Books!!!

The spread of truth for a few years past, has been so exceedingly rapid, that, amid the conflicting winds of persecution, that has rolled with unexampled fury upon the heads of the saints; it has been impossible to keep the public supplied with books: and, inasmuch as the universal cry has been "Books," "Books," "we want Books," &c. and none could be had: we announce with pleasure, that effectual measures are now taking to accomplish the long desired object of getting books once more into circulation. It will be seen in this sheet that the Book of Mormon is now being Stereotyped and printed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and by the first of September, there will be Books of Mormon to be had on the most reasonable terms possible. Therefore, as the saints and the public in general, are acquainted with the fact that our means (money,) is very limited, to accomplish a work of this magnitude, they will, (it is hoped) no doubt improve the opportunity, and every man secure

to himself a book; for in so doing they will open an effectual door for spreading before the world other Books, which are very much desired.

The authorities of the church here, having taken this subject into consideration, and viewing he importance of Publishing a Hymn Book, and a more extensive quantity of the Books of Mormon, and also the necessity of Publishing the new translation of the scriptures, which has so long been desired by the Saints; have appointed, and authorized Samuel Bent and Geo. W. Harris, as traveling agents, to make contracts and receive monies [moneys] &c. for the accomplishment of this glorious work. They are truly responsible men, men in whom we repose confidence; their operations will be relied upon. We would advise our Patrons, and the saints in general to act the liberal part in subscribing and paying in advance for these valuable works; they will prove to be more than an equivalent to the lucrative, for they will benefit the soul, whereas riches will only serve to corrode and canker it.

Question. If every friend to the cause of apostolic christianity, would subscribe and pay in advance for the above mentioned books, (so small a sum that it would not be missed,) how long would it be before there would be an abundance of means to accomplish the whole work? The best way to answer this, is by example.

As there has been some complaining that our papers are not received regular by our mail subscribers, we would just observe that our patrons may rest assured that we have spared no pains in preparing our papers for the mail, but we have taken extra pains to wrap them strong and snug, and directed them with a plain hand; and why they should not be received we know not, one thing we do know, and that is this: "Mormonism" has excited a great deal of curiosity in the world, and there are thousands of people, who have an itching disposition to know all about the matter, but dare not subscribe for the paper, for fear their priests will turn them out of the synagogue [synagogue], and they be counted as heritics [heretics]. It would be pleasing if such individuals would, after reading, send them along to the lawful owners.

Letters have been flooding the Post Office of late, directed to us with the Postage unpaid; the principle part of which will of necessity, be remailed for Washington. All letters to us for the future, will not receive attention unless the Postage is PAID.

Our subscription for one year is one dollar in advance: a letter comes requesting the paper for one year, containing $1; Postage 25 cents, in the course of three months the second letter makes its appearance, requesting the paper to be directed to another Post Office: Postage 25 cents. After a short time a paper gets miscarried and one number is missing; the subscriber anxious to keep the volume complete, sends the third letter requesting the last No. Postage 25 cents. The fourth letter comes lumbering along in a few days requesting the paper to be stoped [stopped] at the office as he is about to move into the place: Postage 25 cents. The next letter that comes has a silver dollar, to pay for the paper one year; excess of Postage 75 cents. How do you think printers can live?

We have given in this No. the affidavits of men of known integrity, concerning the outrageous [outrageous] kidnapping transaction, and the enforcing of gag

law by some of the citizens of Missouri. The preamble &c. is expressive of our views, we shall therefore defer comment.

Missouri has secured to herself a great name, from an experience of actual service for nearly eight years, she has become notable for four things viz: GAG LAW, MURDERING, ROBBING and EXTERMINATING: If Gov. Boggs should be re- elected, we shall expect that an inquisition will be established in the EMPIRE State.

Our patrons must have patience; if the August number should not come as soon as it is desired, the following may be assigned as the reason why. Bro. E. Robinson is absent on business, and my abscence [absence], of necessity, is required for a few weeks. D. C. S.

The two following, affidavits, given by Messrs. Brown and Allred, contain facts in relation to the late Missouri kidnapping.-Ed.

This day, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace, in the aforesaid county; Alanson Brown, a credible witness, who first being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says, that on the 7th day of July, A. D. 1840, and in the county of Hancock, in said State, William Allensworth, H. M. Woodyard, William Martin, John H. Owsley, John Bain, Light T Tate and Halsey White, in company with several other persons, to this affiant unknown forcibly arrested this affiant, and one Benjamin Boyce; whilst affiant and said Boyce were quietly pursuing their own lawful business. And that immediately after said arrest the said Allensworth, Woodyard, Martin Owsley, Bain, Tate and White, did illegally and forcibly take, kidnap, and carry this affiant and said Boyce bound with cords from the said county of Hancock, in said State, on the day and year above set forth, into the county of Lewis, in the State of Missouri; without having established a claim for such a procedure, according to the laws of the United States. Affiant states that in a short time after he was taken into the State of Missouri, he was put into a room with said Boyce, and there kept until about eleven o'clock the following night: when they were taken out of the room, where they had been confined, into the woods near at hand, by said Tate, a man by the name of Huner and another by the name of Monday and some others, whose names affiant did not learn; they previously placed a rope about the neck of the affiant, Huner and Monday then proceeded to hang the affiant, and did hang him for some time upon a tree, until affiant was nearly strangled, after which they let him down and loosened the rope. Shortly after this affiant heard repeated blows, which others belonging to the same gang of Huner, were inflicting upon Boyce, and he could hear also the cries of Boyce, under the pain arising from the blows, after which, affiant and Boyce were taken back to the room where they had been confined, in which they found a man by the name of Rogers, and another by the name of Allred.

Affiant further states, that he was kept in imprisonment [imprisonment] by the persons heretofore named, and others to him unknown, until Friday evening next ensuing, the Tuesday on which Boyce and himself were kidnapped [kidnapped], when he escaped out of their hands and returned into the State of Illinois.

Affiant has learned that the name of the place, in said county of Lewis, State of Missouri to which he was so taken from the State of Illinois, is called Tulle, to which the said Allensworth, Woodyard, Martin, Owsley, Bain, Tate, and White, have fled as fugitives from Justice, and at which they are now to be found.

I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit, was this day subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, by said Alanson Brown. DANIEL H. WELLS. Justice of the Peace . July 13th, 1840.

State of Illinois, }

Hancock county,}

This day personably appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, James Allred, a credible witness, who first being duly sworn according

to law, deposes and says, that William Allensworth, John H. Owsly, and William Martin, on the seventh day of July, A. D. 1840, within the limits of the said county, of Hancock, aided by several other persons, to this affiant unknown-forcibly arrested this affiant and one Noah Rogers; whilst affiant and said Rogers, were peaceably pursuing their own lawful business and that the said Allensworth, Owsly and Martin, after said arrest, aided by sundry persons, to this affiant unknown; did forcibly take, kidnap and carry this affiant, and said Rogers, from the said county of Hancock, in the state of Illinois, on the day and year above mentioned, into the state of Missouri, without having established a claim for such proceedure [procedure] according to the laws of the United States.

Affiant further states, that in a short time after he had been so taken into the state of Missouri, he was put into a room with said Rogers, and there kept until some time during the following night, when they were taken out of the room where they were confined into the woods near by, and this affiant was bound by the persons conducting him to a tree he having been first forcibly striped [stripped] by them of every particle of clothing. Those having him in charge then told affiant that they would whip him, one of them by the name of Monday, saying to this affiant God-dam you I'll cut you to the hollow. They however at last unbound the affiant without whiping [whipping] him. Affiant states that said Rogers was taken just beyond the place where affiant was bound with a rope about his neck, and he heard a great number of blows which he then supposed, and has since learned, were inflicted upon said Rogers, and heard him cry out several times as if in great agony; after which affiant together with Rogers was taken back and placed in the room from which they were taken, together with one Boyce & Brown, and detained until Monday next succeeding the day on which he was kidnapped; at which time he received from one of the company who had imprised [imprisoned ?] him a passport, of which the following is a copy.

Tully Mo. July 12th, 1840.

The people of Tully, having taken up Mr Allred, with some others, and having examined into the offences [offenses], find nothing to justify his detention any longer., and have released him. By order of the committee, H. M. WOODYARD.

And then this affiant was permitted to return home into the State of Illinois. This place in Missouri to which affiant and said Rogers were taken, he has learned is called Tully, and is situated in the county of Lewis, and at which place Missouri, the said Allensworth, Owsley and Martin, are now living.

I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit, was this day subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, by the said James Allred. DANIEL H. WELLS. Justice of the peace.

July 16th, 1840.

At a meeting of the citizens of Nauvoo, Hancock co. Illinois, 13th July, 1840. Elias Higbee was called to the chair, and R. B. Thompson was appointed Secretary [secretary.]

On motion, a Committee was appointed to report resolutions, expressive of the sense of this meeting, consisting of the following persons to wit: Isaac Galland, R. B. Thompson, Sidney Rigdon, and D. H. Wells, who retired and after a short absence, reported the following preamble and resolutions which were unaniously [unanimously] adopted.