War! War!! and Rumors of War!!!

Never since the rise of this church, have such interest and intense anxiety been manifested in the public mind, particularly on the sea-board. The falsehoods that have been circulated respecting us, being arrayed in the garb of truth, and having been published from the sacred desk by the reverend clergy with all the weight of sanctity which their long faces are calculated to inspire, and having found their way into the popular newspapers of the day, and circulated to the four winds, render it impossible for us to correct the public mind on the subject.

From the newspapers we have seen-the letters we have received-and the testimony of gentlemen who have just returned from the east, we are assured that rumor, with her thousand tongues, is at work, expectation is on the tiptoe, curiosity is on the stretch, all eyes are turned to the Far West, and all are anxious to hear the last accounts from the seat of war. The subject of the Sub-Treasury and a National Bank, for a while cease to be the prevailing topics of conversation. The minds of thousands are all ready prepared to hear of the sacking of cities-the march and counter-marching of armies-the burning of towns and vilages [villages]-the flight of citizens-the rising of the Indians-the commotion in Illinois-the distress in Iowa, the consternation and flight of the Missourians, the exploits of mighty chieftains, &c. &c. We dont know but that ero this, our friend Bennett of the New York Herald has established an express line from this city to New York to give the latest news of the proceedings of the Mormons to his immence [immense] number of subscribers, and herald forth to the world the monstrous proceedings of Jo Smith and the Mormons.

There being such a taste for the marvelous, we are almost dispirited to give an account of things in this vicinity as they really are. Truth being too dry a morsel for the corrupt taste of the present generation, it requires no inconsiderable degree of moral courage and resolution to meet the sneers and ridicule consequent on giving correct information. In this age-

"On eagles wings immortal scandals fly"

However we hope, there are some honorable exceptions; gentlemen who feel disposed to do us justice and hear both sides of the question. There are some, we hope, who before they would gratify their readers at the expense of truth and virtue, and all the finer feelings of the human heart, and fan the flame of persecution, would choose to be silent and wait until the excitement be over, and then make up their minds on the issue.

To all such magnamimous [magnanimous] individuals we would say, come and pay us a visit; and if our friend of the N. Y. Herald is not dead to sensibility and honor, let him come too, and we will give them correct information on the subject.

On approaching this place in sailing up the mighty Mississippi, and while ascending the lower rapids on the east bank of the river appears the City of Nauvoo, and at the very first sight, they will be ready to exclaim what a beautiful place for a city. On a nearer approach, they will be constrained to say surely nature has been propitious, what a contrast does this situation present with the dull and monotonous scenes which characterize the great water courses in the west.

On a nearer approach, they would behold scores of houses, like gems decking the beautiful site which, from the gradual rise of the river for nearly a mile back, presents a very beautiful and imposing appearance. Let them then land on our shore, and although we have not yet any splendid Hotels erected, yet we have some houses of entertainment where refreshment and attention can be obtained at reasonable charges. Having rested themselves from the fatigue of the voyage, we would invite them to walk into the city and as they pass along, and consider that within the short space of two years, in the midst of poverty and sickness, have all the improvements been made, they will at once be satisfied that the Mormons are an industrious people. We would then take them to the Nauvoo House where they will find a number of men employed in laying the foundation of that building, which, when finished, will compare with any hotel in the Union.-Having satisfied themselves with the prospect which the site commands of the beautiful Mississippi, we would then conduct them to the Temple block and as they pass along they will observe the preparations that are every way being made for the erection of buildings. The man who two years ago, had to content himself with a log cabin, is now preparing to erect a beautiful frame house, or, the more substantial and durable one of brick or stone,

On visiting the Temple block, their astonishment will increase; there they will see the foundation of a building laid, which is expected to astonish the world, and show how much can be done by a concentration of action.-It could hardly be possible to conceive of a more lovely situation, and commanding prospect. It will be seen for several miles up and down the beautiful windings of the Mississippi-by a large section of Iowa, and by the surrounding country in Illinois. Having spent some time in admiring the beautiful view which is afforded from this point, we would invite them to visit the length and breadth of the city and suburbs. On the beautiful prairie which lies contiguous to the city, where but a few years ago the red man roamed, beautiful farms are opening, and houses in progress of erection-and the cheerful voice of the husbandman while engaged in his laborious but healthy employ-the lowing of herds and the bleating of sheep, give animation to the scene, and give evidence of enterprize [enterprise] and industry.

If they will wait over Sunday, they will then see the saints congregating together from a circuit of six or seven miles, some on horse-back-in wagons and in carriages-There they will see native born Americans from every state of the Union, the enterprsing [enterprising] Englishman, the hardy Scotchman, the warm hearted son of Erin, the Pennsylvania Dutchman, the honest Canadian, all joining in harmonious praises to Heaven's holy King-all inspired with the same hopes of immortality, having one faith, one hope, and one baptism.

Yes, gentlemen, if you want to find the abodes of content and true pleasure, come to Nauvoo. If you want to learn our character, and proceedings, mingle in our midst, associate with us, and examine for yourselves, and you will find in our young and rising city many hearts that beat high with sensibility-many generous and noble souls-men susceptible of kindness, and who delight to reciprocate feeling of friendship and esteem.

If you want to retire from the noise of the Bacchanalian's song, the midnight broils, and the scenes of drunkeness [drunkenness] which disgrace so many of our cities and villages, come to Nauvoo-No such proceedings are allowed-no such monster as the drunkard walks our streets.

If you want to see the native charms which shine forth in the softer sex, unadorned by the flimsy decorations of pride, and the unnatural airs of your eastern belles, come to Nauvoo.

In short, Nauvoo is all that is included in the signification of the word-beautiful place-

delightful habitation, a place of rest and quiet, and we can, very appropriately, use the language of an eloquent writer and say of it,

"Sure, ne'er sun-

View'd in its wide career a lovlier [lovelier] spot.

For all that life can ask-salubrious-mild.-

Its woods and prospects fair!

In one delightful work, to crown the whole,

It is our home!-

As to the noise and confusion which is said to be in our midst-"the clash of arms and din of war" they exist only in the breast of the Warsaw Junto-and the highly respectable correspondent of the Journal of Commerce; who have, through malice and the basest of feelings, condescended to palm their statements upon the community, to raise a prejudice against us. Vain are their efforts! Their dark and cruel acts will one day recoil upon their own heads with tenfold vengeance, while truth shall stand erect, and the injured and innocent be approved.

We owe an apology to Brother Alanson Brown, whose name we published several months since as a thief, for not having informed the public before this, that he returned to this place and underwent an examination before the High Council of the church and was honorably acquitted, his accusers not being able to sustain their charges against him.

If some of our country subscribers would bring us in some produce, such as flour, meal, potatoes, butter and cheese, also corn and oats, we would find storage for it all, and feel that we had been richly provided for. It has been so long since we have had any honey, that we are very certain should any be offered us, we should not refuse it, at ant rate, if it was clear and nice.

The Weekly Paper-We are interrogated almost continually-"when are you going to publish the weekly?" We will answer it as well as we can, but must take our own time. About the first of June we left home for Cincinnatti [Cincinnati], Ohio, to make a purchase of type &c., for the express purpose of printing a weekly paper. We intended to have made the purchase and brought the materials home with us, but on our arrival we found that we could get them from New York to much the best advantage; we accordingly made a contract for our materials on a credit of six months; we made however, a small payment in advance. In concluding to get New York type, we were unable to publish a specimen number of the Ensign and Standard in July, as we first proposed: but having assurances that our type should be hurried on with all possible speed, we had no doubt but it would be here by the 20th ultimo, and in the event we felt assured that we, could issue the paper by the first of August: but, we must confess that our disappointment has been greater than that of our patrons, for instead of receiving the type, on the 19th of July we received the following letter.

Cincinnatti [Cincinnati, July 8th, 1841.

Mr. D. C. Smith,

Dear Sir:-Various rumors of a serious nature have been afloat here relative to your difficulties, with your neighbors, of the truth of which we have no means of judging. If you read the papers it is unnecessary for us to name them. We have no question of your capability and good intention to fulfil [fulfill] all engagements which you enter into; but if the scenes of Missouri were again acted over; our question is, whether it would then be in your power? We have received to-day the invoice of type, cases, &c., ordered from New York, and the articles will be here in a few days. We told them in our letter that they were for you, and at the same time gave them our favorable opinion of your responsibility; but the New York papers having soon after published some of the articles which are going the rounds, they, (Hagar & Co.) entirely refused to take any part of the risk, but sent the articles to us, giving us the choice either to retain them and dispose of them in the best way we could, or send them to you at our own risk. Now if late circumstances have not made the risk any greater than it was at the time you were here we should say nothing on the subject, although we get nothing for guaranteeing, and our commissions at best are very small. We should say nothing about it, for the reason that we should not consider

there would be any risk about it; for if you remain in peaceable possession of your property there is no doubt on the subject. Under the present circumstances, we do not know precisely what to say, and would like to hear from you on the receipt of this in relation to your future prospects.

Yours, &c.

Shepard & Stearns.

Our reply to the above was mailed immediately, informing them that the first we knew of being at war with our neighbors, it was announced in the New York papers, &c. Thus our enemies with their ten thousand lies may hinder our progress for awhile, but we will eventually outride the storm, and accomplish all we have undertaken, we trust, to the full satisfacton [satisfaction] of our friends who have taken such an interest in the paper we propose. As soon as our materials arrive, we shall commence the publication.