ATTEMPT TO REPEAL PARTS OF THE NAUVOO CHARTER--GOLD AND SILVER ALONE
MADE LEGAL TENDER IN NAUVOO--SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS--"THE WASP" CHANGED
INTO "THE NAUVOO NEIGHBOR"--SUSPICIONS OF THE PROPHET AGAINST SIDNEY
RIGDON.
_Wednesday, March 1, 1843_.--This morning I read and recited in German,
went to my office, and reviewed my valedictory letter in the _Times
and Seasons_, No. 7, Vol. 4; after which, I went with Marshal Henry
G. Sherwood to procure some provisions for Thomas Morgan and Robert
Taylor, who, on petition of the inhabitants of the city, I had directed
should work out their punishment on the highways of Nauvoo.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Cheerfulness.]
Elder Orson Hyde called on me this afternoon to borrow a horse. I
instructed my ostler to put the Lieutenant-General's saddle on my
horse, "Joe Duncan," and let Elder Hyde ride the "governor" on the
Lieutenant-General's saddle.
Signed a power of attorney, dated February 28th, to Amasa Lyman, to
sell all the lands in Henderson county, Illinois, deeded to me by Mr.
McQueen.
The Mississippi froze up on the 19th of November last, and still
continues so. Wagons and teams constantly pass over on the ice to
Montrose.
I am constantly receiving applications from abroad for elders, which
were replied to in the _Times and Seasons_ of this day--that the
conference on the 6th of April next, will attend to as many of the
applications as possible.
The council of the Twelve Apostles wrote to Ramus, Lima, Augusta, and
other branches, as follows:--
{293} _The Twelve to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, in and about Ramus, greeting:--_
BELOVED BRETHREN:--As our beloved President Joseph Smith is now
relieved from his bondage and his business, temporarily, and his
property, too, he has but one thing to hinder his devoting his time
to the spiritual interests of the Church, to the bringing forth
of the revelations, translation, and history. And what is that?
He has not provision for himself and family, and is obliged to
spend his time in providing therefor. His family is large and his
company great, and it requires much to furnish his table. And now,
brethren, we call on you for immediate relief in this matter; and
we invite you to bring our President as many loads of wheat, corn,
beef, pork, lard, tallow, eggs, poultry, venison, and everything
eatable at your command, (not excepting unfrozen potatoes and
vegetables, as soon as the weather will admit,) flour, etc., and
thus give him the privilege of attending to your spiritual interest.
The measure you mete shall be measured to you again. If you give
liberally to your President in temporal things, God will return to
you liberally in spiritual and temporal things too. One or two good
new milch cows are much needed also.
Brethren, will you do your work, and let the President do his for
you before God? We wish an immediate answer by loaded teams or
letter.
Your brethren in Christ, in behalf of the quorum,
BRIGHAM YOUNG, President.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk.
P.S. Brethren, we are not unmindful of the favors our President has
received from you in former days. But a man will not cease to be
hungry this year because he ate last year.
B. Y.
W. R.
Some thirty inhabitants of Saratogo, New York, have died recently of a
disease called the black tongue.
About this time, a slide from Mount Ida, near Troy, New York, took
place, burying ten houses and killing thirty or forty persons.
_Thursday, 2_.--I was engaged in the court-room, sitting on the case
of Charles R. Dana _versus_ William B. Brink all day. In the evening,
examining Blackstone and Phillips on evidence.
I visited with Elders Brigham Young and Orson Hyde, with their wives,
at Elder Heber C. Kimball's.
{294} The legislature of Illinois took up the bill to repeal the Nauvoo
City Charter.
_Nauvoo Charter in the House of the Illinois Legislature_.
Mr. Davis, of Bond county, moved to take up the bill to repeal
a part of the Nauvoo Charter. Objections being made by several
members, it was decided in the affirmative, and placed on the
orders of the day; the question being on ordering the bill to a
third reading.
Mr. Simms moved the previous question.
Mr. Logan hoped the previous question would not be sustained. Some
of the provisions proposed to be repealed are very innocent ones,
and he thought the house would be willing to retain them. He wanted
to repeal the provisions allowing the writ of habeas corpus and
some others. The previous question was then lost.
Mr. Logan denied that any discussion had been had on the provision
of the Charter proposed to be repealed. He wanted the gentlemen
interested to have an opportunity to be heard.
Mr. Thomas B. Owen, of Hancock, went into the subject at some
length. He compared the Charter of Nauvoo with any other city in
the State, and showed that the bill repealed the same powers in the
Nauvoo Charter which others contained and are permitted to retain.
He thought this unjust, and was opposed to the principle of making
such distinctions. He bore testimony to the good order and industry
of the Mormons, and he had no doubt but they were much abused.
He alluded to the course of the Whigs during the canvass of the
last election, and appealed to his party to sustain the Mormons,
as they had so nobly carried the last election. He cautioned them
against taking the other course, and predicted, if they did, that
they would be the means of electing a Whig to Congress in that
district, and at the next gubernatorial election would elect the
governor also; that the arms of the Whigs were open to receive them
[The "Mormons."]
_Friday, 3_.--I was again sitting on the case of Dana _versus_ Brink
until half-past ten p. m. Many witnesses were examined, many lawyers'
pleas made, and much law read. It was a very tedious suit, and
excited much feeling among the people. When I returned home, I found
my mother's health improving. In company with Dr. Willard Richards I
visited Sister Durphy, who was sick.
Bishop Newel K. Whitney returned from Ramus this evening, with five
teams loaded with provisions and grain, {295} as a present to me, which
afforded me very seasonable relief. I pray the Lord to bless those who
gave it abundantly; and may it be returned upon their heads an hundred
fold!
_Action of the House Repealing Part of the Nauvoo Charter_.
Mr. William Smith, of Hancock, moved a roll call of the house (some
members were leaving).
The bill passed by yeas and nays, as follows:--
_Yeas_--Messrs. Aldrich, Baillache, Bell, Blakeman, Bone, Brinkley,
Brown (of Sangamon), Burklow, Busey, Caldwell, Cloud, Cochran,
Compton, Courtright, Danner, Dollins, Douglas, Edwards, Epler,
Ervin, Ewing, Ficklin, Flanders, Fowler, Glass, Gobble, Haley,
Hambaugh, Hick, Hickman, Hinton, Horney, Howard, Hunsucker,
Keorner, Kuykendall, Lawler, Loy, McClernand, Marshall, Menard,
Mitchell, Murphy, Nesbit, Norris, Penn, Shurley, Simms, Thomson,
Turner, Vance, Vinyard, Weatherford, Wheat, White, Whitten, Wilson
and Woodworth--58.
_Nays_--Messrs. Adams, Ames, Andrus, Arnold, Brown (of Pike),
Browning, Collins, Cushman, Dougherty, Dubois, Graves, Hanniford,
Hanson, Harper, Hatch, Jackson (of McHenry), Jackson (of
Whiteside), Jonas, Kendall, Langworthy, Lockhart, Logan, McDonald
(of Calhoun), McDonald (of Joe Davis), Owen, Pickering, Smith
(of Crawford), Smith (of Hancock), Spicer, Stewart, Tackerbury,
Vandever, Whitcomb, and Mr. Speaker--33.
The Speaker: The bill is passed. The title of the bill:--(The
Speaker recited the title of the bill).
Mr. Smith, of Hancock: I wish to amend the title of the bill.
(Profound silence.)
The Speaker: The title has passed.
By several members: In time, in time.
Mr. Smith sent his amendment to the chair.
The Speaker: The amendment is not respectful, and not in order.
Great sensation. Several members called for a reading of the
amendment.
The amendment was read--_"A bill for an act to humbug the citizens
of Nauvoo."_ (Profound sensation.)
Mr. Smith said he considered the amendment as perfectly describing
the contents of the bill. He was anxious that things should be
called by their right names.
The chair decided that the amendment was not in order.
A member: I wish a vote, to ascertain if the house does not sustain
the decision of the chair.
{296} Mr. Smith withdrew his amendment.
The title of the bill then passed.
English papers report an eruption of Mount Etna; considerable torrents
of lava flowing towards Bronte, doing immense damage.
[Sidenote: Manner of Disposing of Church Property.]
_Saturday, 4_.--In council with Brother Benjamin F. Johnson and others
from Ramus, on the subject of building a meetinghouse there, out of
Church property. I told them the property of the Church should be
disposed of by the direction of the Trustee-in-Trust, appointed by the
voice of the whole Church, and made the following comparison:--There
is a wheel; Nauvoo is the hub; we will drive the first spoke in Ramus,
second in La Harpe, third Shokoquon, fourth in Lima: that is half the
wheel. The other half is over the river: we will let that alone at
present. We will call the Saints from Iowa to these spokes, then send
elders over and convert the whole people.
I agreed to go to Ramus this day week.
At ten o'clock, I attended the city council.
_The Questions of "Currency" and Blood Atonement, in the Nauvoo City
Council_.
Prayer by George A. Smith, when a bill regulating the currency
was read; and, as the Legislature of Illinois have long been
trying to repeal the charter of Nauvoo, I made some remarks (as
I had frequently done on former occasions), to show the council
and others that the legislature can not constitutionally repeal a
charter where there is no repealing clause. After which, I read a
letter from James Arlington Bennett, dated February 1, 1843, which
confirms my decision.
In debate, George A. Smith said imprisonment was better than
hanging.
I replied, I was opposed to hanging, even if a man kill another, I
will shoot him, or cut off his head, spill his blood on the ground,
and let the smoke thereof ascend up to God; and if ever I have the
privilege of making a law on that subject, I will have it so.
In reply to some of the councilors, who thought it impolitic to
stop circulating bank notes as currency _at once_, I replied, I
would use a figure, and talk like some foolish fathers do to their
children. If you want to kill a serpent, don't cut off his head,
for fear he will bite you; {297} but cut off his tail, piece by
piece, and perhaps you won't get bit. It is the same with this
bill. I say, if paper currency is an evil, put it down _at once_.
When councilors get up here, I want them to speak sense. Great God,
where is common sense and reason? Is there none on the earth? Why
have the canker remaining any longer to sap our life? If you get
hold of a $5 bill, you can get nothing with it. There is no one who
dares to touch it, fearing it to be a counterfeit, or the note of a
broken bank. I wish you had my soul long enough to know how good it
feels. I say it is expedient when you strike at an enemy, to strike
the most deadly blow possible.
Councilor Hyde asked me what an editor should do. I told him,
advertise in your next paper to your agents to send you gold and
silver, as paper will no longer be taken as pay. [A]
[Footnote A: These remarks and the passage of the ordinance making
gold and silver alone Legal Tender in Nauvoo is further evidence
that the Prophet regarded Nauvoo under her charter as a "city
state"--see the subject discussed in _Introduction_ to Vol. IV of
this HISTORY, pp. xxii-xxv.]
The ordinance regulating currency in the city passed by a unanimous
vote, as follows:--
ORDINANCE.
Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nauvoo,
that, from and after the passage of this bill, gold and silver coin
only can be received a lawful tender in payment of city taxes and
of debts, and also of fines imposed under the ordinances of the
city.
Sec. 2. That city scrip shall not hereafter be emitted as monied
currency; provided, however, that nothing in this bill shall be so
construed as to prevent the redemption of previous emissions.
Sec. 3. That any person passing counterfeit gold, or silver, or
copper coin, or counterfeit or spurious paper currency, or aiding
or abetting therein, or holding the same with intent to pass it,
knowing it to be such, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five
thousand dollars, or to imprisonment or hard labor in the city, for
a term not exceeding fourteen years, or all these penalties at the
discretion of the court.
Sec. 4. That any person passing a paper currency, or aiding and
abetting therein, or holding the same with intent to pass it within
the bounds of this city corporation, shall be liable to a fine of
one dollar for every dollar thus offered or passed, to be recovered
as in action of debt; one-half of said fine to be paid to the
complainant, the other half to the said corporation.
JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.
I was re-elected Registrar of Deeds for the city.
Dr. Samuel Bennett was chosen Alderman, and Albert P. Rockwood.
Elijah Fordham, and Charles C. Rich, Firewardens in the city.
{298} By my suggestion, the Committee on Public Works were
instructed to prepare an ordinance to provide for the erection of a
city prison.
[Sidenote: Items of Instruction.]
On returning to my office after dinner, I spoke the following proverb:
For a man to be great, he must not dwell on small things, though he may
enjoy them; this shows that a Prophet cannot well be his own scribe,
but must have some one to write for him.
The battle of Gog and Magog will be after the millennium. The remnant
of all the nations that fight against Jerusalem were commanded to go up
to Jerusalem to worship in the millennium.
I told Dr. Richards that there was one thing he failed in as a
historian, and that was noting surrounding objects, weather, etc.
I dictated to my scribe my decision in the case of Brink _versus_ Dana,
until half-past four p. m.
[Sidenote: Repeal of Parts of the Nauvoo Charter Defeated in the
Senate.]
This day, Mr. Warren, in the State Senate, moved to take from the table
the bill to repeal the charter of the city of Nauvoo; but the senate
refused to repeal it. Nays, 17, ayes, 16.
Orrin Porter Rockwell was taken prisoner in St. Louis by the
Missourians, on an advertisement accusing him of shooting ex-Governor
Boggs on the 6th day of May, 1842.
_Sunday, 5_.--I stayed at home all day to take care of my mother, who
was still sick.
A severe shock of an earthquake felt at Memphis, Tenn.
_Monday, 6_.--I read, in the _Boston Bee_, a letter from Elder George
J. Adams, and also another communication showing the progress of the
truth in Boston and vicinity. At nine o'clock, called in my office, and
requested Dr. Richards to write to the _Bee_; after which, I recited in
German until dinner, and in the evening rode out to visit the sick.
The Municipal Court was in session to hear any complaints against the
city assessment, but none appeared.
{299} In the evening a grand display of burning prairie on the Iowa
side of the river.
_Tuesday, 7_.--I was in my office at nine a. m., and reviewed my
decision in the case of Brink _versus_ Dana, and conversing with Dr.
Richards on the subject of medicine. After dinner, I executed several
deeds for city lots, and settled with the purchasers, assisted by
William Clayton.
Brother David Manhard, of Lee county, Iowa, brought me two loads of
corn and one hog; for which may the Lord bless him!
East wind through the day. Commenced raining at three p. m.
_Wednesday, 8_.--In office at eight a. m., and signed some documents
in relation to the Nauvoo Legion, and also settling with William Ford.
Rode out with Mr. John B. Cowan in the evening.
In the evening, a meeting was held in the house of Elder Heber C.
Kimball, which was crowded. He preached from Jeremiah xvii, 2-5, on the
figure of clay in the hands of the potter.
The ship _Yorkshire_ left Liverpool, England, with eighty-three Saints
on board, under the supervision of Elders Thomas Bullock and Richard
Rushton.
A terrible earthquake occurred at Guadeloupe and other West India
Islands. Thousands of persons buried under the ruins of the fallen
houses.
[Sidenote: Precaution against Missouri Movements against the Prophet in
Iowa.]
_Thursday, 9_.--Mr. John B. Cowan took the decision of Judge Pope in
the United States District Court, on the 5th January last, and other
papers relating thereto, also Mr. Butterfield's opinion, to lay before
the governor of Iowa, in order to induce him to recall a writ issued on
the requisition of the governor of Missouri, for my arrest, in case I
should visit my friends in Iowa.
I told Brother Phelps that he should be a lawyer and understand law,
and the time will come when I shall not {300} need say to you, Thus and
thus is the law; for you shall know it.
E. H. Mower wrote me from Clinton county, Indiana, that he had recently
baptized thirty-two, and a great many were inquiring after the truth.
William O. Clark gave me a load of corn, and Sanford Porter gave me a
hog.
Rain and sleet the whole of the day.
_Friday, 10_.--Clear and cold day.
I opened court at ten a. m. Messrs. Emmons and Skinner, counsel for
plaintiff; and Messrs. Marr and Rigdon, counsel for defendant. Parties
to the suit present and many spectators. [B] Court decided after full
hearing of the case that plaintiff recover from the defendant the
sum of his bill, ninety-nine dollars and cost. After I had delivered
my decision, I referred to the threat of the defendant's counsel to
intimidate, etc. Counsel explained satisfactorily.
[Footnote B: The case was one in which mal-practice was charged against
Dr. William B. Brink in a case of accouchement of Charles A. Dana's
wife.]
I directed Lucien Woodworth to fix a room to confine the city prisoners
in.
I told Theodore Turley that I had no objection to his building a
brewery.
PROVERB.
"As finest steel doth show a brighter polish
The more you rub the same,
E'en so in love rebuke will ne'er demolish
A wise man's goodly name."
I issued an execution against Dr. Brink, and a search warrant on oath
of William Law, to search the house of Dial Sherwood. In the evening,
the marshal brought two try squares, one padlock, one shirt; also a bit
stock, smoothing-plane, and other tools, some of which were claimed as
stolen property.
[Sidenote: Signs in the Heavens.]
_Friday, 10_.--With Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff {301} and many
others, about seven p. m., I discovered a stream of light in the
southwest quarter of the heavens. Its pencil rays were in the form of
a broad sword, with the hilt downward, the blade raised, pointing from
the west, southwest, raised to an angle of forty-five degrees from
the horizon, and extending nearly, or within two or three degrees to
the zenith of the degree where the sign appeared. This sign gradually
disappeared from half-past seven o'clock, and at nine had entirely
disappeared. As sure as there is a God who sits enthroned in the
heavens, and as sure as He ever spoke by me, so sure will there be a
speedy and bloody war; and the broad sword seen this evening is the
sure sign thereof.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Dream.]
Last night I dreamed that a silver-headed old man came to me and said
there was a mob force coming upon him, and he was likely to lose his
life. He had heard that I was a lieutenant-general, having the command
of a large force, and that I always sought to defend the oppressed,
and that I was also a patriot, and disposed to protect the innocent
and unoffending; and he wanted that I should protect him, and had come
to hear with his own ears what I would say to him. I told him I wanted
some written documents to show the facts that they [the mob] were the
aggressors, and I would raise a force sufficient to protect him, and
would collect the Legion. The old man turned to go from me. When he
got a little distance, he suddenly turned again, and said to me, "You
must call out the Legion," and he would have the papers ready when I
arrived. And, said he, "I have any amount of men, which you can have
under your command."
A shock of an earthquake felt in Lancashire, England, and on the Isle
of Guernsey, produced considerable alarm.
The papers teem with accounts of singular phenomena. Fearful sights are
seen in all parts of the world.
{302} _Saturday, 11_.--Very cold last night. The water froze in the
warmest rooms in the city.
At nine a. m., I started in company with Brother Brigham Young,
to Ramus, and had a delightful drive Arrived at Brother McClary's
at a quarter to four. Lodged with Brother Benjamin F. Johnson. In
the evening, when pulling sticks, I pulled up Justus A. Morse, the
strongest man in Ramus, with one hand.
It is reported in the papers that the workmen employed on the _General
Pratt_ (a steamboat which was burned and sunk last fall near Memphis
in the Mississippi,) with a diving bell, on the 3rd of January, found
the wreck in about twenty-four feet of water. On that night was an
earthquake. Next day the wreck had disappeared, no trace could be
found, and the water was from one hundred to one hundred and twenty
feet deep, and for about one hundred feet no bottom; and in another
place a bar was discovered where previously was deep water.
The _New York Herald_ publishes "The Vision" in poetry, &c.; also Miss
Eliza R. Snow's Festival Song--an unusual act of liberality towards the
Saints, for a publisher.
[Sidenote: The Prophet at Ramus.]
_Sunday, 12_.--I preached to the Saints at Ramus, in the morning,
taking for a text 14th chapter of John, 2nd verse:--"In my Father's
house are many mansions."
I found the brethren well, and in good spirits. In the afternoon,
Brother Brigham preached. Stayed at Brother Benjamin F. Johnson's all
night.
Elder George J. Adams having been called to Nauvoo, twelve hundred
inhabitants of Boston petitioned for Elders Heber C. Kimball and Orson
Hyde to come and labor in that place. A similar petition was also sent
from Salem, Massachusetts, by Elder Erastus Snow.
_Monday, 13_.--I wrestled with William Wall, the most expert wrestler
in Ramus, and threw him.
In the afternoon, held a Church meeting. Almon W. {303} Babbitt was
appointed, by the vote of the people, the presiding elder of that place.
In the evening meeting twenty-seven children were blessed, nineteen of
whom I blessed myself, with great fervency. Virtue went out of me, and
my strength left me, when I gave up the meeting to the brethren.
Mercury was three degrees below zero, at sunrise in Nauvoo.
Mr. Ivins arrived at Nauvoo, and stated that Orrin Porter Rockwell came
with him from New Jersey to St. Louis, when Rockwell was arrested by
advertisement on the 4th of March, and put in St. Louis jail.
Elder Hyde went to Quincy to preach.
Newspapers report that iron filings and sulphur have fallen in the form
of a snow storm in five counties in Missouri.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Explanation of "Virtue Went Out of Me."]
_Tuesday, 14_.--Elder Jedediah M. Grant enquired of me the cause of my
turning pale and losing strength last night while blessing children. I
told him that I saw that Lucifer would exert his influence to destroy
the children that I was blessing, and I strove with all the faith
and spirit that I had to seal upon them a blessing that would secure
their lives upon the earth; and so much virtue went out of me into the
children, that I became weak, from which I have not yet recovered; and
I referred to the case of the woman touching the hem of the garment of
Jesus. (Luke, 8th chapter). The virtue here referred to is the spirit
of life; and a man who exercises great faith in administering to the
sick, blessing little children, or confirming, is liable to become
weakened.
Elder Brigham Young and myself returned from Ramus, and after a
severely cold ride in a heavy snowstorm, arrived in Nauvoo about four
p. m.
Mr. Wilson, the assessor for the county of Hancock, assessed a number
of lots to Dr. Willard Richards, which he had previously assessed to me
as trustee in trust, in {304} order no doubt, to collect taxes twice,
for the benefit of his own pocket, or to make trouble to the "Mormons;"
about which the following letter was written:
_Willard Richards to Mr. Bagby, Anent Taxes_.
Mr. Bagby,--Sir:--I received an anonymous letter this morning,
which was dated at Warsaw, requesting an immediate answer. I
know not to whom to direct the answer; but as it appears to be
concerning taxes, I suppose it most probable that you are the
person, and direct my answer accordingly.
I received your letter from Carthage, and requested Mr. Clayton to
answer it, which he did, stating the facts in the case, which, in
substance, I will repeat:
In the year 1842 I had no taxable property in Illinois, real
or personal. I never gave Mr. Wilson, the assessor, a list by
which to assess lots to me. If ever I gave him any list, it was
to assist him in the information what lots to assess to the
"trustee-in-trust," and for no other purpose; which Mr. Wilson very
well knew at the time, and now knows it.
You ask, "What shall I do with the lots?" I answer, "They are
lots which on another part of your list, are assessed to the
trustee-in-trust, or Mr. Smith; and, doubtless, it would be the
most just and equitable course for the assessor to correct his
error, and let the matter rest where it was originally. But if
this cannot be, you must take your own course. It is not for me to
advise you in your duty. But of this I can advise you--that I have
not the first farthing of personal property liable to taxation in
this county, or to be sold for taxes this side of eternity.
Yours respectfully,
WILLARD RICHARDS.
At half-past seven o'clock in the evening, the sword which had made its
appearance [in the heavens] for several evenings past, moved up nearer
the moon and formed itself into a large ring round the moon. Two balls
immediately appeared in the ring opposite each other, something in the
form of sun-dogs.
[Sidenote: The _Wasp_ Changed to _The Nauvoo Neighbor_.]
_Wednesday, 15_.--I wrote a letter to George J. Adams, and signed
several deeds. In the office most of the day. Gave the following
name to the _Wasp_, enlarged as is contemplated-- {305} _The Nauvoo
Neighbor_, our motto, "The Saints' Singularity is Union, Liberty,
Charity." The following is an extract from the prospectus of this date:
_Prospectus of the Nauvoo Neighbor_.
We feel pleasure in announcing to our readers and the public
generally that we have determined to enlarge the _Wasp_ to double
its size, as soon as the present volume shall be completed, which
will be on the 19th of April.
It made its appearance in the world near twelve months ago,
small in stature, dressed in a very humble garb, and under very
inauspicious circumstances. It was then thought by many that its
days would not be long in the land, and that at any rate it would
not survive the sickly season. Many of its elder brethren, who
thought that they had attained to the size of manhood, sneered
contemptuously at the idea of their smaller and younger brother
taking the field; and, like David's brethren, they thought that he
was but a stripling, and that he would certainly fall by the hand
of some of the great Goliaths. But, on the contrary, while some
of advanced years, noble mien, and possessing a more formidable
appearance, have given up the ghost, the little _Wasp_ has held on
in the even tenor of his way, the untiring, unflinching supporter
of integrity, righteousness and truth, neither courting the smiles
nor fearing the frowns of political demagogues, angry partisans,
or fawning sycophants. Partaking so much of the nature of the
industrious bee, it has gathered honey from every flower, and its
pages are now read with interest by a large and respectable number
of subscribers.
As the young gentleman is now nearly a year old, we propose on
his birthday to put on him a new dress, and to make him double
the size, that he may begin to look up to the world, and not be
ashamed of associating with his older brethren. And as he has acted
the part of a good Samaritan, we propose giving him a new name.
Therefore his name shall no longer be called the "_Wasp_," but the
"_Neighbor_."
[Sidenote: A Prophecy as to Orrin Porter Rockwell.]
I prophesied, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Orrin Porter
Rockwell would get away honorably from the Missourians. I cautioned
Peter Hawes to correct his boys: for if he did not curtail them in
their wickedness, they would eventually go to prison.
{306} I dreamed last night that I was swimming in a river of pure
water, clear as crystal, over a shoal of fish of the largest size I
ever saw. They were directly under my belly. I was astonished, and felt
afraid that they might drown me or do me injury.
The _Wasp_ has the following editorial:--
_The Nauvoo Charter--A Guaranteed Perpetual Succession_.
What reliance can be placed upon a legislature that will one
session grant a charter to a city, with "_perpetual succession_,"
and another session take it away? We expect, however, that
this honorable body believe in the common adage--"Promises and
pie-crusts are made to be broken," and we have sometimes ourselves
seen boys crying for their marbles again, after they have given
them away.
We suppose, however, with them, that the words "_perpetual
succession_" do not mean what they say. The house, in the dignity
of its standing, passes a bill, at the request of the people,
telling them that they shall have a charter granting them several
privileges, and telling them that it shall be _perpetual_, without
any repealing clause. It is made a law, and the grand seal of state
appended to it. The people, on the good faith of the state, go to
work and improve under the provisions of that charter. Companies
are formed, buildings are erected, and money expended; but
by-and-by they find out that they have been leaning upon a broken
reed, that there is no dependence to be placed in government, that
they [the legislature] have broken their most sacred promises,
violated their plighted faith, and wantonly and wickedly sought
to injure thousands of men who relied on their promises, by an
unprecedented, unconstitutional, and tyrannical law, trampling
under foot the faith of the state, and virtually saying that the
members of the legislature that granted the charter were all fools
or knaves, and that we, the pure representatives of the people,
must break the plighted faith of the state to set them right!
The _New York Herald_ gives a list of indebtedness of the several
states who refuse to pay the same, as follows:--
_Indebtedness of the States_.
Pennsylvania, $29,129,123; Georgia, $3,184,323; Indiana,
$12,129,339; Maryland, $20,901,040; Louisiana, $21,213,000;
Mississippi, $5,500,000; Illinois, $13,836,379; Alabama,
$9,843,536; Arkansas, $3,900,000; Michigan, $5,611,000; Florida,
$3,500,000.
{307} A great fire at Valparaiso, unequalled heretofore in Chili.
Damage $2,000,000.
_Thursday, 16_.--In the office, reading papers, and gave counsel to
Brother Hyrum, Dr. Foster, and many others.
_Friday, 17_.--Part of the day in my office; the remainder at home.
Settled with Father Perry; gave him a deed for eighty acres of land
and city lot, and prophesied that it would not be six months before he
could sell it for cash.
At four p. m., Newel K. Whitney brought in a letter from R. S.
Blennarhassett, Esq., St. Louis, dated 7th instant, concerning Orrin
Porter Rockwell; which I immediately answered.
[Sidenote: Renewal of Old Missouri Charges.]
Reports reached us that new indictments had been found against myself,
Brother Hyrum, and some hundred others, on the old Missouri troubles,
and that John C. Bennett was making desperate threats.
The Island of Hong-Kong was ceded to Great Britain by the Emperor of
China, who opened five ports to the English trade by treaty.
_Saturday, 18_.--I was most of the forenoon in the office, in cheerful
conversation with Dr. Willard Richards and others. Finishing writing a
letter to Arlington Bennett.
[Sidenote: The Prophet "Studying" Law!]
About noon, I lay down on the writing table, with my head on a pile of
law books, saying, "Write and tell the world I acknowledge myself a
very great lawyer; I am going to study law, and this is the way I study
it;" and then fell asleep.
Rode out in the afternoon with William Clayton, looking at lots for
Bishop Newel K. Whitney, and afterwards played ball with the boys.
The French seized upon the Society group of Pacific Isles.
_Sunday, 19_.--Rode out with Emma and visited my farm; returned about
eleven, a. m., and spent the remainder of the day at home.
{308} Dimick B. Huntington started for Chicago, with a letter to Mr.
Justin Butterfield, U.S. Attorney, concerning Orrin Porter Rockwell.
[Sidenote: The Work of Elder Parley P. Pratt in England.]
Received a letter from Elder Parley P. Pratt, giving a synopsis of
his mission to England since August, 1839, in which I find he has
published, since April, 1841, (at which time the remainder of the
Twelve returned home,) 1,500 "Hymn Books," 2,500 "Voice of Warning,"
3,000 Tracts, entitled "Heaven on Earth," 3,000 copies of "Elder Hyde's
Mission to Jerusalem," 10,000 copies of "A Letter to the Queen," and
some other works, and continued the _Star_ monthly. He left England
October 20, 1842, and, after a voyage of ten weeks, arrived in New
Orleans, being ice-bound on the river; and having a dislike to the
outlaws who govern Missouri, he wintered at Chester, Illinois. On the
news of his arrival, he was warmly pressed to preach, which he did
several times, and baptized two men in that place.
[Sidenote: Scientists on the Comet.]
Sir James South, Sir John Herschel, and other astronomers in Europe
have published notices of the sword seen in the heavens on the eve of
the 10th and several successive evenings. They represent it as the
stray tail of a comet, as no nucleus could be discovered with the most
powerful instruments. At Paris, M. Arago communicated to the Academy
of Sciences, on the subject of the comet, that the observations of the
astronomers were not complete, the nucleus not being discovered.
_Monday, 20_.--I rode out to see Hiram Kimball, with Mrs. Butterfield,
about a deed for the Lawrence estate. Settled with Dr. Robert D.
Foster, and gave him a note to balance all demands; and afterwards
acknowledged about twenty deeds to different individuals, which
occupied my time until about three p. m.
A letter appears in the _Millennial Star_, giving particulars of the
passage of the ship _Swanton_, from Liverpool; and arrival at New
Orleans, loaded with Saints, in which {309} the power of the holy
priesthood was manifested in the healing of the sick:--
_Excerpt of Letter from Millennial Star_.
The stewart of this vessel was so injured by a blow from one of the
crew, that his life was despaired of; and I stood over him for some
time, and thought that life was gone. The captain had administered
to him all that he could think of in the way of medicine, but to
no effect; and after they gave up all hopes of his recovery, at
twelve o'clock at night, he sent for Elder Lorenzo Snow, [C] and by
anointing him with oil, and the laying on of hands, in the name of
the Lord, he was there and then raised up and perfectly healed. For
this token of the divine favor we will praise the God of Israel.
[Footnote C: Elder Snow was in charge of this company of Saints.]
_Tuesday, 21_.--Was in the office about nine, writing orders. About
noon, started with William Clayton for Shokoquon. Dined at Brother
Russel's, and then resumed our journey to Libeus T. Coon's, sixteen
miles, when I returned.
Wonderful signs have been seen in the heavens during the week.
_A Sign in the Heavens_.
This night, about twelve o'clock, the pilot and officers of the
steamer _William Penn_, on the Ohio river, between Aurora and the
rising sun, Indiana, observed a great light in the sky, in the form
of a serpent. It turned to a livid, bright red, deep and awful,
and remained stationary among the stars for two or three minutes,
and then in a gradual manner formed a distinct roman G: in about
a minute and a half, it turned into a distinct O, and afterwards
changed to a plain D, when it turned into an oblong shape, and
gradually disappeared. [D]
[Footnote D: This description is condensed from an article in the
_Times and Seasons_ (Vol. IV, No. 10), quoted from a paper called the
_Daily Sun_, but whether a New York or a local Illinois paper cannot be
learned.]
_Wednesday, 22_.--Was spent in visiting my friends.
Elder Edwin D. Woolley writes from Westfield, Massachusetts, that he
has baptized twenty and organized a branch in Little River village.
Elder James Burnham died in Richmond, Massachusetts, {310} aged 46. He
had been on a mission to England and Wales about two years, and was
then on a mission in the Eastern States, and, through excessive labor
and exposure, brought on quick consumption. He left a wife and several
children to lament his loss.
_Thursday, 23_.--Spent the day in visiting my friends.
[Sidenote: Signs in the Heavens.]
At seven-and-a-half, a. m., the heavens exhibited a splendid appearance
of circles, accompanied by mock suns. For further particulars, see
_Times and Seasons_, page 151.
The sword has been seen for several nights past; also, on the opposite
side of the horizon, a black streak about the size of the light one.
While the one is as black as darkness, the other has considerably the
appearance of the blaze of a comet; but it is not a comet, for it
appears about seven o'clock, and disappears about nine.
_Friday, 24_.--I took a ride to Camp Creek; met Brother Clayton;
returned to Libeus T. Coon's, where we warmed for an hour, and then
returned home.
In the evening, two teams arrived from Lima, loaded with provisions;
also one load from Augusta.
The _St. Louis Republican_ says:--
"At Point-a-Pitre, Guadaloupe, one of the West India Islands, 2,000
persons ran together in the public square, when the earth opened and
swallowed the whole mass."
The papers report that General Napier, with 3,700 English troops,
gained a brilliant victory over the Belochee army of 22,000 men, on the
17th ult.
_Saturday, 25_.--In the office at eight, a. m.; heard a report from
Hyrum Smith concerning thieves; whereupon I issued the following:
PROCLAMATION.
_To the Citizens of Nauvoo:_
Whereas it appears, by the republication of the foregoing
proceedings and declaration, that I have not altered my views on
the subject of stealing: And
{311} Whereas it is reported that there now exists a band of
desperadoes, bound by oaths of secrecy, under severe penalties in
case any member of the combination divulges their plans of stealing
and conveying properties from station to station, up and down the
Mississippi and other routes: And
Whereas it is reported that the fear of the execution of the pains
and penalties of their secret oath on their persons prevents some
members of said secret association (who have, through falsehood and
deceit, been drawn into their snares,) from divulging the same to
the legally-constituted authorities of the land:
Know ye, therefore, that I, Joseph Smith, mayor of the city of
Nauvoo, will grant and insure protection against all personal mob
violence to each and every citizen of this city who will freely
and voluntarily come before me and truly make known the names
of all such abominable characters as are engaged in said secret
combination for stealing, or are accessory thereto, in any manner.
And I would respectfully solicit the co-operation of all ministers
of justice in this and the neighboring states to ferret out a band
of thievish outlaws from our midst.
Given under my hand at Nauvoo City, this 25th day of March, A. D.,
1843.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Mayor of said City.
Received a letter from Grand Master A. Jonas, requesting the loan of
cannon, to celebrate the organization of the new county of Marquette,
which I granted.
Also received a letter from United States Senator Richard M. Young,
with a bond for a quarter section of land.
I baptized Mr. Mifflin, of Philadelphia.
Issued a writ for the arrest of A. Fields, for disorderly conduct. He
was brought in drunk about noon, and abused the court. I ordered him to
be put in irons till he was sober.
[Sidenote: Case of Benj. Hoyt Before High Council.]
The High Council, with my brother Hyrum presiding, sat on an appeal of
Benjamin Hoyt, from the decision of David Evans, bishop; which was,
that Brother Hoyt cease to call certain characters witches or wizards,
cease to work with the divining rod, and cease burning a board or
boards to heal those {312} whom he said were bewitched. On hearing the
case, the council decided to confirm the decision of Bishop Evans.
[Sidenote: Destructive Tempests.]
The _St. Louis Gazette_ reports "an awful gale" within the last six
weeks. 154 vessels were wrecked on the coast of England, and 190 lives
lost; on the coast of Ireland 5 vessels and 134 lives; on the coast
of Scotland, 17 vessels, 39 lives; and on the coast of France, 4
vessels and 100 lives; value of vessels and cargoes, roughly estimated,
$4,125,000.
The Thames Tunnel completed and opened for foot passengers, when 30,000
persons passed through the first day.
[Sidenote: Opposition to the Work in South Wales.]
Elder William Henshaw, who has encountered considerable opposition
since he commenced preaching in South Wales, organized the Pen-y-darran
branch, and ordained William Rees Davis, priest, who commenced
preaching in the Welsh language, which caused opposition to increase
and a considerable number to receive the gospel. While he established
that branch of the Church, Brother Henshaw supported himself by work in
the coal mines.
_Sunday 26_.--At home, the weather being too severe for meeting.
_Monday, 27_.--I dictated the following letter to Sidney Rigdon:--
_Letter of Joseph Smith to Sidney Rigdon--Expressing Belief in
Rigdon's Complicity in Conspiracy, with John C. Bennett et al._
DEAR SIR:--It is with sensations of deep regret and poignant grief
that I sit down to dictate a few lines to you this morning, to
let you know what my feelings are in relation to yourself, as it
is against my principles to act the part of a hypocrite or to
dissemble in anywise whatever with any man. I have tried for a long
time to smother my feelings and not let you know that I thought
that you were secretly and underhandedly doing all you could to
take the advantage of and injure me; but whether my feelings are
right or wrong remains for eternity to reveal.
I cannot any longer forbear throwing off the mask and letting you
{313} know of the secret wranglings of my heart, that you may not
be deceived in relation to them, and that you may be prepared, sir,
to take whatever course you see proper in the premises.
I am, sir, honest, when I say that I believe and am laboring
under the fullest convictions that you are actually practicing
deception and wickedness against me and the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints; and that you are in connection with John C.
Bennett and George W. Robinson in the whole of their abominable
practices, in seeking to destroy me and this people; and that Jared
Carter is as deep in the mud as you, sir, are in the mire, in your
conspiracies; and that you are in the exercise of a traitorous
spirit against our lives and interests, by combining with our
enemies and the murderous Missourians. My feelings, sir, have been
wrought upon to a very great extent, in relation to yourself, ever
since soon after the first appearance of John C. Bennett in this
place. There has been something dark and mysterious hovering over
our business concerns, that are not only palpable but altogether
unaccountable, in relation to the post office. And, sir, from
the very first of the pretensions of John C. Bennett to secure
to me the post office, (which, by-the-bye, I have never desired,
if I could have justice done me in that department, without my
occupancy,) I have known, sir, that it was a fraud practiced upon
me, and of the secret plottings and connivings between him and
yourself in relation to the matter the whole time, as well as many
other things which I have kept locked up in my own bosom. But I am
constrained, at this time, to make known my feelings to you.
I do not write this with the intention of insulting you, or of
bearing down upon you, or with a desire to take any advantage of
you, or with the intention of laying even one straw in your way
detrimental to your character or influence, or to suffer anything
whatever that has taken place, which is within my observation
or that has come to my knowledge to go abroad, betraying any
confidence that has ever been placed in me. But I do assure you,
most sincerely, that what I have said I verily believe; and this
is the reason why I have said it--that you may know the real
convictions of my heart, not because I have any malice or hatred,
neither would I injure one hair of your head; and I will assure you
that these convictions are attended with the deepest sorrow.
I wish to God it were not so, and that I could get rid of the
achings of my heart on that subject; and I now notify you that
unless something should take place to restore my mind to its
former confidence in you, by some acknowledgments on your part,
or some explanations that shall do away my jealousies, I must, as
a conscientious man, publish my withdrawal of my fellowship from
you to the Church, through the medium of the _Times and Seasons_,
and demand of the conference a hearing {314} concerning your case;
that, on conviction of justifiable grounds, they will demand your
license. I could say much more, but let the above suffice for the
present.
Yours, in haste, JOSEPH SMITH.
I sent the above communication to Elder Rigdon by Dr. Willard Richards;
to which I received the following reply.
_Sidney Rigdon to Joseph Smith--Denies Existence of Just Cause
of the Prophet's Suspicions_.
_President Joseph Smith_.
DEAR SIR:--I received your letter by the hands of Dr. Richards a
few minutes since, the contents of which are surprising to me,
though I am glad that you have let me know your feelings, so as to
give me a chance to reply to them.
Why it is that you have the feelings which you seem to entertain,
I know not; and what caused you to think that I had any connection
with John C. Bennett at any time is not within my power to say.
As to the post office, I never asked Bennett one word about it when
I made application for it. If he ever wrote to the department at
Washington anything about it, it was and is without my knowledge;
for surely I know of no such thing being done at any time; neither
did I know, at the time I applied for the office, that you intended
to apply for it; nor did I know of it for some time afterwards. As
far as the post office is concerned, these are the facts. I wrote
myself to the department, offering myself as an applicant, and
referred the department to several members of Congress to ascertain
my character. This is all I ever did on the subject. I never wrote
but one letter to the department on the subject; neither had I
at the time any acquaintance of any amount with Bennett, nor for
a very considerable time afterwards. He never was at our house
but very little, and then always on business, and always in a
hurry, did his business, and went off immediately. I know not that
Bennett ever knew that I had applied for the office; and I am quite
satisfied he did not till some time after I had written to the
department on the subject; and if he ever did anything about it, it
was and is to this day without my having any knowledge of it.
As to the difficulties here, I never at any time gave Bennett any
countenance in relation to it, and he knows it as well as I do, and
feels it keenly. He has threatened me, severely, that he could do
with me as he pleased, and that if I did not cease to aid you and
quit trying to {315} save "my Prophet," as he calls you, from the
punishment of the law, he would turn against me; and while at St.
Louis, on his way to Upper Missouri, he, in one of his speeches,
made a violent attack on myself, all predicated on the fact that
I would not aid him. Such are his feelings on the subject and his
threatenings.
As to Jared Carter, if there is anything in his mind unfavorably
disposed to you, he has, as far as I know, kept it to himself;
for he never said anything to me, nor in my hearing, from which I
could draw even an inference of that kind. He was here yesterday,
when you came, much dejected in spirit in relation to his temporal
affairs, and commenced telling of the great injuries he had
received by his son-in-law, and the great losses he had sustained
by him, and seemed greatly dejected on account of it; but he never
mentioned any other subject.
When I went to La Harpe on Friday, it was purely in relation to
temporal matters, making arrangements for provisions for the
ensuing season and to regulate some matters in relation to property
only. While there, I heard the report of the new indictments; and
Mr. Higbee told me, the day before I went out, that I was among
the number of those who were to be demanded. In relation to this,
I made such inquiry as I thought would enable me to determine the
fact, but failed in the attempt. I confess I felt some considerable
interest in determining this fact, and felt anxious to know if I
could find out how it was.
Now, on the broad scale, I can assert in truth, that with myself
and any other person on this globe there never was nor is there now
existing anything privately or publicly to injure your character in
any respect whatever; neither has any person spoken to me on any
such subject. All that has ever been said by me has been said to
your face, all of which you know as well as I.
As to your rights in the post office, you have just the same as
any other man. In the new case which occurred yesterday, I have
examined all the laws and rules in this office, and find but one
section in relation to it, and that indirectly, but gives the
postmaster no right to abate the postage, nor make any disposition
of the letter or letters; but address the department, and they will
give such instruction in the case as they deem correct. I have
written on the subject to the department.
I can conclude by only saying that I had hoped that all former
difficulties had ceased for ever. On my part they were never
mentioned to any person, nor a subject of discourse at any time nor
in any place. I was tired hearing of them, and was in hopes that
they slumbered for ever. While at La Harpe the subject was never
once mentioned. The only thing was the inquiry I made myself to
find out, as far as I could, whether the report made to me by Mr.
Higbee was correct or no, and this in relation to myself only. If
being entirely silent on the subject at {316} all times and in all
places is an error, then I am guilty. If evading the subject at all
times, whenever introduced by others, be a crime, then I am guilty;
for such is my uniform custom.
If this letter is not satisfactory, let me know wherein; for it is
peace I want. I have been interrupted a great many times since I
began to write, by people calling at the office.
Respectfully, SIDNEY RIGDON.
P.S.--I do consider it a matter of just offense to me to hear about
Bennett's assisting me to office. I shall have a lower opinion of
myself than I now have when I think I need his assistance.
S. R.
Opened court to try Field for drunkenness and abusing his wife. I fined
him $10 and costs, and required him to find bail of $50 to keep the
peace for six months.
A conference held at Hartland, Niagara county, New York. Three elders
and one priest were ordained, and five added to the Church.
It is estimated that the Chinese loss, in their recent war with
England, was 15,000 men, 1,500 pieces of cannon, and a great portion of
their navy.
[Sidenote: Insult Resented.]
_Tuesday, 28_.--I removed my office from the smoke house (which I have
been obliged to occupy for some months,) to the small upper room in the
new brick store. Josiah Butterfield came to my house and insulted me so
outrageously that I kicked him out of the house, across the yard, and
into the street.
Elder Brigham Young visited George A. Smith, who was very sick.
_Wednesday, 29_.--Sat with Orson Spencer on a case of debt, and gave
judgment against Dr. Foster, the defendant.
_Thursday, 30_.--In the office, in relation to a new bond presented to
me by Dr. Brink, which I rejected as informal, and told Charles Ivins
he might improve my share of the ferry one year, and cautioned him
that if he did not consider Brink good for heavy damages, he would be
foolish to be his bondsman.
{317} Brink afterwards took an appeal to the Municipal Court, to be
tried on the 10th of April.
Elder Hyde returned from Quincy, having delivered ten lectures and
baptized three persons.
[Sidenote: The Prophet as a Justice of the Peace.]
At half-past one, p.m., I was called to sit as justice of the peace,
with Alderman George W. Harris, on the case of Webb _v_. Rigby, for
forcible entry and detainer. During the trial the court fined Esquire
O. C. Skinner twenty dollars for insulting a witness, and would have
fined him ten dollars more for his contempt of court, but let him off
on his submissive acknowledgments. The trial closed about one o'clock
on Friday morning.
_Friday, 31_.--At ten, a.m., I opened court for trial of Amos Lower,
for assaulting John H. Burghard. After hearing testimony, fined Lower
$10.
Spent the afternoon at Mr. Lucian Woodworth's in company with Brother
Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Wilford Woodruff, and Brother
Chase, with our wives; had a good time, and feasted on a fat turkey.
{318}