Mob Law

In order to give the community a fair understanding of the treatment which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has received from the government where it has been located, we shall revert to scenes gone by, and documents already published:-And in the first place, in union with the Declaration of Independence, "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and that the constitution of the United States and of the several states, save Louisiana, have ample provisions made for the enjoyment of religious liberty.

It can not have been forgotten so soon, that oppression, and want of the liberty of conscience, were among the first grievances that caused our government to usher into existence; nor should it be less a matter of surprise, that the sons of the fathers of our freedom, should have become so soon tainted with that tyranny, cruelty, oppression, and inhumanity which has overwhelmed and ruined kingdom after kingdom, and nation after nation-but so it is-and in 1838, without cause, the inhabitants of Jackson county, Missouri, signed the first specimen of mob law, from which we make the following extracts:-

"We, the undersigned, citizens of Jackson county, believing that an important crisis is at hand, as regards our civil society, in consequence of a pretended religious sect of people, that have settled and are still settling in our county, styling themselves Mormons: and intending as we do to rid our society, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must: and believing as we do that the arm of the civil law does not afford us a guarantee, or at least a sufficient one, against the evils which are now inflicted upon us, and seem to be increasing by the said religious sect; deem it expedient and of the highest importance, to form ourselves into a company for the better and easier accomplishment of our purpose; a purpose which we deem it almost superfluous to say, is justified as well by the law of nature as by the law of self-preservation."

"They openly blaspheme the most High God and cast contempt upon His Holy Religion, by pretending to receive Revelations direct from Heaven-by pretending to speak in unknown tongues by direct inspiration."

"We therefore agree, that after timely warning, and upon receiving an adequate compensation for what little property they cannot take with them, they refuse to leave us in peace as they found us, we agree to use such means as may be sufficient to remove them. And to that end, we severally pledge to each other, our lives, our bodily powers, fortunes, and sacred honors!"

According to the above combination the church was driven from Jackson county, and Gov. Boggs, then acting as Lieutenant Governor; and living in this said county, sanctioned this first regular mob edict, that ever disgraced the asylum of liberty: Gov. Dunklin kept himself in with both parties, and performed a solemn nothing. After the trial of Col. Pitcher, for driving us off and taking away our arms, he gave an order for our arms to be returned, but never enforced it, and we never got them. Our losses, for lands, wheat fields, about two hundred houses burnt to the ground, cattle, farming utensils, and plunder of all descriptions, could not be less than one hundred thousand dollars! which have never been remunerated! Our armistice from the Jackson county persecution and tribulation, was performed in the surrounding counties, but mainly in Clay, where, to a certain extent, we shared and reciprocated hospitality enough to live, till another excitement caused another move. The arguments used against us this time, were as follows:-

"It is apparent to every reflecting mind, that a crisis has arrived in this county, that requires the deep, cool, dispassionate consideration, and immediate action of every lover of peace, harmony and good order. We cannot conceal from ourselves the fact, that at this moment the clouds of civil war are rolling up their fearful

masses and hanging over our devoted county, solemn, dark and terrible."

"We do not contend that we have the least right, under the constitution and laws of the country, to expel them by force. But we would indeed be blind, if we did not foresee that the first blow, that is struck at this moment of deep excitement, must and will speedlly [speedily] involve every individual in a war, bearing ruin, woe, and desolation in its course. It matters but little how, where, or by whom the war may begin, when the work of destruction commences, we must all be borne onward by the storm, or crushed beneath its fury. In a civil war when our home is the theatre [theater], on which it is fought, there can be no neutrals; let our opinions be what they may, we must fight in self-defence [defense]."

To save this horrible bloodshed and show our respect for the constitution and laws of our beloved country, we removed by compromise, and soon after had the joy and honor to occupy a new county, which was made expressly for our people, and called Caldwell. Here was began to spread and beautify the country more in two years than the whole State of Missouri had done in ten, notwithstanding the expense of our removal could not have been less than twenty five thousand dollars. But alas, as we began to enjoy our rights in common with other citizens, that same wild, ferocious, jealous disposition which had dictated, and consummated our expulsion from the counties of Jackson and Clay, agreeably to the before quoted edicts of blind infatuation, now assumed the character of official dignity and "authority," and after struggling some months, against such fearful odds, the whole church of twelve to fifteen thousand souls, yielded to the third specimen of mobocracy, viz:-

"Head Quarters of the Militia, City of Jefferson, Oct. 27th 1838.

Sir,-Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to come with four hundred mounted men, to be raised within your division, I have received, by Amos Rees, Esq. and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which changes entirely the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an avowed defiance of the Laws, and of having made war upon the people of this State. Your orders are therefore, to hasten your operations and endeavor to reach Richmond, in Ray county, with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated, or driven from the State, it necessary for the public peace.

Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to do so, to any extent you may deem necessary. I have just issued orders to Major General Wollock of Marion county, to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess county and there to unite with Gen. Doniphan of Clay-who has been ordered with five hundred men, to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express. You can also communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead therefore, of proceeding as at first directed to reinstate the citizens of Daviess in their houses, you will proceed immediately to Richmond and there operate against the Mormons. Brigadier General Parks, of Ray, has been ordered to have four hundred of his Brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.

(Signed) L. W. BOGGS.

Governor and Commander in-Chief."

Let it be remembered that this self same Lilburn W. Boggs, is now swearing out affidavits constantly for the purpose of transporting Joseph Smith to Missouri, to obtain justice!-Friends of humanity, if there are any, what think ye, can Missouri do unto others as she would that others should do unto her? Is she justified, as a member of our great Republican family, professing to be governed by constitutional privileges, and equal laws, while as one man, her citizens rise up and put at defiance the civil law, acknowledged as the only rule of right between man and man, for the damning and forever disgracing mob laws, by which she has disfranchised and expelled from her blood stained soil, the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints? The blood of our fathers; the blood of our martyrs who have stained her soil; the voice of suffering humanity; the whispering of honest consciences: and the spirits waiting for redemption, aside from the heavenly hosts, exclaim, NO! Every honest patriot says NO!-And sooner or later, in awful judgment, God, in his anger, will thunder-No! Then, and not till then will weak humanity and weak authirity [authority] learn and know how much better it is to follow after righteousness, than to sport with innocence! Then will wicked men, bearing rule, ascertain that vengeance belongs to the Lord and he will repay! and the calamity shall cover the mocker.