Important from Washington

Below will be found a report from the committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the memorial presented by a delegation of brethren sent from this place, last fall, to Washington, to petition Congress for redress for the wrongs we have sustained by the mob in Missouri.

The memorial was accompanied by a large number of documents seting [setting] forth the true situation of the case, and plainly showing that the petitioners had made application to all the constituted authorities of Missouri for redress, in vain; and that the Governor, instead of granting them protection, as citizens, had issued his order to have them all EXTERMINATED,-an order, which this committee very well knows, was in open violation of the constitution of the United States, and a violation of all law, either human or Divine, still they did not feel themselves authorized to interpose in the matter, because it transpired in the SOVREIGN [sovereign] State of Missouri.-No! they could not heed the cries of helpless widows and orphans, made so by the execution of the most unhallowed order ever issued by man. The cries of bleeding innocence could have no impression upon their minds,-constitutional rights, cruelly wrested from upwards of one hundred thousand American citizens, could not induce this magnanimous committee to put forth the helping hand, for a moment, to their relief: but at the very first call from the greatest forgerer in America, William P. Rathbone, they were ready to report a bill for his relief-which they did do, at the same time, this report was offered; this is a fair specimen of the notions of Justice, cherished in the bosom of the wise men and rulers of the nation. Oh Liberty! whether hast thou fled? Oh Patriotism! whether hast thou gone? surely the balances are fallen from the hands of Justice; the wreath no longer encircles the head of Liberty; and Republicanism has bowed at the shrine of despotism and tyrany [tyranny].

Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the memorial of a delegation of Latter Day Saints, commonly called Mormons:

The petition of the memorialists sets forth, in substance, that a portion of their sect commenced a settlement in the county of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, in the summer of 1831: that they bought lands, built houses, erected churches, and established their homes, and engaged in all the various occupations of life: that they were expelled from that county in 1833, by a mob, under circumstances of great outrage, cruelty, and oppression, and against all law, and without any offence [offense] committed on their part, and to the destruction of property to the amount of $120,000: that the society thus expelled amount to about 1,200 souls, that no compensation was ever made for the destruction of their property in Jackson: that after their expulsion from Jackson county, they settled

in Clay county, on the opposite side of the Missouri river, where they purchased lands, and entered others at the land office, where they resided peaceably for three years, engaged in cultivation and other useful and active employments, when the mob again threatened their peace, lives, and property: and they became alarmed, and finally made a treaty with the citizens of Clay county that they should purchase their lands, and the Mormons should remove, which was complied with on their part, and the Mormons removed to the county of Caldwell, where they took up their abode, and re-established their settlement, not without heavy pecuniary losses and other inconveniences; that the citizens of Clay county never paid them for their lands, except for a small part. They remained in Caldwell from 1836 until the fall of 1838, and during that time had acquired, by purchase from the Government, the settlers and pre-emptioners, almost all the lands in the county of Caldwell, and a portion of the lands in Daviess and Carroll counties; the former county being almost entirely settled by the Mormons and they were rapidly filling up the two latter counties.-Those counties, when the Mormons first commenced their settlement, were, for the most part, wild and uncultivated, and they had converted them into large and well improved farms, well stocked. Lands had risen in value from 10 to 25 dollars per acre, and those counties were rapidly advancing in cultivation and wealth; that in August, 1838, a riot commenced, growing out of an attempt of a Mormon to vote which resulted in creating great excitement and the perpetration of many scenes of lawless outrage, which are set forth in the petition; that they were finally compelled to fly from those counties; and on the 11th of October, 1838, they sought safety by that means, with their families, leaving many of their effects behind; that they had previously applied to the constituted authorities of Missouri for protection, but in vain. They alledge [allege] that they were pursued by the mob; that conflicts ensued; deaths occured [occurred] on each side; and, finally a force was organized, under the authority of the Governor of the Sate of Missouri, with orders to drive the Mormons from the State, or exterminate them. The Mormons thereupon determined to make no further resistance, but submit themselves to the authorities of the State. Several of the Mormons were arrested and imprisoned on a charge of treason against the State: and the rest, amounting to about 15,000 souls, fled into the other States, principally in Illinois, where they now reside.

The petition is drawn up at great length, and sets forth, with feeling and eloquence, the wrongs of which they complain; justifies their own conduct, and aggravate that of those whom they call their persecutors, and concludes by saying that they see no redress, unless it be obtained of the Congress of the United States, to whom they make their solemn last appeal as American citizens, as Christians, and as men. To which discision [decision] they say they will submit.

The committee have examined the case presented by the petition, and heard the views urged by their agent with care and attention; and, after full examination and consideration, unanimously concur in the opinion that the case presented for their investigation is not such a one as will Justify or authorize any interposition by this Government. The wrongs complained of are not alledged [alleged] to be committed by any of the officers of the United States, or under the authority of its Government in any manner whatever. The allegations in the petition relate to the acts of the citizens and inhabitants, and authorities of the State of Missouri, of which State the petitioners were at the time citizens and inhabitants. The grievances complained of in the petition are alledged [alleged] to have been done within the territory of the State of Missouri. The committee, under these circumstances, have not considered themselves justified in inquiring into the truth or falsehood of the facts charged in the petition. If they are true, the petitioners must seek relief in the court of Judicature of the State of Missouri, or of the United States, which has the appropriate Jurisdiction to administer full and adequate redress for the wrongs complained of, and doubtless will do so fairly and impartially; or, the petitioners may, if they see proper, apply to the Justice and magnanimity of the State of Missouri-an appeal which the committee feel Justified in believing will never be made in vain by the injured or oppressed.-It can never be presumed that a State either wants the power, or lacks the disposition, to redress the wrongs of its own citizens committed within her own territory, whether they proceed from the lawless acts of her officers, or other persons.

The committee therefore report that they reccommend [recommend] the passage of the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial in this case; and that the memorialists have leave to withdraw the papers which accompany their memorial.