooming Republic began to

decline under the withering touch of Martin Van Buren! Disappointed

ambition, thirst for power, pride, corruption, party spirit,

faction, patronage, perquisites, fame, tangling alliances,

priestcraft, and spiritual wickedness in _high places,_ stuck hands

and revelled in midnight splendor.

Trouble, vexation, perplexity, and contention, mingled with hope,

fear, and murmuring, rumbled through the Union and agitated the

whole nation, as would an earthquake at the centre of the earth,

the world heaving the sea beyond its bounds and shaking the

everlasting hills; so, in hopes of better times, while jealousy,

hypocritical pretensions, and pompous ambition were luxuriating on

the ill-gotten spoils of the people, they rose in their majesty

like a tornado, and swept through the land, till General Harrison

appeared as a star among the storm-clouds for better weather.

The calm came, and the language of that venerable patriot, in

his inaugural address, while descanting upon the merits of the

Constitution and its framers, thus expressed himself:--"There were

in it features which appeared not to be in harmony with their ideas

of a simple representative Democracy or Republic. And knowing the

tendency of power to increase itself, particularly when executed by

a single individual, predictions were made that, at no very remote

period, the Government would terminate in virtual monarchy.

"It would not become me to say that the fears of these patriots

have {204} been already realized. But as I sincerely believe that

the tendency of measures and of men's opinions for some years past

has been in that direction, it is, I conceive, strictly proper

that I should take this occasion to repeat the assurances I have

heretofore given of my determination to arrest the progress of that

tendency, if it really exists, and restore the Government to its

pristine health and vigor."

This good man died before he had the opportunity of applying one

balm to ease the pain of our groaning country, and I am willing

the nation should be the judge, whether General Harrison, in his

exalted station, upon the eve of his entrance into the world of

spirits, told the truth, or not, with acting President Tyler's

three years of perplexity, and pseudo-Whig-Democrat reign to heal

the breaches or show the wounds, _secundum artem_.

Subsequent events, all things considered, Van Buren's downfall,

Harrison's exit, and Tyler's self-sufficient turn to the whole, go

to show-- [2] * * * _certainly there is a God in heaven to reveal

secrets_.

No honest man can doubt for a moment but the glory of American

liberty is on the wane, and that calamity and confusion will sooner

or later destroy the peace of the people. Speculators will urge

a national bank as a savior of credit and comfort. A hireling

pseudo-priesthood will plausibly push abolition doctrines and

doings and "human rights" into Congress, and into every other place

where conquest smells of fame, or opposition swells to popularity.

Democracy, Whiggery, and cliquery will attract their elements and

foment divisions among the people, to accomplish fancied schemes

and accumulate power, while poverty, driven to despair, like hunger

forcing its way through a wall, will break through the statues of

men to save life, and mend the breach in prison glooms.

A still higher grade of what the "nobility of nations" call "great

men" will dally with all rights in order to smuggle a fortune at

"one fell swoop," mortgage Texas, possess Oregon, and claim all the

unsettled regions of the world for hunting and trapping; and should

an humble, honest man, red, black, or white, exhibit a better

title, these gentry have only to clothe the judge with richer

ermine, and spangle the lawyer's finger with finer rings, to have

the judgment of his peers and the honor of his lords as a pattern

of honesty, virtue, and humanity, while the motto hangs on his

nation's escutcheon--"_Every man has his price_!"

Now, O people! people! turn unto the Lord and live, and reform this

nation. Frustrate the designs of wicked men. Reduce Congress at

{205} least two-thirds. Two Senators from a State and two members

to a million of population will do more business than the army that

now occupy the halls of the national Legislature. Pay them two

dollars and their board per diem (except Sundays.) That is more

than the farmer gets, and he lives honestly. Curtail the officers

of Government in pay, number, and power; for the Philistine lords

have shorn our nation of its goodly locks in the lap of Delilah.

Petition your State Legislatures to pardon every convict in their

several penitentiaries, blessing them as they go, and saying to

them, in the name of the Lord, _Go thy way, and sin no more_.

Advise your legislators, when they make laws for larceny, burglary,

or any felony, to make the penalty applicable to work upon roads,

public works, or any place where the culprit can be taught more

wisdom and more virtue, and become more enlightened. Rigor and

seclusion will never do as much to reform the propensities of

men as reason and friendship. Murder only can claim confinement

or death. Let the penitentiaries be turned into seminaries of

learning, where intelligence, like the angels of heaven, would

banish such fragments of barbarism. Imprisonment for debt is a

meaner practice than the savage tolerates, with all his ferocity.

"_Amor vincit omnia_."

Petition, also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave States, your

legislators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, and save

the abolitionist from reproach and ruin, infamy and shame.

Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves

out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public lands,

and from the deduction of pay from the members of Congress.

Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to

labor like other human beings; for "an hour of virtuous liberty on

earth is worth a whole eternity of bondage." Abolish the practice

in the army and navy of trying men by court-martial for desertion.

If a soldier or marine runs away, send him his wages, with this

instruction, that his country will never trust him again; he has

forfeited his honor.

Make honor the standard with all men. Be sure that good is rendered

for evil in all cases; and the whole nation, like a kingdom of

kings and priests, will rise up in righteousness, and be respected

as wise and worthy on earth, and as just and holy for heaven, by

Jehovah, the Author of perfection.

More economy in the national and state governments would make less

taxes among the people; more equality through the cities, towns and

country, would make less distinction among the people; and more

honesty and familiarity in societies would make less hypocrisy

and flattery in all branches of the community; and open, frank,

candid decorum to all men, in this boasted land of liberty, would

beget esteem, {206} confidence, union, and love; and the neighbor

from any state or from any country, of whatever color, clime or

tongue, could rejoice when he put his foot on the sacred soil of

freedom, and exclaim, The very name of _"American"_ is fraught

with _"friendship!"_ Oh, then, create confidence, restore freedom,

break down slavery, banish imprisonment for debt, and be in love,

fellowship and peace with all the world! Remember that honesty is

not subject to law. The law was made for transgressors. Wherefore a

* * * * good name is better than riches.

For the accommodation of the people in every state and territory,

let Congress show their wisdom by granting a national bank, with

branches in each State and Territory, where the capital stock shall

be held by the nation for the Central bank, and by the states and

territories for the branches; and whose officers and directors

shall be elected yearly by the people, with wages at the rate of

two dollars per day for services; which several banks shall never

issue any more bills than the amount of capital stock in her vaults

and the interest.

The net gain of the Central bank shall be applied to the national

revenue, and that of the branches to the states and territories'

revenues. And the bills shall be par throughout the nation, which

will mercifully cure that fatal disorder known in cities as

_brokerage,_ and leave the people's money in their own pockets.

Give every man his constitutional freedom and the president full

power to send an army to suppress mobs, and the States authority

to repeal and impugn that relic of folly which makes it necessary

for the governor of a state to make the demand of the President for

troops, in case of invasion or rebellion.

The governor himself may be a mobber; and instead of being

punished, as he should be, for murder or treason, he may destroy

the very lives, rights, and property he should protect. Like the

good Samaritan, send every lawyer as soon as he repents and obeys

the ordinances of heaven, to preach the Gospel to the destitute,

without purse or scrip, pouring in the oil and the wine. A learned

Priesthood is certainly more honorable than _"an hireling clergy_."

As to the contiguous territories to the United States, wisdom would

direct no tangling alliance. Oregon belongs to this government

honorably; and when we have the red man's consent, let the Union

spread from the east to the west sea; and if Texas petitions

Congress to be adopted among the sons of liberty, give her the

right hand of fellowship, and refuse not the same friendly grip to

Canada and Mexico. And when the right arm of freemen is stretched

out in the character of a navy for the protection of rights,

commerce, and honor, let the iron eyes of power watch from Maine

to Mexico, and from California to Columbia. Thus may union be

strengthened, and foreign speculation prevented from opposing

broadside to broadside.

{207} Seventy years have done much for this goodly land. They have

burst the chains of oppression and monarchy, and multiplied its

inhabitants from two to twenty millions, with a proportionate share

of knowledge keen enough to circumnavigate the globe, draw the

lightning from the clouds, and cope with all the crowned heads of

the world.

Then why--oh, why will a once flourishing people not arise,

phoenix-like over the cinders of Martin Van Buren's power, and

over the sinking fragments of smoking ruins of other catamount

politicians, and over the windfalls of Benton, Calhoun, Clay,

Wright, and a caravan of other equally unfortunate law doctors,

and cheerfully help to spread a plaster and bind up the _burnt,

bleeding wounds,_ of a sore but blessed country?

The Southern people are hospitable and noble. They will help to

rid so _free_ a country of every vestige of slavery, whenever they

are assured of an equivalent for their property. The country will

be full of money and confidence when a National Bank of twenty

millions, and a State Bank in every state, with a million or more,

gives a tone to monetary matters, and make a circulating medium as

valuable in the purses of a whole community as in the coffers of a

speculating banker or broker.

The people may have faults, but they should never be trifled with.

I think Mr. Pitt's quotation in the British Parliament of Mr.

Prior's couplet for the husband and wife, to apply to the course

which the King and ministry of England should pursue to the then

colonies of the _now_ United States, might be a genuine rule of

action for some of the _breath-made_ men in high places to use

towards the posterity of this noble, daring people:--

"Be to her faults a little blind;

Be to her virtues very kind."

We have had Democratic Presidents, Whig Presidents, a

pseudo-Democratic-Whig President, and now it is time to have a

_President of the United States;_ and let the people of the whole

Union, like the inflexible Romans, whenever they find a _promise_

made by a candidate that is not _practiced_ as an officer, hurl the

miserable sycophant from his exaltation, as God did Nebuchadnezzar,

to crop the grass of the field with a beast's heart among the

cattle.

Mr. Van Buren said, in his inaugural address, that he went in the

Presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of

every attempt, on the part of Congress, to abolish slavery in the

District of Columbia, against the wishes of the slave-holding

States, and also with a determination equally decided to resist the

slightest interference with it in the States where it exists.

Poor little Matty made this rhapsodical sweep with the fact before

his eyes, that the State of New York, his native State, had

abolished {208} slavery without a struggle or a groan. Great God,

how independent! From henceforth slavery is tolerated where it

exists, constitution or no constitution, people or no people, right

or wrong_: Vox Matti! Vox Diaboli!_ And peradventure, his great

"sub-treasury" scheme was a piece of the same mind. But the man and

his measures have such a striking resemblance to the anecdote of

the Welshman and his cart-tongue, that when the Constitution was

so long that it allowed slavery at the capitol of a free people,

it could not be cut off; but when it was so short that it needed

a _sub-treasury_ to save the funds of the nation, it _could be

spliced!_ Oh, granny, granny, what a long tail our puss has got.

[3] * * * But his mighty whisk through the great national fire, for

the presidential chestnuts, _burnt the locks of his glory with the

blaze of his folly_!

In the United States the people are the government, and their

united voice is the only sovereign that should rule, the only

power that should be obeyed, and the only gentlemen that should be

honored at home and abroad, on the land and on the sea. Wherefore,

were I the president of the United States, by the voice of a

virtuous people, I would honor the old paths of the venerated

fathers of freedom; I would walk in the tracks of the illustrious

patriots who carried the ark of the Government upon their shoulders

with an eye single to the glory of the people, and when that people

petitioned to abolish slavery in the slave states, I would use all

honorable means to have their prayers granted, and, give liberty

to the captive by paying the Southern gentlemen a reasonable

equivalent for his property, that the whole nation might be free

indeed!

When the people petitioned for a National Bank, I would use my

best endeavors to have their prayers answered, and establish

one on national principles to save taxes, and make them the

controllers of its ways and means. And when the people petitioned

to possess the territory of Oregon, or any other contiguous

territory, I would lend the influence of a Chief Magistrate to

grant so reasonable a request, that they might extend the mighty

efforts and enterprise of a free people from the east to the west

sea, and make the wilderness blossom as the rose. And when a

neighboring realm petitioned to join the union of liberty's sons,

my voice would be, _Come_--yea, come, Texas; come Mexico, come

Canada; and come, all the world: let us be brethren, let us be

one great family, and let there be a universal peace. Abolish the

cruel custom of prisons (except certain cases), penitentiaries,

court-martials for desertion; and let reason and friendship reign

over the ruins of ignorance and barbarity; yea, I would, as the

universal friend of man, open the prisons, open the eyes, open

the ears, and open the hearts of all {209} people, to behold and

enjoy freedom--unadulterated freedom; and God who once cleansed the

violence of the earth with a flood, whose Son laid down His life

for the salvation of all His Father gave him out of the world, and

who has promised that He will come and purify the world again with

fire in the last days, should be supplicated by me for the good of

all people. With the highest esteem, I am a friend of virtue and of

the people,

JOSEPH SMITH,

NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, February 7, 1844.

Footnotes:

1. Reference is had to Crockford's famous gaming club house at No. 50

on the west side of St. James St., London.

2. For Explanation of Ellipses See footnote p. 75 this volume.

3. For explanation of Ellipses See footnote p. 75 this volume.

{210}

CHAPTER IX.

COMMENTS ON CANDIDACY OF JOSEPH SMITH FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

STATES--TENDERS OF PEACE TO MISSOURI--PRELIMINARY STEPS TO WESTERN

MOVEMENT OF THE CHURCH--JAMES A. BENNETT AND VICE PRESIDENCY.

_Wednesday, February 7, 1844.--_A piece of doggerel appears in the

_Warsaw Message_ of this date, entitled "Buckeye's Lamentations for

the Want of More Wives," evidently the production of Wilson Law, and

breathing a very foul and malicious spirit.

_Thursday, 8.--_Held Mayor's court, and tried two negroes for

attempting to marry white women: fined one $25, and the other $5. In

the evening there was a political meeting in the assembly room, when

Brother Phelps publicly read for the first time my "Views of the Powers

and Policy of the General Government." I addressed the meeting as

follows:--

_Views of the Prophet on His Candidacy for President of United

States_.

I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends

on anywise as President of the United States, or candidate for

that office, if I and my friends could have had the privilege of

enjoying our religious and civil rights as American citizens,

even those rights which the Constitution guarantees unto all her

citizens alike. But this as a people we have been denied from the

beginning. Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time,

from portions of the United States, like peals of thunder, because

of our religion; and no portion of the Government as yet has

stepped forward for our relief. And in view of these things, I feel

it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power

I can, lawfully, in the United States, for the {211} protection

of injured innocence; and if I lose my life in a good cause I am

willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness

and truth, in maintaining the laws and Constitution of the United

States, if need be, for the general good of mankind.

I was followed by Elders Hyde an Taylor, and a unanimous vote was taken

to maintain my political views.

_Friday, 9--_Held Mayor's court in my dining-room on the case,

"Nauvoo _versus_ William Withers," for assault. Case withdrawn on my

recommendation.

This evening a public meeting was held. I extract from the _Neighbor_:--

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Friday, the 9th instant, a public meeting was held in the

assembly room, at which a public address of General Joseph Smith's

to the citizens of the United States was read by Judge Phelps.

The address is certainly an able document, big with meaning and

interest, clearly pointing out the way for the temporal salvation

of this Union, showing what would be our best policy, pointing out

the rocks and quick-sand where the political bark is in danger of

being wrecked, an the way to escape it, and evincing a knowledge

and foresight of our political economy worthy of the writer.

Appropriate remarks were made by several gentlemen after the

reading of the address.

_Saturday, 10.--_I instructed the marshal to inform Mr. Cole, who kept

a select school in the assembly room, that I must for the future have

that room for my own use.

Prayer-meeting in the assembly room. Prayed for Sister Richards and

others, who were sick.

A conference was held at Tuscaloosa County, Alabama: Elder John

Brown, president; and George W. Stewart, clerk. Three branches were

represented, containing nine elders, two priests, three teachers, three

deacons, and 123 members.

_Sunday, 11.--_Snow on the ground. Thaw commenced in the afternoon. I

was at home.

{212} _Monday, 12.--_I sat in the city council, and recommended the

repeal of the ordinances entitled "An extra ordinance for the extra

case of Joseph Smith," "An ordinance to prevent unlawful search or

seizure of persons or property, by foreign [1] process, in the city

of Nauvoo," and "An ordinance regulating the currency;" and they were

repealed accordingly. The Memorial to Congress, passed December 21,

1843, was again read, and signed by the councilors, aldermen, mayor,

recorder, and marshal.

I instructed Councilor Orson Pratt to call all the Illinois

representatives together, and tell them our sufferings have been such

that we must have that document passed, and we _will_ have it.

"You must go in for it. Go to John Quincy Adams and ask him to call the

delegates from Massachusetts separate from the Illinois delegation,

and demand the same. Go to Henry Clay and other prominent men. Call

public meetings in the city of Washington. Take the saloon, publish the

admittance so much per ticket, invite the members of both houses to

come and hear you, and roar upon them. You may take all my writings you

think anything of and read to them, &c., and you shall prosper in the

name of God. Amen."

The recorder presented the report of the attendance of the city

council, from which it appears that I have sat with them eleven

sessions, from the 14th of October, 1843, to the 16th of January, 1844,

inclusive.

Councilor Orson Pratt nominated George P. Stiles as councilor during

his absence, which was confirmed by the council.

I burned $81 of city scrip according to ordinance.

Thawing. Streets very dirty.

_Tuesday, 13.--_I was at home. Settled with Theodore Turley, and gave

him the deed of a lot.

Having received an invitation from Brother Joseph L. Heywood to visit

Quincy, I wrote him in reply:--

{213} _Letter:--Joseph Smith to Joseph L. Heywood--Anent a visit to

Quincy_.

NAUVOO, February 13, 1844.

DEAR BROTHER HEYWOOD,--I sit down at this time to acknowledge the

receipt of, and reciprocate the friendly feelings manifest in

yours of the 7th instant; and, although surrounded by a press of

business, shall take pleasure in spending a few moments to reply.

I would take the greatest pleasure imaginable in coming down to

Quincy on a visit to see you and all my friends in your city,

would business and circumstances permit; but it would be a matter

of impossibility almost for me to leave home at the present time,

in consequence of a multitude of business which I have daily to

attend to. Moreover, wisdom and prudence seem to forbid my coming,

on account of the bitter feeling which manifests itself in various

places between this and Quincy,--not that I have any apprehensions

for my personal safety; for the same kind hand which hath hitherto

been my shield and support would save me from the power of my

wicked persecutors; but something might grow out of it which would

prompt my adversaries to get out another illegal writ, and would

eventually, probably, cost me some three or four thousand dollars,

as in other cases, and under which I have still to labor to

disadvantage. Under these considerations, therefore, I am compelled

to decline paying you a visit for the present. At the same time, in

connection with Mrs. Smith, I tender my warmest acknowledgement for

the invitation.

I am pleased to hear of the prosperity of your branch, and hope it

will continue; for, although I never feel to force my doctrine upon

any person; I rejoice to see prejudice give way to truth, and the

traditions of men dispersed by the pure principles of the Gospel of

Jesus Christ.

I should be please to have the privilege of forming an acquaintance

with your partner, Mr. Kimball, and his lady; and should they ever

come up this way, I hope they will call and see me.

As respects things in Nauvoo, I have nothing to say but good.

Although the mobocrats of this county breathe out their shame with

a continual foam, and threaten extermination, &c., the citizens

of Nauvoo are at peace; they fear no danger, for the report of

mobs has become so common, that the "Mormons" pay no attention to

it whatever. Each man minds his own business, and all are making

improvements as fast as they can. In fact, things in general seem

prosperous and pleasing; and I never saw a better feeling amongst

the Saints than at the present time.

My family have been somewhat sick of late, and continue so,

especially my youngest boy.

{214} Accept, dear sir, the warmest respects of myself and Mrs.

Smith, and please present the same to your lady. In the meantime I

remain your friend and brother,

JOSEPH SMITH.

President Brigham Young returned from Bear creek settlements, where he

had been preaching for the last few days.

_Wednesday, 14.--_At home through the day. In the evening the assembly

room was filled by the brethren, when my "Views of the Powers and

Policy of the Government of the United States" was again read. I

afterwards spoke on the same subject at a considerable length.

_Thursday, 15.--_At home. A beautiful day.

I insert the following article from the _Times and Seasons_:--

WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT?

This is an inquiry which to us as a people is a matter of the most

paramount importance, and requires our most serious, calm, and

dispassionate reflection. Executive power, when correctly wielded,

is a great blessing to the people of this great commonwealth, and

forms one of the firmest pillars of our confederation. It watches

the interests of the whole community with a fatherly care; it

wisely balances the other legislative powers when over-heated by

party spirit or sectional feeling; it watches with jealous care our

interests and commerce with foreign nations, and gives tone and

efficacy to legislative enactments.

The President stands at the head of these United States, and is the

mouth-piece of this vast republic. If he be a man of an enlightened

mind and a capacious soul,--if he be a virtuous man, a statesman,

a patriot, and a man of unflinching integrity,--if he possess

the same spirit that fired the souls of our venerable sires, who

founded this great commonwealth, and wishes to promote the good

of the whole republic, he may indeed be made a blessing to the

community.

But if he prostrates his high and honorable calling to base and

unworthy purposes,--if he make use of the power which the people

have placed in his hands for their interests to gratify his

ambition, for the purpose of self-aggrandizement or pecuniary

interest,--if he meanly pander with demagogues, loses sight of the

interest of the nation, and {215} sacrifice the Union on the altar

of sectional interests or party views, he renders himself unworthy

of the dignified trust reposed in him, debases the nation in the

eyes of the civilized world, and produces misery and confusion at

home. "When the wicked rule, the people mourn."

There is perhaps no body of people in the United States who

are at the present time more interested about the issue of the

presidential contest than are the Latter-day Saints. And our

situation in regard to the two great political parties is a most

novel one. It is a fact well understood that we have suffered great

injustice from the State of Missouri, that we have petitioned to

the authorities of that state for redress in vain, that we have

also memorialized Congress under the late administration, and have

obtained the heartless reply that "Congress has no power to redress

your grievances."

After having taken all the legal and constitutional steps that

we can, we are still groaning under accumulated wrongs. Is there

no power anywhere to redress our grievances? Missouri lacks the

disposition and Congress lacks both the disposition and power (?);

and thus fifteen thousand inhabitants of these United States can

with impunity be dispossessed of their property; have their houses

burned, their property confiscated, many of their numbers murdered,

and the remainder driven from their homes and left to wander as

exiles in this boasted land of freedom and equal rights; and after

appealing again and again to the legally-constituted authorities of

our land for redress, we are coolly told by our highest tribunals,

"We can do nothing for you."

We have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars into the coffers

of Congress for their lands, and they stand virtually pledged to

defend us in our rights, but they have not done it. If a man steals

a dollar from his neighbor, or steals a horse or a hog, he [the

neighbor] can obtain redress; but we have been robbed by wholesale,

the most daring murders have been committed, and we are coolly

told that we can obtain no redress. If a steamboat is set on fire

on our coast by foreigners, even when she is engaged in aiding

and abetting the enemies of that power, it becomes a matter of

national interference and legislation; or if a foreigner, as in the

case of McLeod, is taken on our land and tried for supposed crimes

committed by him against our citizens, his nation interferes,

and it becomes a matter of negotiation and legislation. But our

authorities can calmly look on and see the citizens of a county

butchered with impunity: they can see two counties dispossessed

of their inhabitants, their houses burned, and their property

confiscated; and when the cries of fifteen thousand men women and

children salute their ears, they deliberately tell us that we can

obtain no redress.

Hear it, therefore, ye mobbers! Proclaim it to all the scoundrels

in {216} the Union! Let a standard be erected around which shall

rally all the renegades of the land: assemble yourselves and rob at

pleasure; murder till you are satiated with blood; drive men, women

and children from their homes: there is no law to protect them, and

Congress has no power to redress their grievances; and the great

father of the Union (the President) has not got an ear to listen to

their complaints.

What shall we do under this state of things? In the event of either

of the prominent candidates, Van Buren or Clay, obtaining the

presidential chair, we should not be placed in any better situation.

In speaking of Mr. Clay, his politics are diametrically opposed to

ours. He inclines strongly to the old school of Federalists, and

as a matter of course would not favor our cause, neither could we

conscientiously vote for him. And we have yet stronger objections

to Mr. Van Buren on other grounds. He has sung the old song of

Congress--"Congress has no power to redress your grievances."

But did the matter rest here, it would not be so bad. He was in

the presidential chair at the time of our former difficulties. We

appealed to him on that occasion, but we appealed in vain, and his

sentiments are yet _unchanged_.

But all these things are tolerable in comparison to what we have

yet to state. We have been informed from a respectable source that

there is an understanding between Mr. Benton, of Missouri, and Mr.

Van Buren, and a conditional compact entered into, that if Mr.

Benton will use his influence to get Mr. Van Buren elected, Van

Buren when elected, shall use his executive influence to wipe away

the stain from Missouri by a further persecution of the "Mormons,"

and wreaking out vengeance on their heads, either by extermination

or by some other summary process. We could scarcely credit the

statement; and we hope yet, for the sake of humanity, that the

suggestion is false: but we have too good reason to believe that we

are correctly informed.

If, then, this is the case, can we conscientiously vote for a man

of this description, and put the weapons into his hands to cut our

throat with? We cannot. And however much we might wish to sustain

the Democratic nomination, we cannot--we will not vote for Van

Buren. Our interests, our property, our lives, and the lives of our

families are too dear to us to be sacrificed at the shrine of party

spirit and to gratify party feelings. We have been sold once in the

State of Missouri, and our liberties bartered away by political

demagogues, through executive intrigue, and we wish not to be

betrayed again by Benton and Van Buren.

Under these circumstances, the question again arises, Whom shall

we support? GENERAL JOSEPH SMITH--a man of sterling worth and

integrity and of enlarged views--a man who has raised himself

from {217} the humblest walks in life to stand at the head of a

large, intelligent, respectable, and increasing society, that has

spread not only in this land, but in distant nations,--a man whose

talents and genius are of an exalted nature, and whose experience

has rendered him in every way adequate to the onerous duty.

Honorable, fearless, and energetic, he would administer justice

with an impartial hand, and magnify and dignify the office of Chief

Magistrate of this land; and we feel assured that there is not a

man in the United States more competent for the task.

One great reason that we have for pursuing our present course is,

that at every election we have been made a political target for

the filthy demagogues in the country to shoot their loathsome

arrows at. And every story has been put into requisition to blast

our fame from the old fabrication of "walk on the water" down to

"the murder of ex-Governor Boggs." The journals have teemed with

this filthy trash, and even men who ought to have more respect

for themselves--men contending for the gubernatorial chair have

made use of terms so degrading, so mean, so humiliating, that a

Billingsgate fisherwoman would have considered herself disgraced

with. We refuse any longer to be thus bedaubed for either party.

We tell all such to let their filth flow in its own legitimate

channel, for we are sick of the loathsome smell.

Gentlemen, we are not going either to "murder ex-Governor Boggs,

nor a Mormon in this state for not giving us his money," nor are we

going to "walk on the water," "nor drown a woman," nor "defraud the

poor of their property," nor send "destroying angels after General

Bennett to kill him," nor "marry spiritual wives," nor commit any

other outrageous act this election to help any party with. You must

get some other persons to perform these kind offices for you for

the future. We withdraw.

Under existing circumstances, we have no other alternative; and

if we can accomplish our object, well: if not, we shall have the

satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and

have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw away our

votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than upon an

unworthy individual, who might make use of the weapon we put in his

hand to destroy us with.

Whatever may be the opinions of men in general in regard to Mr.

Smith, we know that he needs only to be known to be admired; and

that it is the principles of honor, integrity, patriotism, and

philanthropy that have elevated him in the minds of his friends;

and the same principles, if seen and known, would beget the esteem

and confidence of all the patriotic and virtuous throughout the

Union.

Whatever, therefore, be the opinions of other men, our course is

marked out, and our motto henceforth will be--_General Joseph

Smith_.

{218} _Friday, 16.--_At home. This evening I spent two hours in the

office. Settled with Brother Whitney; gave him deed of several town

lots, and took his receipt in full.

_Saturday, 17.--_I wrote the following article:--

PACIFIC INUENDO.

The very candid, pacific, and highly creditable _advice_ which

Governor Ford has done himself the honor to address to "the

citizens of Hancock county, Mormons and all," and which appears

in the _Warsaw Signal_ of the 14th instant, is like the balm of

Gilead, well calculated to ease the pain which has troubled the

heads and hearts of the Carthaginians, Warsawvians, and other

over-jealous bodies for _weal and woe_.

It certainly must be admitted, on all hands, that Governor Ford

has exalted himself as a mediator, patriot, lawyer, governor,

peacemaker, and friend of all, not only to magnify the law and make

it honorable, but also in pointing out the part of peace.

Such is what the Latter-day Saints have ever sought at the hands of

those in authority; and with an approving conscience clear as the

crystal spring, and with a laudable intention warm as the summer

zephyr, and with a charitable prayer mellow as the morning dew, it

is now our highest consolation to hope that all difficulties will

cease, and give way to reason, sense, peace, and goodwill.

The Saints, if they will be humble and wise, can now practice what

they preach, and soften by good examples, rather than harden by a

distant course of conduct, the hearts of the people.

For general information, it may be well to say that there has

never been any cause for alarm as to the Latter-day Saints. The

legislature of Illinois granted a liberal charter for the City of

Nauvoo; and let every honest man in the Union who has any knowledge

of her say whether she has not flourished beyond the most sanguine

anticipations of all. And while they witness her growing glory,

let them solemnly testify whether Nauvoo has willfully injured the

country, county, or a single individual one cent.

With the strictest scrutiny publish the facts, whether a particle

of law has been evaded or broken: virtue and innocence need no

artificial covering. Political views and party distinctions never

should disturb the harmony of society; and when the whole truth

comes before a virtuous people, we are willing to abide the issue.

We will here refer to the three last dismissals upon writs

of _habeas corpus,_ of Joseph Smith, when arrested under the

requisitions of Missouri.

The first, in June, 1841, was tried at Monmouth, before Judge

Douglas, of the fifth judicial circuit: and as no exceptions have

been {219} taken to that decision by the state of Missouri--but

Missouri previously entered a _nolle prosequi_ on all the old

indictments against the Mormons in the difficulties of 1838--it is

taken and granted that decision was just!

The second, in December, 1842, was tried at Springfield before

Judge Pope in the U. S. District Court; and from that honorable

discharge, as no exceptions from any source have been made to those

proceedings, it follows as a matter of course that that decision

was just!

And the third, in July, 1843, was tried at the city of Nauvoo,

before the Municipal Court of said city; and as no exceptions to

that discharge have been taken, and as the governor says there is

"evidence on the other side to show that the sheriff of Lee county

_voluntarily_ carried Mr. Reynolds (who had Mr. Smith in custody,)

to the city of Nauvoo without any coercion on the part of any one,"

it must be admitted that that decision was just!

But is any man unconvinced of the justness of these strictures

relative to the two last cases, let the astounding fact go forth,

that _Orrin Porter Rockwell,_ whom Boggs swore was the principal in

his [attempted] assassination, and as accessory to which Mr. Smith

was arrested, has returned home, "clear of sin." In fact, there was

not a witness to get up an indictment against him.

The Messrs. Averys, who were unlawfully transported out of this

state, have returned to their families in peace; and there seems to

be no ground for contention, no cause for jealousy, and no excuse

for a surmise that any man, woman, or child will suffer the least

inconvenience from General Smith, the charter of Nauvoo, the city

of Nauvoo, or even any of her citizens.