Public Meeting

At a meeting of a large portion of the citizens of Nauvoo, convened at the stand, in the afternoon of July 1, 1844, after hearing the above instructions, and resolutions of the City Council read, and being addressed by A. Jonas, Esq., and others, the meeting responded to the same with a hearty AMEN! The citizens then passed a vote of thanks to the governor's agents for their kindly interference in favor of peace among the citizens of Hancock county and elsewhere around us. They also passed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Wood and Reid, the counsel for the Gen's. Smiths for their great exertions to have even-handed justice meeted to the Latter Day Saints; and they also passed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Chambers and Field, the former, one of the editors of the "Missouri Republican," and the Latter, one of the editors of the "Reveille" of St. Louis, for their honorable course of coming to Nauvoo for facts, instead of spreading rumors concerning the Latter Day Saints. Mr. Chambers made a very appropriate speech containing inuendoes [innuendoes] for the benefit of our citizens, that appeared as the wise man said, "LIKE APPLES OF GOLD, IN PICTURES OF SILVER." They also passed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Wood and Conyers, Mayor and ex-Mayor of Quincy, for their friendly disposition in establishing peace in this region, and we are happy to say that all appears to be PEACE AT NAUVOO.

Head Quarters, }

Quincy, June 30th, 1844 }

Sir:-It is my present opinion that the Mormons will not commit any further outbreak, and that no further alarm need be apprehended. I regret to learn that the party in Hancock who are in favor of violent measures, have circulated a thousand false rumors of danger, for the purpose

of getting men together, without my authority, hoping that when assembled, they may be ready to join in their violent councils; this is a fraud upon the country and must not be endured.

I am afraid the people of Hancock are fast depriving themselves of the sympathy of their fellow citizens, and of the world. I strictly order and enjoin on you that you permit no attack on Nauvoo, or any of the people, without my authority. I think it would be best to disband your forces, unless it should be necessary to retain them to suppress violence on either side, of this you must be the judge at present.

I direct that you immediately order all persons from Missouri and Iowa to leave the camp and return to their respective houses without delay.

I direct also that you cause all mutinous persons, and all persons who advise tumultuous proceedings to be arrested; and that you take energetic measures to stop the practice of spreading false reports put in circulation to inflame the public mind.

(Signed,) THOMAS FORD,

Commander-in-chief.

To Brig. Gen. Damming, Carthage, Ill.