Untitled

TIMES AND SEASONS.

"Truth will prevail."

Vol. IV. No. 18.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. AUGUST 1, 1843. [Whole No. 78.

When such affidavit is made to any one of the judges or all of them, it is the duty of him or them, before whom such affidavit is made, to issue an order to the sheriff of the county, to make requisition upon the commanding officer of the militia of said county, to have immediately put under military order such a portion of the militia under his command as may be necessary for the defence [defense] of the citizens of said county.

In this way the militia of any county may be called out at any time deemed necessary by the county judges, independently of any other civil authority of the State.

In case that the militia of the county is insufficient to quell the rioters, and secure the citizens against the invaders, then recourse can be had to the judge of the circuit court, who has the same power over the militia of his judicial district, as the county judges have over the militia of the county. And in case of insufficiency in the militia of the judicial district of the circuit judge, recourse can be had to the governor of the state, and all the militia of the state called out, and if this should fail, then the governor can call on the President of the United States, and all the forces of the nation be put under arms.

I have given this expose of the internal regulations of the affairs of Missouri, in order that the court may clearly understand what I have before said on this subject, and what I may hereafter say on it.

It was in view of this order of things that General Doniphan, who is a lawyer of some celebrity in Missouri, gave the recommendation he did at Far West, when passing into Davies county with his troops, for the defence [defense] of the citizens of said county. It was in consequence of this, that he said, that those of Caldwell county which went into Davies county, should go in small parties, and unarmed, in which condition they were not subject to any arrest from any authority whatever.

In obedience to these recommendations the militia of Caldwell county was called out; affidavit having been made to one of the judges of the county, setting forth the danger which it was believed the citizens were in, from a large marauding party assembled under the command of one Cornelius Gillum, on a stream called Grindstone. When affidavit was made to this effect, the judge issued his order to the sheriff of the county, and the sheriff to the commanding officer, who was Colonel G. M. Hinkle, and thus were the militia of the county of Caldwell put under military orders.

General Doniphan however, instead of going into Davies county, soon after he left Far West returned back to Clay county with all his troops, giving as his reason, the mutinous character of his troops; which he said would join the mob, he believed, instead of acting against them, and that he had not power to restrain them.

In a day or two afterwards, General Parks of Ray county, also came to Far West, and said that he had sent on a number of troops to Davies county to act in concert with General Doniphan. He also made the same complaint concerning his troops, that Doniphan had, doubting greatly whether they would render any service to those in Davies who were threatened with violence by the mobs assembling; but on hearing that Doniphan, instead of going to Davies county had returned to Clay, followed his example and ordered his troops back to Ray county, and thus were the citizens of Caldwell county and those of Davies county, who were marked out as victims by the mob, left to defend themselves the best way they could.

What I have here stated in relation to Generals Doniphan and Parks, were conversations had between myself and them, about which I cannot be mistaken, unless my memory has betrayed me.

The militia of the county of Caldwell were now all under requisition, armed and equipped according to law. The mob after all the authorities of the State had been recalled, except the force of Caldwell county, commenced the work of destruction in earnest; showing a determination to accomplish their object. Far West, where I resided, which was the shire town of Caldwell county, was placed under the charge of a captain by the name of Killian, who made my house his head quarters; other portions of the troops were distributed in different places in the county, wherever danger was apprehended. In consequence of Captain Killians' making my house his head quarters, I was put in possession of all that was going on, as all intelligence in relation to the operations of the mob was communicated to him. Intelligence was received daily of depredations being committed not only against the property of the citizens, but other persons; many of whom when attending to their business, would be surprised, and taken by marauding parties, tied up and

whipped in a most desperate manner. Such outrages were common during the progress of these extraordinary scenes, and all kinds of depredations were committed. Men driving their teams to and from mills where they got grinding done, would be surprised and taken, their persons abused, and their teams, wagons, and loading all taken as booty by the plunderers. Fields were thrown open and all within them exposed to the destruction of such animals as chose to enter. Cattle, horses, hogs and sheep were driven off, and a general system of plunder and destruction of all kinds of property, carried on to the great annoyance of the citizens of Caldwell, and that portion of the citizens of Davies marked as victims of the mob. One afternoon a messenger arrived at Far West calling for help, saying that a banditti had crossed the south line of Caldwell, and were engaged in threatening the citizens with death if they did not leave their homes and go out of the state within a very short time; the time not precisely recollected; but I think it was the next day by ten o'clock, but of this I am not certain. He said they were setting fire to the prairies, in view of burning houses and desolating farms, that they had set fire to a wagon loaded with goods and they were all consumed; that they had also set fire to a house, and when he left, it was burning down. Such was the situation of affairs at Far West at that time, that Captain Killian could not spare any of his forces, as an attack was hourly expected at Far West. The messenger went off, and I heard no more about it, till some time the night following, when I was awakened from sleep by the voice of some man apparently giving command to a military body, being somewhat unwell, I did not get up. Some time after I got up in the morning, the sheriff of the county stopped at the door, and said that David Patten, had had a battle with the mob last night at crooked river, and that several were killed and a number wounded; that Patten was among the number of the wounded, and his wound was supposed to be mortal. After I had taken breakfast another gentleman called, giving me the same account, and asked me if I would not take my horse and ride out with him and see what was done. I agreed to do so, and we started, and after going some three or four miles, met a company coming into Far West, we turned and went back with them.

This mob proved to be that, headed by the Reverend Samuel Bogard, a methodist preacher, and the battle was called the Bogard Battle. After this battle there was a short season of quiet, the mobs disappeared, and the militia returned to Far West; though they were not discharged, but remained under orders until it should be known how the matter would turn. In the space of a few days, it was said that a large body of armed men were entering the south part of Caldwell County. The county court ordered the military to go and enquire [inquire] what was their object, in thus coming into the county without permission. The military started as commanded, and little or no information was received at Far West about their movements until late the next afternoon, when a large army was descried [described?] making their way towards Far West. Far West being an elevated situation, the army was discovered while a number of miles from the place. Their object was entirely unknown to the citizens as far as I had any knowledge on the subject; and every man I heard speak of their object, expressed as great ignorance as myself.-They reached a small stream on the east side of the town, which was studded with timber on its banks and for perhaps from half a mile to a mile on the east side of the stream, an hour before sundown. There the main body halted, and soon after a detachment under the command of Brigadier General Doniphan, marched towards the town in line of battle. This body was preceded, probably three fourths of a mile in advance of them, by a man carrying a white flag, who approached within a few rods of the eastern boundary of the town, and demanded three persons, who were in the town, to be sent to their camp, after which the whole town, he said, would be massacred. When the persons who were inquired for, were informed, they refused to go, determined to share the common fate of the citizens. One of those persons did not belong to the "Church of Latter Day Saints." His name is Adam Lightner, a merchant in that city.

The white flag returned to camp. To the force of General Doniphan, was the small force of Caldwell militia, under Colonel Hinkle, opposed. Who also marched in line of battle to the eastern line of the town. The whole force of Colonel Hinkle did not exceed three hundred men-that of Doniphan, perhaps three times that number. I was in no way connected with the militia, being over age, neither was Joseph Smith Senior. I went into the line formed by Colonel Hinkle though unarmed, and stood among the rest to await the result, and had a full view of both forces, and stood there. The armies were within rifle shot of each other. About the setting of the sun Doniphan ordered his army to return to the camp at the Creek: they wheeled and marched off. After they had retired, it was consulted what was best to do-by what authority the army was here no one could tell, as far as I knew-it was agreed to build through the

night a sort of fortification, and if we must fight, sell our lives as dear as we could, accordingly all hands went to work, rails, house-logs, and waggons [wagons], were all put in requisition, and the east line of the town as well secured as could be done by the men and means, and the short time allowed; expecting an attack in the morning. The morning at length came and that day passed away and still nothing done; but plundering the cornfields, shooting cattle and hogs, stealing horses and robbing houses, and carrying off potatoes, turnips, and all such things as the army of General Lucas could get, for such in the event they proved to be. The main body being commanded, by Samuel D. Lucas, a Deacon in the Presbyterian church. The next came and then it was ascertained that they were there by order of the Governor.

A demand was made for Joseph Smith Senior, Lyman Wight, George W. Robinson, Parley P. Pratt, and myself, to go into their camp with this demand we instantly complied and accordingly started to their camp. When we came in sight of their camp the whole army was on parade, marching toward the town, we approached and met them, and were informed by Lucas that we were prisoners of war. A scene followed that would defy any mortal to describe, a howling was set up, that would put any thing I ever heard before or since at defiance, I thought at that time it had no parallel except it might be in the perdition of ungodly men. They had a cannon. I could distinctly hear the guns as the locks were sprung, which appeared from the sound to be in every part of the army. General Doniphan came riding up where we were, and swore by his maker that he would hew the first man down that cocked a gun, one or two other officers on horseback also rode up, ordering those who had cocked their guns to uncock them or they would be hewed down with their swords, we were conducted into their camp and made to lay on the ground through the night.

This was late in October-we were kept here for two days and two nights. It commenced raining and snowing until we were completely drenched and being compelled to lay on the ground which had become very wet and the water was running round us and under us-what consultation the officers and others had in relation to the disposition which was to be made of us. I am entirely indebted to the report made to me by General Doniphan as none of us were put on any trial. General Doniphan gave an account of which the following is the substance, as far as my memory serves me: "That they held a Court Martial and sentenced us to be shot at 8 o'clock the next morning after the Court Martial was holden, in the public square in the presence of our families-that this Court Martial was composed of seventeen preachers and some of the principal officers of the army-Samuel D. Lucas presided-Doniphan arose and said "that neither himself nor his brigade should have any hand in the shooting, that it was nothing short of cold blooded murder and left the Court Martial and ordered his brigade to prepare and march off the ground."

This was probably the reason why they did not carry the decision of the Court Martial into effect. It was finally agreed that we should be carried into Jackson county, accordingly on the third day after our arrest the army was all paraded, we were put into waggons [wagons] and taken into the town-our families having heard that we were to be brought to town that morning to be shot. When we arrived a scene ensued such as might be expected, under the circumstances. I was permitted to go alone with my family into the house, there I found my family so completely plundered of all kinds of food that they had nothing to eat but parched corn which they ground with a hand mill, and thus were they sustaining life. I soon pacified my family and allayed their feelings by assuring them that the ruffians dared not kill me. I gave them strong assurances that they dared not do it, and that I would return to them again. After this interview I took my leave of them, and returned to the waggon [wagon] got in and we were all started off for Jackson county. Before we reached the Missouri river a man came riding along the line apparently in great haste. I did not know his business. When we got to the river Lucas came to me and told me that he wanted us to hurry, as Jacob Stollings had arrived from Far West with a message from Gen. John C. Clark ordering him to return with us to Far West as he was there with a large army, he said he would not comply with the demand, but did not know but Clark might send an army to take us by force. We were hurried over the river as fast as possible with as many of Lucas' army as could be sent over at one time and sent hastily on, and thus we were taken to Independence the Shire town of Jackson county, and put into an old house and a strong guard placed over us. In a day or two they relaxed their severity, we were taken to the best tavern in town and there boarded, and treated with kindness-we were permitted to go and come at our pleasure without any guard. After some days Colonel Sterling G. Price arrived from Clark's army with a demand to have us taken to Richmond, Ray county. It was difficult to get a guard to go with us, indeed, we solicited them to send one with us, and finally got a few men to go and we started; after we had crossed the Missouri, on

our way to Richmond, we met a number of very rough looking fellows, and as rough acting as they were looking, they threatened our lives.-We solicited our guard to send to Richmond for a stronger force to guard us there, as we considered our lives in danger. Sterling G. Price met us with a strong force and conducted us to Richmond where we were put in close confinement.

One thing I will here mention which I forgot-while we were at Independence I was introduced to Russell Hicks, a lawyer of some note in the country. In speaking on the subject of our arrest and being torn from our families, said he presumed it was another Jackson county scrape. He said the Mormons had been driven from that county and that without any offence [offense] on their part. He said he knew all about it, they were driven off because people feared their political influence. And what was said against the Mormons was only to justify the mob in the eyes of the world for the course they had taken. He said this was another scrape of the same kind.

This Russell Hicks, by his own confession, was one of the principal leaders in the Jackson county mob.

After this digression I will return-The same day that we arrived at Richmond, Price came into the place where we were, with a number of armed men, who immediately, on entering the room cocked their guns, another followed with chains in his hands, and we were ordered to be chained all together-a strong guard was placed in and around the house, and thus we were secured. The next day General Clark came in, and we were introduced to him-the awkward manner in which he entered and his apparent embarrassment was such as to force a smile from me. He was then asked for what he had thus cast us into prison?-to this question he could not or did not give a direct answer. He said he would let us know in a few days, and after a few more awkward and uncouth movements he withdrew. After he went out I asked some of the guard what was the matter with General Clark, that made him appear so ridiculous? They said he was near sighted: I replied that I was mistaken if he were not as near witted, as he was near sighted.

We were now left with our guards, without knowing for what we had been arrested, as no civil process had issued against us-for what followed until General Clark came in again to tell us that we were to be delivered into the hands of the civil authorities. I am entirely indebted to what I heard the guards say-I heard them say that General Clark had promised them before leaving Coles county that they should have the privilege of shooting Joseph Smith Senior and myself. And that General Clark was engaged in searching the military law to find authority for so doing; but he found it difficult as we were not military men and did not belong to the militia; but he had sent to Fort Leavenworth for the military code of law, and he expected, after he got the laws, to find law to justify him in shooting us.

I must here again digress, to relate a circumstance which I forgot in its place. I had heard that Clark had given a military order to some persons who had applied to him for it, to go to our houses and take such goods as they claimed. The goods claimed, were goods sold by the sheriff of Caldwell county on an execution, which I had purchased at the sale. The man against whom this execution was issued, availed himself of that time of trouble to go and take the goods wherever he could find them.-I asked Clark if he had given any such authority. He said that an application had been made to him for such an order, but he said, "your lady wrote me a letter, requesting me not to do it-telling me that the goods had been purchased at the sheriff's sale, and I would not grant the order." I did not, at the time, suppose that Clark, in this, had barefacedly lied; but the sequel proved he had-for some time afterwards, behold there comes a man to Richmond with the order, and shewed [showed] it to me, signed by Clark. The man said he had been at our house, and taken all the goods he could find. So much for a lawyer, a Methodist, and very pious man at that time in religion, and a major general of Missouri.

During the time that Clark was examining the military law, there were some things took place which may be proper to relate in this place. I heard a play laying among a number of those who belonged to Clark's army, and some of them officers of high rank, to go to Far West, and commit violence on the persons of Joseph Smith Senior's wife, and my wife and daughters.

This gave me some uneasiness. I got an opportunity to send my family word of their design, and to make such arrangements as they could to guard against their vile purpose. The time at last arrived, and the party started for Far West. I waited with painful anxiety for their return. After a number of days, they returned. I listened to all they said, to find out, if possible, what they had done. One night, I think the very night after their return, I heard them relating to some of those who had not been with them, the events of their adventure. Inquiry was made about their success in the particular object of their visit to Far West. The substance of what they said in answer [answer],

was, "that they had passed and repassed both houses, and saw the females, but there were so many men about the town, that they dare not venture for fear of being detected, and their numbers were not sufficient to accomplish anything if they had made the attempt, and they came off without trying."

No civil process of any kind had been issued against us: we were there held in duress without knowing what for, or what charges were to be preferred against us. At last, after long suspense, General Clark came into the prison, presenting himself about as awkwardly as at first, and informed us, "that we would be put into the hands of the civil authorities. He said he did not know precisely what crimes would be charged against us, but they would be within the range of treason, murder, burglary, arson, larceny, theft, and stealing." Here again another smile was forced, and I could not refrain, at the expense of this would-be great man, in whom, he said, "the faith of Missouri was pledged." After a long and awful suspense, the notable Austin A. King, judge of the circuit court, took the seat, and we were ordered before him for trial, Thomas Birch, Esq., prosecuting attorney. All things being arranged, the trial opened. No papers were read to us, no charges of any kind were preferred, nor did we know against what we had to plead. Our crimes had yet to be found out.

At the commencement, we requested that we might be tried separately; but this was refused, and we were all put on trial together. Witnesses appeared, and the swearing commenced. It was so plainly manifested by the judge that he wanted the witnesses to prove us guilty of treason, that no person could avoid seeing it. The same feelings were also visible in the States' Attorney. Judge King made an observation something to this effect, as he was giving directions to the scribe, who was employed to write down the testimony-"that he wanted all the testimony directed to certain points.-Being taken sick at the early stage of the trial, I had not the opportunity of hearing but a small part of the testimony when it was delivered before the court.

During the progress of the trial, after the adjournment of the court in the evening, our lawyers would come into the prison, and there the matters would be talked over.

The propriety of sending for witnesses, was also discussed. Our attorneys said that they would recommend to us not to introduce any evidence at that trial. Doniphan said it would avail us nothing, for the judge would put us into prison, if a cohort of angels were to come and swear that we were innocent: and beside that, he said that if we were to give to the court the names of our witnesses, there was a band there ready to go, and they would go and drive them out of the country, or arrest them and have them cast into prison, to prevent them from swearing, or else kill them. it was finally concluded to let the matter be so for the present.

During the progress of the trial, and while I was laying sick in prison, I had an opportunity of hearing a great deal said by those of them who would come in. The subject was the all absorbing one. I heard them say that we must be put to death-that the character of the State required it. The State must justify herself in the course she had taken, and nothing but punishing us with death, could save the credit of the State, and it must therefore be done.

I heard a party of them one night telling about some female whose person they had violated, and this language was used by one of them: "The damned bitch, how she yelled." Who this person was, I did not know; but before I got out of prison, I heard that a widow, whose husband had died some few months before, with consumption, had been brutally violated by a gang of them, and died in their hands, leaving three little children, in whose presence the scene of brutality took place.

After I got out of prison, and had arrived in Quincy Illinois, I met a strange man in the street, who was inquiring of me respecting a circumstance of this kind-saying he had heard of it, and was on his way going to Missouri to get the children if he could find them. He said the woman thus murdered was his sister, or his wife's sister, I am not positive which. The man was in great agitation. What success he had I know not.

The trial at last ended, and Lyman Wight, Joseph Smith Senior, Hyrum Smith, Caleb Baldwin, Alexander McRea, and myself were sent to jail in the village of Liberty, Clay county Missouri.

We were kept there from three to four months; after which time we were brought out on habeas corpus before one of the county judges. During the hearing under the habeas corpus, I had, for the first time, an opportunity of hearing the evidence, as it was all written and read before the court.

It appeared from the evidence, that they attempted to prove us guilty of treason in consequence of the militia of Caldwell county being under arms at the time that General Lucas' army came to Far West. This calling out of the militia, was what they founded the charge of treason upon-an account of which I have given above. The charge of murder was founded

on the fact, that a man of their number, they said, had been killed in the Bogard battle.

The other charges were founded on things which took place in Davies. As I was not in Davies county at that time, I cannot testify anything about them.

A few words about this written testimony.

I do not now recollect of one single point, about which testimony was given, with which I was acquainted, but was misrepresented, nor one solitary witness whose testimony was there written, that did not swear falsely; and in many instances I connot [cannot] see how it could avoid being intentional on the part of those who testified-for all of them did swear things that I am satisfied they knew to be false at the time-and it would be hard to persuade me to the contrary.

There were things there said, so utterly without foundation in truth--so much so--that the persons swearing must, at the time of the swearing, have known it. The best construction I can ever put on it, is, that they swore things to be true which they did not know to be so, and this, to me, is wilful [willful] perjury.

This trial lasted for a long time, the result of which was, that I was ordered to be discharged from prison, and the rest remanded back; but I was told by those who professed to be my friends, that it would not do for me to go out of jail at that time, as the mob were watching, and would most certainly take my life and when I got out, that I must leave the State, for the mob, availing themselves of the exterminating order of Governor Boggs, would, if I were found in the State, surely take my life-and when I got out, that I must leave the State, for the mob, availing themselves of the exterminating order of Governor Boggs, would if I were found in the State, surely take my life-that I had no way to escape them but to flee with all speed from the State. It was some ten days after this before I dare leave the jail. At last the evening came in which I was to leave the jail. Every preparation was made that could be made for my escape. There was a carriage ready to take me in and carry me off with all speed. A pilot was ready-one who was well acquainted with the country-to pilot me through the country so that I might not go on any of the public roads. My wife came to the jail to accompany me, of whose society I had been deprived for four months. Just at dark, the sheriff and jailor [jailer] came to the jail with our supper. I sat down and ate. There were a number watching. After I had supped, I whispered to the jailor [jailer] to blow out all the candles but one, and step away from the door with that one. All this was done. The sheriff then took me by the arm, and an apparent scuffle ensued-so much so, that those who were watching, did not know who it was the sheriff was scuffling with. The sheriff kept pushing me towards the door, and I apparently resisting, until we reached the door, which was [was] quickly opened and we both reached the street. He took me by the hand and bade me farewell, telling me to make my escape, which I did with all possible speed. The night was dark. After I had gone probably one hundred rods, I heard some person coming after me in haste. The thought struck me in a moment that the mob was after me. I drew a pistol and cocked it, determined not to be taken alive. When the person approaching me spoke, I knew his voice, and he speedily came to me. In a few minutes I heard a horse coming. I again sprung my pistol cock. Again a voice saluted my ears that I was acquainted with. The man came speedily up and said he had come to pilot me through the country. I now recollected I had left my wife in the jail. I mentioned it to them, and one of them returned, and the other and myself pursued our journey as swiftly as we could. After I had gone about three miles, my wife overtook me in a carriage, into which I got, and we rode all night. It was an open carriage, and in the month of February 1839. We got to the house of an acquaintance just as the day appeared. There I put up until the next morning, when I started again and reached a place called Tenny's Grove; and to my great surprise I here found my family, and was again united with them, after an absence of four months, under the most painful circumstances. From thence I made my way to Illinois, where I now am. My wife, after I left her, went directly to Far West and got the family under way, and all unexpectedly met at Tenny's Grove.

SIDNEY RIGDON.

After hearing the foregoing evidence in support of said Petition-it is ordered and considered by the Court, that the said Joseph Smith, Senior, be discharged from the said arrest and imprisonment complained of in said Petition, and that the said Smith be discharged for want of substance in the warrant, upon which he was arrested, as well as upon the merits of said case, and that he go hence without day [delay?].

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my

L. S. hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at the city

of Nauvoo, this 2d day of July, 1843.

JAMES SLOAN, Clerk.

The Temple is progressing steadily. The walls of that noble edifice continue to rise, and its completion is looked forward to with great interest and anxiety by many.

All kinds of improvement are going on rapidly in Nauvoo and vicinity. Houses are going up in every direction in the city, and farms are being enclosed without. "The wilderness will" soon "blossom as the rose."

Mr. Editor:

SIR, Having been on a short mission of about five months, I wish, through the medium of your paper, to give the church an account of my stewardship.

I left Nauvoo on the 25th of January last, and on the 24th of February I arrived at Palmyra, St. Clair county Michigan, and commenced preaching in that place on the 27th. I preached about one hundred times in that county, principally along the river St. Clair, and Lake Huron-baptised [baptized] seventeen, and organized fifteen of them into a branch of the church, to be called the St. Clair Branch. Many more were believing the gospel as preached by us.-Thus "truth will prevail." I would recommend any of the elders that are travelling [traveling] that way, to call and visit the branch (it is near Newport, St. Clair river,) and give them farther [further] instruction in the things of the kingdom, that God's will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

Yours respectfully in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.

ARZA ADAMS.

TIMES AND SEASONS

CITY OF NAUVOO

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1843.

We have to apologize to our readers for having published nothing else but the trial of JOSEPH SMITH, in the last two numbers. Nothing but circumstances of an extraordinary nature could have caused us to have pursued such a course; but this case we consider to be one of unprecedented importance in the history of this church, whether it relates to our civil policy, our municipal authority, or our unparalleled persecutions.

The history of our persecutions in Missouri, have frequently been spoken and written about; but they have hitherto been very imperfectly sketched, and to the present time, men do not know one half of the abominations and crimes that were perpetrated in that state, under the garb of law. It is necessary to mix among the society that suffered, to hear by their own firesides the distressing details; and such are the circumstances connected with many of them, that humanity shudders at the recitals, modesty blushes to unfold the obscenity and corruption, and the feelings of the innocent and virtuous are touched to the quick, while their wounds are made to bleed afresh at the recital of transactions too revolting to be spoken of, and too infamous to be made known. It must be left for eternity to unfold many of these diabolical deeds. Then and then only, when the dark curtain is withdrawn, and the actions of men are made manifest, will the extent of the sufferings of the orphan, and the poor be made known.

Many things, however, too revolting for human nature to contemplate, were developed in the last trial. These may serve as an index to the remainder. Would to God that a more pleasing picture could have been drawn; but these things are but too true, our eyes have seen, and our ears have heard many of them, and we have had but too convincing proof of the truth of the remainder.

We know that among refined society men of improved minds who are educated and intelligent; these things are frequently doubted. It is difficult for them to give credence to corruptions so foul, and deeds so diabolical as those mentioned, having taken place in what is called a civilized country. It is difficult for an honorable high minded man, to believe that human nature could be so fallen, so degraded, so corrupt. Yet, startling as these things are, humiliating to our country and degrading to human nature; they are true, we know they are true.-And however disgusting, revolting and humiliating for us to recite and others to hear; they are part of what we as a people have had to endure for the cause of God, and for the "testimony of Jesus." Under these circumstances, we have handed them to the world in their native colors, that they might be seen and known, and also that they might be chronicled among our archives, and that our children whilst they laud their fathers for their firm unflinching integrity, might execrate the perpetrators of those diabolical deeds; and seek what has been denied their fathers hitherto, by all courts, redress for those wrongs under which they have labored.

This is the first time that evidence has been given in detail before any court, relative to those transactions, and therefore we have published it entire, in its present form, that it might be had and read extensively among the families of the saints; and as the "Neighbor" is not likely to be perpetuated, as the "Times and Seasons" is, we have inserted it for the benefit, not only of ourselves, but of our rising generation.

Again, it is the first time, among the many trials of JOSEPH SMITH that he has had the privilege of being tried before one of our own courts. It has generally been contended that our municipal court had no authority, and one would have thought from the pretensions of many of our legal men that our charter was merely a play-thing, and our ordinances folly; and that

although given by the legislature and sanctioned by the executive, that our judicial acts would not stand good in law. Whatever men's notions may have been in relation to this mat- [matter] they will find that we are not so imbecile, but that we know the difference between a solemn legislative enactment, and the caprice of a man; and that if we possess rights we shall maintain them inviolate, and by all legal means sustain the innocent, protect the defenceless [defenseless], and do justice to all; without being governed by the caprice of meddling demagogues, or the superstition of religious bigots. Our municipal authority in this case have been sustained and our rights preserved, and it speaks much for the legal knowledge, and the bold, fearless and intrepid spirit of CYRUS WALKER, ESQ.

We would remind our correspondents that we have not forgotten their communications, they shall come forward in their time; they have been deferred for the purpose of giving way for the trial. A great many elders have gone forth into all parts, and the work of the Lord is rolling forth in every direction.