Chapter X

TEMPLE AFFAIRS--THE PROPHET'S ADDRESS TO "NEWCOMERS"--CITY COUNCIL'S ACTIONS AS TO WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS.

_Friday, October 21, 1842_.--This evening I returned, in company with John D. Parker, to Father Taylor's, judging it wisdom to keep out of the way of my enemies a while longer at least, although all is peace and quiet, and a prospect that my enemies will not trouble me much more at present.

[Sidenote: Temporary Floor in the Temple.]

_Sunday, 23_.--This day the Temple committee laid before the Saints the propriety and advantages of laying a temporary floor in the Temple, that the brethren might henceforth meet in the Temple to worship, instead of meeting in the Grove. This was my instructions, and the Saints seemed to rejoice at this privilege very much.

_Monday, 24_.--Printing office took fire, which was extinguished with difficulty.

_Tuesday, 25_.--Ship _Emerald_ sailed from Liverpool with 250 Saints for New Orleans.

_Friday, 28_.--Soon after daylight this morning, I returned home again to visit my family. I found Emma worse; the remainder of the family well. In the afternoon I rode out into the city and took a little exercise. From the appearance of things abroad, we are encouraged to believe that my enemies will not trouble me much more at present.

This day the brethren finished laying the temporary floor, and seats in the Temple, and its appearance is {181} truly pleasant and cheering. The exertions of the brethren during the past week to accomplish this thing are truly praiseworthy.

[Sidenote: The Prophet at the Temple.]

_Saturday, 29_.--About ten in the forenoon I rode up and viewed the Temple. I expressed my satisfaction at the arrangements, and was pleased with the progress made in the sacred edifice. After conversing with several of the brethren, and shaking hands with numbers who were very much rejoiced to see their Prophet again, I returned home; but soon afterwards went over to the store, where a number of brethren and sisters were assembled, who had arrived this morning from the neighborhood of New York, Long Island, &c. After Elders Taylor, Woodruff, and Samuel Bennett had addressed the brethren and sisters, I spoke to them at considerable length, showing them the proper course to pursue, and how to act in regard to making purchases of land, &c.

[Sidenote: The Prophet's Advice to New-comers.]

I showed them that it was generally in consequence of the brethren disregarding or disobeying counsel that they became dissatisfied and murmured; and many when they arrived here, were dissatisfied with the conduct of some of the Saints, because everything was not done perfectly right, and they get angry, and thus the devil gets advantage over them to destroy them. I told them I was but a man, and they must not expect me to be perfect; if they expected perfection from me, I should expect it from them; but if they would bear with my infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, I would likewise bear with their infirmities.

I told them it was likely I would have again to hide up in the woods, but they must not be discouraged, but build up the city, the Temple, &c. When my enemies take away my rights, I will bear it and keep out of the way; but if they take away your rights, I will fight for you. I blessed them and departed.

{182} [Sidenote: Return of Dr. Richards to Nauvoo.]

Dr. Willard Richards returned to Nauvoo with his family, having visited most of the churches in the Eastern States, and preached to them the necessity of building the Temple and gathering to this place, in obedience to the commandment of God to His people.

_Sunday, 30_.--The Saints met to worship on a temporary floor, in the Temple, the walls of which were about four feet high above the basement; and notwithstanding its size, it was well filled. It had been expected that I would address them, but I sent word that I was so sick that I could not meet with them; consequently Elder John Taylor delivered a discourse. In the evening I went to visit the sick, &c.

_Monday, 31_.--I rode out to my farm with my children, and did not return until after dark.

[Sidenote: Accident to the Prophet's Carriage.]

_Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1842_.--I rode with Emma to the Temple for the benefit of her health. She is rapidly gaining. In the afternoon went to see Dr. Willard Richards, who was very sick at Elder Woodruff's; afterwards, accompanied by my children and William Clayton, rode out towards the farm. When going down the hill, near Casper's the carriage got over-balanced and upset. I was thrown some distance from the carriage, and all three of the children almost under it. I arose and enquired if any of the children were killed; but upon examination, there was no one seriously hurt. Frederick G. Williams had his cheek bruised, which was the worst injury received.

It seemed miraculous how we escaped serious injury from this accident; and our escape could not be attributed to any other power than that of Divine Providence. I feel thankful to God for this instance of His kind and watchful care over His servant and family.

The carriage was so much broken, we left it, and putting the children in Brother Stoddard's buggy, returned. In the evening I rode to the Temple with two of my children.

{183} _Wednesday, 2_.--Spent this forenoon in removing the books, desk, &c., from my store over to my house. In the afternoon rode out to my farm, and spent the time plowing, &c.

_Thursday, 3_.--Rode out with Emma to the Temple.

_Friday, 4_.--Rode out with Lorin Walker to examine his timber north of the city.

[Sidenote: Return of Hyrum Smith and William Law.]

Brothers Hyrum Smith and William Law returned from their mission to the East. They bring very good reports concerning the public feeling, and say that John C. Bennett's _expose_ has done no hurt, but much good.

[Sidenote: Return of Brigham Young, et. al.]

President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman, of the Twelve, also returned from their missions, and brought a similar report. They had visited the conferences according to the notice which they had published on September 12th, and had also visited many of the principal places in the state, delivered addresses to the people, and found a friendly feeling in most cases.

_Saturday, 5_.--I tarried at home on account of the rain. I received a visit from some Indians, who were accompanied by a negro interpreter. They expressed great friendship for the Mormon people, and said they were their friends. After considerable conversation and partaking of victuals, they departed, evidently highly gratified with their visit.

I told Dr. Richards the Mississippi would be frozen over in less than a month, although the weather was then warm and pleasant.

_Sunday, 6_.--At home all day. My brother Hyrum preached. Afternoon received a visit from Dr. Willard Richards.

[Sidenote: The Prophet's Consultation with Calvin A. Warren.]

_Monday, 7_.--Spent the forenoon in council with Brother Hyrum Smith and some of the Twelve, and in giving instructions concerning the contemplated journey to Springfield on the 15th December next, and what {184} course ought to be pursued in reference to the case of bankruptcy. In the afternoon Calvin A. Warren, Esq., arrived, and I called upon some of the Twelve and others to testify before Squire Warren what they knew in reference to the appointment of trustee-in-trust, &c., showing also from the records that I was authorized by the Church to purchase and hold property in the name of the Church, and that I had acted in all things according to the counsel given to me.

[Sidenote: Post Office Affairs at Nauvoo.]

_Tuesday, 8_.--This afternoon called upon Windsor P. Lyons and others to make affidavits concerning the frauds and irregularities practiced in the post office in Nauvoo. A petition was drawn and signed by many, and sent by Squire Warren to Judge Young, [U.S. senator from Illinois] with a request that the latter should present the same to the post-master general, and use his influence to have the present postmaster removed, and a new one appointed. I was recommended for the appointment. In the afternoon officiated in court as mayor at my house.

_Wednesday, 9_.--Paid E. Rhodes $436.93, it being the amount of three notes due for the north-west quarter of Sec. 9, 6 N. 8 W., and presided in city council, a special meeting to investigate the writ of habeas corpus.

_Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10, 11, 12_.--Presided at adjourned session of the city council at my house.

_Sunday, 13_.--I was at home through the day.

_Letter of George D. Watt, Reporting Arrival of Emigrants_.

SHIP SIDNEY, NEW ORLEANS, November 13, 1842.

DEAR BROTHER.--We have had a passage of fifty-six days--fine
weather--with a kind captain and crew, who allowed us every
reasonable privilege. There have been five deaths out of the
company, and one sailor who fell from the yard arm and was killed.
Brother Yates' eldest child, Sister Cannon, Brother Browne's child,
and two children belonging to a man not in the Church.

{185} We stuck upon the bar at the mouth of the river, thirty-four
hours. About two hours after we got off, the _Medford_ came on
the bar, where she stuck thirty hours. We landed here on the 11th
instant, and the _Medford_ arrived today, 13th. She lies about ten
yards from us. They have had two deaths. Upon the whole, a good
passage.

We have taken one of the largest and best steamboats in this port.
We pay two and a half dollars per head, and twenty-five cents per
cwt. above the weight allowed each person, which is one hundred
pounds. We are all going up together.

Yours truly,

GEORGE D. WATT.

_Monday, 14_.--Presided at city council, when was passed the following "Ordinance regulating the proceedings on writs of habeas corpus."

_Writ of Habeas Corpus_.

Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo,
that if any person or persons shall be or stand committed or
detained for any criminal or supposed criminal matter, it shall
and may be lawful for him, her, or them to apply to the municipal
court, when in session, or to the clerk thereof in vacation, for
a writ of habeas corpus; which application shall be in writing
and signed by the prisoner, or some person on his, her, or their
behalf, setting forth the facts concerning his, her, or their
imprisonment, and in whose custody he, she, or they are detained;
and shall be accompanied by a copy of the warrant, or warrants of
commitments, or an affidavit that the said copy had been demanded
of the person or persons in whose custody the prisoner or prisoners
are detained, and by him or them refused or neglected to be given.
The said court or clerk to whom the application shall be made,
shall forthwith award the said writ of habeas corpus, unless it
shall appear from the petition itself, or from the documents
annexed, that the party can neither be discharged nor admitted to
bail, nor in any other manner relieved, which said writ shall be
issued under the hand of the clerk, and the seal of the court;
which seal may be a written one, until another shall be obtained,
and shall be in the following words, to wit: "Seal of the Municipal
Court of the city of Nauvoo."

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

CITY OF NAUVOO, ss.

_To the People of the State of Illinois, to the Marshal of said
City, Greeting:_

Whereas application has been made before the municipal court of
{186} said city that the body (or bodies) of A B, &c., is or are in
the custody of C D, &c., of &c., these are therefore to command,
the said C D, &., of &c., to safely have the body (or bodies) of
said A B, &c., in his custody, detained, as it is said, together
with the day and cause of his (her or their) caption and detention
by whatsoever name the said A, B, &c., may be known or called,
before the municipal court of said city, forthwith to abide such
order as the said court shall make in his behalf; and further, if
the said C D, &c., or other person or persons having said A B, &c.,
in custody shall refuse, or neglect to comply with the provisions
of this writ, you, the marshal of said city, or other person
authorized to serve the same, are hereby required to arrest the
person or persons so refusing or neglecting to comply as aforesaid,
and bring him or them, together with the person or persons in his
or their custody, forthwith before the municipal court aforesaid,
to be dealt with according to law; and herein fail not to bring
this writ with you.

Witness, J. S., clerk of the municipal court at Nauvoo,
this......day of.........in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty.......... J. S., Clerk.

And [this shall] be directed to the city marshal, and shall be
served by delivering a copy thereof to the person or persons in
whose custody the prisoner or prisoners are detained, and said writ
shall be made returnable forthwith, and the form and substance
thereof, as herein set forth, and be taken and considered as part
and parcel of this ordinance. To the intent that no officer,
sheriff, jailer, keeper, or other person, or persons, upon whom
such writ shall be served, may pretend ignorance thereof, every
such writ and copy thereof served shall be endorsed with these
words, "By the Habeas Corpus Act;" and whenever the said writ shall
by any person be served upon the sheriff, jailor, keeper, or other
person or persons whomsoever, holding said prisoner or prisoners,
or being brought to him or them, or being served upon any of his
or their under-officers or deputies at the jail, or place where
the prisoner or prisoners are detained, he or they, or some of his
or their under-officers or deputies shall, upon payment or tender
of the charges of bringing the said prisoner or prisoners, to be
ascertained by the court awarding the said writ, and endorsed
thereon, not exceeding ten cents per mile; and upon sufficient
security given to pay the charges of carrying him, her, or them
back, if he, she, or they shall be remanded, make return of such
writ, and bring or cause to be brought, the body or bodies of the
prisoner or prisoners before the municipal court forthwith, and
certify the true cause of his, her, or their imprisonment, unless
the commitment of such person or persons shall be to the county
jail in Hancock county, in which case the time shall be prolonged
till five days, after the delivery of the writ as aforesaid, and
not longer.

{187} Provided, nevertheless, that in case any person or persons
may at any time hereafter be taken and lodged in the city or county
jail, under any writ or process, as provided by the city charter of
the city of Nauvoo, and shall require a writ of habeas corpus to
issue to bring him, her, or them before the municipal court of said
city, said writ shall issue to bring him, her, or them before said
court, and be directed to the city marshal to be served upon the
person or persons in whose custody such prisoner or prisoners may
then be detained.

Sec. 2. Where any person or persons not being committed or detained
for any criminal or supposed criminal matter shall be confined
or restrained of his, her, or their liberty, under any color or
pretense whatever, he, she, or they may apply for a writ of habeas
corpus, as aforesaid, which application shall be in writing,
signed by the party, or some person on his, her, or their behalf,
setting forth the facts concerning his, her, or their imprisonment,
and wherein the illegality of such imprisonment consists, and in
whose custody he, she or they are detained; which application or
petition shall be verified by the oath or affirmation of the party
applying, or some other person on his, her, or their behalf. If
the confinement or restraint is by virtue of any judicial writ or
process, or order, a copy thereof shall be annexed thereto, or
an affidavit made that the same had been demanded and refused:
the same proceedings shall thereupon be had in all respects, as
are directed in the preceding section, and any officer, person,
or persons, knowing that he or they have an illegal writ, or not
having any writ, who shall attempt through any false pretext to
take or intimidate any of the inhabitants of this city, through
such pretext, shall forfeit for every such offense a sum not
exceeding one thousand dollars, nor less than five hundred dollars,
or in case of failure to pay such forfeiture, to be imprisoned not
more than twelve months nor less than six months.

Sec. 3. Upon the return of the writ of habeas corpus, a day
shall be set for the hearing of the cause of imprisonment or
detainer, not exceeding five days thereafter, unless the prisoner
or prisoners shall request a longer time. The said prisoner or
prisoners may deny any of the material facts set forth in the
return, or may allege any fact to show either that the imprisonment
or detention is unlawful, or that he, she, or they, is or are then
entitled to his, her, or their discharge, which allegations or
denials shall be made on oath. The said return may be amended,
by leave of the court, before or after the same is filed, as also
may all suggestions made against it, that thereby material facts
may be ascertained. The said court shall proceed in a summary way
to settle the said facts, by hearing the testimony and arguments,
as well of all parties interested civilly, if any there be, as of
the prisoner or prisoners and the persons or person who holds him,
her, or them in custody, and {188} shall dispose of the prisoner or
prisoners as the case may require. If it appear that the prisoner
or prisoners are in custody by virtue of process from any court,
legally constituted, he, she, or they can be discharged for the
following causes:--First, where the court has exceeded the limits
of its jurisdiction, either as to the matter, place, sum, person,
or persons; second, where, though the original imprisonment was
lawful, yet by some act, omission, or event which has subsequently
taken place, the party has become entitled to his, her, or
their discharge; third, where the process is defective in some
substantial form required by law; fourth, where the process though
in proper form has been issued in a case, or under circumstances
where the law does not allow process, or orders for imprisonment
or arrest, to issue; fifth, where although in proper form the
process has been issued or executed by a person or persons, either
unauthorized to issue or execute the same, or where the person or
persons having the custody of the prisoner or prisoners under such
process is not the person or persons empowered by law to detain
him, her, or them; sixth, where the process appears to have been
obtained by false pretense or bribery; seventh, where there is no
general law, nor any judgment, order, or decree of a court, to
authorize the process, if in a civil suit, nor any conviction, if
in a criminal proceeding. In all cases where the imprisonment is
for a criminal or supposed criminal matter, if it shall appear
to the said court that there is sufficient legal cause for the
commitment of the prisoner or prisoners, although such commitment
may have been informally made, or without due authority, or the
process may have been executed by a person or persons not duly
authorized, the court shall make a new commitment, in proper form,
and directed to the proper officer or officers, or admit the party
to bail, if the case be bailable.

Sec. 4. When any person or persons shall be admitted to bail on
habeas corpus, he, she, or they shall enter into recognizance with
one or more securities in such sum as the court shall direct,
having regard to the circumstances of the prisoner or prisoners,
and the nature of the offense, conditioned for his, her, or their
appearance at the next circuit court to be holden in and for the
county where the offense was committed, or where the same is to
be tried. Where the court shall admit to bail, or remand any
prisoner or prisoners brought before the court, on any writ of
habeas corpus, it shall be the duty of said court to bind all such
persons as to declare any thing material to prove the offense,
with which the prisoner or prisoners are charged by recognizance
to appear at the proper court having cognizance of the offense, on
the first day of the next term thereof, to give evidence thereof
touching the said offense, and not to depart the said court without
leave; which recognizance so taken, together with the recognizance
entered into by the prisoner {189} or prisoners, when he, she,
or they are admitted to bail, shall be certified and returned to
the proper court, on the first day of the next succeeding term
thereof. If any such witness or witnesses shall neglect or refuse
to enter into a recognizance as aforesaid, when thereunto required,
it shall be lawful for the court to commit him, her, or them to
jail until he, she, or they shall enter into such recognizance,
or be otherwise discharged by due course of law. If the court
shall neglect or refuse to bind any such witness or witnesses,
prisoner or prisoners, by recognizance as aforesaid, or to return
any such recognizance, when taken as aforesaid, the court shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor in office, and be proceeded against
accordingly.

Sec. 5. Where any prisoner or prisoners brought up on a habeas
corpus shall be remanded to prison, it shall be the duty of the
municipal court remanding him, her, or them to make out and deliver
to the sheriff, or other person or persons to whose custody he,
she, or they shall be remanded, an order in writing, stating the
cause or causes of remanding him, her, or them. If such prisoner
or prisoners shall obtain a second writ of habeas corpus, it shall
be the duty of such sheriff or other person or persons upon whom
the same shall be served, to return therewith the order aforesaid;
and if it shall appear that the said prisoner or prisoners were
remanded for an offense adjudged not bailable, it shall be taken
and received as conclusive, and the prisoner or prisoners shall be
remanded without further proceedings.

Sec. 6. It shall not be lawful for the municipal court, on a second
writ of habeas corpus obtained by such prisoner or prisoners, to
discharge the said prisoner or prisoners, if he, she, or they are
proven guilty of the charges clearly and specifically charged in
the warrant of commitment with a criminal offense; but if the
prisoner or prisoners shall be found guilty, the municipal court
shall only admit such prisoner or prisoners to bail, where the
offense is bailable by law or ordinance, or remand him, her,
or them to prison, where the offense is not bailable; or being
bailable, if such prisoner or prisoners shall fail to give the bail
required.

Sec. 7. No person or persons who have been discharged by order of
the municipal court on a habeas corpus, shall be again imprisoned,
restrained, or kept in custody for the same cause, unless he, she,
or they, be afterwards indicted for the same offense, or unless by
the legal order or process of the municipal court wherein he, she,
or they are bound by recognizance to appear, the following shall
not be deemed to be the same cause. First, if after a discharge
for defect of proof, or any material defect in the commitment in a
criminal case, the prisoner or prisoners should be again arrested
upon sufficient proof and committed by legal process, for the same
offense; second, if in a civil suit the {190} party or parties have
been discharged for any illegality in the judgment or process, and
are afterwards imprisoned by legal process, for the same cause of
action; third, generally whenever the discharge has been ordered on
account of the non-observance of any of the forms required by law,
the party or parties may be a second time imprisoned, if the cause
be legal and the forms required by law observed.

Sec. 8. If any person or persons shall be committed for a criminal
matter, in case of the absence of a witness or witnesses whose
testimony may be considered to be of importance in behalf of the
people, the municipal court may adjourn from time to time at its
discretion, provided they decide upon the case within thirty days,
if it shall appear by oath or affirmation that the witness or
witnesses for the people of the state are absent, such witness or
witnesses being mentioned by name, and the court shown wherein
their testimony is material.

Sec. 9. Any person or persons being committed to the city or county
jail, as provided in the Charter in the City of Nauvoo, or in the
custody of an officer, sheriff, jailer, keeper, or other person
or persons, or his or their under-officer or deputy, for any
criminal or supposed criminal matter, shall not be removed from
said prison or custody into any prison or custody, unless it be by
habeas corpus, or by an order of the municipal court, or in case
of sudden fire, infection, or other necessities; if any person or
persons shall, after such commitment as aforesaid, make out, sign,
or countersign any warrant or warrants for such removal, then he or
they shall forfeit to the prisoner or prisoners aggrieved a sum not
exceeding five hundred dollars, to be recovered by the prisoner or
prisoners aggrieved, in the manner hereinafter mentioned.

Sec. 10. If any member of the municipal court, or the clerk of said
court shall corruptly refuse or neglect to issue writ or writs
of habeas corpus when legally applied to in a case where such
writ or writs may lawfully issue, or who shall for the purpose of
oppression unreasonably delay the issuing of such writ or writs,
shall for every such offense forfeit to the prisoner or prisoners,
party or parties aggrieved, a sum not less than five hundred
dollars and not exceeding one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned
for six months.

Sec. 11. If any officer, sheriff, jailer, keeper, or other person
or persons upon whom any such writ shall be served, shall neglect
or refuse to make the returns as aforesaid, or to bring the body
of the prisoner or prisoners according to the command of the said
writ within the time required by this ordinance, all and every such
officer, sheriff, jailer, keeper, or other person or persons shall
be guilty of a contempt of the municipal court who issued said
writ: whereupon the said court may and shall issue an attachment
against said officer, sheriff, jailer, keeper, or other person or
persons, and cause him or them to be committed to {191} the city
or county jail as provided for by the city charter of the city of
Nauvoo, there to remain without bail or mainprize, until he or they
shall obey the said writ; such officer, sheriff, jailer, keeper,
or other person or persons shall also forfeit to the prisoner or
prisoners, party or parties aggrieved, a sum not exceeding one
thousand dollars, and not less than five hundred dollars.

Sec. 12. Any person or persons having a prisoner or prisoners in
his or their custody, or under his or their restraint, power, or
control, for whose relief a writ or writs of habeas corpus is
issued, who, with intent to avoid the effect of such writ or writs,
shall transfer such person or persons to the custody of, or place
him, her, or them under the control of any other person or persons,
or shall conceal him, her, or them, or change the place of his,
her, or their confinement, with intent to avoid the operation of
such writ or writs, or with intent to remove him, her, or them out
of the state, shall forfeit for every such offense one thousand
dollars, and may be imprisoned not less than one year, nor more
than five years. In any prosecution for the penalty incurred under
this section, it shall not be necessary to show that the writ or
writs of habeas corpus had issued at the time of the removal,
transfer, or concealment therein mentioned, if it be proven that
the acts therein forbidden were done with the intent to avoid the
operation of such writ or writs.

Sec. 13. Any sheriff, or his deputy, any jailer or coroner having
custody of any prisoner or prisoners committed on any civil or
criminal process, of any court or magistrate, who shall neglect to
give such prisoner or prisoners a copy of the process, order, or
commitment, by virtue of which he, she, or they are imprisoned,
within six hours after demand made by said prisoner or prisoners,
or any one on his, her, or their behalf, shall forfeit five hundred
dollars.

Sec. 14. Any person, knowing that another has been discharged, by
order of the municipal court, on a habeas corpus, shall, contrary
to the provisions of this ordinance, arrest or detain him or her
again for the same cause which was shown on return of such writ,
shall forfeit one thousand dollars for the first offense, and two
thousand dollars for every subsequent one.

Sec. 15. All the pecuniary forfeitures incurred under this
ordinance shall be and inure to the use of the party for whose
benefit the writ of habeas corpus was issued, and shall be sued for
and recovered with costs by the city attorney, in the name of the
city by information, and the amount when recovered shall, without
any deduction, be paid to the parties entitled thereto.

Sec. 16. In any action or suit for any offense against the
provisions of this ordinance, the defendant or defendants may plead
the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence.

{192} Sec. 17. The recovery of said penalties shall be no bar to a
civil suit for damages.

Sec. 18. The municipal court, upon issuing a writ of habeas corpus,
may appoint any suitable person to serve the same, other than the
marshal, and shall endorse the appointment on the back of said writ.

Sec. 19. This ordinance to take effect and be in force from and
after its passage, any act heretofore to the contrary thereof in
any wise notwithstanding. Passed November 14, 1842.

JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.

JAMES SLOAN, Recorder.

Many other bills were discussed on this and previous days.

{193}