About the last of August the following was published in a weekly

paper, called the _Chronicle_, of San Francisco:

A PROPHET IS AMONG US.

Mr. Parley P. Pratt, of Salt Lake notoriety, is among us, and we

knew it not. He has just addressed a letter to Mr. J. S. Hittell,

whose "proposed course of lectures _against_ Christianity"

appears to have caught the Prophet's attention.

As Mr. Pratt's letter, which is written on the blank leaf of a

printed Latter-day Saint's circular, is curious and characteristic,

we give a copy of it. We also give a copy of the circular itself.

To enable the reader to understand Mr. Pratt's allusions in the

letter, he had better first glance over Mr. Hittell's advertisement

in another column. One would scarcely have thought that Mr. Pratt

could seriously expect to make converts to his faith in this

"desperately wicked" California--the very hell on earth of the

"Mormons." But so it seems to be. We give him and his cause all the

publicity we can, by publishing his circular gratuitously.

SAN FRANCISCO, _September 1st, 1854_.

MR. JNO. S. HITTELL.

_Sir_--What do you mean by the term "Christianity?" If

you mean the system taught by Christ and His Apostles, as recorded

in the "New Testament," you need give yourself or the public no

uneasiness, for no such system has troubled the earth for the last

thousand years at least, so far as we have any knowledge, except in

the single instance of its restoration in the United States by the

Prophet Joseph Smith; and even this has been misnamed "Mormonism,"

and driven to the mountains of Utah.

In short, this Christianity of the New Testament is a system of

visions, angels, revelations, prophesyings, gifts, miracles, etc.

Such system you can never oppose--it speaks and acts for itself;

its votaries know what they experience, see, hear and feel.

As to the modern systems--the forms without power, they are not

worth opposing; they are dying of themselves before the power and

intelligence of truth made manifest by "Mormonism."

I am happy to subscribe myself

The friend of truth and man,

PARLEY P. PRATT.

CIRCULAR.

Repent! ye people of California. _For know, assuredly, the

Kingdom of God has come nigh unto you._

Mr. Pratt, missionary from Salt Lake, will impart instruction on

the fullness of the Gospel to individuals, families, or

congregations who may desire it.

Having authority of Jesus Christ he will also baptize by

immersion in water for remission of sins, and administer the gift

of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands to all penitent

believers in Christ who will covenant to cease from sin, and serve

God with all their hearts.

Mr. Pratt will accept, with pleasure, any invitations from his

fellow citizens to preach in their houses, halls or churches,

without respect to party or sect.

When not otherwise engaged, he will hold public meetings at his

residence on each Sunday, at the usual hours; also, prayer meetings

on Thursdays, at two P. M.

The following appeared in the _Christian Advocate_ of San

Francisco, September 22:

CASE OF DEFAMATION.

P. P. Pratt, an Apostle of "Mormonism," takes us to task in no

measured terms for our unregenerate temerity, in daring to quote

from the _Richmond Despatch_ Dr. Ferris's account of the

"Mormon" community at Salt Lake. To have a man possessed of divine

authority, and capable of raising the dead, threaten us so, is

truly awful. Men have pursued us with bludgeons and revolvers

before, but this thing of being sent straight down to the bottom of

the bad place, is a sprinkle more terrific than carnal weapons.

We are half inclined to repent, as much as we can, without

doubting a word of Dr. Ferris's description.

Our readers will rejoice to know, from an apostle of Joe

Smithism, that all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts and

_whoredoms_ shall be done away. Here is the letter:

Woe to you, priests, editors, hypocrites! You love to publish

lies to destroy the innocent. You condemn the just, and he doth not

resist you.

Read your _Christian Advocate_ of September 15, headed

"The Mormons," and _tremble_; for God will not suffer such

lies to be published with impunity. "For," thus saith the Lord:

"all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts and whoredoms shall

be done away, and whosoever will not repent and come unto my

beloved Son, will I cut off from among the people, and I will

execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen,

such as have not heard."

Now, Messrs. Heath, Taylor, Blain and Philips, you know in your

own hearts that you have published lies enough about the "Mormons"

to sink you and those who patronize your publications to the lowest

hell with murderers.

You know the people of Salt Lake to be an innocent community,

therefore, repent quickly, or your damnation is sealed, and your

hands will be found dripping with innocent blood.

Yours etc.,

P. P. PRATT

A few more such will cause us to retire to private life.--Eds.

A CHALLENGE

_Editor's Chronicle_:--I perceive by the tone of the

press that politicians, moralists and religionists are in trouble

about Utah and Polygamy. "War!" "war!" "blood!" and "destruction"

to the poor heathen Mormons! But, thanks to the pious Methodists,

the Mormons are going to be converted first. Missionaries are going

to be sent to them.

It is the right of the President of the United States to appoint

a Governor, and to send troops to Utah. The citizens of that

territory know this, and have no objections. But suppose a Governor

and troops went there to interfere with the rights and liberties of

the people and trample on the laws, why then, of course, the

aggressors, in common with all others are amenable to the civil

courts, and are liable to fine, imprisonment or execution,

according to their crimes. Even if they only threaten, they might

be bound over to keep the peace. The courts of Utah have never yet

been found remiss in the execution of the laws.

What is the particular crime alleged against the Governor and

citizens of Utah, for which they are threatened with destruction or

conversion?

We will be told it is Polygamy. Well, "sin," says the Apostle,

"is the transgression of law." We should greatly prefer conversion

to murder, and here permit me to suggest a plan for a wholesale

conversion, without a drop of blood or even the trouble of a

journey to Utah.

I am here in California as an official member and representative

of the Church in Utah, for which I can produce credentials. I am

willing to meet a convention of the ablest lawyers and clergy to be

found in our country, and I hereby pledge my honor that I will

publicly renounce Polygamy, and that the church I represent will do

the same, on the following conditions, viz:

The Old and New Testaments, the Constitution and laws of the

United States, and the laws of Utah Territory shall be their

standard; and if in all this wide range one item of law can be

found wherein God, angels, men, prophets, apostles, the Son of God

or the Holy Spirit have made plurality of wives a _crime_, a

_transgression of law_ or an _immorality_, then, on these

conditions, we will renounce Polygamy. But till this is done

we shall hold the law of God on the subject of matrimony, including

a plurality of wives, as a most sacred institution, binding on our

own consciences, in the free exercise of which we claim the

protection so freely and fully guaranteed by the constitution of

our common country.

If editors in general throughout the country will please publish

this, it may tend to investigation and enlightenment, either of the

"poor, ignorant Mormons," or of those who think them so far out of

the way.

P. P. PRATT.

SANTA CLARA, November 22d, 1854.

_December 6th_.--I returned to San Francisco, and on the

second evening attended a discussion at the Mercantile Library

Association, on the subject of Governor Young, the Utah Mormons and

the general government. Spoke several times, and was appointed to

make the opening speech in one week from that time on the same

subject, and to be answered by Rev. Mr. Briggs.

FROM THE DAILY "ALTA CALIFORNIA"

Mr. Parley P. Pratt, for whom we have considerable respect as a

man and as a teacher, coupled with as much admiration of his talent

as the doctrines which he employs to defend it will admit of, Mr.

Parley P. Pratt appears to have walked into the temples of our

money changers in this city, and fairly put to flight all reason

and philosophy by the boldness of his attack upon the Christian

Church.

Our readers will remember Mr. Pratt as the self-confessed

Apostle of Polygamic Mormonism in California, and its last exploit

was to draw up on him the fire of a room full of debaters in the

San Francisco Mercantile Library Association, and then commenced a

bombardment of the citadel of their reason, and silenced or

rendered useless every gun! For several weeks Mr. Pratt has been

wheeling and charging his squadron of polygamic arguments in full

sight of all our church doors and lecture rooms, and even advanced

in person to the foot of our pulpits to proclaim himself the

defender of a new faith, flinging the glove even into the

minister's desk.

Up to the present time, we believe, no David has gone forth

against this Philistine to meet him on either point of law,

morality or religion, which he declares himself ready to engage an

enemy upon.

We naturally ask, why is this? In a city with so many well

supported churches and able divines, can no one be found to match

this champion of the Mormons? Or are the abhorrence and contempt of

such doctrines, and scorn of their advocates so great as to stifle

the power of expression among our worthy controversialists? Either

of these causes, we consider fallacious and bad. Passion should

play no part in the impulses of Christian minds, and we much doubt

the propriety of condemning a doctrine because of its low origin,

or despising argument because it may not present a respectable

exterior. Missionaries are sent to the heathen; and why should

discussion be denied heathenistic doctrines when they are brought

to our own very doors?

We have very worthy and respectable street preachers in San

Francisco, and we do not see how a religious discussion with a

Mormon would profane the walls of any one of our churches, or taint

the reputation of any of our ministers of the gospel.

Mr. Pratt seems to have the best of the law on his side so far

as the situation of the Salt Lake people is concerned; under our

territorial regulations there really appears to be no law to

prevent Polygamy.

_December 9th_.--Returned to Santa Clara by steamer and

stage, and found all well.

_Sunday, 10th_.--Preached twice to an attentive and

somewhat numerous audience in a large and commodious hall. Visited

and wrote history the four following days, and instructed such as

sought me.

_Friday, 15th_.--Repaired again to San Francisco in

company with some five of my friends, and at evening attended the

discussion. The place was crowded, and God gave me His Spirit, and

truth triumphed.

CHAPTER LI.

------------------------

REPLY TO THE REV. MR. BRIGGS

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE EXPEDIENCY OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR YOUNG, OF UTAH.

My friend, Mr. Briggs, in the fullness of his charity as a

"peacemaker," the other evening kindly, gently, and in a

Christian-like manner merely suggested a few pious ideas concerning

myself such as theft, robbery, murder, etc., being considered no

crime by me and the "Mormons," provided these crimes were committed

on the Gentiles, and in favor of the Church treasury, etc.

This puts me in mind of the good, peaceable Quaker who said to a

poor dog which he wanted killed, "I will not kill thee, but I will

give thee a bad name." So he cried, "Mad dog! Mad dog!" And on

hearing this cry the people soon despatched the poor animal.

Perhaps my friend thinks to get the Mormons killed off in the

same pious and Christian-like manner. Even should he succeed in his

peaceful, pious purposes, it would not be the first time that the

blood of martyrs has stained our soil through the influence of such

Christian benevolence.

I am truly sorry to see so worthy a fellow citizen--so pious a

man--one so full of charity and benevolence--so uninformed, so

utterly at fault on the most familiar subjects of Bible history and

morality, or of right and wrong, as to insinuate that there is no

difference between Polygamy and adultery; between a house full of

wives and children and a house full of harlots.

He takes Polygamy, adultery, theft and murder, and compounds

them all together as crime! And then seems to infer that a man

would steal, commit adultery, etc., simply from the fact that he

has a house full of wives and children! And even my good friend the

learned and candid Mr. Hittell, although very just in the main

drift of his argument, the other evening seemed to recognize no

very clear distinction between Polygamy and adultery, or between a

man having his own wife, or robbing a neighbor of his wife.

Sir, in justice to myself and the cause I represent, and in

charity to those whose judgments are so warped by tradition and

custom; whose otherwise keen perceptions are so blunted by Roman

superstitions and Puritan littleness, I must call the attention of

these gentlemen to the recognized standard of all Christian

nations--"The law and Testimony"--and give them a lesson on the

first principles of right and wrong, or of virtues and vices,

according to the laws of God and nature.

I will state the question direct, as inferred or inquired, by my

friend the "peace maker." What is the difference between a house

full of wives and children or a house of "ill fame," or of

"harlots?"

Sir, I will tell you. The one leads to _life_ and the

other to _death_--I mean literally--or, in plainer language,

one rightly conducted, under the blessings and law of God,

multiplies, preserves and trains our species in the highest order

of physical, moral and intellectual endowment the world with

cities; gives rise to nations; and has given to the world its

principal rulers, kings, prophets, apostles, and, finally, its

Messiah, and is the lineage and order through and in which all

nations shall be blessed.

The other perverts the order of nature; prostitutes the most

holy principles and affections to the vilest of purposes; checks

the reproduction of our species; spreads disease and death as a

sweeping pest through the world; degenerates the race; and if it

fills the world fills it with a mean, grovelling, sickly, puny,

lustful, deformed and miserable race of beings, whose misfortune is

that they were born at all.

Such were the people of the flood; the people of Sodom and the

Canaanites, who were so far degenerated that the Lord in mercy

interfered, and doomed them to utter destruction, that nations and

races degenerate should no longer propagate their species: and

then, by his own holy laws of marriage, repeopled those same

countries with a better race.

As polygamists Abraham and Jacob were the friends of God; worthy

to converse with Him, and to receive His blessing on themselves and

their wives and children; worthy of associating with angels from

Heaven, and of being filled with the holy and pure spirit of

prophecy and of revelation; while, for their sakes, kings were

reproved, saying, "touch not mine own anointed, and do my prophets

no harm."

As a polygamist Jacob gave twelve tribes to the world instead of

two, which was the number born by his first intended, his beloved

Rachel. While, on the other hand, his sons visited a whole city

with the sword, because its _ruler_ had seduced their sister

Dinah.

As a polygamist Moses beheld the face of God, and was filled

with His glory to that degree that his face shone like that of an

angel.

As an adulterist, a prince of Israel, named Ziniri, was killed

in the very act by Phineas the priest, the grandson of Aaron; which

act of justice so pleased the Lord that he stayed the plague which

was consuming the camp on account of their whoredoms.

The law of God regulating and sanctioning Polygamy was thundered

from Mount Sinai in awful majesty, from the mouth of the God of

Israel, although it had existed before, and also among the eternal

and unchangeable principles of morality, virtue and purity.

While, on the other hand, the same God, in a voice of thunder,

proclaimed, "Thou shalt not commit adultery, nor covet thy

neighbor's wife, or anything that is thy neighbor's."

As a bigamist, Elkanah, who had two wives, became the father of

Samuel, the Prophet; he being a child of promise, obtained by the

fervent prayer of Hannah, his mother, in the Holy Temple, and by

her vows devoted to the service of the Temple from his childhood.

While, on the other hand, had he been a child of whoredoms, instead

of a child of bigamy, he would have been excluded from the house of

the Lord, and his children after him, for ten generations.

The first revelation ever given to this child of bigamy rebuked

the priests, the sons of Eli, _Hophni_ and _Phineas_, for their

whoredoms and other sins, and revealed their dooms. In fulfillment

of his words these two fornicators fell in battle while bearing

the very Ark of God.

As a polygamist, David, the anointed King and Prophet of Israel,

was called a man after God's own heart; and God Himself expressly

declares, by the mouth of Nathan the Prophet, that he gave him his

wives.

While, as an adulterer with the wife of Uriah, and the murderer

of her husband, he is reproved by the word of the Lord; and,

although he sorely repented, yet the child of his adultery died;

and his punishment was, that the sword should not depart from his

house; that his wives should be taken from him and given to

another; and his own salvation was suspended for ages--the Apostle

Peter himself declaring, in his day, that the patriarch, David, had

not yet ascended into Heaven.

As polygamists, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are approved and

commended by Jesus Christ, who expressly declares that, "many shall

come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from

the south; and shall set down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the

Kingdom of God." While, at the same time, he declares that, "those

wicked and adulterous persons, who, in that age, considered

themselves the children of the kingdom, should be thrust out." I

sincerely hope my mistaken friends here will learn, ere that

eventful day, to distinguish between a house of Polygamy and a

crowd of adulterers; but they might by mistake consider the kingdom

of God a house of ill fame, and go with the wrong crowd.

Sir, the Apostle Paul sets forth Abraham, the polygamist, as the

father of the faithful; worthy of all imitation, as heir of the

eternal covenants and promises; in whose seed all nations shall be

blessed. He shows, most clearly, that the gospel introduces us into

the family of polygamists; makes us children of Abraham, and heirs

to the same covenants.

On the other hand, this same Apostle declares that adulterers

and fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Again, sir, John the Revelator describes the eternal Jerusalem

of Heaven, the Royal City of our God, as peopled and governed by

the great family of polygamists; which, in its _lineage_,

includes Jesus and the holy prophets and apostles of all ages. The

pearly gates are embellished with the names of twelve polygamists,

the sons of four women by one man.

While, on the other hand, this same John expressly declares,

that the place for all liars, sorcerers, whoremongers and

adulterers is outside; and that there shall in no wise enter into

the city anything that defileth or maketh a lie.

Now to come to Utah. There, sir, the law of God is _honored

_; by it we determine what is virtue and what is vice. Here,

sir, if nowhere else in Christendom, our virtuous wives and

children, given us by the law of God, are our _glory_; our

_crown of rejoicing_; our _kingdom in embryo_, big with thrones

of power and immortality. There, sir, the local administration

carries out the principles of the glorious Constitution and laws

of our common country--even to the protection of prophets and

apostles, who have dared to restore the Laws of God, and to

organize and regulate their household by the same. And--

Sir, I have yet to learn by what constitutional or moral right a

local state sovereignty makes a crime of that which, rightly

conducted, never has been recognized as a crime by God, or angels,

prophets or apostles, or even by the Saviour of the world.

I have yet to learn by what right a State of this Union dooms a

man to prison for a conscientious act, in embracing the everlasting

covenant, made with Abraham and the fathers; while, at the same

time, a fornicator, who by the law of God, is worthy of _death

_, runs at large, or, at most, pays a fine for his damnable

deeds of seduction, and then is at liberty to repeat them, while

his purse will hold out to pay the repeated fines and damages.

I have yet to learn that a State has the constitutional right to

deprive a Mormon, a Jew, or even a Mahomedan or Pagan of his most

sacred rights of conscience in regard to marriage relations or

family ties; while they are regulated by the recognized laws of the

Bible, or of most civilized nations of ancient and modern times.

Now, sir, let me say that, on account of the corrupt

institutions, and the prevalence of whoredoms in modern

Christendom, the _race is degenerated_; the cities and

nations are corrupted till earth groans; the heavens weep; the sun

will, ere long, veil his face in shame; the moon be arrayed in

crimson blushes; the starry heavens tremble; the planets be thrown

from their orbits, and tremble for very anguish; while plagues,

earthquakes, storms and tempests sweep the earth, and famine and

the sword devour the wicked; while fire consumes the mystic Babel,

the great whore of all the earth.

Then will prevail the kingdom of our God, and the power of his

Christ; "and the saints shall possess the kingdom and the greatness

of the kingdom under the whole heaven," while the meek inherit the

earth; and the house of Israel, under the new and everlasting

covenant of eternal matrimony, blossom and bear fruit, and fill the

face of the world with cities.

Men, brethren and fathers: It is for the hope of Israel the

eternal laws, promises and covenants of God made to the fathers,

that myself and the "Mormons" are called in question.

We believe the prophets, sir, and, therefore, expect the wreck

of nations; the casting down of thrones; the crash of states, and

the winding up of all mere human institutions; while a new dynasty,

as a universal Theocracy, shall succeed and stand forever.

The nucleus of this kingdom, sir, is formed; this grain of

mustard seed is planted and has sprung up, and is beginning to grow

and flourish in the heart of our country, under the fostering care

and constitutional guarantee of the very best human government now

existing on this earth.

Sir, God raised up the United States and influenced her

constitutional institutions for the very purpose of shielding and

protecting the Church in the wilderness, and all men in their

liberties, and of throwing a guard around His embryo kingdom till

He should come, whose right it is to reign and subdue all enemies

under his feet.

His kingdom, sir, when organized, in the United States, is a

constitutional kingdom of God. It has the perfect liberty and

right, guaranteed by our institutions, to organize itself under the

administration of prophets and apostles, and to receive the

ministrations of angels, and of visions and revelations from

Heaven.

Sir, one of the strongest reasons I urge for the reappointment

of Governor Young is, that as a polygamist, civilian and an

ecclesiastic, he has given the strongest proof of his skill in the

science of government, whether of _Family, Church or State_.

_Sunday, 17_.--Met with the Saints twice, and preached to

them, and were truly blessed; and partook of the ordinance of bread

and wine, in remembrance of our Lord. Next day I repaired to

Oakland and met the Lyceum, and made arrangements for discussing

polygamy on the next evening; and, according to appointment

(Tuesday, 19), met the Lyceum and a large assembly of both sexes,

and discussed the law of marriages till eleven o'clock at night.

Truth was triumphant, and my adversaries confounded.

On the last of the month we convened a General Conference at

Santa Clara, of two days, during which five branches were

represented--in all about one hundred and twenty members. We had a

joyful time, much good teaching, and many out to hear.

CHAPTER LII.

------------------------

Statements Pertaining to the History of Joseph

Smith:--Return to Utah:--Home Mission:--Attend the Legislature at

Fillmore:--The Standard of Zion:--Return to Salt Lake City.

_February 24th_.

I sat for a large likeness, taken in

daguerreotype, as a keepsake for my family, being forty-seven years

ten months and twelve days old. I presented this to my son Parley,

to be handed down from generation to generation, as long as it will

last.

In March a Council was held at my office, and it was concluded

to remove the Conference of the 6th of April next from Santa Clara

to San Francisco, where I also moved my wife and made my home

during the remainder of my mission.

April 12th.--This is my birthday. I am forty-eight years old. I

wrote letters for home today and sent a set of books, viz: "Book of

Mormon," "Doctrine and Covenants," "Hymn Book," "Voice of Warning,"

"Harp of Zion," etc., to each of my wives and to Parley, Olivia and

Moroni, my elder children; also, books to my younger children,

Alma, Nephi, Helaman, Julia, Lucy, Agatha, Belinda and Abinadi,

Cornelia and Malona, and small presents and candies for the little

ones, Phebe, Hannahette, Mary, Lehi and Moroni W., all as a

birthday present or memorial.

In May I received a letter from President Young counselling me

to return home this coming summer.

_June 8th_.--The sad news reached us today of Brother

Silas Beckwith being murdered and buried. This Beckwith was one of

the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, and was, at the time of

his death, a worthy member and teacher in the San Juan branch.

I visited his widow and orphans, and spent some hours in the

house of mourning. On my second visit I gained and wrote down the

following statements pertaining to the history of Joseph Smith:

Mrs. Eunice Corinthia Beckwith, formerly Mrs. Lawn (whose

father's name was Joshua Twitchell), was the widow of John Lawn,

captain of a company of Illinois Militia, of McDonough County, who

guarded Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail until the morning

of the day they were martyred, when himself and company were

disbanded by order of Governor Ford, and started for home, leaving

the prisoners in the hands of the Carthage Greys.

On taking leave of the prisoners he gave his hand, received

Joseph's blessing, and heard him say most solemnly: "Farewell,

Captain Lawn; when you and your men leave me my life guard is

gone." Previous to this, however, Joseph had read to him the

fifty-fifth Psalm, and told him to remember that chapter and read

it to his friends when he arrived home. One of the Carthage Greys

also read in reply the sixty-first Psalm.

Captain Lawn and his troops had marched about twelve miles

towards home when the news reached them of the martyrdom! At this

he exclaimed: "O that I had known of this massacre, so soon to

transpire! I would have remained, and, when the first ball was

fired at the Smiths, I would have fired the second through the body

of the villain who fired it or died in the attempt." A man named

Townsend, living in Iowa, near Fort Madison, was one of the mob who

assaulted and forced in the jail door. The pistol discharged by

Joseph Smith wounded him in the arm, near the shoulder, and it

continued to rot without healing until it was taken off and even

then it would not heal.

About six months after he was shot Mrs. Lawn saw his arm and

dressed it. He was then gradually rotting and dying with the wound.

He stayed over night with Mrs. Lawn's father, and groaned through

the night without sleeping. He asked the old gentleman what he

thought of Joseph Smith being a Prophet? He replied that he did not

know. "Well," said Townsend, "_I know he was a Prophet of God

_! And, oh, that I had stayed at home and minded my own

business, and then I would not have lost my life and been tormented

with a guilty conscience, and with this dreadful wound, which

_none can heal_!" He died two or three months afterwards, having

literally rotted alive!

James Head, of McComb, was also one of the murderers at the

Carthage Jail; he was heard by Captain Lawn and others to boast of

it afterwards, and Captain Lawn drew a pistol and chased him; but

he ran away. He was always gloomy and troubled from the time he

helped to murder the Smiths, and frequently declared that he saw

the two martyrs always before him! He had no peace.

A colonel of the Missouri mob, who helped to drive, plunder and

murder the Mormons, died in the hospital at Sacramento, 1849.

Beckwith had the care of him; he was eaten with worms a large black

headed kind of maggot--which passed through him by myriads,

seemingly a half pint at a time! Before he died these maggots were

crawling out of his mouth and nose! He literally rotted alive! Even

the flesh on his legs burst open and fell from the bones! They

gathered up the rotten mass in a blanket and buried him, without

awaiting a coffin!

A Mr. -----, one of Missouri mob, died in the same hospital

about the same time, and under the care of Mr. Beckwith. His face

and jaw on one side literally rotted, and half of his face actually

fell off! One eye rotted out, and half of his nose, mouth and jaw

fell from the bones! The doctor scraped the bones, and unlocked and

took out his jaw from the joint round to the center of the chin.

The rot and maggots continued to eat till they ate through the

large or jugular vein of his neck, and he bled to death! He, as

well as Townsend, stank so previous to their death that they had to

be placed in rooms by themselves, and it was almost impossible to

endure their presence, and the flies could not be kept from blowing

them while alive!

Wm. T. Head, an officer in Captain Lawn's company, and tarrying

in Carthage, testified that he saw a certain man raise a large

knife to strike off the head of Joseph, when, all at once, and in

the midst of a clear day, with no cloud in sight, "a terrible clap

of thunder rolled heavily, and forked lightnings flashed in the

face of the murderers, and perfectly paralyzed a number of them.

"The ruffian, who had raised his knife and had sworn with a

dreadful oath to take the head off Joseph, stood perfectly

paralyzed, his arm uplifted with the knife suspended in air, and

could not move a limb. His comrades carried him off, and all fled

in terror from the scene."

These particulars, and many others, were related to me by

brother Beckwith previous to his death, and afterwards by his widow

and father-in-law, and others who were conversant with them, and

are believed to be correct.

At a General Conference, held June 16--being the eve of my

departure--it was the unanimous voice of the meeting to give me a

letter of commendation and fellowship from the Conference to the

Presidency of the Church in Utah. Elder J. Crosby was set apart as

President of the San Francisco Conference, under my hands and

others.

I gave them a few words of farewell and blessing, and returned

them my sincere thanks for their many marks of kindness and

hospitality to me and my wife while we sojourned with them; and I

shall long remember the many brethren who have generously assisted

me with means whereby I am enabled to puruse my journey home.

While on this mission I have been diligent in preaching,

teaching, baptizing, visiting and ministering to the sick, and

writing for the press. I feel the Saints have rejoiced under my

teachings, and a goodly number have been added to the Church.

_June 20th_.--I took leave of the Saints and friends at

San Francisco and started at noon, with my team, for my home in

Utah; crossed the ferry at Oakland ten miles on a steamer, and

drove twenty-five miles and stopped after sundown at Brother

Naile's, near San Jose. After resting a few days, and all being

ready, we started from Dr. McIntyre's at nine o'clock A. M., with a

company composed of seven men, two women and one child, five wagons

and sixteen animals. I thanked God that, after thirteen months and

a few days' absence, I was now ready to return to my home in the

peaceful valley of the Great Salt Lake.

_August 18th_.--After a long and wearisome journey of

some eight hundred miles we arrived safely home, and rejoiced to

find all well.

_Sunday, 19th_.--I met the great congregation twice in

the Tabernacle and bowery; heard Orson Pratt and President B. Young

preach, and spoke a few words myself. In the evening met with, the

Quorum of the Twelve for prayer, as usual.

On Monday I visited my wife Sarah, and her two children, Julia

and Teancum, who resided on my farm; and, from this date until the

Conference of October 6th, my time was engaged in the care and

labors of my family, and other duties, although I attended Sabbath

meetings, and sometimes preached.

The Conference appointed my brother Orson, and brother Woodruff,

and myself, with upwards of twenty others, to a home mission in

Utah Territory.

After Conference I spent my time mostly in the House of the

Lord, in administering in the endowments, until the 20th of

October.

_October 15th_, Monday.--Agreeable to instructions from

President Young I called a meeting of a few of the Twelve, and

others concerned in the mission, and divided the territory into

missionary districts, and assigned to each his labor, appointing

Conferences, or general meetings in each district.

_Saturday, 20th_.--Commenced my home mission by riding

seventeen miles to attend a general meeting in company with O.

Pratt, W. Woodruff and others, at Farmington, Davis County. Good

attendance and spirited preaching on this day three times. Tarried

at Sister Haight's.

_Sunday, 21st_.--At half past eight o'clock, A. M., held

a council of the missionaries of the district, and appointed the

next quarterly meeting for the districts, to be held in Bishop

Stoker's ward on the 18th of November next, and the second to be

held December 15th, at ten o'clock, in Bishop Kay's ward.

This day we held three meetings, which were well attended, and

greatly blessed with the spirit and power of God.

_Monday, 22d_.--Returned home and found all well.

_November 1st_.--Started with my carriage, accompanied by

my wife Belinda and child, my brother Orson Pratt and W. Woodruff,

and arrived at Ogden on the following day at eleven o'clock, A. M.,

and put up at President Farr's. Preached in the meeting house three

times. The night following a dreadful wind arose, which did some

damage. After travelling and preaching through the northern

settlements nearly two weeks to large assemblies, who listened with

good attention, we returned home and found all well.

_Saturday, 17th_.--Rode ten miles in my carriage with my

wife Mary, and brethren O. Pratt and W. Woodruff, to P. Sessions',

and met with the Saints in a Quarterly Conference.

_Sunday, 18th_.--Met a crowd out of doors, on the south

side of the school-house, at Bishop Stoker's. I preached in the

forenoon, and brothers Joseph Young and Erastus Snow in the

afternoon. Many were out and the good spirit prevailed.

Next morning returned home and found all well.

_December 3d_.--Bid farewell to my family and started in

my carriage with Agatha, my wife, and O. Pratt and W. W. Phelps as

passengers, for the city of Fillmore, to attend the Legislative

Assembly.

_Friday, 7th_.--Arrived at Fillmore at 1 P.M. in a heavy

snow storm. Put up with Brother Bridges.

_Sunday, 9th_.--Attended meeting twice. Preached in the

morning and listened to O. Pratt in the afternoon.

_Monday, 10th_.--Attended the council of the Legislature

and witnessed the organization, and was unanimously elected

chaplain of the council. Accepted and was sworn, and entered upon

my duties, being charged by the President, Hon. H. C. Kimball, to

instruct and exhort the members and others in their duties. I

prepared an address on the laws of marriage and morals, which was

delivered to the council on the twenty-first. This was so favorably

received that the Governor and President called for the reading of

it before the joint session. It was accordingly read by the clerk

on the thirty-first of December. On motion, it was unanimously

voted to have it printed in the _Deseret News_; and, on

motion, a vote of thanks was carried unanimously.

_January 1st, 1856_.

Wrote a letter to the _New York Herald_, and, in the

evening, attended a dance in the Legislative Hall. It was a fine

party, where old and young engaged in the dance till near midnight.

From this time till the adjournment of the Legislative Assembly

nothing worthy of record transpired.

THE STANDARD OF ZION

O, Saints, have you seen, o'er yon mountain's proud height,

The day star of promise so brilliantly beaming?

Its rays shall illumine the world with its light,

And the ensign of Zion, exultingly streaming,

All nations invite to walk in its light,

And join to maintain the proud standard of right--

The Standard of Zion, O long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Our motto is peace, and the triumph of right;

And we joyfully hail the Millennia dawning,

When man can emerge from a long dreary night

And bask in the sunbeams of Zion's bright morning.

The white flag so rare, still floating in air,

Proclaims 'mid the mountains that peace is still there.

Let the Standard of Zion eterally wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Though earth and its treasures should melt in the fire--

The planets be riven with the trumpets' loud thunder,

The sunlight of Heaven wax dim and expire,

And the veil of eternity parted asunder,

Yet firm and unshaken the truth shall remain,

And the heirs of the Priesthood forever shall reign,

And the Standard of Zion eterally wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

FILLMORE COUNCIL CHAMBER, _January 8, 1856_.

_Tuesday, 15th_.--I attended a festival of the

Legislature in the State House, where all were treated to abundance

of oysters, fruits, wines, etc., by the Hon. Secretary Babbitt.

_Friday, 18th_.--The Legislature adjourned and all

started for home. We travelled about forty-five miles--some of the

distance in about eight inches of snow--and camped at night in a

point of cedars. The cold was extreme, but we emptied our carriage

and kept a constant fire in the stove. Sat up through the night, as

there was not room for all to lie down, and thus we passed the

night.

_19th_.--Rode twenty miles to breakfast; arrived in Nephi

about ten o'clock, nearly frozen; but a good breakfast and three

hours' rest revived us, and we started again at 1 P.M. and rode to

Payson, a distance of twenty-five miles, and were kindly received

by Brother Donich.

_20th_.--Started at ten A.M. Rode to Provo and dined at

Brother Stewart's. Rode ten miles more, and were entertained by

Bishop Walker, of Pleasant Grove.

_21st_.--Rode thirty-five miles and dined at the

Bishop's, Unionville, and arrived home at sundown; found all my

family in tolerable health except my little daughter Isabel, who

had been sick with a fever and cold on the lungs. I ministered to

her and she speedily recovered.

_Friday, 25th_.--Spent the day with my family, and in a

meeting with a chartered company, called the Deseret Road and

Express Company, of which I was a member.

_Saturday, 26th_, and from thence to February 14th was

spent with my family, and in preaching occasionally in the

Tabernacle and in the different wards in the city. Also in the

office of juryman on the Grand Jury of the United States Court.

_Tuesday, March 4th_.--Attended at the President's office

in the duty as a Regent of the University.

Next day attended at the President's office as a Committee of

the Regency in raising school books.

_Thursday, 6th_.--Myself and family fasted and attended

meeting in the Fourteenth ward school-house, and at evening visited

at Brother Southworth's, and attended another meeting in the ward.

Having been elected a delegate of Salt Lake County to a

Convention called by the people of the Territory of Utah, to form a

Constitution for the State of Deseret, I attended the daily

sessions of the Convention for ten days, ending March 27, 1856. My

time, after the adjournment of said Convention, was devoted to

laboring on the farm, garden, and administering in the various

duties of my calling, writing history, etc., until the Annual

Conference, which convened April 6th and closed on the 8th. This

Conference was held under a bowery adjoining the Tabernacle, and

was attended by six or eight thousand people. At this Conference

several hundred persons were called to go on missions to the United

States, England, Australia, the Sandwich Islands and other parts of

the earth. The Presidency enjoined upon me the duty of setting

apart and ordaining those who were called for their several

missions, in which I was assisted by the rest of the Twelve and

some of the Presidents of Seventies.

About this period, or immediately after Conference, I was taken

sick with a fever and came nigh unto death, which sickness

continued about two weeks.

_May 26th_.--Accompanied by Elder Gates I started on a

mission of preaching, visiting and instructing the Saints in the

southern part of the Territory; during which tour we held meetings

at Union Fort, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Payson,

Summit, Nephi, Fillmore, Beaver, Paragona, Parowan, Cedar City and

Harmony.

On my return to Salt Lake City called and preached at the

different towns and settlements on the route, arriving home June

27, 1856.

While at home my time was occupied in attending meetings,

instructing and speaking words of comfort and encouragement to the

Saints, and writing my history, assisted by my wife Kezia, as

copyist.

CHAPTER LIII.

------------------------

JOURNAL OF EASTERN MISSION.

During the summer, after my return from the South, I performed

several home missions or preaching tours through Davis, Weber and

Box Elder Counties, and in September received an appointment to

take a mission to the States, for which I received the following

letter of appointment:

UTAH TERRITORY, PRESIDENT'S OFFICE,

GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, _Sept. 10, 1856_.

ELDER PARLEY P. PRATT.

_Dear Brother_--As you are about to leave on your mission

to the States, we feel to give you a word of counsel for your

guidance.

We expect that your principal occupation will be to travel and

preach the gospel in different places, as you shall be led by the

spirit of the Lord.

We are informed that there is quite a large number of Saints in

the southwestern part of Virginia, which it is our wish you shall

visit and instruct in the principles of the gospel.

Owing to the extra duties of delegate being placed upon Brother

John Taylor, it is suggested that you also aid him in writing for

_The Mormon_, and such other duties as may devolve upon you

by the united counsel of brethren now in charge on that mission.

As you are expected to return the ensuing season, we do not

consider that it would be wisdom for you to have the burden of the

mission to rest upon you, but rather that you should aid the

brethren for the brief period which you will remain with them.

If Brother Snow should be able to resume _The Luminary_,

we should be pleased to have you assist him also in writing for

that publication.

We believe that, by thus devoting your time during the ensuing

winter, you will render the brethren now upon that mission

effective aid, and be a comfort and consolation to the brethren and

Saints who shall have the pleasure of your ministerial administrations,

and be blessed with your society in this your short visit to the Saints

in the States; and that the Lord will bless you abundantly with His

spirit, and enable you to perform your mission with honor and

satisfaction to yourself, and His divine acceptance, is the prayer of

Your brethren in the Gospel of Christ,

BRIGHAM YOUNG,

HEBER C. KIMBALL,

J.M. GRANT,

_First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints_.

After receiving the foregoing appointment my time was employed

chiefly in settling up my business and preparing for the journey

eastward.

_September 7, 1856_. I preached my farewell discourse in

the Tabernacle, in which I bore testimony to the Book of Mormon and

of the calling of Joseph Smith, and of his Presidency and

Apostleship. At noon, the same day, gave instructions and strict

charge to my son, Parley P., concerning my business, and the duties

that would devolve upon him in my absence.

At 5 P.M. met with my quorum in prayer, in which President Young

and others laid their hands upon my head and set me apart for my

mission to the States--confirming and sealing upon my head all the

keys and powers of the eternal priesthood, so far as they were held

upon the earth--"and that I should always be numbered among those

that were faithful to the priesthood, both in this life, in the

world of spirits and in the resurrection."

_September 11_. Bid farewell to my family and friends and

started on my eastern mission in company with several elders and

friends, who were going to the States. We met, on the journey

across the plains, several companies, chiefly from Europe. Some of

them were companies traveling with ox teams, and several hand cart

companies. The first hand cart company we met was near Green River,

which consisted of two hundred and thirty men, women and children.

These had crossed the plains from Iowa City--some 1,200 miles--the

women as well as men drawing hand carts and the children walking.

They had travelled twenty miles a day and sometimes more. Their

faces were much sun-burnt and their lips parched; but cheerfulness

reigned in every heart, and joy seemed to beam on every

countenance. The company gathered around us and I tried to address

them, observing that this was a new era in American as well as

Church history; but my utterance was choked, and I had to make the

third trial before I could overcome my emotions. We had passed on,

nothing worthy of note occurring until we arrived at Fort Kearney.

_October 17_.--We arrived at Fort Kearney; here the death

of A. W. Babbitt, and others with him was confirmed. The commanding

officer of the fort came to me and said he had an account of

Babbitt's death from the Indians themselves; and that he had

obtained his papers and accounts, which he would deliver to

Babbitt's wife, if she would come. We pursued our long and

wearisome journey through Iowa and Illinois. On the way we saw

Nauvoo and the ruins of the temple in the distance. This called up

reflections which I will not attempt to describe. I thought of the

temple and city in their glory; of the twenty thousand Saints once

busy there; of the vast congregations once assembled there in

prayer and praise; of the martyred prophets and Saints; of the

wholesale murder and plunder perpetrated by ruthless mobs. I

thought of my once happy but now fallen country. I greatly desired

relief by tears, but tears would not come to my relief. I felt too

deeply; but I felt some relief in assuring myself that at last

justice would triumph and righteousness reign.

_November 18_.--We landed in St. Louis after a long and

toilsome journey of over two months. Here I remained, attending

public meetings with the Saints; visiting, instructing, writing

history, and writing for _The Mormon_, then published by

Elder John Taylor in New York; visiting and preaching at several

places in Missouri and Illinois, until the 16th of December, when I

left St. Louis for New York--travelling by railroad. I stopped at

Cincinnati, where I arrived at 4 A.M. on the 17th. Here I found

some Saints, who took me and my baggage, and extended to me the

hospitality of their homes. I remained in Cincinnati, preaching,

conversing with the Saints and others, writing correspondence for

_The Mormon_, history, etc., until the 22d, when I took

leave of the Saints and started by railway for Philadelphia, where

I arrived on the 24th--meeting there President John Taylor and

other brethren, who kindly greeted me. Here I remained preaching,

visiting, conversing, writing history, corresponding with _The

Mormon_, etc., until the 31st, when I took the 10 A.M. train

for New York, where I safely landed the same day--thus closing

another year of my changeful, varied and eventful life. It leaves

me among strangers, and yet in my own native state--a pilgrim and

almost a stranger in the very city where, twenty years ago, I

labored, toiled, prayed, preached, wrote and published the message

of eternal truth.

Oh, how darkness prevails! How ignorant, blind and impenetrable

are the minds of men! My Father in Heaven, Thy will be done. As a

blank of another year of my life is about to commence to be filled

up, I will close the volume of the book I have been writing,

commending myself to God and the guardianship of his angels;

asking, in the name of Jesus Christ, that my sins and follies, up

to this date, may be blotted out, and that my labors and records

may be accepted; then I will retire to rest with a conscience void

of offense, and with a calm and resigned confidence in my Heavenly

Father. If I am privileged to awake in the morning of a new year, I

will commence a new book or volume of my life.

January 1st, 1857. Thank God for a new year and for the

reservation of my life and health. Spent the day in visiting with

President Taylor and others, and at 5 P.M. repaired to the

Latter-day Saints' Hall, where I met with some four hundred

persons, mostly members of the Church, in a public party.

Judge Appleby called the meeting to order; I opened by prayer.

President Taylor made a few remarks, after which there were songs,

recitations, speeches, and amusements of various kinds,

refreshments, etc., which lasted till eleven o'clock, after which I

addressed them, bearing testimony of the restoration of the

priesthood and gospel by Joseph Smith; was followed by Presidents

Smith and Taylor. While in this party we received news of the safe

landing of two hundred and twenty Saints from Europe on the

"Columbia." My time was occupied in visiting the Saints, meeting in

council with the brethren, writing, etc., until the 5th, when I met

in the evening with Brothers Taylor, Smith, Snow and Appleby in

council at Brother Taylor's residence. After opening by prayer I

was chosen to preside, and Brother Appleby acted as clerk. Brother

Snow made a statement in relation to the financial condition of the

emigration under his agency. We agreed to make this a matter of

prayer, and to solicit and influence means into that channel as far

as possible. At 7 P.M. Brother Taylor having furnished an upper

room in his residence, the before-named persons, five in number,

met in a room for prayer, in which we humbled ourselves and called

on the Lord for remission of our sins and the light of the Spirit

of God to guide us in our several duties. We also asked for means,

and for our way to be opened up to enable us in all things to

magnify our callings; dedicating ourselves renewedly to the service

of God. After this we continued in council until a late hour.

_January 6th_. I visited Mr. George W. Pratt, No. 89 Gold

Street, on the subject of genealogy--he being the son of Zadoc

Pratt, ex-member of Congress, and descended from the same parentage

as myself, our progenitors being among the early settlers of the

New England Colonies. I conversed with him very agreeably for half

an hour, and learned that he was in correspondence with Brother

Orson, in Liverpool, on the subject of our ancestry in England.

_January 7th_--I was in council all day at Brother

Taylor's residence with the brethren of the Twelve. We resolved to

concentrate our energies this year in forming settlements on or

near the Platte River, on the route of our emigration, according to

the instructions of President Young. We voted that _The Mormon_

be continued, and that it is not expedient for Brother Snow

to resuscitate the _Luminary_ at present. Next day bid farewell

to the brethren, and took the train for Trenton, N. J. Here I

was kindly received by Brother Hurdley and family, where I

remained for two days, the weather being very cold.

_Saturday, 10th_.--Joseph Asay came with a carriage and

conveyed me about four miles into the country to his house. This

day I completed a communication for _The Mormon_ on spiritual

communication in modern times.

_Sunday, 11th_.--Preached to a small congregation in a

school house, and returned with Brother Asay and spent the evening

in instruction--several of the Saints from Trenton being there.

Spent the time writing, visiting and conversation with the friends

here until the 14th, when I took leave of my kind friends in

Trenton; taking the cars for Tacony, where I arrived at noon, went

to Sister Conrad's, where I was received with every conceivable

kindness. After dinner preached to them and read the revelation on

marriage. God blessed me to open their understandings, teaching

things of the kingdom. Here I wrote a communication for _The

Mormon_ called the "Looking-glass;" conversed with and instructed

the family on many things.

_Saturday, 17th_.-Returned to Philadelphia and stayed at

Brother Harmer's; received this evening letters from home, dated

November 4th, at which time several of my family were sick. I

invoked the blessing of God upon them that they might be healed and

comforted.

_Sunday 18th_.--Though the wind was very high and

extremely cold, attended with a severe snow storm, I repaired to

meeting and preached to a few in the morning, and at night attended

meeting again in our own hall, the Spirit of God being among the

Saints in the meeting.

_Monday, 19th_.--Still being very snowy, cold and windy,

remained at the house of Brother Harmer and wrote to my family.

_Sunday, 20th_.--Railroad travel being obstructed by

drifts of snow, I visited at Peter Rensimer's; stayed all night and

talked to him, his wife and others, till a late hour.

On the next day wrote a poem on "My Fiftieth Year," which was

responded to by John Taylor, both of which were published in the

_Mormon_ at New York.* Returned to Tacony in the evening and

repaired to the house of Sister Conrad; the family came together

and I taught them the gospel. Next day visited with the family,

taught them and some of their friends who came in, the principles

of the gospel.

[Footnote] *These poems will be found in the latter part of

this work.

_Thursday, 24th_.--Bade farewell to my kind friends in

Tacony, took the train for Philadelphia, where I arrived at half

past nine. Attended the Saints' meetings at Washington Hall three

times this day; addressed the people morning and evening; communed

with them; heard their testimony in the afternoon. We were blessed

through the day with the Spirit of God and had much joy.

_February 1st_. Attended meetings three times in

Washington Hall, Philadelphia. Preached in the morning repentance

to the Saints and preparation for the great restoration. In the

evening preached on the Resurrection to a crowded house, and bid

the Saints farewell.

_Tuesday, 3d_. Wrote, visited sister Fenton, and there

spent the evening in an agreeable company of some fifteen of the

Saints. We sang and prayed, feasted and rejoiced, and taught them

as we were led by the Spirit. Elder Angus M. Cannon being with me

in this and nearly all my visitings and meetings in this city. A

happier companion is seldom found.

_Wednesday, 4th_. Spent the evening at a tea party; at

ten o'clock we sang, "When shall we all meet again?" etc. Knelt

down and prayed. This was my farewell of Philadelphia and the

Eastern States. I then took a final leave of the Saints, and,

accompanied by Elder Cannon, started for the railway. Here I met

with Brother and Sister Beers, and some others who had come to see

me off. I took the train for Pittsburg, where I safely arrived

February 5, at 2:30 P.M. Took the train at three for Mansfield,

Ohio, where I landed safely at 1:30 next morning. Stayed at a

hotel, and on the 6th took train at 12 P.M. and arrived at

Hannover, Huron County, Ohio, at 4 P.M. Here a neighbor volunteered

to carry me half a mile to my brother, Nelson Pratt's. We were

overjoyed to see each other after twenty-one years' absence. He had

a wife and three children living, viz: a son, Edwin Delano Pratt,

aged twenty years; and two daughters, Helen Orisa, aged fourteen,

Aurelia Fenetto, aged twelve years. Remained and visited with my

brother and family; talked, read, reasoned, etc., until the 11th,

when I had a call from a young school teacher named Pratt, perhaps

a distant relative, who had a spirit of inquiry and was teachable.

We conversed much, and I lent him some books. As he and others were

soliciting a meeting, I finally consented to appoint one for

Thursday evening at the school house near my brother's. In

fulfilment of this appointment I preached to a large congregation

in a capacious school house.

_Friday, 13th_.--At noon took leave of my brother Nelson

and his family, who accompanied me to the railroad station, and bid

me an affectionate farewell. This night, about eight o'clock, the

locomotive ran over and killed a horse, and was thrown off the

track with a number of cars, some of which were broken. By this

accident we were hindered some six hours, during which time we sat

in the cars and slept as best we could. Arrived in Columbus, Ohio,

at 4 A.M. Here we stopped and slept at a hotel until 9 A.M. At 1

P.M., started for Cincinnati, where I arrived at dark, and was

kindly received by Brother Meriweather and family.

_Sunday, 15th_.--Met with the Saints three times; taught

them repentance and reformation of life: stayed at brother

Walker's.

_Monday, 16th_.--In the evening Mr. Alberger and Dr.

Darling called to see me, and spent the evening in conversation on

the various phenomena of Spiritualism. Mr. Alberger related to me

the circumstances of the introduction of a secret order, called the

Patriarchal Order, which order, he said, was introduced by spirits

in Cincinnati a short time previously by means of a stone, with a

new alphabet and a key to read the same. He also made me a present

of the stone, or rather a pattern of the same in plaster of Paris,

with the alphabet thereon and key to read the same. Also a printed

pamphlet containing the ceremonies of the "Patriarchal Order," and

the forms of initiation of members into the same, with a request

that I would take them to Salt Lake and exhibit them to the Council

there.

The following day, wrote an article for the _Cincinnati

Gazette_, in defense of Utah. In the evening met with the

Saints, and preached at Thos. Shore's. The next day was very rainy;

visited at Brother Meriweather's, and found Brother Geo. A. Smith

there, just arrived from Virginia. He had spent some time in

Washington City, in company with John Taylor, who was one of the

delegation, but as no encouragement was given for the admission of

Utah at the present session, the petition was withdrawn.

_Friday, 20th_.--Wrote for _The Mormon_, visited

with Brother Smith, etc. My communication to the _Cincinnati

Gazette_ in defense of Utah, appeared in this day's paper. We

mailed several copies of the paper to the members of Congress, and

to _The Mormon_.

_Sunday, 22d_.--Attended at Melodian Hall at 10:30 A.M.,

and heard an excellent discourse from Elder G. A. Smith. At 2:30

P.M. I preached on first principles, and in the evening met the

Saints at Brother Shore's, and reorganized the Cincinnati Branch.

Elder Joseph Bean was unanimously chosen to preside, and was

ordained a high priest under the hands of G. A. Smith and myself.

Brother Benjamin E. Styles was reappointed clerk. At ten o'clock we

sung "When shall we all meet again."

We appointed and set apart Brother D. O. Ridout to a mission in

southwestern Virginia. We blessed and administered to several. A

man named James Raliston came to us and expressed his faith in the

gospel as he had heard us preach it the day before. Many of the

Saints now gathered in to see us, and contributed means to help us,

and manifested their love in every way that was in their power. We

bid them farewell about 2 P.M., and took the train for St. Louis,

at which place we arrived safely about midnight.

_Tuesday, 24th_.--Called and stayed at Brother

Boardman's. Here, for the first time, heard of the sudden and

unexpected death of President J. M. Grant, who died in Salt Lake

City, in November last. He was a great and good man, called away in

the full vigor of manhood. He has gone to his rest, but we are left

to mourn.

_Wednesday, 25th_.--On repairing to the office found

letters from home, also one from Sister Ruth Sayers, who crossed

the plains with us on our outward trip from Salt Lake City. I also

read in the _Western Standard_, a paper published by George

Q. Cannon in California, a confirmatory account of the death of

President J. M. Grant. We found the Saints in St. Louis well and

prosperous. After spending some time in the office in council I

repaired to brother Restell's, and was kindly received by Sister

Restell and Sister Pollard. This night I was taken very sick.

_March 1st, 1857_.--I found myself quite well again, and,

being Sunday, I met with the Saints three times and had good

attendance. I preached in the forenoon, and Erastus Snow and others

in the afternoon. We had sacrament, and the gift of the Holy Ghost

was upon us. Brother Snow spake by it in great wisdom.

The spirit of reformation is abroad in the St. Louis branch, but

the adversary also has a great hold there.

_Monday, 2d_.--We met with the Saints and assisted

President Snow to confirm twenty-nine souls, who were baptized in

the font there. At 7 P. M. the same evening met with the brethren

in council.

Much instruction was given to the elders by Presidents Snow,

Smith and myself.

_Tuesday, 3d_.--Assisted President Snow at the office, on

the Deseret alphabet, etc.

The above is the last extract from the journal of President

Parley P. Pratt.

CHAPTER LIV.

------------------------

Family Letters:--"My Fiftieth Year:"--Response

by John Taylor.

NEW YORK, _January 3d, 1857_.

MY DEAR SON PARLEY: I am well; how are you? Please write and let

me know. I long to see and hear from you.

I am getting along very comfortably. You will see by the

enclosed how "_Mormonism_" keeps printers and editors busy.

Give my best love to all the family, and especially to the

children. Remember me to Olivia and Moroni. Do the best you can for

me and my family, and try to get a good education; and try by

prayer and doing right to cultivate an acquaintance with the Spirit

of the Lord.

Read the enclosed letter to the family, and then have it

carefully laid away as a part of my history.

Now, my son, farewell.

God bless you. Amen.

Your affectionate father,

P.P. PRATT.

NEW YORK, _January 3d, 1857_.

MY DEAR FAMILY:

A happy New Year to each of you. I am well. I spent Christmas in

Philadelphia in a public party of the Saints--say 300 persons--

assembled in a large hall neatly furnished and lighted.

There were prayers, hymns, songs, recitations, comic, tragic,

sublime and ridiculous. There was some music and dancing, merry

making, eating and drinking till midnight. I did not dance, but I

preached and bore testimony.

On the following Sunday I preached twice in the same hall, some

500 persons being present.

On Wednesday, December 31st, I arrived in this city and put up

with President John Taylor. This closed the year 1856.

_January 1st, 1857_.--I attended a public party of the

Saints here from 5 P.M. till midnight. It was like the one in

Philadelphia--only there was no dancing. About 400 persons were

present. During this party the news arrived of the landing of 220

Saints at Castle Garden direct from Europe, all in good health and

spirits. These we visited next day in company with Presidents

Taylor, G. A. Smith, and E. Snow, who are here now, and we shall

hold a council. The Saints here are mostly emigrants from Europe

and very poor. I am now well clothed, and God has opened my way to

obtain sufficient funds for travelling expenses.

A letter from my Brother Nelson announces that all is well

there, and they are overjoyed to hear that I am to visit them. He

is trying to sell and go to the valley.

Brother Orson writes to me that all is well with him.

I have gone as far East as I intend to go. I hope soon to

commence to return westward, visiting my brother Nelson as I go.

The darkness which broods over this country can be felt--it is no

place for me. I feel like going to the frontiers and fitting out as

soon as grass grows.

The whole country is being overwhelmed with the most abominable

lying, mockery, and hatred of the Saints, and with all manner of

corruption. The legions of spirits are let loose and are working

wonders. All things are ripening for a universal overthrow of all

human power in this land.

I am almost an intruder wherever I go. I am a stranger and the

world knows me not. There are a few of the Saints and others who

will hear us, and not exactly demand a vote of thanks, although

some of them would think it a great condescension for which we

ought to thank them.

O, God, let me retire from such a generation into dens, caves,

deserts, mountains--_anywhere_. But I will say no more about

them. I feel for my family and pray for them continually. I hope

they with me may have grace to endure to the end, and be saved in

the kingdom of God.

My history is mostly completed. It will probably not be

published in my day. Should anything happen to me, and the record

be preserved, I wish it carefully compiled, copied, and taken care

of.

My feelings, and the affections of my heart, I will not attempt

to describe, but will express them in person when I return. Should

I never return, be assured they are as warm and as tender as ever,

and I think a little more so.

I hope you will not be cast down or borrow any trouble about me

because I admit an if, as to my safe return. I have no doubt but

that I shall return in safety and live to a good old age. But still

I must acknowledge that I do anticipate with a great deal of

pleasure the change of worlds. And, every day that I work on my

history, I naturally think that the word finis will soon be added

to the end. * * * *

Write when you can via California and Panama. Now God bless and

preserve you all, even to little Mathoni. Amen.

Yours ever,

P. P. PRATT.

To my wife HANNAHETTE and others.

MY FIFTIETH YEAR

I am fifty years old! I have lived to see

Seven times seven and a Jubilee.

That period famed in the days of yore

As a grand release for the humble poor;

When the pledg'd estate was again restor'd,

And the bondman free'd from his tyrant lord.

When man his fellow was bound to forgive,

And begin anew to think and to live.

The nations have hail'd the year of my birth

As a Jubilee to the groaning earth.*

The triumphs of steam over land and sea

Have stamp'd the age of my Jubilee.

I have mark'd its progress at ev'ry stride,

From the day it was launch'd on the Hudson's tide

Till it conquer'd the ocean--grasp'd the land,

And join'd the world in a common band.

I have liv'd to behold the lightnings yield

To the mandate of man, and take the field,

As a servant-runner to bear the news

In an instant, where its lord might choose.

[Footnote] *The first steamboat was launched in 1807, on the

Hudson river, by Robert Fulton.

And, scarce less strange, I have liv'd to behold

A _Mormon Sage_, with his wand of gold,

Overturn the world, and toss it up

As a teller of Fortunes would his cup.*

All these are facts; but of little worth,

Compared with a Prophet restored to earth.

I have seen his day and have heard his voice

Which enraged a world, while the meek rejoice.

I have read the fate of all earthly things:

The end of thrones, and the end of kings.

I have learned that truth alone shall stand,

And the Kingdom of God fill every land.

I have seen that Kingdom rolling along,

And taking its seat 'mid the mountains strong;

While the nations wondered, but could not tell

To what these wondrous things would swell.

I have wandered far, over land and sea,

To proclaim to the world its destiny--

To cry to the nations, repent and live,

And be ready the bridegroom to receive.

[Footnote] *An American soldier, of the Mormon Battalion,

discovered the gold mines in California in 1847.

I have wandered far--I have wandered wide,

From Maine to the wild Missouri's tide;

And over the Atlantic's sea-girt isles

Full many a weary thousand miles.

I have trampled the desert's burning sands

And the snow-clad mountains of unknown lands.

'Mid the crystal waters of Deseret

I have pulled the oar and cast the net.

I have climbed the steeps 'mid the golden ore,

And roamed o'er the lone Pacific shore.

I have ploughed its bosom many a day

To visit the nations far away.

I have stood on Chili's distant shore,

Where the Polar Star is seen no more.

I have gazed on the Andes' heights of snow,

And roamed 'mid the flowery plains below.

I have toiled with the great in freedom's cause,

And assisted to give to a State its laws.

I have lain in a dungeon, bound in chains,

And been honored in Courts where Justice reigns.

In a thousand joys, and a thousand fears

I have struggled on through my fifty years.

And now, by the law of God, I am free;

I will seek to enjoy my Jubilee.

I will hie me home, to my mountain dell,

And will say to the "Christian" world--farewell!

I have served ye long--; 'twas a thankless task;

To retire in peace is all I ask.

Another fifty years will fully prove

Our message true, and all our motives love.

Then shall an humble world in reverence bow,

And hail the Prophets so rejected now.

Kings shall revere, and nations incense bring

To Zion's temple and to Zion's King.

I shall be there and celebrate the day

'Till twice ten fifties shall have passed away.

A RESPONSE TO P. P. PRATT'S "FIFTIETH YEAR"

BY JOHN TAYLOR

Thou art "fifty years old"--I am glad to see

That thou now canst hope for a Jubilee.

Go rest thee, my friend, for weary and long

Thou hast faithfully striven with a wayward throng;

With a world environed with error's chain

Thou hast wrestled and struggled, but not in vain.

On thy native shore and on foreign land

Thou hast battled for truth with a master hand,

And their cities, and towns, and hamlets have rung

With the sound of truth, with the voice of song,

And thousands in Zion do now rejoice,

Who've read thy works or heard thy voice,

And millions have seen thy bosom swell

With celestial truths thou lov'st so well.

Let drivelling sycophants bow the knee

To that chameleon shrine, popularity,

And with honey'd lips, bound with mammon's spell

And with wheedling, whining, canting tongue,

Daub o'er the deeds of a hellish throng.

'Twas thine the mask from their loathsome face

To rend, and exhibit their foul disgrace.

Thou hast grappled with sages in error rife,

Thou hast taught to the erring the way of life;

With flaming words and a burning pen

Thou hast bearded gaunt priestcraft in his den,

And said Baal's grizzly priests, avaunt!

I dare you in your dark, ghastly haunt.

And the canting, craving minions fled

At the truths thou penned and the words thou said.

With Elijah's faith and Elijah's rod,

Thou despised their power and defied their god,

And made the canting hirelings cower

Beneath the truth's keen withering power.

Thou show'd them their systems were doom'd to fall

That "Upharsin" was written on Babel's wall.

Thou hast spent 'midst their hordes a busy life;

Thou art leaving the den of their Babel strife.

Let others know now 'mid the nations roam,

And hie thee away to thy mountain home.

If, sleeping at night, the weary may

Forget the cares and toils of day;

And if by God to man is given

A day of rest in every seven;

If the pledged possession could be restored,

On the grand release by Jehovah's word;

If the debtor's bonds could then be broke,

And the slave be freed from a master's yoke,

And the very land a partaker be

Of the general jubilant Jubilee;

If all bonds were broken on that day,

And chains and manacles thrown away;

If throughout the land, by every tongue,

All joined in the joyous Jubilee song;

If debtors and slaves and earth were free,

Thou oughtest to have a Jubilee.

If a wish from a sincere friendly heart

Can to thee any comfort or joy impart;

If a fervent prayer to the God of grace

Could smooth thy path in thy onward race,

That prayer would be, may grace be given

To wend thy onward course to Heaven.

May'st thou abound in corn and wine,

And the blessings of plenty now be thine;

May thy family all be free from care,

And a husband's and father's plenty share;

May thy sun go down with glory rife,

And dying may'st thou burst into life;

And, when sleeping among the silent dead,

Have the blessings of millions on thy head;

And living with God, may'st thou be free,

And partake of an endless Jubilee.

FINIS.

APPENDIX

------------------------

Soon after the last extract from his journal, President P. P.

Pratt left St. Louis for Arkansas, where he was followed by three

bloodthirsty wretches, who had previously declared their intention

to kill him. To aid them in their sanguinary designs they preferred

fictitious charges against him, from which he was honorably

discharged by a United States Court at Van Buren. These assassins

then followed him and murdered him in cold blood, near Van Buren,

Arkansas, May 13, 1857.

We extract the following, in relation to his death, from _The

Mormon_ of May 30, published in New York, John Taylor, Ed.:

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT P. P. PRATT.

"Our readers will doubtless be startled with the above

announcement; our heart is deeply pained to say it, but we have no

reason for doubting the sad intelligence that has reached us,

though, as yet, only by the way of the public press. A few days ago

we were advised of his apprehension near Fort Gibson; and, close

upon the receipt of that information, we learned, by telegraphic

despatch, that he had been assassinated near Van Buren, Arkansas,

May 13. * * *

"As we have not the space this week that we require to enter

into details, and may, before another issue, receive additional

information on the subject, we shall only say, for the benefit of

those who are interested, that his assassins followed him some

twelve miles from the place of trial, and, taking advantage of his

lonely position, shot him.

"Though we deeply deplore the loss to the Church of such a great

and upright man, and the bereavement to his family, yet we mourn

not. His life has been one of honor and faithfulness; his days

have been well spent in the service of his God; his name is revered

by thousands and tens of thousands, and will be honored by millions

yet unborn; while that of his cowardly assassins, and those who

have cheered them on to this damning deed, and who now rejoice over

their crime, will be loathsome, and a stink in the nostrils of God

and good men."

The following is extracted from the _Millennial Star_ of July 4,

1857, and written by his brother, Orson Pratt, who was then Editor

of the _Star_:

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PARLEY P. PRATT.

"This great Apostle and martyr of the nineteenth century was

born on the 12th day of April, 1807, in Burlington, Otsego county,

State of New York. He was the third son of Jared and Charity Pratt;

Jared was the son of Obadiah and Jemima Pratt; Obadiah was the son

of Christopher and Sarah Pratt; Christopher was the son of William

and Hannah Pratt; William was the son of Joseph Pratt; Joseph was

the son of Lieutenant William and Elizabeth Pratt, who were found

among the first settlers of Hartford, Connecticut, in the year

1639. They are supposed to have accompanied the Rev. Thomas Hooker

and his congregation, about one hundred in number, from Newtown,

now called Cambridge, Massachusetts, through a dense wilderness,

inhabited only by savages and wild beasts, and became the first

founders of the colony at Hartford, in June, 1636.

"This ancient pilgrim, William Pratt, was a member of the

Legislature for some twenty-five or thirty sessions; and the

General Court gave him one hundred acres of land in Saybrook,

Connecticut, for service performed as lieutenant in the Pequot war;

he was one of the judges of the first Court in New London County.

Parley P. Pratt is a lineal descendant, of the seventh generation,

from that distinguished pilgrim and humble pioneer to the new

world.

"The youthful days of Parley P. Pratt were characterized by the

soberness and thoughtfulness of manhood. Though from adverse

circumstances his education was extremely limited, yet he

displayed, even in youth, an originality of mind seldom exhibited.

In September, 1830, he, being led by the Spirit of the Lord from

his home in the State of Ohio, came several hundred miles eastward,

where he fortunately obtained a copy of one of the most remarkable

works of modern times--the Book of Mormon. He read the same, was

convinced of its divine authenticity, and traveled in search of the

highly favored men of God who had seen angels and heard the voice

of the Almighty. He soon succeeded in finding some of them, from

whom he learned that about five months previous the first Church of

Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints had been organized. He

requested baptism, and was immediately thereafter ordained an

Elder. The same month he visited Canaan, Columbia County, New

York--the county where he had spent many of his youthful days--and

after preaching a few times in different neighborhoods, and

baptizing Orson Pratt, his brother, he returned to Seneca County.

"Receiving a revelation through Joseph the Prophet, he, in

company with three or four others, performed a mission, some

fifteen hundred miles, to the western boundaries of the State of

Missouri, and was among the first of the Saints to stand upon that

choice land where the City of Zion is hereafter to be built,

preparatory to the second advent of our Saviour.

"In the spring of 1831 he returned to the northern part of Ohio,

where he met Joseph the Prophet. In the summer he again performed a

mission through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, preaching,

baptizing and building up the Church.

"In the autumn of 1833 he and about twelve hundred men, women

and children were driven by a murderous, furious mob from their own

houses and lands in Jackson County, Missouri. Two hundred houses

were burned, cattle shot, hay stacks and grain burned, many whipped

until their bowels gushed out; others killed, and the afflicted

remnant driven across the river into Clay County.

"Soon after this Elder Pratt performed a long journey of about

fifteen hundred miles east, preaching repentance and strengthening

the Saints.

"In 1834 he again returned to Clay County, Missouri, officiating

in his holy calling wherever he went.

"In February, 1835, having returned to the northern part of

Ohio, he was chosen and ordained one of the Twelve Apostles of this

last dispensation, and the same year performed a lengthy journey

through Pennsylvania, New York, and several of the New England

States, and returned again to Ohio.

"In 1836 he visited Canada, and established a large branch of the

Church in Toronto, and other branches in adjoining towns.

"In 1837 he visited New York City, where he founded a large branch

of the Church.

"In 1838 he removed to Caldwell County, in the western

boundaries of Missouri; and in the same year another dreadful

persecution commenced against the Saints, and they were again

driven from their own houses and inheritances, and their property

to the amount of millions was destroyed; some scores of defenseless

men, women and children were murdered; some scores of others were

incarcerated in dungeons, among whom was P. P. Pratt; the balance,

about fifteen thousand, were exterminated from the State, and found

refuge in Illinois. Elder Pratt was kept in prison, _without

trial_, about eight months, when, by the kind providence of

God, he made his escape on July 4, 1839. Immediately after gaining

his liberty he published a history of the Missouri persecution,

written while in prison. The first edition appeared in Detroit in

1839.

"In 1840 he, in company with others of the Twelve, came to

England, and in the city of Manchester commenced the publication of

a periodical entitled the _Millennial Star_, which has continued

until the present time--this being the forty-eighth volume (1886).

"In 1841 he was appointed the President over all the British

Conferences, and remained in this high and honorable station until

the autumn of 1842, during which he edited the _Star_, superintended

the Saints' emigration, and published several small but interesting

works. The following winter he returned to Illinois, where he

continued laboring in the ministry for one or two years.

"About the beginning of the year 1845 he was appointed the

President over all the Churches in the New England and Middle

States, his headquarters being at New York City, where he

published a periodical entitled _The Prophet_. In the summer

he returned to Nauvoo.

"In February, 1846, he was again driven from his home by a

ruthless mob. Some fifteen or twenty thousand Saints were also

driven from the United States about the same time, with the loss of

houses, and lands, and an immense amount of property, which the mob

are in the unmolested possession of until the present day. After

wading through unparalleled sufferings with his family, he and the

suffering Saints succeeded in reaching the Indian country at

Council Bluffs, and being called by the Holy Ghost, through the

Prophet Brigham Young, to go to England, he left his family upon

the broad prairie, without house or scarcely any food, to comply

with the word of the Lord. He arrived in England, assisted in

setting the Churches in order, and in strengthening the Saints

throughout the British islands.

"In the spring of 1847 he returned to his family and brethren;

and in the summer and autumn of that year he removed to Great Salt

Lake Valley, and suffered incredible hardships until the harvest of

1848.

"He assisted in forming a Constitution for the Provisional

Government of Deseret, and was elected a member of the Senate in

the General Assembly; and was afterwards elected to the Legislative

Council when Utah became a Territory of the United States.

"The year 1851 he was sent on a mission to the Pacific islands

and to South America.

"In the summer of 1855 he returned over the Sierra Nevada

mountains to his home, and occupied a part of his time in preaching

in the various settlements of Utah, and at other times laboring

with his own hands in the cultivation of his farm. The following

winter he officiated as chaplain in the Legislative Council at the

State House in Fillmore City.

"In the autumn of 1856 he accompanied about twenty missionaries

across the plains to the States. During the winter and part of the

following spring he visited the Saints at St. Louis, Philadelphia,

New York and other places, preaching, writing and publishing the

glad tidings of the kingdom of God.

"And finally, on the 13th of May, 1857, he fell a noble martyr

for the cause of truth, which he had advocated with such untiring

perseverance for nearly twenty-seven years.

"Among the numerous writings of this martyred Apostle may be

mentioned first, the 'Voice of Warning,' printed in New York in

1838, and which has since passed through many editions, and been

translated into several foreign languages; second, his 'History of

the Missouri Persecutions;' third, his 'Poems;' fourth, his 'Key to

Theology;' a masterly production, lately published. 'The History of

his Life,' up to near the time of his martyrdom, was written by

himself, and is now about ready for the press; this will doubtless

prove to be one of the most interesting works proceeding from his

pen.

"O, how pleasant is the death of a righteous person! he lays

down his body with a sure and certain hope of coming forth from the

tomb in the morning of the first resurrection, to reign as a mighty

King and Priest of the Most High God, to sit enthroned in eternal

glory, ruling with power and dominion for ever and ever.

"O, kind hearted, affectionate brother! how dearly we loved

thee in life I how joyous to our soul were the words of life which

flowed from thy mouth by the pure spirit of inspiration! how

lovely still is our remembrance of thee! We weep not for thy

death, for it was glorious! Thou hast left us only for a short

moment, and we shall soon embrace thee again! Thy fiftieth year had

but just rolled away, and now thy Jubilee has come! Rest in thy

Father's house, with all the noble martyrs of the nineteenth

century, until the Jubilee of the earth shall also come; then shalt

thou return and reign triumphantly with all the redeemed of Adam's

race."

From the following letter, written only about four months prior

to his martyrdom, he plainly indicates that his pilgrimage and

"personal history in this world,"' were near their close:

"New York, United States,

January 2d, 1857.

"Dear Brother Orson--I received your kind letter on the 30th

December, 1856. I was thereby glad to hear from you and of your

welfare.

"I am well; I spent about a month in St. Louis; I then came on

to Cincinnati and stayed four days, drawing full houses. I arrived

in Philadelphia the day before Christmas--was present next day at a

grand party in that city in Washington Hall. It was a fine time.

Sunday last I preached three times to a full house.

"I arrived here on Wednesday last; found Presidents Taylor and

Smith as well as usual.

"Yesterday I attended a party here, in the Saints' Hall; it was

an interesting affair, some four hundred persons being present. We

were entertained with songs, prayers, preaching, praying,

recitations, eating, drinking, etc.

"In the midst of our evening's enjoyment the news arrived of the

arrival of the Columbia, with a ship load of Saints from England.

To-day we accompanied brother Taylor to see them. All well, but a

rough passage; no deaths. The weather is mild here, and the winter

so far very fine.

"I have not yet seen the Pratt family, of whom you speak, but I

think I will visit them in a day or two.

"You ask how long I will stay in the States. I answer, till

spring. I will then go home, if God will, if I have to go with a

hand cart. This country is no place for me; the darkness is so

thick I can literally feel it. I cannot obtain the least assistance

here for my family; a tight match to obtain travelling expenses.

"I have heard nothing from home since October 1st, but I hope to

hear soon. I congratulate you on the marriage of your first born,

and hope you will soon become a grandfather.

"_Now, dear brother Orson, be of good courage--our pilgrimage

will soon be over, and our personal history in this world will

naturally come to the word_ FINIS.

"As to my history, I have it now complete from my birth up to

to-day. It will contain about as much reading as the Book of

Mormon. I would publish it, in part or in full, if gold was

plentiful. * * *

"I have written to Nelson Pratt and received an answer; he is

well. I am going there soon, if all is well.

"I am to start from St Louis for home just as early in the

spring as the weather will permit. Farewell! God bless you.

"I am your own brother,

"P. P. Pratt."

GENEALOGY

------------------------

The following correspondence, extracted from a letter from my

brother, Orson Pratt, Sen., dated at Washington, D. C, March 10th,

1853, throws a clear light upon our ancestry, back as far as the

earliest settlements of the Pilgrim Fathers in Saybrook and

Hartford, Conn.

"_My dear brother_ Parley--I embrace the present opportunity to

write a few lines to you. * * *

"It affords me much joy to be able to inform you that I have

obtained the names and some knowledge of our ancestors back for many

generations.

"The genealogy runs thus: Our father, Jared Pratt, was the son

of Obadiah, who was the son of Christopher, who was the son of

William Pratt, who was the son of Joseph Pratt, who was the son of

Lieutenant William and Elizabeth Pratt, who is supposed to have come

with his brother, John Pratt, from Essex County, England, about the

year 1633, who were found among the first settlers of Hartford,

Connecticut, in the year 1639. They are supposed to have

accompanied the Rev. Thomas Hooker and his congregation, about one

hundred in number, from Newton, now called Cambridge, Massachusetts,

through a dense wilderness, inhabited only by savages and wild beasts,

and became the first founders of the colony at Hartford, Connecticut,

in June, 1636, and thence to Saybrook about the year 1645.

"The way I came by this information is as follows: Seeing a

short editorial in some of my exchange papers, that there was an

attempt being made to search out the lineal descendants of

Lieutenant Wm. Pratt, and that the Rev. Frederick W. Chapman, of

South Glastenbury, Conn., was engaged in that work, I immediately

addressed a letter to him, giving him the names of Jared, Obadiah

and Christopher, and asking him for all the information he was in

possession of in relation to our ancestors. He immediately sent me

a letter and two printed circulars. The following is a copy of the

letter:

South Glastenbury, _March 5th_, 1853.

"Dear Sir--I have just received your favor. It affords me

pleasure to be able to show you the connecting links between your

grandfather, Obadiah Pratt, and the first settler, William Pratt,

who came with the company that located at Hartford, Conn. He

received a portion of land in the first distribution in February,

1639. He married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of John Clark, of

Milford, Connecticut, about the same time. He had eight children.

Of these, two were born in Hartford. He removed to Saybrook in

1645. His third child, Joseph Pratt, born at Saybrook, August 1st,

1648.

SECOND GENERATION.

Joseph Pratt & Sarah Chapman, Married September, 1686.

Thirteen children--five by a former wife. William one of the

children.

THIRD GENERATION.

William Pratt & Hannah Hough, Married October 8, 1700.

Six children, viz:

Joseph, born April 13, 1103.

Ephraim, born April 1, 1705

Margaret, born April 1, 1708

Christopher, born Nov. 4, 1712

Elizabeth, born Jan. 20, 1717

Experience, born Sept. 28, 1720

FOURTH GENERATION

Christopher Pratt, Sarah Pratt, Married June 14, 1739

Children:

Stephen, born June 30, 1740, at Saybrook.

Obadiah, born Sept. 14, 1742, at Saybrook.

Sarah, born March 28, 1745.

Hannah, born Aug. 6, 1747.

Chalker, born Feb. 14, 1750.

Samuel

"I want very much to get all the descendants of the last six.

Your letter was the first clue to any of them which I have

received. It is more difficult to trace the descendants of Joseph

than any other of the six children of William Pratt. In fact, they

seem to have disappeared from Saybrook about a century ago.

"I have already collected about two thousand of the descendants

of William Pratt. There are probably not less than five thousand.

Robert Chapman, my ancestor, was married about two years after

William Pratt. I have collected over five thousand of his

descendants, and the work--a volume of three hundred to three

hundred and fifty pages--is nearly ready for the press. I shall be

able to collect most of the descendants of William if those whom I

address will answer my letters and lend a helping hand.

"May I rely on you to aid me in collecting the descendants of

Christopher Pratt?

"Is your father living? If so, he may be able to inform you

where the brothers and sisters of his grandfather, Christopher

resided--or, perhaps, give the post-office address of one of the

descendants of each family.

"He can, of course, give me some account of his uncles and

aunts. Please write immediately and inform me. I want the marriage

of Stephen, when and to whom--and of Obadiah, when and to whom, and

the names of their children--dates of birth; and so of Sarah and

the others.

"You can, of course, give me a list of your grandfather's

children. Also give the name of your mother, and date of your

father's marriage, with a list of all his children.

"I enclose two circulars. There is a Pratt, ex-Governor of

Maryland; I know not his address; if you can ascertain, please

forward one. Let me hear from you soon. Respectfully yours,

Frederick W. Chapman.

"Now, my dear brother Parley, when I received the foregoing

letter I wept like a little child; I was so overjoyed that I could

not refrain from weeping.

"There are none among all the descendants of our ancestor,

Lieutenant William Pratt, who have so deep an interest in searching

out his descendants as ourselves. We know that the God of our

fathers has had a hand in all this. He it was who brought our

ancestor William from England, and established him in this choice

land of promise, given to us by virtue of the covenant made with

our ancient father, Joseph, the son of Jacob.

"The Lord God of our fathers has multiplied them in this land,

and made them almost a nation within a nation. Blessed be the name

of our God, for He remembereth his covenants forevermore.

"He has wrought upon the hearts of his servants, our relations,

though unknown to them, to inquire out the genealogy and history of

our fathers upon the promised land. Yea, blessed be the name of the

Lord God of Joseph and of Israel, for he hath given into our hands

the keys of the priesthood and the doctrines of salvation, that we

might stand as saviors upon Mount Zion, in behalf of our ancestors

and their lineal descendants. Let us, my dear brother Parley, take

hold of this matter in earnest and assist our kindred in the

laudable enterprise which they have undertaken.

"I have no records with me and my memory is weak. Therefore, I

hope you will search up all the family records, and all the verbal

information within your reach--with names, dates, births, places,

marriages and deaths, and forward without delay.

"Does our father's sister, aunt Lovina Van Cott, or yourself

know anything about the descendants of Stephen, Sarah and others,

the brothers and sisters to our grandfather, Obadiah? How shall we

get a clue to them? Is It possible to find out any descendant of

either of the brothers or sisters of Christopher Pratt, of

Saybrook, our great-grandfather? Who and when did our grandfather,

Obadiah, marry? How many children had Obadiah? Whom did they marry,

and when? How many children had each of our uncles and aunts, the

brothers and sisters of our father? And how many children and

grandchildren has each of these cousins? In short, all the

descendants of our great-grandfather, Christopher, are wanting.

* * * Send all the information you can gather to Mr. Chapman. It

might not be amiss to send him your 'History of the Persecution,'

your 'Voice of Warning,' and such other works as you may be the

author of; and also, if you see proper, a biographical sketch of

your life I have forwarded to him all of my works. * * * I have

also sent him all the information in my power concerning our

kindred. * *

"I sent a letter last evening proposing to take some fifty or a

hundred dollars worth of the records as soon as published. These

will supply myself and brothers and our rising families. I also

proposed to search out, if possible, the ancestors of William

Pratt, in England. I expect to visit England in April or May, and

shall probably be absent two or three months.

"This from your younger brother,

"Orson Pratt."

After receiving the foregoing, I gathered the little information

I could, in so new a country as Utah Territory, and adding it to

that which I knew myself, the result or summary of the whole is as

follows--for a portion of which I am indebted to the family records

of my aunt Lovina Van Cott, and to her memory, she being still

living, and near my residence in Salt Lake City.

Our great-grandfather, Christopher Pratt, of Saybrook, Conn.,

had six children, as follows, viz:

Stephen, born June 30, 1740, at Saybrook.

Obadiah, born Sept. 14, 1742, at Saybrook.

Sarah, born March 28, 1745.

Hannah, born Aug. 6, 1747.

Chalker, born Feb. 14, 1750.

Samuel

Our grandfather, Obadiah Pratt, son of Christopher and Sarah

Pratt, born in Saybrook, Conn., September 14, 1742, received in

marriage Jemina Tolls, born in New Haven, Conn., August 11th, 1754.

Date of marriage not known. He died in Canaan, Columbia County, New

York. March 2, 1797. His wife died in Washington, Dutchess County,

New York, Nov 24, 1812.

Eleven children, as follows:

Jared, born in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., November 25, 1769.

Barnabas, " " " " " " " March 4, 1771.

Samuel, " " " " " " " February 2, 1773.

Rhoda, " " " " " " " May 30, 1775.

William, " " " " " " " May 21, 1777.

Sarah, " " " " " " " September 3, 1781.

Obadiah, " " " " " " " July 30, 1784.

Lovina, " " " " " " " August 6, 1787.

Ira, " " " " " " " October 10, 1789.

Ellis, Twin sister of Ira, lived five days. October 10, 1789.

Allen, born in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., May 3, 1793.

Our father, Jared Pratt, son of Obadiah and Jemima Pratt,

received in marriage Mary Carpenter, daughter of Samuel Carpenter,

of New Lebanon, N. Y. She bore him one daughter, named Mary, and

afterwards died. This daughter married a Mr. Brown, of New Lebanon,

and bore one son, named Jerome Brown. She afterwards lost her

husband, and was married to Samuel Bigalow, of New Lebanon; they

may be still living at that place.

Our father, Jared, afterwards received in marriage Charity

Dickison, daughter of Samuel Dickison, of Bolton, N. Y. I remember

seeing him once (Dickison) when a small boy.

Our father, Jared, died at Detroit, Michigan, of a fever,

November 5, 1839, being near seventy years of age. He died in the

house of his eldest son, Anson, who buried him some three or four

miles north or northeast from Detroit, in Michigan.

Our mother, Charity, died of cholera in the house of her son

Anson, at St. Joseph, Missouri, May 20, 1849, and was buried in the

graveyard of that town, and a tombstone erected to her memory.

Their children, five in number, were as follows:

Anson, born January 9, 1801, died May 26, 1849.

William D., born September 3, 1802, Town of Wooster, New York,

died September 15, 1870, Salt Lake City.

Parley P., born April 12, 1807, in Burlington, Otsego County,

New York.

Orson, born September 19, 1811, in Hartford, Washington Go. New

York.

Nelson, born May 26, 1815.

Transcriber's Note

------------------------

This text was prepared by Tom Nysetvold, based on public-domain

materials including a text available from the Book of Abraham Project

and text and scans available from Archive.org. It is intended to

reproduce the 1888 Chicago edition. Email tomnysetvold@gmail.com with

corrections or to participate in proofreading of similar early books of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.