Letter From The Editor

American Hotel,}

Monmouth, Warren co., Ill.}

June 9th., 1841.}

Wednesday Evening,

We have just returned from the Court House, where we have listened to one of the most eloquent speeches ever uttered by mortal man in favor of justice and liberty, by O. H. Browning, Esq., who has done himself immortal honor in the sight of all patriotic citizens who listened to the same.-He occupied the attention of the court for more than two hours, and showed the falsity of the arguments of the opposite council, and laid down principles in a lucid and able manner, which ought to guide the court in admitting testimony for the defendant, Joseph Smith.-We have heard Mr. Browning on former occasions, when he has frequently delighted his audience by his eloquence; but on this occasion he exceeded our most sanguine expectations. The sentiments he advanced were just, generous and exalted, he soared above the petty quibbles which the opposite council urged, and triumphantly, in a manner and eloquence peculiar to himself, avowed himself the friend of humanity, and boldly, nobly, and independantly [independently] stood up for the rights of those who had waded through seas of oppression and floods of injustice, and had sought a shelter in the State of Illinois. It was an effort worthy of a high minded and honorable gentleman, such as we have ever considered him to be since we have had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Soon after we came out of Missouri, he sympathized with us in our afflictions, and we are indeed rejoiced to know, that he yet maintains the same principles of benevolence. His was not an effort of a lawyer anxious to earn his fee; but the pure and patriotic feeling of christian benevolence and a sense of justice and of right.

While he was answering the monstrous and ridiculous arguments urged by the opposing council, that Joseph Smith might go to Missouri and have his trial; he stated the circumstances of our being driven from that State, and feelingly and emphatically pointed out the impossibility of our obtaining justice there. There we were forbidden to enter in consequence of the order of the Executive, and that injustice and cruelties of the most barbarous and atrocious character had been practised [practiced] upon us, until the streams of Missouri had run with blood, and that he had seen women and children barefoot and houseless, crossing the Mississippi to seek refuge from ruthless mobs. He concluded his remarks by saying that to tell us to go to Missouri for a trial, was adding insult to injury, and then said. "Great God! have I not seen it? Yes my eyes have beheld the blood stained traces of innocent women and children, in the drear winter, who had travelled [traveled] hundreds of miles barefaot [barefoot], through frost and snow, to seek a refuge from their savage pursuers. Twas a scene of horror sufficient to enlist sympathy from an adamantine heart. And shall this unfortunate man, whom their fury has seen proper to select for sacrifice, be driven into such a savage band, and none dare to enlist in the cause of justice? If there was no other voice under heaven ever to be heard in this cause, gladly would I stand alone, and proudly spend my latest breath in defence [defense] of an oppressed American citizen.

"The Latter Day Saints, a Poem in two Cantos; by Omer, Author of "Eliza or the Broken Vow."

We have been favored with the perusal of the above work, and feel great pleasure in recommending it to the public. It pictures the condition of the saints in their tribulations in Missouri, and also our present circumstances, in a very pleasing and interesting manner.

We are glad to hail such productions; because they tend to instruct the mind, and fix upon the memory, in poetic language, scenes of great importance, and also improve the taste of the reader.

The author, altho' young in years, has given evidence of poetic genius, which, we hope, will be cultivated, until he arrives at the acme of perfection.

We are, indeed beginning to be proud of our poetic writers; and hope soon to have such a constellation in the West, as shall appear more glorious than the more favored muse in the East.

• For want of room, we have had to lay over several communications of interest. Among the number is Poetry on the Nauvoo Legion by "Eliza"-they will appear in our next.

• As this paper contains an account of the late proceedings with regard to the arrest of Pres't. J. Smith &c. we have struck off some extra copies, which are for sale at this office.

Payson, Ill. May 20th 1841.

Brothers Smith & Thompson.

I improve the present opportunity to inform you in short, of my labors and success in the Vineyard of the Lord during the past year. I left Nauvoo in company with Elder John Herriett, soon after the conference in April 1840 for the purpose of preaching the gospel in the eastern states, we stopt [stopped] in Freedom N. Y. and held 6 or 7 meetings, and baptized ten; we then went into Allegany [Allegheny] and Livingston Counties, traveled and preached in the two Counties nearly 3 weeks, and baptized twelve, then left and by steam boats, and rail car went to Fox Island. We arrived at the north Island on the Sabbath morning, July 26th, went a distance of 4 miles to brother M. Luce's, a brother that came into the church through the means of Elder Woodruff, and was much rejoiced to find him and his family still firm in the work of the Lord. We tarried at brother Luce's over Sabbath, and then went into the South Island, and commenced our labors. We tarried and preached on the west end of the Island nearly 3 weeks, during which time there were 17 baptized. We then traveled in different places on the two Island, and continued to preach and baptize until the first of Oct., when sickness prevented. On the 9th inst Elder Herriett was taken violently sick with a fever; he had been confined but a short time, when he became sensible that his labors were accomplished. On the morning of the 13th inst, he expired (he died as he had lived) in the triumphs of faith, and could say, with propriety with the Apostle, that he had fought the good fight, and that he had finished his course, & kept the faith. The church, all as one, felt to deplore their loss, and his name and labors whilst with them, will not be forgotten whilst time shall last. His relatives, no doubt. all mourn his absence, but I trust, that God will strengthen them by his spirit, and enable them to realise [realize] that he rests where trials, troubles, & the vile hand of persecution can assail him no more.

My feelings on the occasion were inexpressible. I felt that my loss was truly great, but calling upon God, he strengthened me, and I resolved still to pursue my calling. The first of Dec., I left the island, and went on to the main land, a distance of some 15 or 20 miles, and commenced preaching, and the blessings of God attended me. Meeting houses were opened, and calls for preaching from different parts were many more than was possible for me to fill. I continued to labor with diligence and perseverence [perseverance] for nearly 3 months, during which time, amid the false and slanderous reports which were put in circulation by wicked and evil designing men, there were 26 baptized. After organizing them into a branch of the church, aud [and] ordaining by the voice of the same 1 elder, 1 priest, and 1 teacher, I returned to the island, and found the church in a prosperous condition; 4 had been added during my absence. I held 5 or 6 meetings after my return, and baptized 24. The church on the island when I left numbered about 70, all in good standing, and rejoicing in the blessings and gifts of the spirit. The number in all that were baptized from the time we left Nauvoo, amounted to one hundred and eleven, fifty seven of whom were baptized by Elder Herrett [Herriett]. I arrived at home April 30th, found my relatives and friends in good health. My prayer to God is that he will roll on his good begun work, until error and wickedness are swept from the earth, and truth and righteousness reign in stead thereof, and until the servants of the Most High shall cease from their labors and rest with their Savior in his peaceful kingdom. In hope of which, I remain

your friend and brother in the Bonds of the Covenant.

William Hyde.