AFTERMATH OF THE PROPHET'S RELEASE FROM ARREST--FOURTH OF JULY
CELEBRATION AT NAUVOO--APPEALS TO GOVERNOR FORD FOR EMPLOYMENT OF
MILITARY FORCE--SUPPLEMENTARY AFFIDAVITS ON AFFAIRS IN MISSOURI.
_Sunday July 2, 1843_.--A large congregation met at the Grove, near
the Temple, and heard an interesting address from Elder Orson Hyde.
After he closed, Messrs. Walker, Southwick, Patrick, and Wasson spoke
on the stand, stating that I had subjected myself to the law in every
particular, and had treated my persecutors and kidnappers with courtesy
and kindness. They also spoke on the unlawful conduct of my enemies.
Messrs. Patrick, Walker, Southwick, and Harmon Wasson made the
following affidavit:--
_Affidavit of Attorneys_.
Shepherd G. Patrick, Harmon Wasson, Edward Southwick, and Cyrus
Walker, being duly sworn, depose and say that they were in company
with Joseph R. Reynolds and Harmon T. Wilson, the former acting as
agent of the state of Missouri, and having in custody Joseph Smith,
who was styled, in the warrant by which he had been arrested,
Joseph Smith, Jr.; and who had been delivered into the custody
of said Reynolds by said Wilson, who had first, as an officer
of the state of Illinois, arrested him, the said Smith, upon a
warrant issued by his Excellency Thomas Ford, to apprehend him
as a fugitive from the justice of the state of Missouri, when it
was alleged he was charged with treason against the said state of
Missouri; that the arrest and transfer of the custody of said Smith
took place in Lee county, Illinois; and that while said Joseph H.
Reynolds was at Dixon, in said county, a writ of habeas corpus was
served on him, in behalf of said Smith, commanding him to bring
said Smith before the nearest judge or judicial tribunal in the
{477} fifth judicial district of the state of Illinois, authorized
to hear and determine upon writs of habeas corpus; that said Harmon
T. Wilson acted as a guard and assistant under said Joseph H.
Reynolds on their journey from Dixon, till they arrived at the city
of Nauvoo; that said Smith was allowed by said Reynolds to ride
his horse and in a buggy on said journey, while the said Reynolds
rode in the coach, upon the assurance and pledge of James Campbell,
Esq., the sheriff of Lee county, Illinois, who had said Reynolds
and Wilson in custody for want of bail in a civil action, and upon
whom they had served habeas corpus, returnable before Judge Young
at Quincy, Illinois.
Your affiants as well as others in the company, at the same time
gave assurance and pledges to said Reynolds that his prisoner, the
said Smith, should not escape from him; and the said Reynolds was
satisfied, as he avowed, with the pledges aforesaid, and expressed
himself to be so at the time, and fully consented that the said
Smith might travel on said journey in the manner he did.
That the friends of said Smith met him in great numbers as he
approached the city of Nauvoo, by which place the sheriff, as these
affiants believe, voluntarily decided to go at the request of said
Smith, and upon representations made to him that it was the best
route to Quincy.
That no violence was offered to said Reynolds or Wilson; and that
to the best of these affiants' knowledge and belief, no threats
or intimidation were made use of to influence and control their
conduct, either during the journey to or after their arrival at
Nauvoo. Said Reynolds and Wilson dined with said Smith at his own
house, and were hospitably entertained; and after dinner, say in
two hours after the arrival of the party in said city, a writ of
habeas corpus was issued by the municipal court of the said city of
Nauvoo in favor of said Smith, which was served upon said Reynolds.
The said Reynolds made return of the writ, together with the
body of said Smith, and alleged the causes of his capture and
detention, at the same time denying the jurisdiction of the
court, and alleging that he had been served with the prior writ
of habeas corpus before mentioned. Said Reynolds remained in
Nauvoo, and a part of the time in the municipal court-room, and
sometime after the examination of the writ of habeas corpus
issued by the municipal court had commenced, and, as your
affiants believe, during the whole sitting of the court on Friday
afternoon, the 30th of June, and then departed for Carthage, after
a patient examination of the fact and matter of law set forth in
complainant's petition, which said examination lasted from Friday
afternoon till the next day, Saturday, at night. The said Smith was
discharged as for defects in the warrant under which he had been
arrested, and was imprisoned, as upon the merits of the case by the
said {478} municipal court; and these affiants further say that
said Reynolds and Wilson were, before they arrived at the city of
Nauvoo, and while they were there, assured by the said Smith and
many of the company who had traveled together from Dixon, (these
affiants among the number,) that they should be protected from
violence; and that the said Smith did publicly declare in Nauvoo,
to the people there assembled, that his honor was pledged that said
Reynolds should be protected from violence, and requested every one
to preserve his pledge inviolate.
These affiants state further that no violence or threats, to their
knowledge or belief, were made use of towards the said Reynolds or
the said Wilson, either before or after their arrival at Nauvoo;
but the numbers who met and accompanied the said Smith and his
escort on the journey, conducted themselves in an orderly and
peaceable manner, and manifested only their attachment to said
Smith, and joy to find him safe in the custody of the laws of the
state of Illinois; all of which facts are true, to the best of the
knowledge and recollection of the affiants.
SHEPHERD G PATRICK, CYRUS WALKER, E. SOUTHWICK HARMON WASSON.
Sworn to, etc.
Colonel Markham, Mr. Sanger, and myself also made affidavits on the
same subject.
Judge Adams came from Carthage and stated that Wilson and Reynolds were
inciting the people to mobocracy, and sending a petition to Governor
Ford for a posse to retake me.
A petition to the governor, praying him not to issue any more writs,
was immediately made out, and signed by about 150 citizens of Nauvoo;
and also
A remonstrance against the Carthage proceedings was gotten up. Signed
and forwarded the same to Carthage by Messrs. Southwick and Patrick.
I directed the clerk to make a transcript of the proceedings before the
municipal court, to forward to the governor, and to which he attached
the following certificate:--
_Certification of Documents_.
I, James Sloan, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the city of Nauvoo,
Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing hereunto attached
papers {479} and documents--to wit, that the foregoing petition of
Joseph Smith, Sen., and warrant from the governor of the state of
Illinois, and commission issued by Thomas Reynolds, governor of the
state of Missouri, to Joseph H. Reynolds, and the writ of habeas
corpus, and the return of the said Joseph H. Reynolds thereto, and
endorsed thereon, are true copies of the papers and originals filed
in this court, in the exparte case of Joseph Smith, Sen., upon
the petition of said Smith, for a discharge from arrest on habeas
corpus; and that the foregoing is a true copy of the true, full,
and perfect record of the proceedings had in said case.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the
seal of said court, at the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, this third day
of July, A.D., 1843.
[L. S.] JAMES Sloan, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the city of
Nauvoo, Illinois.
He also made a transcript of the ordinances relating to habeas corpus,
and attached the following certificate:--
I, James Sloan, city recorder of the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, and
clerk of the city council of said city, do hereby certify that the
foregoing hereunto attached are true copies of the ordinances of
said city, regulating the proceedings on writs of habeas corpus,
the one passed the 8th day of August, A.D., 1842, and the other
passed November 14, 1842, both of which said ordinances are
unrepealed and now in force in said city.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
corporate seal of said city of Nauvoo at said city, this 3rd day of
July, A.D., 1843.
[L. S.] JAMES SLOAN, City Recorder and Clerk of the City Council of
the city of Nauvoo, Illinois.
Which documents were delivered to my lawyers, with instructions to see
Governor Ford immediately.
I had an interview with several Pottawattamie chiefs, who came to see
me during my absence.
_Interview with Pottawattamie Chiefs_. _(From Wilford
Woodruff's Journal.)_
The Indian chiefs remained at Nauvoo until the Prophet returned and
had his trial. During their stay they had a talk with Hyrum Smith
{480} in the basement of the Nauvoo House. Wilford Woodruff and
some others were present. They were not free to talk, and did not
wish to communicate their feelings until they could see the great
Prophet.
At length, on the 2nd day of July, 1843, President Joseph Smith
and several of the Twelve met those chiefs in the court-room, with
about twenty of the elders. The following is a synopsis of the
conversation which took place as given by the interpreter:--
The Indian orator arose and asked the Prophet if the men who were
present were all his friends. Answer--"Yes."
He then said--"We as a people have long been distressed and
oppressed. We have been driven from our lands many times. We have
been wasted away by wars, until there are but few of us left. The
white man has hated us and shed our blood, until it has appeared
as though there would soon be no Indians left. We have talked with
the Great Spirit, and the Great Spirit has talked with us. We have
asked the Great Spirit to save us and let us live; and the Great
Spirit has told us that he had raised up a great Prophet, chief,
and friend, who would do us great good and tell us what to do; and
the Great Spirit has told us that you are the man (pointing to the
Prophet Joseph). We have now come a great way to see you, and hear
your words, and to have you to tell us what to do. Our horses have
become poor traveling, and we are hungry. We will now wait and hear
your word."
The Spirit of God rested upon the Lamanites, especially the orator.
Joseph was much affected and shed tears. He arose and said unto
them: "I have heard your words. They are true. The Great Spirit has
told you the truth. I am your friend and brother, and I wish to do
you good. Your fathers were once a great people. They worshiped the
Great Spirit. The Great Spirit did them good. He was their friend;
but they left the Great Spirit, and would not hear his words or
keep them. The Great Spirit left them, and they began to kill one
another, and they have been poor and afflicted until now.
The Great Spirit has given me a book, and told me that you will
soon be blessed again. The Great Spirit will soon begin to talk
with you and your children. This is the book which your fathers
made. I wrote upon it (showing them the Book of Mormon). This tells
what you will have to do. I now want you to begin to pray to the
Great Spirit. I want you to make peace with one another, and do not
kill any more Indians: it is not good. Do not kill white men; it is
not good; but ask the Great Spirit for what you want, and it will
not be long before the Great Spirit will bless you, and you will
cultivate the earth and build good houses like white men. We will
give you something to eat and to take home with you."
When the Prophet's words were interpreted to the chiefs, they all
{481} said it was good. The chief asked, "How many moons would it
be before the Great Spirit would bless them?" He [Joseph] told
them, Not a great many.
At the close of the interview, Joseph had an ox killed for them,
and they were furnished with some more horses, and they went home
satisfied and contented.
[Return of the _Maid of Iowa_ Relief Expedition.]
About six p.m., the _Maid of Iowa_ returned to her landing at the
Nauvoo House. The company who had been on the expedition on board of
her formed in a procession and walked up to my office, where they
formed a hollow square, and sent in a deputation to me. As soon as I
had bid them welcome, I opened the window of my office and requested
that no man would leave the ground until I had spoken to them. My
brother Hyrum and I went into the hollow square and directed them not
to allow their ranks to be broken. I then shook hands with each man,
blessing them and welcoming them home.
I then took off my hat and related to them how I was brought home to
the midst of my friends, and how I regained my liberty. I feel, by the
Spirit of the Lord, that if I had fallen into your hands that you would
either have brought me safe home, or that we should all have died in a
heap together.
At this time, a well dressed man, a stranger, who had a cloak around
him, broke through the south line of the ranks, when the orderly
sergeant took the stranger by the nape of the neck and kicked him
outside the ranks, telling him not to come in again. As soon as quiet
was resumed, I continued my address to the company.
About dusk I dismissed the company, blessing them in the name of the
Lord.
My brother Hyrum then blessed them also, commending them for their
diligence and attention to the instructions given by him before their
departure.
The following is the report of their doings, as reported by Daniel M.
Burbanks:
{482} _Burbanks' Account of the Maid of Iowa Expedition for the
Prophet's Relief_.
_Sunday, June 25_.--The brethren were collecting through the night
on the _Maid of Iowa_, and commenced making preparations for the
trip, all hands uniting in loading the boat with firewood.
_26th_.--About half-past eight a.m., President Hyrum Smith, in
company with Judge Adams, came on board and instructed us to
watch for the steamboats that may run up the Illinois river; and
if any persons were running Brother Joseph down the river, under
any pretext whatever, as the _Amaranth_ had carried the news to
Missouri that Joseph Smith was going to be tried at Ottawa, and it
had been reported that a company of men were armed in St. Louis
and had chartered a steamboat to run up to Ottawa, there to seize
Joseph and kidnap him to Missouri;--and if we saw such a boat, we
were to rescue Joseph, at all hazards and bring him to Nauvoo.
President Hyrum then blessed the company in the name of the Lord,
and the _Little Maid_ started at a quarter-past nine a.m., down the
Mississippi river, with the following persons on board--namely, Dan
Jones, Captain of boat; Daniel M. Burbanks, first Pilot; Dimick
B. Huntington, Mate; Jonathan Dunham, Captain of Company; George
W. Langley, Lieutenant; John Taylor, Chaplain; John M. Bernhisel,
Surgeon; John S. Higbee, Isaac Higbee, Lucius N. Scovil, Enoch M.
King, Lewis Dunbar Wilson, Whitford G. Wilson, Bushrod W. Wilson,
John Bair, Ben Rolfe, Sylvester B. Stoddard, James Aikin, Elijah
Averett, Levi W. Hancock, William Meeks, Calvin Reed, Robert
C. Moore, Levi Stewart, Urban V. Stewart, Allen Stout, Welcome
Chapman, William S. Yocum, Thomas Briley, Henry J. Young, James
Worthington, George W. Thatcher, H. M. Alexander, Elbridge Tufts,
Benjamin L. Clapp, Joseph C. Kingsbury, A. Young, John Fido, John
Murdoch, John Lytle, Thomas Carrico, E. J. Sabin, Daniel Avory,
H. B. M. Jolley, J. F. Lane, J. H. Holmes, H. P. Palmer, Benjamin
Jones, Robert C. Egbert, Tarlton Lewis, R. A. Allred, J. Foutz,
H. Permain, John Binby, George W. Rosecran, and about twenty-five
others whose names are not reported.
At nine p.m., the boat turned the point of the bend and started up
the Illinois river. She did not stop until opposite Diamond Isle,
about four o'clock on Tuesday morning, 27th, where the company
learned that the _Chicago Belle_ had passed up the Illinois river
the day previous with a large company of men, having a swivel gun
on the forecastle, as they said, with the intention of taking
Joseph Smith, at all hazards, and conveying him to Missouri.
The _Maid_ next hailed at the Erie landing, five miles above
Beardstown, where they were told that the _Belle_ was twelve hours
ahead, and {483} the company on board had left word that if the
_Maid of Iowa_ followed, they would send the "Mormon" boat and
crew, with Jo Smith, to hell. The people advised the company on the
_Maid_ to return. Stayed there half-an-hour to take in wood, and
then continued our journey.
_Wednesday, 28th_.--At an hour before daybreak, passed Pekin, and
the _Chicago Belle_ aground in an island chute. When she saw us
coming, she backed her star-board wheel and blocked up the passage.
When the pilot of the _Maid_ came near, he stopped his engine and
hailed them with his speaking trumpet, requesting a passage. They
inquired, "What boat is that?" and were told, the _Maid of Iowa_.
They replied, "You cannot pass, and we will see you all d--d and
in hell first." The pilot saw a little opening in the willows of
about twelve feet wide on her left, and signaled for the engineer
to put on all steam, and drove her through this narrow channel and
a small tow head about five rods, tearing the willows down on each
side with the guards and wheelhouse, the captain crying out all
the time, "Stop her!--stop her! For God's sake, stop her! You will
smash the boat in pieces!"
When the boat had headed round the _Belle_, and was once more in
deep water, the pilot stopped the engine and asked the captain,
"What is the matter?" The captain was afraid, and said, "My God,
you will smash the boat to pieces," and was answered, "All is safe,
and we will go ahead," leaving the _Belle_ still aground in the
channel.
Then went to Peoria, about ten miles; found Jesse P. Harmon and
Alanson Ripley, who had come from the horsemen with an express
instructing the company to proceed to the mouth of Fox River. We
took them on board and proceeded on our way.
_Thursday, 29th_.--Arrived at Peru, at ten a.m. There met William
F. Lane with an express from Charles C. Rich, reporting that the
company who had Joseph in charge had started from Fox River for
Shokoquon, destined to run him through the Iowa territory by that
route, and then into Missouri, as they had learned their way by
the Illinois river was blocked up by the_ Maid of Iowa_, and for
the boat and company to return to Quincy, and there await further
orders. We immediately turned round, and on arriving at the mouth
of Spoon River, landed Ripley and Harmon, with instructions to
pursue their journey by land to Nauvoo.
About one p.m., again overhauled the _Chicago Belle_ at the Grand
Pass while they were wooding. They hailed us to inquire "If old Jo
was on board," and were answered, "It is none of your business,"
when another man on the hurricane deck of the _Belle_ shouted,
"Hurrah, hurrah for old Jo Smith!"
We continued our journey and again arrived at the Mississippi at
nine p.m. In rounding to, broke the tiller rope and came to an
anchor; repaired the same, and then continued up the Mississippi.
{484} Arrived at the island below Quincy about eight p.m., on
Friday, 30th, when John Taylor, Jonathan Dunham, Dan Jones, George
W. Langley, and Daniel M. Burbanks took the yawl and went up to
Quincy to learn the news and see if there was any excitement. They
found all peace, then returned to the boat, got up steam, and went
up to Quincy, landing about midnight.
_Saturday, July 1st_.--About eight a.m., left Quincy, after
steaming about eight miles. Sidney Roberts and another messenger
came in a skiff with a letter from Hyrum, saying that Joseph had
arrived in Nauvoo, and was going to be tried before the municipal
court, and for us to hurry home as quick as possible.
On reaching Keokuk, the engineer, Benjamin Orum (who was not a
member of the Church) got dead drunk, when the first pilot turned
engineer, and the second pilot took the wheel and run the boat over
the rapids to Nauvoo,
[Application for Posse to Retake the Prophet.]
Colonel Markham returned from Carthage in the evening, and reported
that on his arriving at Carthage, he found that Reynolds and Wilson had
filed their affidavits, that he (Markham) had with armed force taken
Joseph Smith out of their hands at the head of Elleston Grove, and that
they had also got up a petition, which was signed by the inhabitants
of Carthage, and sent it to Governor Ford by the hands of Reynolds
and Wilson, requesting him to raise a posse comitatus, and they would
come to Nauvoo and take me. They were to start by the mail early this
morning; and Markham requested Jacob Backenstos to go with the mail
to Governor Ford and request him to suspend all proceedings until
documents would be got to show the true state of the case.
On going to the stage proprietor, he engaged and paid for a passage for
one man. On their finding who was going, Reynolds and Wilson objected
to his going; and that objection was accepted by the stage proprietor,
although he had received the passage money. The proprietor then hired a
horse from Mr. Hamilton for him [Markham] to ride.
_Monday, July 3_.--I directed the Twelve Apostles to call {485} a
special conference to choose elders to go into the different counties
of Illinois to preach the gospel and disabuse the public mind with
regard to my arrest.
Elders Brigham Young, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, George
A. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards met at the Grove
with the elders, and it was decided that the following elders go on a
special mission to the following counties in the state of Illinois:
_List of Special Missionaries_.
Elijah Reed and Jesse Hitchcock, Adams and Pike; Salmon Warner
and Jeremiah Curtis, Calhoun and Jersey; Erastus H. Derby, Orson
Hyde, and George J. Adams, Lee; Charles C. Rich and Harvey Green,
La Salle and De Calb; Levi Richards, Luther A. Jones, and E.
Robinson, Joe Davis; John Murdock, Vermillion; Daniel Avery,
Schuyler; Zebedee Coltrin, McDonough; Truman Gillet, Benjamin
Brown, and Jesse W. Crosby, Cook; Graham Coltrin, Fulton; John
L. Butler, Hamilton; David Lewis, Wayne; James Twist, Bureau;
George P. Dykes and Samuel Brown, St. Clair; Pardon Webb, Will;
E. M. Webb, Grundy; Simeon Dunn, Warren; H. S. Eldredge, Mason;
Thomas Dobson, Tazewell; Cyrus Canfield, Menard; Jared Carter,
Morgan; Samuel James and J. C. Wright, Scott; Luman H. Calkins,
White; J. M. King, Mercer; Daniel Allen, Rock Island; U. C.
Nickerson, Henry; Alfred Brown, Putnam; Priddy Meeks, McCoupin;
Abel Butterfield and J. H. Van Natta, Winnebago; William Nelson,
Iroquois; Samuel Russell, Boone; Levi Stewart, Franklin; William
Meeks, Green; W. B. Brink and George Chamberlin, Sangamon; Jacob
Wiley, Edwards; William S. Covert, Stark; M. F. Bartlett and Melvin
Wilbur, Bond; John Outhouse, Alexander; Cheney G. Van Buren, Brown;
James Carroll, Carroll; David Jones, Fayette; John Lowry, Munroe;
Urban V. Stewart, Williamson; James McFate, Montgomery; Lyman O.
Littlefield, Clinton; Elisha H. Groves, Madison; Theodore Curtis,
Cass; Samuel Keele, Jefferson; James Hale, Washington; George
W. Thatcher and John A. Forgeus, Hancock; Jacob H. Butterfield,
Henderson; George Middah, Clay; James M. Munroe, Crawford; Ezra
Chase, Coles; Jesse Chase, Edgar; Amos Lewell, Clark; John Miller,
Whitesides; William Martin, Christian; Reuben Parkhurst, De Witt;
John Keele, Perry; George W. Langley, Johnson; James M. Henderson,
Gallatin; James W. Cummings, Randolph; John Workman, Shelby; Elijah
Fordham, Knox; George W. Pitkin and John Wakefield, Peoria.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, President. W. RICHARDS, Clerk.
{486} About noon, General Charles C. Rich, with twenty-five men,
returned, formed a square in front of my house, and sang a new song.
I went out, shook hands with each individual, and blessed them in the
name of the Lord. The following is a report of their expedition:
_Report of Relief Expedition Led by Charles C. Rich_.
The detachment left the main body of the camp and started from
McQueen's Mills about one a.m., on Monday, the 26th of June,
under the command of General Rich, as follows:--C. C. Rich, Hosea
Stout, John Pack, Truman R. Barlow, James W. Cummings, Daniel
Carnes, Jesse P. Harmon, Alanson Ripley, Stephen Abbott, Charles
W. Hubbard, A. L. Fullmer, Joel E. Terry, Alfred Brown, Dr. Josiah
Ells, William Edwards, Thomas Woolsey, Osmon M. Duel, Dr. Samuel
Bennett,--Babcock, Isaiah Whitesides, Jesse B. Nichols, Stephen
Wilkinson, Samuel Gulley, and four or five others, on horses,
with one baggage wagon drawn by two horses, with instructions to
proceed to Peoria, there cross the Illinois river, and then proceed
up the east side of the river on the main stage road leading from
Springfield to Ottawa. We traveled till about three o'clock in the
morning, when we halted for about an hour and put out a guard. At
daybreak we again took up the line of march, and traveled through
the day, mostly without a road, and the following night till near
daybreak of the 27th, and again made a halt for an hour and passed
through Ellesville before sunrise. When going through that village,
the people were opening their shops, and many persons came in their
shirts to the windows.
Dr. Ells and J. W. Cummings were behind the company about six rods,
when one man came running, full of anxiety, and inquired, "Where
in the world are you all going to?" Dr. Ells, who carried a very
sanctified face, drawled out, "We're a-hunting a wheelbarrow's
nest;" after which, we again resumed the march, about noon halted
on the Kic-a-poo creek, and sent Hosea Stout and A. L. Fullmer
to Peoria to see Lawyer Charles C. Ballance and obtain what
information they could get from him; and about two p.m., crossed
the Illinois river at Peoria, where we obtained supplies for our
further journey. Here we left Jesse P. Harmon and Alanson Ripley
with instructions to hail the steamer _Maid of Iowa_, and procure
what information they had of the whereabouts of Brother Joseph
Smith.
The company after crossing the river, proceeded nearly due east,
till they intersected the stage road running from Springfield to
Ottawa, at a small town named Washington, ten miles east of Peoria.
There we stopped for about an hour and fed our horses. At dusk we
again resumed {487} the march on the stage road towards Ottawa, and
traveled about ten miles to Black Partridge Point, and camped for
the night.
At daybreak of the 28th, we were on the march, traveled about 35
miles to the little town of Magnolia, and halted for noon, where we
fed ourselves and animals at the public house of Captain William
Haws (the captain of a company in which Hosea Stout served in the
Black Hawk war). We again resumed the march, and about dark camped
about two miles below Ottawa, near the Illinois river, having
traveled over 200 miles in two days and eighteen hours with the
same horses, which had become very tired.
General Rich left the company about an hour before sunset, and
about dusk crossed the Illinois river into Ottawa, and put up at
Brother Sanger's. There he learned positively that Joseph had come
as far as Pawpaw Grove, where he was informed that Judge Caton was
absent, and had returned to Dixon and obtained another writ of
habeas corpus, and had started in the direction of Quincy, Adams
county; and also that Lucien P. Sanger had taken his stage-coach
to convey Brother Joseph to Quincy. When he had obtained this
information, he left orders for the _Maid of Iowa_ to return with
all speed to Quincy.
Early on the morning of the 29th, General Rich returned to his
company and gave them the information, when the company started
on their return for Nauvoo, came as far as Captain Haws', and
stayed all night. He gave us the use of the barn to sleep in. In
conversing with the citizens of Magnolia, they approbated our
course, manifested a warm feeling, and offered to help us with
their artillery company, if we needed their assistance.
On the 30th we made a direct course for the Narrows, four miles
above Peoria, where we recrossed the Illinois river, and camped
near the town.
1st July. We traveled forty miles and camped on a small creek near
a farmhouse, where the entire company had an abundance of milk for
the night.
July 2nd. Early in the morning, Jesse B. Nichols went into the
village of Gallsburg, waked up a blacksmith, and employed him to
set a couple of horse-shoes. The blacksmith objected, saying it was
Sunday morning, and, being a professor of religion, he would not do
it unless for double price, which Nichols consented to give him. He
went to the shop; and whilst setting the shoes, the company passed
through, exciting considerable curiosity among the villagers. Two
of the brethren remained to accompany Nichols. As he was about
paying the blacksmith for the work, a Presbyterian minister came up
and said to him, "You ought to charge a dollar a shoe. These are
Mormons; and you, who are a church member, have been shoeing this
Mormon's horse on {488} Sunday; and you ought to be brought before
the church for doing it." Upon which, the blacksmith demanded two
dollars for his work instead of one as agreed before. Nichols
handed him one dollar, the priest telling the blacksmith he ought
not to take it--that Joe Smith was an impostor, and ought to be
hung. The son of Vulcan, however, took the dollar, but demanded
more; upon which Nichols mounted his horse and left, amid the loud
cheers of a number of spectators.
We continued our journey to La Harpe, where we learned the full
particulars of Brother Joseph's safe arrival and trial before the
municipal court, when we made merry, composed a song, and danced,
and proceeded to Nauvoo.
During the entire journey the heat was extremely oppressive; and
as the necessity of the case was very urgent, we had not time to
sleep. It may be safely said to be one of the most rapid, fatiguing
marches that is on record, having traveled with the same horses
about 500 miles in seven days.
Another copy of the remonstrance to the governor against his sending an
armed force was made out and taken to the porch of the Temple, where it
was signed in the course of the day by about 900 persons.
_Tuesday, 4_.--About one a.m., Messrs. Walker, Patrick, Southwick,
Markham, and Lucien Woodworth started for Springfield, carrying with
them the affidavits, petition, and the doings of the municipal court.
[Fourth of July Celebration at Nauvoo.]
At a very early hour people began to assemble at the Grove, and at
eleven o'clock near 13,000 persons had congregated, and were addressed
in a very able and appropriate manner by Elder Orson Hyde, who has
recently been appointed on a mission to St. Petersburg, Russia.
A constant accession of numbers swelled the congregation to 15,000 as
near as could be estimated.
At two p.m., they were again addressed by Elder Parley P. Pratt on
redemption, in a masterly discourse, when I made some remarks.
The following is the report of the speech by Wilford Woodruff:
{489} _The Prophet's Speech--Politics and Military Organization
at Nauvoo_.
If the people will give ear a moment, I will address them with a
few words in my own defense in relation to my arrest. In the first
place, I will state to those that can hear me that I never spent
more than six months in Missouri, except while in prison. While
I was there, I was at work for the support of my family. I never
was a prisoner of war during my stay, for I had nothing to do with
war. I never took up a pistol, gun or sword: and the most that has
been said on this subject by the Missourians is false. I have been
willing to go before any governor, judge, or tribunal where justice
would be done, and have the subject investigated. I could not have
committed treason in that state while I resided there, for treason
in Missouri consists in levying war against the state or adhering
to her enemies. Missouri was at peace, and had no enemy that I
could adhere to, had I been disposed; and I did not make war, as I
had no command or authority, either civil or military, but only in
spiritual matters, as a minister of the gospel.
This people was driven from that state by force of arms, under
the exterminating order of Governor Boggs. I have never committed
treason. The people know very well I have been a peaceable citizen;
but there has been a great hue and cry about Governor Boggs being
shot. No crime can be done, but it is laid to me. Here I was again
dragged to the United States Court and acquitted on the merits of
the case, and now it comes again. But as often as God sees fit
for me to suffer, I am ready; but I am as innocent of the crimes
alleged against me as the angels in heaven. I am not an enemy to
mankind, I am a friend to mankind. I am not an enemy to Missouri,
nor to any governor or people.
As to the military station I hold, the cause of my holding it is
as follows: When we came here the state required us to bear arms
and do military duty according to law; and as the Church had just
been driven from the state of Missouri, and robbed of all their
property and arms, they were poor and destitute of arms. They
were liable to be fined for not doing duty when they had not arms
to do it with. They came to me for advice, and I advised them to
organize themselves into independent companies and demand arms of
the state. This they did. Again: There were many elders having
license to preach, which by law exonerated them from military duty;
but the officers would not release them on this ground. I then told
the Saints that though I was clear from military duty by law, in
consequence of lameness in one of my legs, yet I would set them the
example and would do duty myself. They then said they were willing
to do duty, if they could be formed into an independent company,
and I could be at their head. This is the origin of {490} the
Nauvoo Legion and of my holding the office of lieutenant-general.
All the power that I desire or have sought to obtain has been the
enjoyment of the constitutional privilege for which my fathers
shed their blood, of living in peace in the society of my wife and
children, and enjoying the society of my friends and that religious
liberty which is the right of every American citizen, of worshiping
according to the dictates of his conscience and the revelations of
God.
With regard to elections, some say all the Latter-day Saints vote
together, and vote as I say. But I never tell any man how to vote
or whom to vote for. But I will show you how we have been situated
by bringing a comparison. Should there be a Methodist society here
and two candidates running for office, one says, "If you will vote
for me and put me in governor, I will exterminate the Methodists,
take away their charters," &c. The other candidate says, "If I am
governor, I will give all an equal privilege." Which would the
Methodists vote for? Of course they would vote _en masse_ for the
candidate that would give them their rights.
Thus it has been with us. Joseph Duncan said if the people would
elect him he would exterminate the Mormons, and take away their
charters. As to Mr. Ford, he made no such threats, but manifested
a spirit in his speeches to give every man his rights; hence the
members of the Church universally voted for Mr. Ford and he was
elected governor. But he has issued writs against me the first time
the Missourians made a demand for me, and this is the second one he
has issued for me, which has caused me much trouble and expense.
President Smith also rehearsed the account of his being taken by
Reynolds and Wilson, and the unlawful treatment he received at
their hands.
The multitude gave good attention and much prejudice seemed to be
removed.
[Nauvoo's Visitors.]
Three steamers arrived in the afternoon; one from St. Louis, one from
Quincy and one from Burlington, bringing from eight hundred to a
thousand ladies and gentlemen. On the arrival of each boat, the people
were escorted by the Nauvoo band to convenient seats provided for them,
and were welcomed by the firing of cannon, which brought to our minds
the last words of the patriot Jefferson, "Let this day be celebrated
by the firing of cannon," &c. The visitors and Saints appeared to be
highly gratified.
{491} A collection was taken in the morning to assist Elder Hyde
to build his house; and in the afternoon Elder Hyde on his own
responsibility, proposed a collection to assist me in bearing the
expenses of my persecution.
The meeting closed about 7 p.m. The day was pleasant, sky clear, and
nothing tended to disturb the peace.
I extract from the _Quincy Whig_.
_Report of the Fourth of July Celebration at Nauvoo--The Quincy
Whig_.
I left Quincy on the glorious Fourth, on board the splendid steamer
_Annawan_, Captain Whitney, in company with a large number of
ladies and gentlemen of this city, on a pleasure excursion to the
far-famed city of Nauvoo. The kindness of the officers of the boat
and the hearty welcome received from the citizens of Nauvoo on our
arrival there, induced me to return to each and all of them my own
and the thanks of every passenger on board the _Annawan_, and I am
sure all alike feel grateful for the pleasure they experienced. We
left Quincy at half-past eight, and reached Nauvoo at about two
o'clock p.m., where we received an invitation from the Prophet to
attend the delivering of an oration, which was accepted; and two
companies of the Legion were sent to escort us to the Grove (on
the hill near the Temple), where the oration was to be delivered.
When we reached the brow of the hill, we received a salute from the
artillery there stationed, and proceeded on to the Grove, where we
were welcomed in a cordial and happy manner by the Prophet and his
people.
The large concourse of people assembled to celebrate the day which
gave birth to American independence, convinced me that the Mormons
have been most grossly slandered, and that they respect, cherish
and love the free institutions of our country, and appreciate the
sacrifice and bloodshed of those patriots who established them. I
never saw a more orderly, gentlemanly and hospitable people than
the Mormons, nor a more interesting population, as the stirring
appearance of their city indicates. Nauvoo is destined to be, under
the influence and enterprise of such citizens as it now contains,
and her natural advantages, a populous, wealthy and manufacturing
city.
The services of the day were opened by a chaste and appropriate
prayer by an Elder whose name I do not know, which was followed by
rich strains of vocal and instrumental music. Then followed the
oration which was an elegant, eloquent and pathetic one, as much so
as I ever heard on a similar occasion.
We started home about six o'clock, all evidently much pleased {492}
with Nauvoo, and gratified by the kind reception of her citizens.
A CITIZEN OF QUINCY.
_Wednesday, 5_.--I called in the office and heard the testimony of my
brother Hyrum before the municipal court read.
Judge Adams and Esquire Southwick returned from Warsaw; found but
little excitement there. Esquire Southwick wrote a piece for the Warsaw
paper in my defense, and the justice of the decision of the municipal
court.
The remainder of the day I was at home.
_Thursday 6_.--I remained at home all day.
Governor Ford wrote the following letter:
_Letter of Governor Ford to Sheriff Reynolds Replying to a
Petition for Military force to Re-arrest the Prophet._
EXECUTIVE Department, SPRINGFIELD, July 6, 1843.
_Joseph H. Reynolds, Esq_.:
SIR:--I have received your petition for a detachment of Illinois
Militia to assist you in retaking Joseph Smith, Junior,
representing him to have escaped from your custody after having
been arrested on a warrant granted for his apprehension. I have
also received a remonstrance and some affidavits adverse to the
prayer of your petition. I have also to inform you that I had
heard, before your arrival in this city, of the escape of Smith,
and rumors that he had been rescued by a military force. Deeming
these remarks of sufficient importance to justify me in so doing,
I did, on the 4th day of this present month, dispatch a trusty and
competent person as my agent to collect information of the various
matters contained in your petition; and you will, I hope, at once
see the propriety of all action being suspended on my part until I
can receive the most authentic and unquestionable information as to
the movements complained of.
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS FORD.
And endorsed on the back of it:
MR. BACKENSTOS:--The annexed letter to Joseph H. Reynolds is all
the answer which I can at present make to either of the parties
touching {493} his application for a detachment of militia to
assist him in retaking Joseph Smith, said to be a fugitive from
justice.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS FORD.
_Friday, 7_.--Mr. Braman, a messenger from the governor, arrived in
Nauvoo, requesting a copy of all the testimony that was given before
the municipal court and other affidavits concerning the expulsion of
the Mormons from Missouri.
I therefore employed James Sloan, Samuel Gulley, George Walker and
Joseph M. Cole, in addition to my other clerks, who sat up all night to
copy the testimony.
In addition to the above I made the following affidavit:
_Joseph Smith's Affidavit on the Troubles in Missouri, Sent to
Governor Ford_.
STATE OF ILLINOIS, HANCOCK COUNTY. ss.
Personally appeared before me, Ebenezer Robinson, a notary public
within and for said county, Joseph Smith, senior; who being duly
sworn, says that in the year 1838 he removed with his family
to the state of Missouri; that he purchased land and became a
resident of Caldwell county; that he was an elder and teacher of
the Church of Latter-day Saints; that the religious society of
which he was an elder numbered several thousand people, who were
remarkably industrious in their habits, quiet in their manners and
conscientious observers of the laws; that they had been for some
years prior to his removal thither purchasing and improving lands,
and were possessed of a vast amount of property, probably to the
amount of $3,500,000 of real and personal estate; that prejudices
had for a long time existed in the minds of the rough and
uncultured people by whom his people were surrounded, on account of
their peculiar religious views and their different habits of life;
that in the summer of 1838 the prejudice of the people against
the deponent and his associates became great; that while in the
peaceful pursuit of their labors upon their own farms, without any
violence or aggression on their part, they were frequently attacked
by armed mobs, their houses burned, their cattle stolen, their
goods burned and wasted, many inoffensive people murdered, whole
families driven out and dispersed over the country at inclement
seasons, and every barbarity {494} which the ingenuity and malice
of mobs could devise inflicted upon them.
These scenes of violence raged unchecked by the civil authorities,
and many officers of the state of Missouri were open leaders of
the mob and shared in its crimes. The armed militia of the state
were arrayed, without authority of law, for the purpose of driving
the deponent and his inoffensive people out of the state, or of
exterminating them if they should remain within it. (For proof
of this fact see the order of Governor Boggs, dated October 27,
1838, sent herewith). That this deponent and his people received
notices, warnings and orders from the civil and military officers
of Missouri, as well as from mobs who co-operated with them, to
leave the state, and were threatened with death if they refused:
that this deponent with others was taken prisoner by an armed mob,
and oppressed, imprisoned, and carried from place to place, without
authority of law. That his whole people, comprising at least 15,000
people, were driven out like wild beasts, that hundreds were
murdered by shooting, stabbing and beating, and having their brains
beaten out with clubs. Great numbers were starved to death; many
died from fatigue and hardship in the fields; women were ravished,
children murdered, and every cruelty inflicted. This deponent with
his comrades was imprisoned about six months and until nearly all
his people were driven out of the state; that they were then, by
order of the officers of the state, set at liberty and ordered to
flee from the state. That, after they were released, they were
pursued by armed men, who endeavored to shoot them; and they thus
were pursued out of the state, and were in peril of their lives as
long as they remained within its limits.
And this deponent says that he never committed any crime against
the laws of Missouri; that he never commanded or controlled any
military or other force; that he never left the state voluntarily,
and hoped to be permitted to enjoy his rights, property and
liberty, like other peaceable citizens; but that he was driven out
by force directed by the officers and approved by the legislature
of Missouri; and that the lands and houses which his people had
purchased and improved are now in many cases occupied and enjoyed
by the very men who composed the mobs who dispossessed them; and
he believes that the desire of plunder was one of the inducements
which led to the great wrongs which his people have suffered.
And he further says that the recent requisition made upon the
governor of Illinois, upon which a warrant for his arrest has been
issued, has its origin in the proceedings before recited, in which
this deponent, instead of being a "fugitive" from the justice
of Missouri, was driven at the point of the bayonet beyond its
borders; and that since such expulsion he has not been within the
limits of Missouri.
{495} Wherefore he prays that, upon examination of the premises,
the governor of Illinois will cause the writ issued by him to be
revoked, and this deponent released from further proceedings in the
premises.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of July, A.D. 1843.
Given under my hand and notarial seal, the day and year last
written.
[L. S.] EBENEZER ROBINSON, Notary Public.
Hancock county, Illinois.
Also Caleb Baldwin and Alanson Ripley joined me in the following:
_Supplementary Affidavits_.
STATE OF ILLINOIS, HANCOCK COUNTY. SS.
Personally came before Ebenezer Robinson, a notary public in and
for said county, Caleb Baldwin who being sworn, says that after
the arrest of himself and others as mentioned in the foregoing
affidavit, he went to Judge Austin A. King, and asked Judge King to
grant him a fair trial at law, saying that with the result of such
a trial, he would be satisfied. But Judge King answered that "there
was no law for the Mormons;" that "they must be exterminated;" that
the prisoners, this deponent Smith and others, must die; but that
some people, as women and children, would have the privilege of
leaving the state, but there was no hope for them.
He told Judge King that his family, composed of helpless females,
had been plundered and driven out into the prairie; and asked Judge
King what he should do. To which Judge King answered, that if he
would renounce his religion and forsake Smith, he would be released
and protected. That the same offer was made to the other prisoners;
all of whom, however, refused to do so, and were in reply told that
they would be put to death.
Alanson Ripley, being in like manner sworn, says that the same
offer was made to him by Mr. Birch, the prosecuting attorney, that
if he would forsake the Mormons, he should be released and restored
to his home, and suffered to remain; to which he returned an answer
similar to that of Mr. Baldwin.
Joseph Smith, being in like manner sworn, says that he and Mr.
Baldwin were chained together at the time of the conversation above
recited by Mr. Baldwin; which conversation he heard, and which is
correctly {496} stated above; but that no such offer was made to
him, it being understood for certain that he was to be shot.
JOSEPH SMITH, CALEB BALDWIN, ALANSON RIPLEY.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 7th day of July, A.D.
1843. Given under my hand and notarial seal, the day and year last
written.
[L. S.] EBENEZER ROBINSON. Notary Public, Hancock County, Illinois.
Afterwards Caleb Baldwin, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, Hyrum Smith,
James Sloan, Alexander McRae, and Dimick B. Huntington joined me in the
following affidavit:
STATE OF ILLINOIS, HANCOCK COUNTY. ss.
Personally appeared before Ebenezer Robinson, a notary public
within and for said county, the undersigned citizens of said
county; who, being first duly severally sworn according to law upon
said oath, depose and say that the said affiants were citizens and
residents of Caldwell county and the adjoining counties in the
state of Missouri during the years A.D. 1837, 1838, and a part
of A.D. 1839. That said affiants were personally conversant with
and sufferers in the scenes and troubles usually denominated the
Mormon war in Missouri. That Governor Boggs, the acting executive
officer of said state, together with Major-General Atchison and
Brigadier-General Doniphan, and also the authorities of the
counties within which the Mormons resided, repeatedly by direct
and public orders and threats commanded every Mormon in the state,
Joseph Smith, their leader included, to leave the state, on peril
of being exterminated. That the arrest of said Smith in the month
of November, A.D. 1838, was made without authority, color, or
pretended sanction of law; said arrest having been made by a mob,
by which said Smith, among others, was condemned to be shot; but
which said sentence was finally revoked. Said mob, resolving itself
into a pretended court of justice without the pretended sanction of
law, then and there made out the charges and procured the pretended
conviction for the same which are mentioned in the indictment
against the said Smith; by virtue of which he, the said Smith, on
the requisition of the executive of Missouri, has been recently
arrested by the order of his excellency, Thomas Ford, governor of
the state of Illinois.
Said affiants further state that they were imprisoned with the said
{497} Joseph Smith, when they and the said Smith were delivered
into the hands of a guard to be conducted out of the state of
Missouri, and by said guard, by the order and direction of the
authorities of said counties where said Mormons were arrested and
confined, and by order of the governor of the state of Missouri,
were set at large, with directions to leave the state without
delay. That said Joseph Smith and his affiants were compelled to
leave the state for the reasons above mentioned, and would not and
did not leave said state for any other cause or reason than that
they were ordered and driven from the state of Missouri by the
governor and citizens thereof. And further say not.
CALEB BALDWIN, LYMAN WIGHT, PARLEY P. PRATT, HYRUM SMITH, JAMES
SLOAN, ALEXANDER MCRAE, DIMICK B. HUNTINGTON.
Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my presence, this 7th day
of July, A.D. 1843. In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand
and affix my notarial seal at my office in Nauvoo, this 7th day of
July, A.D. 1843.
EBENEZER ROBINSON, Notary Public, Hancock County, Illinois.[A]
[Footnote A: The affidavits on Missouri troubles supplement those on
the same subject published in the Appendix to Volume III of this work.
Taken together they comprise a somewhat exhaustive history of the
Latter-day Saints in the state of Missouri.]
About four p.m. Elders Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith
and Eli P. Maginn, started on the steamer _Rapids_ on their eastern
mission.
_Saturday, 8_.--Municipal Court sat and approved of the copies of the
evidence heard on the habeas corpus and revised it for the press. In
the afternoon Shadrach Roundy started with the affidavits of Hyrum
Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Brigham Young, Lyman Wight, and G. W. Pitkin,
to carry to the governor.
Bishop Miller arrived from the Pinery with one hundred and fifty-seven
thousand feet of lumber, and seventy thousand shingles for the Temple.
Elders Young, Woodruff, and Smith arrived at St. Louis, and reshipped
on board the _Lancet_ for Cincinnati.
{498}