NEGOTIATIONS.
The day following this providential storm the camp moved out into the
prairie some five miles, where there was a better chance to defend
themselves. Here, the next day, Colonel Sconce and two other leading
men from Ray County called upon the camp to learn what the intentions
of the brethren were. Said the colonel: "I see there is an Almighty
power that protects this people, for I started from Richmond with a
company of armed men having a full determination to destroy you, but
was kept back by the storm, and was not able to reach you." Having said
so much, he was seized with such excitement that he trembled from head
to foot like an aspen-leaf, and had to take a seat in order to compose
himself.
Joseph, in a lengthy speech, related the trials and persecutions of
the saints, particularly the sufferings of those in Jackson County.
He related the story of the travels of Zion's Camp, how they had come
one thousand miles to assist their afflicted brethren by bringing
them clothing, etc., and to aid them in returning to their homes and
maintaining them, and denied the infamous reports circulated to arouse
the anger of the people against the exiled saints. This speech was so
simple, so pathetic, and yet so forcible that the strangers were melted
by its spirit, so that they wept at the story of the persecutions of
God's people. At the close of the speech they arose, and gave their
hands to the youthful speaker; promising to use all their influence to
allay the excitement and correct the false impressions that had gone
out respecting the object of the expedition--a promise they faithfully
kept.
It is said of the Prophet Joseph that if he could but once get the
attention even of his most bitter enemies his native eloquence,
inspired by the truth and the pathos of his people's sufferings,
usually overwhelmed them; and in no instance was his triumph more
marked than in the one just related.
The day after the visit of Colonel Sconce, Cornelius Gillium, the
sheriff of Clay County, came into camp and desired a consultation. The
company was marched into a grove adjacent and formed a large circle
with Gillium in the center. "I have heard that Joseph Smith is in the
camp, and if so, I should like to see him," commenced Gillium.
"I am the man," replied Joseph, as he rose to his feet. This was the
first time Joseph was made known to strangers since leaving Kirtland,
as he had gone by a fictitious name through the whole journey.
Gillium then proceeded to describe the character and disposition of the
Missourians, and the course that ought to be pursued to secure their
favor and protection; and concluded by requesting to know what the
intentions of the company were. This brought out the statements we now
give, which were published in the _Missouri Enquirer_ of the first of
July, 1834.
GILLIUM'S COMMUNICATION.
Being a citizen of Clay County, and knowing there is considerable
excitement amongst the people thereof, and also knowing that different
reports are arriving almost hourly; and being requested of the Hon.
J. F. Ryland to meet the "Mormons" under arms, and obtain from the
leaders thereof the correctness of the various reports in circulation,
the true intent and meaning of their present movements, and their
views generally regarding the difficulties existing between them and
Jackson County,--I did in company with other gentlemen, call upon the
said leaders of the "Mormons," at their camp in Clay County; and now
give to the people of Clay County their written statement, containing
the substance of what passed between us.
(Signed) CORNELIUS GILLIUM.
PROPOSITION, ETC., OF THE MORMONS.
Being called upon by the above named gentleman, at our camp in Clay
County, to ascertain from the leaders of our men, our intentions,
views, and designs, in approaching this county in the manner we have,
we therefore the more cheerfully comply with their request, because we
are called upon by gentlemen of good feelings, and who are disposed
for peace and an amicable adjustment of the difficulties existing
between us and the people of Jackson County. The reports of our
intentions are various, and have gone abroad in a light calculated to
arouse the feelings of almost every man. For instance, one report is,
that we intend to demolish the printing office in Liberty; another
report is, that we intend crossing the Missouri River on Sunday
next, and falling upon women and children, and slaying them; another
is, that our men were employed to perform this expedition, being
taken from manufacturing establishments in the east, that had closed
business; also that we carried a flag, bearing "peace" on one side,
and "war or blood" on the other, and various others too numerous to
mention, all of which a plain declaration of our intentions, from
under our own hands, will show are not correct.
In the first place it is not our intention to commit hostilities
against any man, or set of men; it is not our intention to injure any
man's person or property, except in defending ourselves. Our flag has
been exhibited to the above gentlemen, who will be able to describe
it. Our men were not taken from any manufacturing establishment. It
is our intention to go back upon our lands in Jackson County by order
of the executive of the State, if possible. We have brought our arms
with us for the purpose of self-defense, as it is well known to almost
every man of the State, that we have every reason to put ourselves
in an attitude of defense, considering the abuse we have suffered in
Jackson County. We are anxious for a settlement of the difficulties
existing between us, upon honorable and constitutional principles.
We are willing for twelve disinterested men, six to be chosen by each
party, and these shall say what the possessions of these men are worth
who cannot live with us in the county; and they shall have their money
in one year; and none of the "Mormons" shall enter that county to
reside until the money is paid. The damages that we have sustained
in consequence of being driven away, shall also be left to the above
twelve men, or they may all live in the county, if they choose, and we
will never molest them if they let us alone, and permit us to enjoy
our rights. We want to live in peace with all men; and equal rights
is all we ask. We wish to become permanent citizens of this State,
and wish to bear our proportion in support of the government, and
to be protected by its laws. If the above propositions are complied
with, we are willing to give security on our part, and we shall want
the same of the people of Jackson County, for the performance of this
agreement. We do not wish to settle down in a body, except where we
can purchase the land with money; for to take possession by conquest
or the shedding of blood, is entirely foreign to our feelings. The
shedding of blood we shall not be guilty of, until all just and
honorable means among men prove insufficient to restore peace.
(Signed) JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.,
F. G. WILLIAMS,
LYMAN WIGHT,
RODGER ORTON,
ORSON HYDE,
JOHN S. CARTER.
To John Lincoln, John Scone, George R. Morehead, Jas. H. Long, Jas.
Collins.
After the departure of Gillium a revelation was given.[A] The Lord in
this revelation declared that Zion might have been redeemed by that
time, had it not been for the transgressions of his saints. They had
not been obedient to the requirements made of them. They had withheld
their means, and in their hearts had said: "Where is their God? Behold
he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up
unto Zion, and we will keep our monies."
[Footnote A: Doc. & Cov. Sec. 105.]
Besides these evidences of a lack of faith, they were wanting in that
unity required by the law of the celestial kingdom, and it is only
through the observance of that law that Zion can be redeemed. The Lord,
therefore, commanded the elders to wait a season for the redemption of
Zion, until the saints should obtain more experience, learn obedience,
and until means could be raised to purchase all the lands in Jackson
County that could be purchased, and also in the surrounding counties;
and until the Lord's army had become very great, and sanctified before
him. And when this was done the Lord promised to hold his people
guiltless in taking possession of that which was their own; and they
should possess it forever. He had permitted the elders composing the
camp to come thus far, for a trial of their faith; and now he had
prepared a great endowment for them in the house which he had commanded
to be built in Kirtland. Those who could stay in Missouri were to do
so, but those who had left their families in the east, were at liberty
to return.
The saints who had been driven from their lands in Jackson were
instructed to carefully gather together in one region as much as
could be, without exciting the fears of the people. They were to be
very faithful and humble; boasting neither of faith nor judgments.
By following this counsel, the Lord promised to give them favor in
the eyes of the people, that they might rest in peace while they were
saying to the people: "Execute judgment and justice for us according to
the law, and redress us of our wrongs."