Chapter XX: Section 1: Be it ordained by the City Council of Nauvoo, that the

Mayor of the city be and is hereby authorized to sell or give
spirits of any quantity as he in his wisdom shall judge to be for
the health and comfort, or convenience of such travelers or other
persons as shall visit his house from time to time.

Passed December 12, 1843.

JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.

WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder.

_Wednesday, 13.--_At home.

I insert an editorial from the _Neighbor_:--

PUBLIC MEETING AT NAUVOO--THE AGGRESSIONS OF MISSOURI.

It will be seen in another column that a public meeting was held
in this place for the purpose of providing some remedy for the
repeated aggressions of the State of Missouri; since which time an
ordinance has been passed by the City Council to carry into effect
that object, and to prevent the citizens of this place from being
any longer imposed upon by the continued illegal proceedings of the
state and citizens of Missouri.

We think that it is high time that something should be done to
screen ourselves from the continued aggressions of the meddling,
troublesome, bloodthirsty herd; and we know of no means that will
be more efficient and lawful than the one adopted.

We have done good for evil long enough, in all conscience. We think
that we have fulfilled the Scriptures every whit. They have smitten
us on the one cheek, and we have turned the other, and they have
smitten that also.

We have also fulfilled the law, and more than fulfilled it. And
for sake of peace, when we knew that we had violated no law, nor
in anywise subjected ourselves to persecutions, we have endured
the wrong patiently, without offering violence or in anywise
injuring the heartless wretches who could be trusted with such a
dishonorable document. {112} Those vagabonds have been suffered to
prowl at large, and boast of their inglorious deeds in our midst;
and no man has injured them, or said, Why do you so?

The time, however, is now gone by for this mode of proceeding,
and those vagabonds must keep within their own borders and let
peaceable citizens alone, or receive the due merit of their crimes.
We think that this ordinance passed by the City Council is wise,
judicious, and well-timed, and is well calculated to protect
peaceable citizens in their rights, and to prevent those lawless
vagabonds from interfering with the rights of peaceable citizens.

To those unacquainted with our relationship to Missouri, and the
accumulated wrongs and repeated aggressions that we have received
from the hands of that State, our language may appear harsh and
ill timed; but those who are in possession of those facts know
better. Their merciless, unrelenting, inhuman prosecutions and
persecutions, from the time of our first settlement in that state
until the present, have been wholly and entirely unprovoked and
without the shadow of law.

Joseph Smith has been suffered to be taken time and again by
them; we say suffered, because he could not be legally and
constitutionally taken, Joseph Smith never committed the crimes of
which he is charged. He is an innocent man.

But allowing their false, diabolical accusations to be true, what
then? Does it follow that he is continually to be followed for the
same offense? Verily no. The Constitution of the United States
expressly says--"Nor shall any person be subject for the same
offense to be _twice_ put in jeopardy of life or limb." And yet we
find that the State of Missouri has put Joseph Smith in jeopardy
no less than four or five times. He was tried once by a military
tribunal in Missouri, and sentenced to be shot. He was afterwards
tried by a pretended civil (mobocratic) court; and since then he
has been several times apprehended, tried, and acquitted for the
same offense, in this State, by Missouri requisitions.

Is he still illegally and unconstitutionally to be held in abeyance
by these miscreants? or shall we as freeborn American citizens,
assert our rights, put the law in force upon those lawless,
prowling vagabonds and say that he shall be free?

Shall we suffer our pockets to be picked through the influence
of these scoundrels eternally, by defending ourselves against
vexatious lawsuits? or shall we take a more summary way, and by
a legal course punish the aggressors, proclaim our freedom, and
shield ourselves under the broad folds of the Constitution? The
latter is the course for us to pursue.

The ordinance passed by the City Council will secure this object;
{113} and we are glad to find that the opinion of J. Lamborn,
attorney general, and J. N. McDougall, correspond so much with
our own--"That the Nauvoo Legion is an independent military
organization, and is by law expressly required to sustain the
municipal laws of Nauvoo.

What are we to say about these kidnappers who infest our borders
and carry away our citizens--those infernals in human shape?

The whole European world has been engaged in a warfare against
those who traffic in human blood. Negotiations have been made,
treaties entered into, and fleets have been sent out, through the
combined efforts of the nations, to put a stop to this inhuman
traffic. But what would those nations think, if they were told the
fact that in America--Republican America, the boasted cradle of
liberty and land of freedom,--that those dealers in human flesh
and blood, negro dealers and drivers, are allowed with impunity to
steal white men, and those sons of liberty can obtain no redress.

Great God! has it come to this, that freeborn American citizens
must be kidnapped by negro drivers? What are our authorities doing!
Why are not these wretches brought to justice? We have heard
that one or two of the citizens of Illinois have been engaged in
assisting these wretches. We shall try to find out who they are and
their whereabouts and make them known; and then, if they are not
brought to condign punishment, we shall say that justice has fled
from Illinois."

_Thursday, 14.--_At home.

Philander Avery arrived in Nauvoo, having made his escape from his kidnappers in Missouri.

I received the following milk-and-water letter from Governor Ford:--

_Letter--Governor Ford to President Smith_.

SPRINGFIELD, December 12, 1843.

_General Joseph Smith_.

SIR:--I have received your favor of the 6th instant, together with
the proceedings of a public meeting of the citizens of Nauvoo, on
the subject of the late kidnapping, by the people of Missouri and
others, of two citizens of this State.

You request to know if any portion of the Legion shall be called
out. My answer is, No. The Militia cannot be called out, except in
the cases specified by me in my letter to Governor Reynolds, dated
in the month of August last, in which I took the ground that the
Militia can only be called out to repel an invasion, suppress an
insurrection, or on some extreme emergency; and not to suppress,
prevent, or punish individual crimes. I still am of the opinion
that the ground assumed by {114} me on that occasion is the true
one. The prevention and punishment of individual offenses has been
confided by the constitution and laws of this State to the judicial
power, and not to the executive.

If a citizen of the State has been kidnapped, or if property has
been stolen from this State, and carried to the State of Missouri,
those who have done either are guilty of an indictable offense. But
the constitution and the laws have provided no means whereby either
the person or property taken away can be returned, except by an
appeal to the laws of Missouri. The Governor has no legal right to
demand the return of either. The only power I would have would be
simply this: If any of the guilty persons should be charged with
larceny or kidnapping, by indictment or affidavit, duly certified,
and with having fled to Missouri, then I would have the power,
and it would become my duty to make a demand upon the Governor of
Missouri for the surrender of the fugitives, to be tried by the
courts of this State. I am fully satisfied that in ordinary cases
this is all the power I would possess. It would be simply a power
to be exercised in aid of the judicial power. Any other powers to
be exercised by the Governor would be to make him a dictator and a
despot. It is true that an extraordinary case might arise, in which
the inhabitants of one State might arise in warlike and hostile
array against those of another; in which case a state of war would
exist, and then only could I interfere.

I would advise your citizens to be strictly peaceable towards the
people of Missouri. You ought to be aware that in every country
individuals are liable to be visited with wrong, which the law
is slow to redress, and _some of which are never redressed in
this world._ This fact, however, has never been held to be a
justification for violence, not warranted by law.

If any of the people of Nauvoo should invade Missouri for the
purpose of rescuing persons there in jail, the consequence would be
that indictments would be presented against them, and demands made
upon me for their arrest and surrender; which demands I would be
compelled to obey, and thus they would be harassed by interminable
demands and prosecutions; and very likely it would lead to a
species of border warfare, which would be exceedingly annoying to
a peaceable city, and, if you could be placed in the wrong, might
lead to exceedingly unpleasant consequences with reference both to
law and public opinion.

You inform me that you are informed that Governor Reynolds is about
to make a new demand for you; and you implore my protection from
what you term this renewed persecution. In the month of August
last, I was furnished by your friends with a very large amount of
affidavits and evidence, said to be intended to show cause why
no further writs should be issued against you. As they are very
voluminous, {115} I have not yet read them, and probably never
will, unless a new demand should be made; in which case they will
receive a careful perusal; and you may rest assured that no steps
will be taken by me but such as the constitution and laws may
require.

I am, very respectfully, &c.,

THOMAS FORD.

[Sidenote: Comment of the Prophet on Governor Ford's attitude.]

It appears from this letter, that Governor Ford has never taken pains to examine the evidences placed in his hands, "and probably never will," in relation to the Missouri writs; and evidently as little pains to examine the Constitution of the United States or even reflect upon the ordinary principles of human rights, to suppose that a State, after having, by a union of executive, judicial and military powers, exterminated 15,000 of its innocent inhabitants, who were not even charged with any crime, robbing them of all they possessed on earth, murdering scores of men, women and children, and expelling all the others from the State, among strangers, in mid-winter, destitute of everything upon the face of the earth that could possibly have a tendency to make life desirable, should be constitutionally entitled to demand back from banishment persons who have thus suffered its absolute decrees of exile, to satiate a yet unsatiated thirst for human blood and torture. O reason, where art thou fled! O humanity, where hast thou hidden thyself? Patriots of '76, has your blood been spilt in vain, that in 1843 the Executive of a great Republican State can coolly say, "I have not yet read them, and probably never will?" Is liberty only a name? Is protection of person and property fled from free America? _Let those answer who can_.

[Sidenote: A Sudden Illness of the Prophet.]

_Friday, 15.--_I awoke this morning in good health, but was soon suddenly seized with a great dryness of the mouth and throat, sickness of the stomach, and vomited freely. My wife waited on me, assisted by my scribe, Dr. Willard Richards, and his brother Levi, who administered to me herbs and mild {116} drinks. I was never prostrated so low, in so short a time, before; but by evening was considerably revived.

Very warm for the season.

_Saturday, 16.--_This morning I felt considerably better; arose at 10, and sat all day in the City Council, which was held in my house for my accommodation.

[Sidenote: Comment on Appeal to the General Government for Protection.]

The Mayor, Aldermen, and Councilors signed officially the Memorial to Congress for redress of losses and grievances in Missouri. While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government. [4] * * *

I informed the Council that it was my wish they should ask the privilege of calling on Government for the United States troops to protect us in our privileges, which is not unconstitutional, but lies in the breast of Congress.

Heber C. Kimball was duly elected city auctioneer, in place of Charles Warner, removed.

The Council passed "An ordinance regulating merchants and grocers;" also "An ordinance concerning the landing of steamers;" and Jonathan Dunham was appointed wharf-master for one year.

{117} Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Davidson Hibbard, and solicit from him a block of land, whereon to erect a city prison.

After Council, conversed with some of the Twelve, brother Turley and others, till 8 p.m. Prayer meeting in the evening.

Warm, foggy, and muddy day.

_Sunday, 17.--_At home till 4 p.m.; attended prayer meeting at the assembly room. Samuel Harrison Smith admitted. Returned home at 7.

River clear of ice as far up as the Stone Tavern.

Mr. King Follet, one of the constables of Hancock County, started with ten men this afternoon to arrest John Elliott for kidnapping Daniel Avery, upon a warrant granted by Aaron Johnson, Esq., J. P.

_Monday, 18.--_After dinner, Constable Follet returned with John Elliott, a schoolmaster, when an examination was had before Esq. Johnson, in the assembly room. Elliott was found guilty of kidnapping Avery, and bound over in the sum of $3,000 to the Circuit court of Carthage for trial. I endeavored to have the court reduce those bonds, as Mr. Elliott was comparatively a stranger in Nauvoo; but did not succeed.

During the investigation, testimony appeared to show that Elliott had threatened my life; and for this I made affidavit and brought him to trial before Robert D. Foster, J. P., immediately after he had been bound over by Esq. Johnson. I extract from the proceedings, in part, from the _Neighbor_:--

THE TRIAL OF JOHN ELLIOTT.

The prisoner was brought forward, and the court said it was his
privilege to plead for a change of venue, by paying the costs; but
as the costs were not forthcoming, the court proceeded.

Mr. Styles then read the "Act to regulate the apprehension of
offenders and for other purposes," p 219, r. s. The act sets forth
that the use of threatening language is sufficient to criminate
individuals. This we are prepared to prove.

{118} Sisson Chase sworn.

The testimony was similar to that before delivered, [in Chase
affidavit see p. 109] with the following additional items:--

I did ask him if he had authority. In the morning he said that he
would not care about shooting some of the Mormons. In conversation
with him, he carried the idea that a conspiracy was formed against
Joseph Smith and others, and that some of them would be shot. These
conversations were had at different times. He thought Mr. Smith was
a bad character. He thought they ought to be taken. Question: Who?
Joseph Smith and some others.

I told him he had been taken, but had been acquitted. He did not
thank the Governor for that. He carried the idea that there was a
conspiracy against his life, and said we have a plan in operation
that will pop him over.

Mr. Elliott sworn.

By the Court: Is your residence, Mr. Elliott, in this county? Yes.

Messrs. Marr and Styles, attorneys, resident in Nauvoo, made some
thrilling remarks pertaining to the outrageous proceedings of
Missouri. The diabolical conduct of those wretches who could be
engaged in destroying and kidnapping their fellowmen was portrayed
in glowing colors.

Judge Phelps and General Smith then followed on the same subject:
their language was thrillingly eloquent and powerful. If ever
inhumanity and deeds of blood were depicted in their true colors,
it was on that occasion: their thoughts flashed as fire, and they
spake in "words that burned." We never saw the character of General
Smith so clearly developed; for while he abhorred and depicted the
fiendish crime that the culprit stood charged with in its true
colors, he pitied the poor wretch that then stood before him, and
with feelings of commiseration, benevolence, and philanthropy,
withdrew his charge--wished, if it was within the power of the
court, that the culprit might be forgiven,--promised to pay all the
charges, and invited him and those of his friends who came along
with him, to come to his house, and they should be taken care of.
It would be superfluous for us to attempt to give even a faint
outline of the remarks made by the above-named gentlemen. We hope
to have at least a synopsis of their speeches for publication,
which we are sure would be highly interesting to our readers. Upon
the whole, although a painful, yet it was an interesting occasion
and will long be remembered; and unless Mr. Elliott's heart and
those of his friends were made of adamant, it must have made an
indelible impression on their minds, and almost made them hate
themselves.

I received from Aaron Johnson, Esq., the following demand:--

{119} _Legion Aid Applied For_.

CITY OF NAUVOO, December 18, 1843.

SIR:--I have been informed that a writ issued by me for the body of
Levi Williams, for kidnapping Daniel Avery, will be resisted by an
armed force: Therefore, according to the provision of the Charter,
I wish you to order me a detachment of the Nauvoo Legion--say 100
men, to enforce the law of the State, and bring the said Williams
to justice.

AARON JOHNSON, J. P.

Which demand I complied with by writing to Major-General Wilson Law.

_Detachment of the Legion Ordered into Service_.

CITY OF NAUVOO, Dec. 18, 1843.

SIR:--You will detach 100 men, under the direction of Aaron
Johnson, a Justice of the Peace, for the purpose of assisting
the constable in executing the law of the State in taking Levi
Williams, who is charged with kidnapping Daniel Avery.

Yours,

JOSEPH SMITH, Lieut-Gen., N. L.

To MAJOR-GEN. WILSON LAW,

Commanding Nauvoo Legion.

Gen. Wilson detached Colonel Stephen Markham with 100 men for that purpose.

[Sidenote: Rumors of Mob Risings.]

About 10 p.m., two young men arrived as express, stating that a mob was collecting at Warsaw, also at Colonel Levi Williams' house; and messengers had gone to the mob in Missouri to reinforce their number there.

Dr. Richards made the following affidavit:--

_Affidavit of Willard Richards that Nauvoo was in Danger_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF NAUVOO,

December 18, 1843.

Personally appeared Willard Richards before me, Joseph Smith,
Mayor of said city, and upon his oath deposeth and saith that from
information he has received, he verily believes that the peace of
said city is in danger from a mobocratic assemblage at Warsaw, and
a force collected under the command of Colonel Levi Williams in the
lower part of the county, and runners having been sent to Missouri
to excite the Missourians to join the mobbers in this county, for
the purpose of making {120} a descent on said city, or disturbing
its peaceable inhabitants; and further your deponent saith not.

WILLARD RICHARDS.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th December, 1843.

W. W. PHELPS,

Clerk of the Mayor's Court.

Whereupon I wrote to Major-General Wilson Law:--

_Legion Ordered into Service_.

CITY OF NAUVOO, Dec. 18, 1843.

SIR:--I am credibly informed that a warlike force is collecting at
or near Warsaw, for the purpose of some violent move towards this
city or some of the inhabitants thereof. You will therefore order
out such a portion of the Nauvoo Legion as may be necessary to
repel any such mobocratic or hostile design of the same unlawful
force, and also as may be sufficient to secure the peace of the
citizens, according to law.

Yours,

JOSEPH SMITH, Lieut-Gen. N. L.

MAJOR-GEN. WILSON LAW,

Commanding Nauvoo Legion.

I returned home to rest about one o'clock in the morning of the 19th.

[Sidenote: Moves and Counter Moves of Forces.]

_Tuesday, 19.--_At home. About 9 a.m., a part of the company who went with Hosea Stout returned, and stated that they went within two miles of Colonel Williams', when they were informed that a body of men, armed with rifles, &c., were collected at his house, and he judged it prudent to return for weapons and help; also that Brother Chester Loveland told them that he had seen thirty armed men following Constable King Follett some miles on his way, when he had Elliott in custody.

Esq. Johnson immediately wrote to Loveland to have him come to Nauvoo and make affidavit of the warlike movements of the mob, that he might send to the Governor.

I directed my clerks to make copies of the affidavits respecting the kidnapping of the Averys to send to Governor Ford, that he might be left without excuse, although he may probably not read them.

{121} Elder William Martindale writes from Washington, Wayne county, Iowa:--

STRANGE CELESTIAL PHENOMENON--1860.

A singular phenomenon was seen in this neighborhood. Jesse
Fox, William and Lorenzo Fox, David Bale, James Wilson, and
William Cole, with some others, retired to the house of Solomon
Mendenhall, at which place they stayed a short time. While there
they discovered a ball rising from the east in an oblique line;
and as it ascended it moved towards the west with great rapidity
until it was high in the heavens, leaving a streak of light behind
it, which to the natural eye, had the appearance of being thirty
or forty feet in length. This light remained stationary for about
one minute. Both ends then coming round, formed a figure 8, which
figure also retained its position for the same space of time. It
then was transformed into a figure 6, which also remained for about
a minute. It then was formed into a cipher or 0, which remained for
about three minutes. The figures put together made 1860 in large
figures in the heavens. The phenomenon was indeed singular, and has
been a matter of great speculation with us.

[Sidenote: Legion Parade]

At one p.m. I was present when the Legion paraded near the Temple, were inspected by the officers, and instructed to prepare themselves with arms and ammunition and to hold themselves in readiness, for a moment's notice. Brother Henry Boley was shot severely under the arm by the accidental discharge of his gun.

Amos S. Chase made the following affidavit:--

_Affidavit of Amos Chase_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

CITY OF NAUVOO. ss.

On the 19th day of December, 1843, came Amos S. Chase before me
Joseph Smith, Mayor of said city; and after being duly sworn,
deposeth and saith that on the 18th day of December, 1843, he was
about four miles below Warsaw, in Hancock County, shortly after the
constable arrested John Elliott for being concerned in kidnapping
Daniel Avery, not long since, and saw the men of the neighborhood
gathering with arms to retake the said John Elliott; and when
asked what they would do, if the Governor did not sanction such an
unlawful course, several of them replied, "Damn the Governor! If he
opens his head, we will punch a hole through him! He dare not open
his head! We will serve him the same sauce we will the Mormons."
The said {122} mob then went to Warsaw, where your affiant saw them
with their arms; and further your affiant saith not.

AMOS S. CHASE,

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 19th day of December, 1843.

W. W. PHELPS, Clerk, M. C.

_Wednesday, 20.--_At home, in good health and spirits, counseling and attending to business in general.

The Clerk of the Municipal Court took the following affidavits:--

AFFIDAVITS OF PHILANDER AVERY--MISSOURI KIDNAPPING.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

CITY OF NAUVOO. ss.

On the 20th day of December, 1843, personally appeared before
me, Willard Richards, clerk of the Municipal Court of said city
Philander Avery, of Bear Creek precinct, in said county, and after
being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that on the 19th day of
November, 1843, at his house, in the precinct aforesaid, Ebenezer
Richardson, of Lee county, Territory of Iowa, by false pretenses,
persuaded your affiant to accompany said Richardson to the
Mississippi river at Warsaw, where your affiant was seized by one
Joseph C. McCoy, of Clark county, Missouri, in connection with the
said Richardson, and about one dozen of other individuals, whose
names are unknown to your affiant, and by them forced across said
Mississippi River, where they bound your affiant; and Mark Childs
swore that your affiant had stolen said McCoy's horse and colt, and
that his father Daniel Avery had secreted said horse and colt, and
said Richardson threatened your affiant with death or seven years'
imprisonment, in order to persuade him to make false statements,
and testify that his father, Daniel Avery, had stolen said McCoy's
horse and colt, which statements your affiant made, and swore
to the same, while in duress, with a bowie-knife presented to
intimidate. And your affiant further saith that the testimony he
gave concerning his father's guilt, was extorted from him through
fear, while in duress, and said testimony was absolutely false,
and your affiant fully believed that his father is innocent of the
crime of stealing said McCoy's horse and colt; and further your
deponent saith not.

PHILANDER AVERY.

[Sidenote: [L. S.]]

Subscribed and sworn to before me; in testimony whereof I have set
my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Nauvoo aforesaid,
this 20th day of December, A. D. 1843.

WILLARD RICHARDS,

Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Nauvoo,

{123} _Affidavit of the Hamiltons_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

COUNTY OF HANCOCK, ss.

On the 20th day of December, 1843, personally appeared before me
Aaron Johnson, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
Andrew H. Hamilton, and James B. Hamilton, of Bear Creek precinct,
in said county, and, after being duly sworn, depose and say that
on the evening of the 2nd day of December, 1843, at Vernon Doty's
mill, in said precinct, Colonel Levi Williams, of said Hancock
county, as principal, and his son, John Williams, with William
Middleton, of the county of Clark and State of Missouri, Captain
McCoy, of the said county of Clark and State of Missouri, John Fox
of Green Plains precinct, and about a dozen other men, armed with
pistols, dirks and bowie knives came forcibly upon Daniel Avery at
said Doty's mill, and seized and bound him. The said Avery told
them to stand off. They said they had a writ. He observed, he would
not resist legal authority. They said they would take said Avery to
Warsaw, and there to try him. The said Avery replied, "I understand
you: you will take me to Warsaw, and there pass me over the river
to Missouri." Some of said gang then shouted, "Lay hold of him;
G--d d--n him, lay hold of him: there's no use of parleying;" at
which Colonel Levi Williams, with a large bowie-knife in his hand,
and others, then forced the said Daniel Avery to submit, telling
him (without a writ,) that his life would be taken if he did not
submit. They then tied him with silk handkerchiefs. Colonel Levi
Williams and another person then led the said Daniel Avery away;
and as they passed your affiants within the distance of about four
rods, the said Daniel Avery cried out to one of your said affiants,
"tell my friends where I am gone." Colonel Williams told said Avery
to hold his peace, for it was of no use. William Middleton then got
a horse; and after tying him upon said horse, as sworn to before by
another witness, they then conveyed him to Missouri without an by
another witness, they then conveyed him to Missouri without a writ
or trial, as your affiants verily believe; and further they say not.

ANDREW M. HAMILTON.

JAMES B. HAMILTON.

Subscribed and sworn to this 20th day of December, 1843, before me.

AARON JOHNSON, J.P.

Footnotes:

1. This was the upper room of President Smith's brick store.

2. This occurred on the 2nd of December. See Avery's Affidavit, Chapter VI, this volume.

3. The Ordinance was about a month later repealed at the suggestion of President Smith.

4. This prediction doubtless has reference to the party in power; to the "government" considered as the administration; not to the "government" considered as the country; but the administration party, the Democratic Party, which had controlled the destiny of the country for forty years. It is matter of history that few years later the party then in power lost control of the national government, followed by the terrible conflict of the Civil War. The Party against which the above prediction was made so far lost its influence that it did not again return to power for a quarter of a century; and when it did return to power it was with such modified views as to many great questions of government, that it could scarcely be regarded as the same party except in name.

Lest it should be urged that the Whig party was in control of the government in 1843, I call attention to the fact that while General Harrison, a Whig, was elected in 1840, he was President only one month, as he died on the 4th of April, 1841. His whole cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, Secretary of State, resigned, and the Vice President became President. Though elected by the Whigs Mr. Tyler was a Democrat "and the Whig administration had but a month's actual existence." (See History of the United States, Morris, pp. 311, 312).

{124}