Chapter XIV

In the mean time, the people of Jackson county were not inattentive to the premediated attack of Gen. Smith, the Prophet.

But to return to the grand army. On the second day of their march, they arrived at New Portage, about 40 miles distant; where about 100 more fell into the ranks. Herre organized into bands of fourteen men, each band having a captain, baggage wagon, tents, &c. Just before leaving this place, Smith proposed to his army, that they should appoint a treasurer to take posession of the funds of each individual, for the purpose of paying it out as he should think necessities required. The measure was carried, without a dissenting voice, of course. The Prophet was nominated and voted in, as Treasurer, no one, of course, doubting his right. After pocketing the cash of his dupes, the line of march was resumed, and a white flag raised, bearing upon it the inscription of "PEACE," written in red.

Somewhere on their route a large black snake was discovered near the road, over five feet in length. This offered a fair opportunity for some of the company to try their skill at miracles, and Martin Harris took off his shoes and stockings, to "take up serpents," without being harmed. -- He presented his toes to the head of the snake, which made no attempt to bite; upon which Martin proclaimed a victory over serpents; but passing on a few rods further, another

of much larger dimensions was discovered, and on presenting his bare foot to this one also, he received a bite in the ankle, which drew blood. This was imputed to his want of faith and produced much merriment to the company.

A large mound was one day discovered, upon which Gen. Smith ordered an excavation to be made into it; and about one foot from the top of the ground, the bones of a human skeleton were found, which were carefully laid out upon a board, when Smith made a speech, prophesying or declaring that they were the remains of a celebrated General among the Nephites, mentioning his name and the battle in which he was slain, some 1500 years ago. This was undoubtedly done to encourage the troops to deeds of daring, when they should meet the Missourians in battle array.

On arriving at Salt creek, Illinois, they were joined by Lyman Wight and Hiram Smith (brother of the prophet,) with a reinforcement of twenty men, which they had picked up on the way. Here the grand army, which being fully completed, encamped for the space of three days. -- The whole number was now estimated at 220 rank and file. During their stay here, the troops were kept under a constant drill of manual exercise with guns and swords, and their arms put in a state of repair -- the Prophet became very expert with a sword, and felt himself equal to his prototype Coriantumr. He had the best sword in the army (probably a true model of Laban's, if not the identical one itself,) an elegant brace of pistols, which were purchased on a credit of six months, a rifle, and four horses. Wight was appointed second in command, or fighting general, who, together with the prophet, had an armour bearer appointed, selected from among the most expert tactitions, whose duty it was to be in constant attendance upon their masters with their arms. The generals then appointed a new captain to each band, organized two companies of rangers, or sharp

shooters, to act as scouts or flankers, when they should arrive upon the field of carnage. After this they dubbed themselves the "army of Zion," and Hiram Smith was chosen to carry the flag, which he kept unfurled during the remainder of the march.

The march of the grand army was then resumed for two or three days, when it was agreed to spend half a day in a sham fight. For this purpose four divisions were formed, and took positions, and went to work, agreeably to the most approved forms of Bonaparte, Black Hawk, Coriantumr, or Shiz. After coming to close quarters, however, all discipline was lost sight of; and each one adopted a mode agreeable to his taste. Some preferred the real British push with the bayonet, some the old Kentucky dodging from tree to tree, while others prefered the Lamanite mode of tomahawking, scalping and ripping open the bowels. The final result was, that several guns and swords were broken, some of the combatants wounded, and each one well pleased with his own exploits.

After crossing the Mississippi, spies on horseback were kept constantly on the look out, several miles in front & rear. The Prophet went in disguise, changing his dress frequently, riding on the different baggage wagons, and, to all appearance, expecting every moment to be his last. Near the close of one day, they approached a prairie, which was 30 miles in extent, without inhabitants. Here an altercation took place between the two generals, which almost amounted to a mutiny. The prophet declared it was not safe to stay there over night, as the enemy would probably be upon them. Gen. Wight totally refused to enter the prairie, as they would not he able to find water, or to build a fire to cook their provisions, besides the great fatigue it would cause the troops. Smith said he would show them how to eat raw pork. Hiram said he knew by the spirit

that it was dangerous to stay there. The prophet finally exclaimed, "Thus saith the Lord God -- March on;" this settled the matter -- and they all moved on about fifteen miles, and thinking themselves out of danger, they encamped beside a muddy pool, and went through the raw pork operation. Here the controversy was again renewed between the two generals. Smith said "he knew exactly when to pray, when to sing, when to talk, and when to laugh, by the Spirit of God -- that God never commanded any one to pray for his enemies." The whole seemed much dissatisfied, and came nigh breaking out into open mutiny.

The Prophet had, besides his other weapons, a large bull dog, which was exceedingly cross during the nights, and frequently attempted to bite persons stirring about. One of the captains, (a High Priest,) one evening, declared to the Prophet that he would shoot the dog, if he ever attempted to bite him. Smith replied, "that if he continued in the same spirit, and did not repent, the dog would yet cut the flesh off his bones, and he would not have the power to resist. This was the commencement of a controversy between the Prophet and his High Priest, which was not settled till some time after their return to head-quarters, in Kirtland, when the former underwent a formal trial on divers serious charges, before his Priests, honorably acquitted, and the latter made to acknowledge that he had been possessed of several devils, for many weeks. The dog, however, a few nights after the controversy commenced, was shot through the leg by a sentinel, near the Prophet's tent, and died instantly.

When within twelve miles of Liberty, Clay county, Mo. (the head-quarters of the fanatics in that state,) the "army of Zion" was met by two Gentlemen, who had been deputed by the citizens of another county, for the purpose of enquiring into the motive and object of such a hostile and warlike appearance upon their borders. These gentlemen

openly warned the military band and their Prophet, to desist from their intended operations, and leave the settlement of their difficulties with the people of Jackson county, in other hands -- advised them to he very careful what they did and said, as the citizens of not only Jackson, but some of the adjacent counties, were very much enraged and excited, and were fully determined to resist the first attempt upon them, by an armed force from other States. A few hours after, this the Prophet brought out a revelation, for the use of his troops, which said, in substance, that "they had been tried, even as Abraham was tried, and the offering was accepted by the Lord, and when Abraham received his reward, they would receive theirs." Upon this, the war was declared to be at an end. A call for volunteers, however, was made, to take up their abode in Clay county, when about 150 turned out. The next day they marched to Liberty, and each man received an honorable discharge, under the signature of Gen. Wight. The army then scattered in different directions, some making their way back from whence they came, the best way they could, begging their expenses from the inhabitants. Thee Prophet and his chief men, however, had plenty of money, and travelled as other gentlemen do. Before leaving Liberty, the Cholera broke out among them, and carried off thirteen of their number, viz.: John S. Carter, Eber Wilcox, Seth Hitchcock, Erastus Rudd, Algernon S. Gilbert, Alfred Fisk, Edward Ives, Noah Johnson, Jesse B. Lawson, Robert McCord, Eliel Strong, Jessie Smith and Betsey Parish. A new revelation was now had, that the brethren could purchase land and settle in any of the adjacent counties, or "regions round about."

The particulars of this expedition have been related to us by an eye witness, who was one of the sharp shooters, and marched the whole distance, full of faith in the assertions

of Jo Smith, that "Zion was to be delivered." He came back, well satisfied with Mormonism, and is esteemed a man of truth and veracity, by his acquaintances. And now, had we the pen of a Cervantes, we should be strongly tempted to draw out another volume, as an appendix, from the valorous deeds of our modern Knight of La Mancha, for we do not believe that in all the history of knight errantry, whether true or fabulous, an excursion by any set of men, so fraught with delusion and nonsense, can be found. And, in fact, it came well nigh loosening the scales from the eyes of most of the dupes to that imposition -- and the whole camp came near breaking up, after the return of the Prophet to Kirtland. There was a constant uproar among the brethren, for three or four weeks, which only terminated in a sham trial of the Prophet; wherein, as near as we can learn, he was judge, jury and witness; and, as one of the brethren said, (very imprudently,) a more disgraceful transaction never took place. The Prophet considered it a trying time with himself, and a point on which his future prospects turned. He accordingly put in requisition all his powers of speech and tact at deception, to cover over his transactions, and reclaim his refractory followers. On one occasion he harangued and belabored them for six hours upon a stretch, and finally succeeded in restoring order, with the loss of two or three members. It would seem that the Prophet anticipated trouble, on his return, as he secured a deed of a valuable farm, just before starting, by the contributions of his followers. He also took a deed of the ground on which stands a huge stone temple, sixty by eighty feet; and which is now nearly completed. Possessing himself, personally, of this edifice, gave such dissatisfaction, that the deed was finally altered, so as run to him and his successor.

But to return to the Missouri war. On hearing of the

approach of the prophet and his troops, the people of Jackson county had a general meeting, organized a military force, and appointed a committee of ten persons to proceed to Liberty, in order to effect a settlement of their controversy with the Mormons, They met the Mormon leaders, in a public meeting, when the following correspondence passed between them; but as the Prophet had not then arrived, nothing could be accomplished.

"Propositions of the People of Jackson to the Mormons."

"The undersigned committee, being fully authorized by the people of Jackson county, hereby propose to the Mormons, that they will buy all the land that the said Mormons own in the county of Jackson; and also, all the improvements which the said Mormons had on any public lands in said county of Jackson, as they existed before the first disturbances between the people of Jackson and the Mormons, and for such as they have made since. They further propose, that the valuation of said land and improvements shall be ascertained by three disinterested arbitrators, to be chosen and agreed to by both parties. They further propose, that should the said parties disagree in the choice of arbitrators, then ----- is to choose them. They further propose that twelve of the Mormons shall be permitted to go along with the arbitrators, to show them their land and improvements, while valuing the same, and such other of the Mormons as the arbitrators shall wish to do so, to give them information: and the people of Jackson hereby guarantee their entire safety while doing so. They further propose, that when the arbitrators report the value of the land and improvements, as aforesaid, the people of Jackson will pay the valuation, with one hundred per cent. thereon, to the Mormons within thirty days thereafter. They further propose that the Mormons are not to make any effort ever after

to settle, either collectively or individually, within the limits of Jackson county. The Mormons are to enter into bonds to insure the conveyance of their land in Jackson county, according to the above terms, when the payment shall be made; and the committee will enter into a like bond, with such security as may be deemed sufficient, for the payment of the money, according to the above proposition. While the arbitrators are investigating and deciding the matter referred to them, the Mormons are not to attempt to enter Jackson county, or to settle there, except such as are, by the foregoing proposition permitted to go there. They further propose that the people of Jackson will sell all their lands, and improvements on public lands in Jackson county, to the Mormons -- the valuation to be obtained in the same manner -- the same per cent. in addition to be paid -- and the time the money is to be paid is the same as above set forth in our proposition to buy -- the Mormons to give good security for the payment of the money, and the undersigned will give good security that the land will be conveyed to the Mormons. They further propose, that all parties are to remain as they are till the payment is made, at which time the people of Jackson will give possession.

Signed: --

SAMUEL C. OWENS,

THOMAS JEFFRIES,

S. NOLAND,

THOS. HAYTON, Sen.

JOHN DAVIS,

ROBT. RICKMAN,

JAMES CAMPBELL,

ABR'M McCLELLAN,

S. N. NOLAN,

RICHARD FRISTOE."

ANSWER.

"Gentlemen: --

"Your proposition for an adjustment of the difficulties between the citizens of Jackson county, and the Mormons, is before us; and as explained to you in the court house,

this day, we are not authorized to say to you that our brethren will submit to your proposals; but we agree to spread general notice, and call a meeting of our people in all, the present week, and lay before you an answer as soon as Saturday or Monday next. We can say for ourselves, and in behalf of our brethren, that peace is what we desire, and what we are disposed to cultivate with all men; and to effect peace, we feel disposed to use all our influence, as far as would be required at our hands, as free born citizens of these United States. And as fears have been expressed that we designed to commence hostilities against the inhabitants of Jackson county, we hereby pledge ourselves to them, and to the hospitable citizens of Clay county, that we will not, and neither have designed, as a people, to commence hostilities against the aforesaid citizens of Jackson county, or any other people.

"Our answer shall be handed to Judge Turnham, the Chairman of the meeting, even earlier than the time before stated, if possible.

W. W. PHELPS,

Wm. E. McLELIN,

ISAAC MORLEY,

A, S. GILBERT,

JOHN CARRILL.

"N. B. As we are informed that a large number of people are on their way, removing into Jackson county, we agree to use our influence immediately to prevent the said company from entering into Jackson county, until you shall receive an answer to the proposition aforementioned."

About the same time the following correspondence appeared in the Missouri Enquirer, a paper printed at Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri:

"Being a citizen of Clay county, and knowing that there is considerable excitement among the people thereof, and also knowing that different reports are arriving almost hourly,

and being requested by the Hon. J. F. Ryland to meet the Mormons under arms, and obtain from the leaders thereof the correctness of the various reports in circulation -- the true intent and meaning of their present movements, and their views generally regarding the difficulties existing between them and the citizens of Jackson county -- I did, in company with other gentlemen, call upon the said leaders of the Mormons, at their camps, in Clay county; and now give to the people of Clay county their written statement, containing the substance of what passed between us. CORNELIUS GILLUM."

"Propositions of the Mormons."

"Being called upon by the above named gentlemen, at our camp, in Clay county, to ascertain from the leaders of our men our intentions, views and designs, in approaching this county in the manner that we have: we, herefore, the more cheerfully comply with their request, because we are called upon by gentlemen of good feelings, who are disposed for peace, and an amicable adjustment of the difficulties existing between us and the people of Jackson county. The reports of our intentions are various, and have gone abroad in a light calculated to arouse the feelings of almost every man. For instance, one report is, that we intend to demolish the printing office in Liberty; another report is, that we intend crossing the Missouri River, on Sunday next, and falling upon women and children, and slaying them; another is, that our men were employed to perform this expedition, being taken from the manufacturing establishments in the East that had closed business; also that we carried a flag, bearing peace on one side, and war or blood on the other; and various other too numerous to mention. All of which, a plain declaration of our intentions, from under our own hands, will show are not correct.

In the first place, it is not our intention to commit hostilities against any man or body of men. It is not our intention to injure any man's person or property, except in defending ourselves. Our flag has been exhibited to the above gentlemen, who will be able to describe it. Our men were not taken from any manufacturing establishment. It is our intention to go back upon our lands in Jackson, by order of the Executive of the State, if possible. We have brought our arms with us for the purpose of self-defence, as it is well known to almost every man of the State that we have every reason to put ourselves in an attitude of defence, considering the abuse we have suffered in Jackson county.

We are anxious for a settlement of the difficulties existing between us, upon honorable and constitutional principles. We are willing for twelve disinterested men, six to be chosen by each party, and these men shall say what the possessions of those men are worth who cannot live with us in the county, and they shall have their money in one year; and none of the Mormons shall enter that county to reside until the money is paid. The damages that we have sustained in consequence of being driven away shall also be left to the above twelve men. Or they may all live in the county, if they choose, and we will never molest them if they let us alone, and permit us to enjoy our rights. We wish to live in peace with all men, and equal rights is all we ask. We wish to become permanent citizens of this State, and wish to bear our proportion in the support of the Government, and to be protected by its laws. If the above proposals are complied with, we are willing to give security on our part; and we shall want the same of the people of Jackson county for the performance of this agreement. -- We do not wish to settle down in a body, except where we can purchase the lands with money; for to take possession by conquest is entirely foreign to our feelings. The shedding

of blood we shall not be guilty of until all honorable means prove insufficient to restore peace. Attest:

JOSEPH SMITH, Jr.

F. G. WILLIAMS,

LYMAN WIGHT,

ROGER ORTON,

ORSON HYDE,

JOHN S. CARTER.

JOHN LINCOLN,

C. R. MOREHEAD,

JOHN SCONCE,

JAMES H. LONG,

JAMES COLLINS,"

"Clay County, June 21, 1834."

"Messrs. KELLEY & DAVIS:

Gentlemen: Having understood that a communication from the Mormons, addressed to the people of Clay county, a copy of which was also forwarded to us, dated 21st inst. has been left with you for publication, we have thought proper to give the said communication a passing notice, especially as it bears the signatures of Jo. Smith, Jr. F. G. Williams, Lyman Wight, Roger Orton, Orson Hyde, and John S. Carter.

We are unable to say with precision, who of the Mormons hold land in Jackson county, by any earthly title; but, so far as we can obtain any information at the Register's office at Lexington, so far as the sales of Seminary lands, of the 16th sections of the Township School Lands, inform us, and so far as the Recorder's Office furnishes any information of lands transferred by deeds recorded, neither of the above gentlemen Mormons own any lands in Jackson County; although, throughout their whole communication, they hold out the idea, that their only wish and desire is to return to their lands in Jackson. From the above, it would seem that if those who signed the communication above alluded to, have titles to any lands in Jackson county, they are titles unknown to the laws of the State, and of a character not known to common conveyances. -- Why men, who do not, so far as we can learn, own any lands in Jackson, should promulgate to the world, that they

have been expelled from them, appears to us inexplicable; unless, indeed, it is done with a view to deceive. Why men, living in the State of Ohio, should there raise an armed force, and march the distance of 6 or 800 miles, under the pretense of taking possession of their lands in Jackson, when, in fact, they have no earthly title to any, that would be to us also inexplicable, had we not the best possible reasons to know and believe their true intent and purpose. -- Joseph Smith, Jr., whose name is first to the paper of which we speak, we confidently believe does not, neither did he ever, own a foot of land in Jackson county. Said Smith, two years or more ago, was in Jackson county some two or three weeks; since which time, he has not been, or at least known publicly to have been, in Jackson county. F. G. Williams, the second signer, we are informed, on competent authority, has never been a resident of Jackson county. But, if here at all, his stay was short, (our informant was, if not yet, a Mormon.) Lyman Wight had been for some time a resident of this county, but had no title to any land, as we believe, for the facts above stated. Roger Orton is unknown to any of the citizens of this county, so far as we have been able to make inquiry, and is unknown to some of the Mormon faith. Orson Hyde is known, and of famous memory to most of the people of this county, not by personal acquaintance, for, as we are informed, he had been but a short time here; but, by his communications, which appeared in the St, Louis Republican last November, (with what truth we will not here discuss.) John S. Carter is unknown to any person in this county, so far as we can learn.

"Thus it would seem, that the signers of the above paper, or a majority of them, have no interest whatever in this county, any further than the Mormon church is concerned; and yet, they avow to the citizens of Clay, that

their sole object in arming and marching to this county was, and is, to take possession of their lands, when in fact they had no lands to take possession of: that the abuse they received here last Fall is sufficient to warrant them coming here armed. What abuse, we ask, did the Prophet Jo, Smith, Jr., receive in this county last Fall, and he not in the State? None, indeed to his person. Again, they say that they never intended to get possession of Zion, (that is Jackson,) by the shedding of blood! But, in Revelation No. 54, given in Kirtland, Ohio, August, 1831, near three years since, which we find in a Book of Revelations, printed by the Mormons, we discover the following in the thirteenth verse, to wit: 'Wherefore, the land of Zion shall be obtained but by PURCHASE or by BLOOD, otherwise there is no inheritance for you,' Thus it would seem, that either the Revelation is false, or the statement made by Jo. Smith and others to the people of Clay county is false. -- And we cannot but conclude, that the statement was got up for the sole purpose of allaying public excitement against them, and without much regard to their real object in coming here. The fact is, that an armed force coming from another State, many, and indeed most of whom have never, as we are informed and believe, been here before, produces the strongest conviction to our minds, that the Mormons do not intend to rely upon the arm of the civil law for protection, and redress of grievances; but that under the pretence of getting back to their lands in Jackson county, a pretence which, applied to nineteen out of twenty of them, is false, they intend to redress of themselves their real as well as imaginary wrongs. We have already offered them two prices for their lands; they will not sell -- neither will they buy ours on the same terms. All this pertinacity and infatuation of theirs, show that they are determined, at all hazards, and regardless of all consequences, to shake and

convulse not only Jackson but the surrounding counties, to their very center, and to imbrue the while upper Missouri in blood and carnage. We will here observe, in conclusion, that our proposition to the Mormons to sell their lands to us on the same terms which we offer ours to them, must be regarded as a proof of our desire to do them justice, and thus put a final termination to this controversy.

"SAMUEL C. OWENS,

"Chairman of Jackson county Committee, *"Independence, (MO,) June 23, 1834."

Copy of a Letter from Daniel Dunklin, Governor of the State of Missouri, to Col. James Thornton, dated*

CITY OF JEFFERSON, June 6, 1834.

Dear Sir: I was pleased at the receipt of your letter, concurred in by Messrs. Ress, Atchison, and Donaphin, on the subject of the Mormon difficulties. I should be gratified, indeed, if the parties could compromise on the terms you suggested, or, indeed, upon any other terms satisfactory to themselves. But I should travel out of line of my strict duty, as chief executive officer of the government, were I to take upon myself the task of effecting a compromise between the parties. Had I not supposed it possible, yes, probable, that I should, as Executive of the State, have to act, I should, before now, have interfered individually, in the way you suggest, or in some other way, in order, if possible, to effect a compromise. Uncommitted as I am, to either party, I shall feel no embarrassment in doing my duty; though it may be done with extreme regret. My duty in the relation in which I now stand to the parties, is plain and straight forward. By an official interposition, I might embarrass my course, and urge a measure for the purpose of effecting a compromise, and if it should fail, and in the end, should I find it my duty to act contrary to the

advice I had given, it might be said, that I either advised wrong, or acted wrong; or that I was partial to one side or the other, in giving advice that I would not, as an officer, follow. A more clear and indisputable right does not exist, than that of the Mormon people, who were expelled from their homes in Jackson county, to return and live on their lands, and if they cannot be persuaded as a matter of policy, to give up that right, or to qualify it, my course, as chief Executive officer of the State, is a plain one. The Constitution of the United States declares, --- "That the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States." Then we cannot interdict any people who have a political franchise, in the United States, from emigrating to this State, nor from choosing what part of the State they will settle in providing they do not trespass on the property or rights of others. -- Our State Constitution declares that the people's 'right to bear arms, in defense of themselves, and of the State, cannot be questioned.' Then it is their constitutional right to arm themselves. Indeed, our militia law makes it the duty of every man, not exempt by law, between the ages of 18 and 45, to arm himself with a musket, rifle, or some firelock, with a certain quantity of ammunition, &c. And again, our Constitution says, 'that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.' I am fully persuaded that the eccentricity of the religious opinions and practices of the Mormons, is at the bottom of the outrages committed against them.

"They have the right constitutionally guaranteed to them, and it is in defeasible, to believe and worship Jo Smith, as a man, an angel, or even as the true and living God, and to call their habitation Zion, the Holy Land, or even Heaven itself. Indeed, there is nothing so absurd or ridiculous, that

they have not a right to adopt as their religion, so that in its exercise, they do not interfere with the right of others.

"It is not long since an impostor assumed the character of Jesus Christ, and attempted to minister as such; but I never heard of any combination to deprive him of his rights.

"I consider it the duty of every good citizen of Jackson and the adjoining counties, to exert themselves to effect a compromise of these difficulties, and were I assured that I would not have to act in my official capacity in the affair, I would visit the parties in person, and exert myself to the utmost to settle it. My first advice would be to the Mormons to sell out their lands in Jackson county, and to settle somewhere else, where they could live in peace, if they could get a fair price for their lands, and reasonable damages for injuries received. If this failed, I would try the citizens and advise them to rescind their illegal resolves of last summer; and agree to conform to the laws in every particular, in respect to the Mormons. If both these failed, I would then advise the plan you have suggested, for each party to take separate territory and confine their members within their respective limits, with the exception of the right of egress and regress upon the highway. If all these failed, then the simple question of legal right would have to settle it. It is this last that I am afraid I shall have to conform my action to in the end. And hence the necessity of keeping myself in the best situation to do my duty impartially.

"Rumor says that each party are preparing themselves with cannon. -- That would be illegal. It is not necessary for self-defence, as guaranteed by the Constitution. And as there are no artillery companies organized in this State, nor field pieces provided by the public, any preparations of that kind will be considered as without right; and in the present state of things, would be understood to be with a

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criminal intent. I am told that the people of Jackson county expect assistance from the adjoining counties, to oppose the Mormons in taking or keeping possession of their lands. I should regret it extremely. if any should be so imprudent as to do so; it would give a different aspect to the affair.

"The citizens of Jackson county have a right to arm themselves and parade for military duty in their own county independent of the commander-in-chief; but if the citizens march there from other counties, with arms, without orders from the commander-in-chief or some one authorized by him, it would produce a very different state of things. Indeed, the Mormons have no right to march to Jackson county in arms, unless by order or permission of the commander-in-chief. Men do not 'levy war' in taking possession of their rights, any more than others should in opposing them in taking possession.

"As you have manifested a deep interest in a peaceable compromise of this important affair, I presume you will not be unwilling to be placed in a situation, in which, perhaps, you can be more serviceable to these parties. I have therefore taken the liberty of appointing you an Aid to the commander-in-chief, and hope it will be agreeable to you to accept. In this situation you can give your propositions all the influence they would have, were they to emanate from the Executive, without committing yourself or the commander-in-chief in the event of a failure.

"I would be glad if you or some other gentleman who joined in your communication, would keep a close correspondence with these parties, and by each mail, write me.

"The character of the State has been injured in consequence of this unfortunate affair: and I sincerely hope it may not be disgraced by it in the end.

"With high respect, your obedient servant,

Signed: "DANIEL DUNKLIN."

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Thus ended the far-famed Mormon war, and thus the difficulties stand at the present time. It was set on foot, as they constantly held out, by a command of the Lord, for the sole and express purpose of "redeeming Zion," as the dupes who marched under the orders of the prophet, firmly believed. They entertained not the least doubt that they were to have a brush with the people of Jackson county, and some were sorely disappointed and chagrined, when it was first announced that no blood was to be spilt; so much so, that one, at least, manifested a determination not to submit to the decision of the Prophet, and was only pacified by an exhibition of the revelation to his view. After all, Smith had the hardihood and affrontry to declare, after his return, that his sole and only object in marching his troops thither, was to carry money and other supplies to his brethren, who were in destitute circumstances. But the reasons why the expedition was so suddenly terminated, may be readily discovered in the Governor's letter, and the manifestations of the citizens in that part of the country. Smith and his High Priests supposed that they had nothing to do but to make a display of their instruments of destruction, and their flag, to restore peace to the country. All the benefit, therefore, which was derived from his long march and expenditure of money, was, for the Prophet to get the information that he had no business there, and that it would be the most prudent course to "march back again."