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 TO THE 
 
 MILLENNIAL STAR 
 
 AUGUST 1844. 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE SAINTS. 
 
 Beloved Saints, —In a strange and melancholy garb, we have 
 been led this month to print a supplement to the Star. 
 
 But why these tokens of woe and mourning? Will it be believed 
 in the face of high heaven, in the present age, that men are required 
 
 fact. The Prophet of the Lord in the last days, together with his 
 brother Hyrum, have been MURDERED—basely, dastardly mur¬ 
 dered—in prison, with the pledged faith of a state of the American 
 union for their protection. 
 
 But can it be; is it not a dream—a phantasy of the brain ? 
 The land of freedom, boasted freedom, and of equal rights, stained 
 with the blood of martyrs to the principles of the gospel of 
 Christ! “ The land of the brave, and the home of the free”—the 
 
 country that has presented herself as the asylum of the oppressed— 
 as a welcome refuge for the sufferers for conscience’ sake, become the 
 altar of sacrifice of the servants of God, by the cruel hands of a 
 bloodthirsty mob ! Can such things indeed be ? Slumber on, ye 
 mighty fathers of a degenerate race—ye who fought and toiled, who 
 bled and died for liberty, and for conscience’ sake. Oh ! wake not 
 from your honourable repose, to a consciousness of the dark deeds 
 of you* fallen sons, who, not contented with a long career of perse¬ 
 cution, even unto death—of spoliation and ravage of the Saints of 
 God, have filled up the cup of their iniquity by one of the most 
 treacherous murders in the annals of time. Columbia! thy glory 
 hath departed—virtue and innocence weep on thy shores—justice 
 has fled from presiding over the deliberations of thy senate, while 
 the hand of lawless violence, over thy wide spread territory, is raised 
 for the destruction of thy subjects. 
 
As a nation, truly thou art guilty! Appeal after appeal has been 
 made for justice, for the wrongs done to the Saints of the Most 
 High, but in vain. Look around, and despair, for confusion reigns 
 in thy midst, and violence is within thy borders. Justice and 
 judgment shalt thou receive at the hands of the Almighty ; and the 
 cup of his indignation shalt thou drink to the dregs. 
 
 The pledged faith of the State of Illinois Stained with Innocent 
 
 Blood by a Mob. 
 
 On Monday, the 24th June, after Governor Ford had sent word that thos3 
 eighteen persons demanded on a warrant—among whom were Joseph 
 Smith and Hyrum Smith— should be protected by the militia of the state, 
 they, in company with some ten or twelve others, started for Carthage. 
 Four miles from that place they were met by Captain Dunn, with a com¬ 
 pany of cavalry, who had an order from the governor for the state arms. 
 General Smith endorsed his acceptance of the same, and both parties 
 returned to Nauvoo to obtain said arms. After the arms were obtained, 
 both parties took up the line of march for Carthage, where they arrived 
 about five minutes before twelve o’clock at night. Captain Dunn, 
 nobly acquitting himself, landed us safely at Hamilton’s hotel. 
 
 In the morning we saw the governor, and h & pledged the faith of the 
 state that we should be protected. General Smith and his brother Hyrum 
 were arrested by a warrant, founded upon the oaths of H. O. Norton and 
 Augustine Spencer, for treason. Knowing the threats from several per¬ 
 sons that the two Smiths should never leave Carthage alive, we all began 
 to be alarmed for their personal safety. The governor and General 
 Doming conducted them before the M‘Donough troops, and introduced 
 them as General Joseph Smith and General Hyrum Smith. This 
 manoeuvre came near raising a mutiny among the “ Carthage Grays,” 
 but the governor quelled it. 
 
 In the afternoon, after great exertions on the part of our counsel, we 
 dispensed with an investigation, and voluntarily gave bail for our appear¬ 
 ance at the Circuit Court, to answer in the case of abating the Nauvoo 
 Expositor as a nuisance. 
 
 At evening, the justice made out a mittimus, without an investigation, 
 arid committed the two General Smiths to prison until discharged by due 
 course of law, and they were safely guarded to jail. 
 
 In the morning the governor went to the jail and had an interview with 
 these men, and to every appearance all things were explained on both 
 sidts. 
 
 The constable then went to take these men from the jail, before the 
 justice for examination, but the jailor refused to let them go, as they were 
 under his direction, “till discharged by due course of law;” but the 
 governor’s troops, to the amount of one or two hundred, took them to the 
 court-house, when the hearing was postponed till Saturday the 29th, and 
 they were remanded to jail. 
 
 Several of our citizens had permits from the governor to lodge with 
 them, and visit them in jail. 
 
3 
 
 It now began to be rumoured by several men, whose names will be 
 forthcoming in time, that there was nothing against these men , that tha 
 law could not reach them, but powder and ball would! The governor 
 was made acquainted with these facts; yet, on the morning of the 27th, 
 he disbanded the M‘Donough troops, and sent them home—took Captain 
 Dunn’s company of cavalry, and proceeded to Nauvoo; leaving these two 
 men, and three or four friends, to be guarded by eight men at the jail, 
 and a company in town of sixty men, eighty or a hundred rods from the 
 jail, as a corps in reserve. 
 
 About six o’clock in the afternoon, the guard was surprised by an 
 armed mob of from 150 to 250—painted red, and black, and yellow— 
 which surrounded the jail, forced it in, and poured a shower of bullets 
 into the room where these unfortunate men were held in “ durance vile,” 
 to answer to the laws of Illinois, under the solemn pledge of the faith of 
 the state, by Governor Ford, that they should be protected. But the mob 
 ruled! They fell as martyrs amid this tornado of lead, each receiving 
 four bullets ! John Taylor was wounded by four bullets in his limbs, but 
 not seriously. 
 
 Thus perishes the hope of law—thus vanishes the plighted faith of the 
 state—thus the blood of innocence stains the constituted authorities of 
 the United States—and thus have two among the most noble martyrs 
 since the slaughter of Abel, seal^Bfhe truth of their divine mission, by 
 being shot by a mob for their religion. 
 
 Messengers were despatched to Nauvoo, but did not reach there till 
 morning. The following was one of the letters :— 
 
 “ Twelve o’clock at night, 27 th June, Carthage, Hamilton's Tavern. 
 
 “ TO MBS. EMMA SMITH, AND MAJOR-GENERAL DUNHAM, &C. 
 
 “ The governor has just arrived—says all things shall be inquired into, and 
 all right measures taken. 
 
 “ I say to all the citizens of Nauvoo, my brethren, be still, and know that God 
 reigns. Don't rush out of the city —don’t rush to Carthage. Stay at home, and 
 be prepared for an attack from Missouri mobbers. The governor will render 
 every assistance possible—has sent out orders for troops. Joseph and Hyrum 
 are dead, but not by the Carthage people. The guards were there as I believe. 
 
 “ We will prepare to move the bodies as soon as possible. 
 
 “ The people of the county are greatly excited, and fear the Mormons will 
 come out and take vengeance. I have pledged my word the Mormons will stay 
 at home, as soon as they can be informed, and no violence will be on their part; 
 and say to my brethren in Nauvoo, in the name of the Lord, Be still—be patient; 
 only let such friends as choose come here to see the bodies. Mr. Taylor’s 
 wounds are dressed, and not serious. I am sound. 
 
 “ Willard Richards. 
 
 “ John Taylor. 
 
 “ Samuel H. Smith.” 
 
 “ Defend yourselves until protection can be furnished necessary. 
 
 " June 27 th, 1844. 
 
 “ Thomas Ford, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.” 
 
 " Mr. Orson Spencer. 
 
 Dear Sir,—Please deliberate on this matter: prudence may obviate material 
 destruction. I was at my residence when this horrible crime was committed. 
 It will be condemned by three-fourths of the citizens of the county. Be quiet, 
 or you will be attacked from Missouri. 
 
 “ M. R. Deming.” 
 
 The governor, as well as the citizens of Carthage, were thunder-struck, 
 and fled. 
 
4 
 
 The legion in Nauvoo was called out at ten A.M., and addressed by 
 Judge Phelps, Colonel Buckmaster, of Alton, the governor’s aid, and 
 others, and all excitement and fury allayed, and preparations were made 
 to receive the bodies of the noble martyrs. About three o’clock, they 
 were met by a great assemblage of people east of the Temple, on Mul- 
 holland street, under the direction of the city marshal, followed by 
 Samuel H. Smith, the brother of the deceased, Dr. Richards, and Mr. 
 Hamilton, of Carthage. The waggons were guarded by eight men. 
 The procession that followed in Nauvoo, was the City Council, the 
 Lieutenant-General’s staff, the Major-General and staff, the Brigadier 
 and staff, commanders and officers of the legion, and citizens generally, 
 which numbered several thousands, amid the most solemn lamentations 
 and wailings that ever ascended unto the ears of the Lord of Hosts to be 
 avenged of our enemies ! 
 
 When the procession arrived, the bodies were both taken into the 
 “ Nauvoo Mansion.” The scene at the Mansion cannot be described. 
 The audience was addressed by Dr. Richards, Judge Phelps, Woods and 
 Reed, Esqs. of Iowa, and Colonel Markham. It was a vast assemblage 
 of some eight or ten thousand persons; and with one united voice 
 resolved to trust to the law for a remedv of such a high-handed assassi- 
 
 to call upon God to avenge us of our 
 
 nation, and, when that failed, 
 wrongs. 
 
 Oh! widows and orphans!- 
 freedom has departed ! 
 
 -oh! Americans, weep, for the glory of 
 
 STATEMENT OF FACTS—BY II. T. REID. 
 
 At the request of many persons who wish that the truth may go forth to 
 the world in relation to the late murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, by 
 a band of lawless assassins, I have consented to make a statement of facts, 
 so far as they have come to my knowledge, in an authentic shape, as one 
 of the attorneys employed to defend the said Smiths against the charges 
 brought against them, and other persons, at Carthage, in the state of 
 Illinois. 
 
 On Monday, the 24th June, at the request of General Joseph Smith, I 
 left Fort Madison, in the territory of Iowa, and arrived at Carthage, 
 where I expected to meet the General, his brother Hyrum, and the other 
 persons implicated with them. They arrived at Carthage late at night, 
 and next morning voluntarily surrendered themselves to the constable, 
 Mr. Betters worth, who held the writ against them on a charge of riot for 
 destroying the press, type, and fixtures of the Nauvoo Expositor, the 
 property of William and Wilson Law, and other dissenters, charged to 
 have been destroyed on the 10th June. 
 
 Great excitement prevailed in the county of Hancock, and had extended 
 to many of the surrounding counties. A large number of the militia of 
 several counties were under arms at Carthage, the head quarters of the 
 commanding general, Deming ; and many other troops were under arms 
 at Warsaw and other places in the neighbourhood. The governor was at 
 head quarters in person, for the purpose of seeing that the laws of the land 
 were executed, and had pledged his own faith, and the faith of the state 
 of Illinois, that the Smiths and the other persons concerned with them 
 should be protected from personal violence, if they would surrender them¬ 
 selves to be dealt with according to law. During the two succeeding 
 days his excellency repeatedly expressed to the legal counsellors of the 
 
5 
 
 Smiths his determination to protect the prisoners, and to see that they 
 should have a fair and impartial examination, so far as depended on the 
 executive of the state. On Tuesday morning 1 , soon after the surrender of 
 the prisoners on the charge of riot, General Joseph Smith and his brother 
 Hyrum were both arrested on a charge of treason against the state of 
 Illinois. The affidavits upon which the writs issued were made by H. O. 
 Norton and Augustine Spencer. 
 
 On Tuesday afternoon, the two Smiths, and other persons on the 
 charge of riot, appeared before R. F. Smith, a justice of the peace 
 residing at Carthage; and, by advice of counsel, in order to prevent, if 
 possible, any increase of excitement, voluntarily entered into recognizance 
 in the sum of five hundred dollars each, with unexceptionable security, 
 for their appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court for said county. 
 The whole number of persons recognized is fifteen, most if not all of 
 them leading men in the Mormon church. 
 
 Making out the bonds and justifying bail necessarily consumed consi- 
 dei-able time, and when this was done it was near night, and the justice 
 adjourned his court, without calling on the Smiths to answer to the charge 
 of treason, or even intimating to their counsel or the prisoners that they 
 were expected to enter into the examination that night. In less than an 
 hour after the adjournment of the court, constable Bettersworth, who had 
 arrested the prisoners in the morning, appeared at Hamilton’s hotel, at 
 the lodgings of the prisoners and their counsel, and insisted that the 
 Smiths should go to jail. Mr. Woods, of Burlington, Iowa, and myself, 
 as counsel for the prisoners, insisted that they were entitled to be brought 
 before the justice for examination before they could be sent to jail. The 
 constable, to our surprise, thereupon exhibited a mittimus from said 
 justice, as follows:— 
 
 “ State of Illinois, ) 
 
 Hancock County. ) 
 
 “ The people of the state of Illinois to the keeper of the jail of the said county, 
 
 greeting : 
 
 “Whereas Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, of the county aforesaid, have been 
 arrested upon the oath of Augustine Spencer and Henry O. Norton, for the 
 crime of treason, and have been brought before me as a justice of the peace in 
 and for said county, for trial at the seat of justice thereof, which trial has been 
 necessarily postponed by reason of the absence of material witnesses, to wit, 
 Francis M. Higbee and others ; therefore, I command you, in the name of the 
 people, to receive the said Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith into your custody, in 
 the jail of the county aforesaid, there to remain until discharged by due course 
 of law. 
 
 “ Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of June, a.d. 1844 . 
 
 (Signed) “ R. F. Smith, J. P. [l. s.]” 
 
 His excellency did not think it within the sphere of his duty to interfere, 
 and the prisoners were removed from their lodgings to jail. The recitals 
 of the mittimus, so far as they relate to the prisonershaving been brought 
 before the justice for trial, and it there appearing that the necessary 
 witnesses for the prosecution were absent, is wholly untrue, unless the 
 prisoners could have appeared before the justice without being present 
 in person or by counsel ; nor is there any law of Illinois, within my know¬ 
 ledge which permits a justice to commit persons charged with crimes to 
 jail, without examination as to the probability of their guilt. 
 
 On Wednesday forenoon, the governor, in company with one of his 
 friends, visited the prisoners at the jail, and again assured them that they 
 
6 
 
 should be protected from violence, and told them that if the troops 
 marched the next morning to Nauvoo, as his excellency then expected, 
 they should be taken along, in order to insure their personal safety. 
 
 On the same morning, some one or more of the counsel for the prose¬ 
 cution, expressed their wish to me that the prisoners should be brought 
 out of jail for examination ; they were answered that the prisoners had 
 already been committed, and that the justice and constable had no further 
 control of the prisoners; and that if the prosecutors wished the prisoners 
 brought out of jail, they should bring them out on a writ of Habeas 
 Corpus or some other due course of law. 
 
 The constable, after this conversation, went to the jail with the following 
 order to the jailor:— 
 
 “ State of Illinois, 
 Hancock County. 
 
 ss. 
 
 “ To David Bettersworth , constable of said county : 
 
 “ You are commanded to bring the bodies of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith 
 from the jail of said county, forthwith, before me at my office for an examination 
 on the charge of treason, they having been committed for safe keeping until 
 trial could be had on such examination, and the state now being ready for such 
 examination. 
 
 “ Given under my hand and seal this 26th day of June, 1844. 
 
 (Signed) “ It. F. Smith, J. P. [l. s.]” 
 
 The constable then demanded the prisoners, but as the jailor could find 
 no law authorising a justice of the peace to demand prisoners committed 
 to his charge, he refused to give them up, until discharged from his 
 custody by due course of law. Upon the refusal to give up the prisoners, 
 the company of “ Carthage Grays’’ marched to the jail, by whose orders I 
 know not, and compelled the jailor, against his will and conviction of 
 duty, to deliver the prisoners to the constable, who, forthwith, took them 
 before Justice Smith, the captain of the “ Carthage Grays.” The counsel 
 for prisoners then appeared, and asked for subpoenas for witnesses on the 
 part of the prisoners, and expressed their wish to go into the examination, 
 as the witnesses could be brought from Nauvoo to Carthage. The justice 
 thereupon fixed the examination for twelve o’clock, on Thursday, the 
 27th June ; whereupon the prisoners were remanded to prison. 
 
 Soon after, a council of the military officers was called by the governor, 
 and it was determined they should march on the next morning, the 27th 
 June, to Nauvoo, with all the troops, except one company, which was to 
 be selected by the governor from the troops whose fidelity was more to be 
 relied on, to guard the prisoners, whom it was determined should be left 
 at Carthage. On Thursday morning, another consultation of officers 
 took place, and the former orders for marching to Nauvoo with the whole 
 army were countermanded. One company was ordered to accompany 
 the governor to Nauvoo. The “ Carthage Grays,” who had but two days 
 before been under arrest for insulting the commanding general, and whose 
 conduct had been more hostile to the prisoners than that of any other 
 company, were selected to guard the prisoners; and the other troops, 
 including those rendezvoused at Golden’s Point, from Warsaw, and who 
 had been promised that they should be marched to Nauvoo, were dis¬ 
 banded. A guard of only eight men was stationed at the jail, whilst the 
 rest of the Grays were in camp at a quarter of a mile’s distance; and 
 whilst his excellency was haranguing the peaceable citizens of Nauvoo, 
 and asking them to give up all their own arms, the assassins were mur- 
 
7 
 
 dering the prisoners in jail, whom the governor had pledged himself and 
 the faith of the state to protect. 
 
 H. T. Retd. 
 
 ANOTHER ACCOUNT—BY JAMES W. WOODS. 
 
 At the request of the friends of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, I have con¬ 
 sented to give a statement of such matters as I had a knowledge of in 
 relation to their murder at Carthage, and what occurred under my ob¬ 
 servation. 
 
 I arrived in Nauvoo from Burlington, Iowa, on Friday, June 21st inst., 
 about nine o’clock, p.m.— found all things quiet—had an interview on 
 Saturday morning the 22nd with Joseph and Hyrum Smith, who were in 
 consultation with some of their friends in relation to a communication 
 from Governor Ford. During the interview I heard General Joseph 
 Smith give orders to disband the legion, and withdraw the guards and 
 sentinels, who were co-operating with the police to preserve the peace of 
 the city, as he said, by order of Governor Ford; that I went from Nau¬ 
 voo to Carthage, on the evening of the 22nd, when I had an interview 
 with Governor Ford, assuring him as to the quiet of Nauvoo, and that 
 Smith and his friends were ready to obey the laws. I was told that the 
 constable with a posse had that evening gone to Nauvoo with a writ for 
 Smith and others, and that nothing short of an unconditional surrender 
 to the laws could allay the excitement. I was then informed by Gover¬ 
 nor Ford he was pledged to protect all such persons as might be arrested, 
 and that they should have an impartial examination, and that if Smiths 
 and the rest against whom warrants had been issued, would come to Car¬ 
 thage by Monday the 24th June, it would be a compliance on their part, 
 and on Sunday the 23rd, Governor Ford pledged his word that if Gene¬ 
 ral Smith would come to Carthage, he should by him be protected, with 
 such of his friends as might accompany him, and that I, as his counsel, 
 should have protection in defending Smith. That I returned to Nauvoo 
 on Sunday evening the 23rd, and I found General Joseph Smith and 
 Hyrum Smith making preparation to go to Carthage on Monday, and on 
 Monday morning the 24th, I left the city of Nauvoo in company with 
 Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and some fifteen other persons, parties and 
 witnesses, for Carthage; that about four miles west from Carthage, we 
 were met by a company of about sixty men under Captain Dunn; that at 
 the request of General Joseph Smith I advanced and communicated with 
 the commander of the company, and was informed he was on his way to 
 Nauvoo, with an order from Governor Ford, for the State Arms at that 
 place. That it was agreed by myself, on behalf of General Smith, that 
 the order for the arms should be endorsed by General Smith, and that he 
 should place himself under the protection of Captain Dunn, to return to 
 Nauvoo and see the Governor’s order promptly obeyed, and return with 
 Captain Dunn to Carthage—Captain Dunn pledging his word, as a mili¬ 
 tary man, that Smith and his friends should be protected ; that the order 
 was endorsed by General Smith, which was communicated by Captain 
 Dunn to Governor Ford, with a letter from General Smith, informing the 
 Governor that he would accompany Captain Dunn to Carthage. I left 
 the company and proceeded to Carthage. That about twelve o’clock at 
 night of the 24th, Captain Dunn returned with the State Arms from 
 Nauvoo, accompanied by Joseph and Hyrum, with some thirteen others, 
 who were charged with a riot in destroying the printing press of the 
 
8 
 
 Nauvoo Expositor. That on the morning of the 25th, Joseph and 
 Hyrum Smith with the others charged, surrendered themselves to the 
 constable, and at the same time Joseph and Hyrum Smith were arrested 
 on a charge of treason against the state of Illinois. That about three 
 o’clock, P.M. on the 25th, the justice proceeded to the examination in re¬ 
 lation to the riot, and after a good deal of resistance on the part of the 
 prosecution, we were permitted to enter into a recognizance to answer at 
 the next term of the Circuit Court, and were engaged until dark in 
 making out and giving our recognizances. That in consequence of the 
 rumours as to the excitement at Warsaw and other points, and to allay the 
 fears of the citizens of Nauvoo, I requested Governor Ford to detain a 
 company at Nauvoo to protect the city, which request was promptly com¬ 
 plied with ; and that night Captain Singleton, with a company of men from 
 M‘Donough county, marched to Nauvoo and took possession of the city, 
 and remained until the evening of the 27th, when they took up their line 
 of march for Carthage. 
 
 After the matter of the riot was disposed off, the justice left, without 
 saying any thing in relation to the examination for treason, and in about 
 an hour the constable returned with a mittimus, a copy of which accom¬ 
 panies the statement of my colleague, H. T. Reid, a copy of which was 
 demanded and refused. That I requested the officer to wait until I could 
 see Governor Ford, and was told he would w r ait five minutes, and as I 
 w 7 ent to the door I met Captain Dunn, with some tw-enty men to guard 
 the prisoners to jail, that I accompanied Governor Ford to the justice, 
 R. F. Smith, who gave as a cause for issuing the warrant of committal, 
 that the prisoners w y ere not personally safe at the hotel. 
 
 I then requested the governor to have a company detained to guard the 
 jail, wdnch was done, and they arrived at the jail about the same time as 
 the prisoners. On the morning of the 26th, the governor visited the jail 
 in company w 7 ith a friend, at which interview the governor again pledged 
 himself for their personal safety, and said if the troops went to Nauvoo, 
 as was then contemplated, that they should go along to ensure their pro¬ 
 tection, that after the interview at the jail, the counsel for the prosecution 
 w r anted the prisoners brought before the justice for an examination, to 
 W'hich the counsel for the prisoners replied, that they were committed 
 until discharged by due course of law 7 , and that w 7 e could do nothing until 
 the prisoners w r ere legally before the court, where w r e w r ould appear and 
 defend ; that the justice, R. F. Smith, gave the constable an order (a 
 copy of which accompanies the statement of H. T. Reid, Esq.,) for the 
 jailor to deliver up the prisoners, which the jailor refused to do; that the 
 constable then repaired to the jail with a company called the “ Carthage 
 Grays,” of whom the justice R. F. Smith w 7 as captain, but not then in 
 command; and by intimidation and threats, forced the jailor to give up 
 the prisoners to the constable, who took them before the justice, R. F. 
 Smith, at the Court House: that on the motion of the counsel for the 
 prisoners, the examination was postponed until the 27th, at tw r elve o’clock, 
 and subpoenas issued for wdtnesses on the defence. The two Smiths were 
 then remanded to jail, and orders w 7 ere issued for a consultation of the 
 the officers with the commander-in -chief, and it was determined that the 
 troops should take up a line of march at eight o’clock on the morning of 
 the 27th, for Nauvoo; and after the consultation, the justice, who was 
 one of the officers in command, altered the return of the subpoenas until 
 the 29th, and continued the hearing until that time, wdthout consulting 
 either their prisoners or the counsel. That on the morning of the 27th, the 
 order for marching to Nauvoo w 7 as coutermanded, and all the troops dis- 
 
9 
 
 banded but the company under Captain Singleton, at Nauvoo, Captain 
 Dunn’s company of horse, and the “ Carthage Grays that the Governor 
 determined to visit Nauvoo, escorted by Captain Dunn’s company, and 
 the “ Carthage Grays ” were left as a guard for the prisoners at the jail ; 
 that after the troops were disbanded, I requested Governor Ford to detain 
 some men to guard the route to Warsaw, as I apprehended much danger 
 from that place, but I do not know whether it was done or not, as I left 
 Carthage about eleven o’clock A. M.,and came to Nauvoo. That Governor 
 Ford and his aid, Colonel Buckmaster, escorted by Captain Dunn’s com¬ 
 pany, arrived in Nauvoo about five o’clock P. M., where he addressed the 
 citizens, and promised them protection, and a just execution of the laws, 
 and immediately left the city for Carthage. 
 
 James W. Woods, Attorney at Law, of Burlington, Iowa. 
 
 BY EXPRESS. 
 
 Sunday, 30 th June, Nine o’clock morning. 
 
 The following order and proclamations have just reached us from head 
 quarters. We assure the governor, if he can manage human butchers, 
 he has nothing to fear from armless , timid, and law-abiding Latter-day 
 Saints:— 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS 
 
 I desire to make a brief but true statement of the recent disgraceful 
 affair at Carthage, in regard to the Smiths, so far as circumstances have 
 come to my knowledge. The Smiths, Joseph and Hyrum, have been 
 assassinated in jail, by whom is not known, but will be ascertained. I 
 pledged myself for their safety, and upon the assurance of that pledge 
 they surrendered as prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public 
 arms in their possession, and the Nauvoo Legion submitted to the com¬ 
 mand of Captain Singleton, of Brown county, deputed for that purpose 
 by me. All these things were required to satisfy the old citizens of 
 Hancock that the Mormons were peaceably disposed, and to allay jealousy 
 and excitement in their minds. It appears, however, that the compliance 
 of the Mormons with every requisition made upon them, failed of that 
 purpose. The pledge of security to the Smiths was not given upon my 
 individual responsibility. Before I gave it, I obtained a pledge of honour 
 by an unanimous vote from the officers and men under my command, to 
 sustain me in performing it. If the assassination of the Smiths was com¬ 
 mitted by any portion of these, they have added treachery to murder, and 
 have done all they could do to disgrace the state, and sully the public 
 honour. 
 
 On the morning of the day the deed was committed, we had proposed 
 to march the army under my command into Nauvoo. I, however, dis¬ 
 covered, on the evening before, that nothing but utter destruction of the 
 city would satisfy a portion of the troops; and that if we marched into 
 the city, pretexts would not be wanting for commencing hostilities. The 
 Mormons had done every thing required, or which ought to have been 
 required, of them. Offensive operations on our part would have been as 
 unjust and disgraceful as they would have been impolitic, in the present 
 critical season of the year, the harvest, and the crops. For these reasons, 
 I decided, in a council of officers, to disband the army, except three com¬ 
 panies, two of which were retained as a guard for the jail. With the 
 other company I marched into Nauvoo, to address the inhabitants there, 
 
10 
 
 and tell them what they might expect in case they designedly or impru¬ 
 dently provoked a war. I performed this duty, as I think, plainly and 
 emphatically, and then set out to return to Carthage. When I had 
 marched about three miles, a messenger informed me of the occurrences 
 at Carthage. I hastened on to that place. The guard, it is said, did 
 their duty, but were overpowered. Many of the inhabitants of Carthage 
 had fled with their families : others were prepared to go. I apprehended 
 danger to the settlements from the sudden fury and passion of the 
 Mormons, and sanctioned their movements in this respect. 
 
 General Deming volunteered to remain with a few troops, to observe 
 the progress of events, to defend property against small numbers, and with 
 orders to retreat if menaced by a superior force. I decided to proceed 
 immediately to Quincy, to prepare a force sufficient to suppress disorders, 
 in case they should ensue from the foregoing transactions, or from any 
 other cause. I have hopes that the Mormons will make no further diffi¬ 
 culties. In this I may be mistaken. The other party may not be 
 satisfied : they may re-commence aggression. I am determined to preserve 
 the peace against all breakers of the same, at all hazards. I think present 
 circumstances warrant the precaution of having a competent force at my 
 disposal, in readiness to march at a moment’s warning. My position at 
 Quincy will enable me to get the earliest intelligence, and to communicate 
 orders with greater celerity. 
 
 I have decided to issue the following general orders :— 
 
 Head Quarters, Quincy, June 29, 1844. 
 
 It is ordered that the commandants of regiments in the counties of Adams, 
 Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton, and M‘Donough, 
 and the regiments composing General Stapp’s brigade, will call their re¬ 
 spective regiments and battalions together immediately upon the receipt of 
 this order, and proceed, by voluntary enlistment, to enrol as many men as can 
 be armed iu their respective regiments. They will make arrangements for a 
 campaign of twelve days, and will provide themselves with arms, ammunition, 
 and provisions accordingly, and hold themselves in readiness immediately to 
 march upon the receipt of further orders. 
 
 The independent companies of riflemen, infantry, cavalry, and artillery in the 
 above-named counties, and in the county of Sangamon, will hold themselves in 
 readiness in like manner. 
 
 Thomas Ford, Governor and Commander-in-chief. 
 
 PROCLAMATIONS. 
 
 Head Quarters, June 28, 1844, Hour o'clock a. in. 
 
 To the Citizens of Carthage and Hancock county. 
 
 In pursuance of an order from Governor Ford, instructing me to the exercise 
 of such discretionary powers as I may deem necessary for the preservation of 
 the public safety, and the lives and property of our citizens, I hereby invite all 
 citizens to remain at their several homes in Hancock county, and co-operate 
 with me in establishing tranquility and safety throughout the county. The 
 most efficient means have been put in requisition for concentrating the military 
 force of the neighbouring counties at Carthage, and in twelve hours there will 
 be a sufficient force for the protection of every citizen in the county. 
 
 I confidently believe there is no just apprehension of an attack upon any 
 place by the Mormon citizens of our county. And I hereby strictly command 
 all citizens of Hancock county to abstain from violence towards the Mormon 
 population, under penalty of the severest inflictions of military law, and act in 
 no case, only on the defensive. 
 
11 
 
 The corpses of the murdered men will be forthwith removed to Nauvoo, under 
 an escort from head quarters. 
 
 Given under my hand this 28th June, 1844, four o’clock A. m. 
 
 M. R. Deming, Brig. Gen., 4th Brigade and 5th Division. 
 
 It is hoped and expected that the governor will be at head quarters in a 
 few hours. 
 
 Head Quarters, Carthage , June 29, Four o'clock, a. m. 
 
 Felloiv Citizens of Hancock county. 
 
 Every prospect of danger from the Mormon population of this county is 
 removed, and those who have retired from their homes in its apprehension, are 
 requested forthwith to aid in allaying public excitement by a speedy return. 
 A communication, this morning received from the authorities of Nauvoo, brings 
 the most satisfactory assurances that no retaliation or aggression will be resorted 
 to by their citizens upon any part of the county. The butchery of the prisoners 
 at Carthage has the execrations of the great mass of our citizens. The humane 
 and patriotic of Adams county are gathering at Carthage for the maintenance 
 of our laws against the violaters of law of any party. The command of Colonel 
 Flood, consisting of 224 well armed and efficient men, will be at Carthage this 
 morning for the preservation of order. The governor’s return from Adams is 
 hourly expected. It is believed that no other forces will be necessary for the 
 public safety. 
 
 M. R. Deming, Brig. Gen. 
 
 Head Quarters, Carthage, June 29, 1844. 
 
 Dr. Willard Richards. 
 
 Your note by the return of the escort has been received, with the request for 
 Mr. Taylor and lady. Considerations of prudence should, I think, delay Mr. 
 Taylor’s return. I fear it would prove fatal to his recovery. He will receive 
 every attention that my power or the sympathies of many kind persons can 
 furnish. I send you this communication with my last order, by the hands of 
 Messrs. Wood and Conyers, who are highly respectable citizens of Quincy; Mr. 
 Woods is the mayor of that city, and a decided friend of law—Mr. Conyers was 
 formerly the mayor of the city. A safe conduct of troops that can be relied 
 upon.—In great haste, very respectfully yours, 
 
 M. R. Deming, Brig. Gen. 
 
 From the foregoing it will be perceived that another State in the 
 American Union has received a stain on its escutcheon that time will 
 never obliterate. Our beloved brethren, with that willingness which 
 they have manifested in all their difficulties to stand the test and 
 scrutiny of the law, gave themselves, on the pledged honour of the 
 State, into the hands of the authorities ; that honour, by the vilest 
 treachery, has been destroyed—giving another testimony to the 
 maladministration of the executive power, and its inefficiency in the 
 suppression of inobocratic violence. 
 
 But the Saints will behold, through the cloud of sorrow that 
 enshrouds the tomb of our departed brethren, the near approach of 
 that period when the third angel shall pour his vial upon the rivers 
 
12 
 
 and fountains of waters, and they become blood; and the angel of 
 the waters shall be heard to exclaim, “ Thou art righteous, O Lord, 
 which art, and wast, and shall be, because thou hast judged thus, 
 for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets; and thou hast 
 given them blood to drink, for they are w r orthy; while it shall be 
 re echoed by the spirit of the ancient martyrs beneath the altar. 
 Even so. Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judg¬ 
 ments.” 
 
 We have rejoiced much in the glorious truth, that all things shall 
 work together for good ; and, under the infliction of this dreadful 
 tragedy, we feel that, through the God of our salvation, w r e are en¬ 
 abled to rejoice still, and that too with a confidence as regards the 
 future, that beforetime was unknown to us. 
 
 There may be some, it is true, whose hopes have been placed upon 
 man that may be lost to the church, while their absence will be 
 gain; for pruned from dead branches, and invigorated by a closer 
 union and a more entire dependance upon God, she will go forth on 
 her resistless enterprise with the energy of omnipotence. There 
 may be some who were about to emigrate that may be deterred; but 
 the faithful, whose hearts are stayed upon the Lord, and who have 
 heard him speak by the voice of his servants, will not hesitate, but 
 arise and depart to strengthen the hands of their brethren, and to 
 shed a tear upon the tomb of the martyred dead. 
 
 We rejoice much to know that though the church has suffered so 
 severe a loss by the cruel murder of our beloved brethren, yet she is 
 still in possession of all necessary knowledge and power for carrying 
 onward and completing the great work of God. The tragic event 
 has been in some measure anticipated, and necessary steps taken. 
 Joseph called the twelve together in the spring, and addressed them 
 to the effect that it w r as necessary they should have the same power 
 that he had received from heaven; for, should the mobbers kill him 
 without his imparting the fulness of the priesthood unto them, that 
 power would be entirely lost from the earth. 
 
 Let the Saints therefore rejoice and be glad, having full confidence 
 in God, and that he will accomplish triumphantly his great designs 
 in relation to the just. 
 
 Let the elders adhere to the counsel of elder Hyde. Let every 
 
13 
 
 man be found at his post in the faithful discharge of his duty, with 
 an eye single to the glory of God, and he shall by no means lose his 
 reward. 
 
 If ever we had reason to love any one, we certainly had to love 
 our prophet and his brother, through whose instrumentality we have 
 received so much in which we rejoice ; and now that they are taken 
 from us, we have the unspeakable satisfaction, though our hearts be 
 rent with sorrow, of knowing that our faith and principles were not 
 dependant on our beloved brethren, but were fixed upon God ; and 
 we feel persuaded that even their removal may be made a blessing 
 unto the honest-hearted, by enabling them more clearly to discern 
 their true position in relation to their Heavenly Father. 
 
 As the fact of the destruction of a printing press transpired in 
 Nauvoo, and as much idle rumour and falsehood is in circulation re¬ 
 specting it, we think it proper to publish the following proclamation 
 in relation to that affair :— 
 
 Mayor's Office, Nauvoo, June 1 6th, 1842. 
 
 As there are a number of statements in circulation which have for their object 
 the injury of the Latter-day Saints, all of which are false and prompted by 
 black-hearted villains, I therefore deem it my duty to disabuse the public mind in 
 regard to them, and to give a plain statement of facts which have taken place in 
 the city within a few days past, and which has brought upon us the displeasure 
 of the unprincipled and the uninformed, and seems to afford an opportunity to 
 our enemies to unite and arouse themselves to mob: and already have they com¬ 
 menced their hellish operations by driving a few defenceless Mormons from their 
 houses and homes in the vicinity of Warsaw and Carthage. 
 
 A short time since a press was started in this'city, which had for its object 
 the destruction of the institutions of the city, both civil and religious : its pro¬ 
 prietors are a set of unprincipled scoundrels who attempted in every possible 
 way to defame the character of the most virtuous of our community, and change 
 our peaceful and prosperous city into a place as evil and polluted as their own 
 black hearts. To rid the city of a paper so filthy and pestilential as this, became 
 the duty of every good citizen, who loves good order and morality. A complaint 
 was made before the city council, and after a full and impartial investigation it 
 was voted, without one dissentient voice, a public NUISANCE, and to be im¬ 
 mediately destroyed: the peace and happiness of the place demanded it—the 
 virtue of our wives and daughters demanded it—and our consciences demanded it 
 at our hands as conservators of the public peace. That we acted right in this 
 matter we have the assurance of one of the ablest expounders of the laws of 
 England, viz.: Blackstone—the constitution of the State of Illinois, and our 
 own chartered rights. If, then, our charter gives us the power to decide what 
 shall be a nuisance and cause it to be removed, where is the offence? What 
 law is violated? If, then, no law has been violated, why this ridiculous excite¬ 
 ment and bandying with lawless ruffians, to destroy the happiness of a people 
 whose religious motto is, “ peace and good will towards all men ?” 
 
 Our city is infested with a set of blacklegs, counterfeiters, and debauchees, 
 and that the proprietors of this press were of that class, the minutes of the 
 Municipal Court fully testify; and in ridding our young and flourishing city of 
 such characters, we are abused by not only villainous demagogues, but by some, 
 who, from their station and influence in society, ought rather to raise than 
 
14 
 
 depress the standard of human excellence. We have no disturbance or excite¬ 
 ment among us, save what is made by the thousand and one idle rumours afloat 
 in the country. Every one is protected in his person and property, and but few 
 cities of a population of twenty thousand people, in the United States, have less 
 of dissipation or vice of any kind, than the city of Nauvoo. 
 
 Of the correctness of our conduct in this affair, we appeal to every high court 
 in the State, and to its ordeal we are willing to appear at any time that his 
 Excellency, Governor Ford, shall please to call us before it. I, therefore, in 
 behalf of the Municipal Court of Nauvoo, warn the lawless not to be precipi¬ 
 tate in any interference in our affairs, for as sure as there is a God in Israel, we 
 shall ride triumphant over all oppression. 
 
 Joseph Smith, Mayor. 
 
 LETTER FROM ELDER ORSON HYDE. 
 
 New York, July 10, 1844. 
 
 Dear Brethren and Sisters in England,—The news of the cold-blooded 
 murder of Joseph Smith and Hyrum his brother, will probably be very 
 shocking to you all. But heaven’s will be done. It will all work together 
 for our good. The prophets, Jesus Christ, and the apostles were murdered 
 in a similar manner. 
 
 Be not cast down, neither go a fishing. Our principles still live, 
 though our prophet is dead. But Jesus Christ still lives, and let all the 
 Saints be humble and faithful, and let the elders stand firm at the post of 
 duty, and crv aloud and spare not, and ere long some of us will come to 
 your help. Let every thing go on just as if the prophet were alive. 
 There may be an Elisha that has caught the mantle of Elijah. 
 
 The stars that shone most brilliantly in our western constellation have 
 set in blood, but will rise in glory by and by. 
 
 Farewell, may heaven bless you all for ever and ever, 
 
 Orson Hyde. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ELDER REUBEN IIEDLOCK. 
 
 Birmingham, July 31sf, 1844. 
 
 Dear Brother Ward—I have just received your letter, containing the 
 mournful news of the murder of brothers Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and 
 also the wounds of brother Taylor. My God ! is it true ? that the abo¬ 
 minable mob have taken the lives of those noble men, who have suffered 
 so much for the cause of truth, and have finally sealed their testimony 
 with their blood ! 
 
 My voice shall never cease proclaiming against such abandoned, cold¬ 
 blooded murderers, and my hand shall be raised to avenge the wrongs and 
 death of the innocent, and my prayer shall ascend to the Almighty for his 
 protection, and that he will visit a just recompense upon the heads of 
 those execrable villains that have sought the blood of the Saints, since the 
 rise of the Church, until I see the cause of God triumphant, and mobs 
 and mobocracy cease to exist, or I share the fate of my beloved brethren. 
 
 This sad occurrence places heavy duties upon us, and difficulties that I 
 know not the result of at present; but, for one, I am determined to stand 
 or fall by the truth, and discharge the duties that devolve upon me, in 
 the fear of God and not of man, and will exert all my powers in building 
 up the kingdom of God. 
 
 If they have killed two prophets of God, it is what the same spirit 
 caused their fathers to do in ancient days ; but the arm of the Lord is 
 not shortened, that it cannot save—nor his ear dull, that it cannot hear : 
 
15 
 
 they may kill the body, but cannot prevent the righteous from coming 
 forth in the first resurrection to share the blessings of the Almighty, 
 while those accursed wretches will be banished from the kingdom. 
 
 Truth is mighty, and will prevail, which, may God grant, for his Son’s 
 sake. 
 
 Believe me, as ever, your unshaken brother in the Lord, 
 
 Reuben Hedlock. 
 
 MARK OF RESPECT SHOWN BY THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS 
 
 IN LIVERPOOL. 
 
 On Sunday, the 4th instant, very numerous congregations attended at 
 the Music Hall, the Majority of the Saints in deep mourning, whilst the 
 platform or raised gallery where the priesthood sit, was handsomely de¬ 
 corated with black drapery. We would suggest to the Saints generally, 
 as far as their means will allow them, to pay respect to the memory of our 
 lamented brethren. 
 
 ANSWER TO “ BEREAN.” 
 
 Our brethren, sometime in the month of May, issued a weekly paper in 
 the City of New York, entitled the Prophet, William Smith Editor, 
 from which we extract the following article under the above name :— 
 
 First, “ Can the Church of Jesus Christ exist without Apostles, Prophets, 
 Bishops, and all other officers which constituted her government in ancient 
 days ? ” 
 
 We will answer this question by asking another. “ Can a man now exist 
 without a head, arms, hands, legs, feet, eyes, ears, mouth, or tongue, and every 
 other member which constituted his physical organization in ancient days?” 
 
 If man cannot be perfect in his organization without all these members, how 
 can the church be perfect in her organization in the absence of these official 
 members, when an inspired apostle has compared her government or organiza¬ 
 tion to the physical organization of the human body?—See 1st Cor. 12th chap. 
 
 “ Third, if the Church has been disorganized, when did it take place, and 
 what was the cause ?” 
 
 It took place when wicked men and rulers killed God’s inspired witnesses— 
 when prophets -were slain, and apostles martyred—when the lamp of divine re¬ 
 velation was extinguished ; then the Church stranded on a fatal reef, went to 
 pieces, and her broken fragments have ever since been floating promiscuously 
 on the sea of time, in the character of sects, parties, and religions. The cause 
 of this was, the prevalence of human opinions over the inspiration of the 
 Almighty. The voice of the people voted Christ out of the world. “ Let him 
 be crucified—let him be crucified!” was their united voice. Popular opinion 
 has voted all his doctrines, bordering upon miracles, out of the Church. The 
 ancient sects of Scribes and Pharisees killed the Saviour, and modern sects are 
 trying to kill his doctrine: as their fathers did, so do they. 
 
 Fourth—You ask, what power was vested in the apostles ? 
 
 Answer—Power to bind on earth and it was bound in heaven ; power to 
 loose on earth and it was loosed in heaven : power to preach the Word, to get 
 revelations from God by the Spirit, by Angels, by dreams and by visions—power 
 to heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead, &c. &c. This power was given 
 for the perfecting of the Saints; and to continue till this work be done. When 
 will they arrive at perfection ? Answer—When the tares are separated from 
 the wheat—when Satan is bound, and all things that offend and that do iniquity, 
 are gathered out of his kingdom, “ Then shall the righteous shine forth like the 
 sun in the kingdom of the Father.” 
 
 Can a hungry man ever be satisfied, if he receive no food ? He cannot. Why ? 
 
16 
 
 Because food is the only remedy which nature has furnished for his relief ; and 
 can the Saints ever arrive at perfection, if they have no prophets, apostles, or 
 inspired men among them ? They cannot. Why ? Because these are the 
 means which God has ordained in his Church to bring it to perfection. Hence 
 any Church having not apostles, prophets, bishops, gifts, miracles, &c., is in an 
 imperfect state, and must remain so; for, it cannot be of God. “ He that is of 
 God, heareth God’s words—ye, therefore, hear them not, because ye are not of 
 God.” 
 
 GREAT WESTERN FLOOD. 
 
 Belleville, Illinois, June 20, 1844. 
 
 The distress in the American Bottom, at this time, is certainly almost 
 incalculable. The water in the channel of the Mississippi, opposite the 
 city of St. Louis, is now thirty-nine and a half feet above low water 
 mark! Of course, this immense body of water is no longer contained 
 within the river banks. Bursting over its usual limits, the flood has 
 spread itself from bluff to bluff over the American Bottom. This Bot¬ 
 tom, you are doubtless aware, is the most fertile piece of soil in the Union. 
 From this fact, it has been extensively improved—almost wholly covered 
 with beautiful and valuable farms. The flood has not only destroyed the 
 growing crops on these farms, but it has also swept away almost the 
 whole of their improvements. The tenants have fled for relief to St. 
 Louis and the Bluffs. They have not been deceived in their expectations 
 of relief from the city of St. Louis. The hand of charity has been very 
 liberally extended both by the authorities of the city, and by individuals. 
 Pre-eminent among the latter stands Andrew Christy. Although he is, 
 himself, a loser to a large amount, yet his efforts, from this fact to rescue 
 the property of his fellow sufferers from destruction, have not been the 
 less indefatigable. He opened the doors of his dwelling, and bade all 
 welcome! Several boats at his command, up to this time, have been 
 constantly engaged in relieving the sufferers. Our own little village has 
 
 done well in the wav of contributions. 
 
 •/ 
 
 The flood is now at a stand. By to-morrow, perhaps, it will begin to 
 recede. The freshet is now several feet higher than that of ’85. In fact 
 it is the highest ever known on the Mississippi. We gather from Indian 
 tradition that at different times there have been tremendous floods here, 
 yet none of them equal the present. The water will require a month and 
 a half to recede from the immense tract of land over which it is now 
 spread. It will be long ere the refugees can return to their old and long 
 cherished homesteads; and when they do return, what desolation will 
 they behold! The labour and toil of years swept away by the maddened 
 and furious element. The effect of this flood will certainly be acutely 
 felt in every branch of trade throughout the Mississippi valley, during 
 the present season. St. Louis, undoubtedly, will be exceedingly dull. 
 The western river commerce, which you know is usually very extensive, 
 will be cramped to the last degree. Yours, &c. 
 
 LATEST NEWS BY THE GREAT WESTERN. 
 
 Extract from the Liverpool Albion, August 5. 1844. 
 
 With regard to the Mormons, a correspondent of the New York Ex¬ 
 press , writing from Nauvoo, June 30th, says, “ The Mormons, greatly to 
 their credit, submit to the loss of their leaders in silence. Not the slight¬ 
 est disturbance has occurred. The prophet and his brother were buried 
 yesterday without parade and in secrecy.