Resolved, That the Message of the Governor, communicated to the House on the 20th inst., be referred to committees as follows: 15th. So much as relates to the recent difficulties between the people called Mormons, and a portion of the people of this State, to a select committee of seven members, to act jointly with such committee as may be appointed by the Senate, with instructions to inquire into the cause of said disturbances, and the conduct of the military operations in suppressing them, with power to send for persons and papers.

        In Senate, Tuesday, December 18, 1838.
    Mr. Turner, from the joint committee on the Mormon investigation, submitted the following report, preamble and resolutions: The joint committee to whom was referred so much of the Gover

 

                  2                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    They have thought it unwise and injudicious under all the existing circumstances of this case, to predicate a report upon the papers, documents, etc., purporting to be copies of the evidence taken before an examining court, held in Richmond, in Ray county, for the purpose of inquiring into the charges alleged against the people called Mormons growing out of the late difficulties between that people and other citizens of this state.
    They consider the evidence adduced in the examination there held, in a great degree, exparte, and not of the character which should be desired for the basis of a fair and candid investigation. Moreover, the papers, documents, etc., have not been certified in such manner as to satisfy the committee of their authenticity.
    It has been represented to them that the examining court has sent on for further trial, many of that class of citizens called Mormons, charged with various crimes and offenses; under the charge of treason, six; for murder and as accessories thereto, before and after the fact, eight; and for other felonies, twenty-seven. Special terms of the circuit court are expected to be held in the several counties, in which the above mentioned crimes are represented to have been committed. Grand juries will then have these charges against said people before them, and must act upon the same documentary evidence which the committee would necessarily be compelled to examine, by which circumstance two co-ordinate branches of this government may be brought into collision—a contingency that should be studiously avoided and cautiously guarded against.
    Another insuperable objection that has presented itself to the mind of the committee, and which would induce them to suspend an investigation, under present and existing circumstances, would be the consequences likely to result from a publication of their report. Those persons who have been sent on for further trial, have guaranteed to them the sacred and constitutional right of "a speedy trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage," and if the guilt of the accused should be confirmed by the report of the committee, it would so prejudice public sentiment against them, as to deprive them of that right, which should not be taken away by any consideration involved in this inquiry. If the committee were to find it necessary in the prosecution of their object, to have access to the papers, documents, etc., connected this difficulty, the probable interference of the several courts in session, might seriously interrupt their views. It might reasonably be expected that all the evidence of every description, would be in the possession of the courts, to be used on the final trial, and that means the investigation would be protracted to a much greater length

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 3                          

                  4                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    § 1. A joint committee shall be appointed to investigate the causes of the late disturbances between the people called Mormons and other inhabitants of this state, and the conduct of the military operations in repressing them; which committee shall consist of two senators, to be

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 5                          

                  6                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 7                          

    The bill from the Senate, entitled “an act to investigate the late disturbances in this State,” was read a first time, when Mr. Wright moved that the bill be laid on the table, until the 4th day of July next, and upon this question Mr. Primm desired the ayes and nays, which were ordered, and decided in the affirmative, as follows: AYES- Messrs. Acock, Ashby, Biggs, Bollinger, Booth, Brown of Franklin, Burchartt, Canole, Cannefax, Caldwell, Carson, Carstarphen, Chiles of Jackson, Clark of Linn, Cowan, Enloe, Emmerson, Fisher, Fulkerson, Gore, Hall, Hancock, Harris, Hickcox, Holliman, Jackson of Audrain, Jackson of Howard, Kemp, Kincheloe, McLean, Miller, Minnis, Montgomery of Benton, Montgomery of Pulaski, Morehead, Morin, Morris, Persinger, Polk, Ritchie, Russell, Smith, Thompson, Wat-

 

                  8                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 9                          

    Since your last session the unpleasant difficulties between a portion of the citizens of our State and the Mormons have entirely subsided, with the exception of some slight interruptions on our northeastern border. -- After that infatuated and deluded sect have left our State they industriously propagated throughout the Union, the most exaggerated details of our difficulties and the foulest calumnies against our citizens. In some of our eastern cities, missionaries of their creed were employed daily in making converts to their cause by proclaiming the cruelty which they alleged they had endured at the hands of our authorities. The report of our alleged barbarities has not been confined to our Union, but even at this day in Europe they are made the ground work of proselyting, and their orators have it to their interest to distort the facts into a persecution, which in every religious excitement that has marked the history of the earth, has always been found the most effective method of conversions.
    In all intestine commotions, particularly when mingled with religious fervor, it frequently happens that cases occur of peculiar hardship and unusual distress, and when public sympathy is excited in their behalf, these unavoidable consequences of civil dissension may easily be magnified into barbarous cruelty— that such cases arose in the course of the difficulty, I do not doubt.—But they must be attributed to the excited nature of the contest of the parties and not to any desire on the part of our constituted authorities to willfully or cruelly oppr[ress] them.
    These people had violated the laws of the land by open and avowed resistance to them—they had undertaken without the aid of the civil authority to redress their real or fancied grievances [sic]—they had instituted among themselves a government of their own, independent of and in opposition to the government of this State—they had, at an inclem-

 

                  10                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    We owe to our reputation. both at home and abroad, the duty of cleansing every aspersion that may rest upon it. Our State character should be held equally as dear as our individual reputation and we should use the same exertion in maintaining the one as spotless as the other. Full testimony as to all the necessary facts of that controversy has been preserved or can easily be procured. Written evidence, on both sides, has been filed among the papers of your last session, forms part also of the records of several of your courts. The facts, as they occurred, can be presented to the world upon proof perfectly conclusive, and the reputation of our State can be rescued from reproach by an exposition of the true causes and events of these difficulties.

    In recommending the publication of this testimony, I have no care about its effect upon the principles of that sect. Our constitution has given us the high privilege of religious independence, and left the worship of the Supreme to the unfettered will of every member of the community. If true, the creed of that sect will ultimately triumph; if false, it will “die amidst its worshippers.'' To explain the attitude which we have been made to assume, I would recommend the publication of all the evidence relating to the occurence [sic] and distributing the same to the chief authorities of each State.

    Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring :

    That two thousand copies of the evidence taken before the. examining court in relation to Mormon difficulties, and such of the letters orders and correspondence on that subject on file in the office of the Secretary of State, as may be selected by a joint committee of the two Houses, shall be published in pamphlet form, under the direction of the Secretary of State; that one copy, in lieu of the manuscript copies heretofore ordered, be sent to our delegation in Congress, to be laid before the Houses to which they respectively belong, one to each member of Congress, and the residue be distributed among the members of the General Assembly. Approved Feb. 16, 1841.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 11                          

    Gentlemen:—In reply to your letter of this date on the subject of the letters, orders, correspondence, &c, in this office, relating to the origin &c. of the difficulties with the Mormons, I have the honor to state that the committee is now in possession of all such letters, &c. Very Respectfully,
    JAS. L. MINOR, Secretary of State.

    City of Jefferson, Mo., Feb. 17, 1841.

    The joint committee of the General Assembly appointed to examine the documents, orders, evidence and correspondence in the office of the Secretary of Stale, in relation to the causes, origin, history and termination of the Mormon disturbances, have done so, and are of opinion that all such documents ought to be published under the resolution of the General Assembly, without suppressing any part thereof.
    These documents would consist of the following parts:
    1. The entire evidence taken before Judge King, sitting as an examining court, together with the written statement (or sentence) of Judge King appended thereto.
    2. All the communications to the Governor of the public meetings or from citizens complaining of the conduct of the Mormons and asking for military aid.
    3. All communications to the Governor from the Mormons complaining of the conduct of the citizens of the county and asking for protection.

 

                  12                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 13                          

    GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MISSOURI, House of Representatives, Thursday, November 22, 1838.

   On motion of Mr. Geyer, it was

   Resolved, that. the Governor be requested to communicate to this house all the information in his possession in relation to the recent difficulties between the people called the Mormons, and a portion of the people of this State, copies of all orders issued by the Executive calling into service volunteers and militia, and for the government thereof, and for the conduct of the military operations, with copies of all correspondence in relation to said difficulties; and the military operations authorized by the Governor.

    [Extract from the Journal of the House of Representatives, Page 24.]

    The Governor to the General Assembly.

    City of Jefferson, December 5, 1838,
    To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the State of Missouri.

    Gentlemen:-In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 22 ulto. requesting the Governor to communicate to the House "all information in his possession in relation to the recent difficulties, between the people called Mormons and a portion of the people of this State, copies of all orders issued by the Executive calling into service volunteers and militia, and for the government thereof, and for the conduct of the military operations, with copies of all correspondence in relation to said difficulties, and the military operations authorized by the Governor:" I have now the honor herewith to transmit the information required, including Major General Clark's report, and a portion of the testimony taken upon the examination of the Mormon prisoners, before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the fifth Judicial Circuit, at Richmond in Ray county. It will be seen from the report of General Clark that he has made arrangements to procure the residue of the testimony. which, when received, will be transmitted to the House.

 

                  14                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 15                          

    State of Missouri, County of Daviess. }ss.
    Before me, William Dryden, one of the Justices of the Peace of said county, personally came Adam Black, who being duly sworn according to law, deposith and saith: that on, or about the 8th day of August, 1838, in the county of Daviess, then came an armed force of men, said to be 154, to the best of my information and surrounded his house and family and threatened him with instant death if he did not sign a certain instrument of writing, binding himself as a Justice of the Peace for said county of Daviess, not to molest the people called Mormons, and threatened the lives of myself and other individuals, and did say they intended to make every citizen sign such obligation, and further said they intended to have satisfaction for abuse they had received on Monday pervious, and they would not submit to the laws; and further saith, that from the best information and his own personal knowledge, that Andrew Ripley, George Smith, Ephraim Owens, Harvey Umstead, Hiram Nelson, A. Brown, John. L. Butler, Cornellius Lott, John Woods, H. Redfield, Riley Stuart, James Whitacre, Andrew Thor, Amos Tubbs, Dr. Gourze and Abram Nelson was guilty of aiding and abetting in committing and perpetrating the above offence.
    Sworn to and subscribed this 28th day of August, 1838.
    W. Dryden Justice of the Peace of the county aforesaid. } Adam Black

    Brunswick, September 1, 1838.
    His Excellency LILBURN W. BOGGS:
    DEAR SIR:—Our country is in a complete ferment, and our families are rendered daily unhappy in consequence of the reports which are constantly coming in concerning the hostile intentions of the Mormons and their allies, as it is currently reported and believed that they have ingratiated themselves with the Indians, and indeed they say so, to assist them in their diabolical career.
    The fears of the people are greatly excited, and nothing is now talked of but the contemplated struggle, and plans seem to be devising all around us for the most efficient protection against their encroachments. A deadly hostility is kept constantly alive on their borders, and our old neighbors and friends are petitioning help from abroad to relieve them in their present difficulties. Being remote from the immediate vicinity of the Mormon troubles, we can give but little of au-

 

                  16                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 17                          

    CARROLLTON, MISSOURI, SEPTEMBER 6, 1838.

    Hon. L. W. BOGGS, Governor of Missouri.

    SIR:-I am requested by the committee of safety appointed for Carroll county, to forward to your honor, a copy of an affidavit, made by John N. Sapp, the contents of which, they have every reason to believe are true; they wish your honor, if you should consider the same advisable, to acquaint the Indian agents on our frontier with that part of the affidavit which relates to the Indians.
    I have the honor to be,
    With great respect, your obd't servant,
    JOSEPH DICKSON.

    State of Missouri County of Carroll.}

    I, John N. Sapp, do solemnly swear that I resided in Daviess county, State aforesaid, for about the space of five months, and was a member of the church of the people styled Mormons, and that I left them about the 15th day of August last by stealth. When I left them they (said people styled Mormons) were building block houses, and calculated this fall to build fortifications for the protection of themselves and families in time of war, for which they were making every arrangement, and the understanding is, that each man has to cultivate one acre of land, and if the produce raised on said acre is not sufficient for their maintainance [sic], and that of their families, they are to take the balance from the Missourians, (thereby meaning the people of other denominations;) and I do further say there are betwixt eight and ten hundred men, well armed and equipped, who have taken an oath to support Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight, in opposition to the laws of the State of Missouri, or otherwise, which said men are called Danites; and I was a member of said body of Danites, and have taken the above oath; and I do further say, I have heard Sidney Rigdon and Lyman Wight say, they had twelve men of their church among the Indian and that their object was to induce the Indians to join them (the said Mormons,) in making war upon the Missourians, and they expected to be fully prepared to commence war this fall, or next spring at furthest. And I also say, the Danites aforesaid, are sworn to cowhide any person or persons, who may say aught against Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight, and if that will not prevent them from speaking about said Smith and Wight, then they are to assassinate them.
    JOHN N. SAPP. X his mark
    Subscribed and sworn to before me, Joseph Dickson,, Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Carroll, State of Missouri on the 4th of September, 1838.

 

                  18                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Davies county, Sept. 12, 1838

    To his Excellency, the Governor of the State of Missouri:

    We, the citizens of the counties of Daviess and Livingston, represent to your honor that a crisis has come, which we believe requires us, as the legitimate citizens of Missouri, to call on the Executive of State for protection. For several weeks past, the Mormons have been making formidable preparations for a civil war, and one which they are pleased to call a war of extermination. We presume that your honor is apprised of the attack made on Adam Black, Esq., on the 8th of August, by the Mormons, and shall not enter into a detail of it here, but we will apprise your honor that the Mormons have and keep a lawless armed force stationed in our country, and are constantly throwing out menaces, threats and challenges to our citizens. Influenced by fearful apprehensions of danger, we, the people of the above counties, sent an Express to Richmond last week for arms and ammunition, and on their return with their load of guns, say, forty-five, several kegs of powder and two hundred pounds of lead, they were intercepted on Sunday last, in passing through Caldwell county, by a banditti of those fanatical enthusiasts, made prisoners of, and taken to Far West, where they, the guard and the above munitions of war, are still held in custody. On Sunday last, an armed force of fifty Mormons left their own encampment in this county, and marched to the territory of Livingston County, for the purpose, as they said, of removing a considerable amount of property, which was subject to a lien, held by Mr. James Weldon; they passed into the settlement secretly, and falling in with a family which they suspected would alarm the settlement, they violently seized, and made prisoners of the whole family, which consisted of three men and two ladies, all of whom, with three others of our citizens, we believe are still held in the custody of those rebels, and deprived of their liberties. Our country, sir, is in a distressed situation; probably two-thirds of the families of Daviess County have left, and gone to seek protection among the neighboring counties, while a few of the old settlers are still here, and are determined only to surrender their houses with their lives. For about four weeks, we have been humbly and unceasingly petitioning our neighboring counties for aid, but we are yet in a helpless and defenseless condition.
    We, therefore, the people of the above counties, being well aware

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 19                          

    Head Quarters, 3d Div. Mo. Mi.
    Richmond, September 12, 1838. }

    Sir:-From information received from the counties of Daviess and Caldwell, within the bounds of this Division, I am well convinced, that an insurrection does actually exist, and upon the urgent solicitations citizens of both counties, and also upon the petition of citizens of the adjoining counties, I have deemed it my: duty to order out an armed force to put down such insurrection, and to assist the civil officers in the execution of the laws; also to prevent, as far as possible, the effusion of blood, and to restore quiet, if possible, to the community. This I have done by the advice of the Judge of this circuit. I have ordered four companies, of fifty men each, from the Militia of Clay county, and a like number, from the Militia of Ray county. I have also ordered, four hundred men in addition, to hold themselves in readiness, if required. The troops ordered out are mounted riflemen, with the exception of one company of infantry, who are also mounted. Those troops will proceed immediately to the scene of excitement and insurrection. The

 

                  20                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    P. S. I have also required the services of Col. Wiley C. Williams, your aid, and much is expected from his influence and efficiency.

    HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MILITIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
    August 30, 1838.
    Gen. DAVID R. ATCHISON, 3d Div. Mo. Mi.

    SIR:- Indications of Indian disturbances on our immediate frontier, and the recent civil disturbances in the counties of Caldwell, Daviess and Carroll, render it necessary as a precautionary measure, that an effective force of the militia be held in readiness, to meet either contingency. The Commander-in-Chief, therefore orders, that you cause to be raised immediately, within the limits of your Division, to be held in readiness, and subject to further orders, four hundred mounted men, armed and equipped as infantry or riflemen, and formed into companies according to law under officers already in commission.
    The Commander-in-Chief suggests the propriety of your causing the above order to be carried into effect, in a manner calculated to produce as little excitement as possible, and report your proceedings to him through the Adjutant General.
    By order of the Commander-in-Chief, B. M. LISLE, Adjutant General.

    [A similar letter was also addressed to Major Generals John B. Clark, Samuel D. Lucas, David Willock, Lewis Bolton, Henry W. Crowther and Thomas D. Grant.]

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                21                          

    To His Excellency, L. W. BOGGS, Governor of the State of Missouri.

    Your petitioner, William Dryden, an acting justice of the peace, within and for Daviess county, would respectfully represent, that the counties of Daviess, Caldwell and Livingston are settled, in part, by a denomination of people called Mormons. These Mormons, to the number of about fifteen hundred men, have associated themselves together, and have resisted, and do resist with force of arms, legal process against persons belonging to their denomination: Your petitioner further states, that on the 29th day of August last past, Adam Black appeared before me, and made oath, that Andrew Ripley, George Smith and others, had been guilty of a high offense, known to the law, in substance, as follows, to-wit: That on, or about the 8th day of August, 1838, in Daviess county, there came an armed force to his, (Black's house,) in said county, among whom, the said Ripley, Smith and other persons named in said affidavit, were a part, and then and there, with deadly weapons, made an assault upon him, (the said Black,) and then, and there, threatened him (Black, who was then an acting justice of the peace, within and for Daviess county aforesaid,) with instant death, if he did not sign a certain instrument writing, binding himself, as a justice of the peace of said county of Daviess, not to molest the people called Mormons, and threatened the lives of himself, (the said Black) and others, and said they intended to make every citizen of said county sign such obligation, &c.
    Your petitioner further states, that he immediately issued a writ pursuant to law, for the arrest of the said Andrew Ripley, George Smith and others, commanding the officer, entrusted with the execution of said writ, after the arrest, to bring the bodies of the persons therein named, forthwith before your petitioner, to answer the complaint and further to be dealt with according, to law. There being no constable within the township of which I am justice, he having been driven from the county by, and through fear of the Mormons, and your petitioner believing that said writ would not be executed, unless a special deputy was made for that purpose, your petitioner, then and there, appointed Nathaniel H. Blakely a special deputy, to serve said writ, and said appointment was endorsed on said writ, and signed by myself officially, and then and there delivered to the said Blakely. Your petitioner further states, that the said Blakely, took the said writ, and summoned a guard, consisting of ten men, who went in search of the persons named in said writ, for the purpose of executing said writ, but the said constable returned, that the persons named in said writ, were not found in said county, by reason of himself and guard having been driven, by force, from the town, in said county, in which the offenders were supposed there to be. The said affidavit, writ and return, are herewith respectfully submitted to your Excellency.

 

                 22                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Executive Department, City of Jefferson, Sept. 15, 1838.
    To the Adjutant General.

    Sir:-You will issue an order to Maj. Gen. Atchison, commanding the 3rd Division of the Militia of this State, and direct him to cause a sufficient force of the troops under his command, to aid the civil officers within the county of Daviess, in executing such writs of process as may be legally within the province of their respective duties, and especially, to furnish the officers charged with the service of the writ, mentioned in the foregoing petition of William Dryden, justice of the peace in Daviess county, with a force sufficient to enable him to execute said process, and bring the offenders to justice.
    L. W. Boggs, Commander-in-Chief.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 23                          

    HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MILITIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
    City of Jefferson, Sept. 15, 1838. }
    Gen. DAVID R. ATCHISON, 3d Div. Mo. Mi.

    Sir:-Information has recently been received by the Commander-in Chief, that the officers entrusted with the administration of the law within and for Daviess county, are wholly unable so to do, without the presence and assistance of an armed force. The Commander-in-Chief, therefore orders, that without delay, you cause to be raised a sufficient force of the troops under your command, and with said troops, aid the civil officers within and for said county, to execute, all writs, and other process, with the service of which, they may be charged; and your are especially directed, with said sufficient force, to aid and assist the officer charged with the execution of certain writ, issued by William Dryden, a justice of the peace within and for said county, on the 29th of August last past, for the arrest of Andrew Ripley, George Smith, and others, named in said writ, to execute the same, and bring the offenders to justice.
    By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
    B. M. LISLE, Adj. Gen., Mo. Mi.

    HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MILITIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
    City of Jefferson, Sept. 18, 1838.
    To Capt. CHILDS, Commander of the Boonville Guards.

    Sir:-You will cause your company to be held in readiness and mounted, each man with ten day's provisions, and the necessary arms and ammunition, to proceed, immediately upon the order of the Governor, with him to the scene of difficulty, in the counties of Daviess and Caldwell. Your action upon the subject is required to be immediate and prompt.
    The Commander-in-Chief hopes and calculates upon the Boonville Guards using, every exertion in their power, to procure horses, and of their being in readiness to march upon his arrival in Boonville, which will be about the end of this week.
    By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
    B. M. LISLE, Adj. Gen., Mo. Mi.

 

                  24                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MILITIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
    City of Jefferson, Sept. 19, 1838.
    Maj. Gen. S. D. LUCAS, 4th Div. Mo. Mi. Independence, Mo.

    Sir:-On the 30th ultimo, an order was directed to you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised and held in readiness, subject to further orders from the Commander-in-Chief. Information has just reached the Executive, that an insurrection actually exists in the counties of Daviess and Caldwell. You will, therefore, march immediately with the number of men ordered from your Division, to the scene of difficulties, and co-operate with Gen. Atchison and other officers in restoring quiet to the country, and suppressing the insurrection. Each man will furnish himself with at least ten day's provisions, and the necessary arms and ammunition. Your action on this subject is required to be prompt and immediate. You will, of course, give the preference to volunteer companies already organized, that are subject by law to be ordered out en masse.
    By order of the Commander-in-Chief
    B. M. LISLE, Adj. Gen. Mo. Mi.
    [A similar letter was addressed to Maj. Generals Lewis Bolton, John B. Clark and Thomas D. Grant.]

    Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 3d Division Missouri Militia.
    Camp at Grand River, September 15, 1838.
    Major General David R. Atchison, Commanding 3d Division Missouri Militia.

    Sir:-In pursuance of your orders, dated 11th instant, I issued orders to Colonel William A. Dunn, commanding the 28th regiment, to raise four companies of mounted riflemen, consisting of fifty men each; also to Colonel John Boulware, commanding 70th regiment, to raise two companies of mounted riflemen, consisting each of like number, to start forthwith for service in the counties of Caldwell and Daviess. "On the same day Colonel Dunn obtained the four companies of volunteers required from the 28th regiment, and on the morning of the 12th I took the command in person, and marched to the line of Caldwell, at which point I ordered the colonels to march the regiments to the timber on Crooked River. I then started for Far West, the county seat of Caldwell, accompanied by my aid alone. On arriving at that place, I found

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                25                          

                  26                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Headquarters 3d Division Missouri Militia,
    Grand River, September 17, 1838.
    To His Excellency, the Commander in Chief.

    Sir:-I arrived at the County seat of this county, Daviess, on the evening of the 15th instant, with the troops raised from the militia of Ray County, when I was joined by the troops from Clay County under the command of General Doniphan. In the same neighborhood I found from two to three hundred men in arms, principally from the counties of Livingston, Carroll, and Saline. These men were embodied under the pretext of defending the citizens of Daviess County against the Mormons, and were operating under the orders of a Dr. Austin from Carroll County. The citizens of Daviess, or a large portion of them, residing on each side of Grand River, had left their farms and removed their families either to the adjoining counties or collected them together at a place called the Camp Ground. The whole county on the east side of Grand River appears to be deserted, with the exception of a few who are not so timid as their neighbors.
    The Mormons of Daviess County have also left their farms, and have encamped for safety at a place immediately on the east bank of Grand River, called Adam-ondi-ahman. The numbers are supposed to be about two hundred and fifty men, citizens of Daviess County, and from fifty to one hundred men, citizens of Caldwell County. Both parties have been scouting through the country, and occasionally taking prisoners, and threatening and insulting each other; but as yet no blood has been shed. I have ordered all armed men from adjoining counties to repair to their homes; the Livingston County men and others to the amount of one hundred men, have returned, and there remain now about one hundred and fifty who will, I am in hopes, return in a few days. I have been informed by the Mormons, that all of those who have been charged with a violation of the laws will be in to-day for trial; when that is done the troops under my command will be no longer required in this county, if the citizens of other counties will return to their respective homes. I have proposed to leave two companies of fifty men each in this county, and discharge the remainder of the troops; said two companies will remain for the preservation of order, until peace and confidence are restored. I also enclose to your Excellency the report of General Doniphan, and refer you for particulars to Major Rogers. I have the honor to be your obd't servant,
    D. R. ATCHISON,
    Maj. Gen. 3d Div. Mo. Mi. (RLDS, 2: 194-195).

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 27                          

    Sir:-The troops ordered out for the purpose of putting down the insurrection supposed to exist in the counties of Daviess and Caldwell were discharged on the 20th instant, with the exception of two companies of the Ray militia, now stationed in the county of Daviess, under the command of Brigadier General Parks. It was deemed necessary in the state of excitement in that county that those companies should remain there for a short period longer, say some twenty days, until confidence and tranquillity [sic] should be restored. All the offenders against the law in that county, against whom process was taken out, were arrested and brought before a court of inquiry, and recognized to appear at the circuit court. Mr. Thomas C. Birch attended to the prosecuting on the part of the State. The citizens of other counties who came in armed to the assistance of the citizens of Daviess County, have dispersed and returned to their respective homes, and the Mormons have also returned to their homes; so that I consider the insurrection, for the present at least, to be at an end. From the best information I can get there are about two hundred and fifty Mormon families in Daviess County, nearly one half of the population, and the whole of the Mormon forces in Daviess, Caldwell, and the adjoining counties, is estimated at from thirteen to fifteen hundred men, capable of bearing arms.
    If an attack is made upon the Mormons in Daviess county, for the purpose of driving them from that county, it is very much to be feared that the Mormons, to a man, will assist the Mormons of the county; this will be the case I have no doubt. I will further inform your Excellency, that the Mormons are well armed, most of them being equipped with a good rifle or musket, a brace of large belt pistols, and a broad sword, so that from their position, and their fanaticism, and their unalterable determination not to be driven, much blood will be spilt, and much suffering endured, if a blow is once struck, without the interposition of your Excellency.
    Majors Rogers, I presume, has given your Excellency a history of the

 

                  28                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    DEAR SIR:-Since my letter to you, on yesterday, I have received divers and sundry communications from Grand River, all going to show that the people in that quarter, on both sides, need protection, and nothing but an armed force can do it.
    The Mormons, named in the warrant issued by Esquire Dryden, will not be taken, and I send you a letter* [*this letter does not appear in the testimony on file] from Smith and Rigdon, which may be of service to me hereafter, and I hope you will preserve it. From that, you can learn somewhat the state of affairs. I do not know of any authority I have to direct your movements in the matter, but I will advise you, and hope you deem it your duty to act in the matter, to send a force, say of two hundred men or more if necessary, and from the circumstances, more may be necessary. Dispel the forces in Daviess, and all the assembled armed forces in Caldwell, and while there, cause those Mormons who refuse to give up, to surrender and be recognized, for it will not do to compromise the law with them. I shall inform the Governor of what I have advised, and I have no doubt but he will approve of it; to take time to send to him before hand, will be

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 29                          

   DEAR SIR:-The undersigned are fully impressed with a belief, that there is an insurrection on foot, in the counties of Caldwell and Daviess, in this State, between the Mormons and other citizens of this State. The citizens of Daviess have a Mormon in custody as a prisoner, who they took as a spy; and the Mormons in Caldwell have three men, to-wit: John Comer, Wm. McHany and Allen Miller, taken and confined as prisoners. They were, taken in passing from Ray through Caldwell to Daviess. The undersigned, therefore, earnestly request you order out the militia, to suppress this insurrection, and to save the effusion of blood, which must speedily take place unless prevented. H. W. Lile, G. B. Thacken, Jesse Coates, Anderson Martin, Wade Hall, John McGee, P.R. Wirt, Geo. Woodward, W. C. Williams, Jas. S. Ball, J. W. Wall, A. B. Sherwood, Isaac Manson, Lewis L. Jacoby, Joel Jacobs, A. H. Ringo, John N. Hughes, Jacob Riffe, Allen Ball, Meril M. White, James Johnson, J. R. Hendley. Houston Long, W. P. Boyce, C. R. Morehead, W. C. Pollard, Nathan Conner, Sept. 10, 1838. S. L. D. W. Shaw.

    To His Excellency, LILBURN W. BOGGS, Governor of the, State of Missouri.

    Your petitioners, citizens of the county of Carroll, do hereby petition your Excellency, praying for relief: That whereas, your petitioners have, on the 20th inst., been sorely aggrieved, by being beset by a lawless mob, certain inhabitants of this and other counties, to the injury of the good citizens of this and the adjacent places; that on the aforesaid day, came from one hundred to one hundred and fifty armed men, and threatened, with force and violence, to drive certain peaceable citizens from their homes, in defiance of all law, and threatened then

 

                  30                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,
    City of Jefferson, Sept. 22, 1838, 5 o'clock P. M.
    To His Excellency L. W. BOGGS, Gov. Mo.

    SIR:-The accompanying two letters, or reports, from Major General Atchison, and Brigadier General Doniphan, on the subject of the Mormon difficulties, the former directed to your Excellency, and the latter from General Doniphan to General Atchison, have just been received by express; deeming them of sufficient importance to justify sending them to you by express, I have engaged Jesse B. Barber, Esqr., for that purpose, who will leave some time to-night, or very early in the morning.
    From the tenor of these papers, it would appear there is no necessity for the troops that have been raised for this Division to march. The commanding officer, however, does not consider that, he would be justified in disbanding them, or suspending, for a few days, operations without express orders from the Commander-in-Chief. He has accordingly, a few moments ago, taken np [up] the line of march for the scene of difficulties.
    I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, &c.,
    PETER G. GLOVER.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 31                          

    SIR:-Your order through the Adjutant General, of the 15th inst., was received on the 22nd inst. Your Excellency will perceive from a former report, that an armed force was ordered out under my Command, from the militia of the third Division, to put down an insurrection supposed to exist in the Counties of Caldwell and Daviess, and to assist the civil officers in the Counties to bring offenders to trial, and otherwise enforce the laws. I now again inform your Excellency, that all offenders against the laws in these counties, against Whom process was issued, and particularly the persons in the writ named, issued by William Dryden, a Justice of the peace for the county of Daviess, were brought before a court of inquiry, and recognized to appear at the Circuit Court; and Brigadier General Parks was left in said county of Daviess, with two companies, of fifty men each, for the purpose of enforcing the laws, under the direction of the civil officers, and from the facts as far as I could learn them, one hundred men were amply sufficient for all purposes of enforcing law, keeping down insurrection, &c.
    I have the honor to be, &c.,
    DAVID R. ATCHISON,
    Maj. Gen. 3d Div. Mo., Mi.

    Sir:-The Commander-in-Chief, having this morning received information, by express, that the civil disturbances in the counties Daviess and Caldwell have been, quieted, and order restored to the community; he therefore orders that the troops under your command destined for that service be immediately discharged.
    The Commander-in-Chief avails himself of the present occasion, to tender to you, and through you to the troops under your, command his thanks for the prompt manner in which they responded to the call of their country.
    By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
    B. M. LISLE, Adjutant General, Mo. Mi.

    [A similar letter was also sent to Major Generals H. W. Crowther, S. D. Lucas, and Lewis Bolton]

 

                  32                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    His Excellency, Lilburn W. Boggs, Commander-in-Chief.

    SIR:- I received this morning, after my return from a tour in the upper part of this county, with a detail of the troops under my command, in assisting the constable in bringing offenders against the laws to justice, your dispatch to Major General Atchison, which I took the liberty to open. The Major General left here with the troops from Clay and Ray, except two companies from Ray ordered to remain under my command, on the 18th inst.; since that time I have been employed in assisting the peace officers to execute laws, and in bringing offenders to justice. I am happy to inform you that there is not any necessity to use a larger force here at present; that now under my command I deem amply sufficient for the present purpose; should occasion require it, I have thought I could detach a sufficient force from the Brigade under my command. Whatever may have been the disposition of the people called Mormons, before our arrival here, since we have made our appearance they have shown no disposition to resist the laws, or of hostile intentions.
    I deemed it my duty to visit their town in this county, and as soon as they saw the militia interpose between them and the people of this, and some of adjoining counties who had assembled in arms, they went to work, abandoned their hostile attitude, and at this time peace and tranquility has every appearance of being restored. How things may maintain their present attitude, I know not, but if the Maj. General had not taken the field with sufficient force, as promptly as he did, there is every reason to fear a dreadful conflict would have ensued. On next Saturday there will be brought to trial some fifteen or twenty individuals, of the Mormons, before a Justice of the Peace; a committee has been appointed on behalf of the citizens of Daviess county, to meet the Mormons on to morrow, for the purpose of proposing to buy or sell out to them; they will meet at Adam-on-diamon, when I will attend with a force to unsure tranquility.
    There has been so much prejudice and exaggeration concerned in this matter, that I found things on my arrival here, totally different from what I was prepared to expect. It is true that a great excitement did prevail between the parties, and I am happy to say that my exertions, as well as those of Major General Atchison, and the officers and men under my command, have been crowned with success. When we arrived here, we found a large body of men from the counties adjoining, armed and in the field, for the purpose, as I learned, of assisting the people of this county against the Mormons, without being called out by the proper authorities. This force, the Major General very prompt1y

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 33                          

    P. S. Since writing the above, I received information that if the committee do not agree, the determination of the Daviess County men is to drive the Mormons with powder and lead; should any further measures take place, of importance, I will immediately advise the Major General of the Division thereof.
    H. G. Parks, Brig. Gen. [See: Millennial Star, vol. 16, p. 295].

    HEAD QUARTERS, 2d Brig. 3d Div.
    Mill Port, Sept. 25, 1838.

    MAJOR GENERAL ATCHISON.

    DEAR SIR:-I received this morning a dispatch from the Governor directed to you, which I took the liberty to open and advise you thereof. You will see by the letter of the Commander-in-Chief that he is brining into the field a large body of troops, as I understand, under command of four Major Generals. I have thought it my duty to advise the Commander in-Chief that I deemed the forces now under my command amply sufficient to preserve tranquility and enforce the laws. Since my last to you by Mr. Stone, I have been at this place, employed in fulfilling the orders left by you. I am happy to be able to state to you, that the deeper excitement existing between the parties has in a great degree ceased, and so far I have had no occasion to resort to force, in assisting the constables. On to-morrow a committee from Daviess County meets a committee of the Mormons at Adam-ondi-ahman, to propose to them to buy or sell, and I expect to be there. On Saturday the 29th inst. there are fifteen or twenty of the Mormons cited to trial at Gallatin, where, Lyman Wight has pledged himself to me, they will attend. The officers and men are all in good health at present, and have been actively employed in the above duties. I have this moment heard a threat, thrown out by the men of this county, that should the above measures fail, their intention is to drive the Mormons with powder and led from this county. How far such a measure

 

                  34                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Liberty, September 27, 1838.
    To the Commander-in-Chief.

    Sir:-I received a communication by express on the 26th inst., together with a report from Brigadier General Parks, who is in command of the troops, left by me in Daviess county. I have made two reports to your Excellency, one sent by Maj. Rogers, and the other by mail, neither of which I presume your Excellency has received; one dated the 17th of September, the other the 20th of September. The force under General Parks is deemed sufficient to execute the laws and keep the peace in that county, things are not so bad in that county as represented by rumor, and in fact from affidavits I have no doubt your Excellency has been deceived by the exaggerated statements of designing or half crazy men. I have found there is no cause of alarm on account of the Mormons; they are not to be feared; they are very much alarmed. I transmit a report made to me by General Parks, dated 25th of September, and from that report I learn that the General has reported to your Excellency.
    I have the honor to be &c.
    DAVID R. ATCHISON.
    Maj. Gen. 3d Div. Mo. Mi. [See: History of the LDS Church, vol. 3:85].

    Boonville, Mo., October 4, 1838.

    Dear Sir:—As we passed down the Missouri River, on Monday last, we saw a large force of Mormons at De Witt in Carroll county, under arms. Their commander, Col. Hinkle, formerly of Caldwell county, informed me that there were two hundred, and that they were hourly expecting an attack from the citizens of Carroll county, who, he said, were then encamped only six miles from there, waiting for a reinforcement from Saline county. Hinkle said they had determined to fight. News had just been received at this place, through Dr. Scott of Fayette, that a fight took place on yesterday, and that several persons were killed. Dr. Scott informed me that he got his information from a gentleman of respectability, who had heard the firing of their guns as he passed down. If a fight has actually taken place, of which I have no

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 35                          

    Sir:—I have just received by express, a communication from Brig. Gen. Parks, a copy of which I herewith transmit. It seems, sir, that the Mormon difficulties are not brought to a close. In Carroll county the citizens arc in arms. for the purpose of driving the Mormons from that county. I have authorized Gen. Parks, if he deems it necessary, to call for the troops raised in the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, under the order from your Excellency, or as many of them as are deemed necessary. The following is a copy of Gen. Parks' communication:

    HEAD QUARTERS, 2d Brig. 3d Div. Richmond, Oct. 3, 1838. }

    DEAR Sir.:—I received this morning an affidavit from Carroll county. The following is a copy:
    Henry Root, on his oath, states, that on the night of the 1st of October, there was collected in the vicinity of De Witt an armed force, consisting of from thirty to fifty persons, and on the morning of the 2nd of October, came into the town of De Witt and fired on the civil inhabitants of that place. Thirteen of said individuals were seen by me in that place, and I believe there is actually an insurrection in that place.
    (Signed) HENRY ROOT.
    Subscribed and sworn to this 3d day of October, 1838.
    WILLIAM B. MORTON, J. P.
    In consequence of which information, and belief of an attack being

 

                  36                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    P. S. I will thank you to write me by Mr. Wade, and give me any advice you may deem necessary in this affair. Yours, &c.
    H. G. P.
    In the county of Daviess every thing is quiet at this time, and it is supposed will remain so. I have ordered Gen. Parks to discharge the troops in that county so soon as thirty days shall have expired from the time they were mustered into service.
    I have the honor to remain, &c., DAVID R. ATCHISON, Maj. Gen. 3d Div. Mo. Mi.

    The undersigned committee were appointed at a public meeting, by the citizens of Chariton county, on the 3d day of October, inst., for the purpose of repairing to De Witt, in Carroll county, to inquire into the nature of the difficulties between the citizens of Carroll and the Mormons. We arrived at the place of difficulties on the 4th of October inst., and found a large portion of the citizens of Carroll and the adjoining counties, assembled near De Witt well armed. We inquired into the nature of the difficulties. They said that there was a large portion of the people called Mormons, embodied in De Witt from different parts of the world. They are unwilling for them to remain there, which is the cause of their waging war against them. To use the gentleman's language, they are waging a war of extermination, or to remove them from the said county. We also went into De Witt, to see the situation of the Mormons. We found them in the act of defense, begging for peace, and wishing for the civil authorities to repair there as early as possible, to settle the difficulties between the parties.
    Hostilities have commenced, and will continue until they are stopped by the civil authorities. This we believe to be a correct statement of both parties.
    This the 5th day of October, 1838.
    JOHN W. PRICE,
    WM. K. LOGAN.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned, one of the justices of the peace, within and for Chariton county, and Stale of Missouri, this 5th day of October, 1838.
    JOHN MORSE, J. P.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 37                          

    Sir:—Immediately after my express to you, by Mr. Warder, was sent, I proceeded to this place, which I reached yesterday with two companies of mounted men from Ray. I ordered Col. Jones to call out three companies from this county to hold themselves in readiness, to join me at Carrollton on the 5th inst., which order has not been carried into effect. None of the Carroll regiment is with me. On arriving in the vicinity of De Witt. I found a body of armed men, under the command of Doctor Austin, encamped near De Witt, besieging that place, to the number of two or three hundred, with a piece of artillery, ready to attack the town of De Witt on the other side. Hinkle has in that place three or four hundred Mormons to defend it, and says he will die before he is driven from thence. On the 4th inst. they had a skirmish—fifteen or thirty guns fired on both sides—one man from Saline wounded in the hip. The Mormons are at this time too strong, and no attack is expected before Wednesday or Thursday next, at which time Dr. Austin hopes his forces will amount to five hundred men, when he will make a second attempt on the town of De Witt, with small arms and cannon.
    In this posture of affairs, I can do nothing but negotiate between the parties; until further aid is sent me. I received your friendly letter of the 5th inst., by Mr. Warder, authorizing me to call on Gen. Doniphan, which call I have made on him for five companies from Platte, Clay and Clinton, with two companies I ordered from Livingston, of which I doubt whether these last will come, if they do, I think I will have a force sufficient to manage these belligerents. Should these troops arrive here in time, I hope to be able to prevent bloodshed. Nothing seems so much in demand here (to hear the Carroll county men talk.) as Mormon scalps—as yet they are scarce. I believe Hinkle, with his present force and position, will beat Austin with five hundred of his troops. The Mormons say they will die before they will be driven out, &c. As yet they have acted on the defensive as far as I can learn. It is my settled opinion, the Mormons will have no rest until they leave— whether they will, or not, time only can tell. I assure you I never felt more rejoiced, than when I received your letter to call on Gen. Doniphan's Brigade. For this mark of your confidence and friendly approbation of my actions, I do feel under renewed obligations to you, and hope to show the necessity of making the call on Gen. D's Brigade. I have also sent an express to Gen. Doniphan, to come in person if he can: I want his aid and advice. I will keep you advised from time to time of the state of affairs here. It would relieve me much if you would request the Governor to make his appearance here among the Carroll

 

                  38                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:—Enclosed you will receive a communication from Gen. Parks, which I deem my duty to forward to your Excellency. I have required Gen. Doniphan with the troops from Clay, Clinton and the Platte, to co-operate with Gen. Parks; I have also instructed Parks to prevent armed Mormons from marching to De Witt, and also to send back or take into custody, all the Mormons from Caldwell county, who may be found in arms in Carroll county; also to disperse, all armed bands of citizens from other counties found in Carroll. I have also suggested to Parks to urge it upon the Mormons in Carroll county to sell out and remove elsewhere, and also to urge the citizens to make the proposition to buy. I have no doubt but your Excellency, if you should deem it your duty to proceed to Carroll county, could restore peace. I would have forwarded this communication by express, but was informed that you were at St. Louis. It is therefore sent by mail. If you deem it necessary to proceed to Carroll county, I would respectfully suggest that it should be done as quick as possible.
    I have the honor to be, &c.,
    D. R. ATCHISON.
    P. S. If your Excellency should deem it necessary to proceed to Carroll county, Boonville will be in your route, when it would give mc real pleasure to see your Excellency, at which time I will be prepared to give all information as to the difficulties between the Mormons and citizens, as far as it could be obtained.
    D. K. A.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 39                          

    SIR:—From a communication received from Gen. Parks, I learn that the Mormons in Carroll county have sold out and left, consequently every tiling is quiet there, but Parks reports that a portion of the men from Carroll county, with one piece of artillery, are on their march for Daviess county, where it is thought the same lawless game is to be played over, and the Mormons to be driven from that county and probably from Caldwell county. Nothing, in my opinion, but the strongest measures within the power of the executive, will put down the spirit of monocracy.
    The troops ordered into the field, from Parks' report, partake, in a, great degree, of the mob spirit, so that no reliance can be placed upon them, however, in this I believe Parks to be mistaken. I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency the propriety of a visit to the scene of excitement in person, or at all events, a strong proclamation. The stale of things which have existed in the counties of Daviess and Carroll for the last two months, has been, in a high degree, ruinous to the public, and disgraceful to the State. 1 would again respectfully suggest strong measures to put down this spirit of mob and misrule, or permit them to fight it out. If your Excellency should conclude the latter expedient best calculated to produce quiet and restore order, issue an order to the Major General, 3d Division, to discharge the troops now engaged in that service.
    I have the honor, &c.,
    DAVID R. ATCHISON.

    SIR:—Since I wrote to you, I have received the enclosed information in relation to the Mormon difficulty. The names subscribed to the enclosed paper are worthy, prudent and patriotic citizens of Howard county, and I am persuaded nothing but a case of absolute necessity to protect their friends would induce them to engage as they have done. I regret exceedingly that your Excellency received information, making it necessary to discharge the troops you had on the march. Nothing but some such step, in my opinion, will ever settle the affair. I hope; your Excellency will write to me on the receipt of this.
    I have the honor to be,
    Your obd't servant,
    JOHN B. CLARK.

 

                  40                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Gentlemen: This county is the theater of a civil war, and will soon be one of desolation, unless the citizens of the adjoining counties lend immediate assistance. The infatuated Mormons have assembled in large numbers in De Witt, prepared for war, and are continually pouring in from all quarters where these detestable fanatics reside.
    The war is commenced; blood has been shed. They shed it. They waylayed and fired upon a body of the citizens of Carroll County and wounded some. They are the aggressors. They have been guilty of high treason, they have violated the laws and shed the blood of our citizens, and we think this one of the cases of emergency in which the people ought to take the execution of justice in their own hands. Speedy action is necessary. The progress of their imposition, insult and oppression ought to be checked in the beginning. The people must act together. They must act energetically.
    It is now 12 o'clock at night- The Mormons are lurking round our camp, and making preparations to attack us before day. Our number is much less than theirs, and we will have to act on the defensive until we procure more assistance. About two hours ago the Mormons were reinforced by sixty-two mounted men, well armed, from Far West; they are arriving every night; two nights ago it is thought one hundred came to De Witt for the purpose of making war upon the people of this county.
    Under such circumstances, you cannot fail to come forward immediately. Can you not be here by Sunday or Monday at farthest? Come by fives and tens if you cannot come in companies. Bring all you can. This is no false excitement or idle rumor- it is the cold reality too real. We will anticipate you immediately, and shall expect your cooperation and assistance in expelling the fanatics, who are mostly aliens by birth and aliens in principle from the country. We must be enemies to the common enemies of our laws, religion and country.
    Your friends & fellow citizens.
    Congrave Jackson, James Jackson, Jr., Geo. Crigler, Larkin K. Woods, Johnson Jackson, Wm. L. Banks, Thomas Jackson, John L. Tomlin, Whitfield Dicken, Rolla M. Daviess, Sidney S. Woods
    P.S. Our guard was just now fired upon by the Mormons. They have become emboldened by their recent reinforcements, and we will have to act on the defensive until assistance arrives.

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 41                          

    From the above occurrences we were deterred from making any attempt with the Mormons for peace, and I left on this day about 10 o'clock in the morning. Oct. 7, 1838.
    A. C. Woods

    Dear Sir:- I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you [of the] present deplorable condition of our country. I arrived home last night of the 2nd tour of duty to suppress insurrection, when the first campaign closed on Grand River and the public was informed that peace was restored. The citizens who lived in Daviess and the adjoining counties knew and expressed themselves that the Mormons were determined to drive the citizens from Daviess County which the Mormons have since expressed. The lives of the people of Daviess have been threatened. Many of them have fled for safety to the adjoining Cos. Whenever we meet a Mormon he is armed in best manner and continually throwing out his threats. Next we were ordered to De Witt in Carroll County under Gen. H. G. Parks. When we arrived at Carrollton we were informed that the people of Carroll and the Mormons, who were mostly Canadians, were assembled in a mile of each other, ready for battle. We were also told the Mormons of Caldwell were on their way to De Witt, 100 more expected to pass down that night. I went to Gen. Parks and requested him to permit me to move my company on that road and prevent their passing, but he refused and we lay there that day and till midnight at which time W. C. Williams came to the camp and told us the Mormons were passing from Caldwell. I paraded my company and marched to the Mormon road, leaving Parks in Carrollton

 

                  42                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    I, William Morgan, Sheriff of Daviess County, do certify, that on the 18th day of this instant, as I was going to Gallatin, I saw five men ride off from the store of Jacob Stollings, and on walking fifty or sixty yards further I perceived the house was on fire; I ran to the house where the clerk of the store boarded, say one hundred and fifty yards from the store, and found no one there. Whilst standing there, I saw two other men ride by the store and make no stop, I then expected it was Mormons. On going home, one mile from town, I then learnt that the Mormons had driven off the clerk and had fired the store. Since that they

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 43                          

    SIR: - I deem it my duty, made so not only from the law, as an officer, but also as an individual, to report and make known to your Excellency the unheard of & unprecedented conduct and high handed proceedings of the Mormons of this & Caldwell Counties towards the other citizens of this county, being myself one of the sufferers. On Monday the 15th inst. we learned that the Mormons were collecting in Far West for the purpose of driving what they term the mob from this county, by which we understand the citizens that were not Mormons. And accordingly they have come & their worst apprehensions have been already fulfilled.
    They have plundered or robbed and burned every house in Gallatin, our county seat, among the rest our Post

 

                  44                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    P. S. Since writing the above, I have procured the testimony, on oath, of some six or eight persons, corroborating with my statement, which accompanies this.
    W. P. P.

    This is to certify, that I was called upon last night to wait upon a lady who was about to increase her family: she had travelled [sic] as she told me about eight miles in labour to get from the Mormons, who were engaged in driving off the people from their homes, giving them only about three days notice, plundering and robbing their houses. The lady alluded to above, Mrs. Smith by name, stopped on the camp ground on the east of Daviess county, where she increased her family. There was another lady who stopped on the camp ground, whose baby was but four days old.
    I was also at Mr. White's this morning, who lives in Livingston county, who was on yesterday very much injured in property by the Mormons. I saw a good deal of the mischief by them done, and was told by Mrs. White that, in addition to the above, she received from them invectives; that they had plundered the house, taken cloths, and other articles, destroyed all their bee stands; taken off drawing chains, log chains, &c. The quantity of oats, fodder and corn taken

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 45                          

    I certify that the above is a true copy of the instrument given, sworn to, and subscribed before me on 22nd of this inst. this 22nd October, 1838.
    LEVI F. GABEN, J. P.

    Jonathan J. Dryden, after being duly sworn, deposeth and saith: that on the 21st day of October, 1838, he was taken as a prisoner by the persons called Mormons from his own house, sick with the fever, and carried him about one mile, and released him upon the account of his health; and while in custody, he was told by them they had applied to the Governor divers of times for protection, and he had never sent them any assistance, and now they had taken the law in their own hands and they intended to have the thing settled, because they believe the Governor to be as big a mob man as any of them; and the plunder which they were now taking wais to pay them back for property which they had lost in Jackson county, when they were driven from there, and further this affiant saith not.
    JONATHAN J. DRYDEN.

    The above sworn and subscribed before me, this 22nd day of this instant.
    ADAM BLACK, J. P.

    James Stone, after being duly sworn, deposeth and saith: that on the 20th day of October, 1838, the people called Mormons came to his house, and told him if he did not leave Daviess county, against next morning, at sunrise, that they would take his head with their sword, and drew their sword and waved it at him, and said they would take his heart's blood if he did not leave the county, and then this affiant took them at their work, and left his house at ten o'clock in the night, he and two other men; and went back next morning and his house was robbed; and this affiant saith, on the 21st day, inst. that he, with several other men, saw the said people called Mormons, herding a number of cattle, he amount not known, he supposed to be about two acres of ground covered, and they looked at them, until they started them towards Caldwell county, and further this affiant saith not.
    JAMES STONE.
    The above sworn to and subscribed before me, this 22nd day of this instant.
    ADAM BLACK, J. P.

 

                  46                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    I, Thomas J. Martin, after being duly sworn do testify upon oath that whereas I was returning from meeting on the 21st day of Oct 1838 in Livingston County, I was intercepted and taken prisoner by the body of people called Mormons, which presented their guns and told me that I had one of two things to do. That was, to relate to them all that I knew concerning the [blank] their munitions &c, or to be laid on the sod and let birds eat me. They also took me about 12 miles during which time I saw them rummage the house of Mr. White. I also saw them take 4 others, and they had some others that had been taken before, some of which [they] took to Adam-on-diamon, and I have not [heard] from them since. During the time I was a prisoner they told me that they did not intend to let any man stay in Daviess County that was not friendly to them. And that they were doing the same to redress the injury received in Jackson County.
    Thomas J. Martin
    The above sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of October 1838.
    Adam Black J.P.

    SIR:- Almost every hour I receive information of outrage and violence; of burning and plundering in the county of Daviess. It seems that the Mormons have become desperate and act like mad men. They have burned a store in Gallatin, they have burnt Millport; they have, it is said, plundered several houses and have taken away the arms of diverse citizens of that county. A cannon that was employed in the siege of De Witt in Carroll County, and taken for a like purpose to Daviess County, has fallen into the hands of the Mormons. It is also reported that the anti-Mormons have, when opportunity offered, disarmed the Mormons and burnt several of their houses. The great difficulty in settling this matter seems to me in not being able to identify the offenders. I am convinced that nothing short of driving the Mormons from Daviess County will satisfy the party opposed to them, and this I have not the power to do as I conceive legally. There are no troops at this time in Daviess County, nor do I deem it expedient to send any there. For I am well convinced that it would but make matters worse for, Sir, I do not feel disposed to disgrace myself, or permit the troops under my command to disgrace this state, and themselves, by acting the part of a mob. If the Mormons are to be

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 47                          

    N.B. I herewith enclose you a report from Gen. Park, also one from Capt Bogart.
    D.R.A.

    SIR:- I received yours of the 16th inst. from Boonville, which I will let remain until I see yours. I have now returned from the County of Daviess & assure you this county is agitated by a deeper & more desperate excitement than I have yet witnessed. I left the place on Tuesday the 16th inst. with two companies of mounted men, having directed Col. Dunn to precede me to Daviess County, where I had good evidence to believe the troops and [militia] intending to act against Adam-on-diamon. Intending to cooperate with Gen. Doniphan & the remainder of the troops, I had proceeded to the head of Crooked River when a severe snow storm overtook us & we were compelled to abandon the undertaking for the present. The troops were dismissed until further orders, and the troops under Col. Dunn had been ordered home by Gen. Doniphan who came as far as Far West, from whence he returned home. I with a part of my staff proceeded on to Far West, which I reached on Tuesday night, & learning that the Clay troops had gone home, I determined to proceed to Daviess & examine the state of the country. On Thursday I proceeded to the town of Adam-on-Diahmon in Daviess County, and on the way heard the Mormons had burnt a storehouse in Gallatin belonging to Jacob Stallins. I sent two men to see & learn the fact & on their return confirmed the news. I saw at Adam-on-Diahmon about five hundred Mormons under arms, all well armed, about two hundred of them mounted. I asked them their motive in appearing in arms. There answer was: “they intended to defend that place. They had been driven from De Witt & other places, and here they were determined to stand and die rather than be driven from that place.

 

                  48                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    DEAR SIR:—The Mormons have burnt Gallatin and Mill Port, and have ravaged Daviess county, driven out the citizens, burnt the post office, taken all kinds of properly from the citizens; have gone into Livingston county, and taken the cannon from the citizens there; they have threatened to burn Buncombe and Elk Horn, and have been seen near, and on the line between Ray and Caldwell. In consequence of which I have ordered out, my company to prevent, if possible, any outrage on the county of Ray, and to range the line between Caldwell and Ray, and await your order and further assistance. I will camp at Field's, 12 miles north of this, to night, I learn that the people of Ray are going to take the law into their own hands, and put an end to the Mormon war.
    In haste, your obd't serv't,
    SAMUEL BOGART,
    P. S. Please be explicit in your express to me as to my course.
    S. B.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 49                          

    SIR:- The alarming state of Daviess County, and the panic produced by the late movements of the Mormons in that county has produced a degree of excitement and alarm here that has not been heretofore witnessed. The latest accounts from Daviess County that has reached us, say that all the inhabitants of Daviess County have left and sought refuge in Livingston or this county. The store house of Jacob Stollings in Gallatin, Daviess County, was robbed and burned by the Mormons, the Post Office kept there was also destroyed. And we believe that the houses of 5 or 6 of the inhabitants of Daviess have been you destroyed by fire, the property taken away, and the women and children obliged to flee. The arms of all the citizens in Daviess they could find have been taken by them forcibly. They have also carried away the cannon from Livingston County, and have it now in their possession.
    The Mormons have robbed George Worthington, P.M. at Gallatin, of his notes & property to the amount of nearly $2,000. In short, the news from them reach[es] us hourly that they are destroying the property of the citizens they cannot carry away, and all that they can carry away they take. Blood and plunder appears to be their object. All those who do not join with them in their incindiary conduct are banished from Caldwell, and all those of other counties who are opposed to them are threatened. It is the desire of the citizens that His Excellency would visit this section of country and call out a sufficient number of troops to put a stop to the further ravages of these fanatics. If some such measures are not taken shortly, the whole country will be overrun. But we now firmly believe they are aggressors, and say they will indemnify themselves for losses in Jackson and Carroll. We are not alarmists, and have had no fears until lately, these fanatics would have dared to behave as they have lately. There seems to be but one opinion here on the subject and that is, unless a military force is brought in to act against them, and that shortly, they will destroy as far as they are able. We think it our duty to advise you of these things.
    Very respectfully,
    R. S. Mitchell, John N. Hughs, Thomas McKinney, Jesse Cormer, T.L.D.W. Shaw, G. Lenhart, John C. Richardson, M. P. Long, James S. Bell, B. J. Brown, Sheriff of Ray County, George Woodward, Lewis L. Jacobs, Berry Hughs, William Hudgins P.M., J. R. Doolittle

    We are deficient in arms. If there are any to spare, we wish them brought up here.
    Wm. Hudgins

 

                  50                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Dear Sir:- The Mormon difficulties are arising and have arisen here to an alarming height. It is said (and I believe truly) that they have recently robbed and burned the store-house of Mr. J. Stollings in Gallatin, Daviess County, and that they have burned several dwelling houses of the citizens of Daviess, taken their arms from them, and have taken some provisions. Mormon dissenters are daily flying to this county for refuge from the ferocity of the prophet Jo Smith, who they say threatens the lives of all Mormons who refuse to take up arms at his bidding, or to do his commands. Those dissenters (and they are numerous) all confirm the reports concerning the Danite band of which you have doubtless heard much, and say that Jo infuses into the minds of his followers a spirit of insubordination to the laws of the land, telling them that the Kingdom of the Lord is come which is superior to the institutions of the earth, and encourages them to fight and promises them the spoils of the battles.
    A respectable gentleman of my acquaintance from Livingston is here now who informs me that the Mormons are robbing the citizens of Livingston, on the borders of Caldwell, of their corn and whatever else they want; that they have taken a cannon from Livingston County and are prowling about the country, a regularly formed banditti.
    That the prophet Jo Smith has persuaded his church that they are not, and ought not to be, amenable to the laws of the land, and is still doing it I have no doubt. The Danite band as I am informed by numbers of the most respectable of the Mormons (who are now dissenters) binds them to support the high council of the Mormon church, and one another in all things whether right or wrong, and that even by false swearing. I have taken much pains to be informed correctly about this Danite band, and am well satisfied that my information as above stated is correct. I have no doubt but that Jo Smith is as lawless and consumate [sic] a scoundrel as ever was the veiled prophet of Chorassin. I believe the criminal law in Caldwell County cannot be enforced upon a Mormon. Grand Juries there will not indict. Jo declares in his public addresses that he can revolutionize the U.S. and that if provoked, he will do it. This declaration has been heard by Col. Williams of this place, and other gentlemen of equal veracity. I have hoped that the civil authorities would prove sufficient for the exigency of the case, but I am now convinced that it is not, so long as indictments have to be found by the jury of the county in which the offense may be committed.
    I do not pretend to have wisdom enough to make a suggestion as to

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 51                          

    P.S. Judge King will give you some information by the next mail.
    T. C. B.

    At a very numerous public meeting held at the Court house in Richmond, Ray County, on Wednesday this 24th day of October 1838 for the purpose of taking into consideration the difficulties of the Mormons.
    The object of the meeting having been explained by Thomas C. Burch, Esqr. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted after reading the report of Charles R. Morehead, William Thornton and Jacob Gudgel, which is hereunto attached. To wit -
    Resolved, That the report here made by Charles R. Morehead, William Thornton and Jacob Gudgel Esqrs. be transmitted by express to the Governor of the State, together with these resolutions.
    Resolved, That this meeting have the most implicit confidence in said report as well from the known veracity of said Gentlemen, as from numerous other facts and circumstances in our knowledge corroborating the same.
    Resolved, that in the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when it is the imperious duty of the executive by an armed force to quell the insurrection put on foot by the Mormons, and that to effect the same the civil authorities are wholly inadequate.
    Resolved, That Wiley C. Williams and Amos Rees Esqrs. be requested to visit the Governor, and lay before him the proceedings of this meeting, and urge upon him the necessity of ordering out forthwith an armed force against the Mormons sufficient to meet the emergency.
    Resolved, that we view with the utmost concern the conduct of the Mormons in the counties of Daviess & Livingston, and that immediate action is necessary for the protection of our property and homes from this lawless Banditti.
    Resolved, that heretofore as citizens desiring to abide by the laws of the land, we have been disposed to see this people called Mormons dealt with for their offenses by the civil authorities, but that in the opinion of this meeting, from their past and present lawless course, a resort to the laws will be worse than useless and wholly insufficient to afford the country that protection to which it is entitled.
    Resolved, that we appeal to the Governor of this state to give the people of upper Missouri protection from this fearful body of thieves and robbers.

 

                  52                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    The undersigned having on Monday morning last learned that the Mormons had burned Millport in Daviess County in addition to the burning of Stollings store in Gallatin in said county; and of their having threatened to burn the store in Buncombe Settlement in this county; and feeling an anxiety to know the truth in relation to said reports left this place, Richmond, on that Monday morning & proceeded to Millport. They, however, previously called at Judge Morin's who lives about 1/4 of a mile from Millport, who informed those that all they had learned was substantially true, and that much more had been done by the Mormons than the people of this county had been informed of. He went with us to Millport where we found all the houses in ashes, except a grocery store house belonging to a Mr. Slade and a house in which Mr. Wilson McKinney had lived. We also found the house of Robert Peniston, near Millport, burned. The horse-mill belonging to him (Peniston) was taken down, the stones, bolting chest &c lying out some distance from the shed, and the shed yet standing. Mr. Morin informed us that the burning was done on Sunday night last, that on the next day he saw Mormons there and saw them taking off beds and other things belonging to Wilson McKinney. We also saw some furniture, which we understood from Mr. Morin belonged to McKinney, standing out in the commons and which seemed to have been rifled of its contents. Mr. Morin expected on the day we were there that the Mormons would be there (at Millport) to move off the remaining property and to burn the balance of the houses. He stated to us that he considered the situation a precarious one, that he had been permitted to stay this long owing to having no wagons to move with, but that he expected to get wagons that day & intended moving into Richmond immediately. He said that the county was entirely deserted by the inhabitants except himself and a few others besides the Mormons, and expressed it as his belief that the corn from his house to Diamon would all be gathered and hauled into Diamon by the Mormons in 48 hours from that time. He also stated to us that he was at Diamon a few days previously, and saw a company of men (Mormons) come into camp with a drove of cattle, amounting to about 100 head, which he supposed belonged to other citizens. He also

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 53                          

    Dear Sir:-As Mr. Williams will be to see you in reference to our Mormon difficulties, I will be able to say all to you perhaps that can be said. I deem it a duty notwithstanding to give you such information as I have sought and obtained, and is such I assure you may be relied on. Our relations with the Mormons are such that I am perfectly satisfied that the arm of the civil authority is too weak to give peace to the country. Until lately, I thought the Mormons were disposed to act only on the defensive, but their recent conduct shows that they are the aggressors and that they intend to take the law into their own hands. Of their recent outrages in Daviess, you have doubtlessly heard much already. Of their course of conduct in Daviess, I will give you the general facts, for to give particulars would far transcend the contents of a letter.
    On Sunday before they marched to Daviess, Jo Smith made known his views to the people, and declared the time had come when they would avenge their own wrongs, and that all who was not for them, & take up arms with them, should be considered as against them;

 

                  54                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 55                          

    I Adam Black, a citizen of Daviess county, do state as follows, to wit: that, on the 11th day of October, 1838, Mr. Henry Lee was driven from his house and said county; he stated that the Mormons came to its house in ordered to him to leave immediately you would suffer; that he was in danger; that there was a general insurrection going to take place, and he had better get away, and Mr. Lee left home on the 15th inst. The Post riders stated to citizens of said county, that the citizens of Coldwell were paraded in Far West for the purpose of marching to Daviess county, to drive all of the citizens of the county and that we're not friendly towards them. On the 16th, the Mormons marched into said county, from two to 500, supposed to be. On the 17th, they went to several of the citizens have said county, and took their arms and ammunition, and said they intended to drive all of the mob out of the county. On the 18th, and march about one hundred or more men, well armed, to Gallatin, of the citizens

 

                  56                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 57                          

    At the request of a committee of the citizens of Ray County, I make the following statement in relation to the recent movements, plans & intentions of the Mormons in the counties of Caldwell & Daviess:
    Shortly after the settlement of the difficulties at De Witt in Carroll county, a call was made up by the Mormons at Far West, in Caldwell county, for volunteers to go to Daviess county to disperse the mob, as they said. On the day before this, Joseph Smith, the prophet, had preached, in which he said, that all the Mormons who refused to take up arms, if necessary in difficulties with the citizens, should be shot or otherwise put to death; and as I was there with my family, I thought it most prudent to go, and did go with my wagon as the driver. We marched to Adam-ondi-ahman, and found no troops or mob in Daviess county. Scouting parties frequently went out and brought in intelligence that they had seen from three to five men. We got to 'Diamon on Tuesday evening, and on the next day a company of about eighty of the Mormons, commanded by a man fictitiously named Capt. Fearnaught, marched to Gallatin. They returned and said they had run off from Gallatin twenty or thirty men, and had taken Gallatin - had taken one prisoner, and another had joined the company. I afterwards learned from the Mormons that they had burnt Gallatin, and that it was done by the aforesaid company that marched there. The Mormons informed me that they had hauled away all the goods from the store in Gallatin, and deposited them at the Bishop's store houses at 'Diahmon. On the same day, Lyman Wight marched about eighty horsemen for Mill Port. He returned before night and called for Joseph Smith and Hiram Smith [sic], to report to them (said Hiram being counsellor [sic] of said Joseph the prophet) and said Wight reported that he had been in sight of Mill Port - saw no one to fight - but that the people generally had gone and left their houses and property. The prophet, on hearing the property was left, commenced a reply, and said: "we had better see to it," when Wight stopped him by saying "never mind, we will have a private counsel," and Smith replied "very well." The private counsel I did not hear. The men were determined to go to their camps. The same evening a number of footmen came up from the direction of Mill Port laden with property which I was informed, consisted of beds, clocks and other household furniture. The same night, I think, about three wagons were dispatched for about forty bee gums, and the next day saw several gums, where they were splitting them up and was taking

 

                  58                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 59                          

    The most of the statements in the foregoing disclosed of Thomas B. Marsh, I know to be true. The remainder I believe to be true.
    Orson Hyde
    Richmond, Oct. 24, 1838.
    Sworn to & subscribed before me on the day above written.
    Henry Jacobs, J.P.

    The undersigned committee, on the part of the citizens of Ray county, have no doubt, but that Thomas B. Marsh & Orson Hyde, whose names are signed to the foregoing certificates, have been members of the Mormon Church in full fellowship until very recently, when they voluntarily abandoned the Mormon Church and faith. And that said Marsh was at the time of his dissenting the President of the twelve Apostles, and President of the Church at Far West, and that said Hyde was at that time one of the twelve Apostles, and that they left the Church and abandoned the faith of the Mormons from a conviction of their immorality and impiety.
    Thomas C. Burch
    William Hudgins
    Geo. Woodward
    J. R. Hendley
    C. R. Morehead
    O. H. Searcey
    Henry Jacobs
    Richmond, Oct. 24th, 1838.

    We write you a hasty letter from this point to give you authentic information as to the appalling situation of this country in the neighborhood of the Mormons. We are on our way as expresses to the Governor concerning the following information: that these wretched fanatics have thrown off all restraint and are destroying all before them. They have burned Gallatin, the county seat of Daviess, taken the goods from J. Stallings' store and burned the house. They have burned the village of Millport in Daviess and have burned almost every house from Gallatin and Millport north with many others in other

 

                  60                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:- We were informed last night by an express from Ray County that Capt Bogart and all his company amounting to between fifty and sixty, were massacred by the Mormons at Buckhorn, twelve miles north of Richmond, except three. This statement you may rely on as being true, and last night they expected Richmond to be laid in ashes this morning. We could distinctly hear cannon and we know the Mormons have one in their possession. Richmond is about twenty-five miles west of this place on a straight line. We know not the hour or minute we will be laid in ashes. Our country is ruined, for God sake give us assistance as quick as possible.
    Yours &c.,
    Sachel Woods,
    Joseph Dickson.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 61                          

    SIR:- Since the order of this morning to you, directing you to call 400 mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Amos Rees Esq., of Ray, & Wiley C. Williams Esq., one of my Aides, information of the most appalling character which entirely changes the face of things and shows the Mormons in the attitude of an open and armed defiance of the law, and of having made war upon the people of this state. Your orders are therefore to hasten your operations with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace. Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increases your forces you are authorized to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Major Gen. Willock of Marion Co. to raise 500 men and to march them to the northern part of Daviess and there unite with Gen. But when a door Doniphan of Clay, who has been ordered with 500 men to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express. You can also communicate with him if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore, of proceeding as at first directed to reinstate the citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond and there operate against the Mormons. Brig Gen. Parks of Ray has been ordered to have four hundred of his Brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.
    I am very respectfully your ob't serv't,
    L. W. Boggs, Commander-in-Chief.

    Gentlemen:- This letter is sent after you on express by Mr. William Bryant of Ray County. Since you left us this morning, Mr. C. R. Morehead came here on express for men to assist in repelling a threatened attack upon Richmond tonight. He brought news that the Mormon armed force had attacked Capt Bogart this morning at daylight, and had cut off his whole company of 50 men. Since Mr. Morehead left Richmond, one of the company (Bogart's) had come in and reported that

 

                  62                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:—Application has been made to the Commander-in-Chief I the citizens of Daviess county, in the State, for protection and to be restored to their houses and property; with intelligence that the Mormons, which in armed force, have pillaged and burn their dwellings, driven off their stock, and were destroying their crops. Bad they ( that Mormons) have burned to ashes the towns of Gallatin and Mill Port and said county; a former being the county seat of said county, including the clerk's office, and all the public records of the county, and that there is not now a civil officer within said county.
    The Commander-in-Chief, therefore orders, that there be raised from the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 12th Divisions of the militia of this state, four hundred men, each to be mounted an armed as infantry or rifleman, each man to furnish and so forth at least 50 rounds of ammuni-

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 63                          

    [An order corresponding with the above was issued at the same time of the foregoing, directed to the majors generals commanding the 4th, 5th, 6th and 12th Divisions of the militia of this State. In order was also issued to general Willock of the 14th Division, ordering him to raise five hundred men, and march them to the north of Caldwell county. Orders were also issued to Brig. Gens. Doniphan and Parks, directing them to raise five hundred men each. The understanding that no man were raised under these orders, it is thought a copy is unnecessary.
    B. M. L. Adj. Gen.]

    Sir: Your communication of 6th Nov. 1838 through B. M. Lisle, Adj. Gen., has just been received. The prisoners have been sent to Richmond, subject to the order of Gen. Clark, & the arms will be sent as soon as the weather will permit. I have also furnished Gen. Clark a copy of my report to you, all of which proceedings have been transmitted to you by mail, but which I presume did not reach previous to the date of your orders.
    I have the honor to be your most obd't serv't,
    Sam'l D. Lucas, Maj. Genl 4th D. M.M.

 

                  64                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    P.S. The first communication received from Gen. Clark was under date 30th Oct in which he directs Gen. Atchison & myself to act as we think best according to circumstances. This letter was received either on the day or the day before the surrender, by Capt. Long, one of the persons Gen. Atchison & myself had started to you with our report. The 2nd communication from Gen. Clark was dated 1st Nov. In this, he directs us to remain in some secure position, & not to make any attack until he arrived. This, together with the 3rd communication, (the one you sent a copy of in your communication per Mr. Dorriss,) was only received at Williams Ferry, Missouri River, two days after I had disbanded the army, as per my report to you of the 2nd Nov.
    I never had any idea of trying any of the prisoners by a Court Martial, but only ordered them to my Head Quarters to await your further orders.
    S. D. Lucas, Maj. Gen. 4th Div. Mo. Mi.

    SIR.:—In as much as the Commissary General of the State could not follow the movements of the army under my command, and it becoming absolutely necessary for the preservation of the stores and munitions of war to have an acting Commissary, I appointed to that office Alfred W. Morrison, and desire your Excellency to ratify that appointment, and have forwarded to me or Mr. Morrison, at Fayette, a commission to that effect. It is desirable, if possible, to have it before my final report of the expedition is made.
    I have the honor to be,
    Your obedient, humble servant,
    JOHN B. CLARK, Maj. Gen. 1 Div. Mo. Mi.

    [Let the commission be dated October 29, 1838.]
    J. B. C.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 65                          

    SIR:- A day or two before I received your first order, I had upon information from a letter from Mr. Rees and Col. Williams on their way to you, issued an order to have raised in my Division one thousand men ready to march on Monday the 29th day of October last, all of which I communicated to you by express, the one however conveying my communication met one from your Excellency & returned.
    On the 29th according to my order the first Brigade rendezvous at Fayette proposed to march, and did on that evening take up the line of march and reached Chariton on that evening. At Chariton I recd an express from Messrs. Atchison and Lucas to you, which I forwarded and then I dispatched an order to Gens. Atchison & Lucas with a copy of your several orders to me, all of which you have been informed of by me. The next day, October 30th we reached Keytesville where we met the 2nd Brigade, commanded by Gen. Robert Wilson who had been ordered to join me at that place. The next morning October 31st I organized the two Brigades into a Division, officered the same and took up the line of march for Richmond. We made forced marches until we reached Richmond. On the day we reached Carrollton, Nov. 2nd I heard a report that Gen. Lucas had invested Far West and effected a capitulation, the arms of which I sent you from here on my way out. I then sent another express to Gen. Lucas to hold fast to all he had (supposing he had the prisoners and arms) until I arrived, to make no final capitulation or treaty until I did arrive, when I would communicate to him my plans for settling the difficulty, and also requesting him to report to me forthwith his acts, strengths &c. The express was directed to bring back to me at Richmond any communication the Gen. might desire to make.
    The next day I reached Crooked River in the neighborhood of Richmond. At this place I learned that Gen. Lucas had disbanded his forces, and marched the prisoners to Independence. I immediately sent an express to intercept him, with orders to march the prisoners and arms back to Richmond for the reasons contained in my letter to you from Richmond.
    I continued my march to Far West where I arrived on Sunday the 4th. When I reached there I encamped in the vicinity of town. At night I went into town with all my Field Officers & commenced ferreting out the guilty amongst the Mormons who were there. This business employed my time for two days and nights. After I had obtained all the information I could by disclosures from the dissenters from Jo the prophet (and there are not a few at this time) I caused the whole of the Mormons to be paraded, and took out of their ranks such of those I conceiv-

 

                  66                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 67                          

                  68                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:- I received from Gen. Clark last night, per the hands of Col Price, a copy of your orders of the 1st November in which you state that neither Gens. Atchison & Lucas was called or ordered into the field by you. If your orders had of reached me before I got into the field, I would not have went, but I know nothing of the call for men or of the arrangements for giving the command to Gen. Clark, but acted as I have before informed you. Upon a call from Brig. Gen. Parks, then in the field (which, according to military usage & etiquette is equivalent to an order) for assistance, he represented things in such a manner (which your Excellency has been apprised of by Col. Williams and Major Rees) that I believed I had no alternative but to act as I did. I have no disposition to thwart either your designs or Gen. Clark's plans in going into the field, but after I got there with an army of 2500 men I could not consistently lie idle or inactive. For the result of my proceedings, I refer you to my report sent herewith. I did not make any report to Gen. Clark because I did not believe it proper to do so consistent with my grade of office.
    I am very respectfully,
    Your obedient servant,
    S. D. Lucas, Maj. Gen. 4 Div. Mo. Mi.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 69                          

    SIR:- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication under the date of the 3rd inst, dated at Richmond, by the express Mr. G. D. Maupin. I regret very much to hear that Gen. Lucas has been guilty of disobedience of orders; on the subject, however, I shall cause in due time an inquiry to be made. I thought I had been so very explicit in my orders, that it was not possible to misunderstand them. You have placed the proper construction upon them, which was that the whole force to be employed in this service was to be placed under your command. General Lucas was not ordered out at all, except in the way I mentioned to you in my last communication. He was directed to cause four hundred men of his division to be raised, and place them under the command of a Brigadier Gen. with the privilege, if he thought proper, to waive his rank as Major Gen. and take Brigadier General's command.
    General Atchison was not ordered out in this last affair for two reasons: one was that I was aware as a member of the Legislature he would have other duties to attend to, and another was that there was much dissatisfaction manifested towards him by the people opposed to the Mormons. He, though, under our militia law, has a right within the limits of his command to order out his troops to quell insurrection or repel invasion. Gen. Lucas, though, could not exercise any command within Gen. Atchison's division only so far as he may have been directed by the Commander in Chief, and that only extended to the command of a Brigadier. In pursuance of the orders which I forwarded by Mr. Black, the express from Daviess County, whose companion Mr. Dryden bore my first orders to you. I therefore approve of the course you have taken in demanding the prisoners of Gen. Lucas, as well as the arms, and shall send to him instructions to deliver them over to your order in the way you have directed him. You will see that they are securely confined within the limits of some prison and strongly guarded. The course you have proposed taking in relation to the other prisoners, that is to hold an Examining Court, and cause all those deemed guilty to be confined and guarded, is the correct one.
    You will proceed to Diamon and there disperse all the persons you may find embodied and under arms without authority of law. In the meantime, attachment from your command can, if it is deemed necessary, be employed to reinstate the people of Daviess in their

 

                  70                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Independence, Mo., Nov. 5, 1838.
    His Excellency, L. W. Boggs, Commander-in-Chief, Mo. Mi.

    SIR: I returned on yesterday with the troops of the 1st Brig. 4th Div. Mo. Mi. We got to Goose Creek in the vicinity of Far West on 30th ult. and the next day the town surrendered to us under the following conditions and stipulations, viz: 1st To give up their leaders to be tried & punished.
    2nd To make an appropriation of their property, all who had taken up arms, to the payment of their debts, and indemnity for damage done by them.
    3rd That the balance should leave the state and be protected out by the Militia, but to be permitted to remain until further orders from the Commander in Chief.
    4th To give up their arms of every description, to be receipted for.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 71                          

                  72                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    P.S. I sent Gen. Clark a copy of my report to you, as soon as I had it made out.

    SIR:- On Monday, October 29th, the troops ordered out by Maj. Gen. Atchison & myself (as per our report to you of said date) took up their line of march from camp near Richmond for Far West. We encamped the night of the 29th at Linville Creek, a short distance from the road, about sixteen miles from Far West, at which point we received an express from Brig. Gen. Doniphan informing us that he was encamped on Log Creek with a force of five hundred men, and that he would join us at the crossing of said creek on the road from Richmond to Far West by 10 O'clock A.M. The next morning on 30th Oct. the troops got together at the late named point, when we mustered about 1800 men. Whilst at this place we received your orders of 26th ult. and I received an order of 27th ult. & a letter from you of the same date. At this point Maj. Gen. Atchison left me for Liberty, when I was left in sole command. Before leaving Line Creek I received information that a band of Mormons two hundred in number, called Danites, had been seen about two hours previous near the route that we had passed. Upon receiving this intelligence I ordered a detachment of two companies from the respective commands of Brig. Gen. Wilson, Doniphan, Parks & Graham to go in pursuit of said band, which I placed under the command of Gen. Wilson with instructions to intercept, and if possible to cut off their retreat to Far West. I then took up my line of march for Goose Creek, one mile south of Far West, which point we reached about one hour by sun in the evening. Just as the troops were encamping, I received intelligence from Gen. Doniphan, from his position on the right, that he had discovered a party of Mormons approaching Far West from the east, and requested permission to intercept them if possible. Leave was granted, & his Brig. started off at nearly full speed to accomplish the order, but the Mormons succeeded in reaching the fort.

 

  [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 73                          

                  74                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 75                          

    SIR:- I have ordered one thousand men from this Division, and now have five hundred this far under march, and five hundred from the Second Brigade will join me today at Keytesville from whence I will proceed to Richmond without delay. Your two orders were both received on day before yesterday at the same time. On this moment I received per Capt. Long the enclosed express from Gen. Atchison and Lucas then at Richmond; it was met by Col Williams, your Aide, and opened and sent to me, supposing that the powers conferred on me were sufficient.

 

                  76                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:- From late outrages committed by the Mormons, civil war is inevitable. They have set the laws of the country at defiance, & are in open rebellion. We have about two thousand men under arms to keep them in check. The presence of the Commander in Chief is deemed absolutely necessary, and we most respectfully urge that your Excellency be at the seat of war, as soon as possible.
    Your most obedient servants
    David R. Atchison, M. G. 3rd Div.
    Sam'l D. Lucas, M. G. 4th Div.

    SIR:- Your communication by express of Oct 30th, enclosing one from Major Generals Atchison & Lucas of the 28th Oct. have been recd. It is impossible for me to leave here, the near approach of the meeting of the Legislature renders it necessary that every moment of my time be employed in preparation to meet them. It was considered by me that full and ample powers were vested in you to carry into effect my former orders. The case is now a very plain one, the Mormons must be subdued and peace restored to the community. You will therefore proceed without delay to execute the former orders; full confidence is reposed in your ability to do so. Your force will be amply sufficient to accomplish the object. Should you need the aid of artillery, I would suggest that an application be made to the Commanding Officer of Ft. Leavenworth for such as you may need. You are au-

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 77                          

    SIR:- In pursuance of your order of the 7th at Far West, I took up the line of march with my command & arrived here on the 8th. We suffered much from the inclemency of the weather, which still continues.
    On my arrival here I found the troops had left. I met Col. Burges some two miles from this place, he being the last. I immediately placed a guard around the town & ordered the Mormons to parade, which order was promptly obeyed, and about two hundred men entered their names. I then proceeded to the investigation as you required by your order, Justices Black & other citizens being present. I caused such of the Mormons as were supposed to be guilty of crimes arrested, and handed them over to the civil authorities for trial. It however appears that the most guilty had previously escaped, they having ample opportunity as I am informed the town had not been under guard up to the time of our arrival. The investigation is still progressing but

 

                  78                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 79                          

                  80                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 81                          

    SIR:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of the 10th and 11th inst., by Mr. Maupin, the express. Upon an examination of the law, I find I have no power to appoint a Commissary General, there being one already in commission. The duties you speak of as having been performed by A. W. Morrison. Esq., might have been performed by your Division Quarter Master. Your certificate of his appointment, however, to discharge certain duties, as for instance, as acting Commissary for the detachment under your command, I presume would be altogether sufficient. You will oblige me by sending at your earliest convenience, a copy of my second order to you, as forwarded by Mr. Rees. In the hurry of business, I neglected to retain a copy, and it is necessary to have one, as     I have the honor to be,
    Very respectfully,
    Your obedient servant,
    L. W. BOCGS.

    SIR:—You will take immediate steps to discharge all the troops you have retained in service as a guard, and deliver the prisoners over to the civil authorities. You will not attempt to try them by court martial, the civil law must govern. Should the Judge of the Circuit Court deem a guard necessary, he has the authority to call on the militia of the county for that purpose. In the absence of the Attorney General,

 

                  82                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Dear Sir: In answer to your note of this morning requesting me to give you such information as was in my knowledge relative to the battle fought on the 30th October at the Mills on Shoal Creek between the citizens and Mormons.
    I will state that the company I belonged to was stationed in the rear as a reserve at a distance of about 40 yards of the line of battle. As soon as the line of battle was formed and before all the troops in the line had dismounted, the fire commenced (by the Mormons as I was told by those in front). The position I occupied prevented me from seeing the commencement. As soon as firing commenced, the company I belonged to dismounted and run in the line in front. When I got sight of the position of the Mormons, they were all in the house or under the bank of the creek and the smoke of their guns from both places appeared to me to be continual. Our men took a few fires at a crack in the house when I heard the order to charge the house which order was promptly obeyed;—the men run to the house—as we approached it I saw one man have

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 83                          

    Gentlemen:- I am now here with near one thousand men under a force march to Richmond in performance of an order from the Commander in Chief, copies of which are herewith enclosed to you for the use only of your confidants. You will discover by them the power vested in me and for that purpose I enclose them to you. Capt Long this moment arrived with an express from you to the Governor which had been wet and opened by Col Williams, one of the Governor Aides, and sent to me. I have forwarded it to the Governor.
    Act with your respective commands for the best according to circumstances until I arrive, when some plan of action will be settled upon if the Gov should not come. I will reach Richmond as soon as I can.
    Capt. Long returns with this to you and Mr. Fristo goes on to the Governor.
    Respectfully yours,
    John B. Clark, Major Gen. &c.

 

                  84                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Gentlemen:- Understanding two days since, while at Chariton on my march, that you were at Richmond and was only holding the Mormons at check until further orders which you sought from the Commander in Chief. And having before then received orders from the Commander in Chief with plenary powers to settle this whole difficulty and call to my aid such force as I might deem necessary, a copy of which I sent you by express per Capt. Long, but learning at this place that you have proceeded to Far West and hearing a report (not official) that some of the Mormons have already surrendered to you. Therefore, under my orders, and in pursuance of the only and proper power assigned me, I send you respectively the following orders (viz): you are to remain at some secure position in the vicinity of Far West, protecting the citizens & their property from the aggressions of the Mormons until I arrive with my force, which will be by tomorrow night, amounting to two thousand. But you are not to make any attack or operate offensively until I arrive, where the plan of adjustment suggested by the Commander in Chief and proposed by myself, will be communicated. You must take steps if you have not and if it be necessary to provision your forces by foraging or otherwise. If you have any prisoners, you will make no truce with them by which they are to be discharged until my arrival, but preserve them from injury as prisoners. The Governor, I have learned this evening, is on his way up and will join us perhaps to-morrow.
    I will be able to reach Far West in three more days. If Gen. Willock has arrived at the place he was ordered, you will direct him and also Gen. Doniphan to remain there until my arrival for further orders observing their original orders to prevent the retreat of the Mormons to the north.
    The express leaves immediately and I cannot be more specific. You will both report to me immediately your Head Quarters, strength and position and such other matters as tend to further the service in which we are engaged. My express Messrs Scott, Turner & Engart, you

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 85                          

    SIR:- I received your communication of this day per express and can only say you are right in obeying the orders of Gen. Lucas although they were not without authority so far as he was concerned. You have, I suppose, taken the whole of the men of the Mormons prisoners. If not, you will do so and place such a guard around them and the town as well to protect the prisoners and to secure them until they can

 

                  86                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Brig. Gen. Robert Wilson will take up the line of march with his Brigade this morning for Adam-on-diamon in Daviess County and take possession of the prisoners at that place and proceed to ascertain those who committed crimes. And when done to put them under close guard. And when he moves, take them to Keytesville after having them recognized by the proper authority. He will then endeavor to restore the citizens of Daviess to their homes. After things have been restored as far as may be he will march for home and discharge his force and report to me. I send a copy of the orders of the Governor to me, which are transferred to him, all things for that particular service to do all things which you may deem necessary under said order.
    John B. Clark, Maj. Gen. Com'd.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 87                          

    Understanding that Maj. Gen. Clark is about to return with the whole of his command from the scene of difficulty, we avail ourselves of this occasion to state that we were present when the Mormons surrendered to Major Gen. Lucas at Far West and remained there until Major Gen. Clark arrived. And we are happy to have this opportunity as well as the satisfaction of stating that the course of him and his troops while at Far West was of the most respectful kind and obliging character towards the said Mormons. And that the destitute among that people are much indebted to him for sustenance during his stay. The modification of the terms upon which the Mormons surrendered, by permitting them to remain until they could safely go in the spring was also an act that gave general satisfaction to the Mormons. We have no hesitation in saying that the course taken by Gen. Clark with the Mormons was necessary for the public peace, and that the Mormons are generally satisfied with his course. We feel duty bound to say that the conduct of the Gen., his staff officers and troops was highly honorable as soldiers and citizens so far as our knowledge intends, and we have heard of nothing derogatory to the dignity of the state in the treatment of the prisoners.
    Respectfully, &c.
    W. W. Phelps,
    George Walters,
    John Cleminson.
    G. M. Hinkle.
    John Corrill.

    SIR:- In pursuance of your order dated at Far West Nov 7th, I marched with the troops under my command for Adam-on-diahmon in the County of Daviess where I arrived on the 8th. Immediately after my arrival I had called together all the Mormons then residing in Daviess County and distinctly informed them of the nature of the order of the Commander in Chief, and that you had transferred the same to the undersigned to be executed in the County of Daviess. I also informed them that they would be permitted to remain in Daviess County during the winter or that they, at their option, should be permitted peaceably to remove themselves and property to Caldwell County if they desired so to do. That I would remain ten days with a sufficient force for their protection, and that I would give to such as desired it a written permit to remove to Caldwell or out of the state. So soon as this was made known to them, they unanimously made application and received the permit above alluded to. And in the course of ten days all the Mormons residing at that point, with a few exceptions,

 

                  88                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 89                          

    SIR:—The whole of the forces placed under my command, for the purpose specified in your orders of the 26th and 27th of last month, (copies of which are here attached, marked A and B,) being discharged, I now, in pursuance of your orders, proceed to report to you my movements; as well as to submit to you such facts as I have been able to embody, showing the commencement, progress and termination of this perplexing difficulty. One or two days before I received your orders, above referred to, I had, upon information received from Messrs. Rees, Williams, Dickson, and Woods, in writing (copies of which are here attached, marked C.) issued orders to have raised in my division 1,000 mounted men, to be ready to march on Monday the 29th of last month, all of which I immediately communicated to you by express. The express, however, conveying my communication, met one from your Excellency, conveying to me your orders, and returned. On the 29th, according to my order, the first Brigade rendezvoused at Fayette, prepared to march and did on that evening take up the line of march and reach Chariton. On the next morning, the 30th, I received an express from Gens. Atchison & Lucas to you, but which had been sent to me by Col. Williams, your aid. After examining it I enclosed it to you. This letter slated war was inevitable, and that they would hold the enemy in check, until you could arrive. Supposing from previous information that the forces under the command of Gens. Atchison and Lucas would only be employed as stated, I wrote to them, telling them to act for the best, according to circumstances, until my arrival, in which letter I enclosed copies of your two orders to me, (this letter is here attached, marked D.) On this evening we reached Keytesville, when we met the second Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Wilson, who had been ordered to join me at this place. Here 1 organized the division, giving Col. J. W. Redman the command of the first Brigade, in the absence of the Brig. Gen. The next day we took up the line of march for Richmond, making forced marches. On the day we reached Carrollton, Nov. 2., I heard that Gen. Lucas had invested Far West, and affected a capitulation, the terms of which was that the Mormons were, 1st, to give up their leaders to be tried and punished. 2nd, All who had taken up arms to make an appropriation of their property, to pay their debts, and the damages they had done. 3rd, The balance should leave the State forthwith, and be protected out of the Stale by the Militia. 4th, To give up all their arms. These propositions seem to have been proposed in writing by Gen. Lucas, and accepted to by the Mormons, as I afterwards learned. I here sent another express to Gen. Lucas, ordering him to hold to the prisoners, and make no final treaty until I arrived; when I would communicate to him my views,

 

                  90                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 91                          

                  92                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 93                          

                  94                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    Respected Friends:—Humanity to an injured people prompts me at present to address you thus. You were aware of the treatment (to some extent before you left home,) received by that unfortunate race of beings called the Mormons, from Daviess, in the form of human beings inhabiting Daviess, Livingston, and a part of Ray county; not being satisfied with the relinquishments of all their rights as citizens and human beings, in the treaty forced upon them by General Lucas, by giving up their arms, and throwing themselves upon the mercy of the State, and their fellow-citizens generally, hoping thereby protection of their lives and property, are now-receiving treatment from those demons, that makes humanity shudder, and the cold chills run over any man, not entirely destitute of any feeling of humanity. Those demons are now constantly strolling up and down Caldwell county, in small companies armed, insulting the women in any and every way, and plundering the poor devils of all the means of subsistence (scanty as it was) left them, and driving off their horses, cattle, hogs, &c., and rifling their houses and farms of every thing therein, taking beds, bedding, wardrobe and all such things as they see they want, leaving the poor Mormons in a starving and naked condition.
    These are facts I have from authority that cannot be questioned, and can be maintained and substantiated at any time. There is now a petition afloat in our town, signed by the citizens of all parties and grades, which will be sent you in a few days, praying the Legislature to make some speedy enactment applicable to their case—they are entirely willing to leave our State, so soon as this inclement season is over, and a number have already left and are leaving daily, scattering themselves to the four winds of the earth.
    Now, sirs, I do not want by any means to dictate to you the course to be pursued, but one fact I will merely suggest. I this day was conversing with Mr. George M. Pryer, who is just from Far West, relating the outrages there committed daily. I suggested to him the propriety of the Legislature's placing a guard to patrol on the lines of Caldwell county, say of about twenty five men, and give them, say, about one dollar or one and a half per day, each man, and find their provisions, &c., until, say, the first day of June next. Those men rendering that protection necessary to the Mormons, and allowing them to follow, and bring to justice any individual who has heretofore, or will hereafter be guilty of plundering or any violation of the laws.
    I would suggest that George M. Pryer be appointed captain of said guard, and that he will be allowed to raise his own men—he is willing thus to act. He is a man of correct habits, and will do justice to all sides, and render due satisfaction. Should this course not be approved of, I would recommend the restoration of their arms, for their own protection. One or the other of

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 95                          

    DEAR SIR:—I have recently seen Col. Price, who made known to me-the object of his mission to this part of the State. In reference to the lawless depredations said to be practiced [sic] on the Mormons, I have no doubt that the charges are, to a certain extent, true, and I have as little doubt that the perpetrators of them can be effectually brought to justice by the civil authorities. If, instead of writing those inflammatory letters to members of the Legislature, these same men would come before me, and give such information as the law requires against these lawless character? I should bring them to an immediate account, and I am satisfied there is virtue enough in this community To aid and sustain me in so laudable an undertaking. I have heard frequent complaints, and have uniformly invited them to institute a legal investigation, but no person has thought proper to do so.
    In most of the cases of outrage against the property of the Mormons, it has been by persons who pretend, and perhaps truly, that the Mormons owe them, or by persons who say that the Mormons, in their late outrages upon them, have destroyed their property, and they take this means to indemnify themselves. This certainly is an unlawful, and highly objectionable course. But I think it is very ungracious in Mr. Arthur to charge it upon the citizens of the surrounding counties exempting his own county of Clay. If rumor be true, he himself has been extensively engaged in collecting his Mormon debts, in property chiefly, and at prices less than half what would be asked or given in ordinary cases. This with me is only rumor, but there are men who say so, who are equally respectable with Mr. Arthur. As it regards the military fine recommended by him, I should look upon it as a direct imputation upon the power and efficacy of the civil authorities to maintain the law in ordinary cases, and would, in effect, be reversing that salutary constitutional principle which renders the military subordinate to the civil authority.
    I cannot but express a regret that the time, in my opinion, is not very distant when we shall have the same scence [scene?] to go through with the Mormons that we have lately witnessed. If the Mormons would disperse and not gather into exclusive communities of their own, I think, with the exception of a few of their leaders, the people might be reconciled to them, but this they utterly refuse to do. They tell me that it would amount loan abandonment of their creed and religion, for they

 

                  96                           [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]

    SIR:—You will take measures, as soon as practicable, to cause the arms, surrendered by the Mormons, to be delivered to the proper owners, upon their producing satisfactory evidence of their claims. If, in any case, yon think an improper use would be made of them, you can retain such, using a sound discretion in the matter. You will call upon Capt. Pollard or any other person who may have arms in possession, and take charge of them, and this wilt be your authority for so doing.
    I am respectfully, your obedient servant,
    LILBURN W. BOGGS.

 

 [Fifth Judicial District, State of Missouri]                 97                          

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