Chapter VIII

Important Conference of the Church in England--Kidnapping of Brown and Boyce by Missourians--Action of the Citizens of Nauvoo.

_Monday, July 6, 1840_.

_Conference of the Church in England_.

A General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints was held in the Carpenter's Hall, Manchester, on the 6th
day of July, 1840, it being the 1st day of the 4th month of the
eleventh year of the Church, when the following officers of the
traveling High Council were present, viz.: Elders Brigham Young,
Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Willard Richards,
Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith; other officers, viz.: High
Priests 5, Elders 19, Priests 15, Teachers 11, and Deacons 3.

The meeting being called to order, a little after ten o'clock,
by Elder William Clayton, it was moved by Elder Brigham Young,
seconded by Elder Wilford Woodruff, that Elder Parley P. Pratt
be chosen President of the conference, [1] which was carried
unanimously. Elder William {147} Clayton was chosen clerk. The
meeting was opened by singing, and prayer by the President.

Elder Brigham Young then proceeded to prefer charges against
Elder T. Green, viz., first, for giving way to a false spirit;
second, for abusing a young female, by accusing her, in a public
meeting, of things which he could not prove; and third, for abuse
to the house and congregation at Duckinfield, June 28th, 1840. The
president then proceeded to ask Elder Green whether he was guilty
of these charges, or not. He immediately pleaded guilty. After
Elder Young had made extended remarks to the meeting, touching the
conduct of Elder Green, he proposed that Elder Green go to those
characters where he had abused and insulted, and make confession to
them as far as the offense extended, and then to be suspended from
office for a season. The President then made remarks to the same
effect, and put it to the vote of the meeting, viz., that Elder
Green shall make confession, as stated above, and be suspended from
office for a season. Carried.

The President then asked Elder Green if he was willing to make
confession, he immediately agreed to do it the first opportunity.
The meeting adjourned a little after twelve o'clock.

At two o'clock business commenced by singing and prayer, when the
President called upon the officers to represent the different
branches of the Church, which was done in the following order,
viz.--

{148}

Branches Represented, &c. Members. Elders. Priests. Teachers. Deacons.
The Branch at Manchester Represented by Elder William Clayton 28 3 5 5 1
The Branch at Preston represented by Elder Joseph Fielding 354 6 8 4 2
Elders Kington and Browett presented the minutes of the conference
held in Herefordshire, which were read by Elder Wilford Woodruff,
representing 33 branches of the Church 534 10 52 13
Elder Alfred Cordon read the minutes of the conference held at
Hanley, Staffordshire, representing 7 branches of the Church 168 4 13 6 2
The branch at Liverpool, represented by Elder John Taylor 78 1 3 2
Elder Joseph Fielding read the minutes of the Thornley, represented
represented by Elder William Kay 30 3 2 1 1
The Branch at Ribchester, represented by Elder Francis Clark 22 2 1
The Branch at Waddington, represented by John Ellison 58 2 2 1
The Branch at Clitheroe, represented by Brother Lofthouse 35 1 3 1
The Branch at Chatburn, represented by Elder John Bond 91 2 2 2
The Branch at Downham, represented by John Spencer 25 1
The Branch at Grindleton, represented by Elder Joseph Fielding 5 1
The Branch at Whitmore, represented by J. Spencer 3
The Branch at Burnley, represented by Elder H. C. Kimball 27 1 1 1
The Branch at Blackburn, represented by Elder H. C. Kimball 17 1
Elder Reuben Hedlock read the minutes of the conference held at
Paisley, Scotland, representing 5 branches of the Church 106 6 5 3 2
The Branch at Alston, represented by Elder John Sanders 36 2 2 2
The Branch at Brampton, represented by Elder John Sanders 36 1 1
The Branch at Longton, represented by Elder Bradshaw 54 2 4 2
The Branch at Penworthan, represented by Elder P. Melling 77 4 1 1 1
The Branch at Whittle, represented by Elder Richard Withnall 16 1 4
The Branch at Southport, represented by R. McBride 19 1 2
The Branch at Daubers Lane & Eccleston, Represented by Elder
Richard Withnall 42 1 3
The Branch at Hunter's Hill, represented by Richard Benson 26 1 1 1
The Branch at Bolton, represented by Elder David Wilding 61 1 2 2
The Branch at Bury and Elton, represented by Elder David Wilding 12
The Branch at Ratcliff, represented by Elder Amos Fielding 11
The Branch at Benford, &c. represented by Elder Willard Richards 40 1 1
The Branch at Stockport, represented by Elder M. Littlewood 85 2 1 2 1
The Branch at Duckinfield, represented by Elder Henry Royle 41 1 1
The Branch at Macclesfield, represented by Samuel Heath 14 2
The Branch at Middlewich, represented by Samuel Heath 20 1 1 1
The Brach at Plover, represented by Samuel Heath 24 1 1 1
The Branch at Northwich, represented by William Berry 14 1
The Branch at Altrincham, represented by William Berry 4 1
The Branch at Whitfield, represented by Walker Johnson 14 1
The Branch at Pendlebury, represented by Elder William Clayton 13 1 1
The Branch at Eccles, represented by Elder William Clayton 5
The Branch at West Bromwich, represented by Elder Theodore Turley 16 1 1

After the officers had got through the representations, the
President introduced the new hymn-book; and after suitable remarks
had been made by him and Elders Young and Thomas Kington, the
President asked the conference if they were satisfied with the
labors of those who had made the selection, and if they received
the book. The unanimous approbation of the meeting was immediately
manifested.

By unanimous vote, Thomas Kington, Alfred Cordon, and Thomas Smith
were ordained High Priests; John Albison, John Blezzard, William
Berry, John Sanders, John Parkinson, James Worsley, and John Allen
were ordained Elders; and Joseph Slinger, George Walker, John
Smith, Robert Williams, William Black, John Melling, and John
Swindlehurst were ordained Priests.

Elder Brigham Young then called upon those officers, whose
circumstances would permit them to devote themselves entirely to
the work of the ministry, and would volunteer so to do, to stand
up--when the following names were taken, viz., of the traveling
High Council, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, Willard Richards, and George A. Smith; other officers,
namely, William Clayton, Reuben Hedlock, Hiram Clark, Theodore
Turley, Joseph Fielding, Thomas Richardson, Amos Fielding, John
Parkinson, John Wych, John Needham, Henry Royle, John Blezzard, D.
Wilding, Charles Price, Joseph Knowles, Wm. Kay, Samuel Heath, Wm.
Parr, R. McBride, and James Morgan.

{149} Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Kimball, that
Elder Peter Melling be appointed to preside over the following
branches of the Church, namely--Preston, Longton, Penwortham, North
Meols, and Southport; carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Young, that Elder Richard
Withnall be appointed to preside over the branches of the Church
at Whittle, Daubers Lane, Chorley, Hunter's Hill, and Euxtonburgh;
carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Young, that Elder Thomas
Smith be appointed to preside over the branches of the Church at
Clitheroe, Chatburn, Downham, Chaighley, Grindleton, Whitmore,
Burnley, Blackburn, Ribchester, and Thornley: carried.

Moved and seconded, that President Fielding and his counselors
be set at liberty from the charge which they have sustained as a
presidency, that they may have the privilege of more fully entering
into the field of labor; and that their labors be accepted; carried.

Elders Young and Richards then proceeded to ordain those who had
been nominated to their respective offices, after which the minutes
were read and accepted.

The conference adjourned to the sixth of October next, to be held
in the Carpenter's Hall, Manchester, at 10 o'clock, a. m.

_Tuesday, 7_.

_A council of Church Officers, held at Manchester, England_.

Pursuant to previous notice, a general council of the Church
officers was held in the council room at the _Star_ office,
Manchester, on the 7th day of July, 1840. The meeting being opened
by prayer by Elder Kimball, Elder Young began to speak concerning
those officers who had volunteered to devote themselves wholly to
the ministry; when it was moved and seconded that Brothers William
Kay and Thomas Richardson go to Herefordshire, to labor in that
region with Elder Kington; carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Young, that Brothers
Hiram Clark and Joseph Knowles go with Elder Hedlock to Scotland:
carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Young, that Brother
Joseph Fielding go to Bedford: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Kimball, that Brothers
Amos Fielding and John Wych go to Newcastle-upon-Tyne: carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brother
David Wilding go to Garway, Herefordshire: carried.

Moved by Elder Young, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brothers
William Clayton and John Needham go to Birmingham: carried.

{150} Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Young, that
Brother Henry Royle go to Sheffield: carried.

Moved by Elder Clayton, seconded by Elder Young, that Brother John
Albiston take charge of the following Branches of the Church,
namely--Duckinfield, Hyde, Woolley Hill, Ashton, and Staley Bridge:
carried.

Moved by Elder Pratt, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brother
William Parr go to Sandbach and Congleton: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Pratt, that Brother
Heath continue his labors in Macclesfield: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brother
John Blezzard go to Cornshaw: carried.

Moved by Elder Kimball, seconded by Elder Richards, that Brother
Robert McBride go to Lancaster: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brother
James Morgan abide in his own neighborhood to labor with Elder
David Wilding: carried.

Moved by Elder Pratt, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Brother
Price give up his business, and labor under the advice of Elder
Kington as the way opens: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Kimball, that Brother
William Black go to Lisburn, Ireland, as the way opens: carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Smith, that Brother John
Parkinson have a roving commission, so long as he keeps busy, and
doing good: carried.

After Elder Young had addressed the meeting upon several important
items, the meeting dismissed by blessing from Elder Young.

Parley P. Pratt, President.

William Clayton, Clerk.

At this time Elders Orson Hyde and John E. Page were laboring in Ohio.

_Thursday, 9_.

_Extract from Elder Woodruff's Letter to the Editor of the
_Millennial Star_--Detailing Incidents of his Ministry_.

I arrived at Froome's Hill, Castle Froome, Herefordshire, on the
4th of March, and was kindly entertained for the night by Mr.
John Benbow, who received my testimony, and opened his door for
meeting; and on the evening following, the 5th of March, for the
first time I preached the fullness of the Gospel in that place to
a small congregation, who manifested much interest in what they
heard, and desired to inquire further into those things; and on
the evening following I met a large {151} number at Mr. Benbow's,
and preached unto them the principles of the Gospel, namely, faith
in Christ, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins and
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; after which
I administered the ordinance of baptism unto six persons, Mr. and
Mrs. Benbow among the number. I also preached on Sunday the 8th
and baptized seven, confirmed thirteen, and broke bread unto them.
Several of those who were baptized were preachers of the order
called the United Brethren.

The United Brethren formerly belonged to the Primitive Methodists,
but had separated themselves from the body, and chose the name of
the United Brethren. They had from forty to fifty preachers and
about the same number of established places of meeting, including
two chapels.

Mr. Thomas Kington was the superintendent of the church of the
United Brethren, whose members numbered about four hundred in all,
divided into small branches and scattered over an extent of country
from fifteen to twenty miles. This people almost universally
appeared willing to give heed to the exhortation of Solomon, to
hear a matter before they judged or condemned. They opened their
doors for me to preach, and searched the Scriptures daily to see if
the things which I taught were true; and on finding that the word
and spirit agreed and bore record of the truth of the fullness of
the Everlasting Gospel, they embraced it with all their hearts,
which has brought great joy and satisfaction to many souls in that
region.

I continued preaching and baptizing daily; the congregations were
large and generally attentive. I was soon privileged with an
interview with Mr. Thomas Kington, the superintendent of the United
Brethren, before whom I gave an account of the rise and progress
of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, and bore testimony of the
truth of the great work which God had set His hand to accomplish in
these last days.

Mr. Kington received my testimony and sayings with candor; and
carried the case before the Lord, made it a subject of prayer, and
asked the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things were
true; and the Lord manifested the truth of it unto him, and he went
forth and was baptized, he and all his household. I ordained him an
Elder, and he went forth and began to preach the fullness of the
Gospel.

I also baptized about forty preachers of the same order, and
several others belonging unto other churches, and about one hundred
and twenty members of the United Brethren, which opened about forty
doors or preaching places, where the fullness of the Gospel would
meet a welcome reception, and all this during the term of one month
and five days.

On the 10th of April I took my departure from the Saints in
Herefordshire and adjoining country, numbering about one hundred
and sixty; {152} whom I left rejoicing in the fullness of the
Gospel, and hundreds of others who were ready to be baptized as
soon as a proper time and opportunity arrived. I arrived in Preston
on the 13th, by way of Worcester, Wolverhampton, Burslem, and
Manchester, a distance of about one hundred and seventy miles,
visiting the churches by the way.

On my arrival in Preston, I was blessed with the happy privilege of
once more greeting my brethren of the Traveling High Council and
other Elders, and of sitting with them on the 14th, 15th, and 16th
of April in the first council and general conference which they had
ever held, as a quorum, in a foreign nation. After spending several
days together, (during which time much business of importance was
transacted for the Church,) it became necessary for us again to
separate in order to labor in different parts of the vineyard which
were now open before us. I left Preston on the 17th, accompanied
by Elder Brigham Young, and visited the churches by the way, until
we arrived among the Saints in Herefordshire, who were anxiously
looking for my return. In a few days we were joined in our labors
by Elder Willard Richards. We took locations in different parts of
this new field of labor, which extended through various places in
Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.

We continued preaching, and baptizing, and administering in the
ordinances of the Gospel daily, unto such as would receive our
testimony, and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Truth was mighty
and prevailed; the work prospered, and multiplied on every hand,
until several hundreds, including more than fifty preachers of
various sects, were rejoicing in the fullness of the everlasting
Gospel, and felt to praise God that they had lived to behold the
day when the Lord had set His hand to prune His vineyard once
more with a mighty pruning, and to establish the Gospel in its
ancient purity again upon the face of the earth; and in many
instances signs followed the believer, according to the promise
of the Savior. The Spirit of God accompanied the preaching of the
word to the hearts of men. Whole households, on hearing the word,
have received it into good and honest hearts, and gone forth and
received the ordinances of the Gospel; and frequently we have
baptized from eight to twelve the first time of meeting with the
people in new places, and preaching the word of God to them.

Elder Young labored with us about one month, during which time
many were baptized, confirmed, and numbers ordained to preach the
Gospel--and while the Saints were much edified, and their hearts
made glad with the teaching and instruction by Elder Young, I also
obtained much benefit myself by enjoying his society, sitting under
his instruction, and sharing in his counsel.

As it became necessary for Elder Young to return to Manchester,
to {153} assist in preparing a collection of hymns, and other
matters, he took the parting hand with us on the 20th of May; and
Elders Richards and myself continued our labors in the vineyard, in
connection with Elder Kington, who had given himself wholly to the
work of the ministry.

The Lord still continued to bless our labors, and added daily unto
the Church. New doors were opening on every hand; and multiplicity
of calls constantly reached our ears, many of which we could not
answer for the want of laborers. Notwithstanding there were about
fifty ordained Elders and Priests in this part of the vineyard, yet
there were equally as many places for preaching to be attended to
upon the Sabbath day. Thus we continued our labors in this region
until the time drew near for the general conference in Manchester
on the 6th of July.

But before leaving the Saints, we considered it wisdom to set in
order the church, and organize them into branches and conferences,
that they might be properly represented before the general
conference. Therefore we held two conferences with the Saints
before we took our departure from them. The first was held at the
Gadfield Elm Chapel, Worcestershire, on the 14th of June, at which
time we organized twelve branches, and transacted such business as
the occasion required. The Second conference was held at Stanley
Hill, Herefordshire, on the 21st of June, twenty branches of the
Church were organized. The minutes of the above-named conferences I
present you for publication, if you think proper.

On the day following, Elder Richards and myself took our leave of
the Saints at Froome's Hill, Herefordshire; but before leaving we
repaired to a pool three times to baptize and confirm numbers that
came to us and requested these ordinances at our hands.

Elder Richards labored in this part of the vineyard about two
months, during which time he traveled extensively, preached night
and day, gave much instruction to the Saints generally, and had
many souls as seals to his ministry. I received much benefit from
the counsel which he gave in the organization of the churches, and
it was manifest that he had passed through a profitable school of
experience during the three years of his travels in England; and
the interesting seasons we have enjoyed together during these two
months, will not be easily erased from my memory.

It was with no ordinary fellings that we took our departure from
the Saints in Herefordshire on this occasion; for, less than
four months since, I proclaimed the fullness of the Gospel in
this region for the first time; but now, we were leaving between
five and six hundred Saints, who were rejoicing in the new and
everlasting covenant, and hundreds of others who were wishing to
hear and obey. I parted from Elder Richards at Birmingham, who went
direct to Manchester, while I visited {154} West Bromwich, and
preached several times to a small branch of the Church which had
been raised up in that place by Elder Turley, who baptized several
while I was there. I also attended a conference on the 29th June,
at Hanley, in the Staffordshire Potteries, in company with Elder
George A. Smith and others, after which I arrived in Manchester.

Wilford Woodruff.

Manchester, July 9, 1840.

[Sidenote: Special Instructions for the High Councils.]

_Saturday, 11_.--The High Council met at my office, when I taught them principles relating to their duty as a Council, and that they might be guided by the same in future, I ordered it to be recorded as follows: "That the Council should try no case without both parties being present, or having had an opportunity to be present; neither should they hear one person's complaint before his case is brought up for trial; neither should they suffer the character of any one to be exposed before the High Council without the person being present and ready to defend him or herself; that the minds of the councilors be not prejudiced for or against any one whose case they may possibly have to act upon."

[Sidenote: The First Missionary for Australia.]

William Barrett, aged 17, was ordained an Elder in Hanley, Staffordshire, England, by Elders George A. Smith and Alfred Cordon, and took leave for South Australia, being the first Elder who went on a mission to that country.

_Sunday, 12_--Elias Smith was appointed Bishop by the High Council of Iowa, in place of Alanson Ripley, removed to Nauvoo.

_Monday, 13_.

_Kidnapping of Alanson Brown and Benjamin Boyce--Affidavit of
Daniel H. Wells_. [2]

State Of Illinois, Hancock County.

This day personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting
justice of the peace, in the aforesaid county, Alanson Brown,
who, first {155} being duly sworn according to law, deposes and
says, that on the 7th day of July, A. D. 1840, and in the county
of Hancock, in said state, William Allensworth, H. M. Woodyard,
William Martin, John H. Owsley, John Bain, Light T. Tait, and
Halsay White, in company with several other persons, to this
affiant unknown, forcibly arrested this affiant, and one Benjamin
Boyce, whilst affiant and said Boyce, were quietly pursuing their
own lawful business; and that immediately after said arrest, the
said Allensworth, Woodyard, Martin, Owsley, Bain, Tait, and White,
did illegally and forcibly take, kidnap, and carry this affiant and
said Boyce, bound with cords, from the said county of Hancock, in
said state, on the day and year above set forth, in the county of
Lewis, in the state of Missouri, without having established a claim
for such a procedure, according to the laws of the United States.

Affiant states that in a short time after he was taken into the
state of Missouri, he was put into a room with said Boyce, and
there kept until about eleven o'clock the following night; when
they were taken out of the room where they had been confined, into
the woods, near at hand, by said Tait, a man by the name of Huner,
and another by the name of Monday, and some others, whose name
affiant did not learn; they previously placed a rope about the
neck of the affiant; Huner and Monday then proceeded to hang the
affiant, and did hang him for some time upon a tree, until affiant
was nearly strangled, after which they let him down and loosened
the rope. Shortly after this, affiant heard repeated blows, which
others--belonging to the same gang of Huner--were inflicting upon
Boyce, and he could hear also the cries of Boyce, under the pain
arising from the blows; after which affiant and Boyce were taken
back to the room where they had been confined, in which they found
a man by the name of Rogers, and another by the name of Allred.

Affiant further states that he was kept in imprisonment by the
{156} persons heretofore named, and others to him unknown, until
Friday evening next ensuing the Tuesday on which Boyce and himself
were kidnapped, when he escaped out of their hands and returned
into the state of Illinois. Affiant had learned that the name of
the place in said county of Lewis, state of Missouri, to which he
was taken from the state of Illinois, is called Tully, to which the
said Allensworth, Woodyard, Martin, Owsley, Bain, Tait and White,
have fled as fugitives from justice, and at which they are now to
be found.

I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit was this day
subscribed and duly sworn to before me, by said Alanson Brown.

Daniel H. Wells.

Justice of the Peace, July 13, 1840.

_Statement of James Allred_.

State Of Illinois, Hancock County.

This day personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting
Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, James Allred, a
credible witness, who first being duly sworn according to law,
deposes and says that William Allensworth, John H. Owsley, and
William Martin, on the 7th day of July, 1840, within the limits
of said county of Hancock, aided by several other persons, to
this affiant unknown, forcibly arrested this affiant and one Noah
Rogers, whilst the affiant and said Rogers were peaceably pursuing
their own lawful business; and that the said Allensworth, Owsley
and Martin, after said arrest, aided by sundry persons, to affiant
unknown, did forcibly take, kidnap and carry this affiant and said
Rogers from the said county of Hancock in the state of Illinois,
on the day and year above mentioned into the state of Missouri,
without having established a claim for such procedure according to
the laws of the United States.

Affiant further states, that in a short time after he had been so
taken into the state of Missouri, he was put into a room with said
Rogers, and there kept until some time during the following night,
when they were taken out of the room where they were confined,
into the woods near by, and this affiant was bound by the persons
conducting him, to a tree, he having been first forcibly stripped
by them of every particle of clothing. Those having him in charge
then told affiant that they would whip him; one of them, by the
name of Monday, saying to this affiant, "G--d--n you, I'll cut you
to the hollow." They, however, at last unbound the affiant without
whipping him.

Affiant states that said Rogers was taken just beyond the place
where affiant was bound with a rope around his neck, and he heard
a great number of blows, which he then supposed, and has since
learned were inflicted upon said Rogers, and heard him cry out
several times as if in great agony; after which affiant, together
with Rogers, was taken {157} back and placed in the room from which
they were taken, together with one Boyce and Brown, and detained
until Monday next succeeding the day on which he was kidnapped; at
which time he received from one of the company, who had imprisoned
him, a passport, of which the following is a copy--

"Tully, Missouri, July 12, 1840. The people of Tully, having
taken up Mr. Allred, with some others, and having examined into
the offenses committed, find nothing to justify his detention any
longer, and have released him. By order of the committee.

"H. M. Woodward."

And then this affiant was permitted to return home into the state
of Illinois. This place in Missouri, to which affiant and said
Rogers were taken, he has learned is called Tully, and is situated
in the county of Lewis, and at which place the said Allensworth,
Owsley and Martin are now living.

I hereby certify that the forgoing affidavit was this day
subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, by the said James Allred.

Daniel H. Wells,

Justice of the Peace.

_Action of the Citizens of Nauvoo in the Matter of the Kidnapping
of Brown and Boyce by the Missourians_.

At a meeting of the citizens of Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois,
13th July, 1840, Judge Elias Higbee was called to the chair, and
Robert B. Thompson was appointed Secretary.

On motion a committee was appointed to report resolutions,
expressive of the sense of this meeting, consisting of the
following persons, to wit.--Isaac Galland, Robert B. Thompson,
Sidney Rigdon, and Daniel H. Wells, who retired, and after a short
absence, reported the following preamble and resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted--

_Report of the Committee on Resolutions_.

Preamble--The committee appointed to express the sense of this
meeting, in relation to the recent acts of abduction, and other
deeds of cruelty and inhumanity committed upon our citizens
by [some of] the citizens of the state of Missouri, beg leave
respectfully to report:

That having under consideration the principal matters involve in
the discharge of their duty, they have been forced to arrive at the
following conclusions:

First--That the people of Missouri, not having sufficiently slacked
their thirst for blood and plunder, are now disposed to pursue us
with a repetition of the scenes of brutality which marked their
whole course of conduct towards us during our unhappy residence
among them.

{158} Second--That notwithstanding they have already robbed us
of our homes, murdered our families, stolen and carried away our
property; and to complete the measure of their infamy as a state,
their executive caused unoffending thousands to be banished from
the state, without even the form of a trial, or the slightest
evidence of crime; they are now sending their gangs of murdering
banditti, and thieving brigands, to wreak further vengeance, and
satisfy their insatiable cupidity in the state of Illinois, and
that too before we have even had time to erect shelters for our
families.

Third--That for the purpose of giving a semblance of justification
to their most unhallowed conduct, the people of Missouri have again
commenced concealing goods within the limits of our settlements, as
they had done before in the state of Missouri, in order to raise a
charge of stealing against our citizens, and under this guise they
have within a few days kidnapped, and carried away, several honest
and worthy citizens of this county.

Fourth--Under these circumstances the first duty and the only
redress which seems to offer itself to our consideration is an
appeal to the executive of the state of Illinois, for redress, and
protection from further injuries, with a confident assurance that
he, unlike the governor of Missouri, will extend the executive arm
to protect from lawless outrage, unoffending citizens. Therefore,

_Resolved 1st_: That we view, with no ordinary feelings, the
approaching danger as a necessary consequence following the lawless
and outrageous conduct of the citizens of Missouri, in setting
at defiance the laws of this, as well as of all other states in
this Union, by forcing from their homes, and from the state, civil
citizens of Illinois, and taking them into the state of Missouri,
without any legal process whatever, and there inflicting upon them
base cruelties in order to extort false confessions from them, to
give a coloring to their (the Missourians') iniquities, and screen
themselves from the just indignation of an incensed public.

_Resolved 2ndly_: That while we deeply deplore the cause which
has brought us together on this occasion, we cannot refrain from
expressing our most unqualified disapprobation at the infringement
of the laws of this state, as set forth in the above Preamble, and
strongest indignation at the manner in which the people of Missouri
treated those whom they had thus inhumanly taken from among us.

_Resolved 3rdly_: That inasmuch as we are conscious of our honest
and upright intentions, and are at all times ready and willing
to submit to the just requirements of the laws, we claim of the
citizens and authorities of this state, protection from such unjust
and, before, unheard of oppressions.

{159} _Resolved 4thly_: That the forcible abduction of our citizens
by the citizens of Missouri, is a violation of the laws regulating
the federal compact, subversive to the rights of freemen, and
contrary to our free institutions, and republican principles.

_Resolved, 5thly_: That the cruelties practiced upon our citizens,
since their abduction, is disgraceful to humanity; the height of
injustice and oppression, and would disgrace the annals of the most
barbarous nations, in either ancient or modern times; and can only
find its parallel in the "_Auto da Fe_"--the inquisitions in Spain.

_Resolved, 6thly_: That such unconstitutional and unhallowed
proceedings on the part of the citizens of Missouri, ought to
arouse every patriot to exertion and diligence to put a stop to
such procedure, and use all constitutional means to bring the
offenders to justice.

_Resolved, 7thly_: That we memorialize the Executive of this state,
of the gross outrage which has been committed on our citizens;
and pledge ourselves to aid him in such measures as may be deemed
necessary to restore our citizens to freedom, and have satisfaction
for the wrongs we have suffered.

Elias Higbee, Chairman,

R. B. Thompson, Secretary.

_Memorial to Governor Carlin_.

_To his Excellency Governor Carlin_:--The undersigned being a
committee to draft a Memorial to your Excellency relative to the
recent outrages, would respectfully represent; that after being
driven from our homes, and pleasant places of abode, in the state
of Missouri, by the authorities of said state, Illinois seemed to
be the first shelter or asylum which presented itself to our view;
that having left the state of Missouri, your memorialists found
an asylum in the state of Illinois; and notwithstanding the false
reports which were circulated to our prejudice, we were received
with kindness by the noble hearted citizens of Illinois; who
relieved our necessities, and bade us welcome; for which kindness
we feel thankful.

That under your Excellency's administration, we have had every
encouragement given us, and have every reason, from the kindness
and sympathy which you have ever manifested towards us in our
sufferings, to feel confident that your aid will ever be offered
to us in common with the rest of the citizens of the state. That
feeling ourselves so happy and secure, and beginning again to
enjoy the comforts of life, we are sorry to say that our quiet has
been disturbed, our fears alarmed, and our families annoyed by
the citizens of Missouri; who, with malice and hatred, which is
characteristic of them, have unconstitutionally sent an armed force
and abducted some of our friends, namely, James Allred, {160} Noah
Rogers, Alanson Brown, and one Boyce, and carried them into the
state of Missouri, and treated them with the greatest barbarity
and cruelty; even now their wives and children, as well as their
friends, are alarmed for the safety of their lives.

Therefore we have felt it our duty to place the circumstances of
this unheard-of outrage before you, and appeal to your Excellency
for protection from such marauders, and take such measures as you
may deem proper, that our friends may be again restored to the
bosom of their families, and the offenders punished for their
crimes.

We have the greatest confidence in your Excellency, that every
constitutional means will be resorted to, to restore our friends to
the society of their families, &c., that we, in common with other
citizens of the state of Illinois, may enjoy all the rights and
privileges of freemen.

Your memorialists have under all circumstances paid the greatest
respect to the laws of the country, and if any should break the
same, they have never felt a disposition to screen such from
justice, but when under false pretenses, to gratify and satiate
a revengeful disposition--for the citizens of another state,
regardless of both the laws of God and man, to come and kidnap our
friends, to carry off our citizens to cruelly treat our brethren;
such offenders, we think, should be brought to an account, to be
dealt with according to their merit or demerit; that we may enjoy
the privileges guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United
States.

We therefore humbly pray that your Excellency will satisfy yourself
of the gross outrage which has been committed on the citizens of
the state, and with that energy which is so characteristic of your
Excellency's administration, take such steps as you may deem best
calculated to repair the injuries which your memorialists have
sustained; that you will vindicate the injured laws of the state.

In conclusion, we beg leave to assure your Excellency, that in the
discharge of this, as well as every other constitutional movement,
you may rely upon the hearty co-operation of your memorialists,
who respectfully submit to your Excellency the accompanying
Resolutions, which were passed at a large meeting held in this
place on this day, and also the affidavit of one of those persons
who was kidnapped, but fortunately has made his escape.

Footnotes:

1. At the present time the above arrangement by which Elder Parley P. Pratt was chosen president of the conference, while Elder Brigham Young was his senior in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will seem somewhat out of order. Such procedure is recorded a number of times in the minutes of conferences and other gatherings in the early years of the Church's history; it is therefore proper to say that in those days the right to presidency by reason of seniority of standing in quorums and councils was not as well settled as it is now. Presidency throughout the councils and quorums of the church is determined by well settled principles of seniority of ordination, and as soon as any of these organizations are called to order for business the president of the council or conference is determined by the seniority of standing in said organization without any formal action. In the above case the brethren may have been influenced by the fact that Elder Pratt was an older member of the church than President Young. Also, it appears in a subsequent paragraph that some charges were preferred by President Young against one of the Elders in the conference. This course may have been decided upon by the Apostles, who probably thought that it would not be best for the presiding officer over the conference to make such charges, hence Elder Pratt was chosen to preside and Elder Young left free to make the charges aforesaid.

2. Daniel Hanmer Wells was the son of Daniel Wells by his second wife Catherine Chapin. He was born at Trenton, Oneida county, New York, October 27, 1814. His father was a descendant of Thomas Wells, the fourth governor of Connecticut, while his mother was descended from David Chapin, a veteran of the Revolution, who served under Washington, and was a descendant of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of New England. The father of Daniel H. Wells died when the son was but 12 years old, which threw upon him, at this early age, the care of his mother and younger sister. At the age of 16 he migrated with his mother and sister to Marietta, Ohio, where Daniel H. taught school during the winter, and in the spring moved to Illinois, settling at Commerce, where he made extensive purchases of land. One farm of eighty acres was in the very heart of what became the city of Nauvoo, in fact he platted his farm into city lots which he sold at very reasonable prices to the Saints. The Temple site was selected from the western range of blocks in this addition. In 1885 he married Eliza Robison, and a son was born to them a year later. Mr. Wells served a term as constable in the district in which Commerce was situated, and was now a justice of the peace and familiarly called "Squire Wells." He was a stalwart Whig in politics; a man of high character and great courage.

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