Chapter XXV

THE TWELVE CALLED FROM EASTERN MISSION--GOVERNOR FORD AT CARTHAGE--NAUVOO DELEGATION TO GOVERNOR--THREATS AND CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE PROPHET'S LIFE--GOVERNOR FORD INVITED TO NAUVOO TO INVESTIGATE CONDITIONS.

[Sidenote: The Apostles Called Home.]

_Thursday, June 20, 1844 [continued].--_I wrote to those of the Twelve Apostles who are absent on missions to come home immediately, namely, Brigham Young, Boston; Heber C. Kimball, Washington; Orson Hyde, Philadelphia; Parley P. Pratt, New York; Orson Pratt, Washington; Wilford Woodruff, Portage, New York; William Smith, Philadelphia; George A. Smith, Peterboro; John E. Page, Pittsburgh; and Lyman Wight, Baltimore. Also to Amasa Lyman, Cincinnati, Ohio, and George Miller, Richmond, Madison county, Kentucky. I sent the letters by express by Aaron M. York to the Illinois river, on account of the stoppage of the mails.

At 8 p.m. Thomas Bullock came and read to me the affidavits of Isaac Morley, Gardner Snow, John Edmiston, Edmund Durfee, Solomon Hancock, Allen T. Waite, James Guyman, Obadiah Bowen, Alvah Tippetts, Hiram B. Mount, and John Cunningham, with the affiants; and afterward the affidavits were all sworn to before Aaron Johnson, Esquire.

Ten p.m. John Pike and Henry Gates went to the quarters of the Major-General, and informed him they had seen a number of men driving about three hundred head of cattle in the direction of the mob camp. The drovers reported themselves as having come from Missouri, and were about nine miles from Nauvoo.

[Sidenote: A Prophecy--No Gun Fired on Part of Saints.]

{520} I gave directions to Theodore Turley to commence the manufacture of artillery. He asked me if he should not rent a building, and set some men to repairing the small arms which were out of order. I told him in confidence that there would not be a gun fired on our part during this fuss.

I extract the following from a letter from Robert D. Foster dated "Carthage, June 20th, 1844, to John Proctor, Sen., Nauvoo."

_Letter: Robert D. Foster to John Proctor--Fragment--Instruction as
to Property_.

We have a hundred barrels of flour here for the folks, and Nauvoo
has no means to live, only from the country, and that is cut off
sure. There are thousands of armed men ready now and thousands more
coming from Missouri and the country around. Tell John to sleep
in the barn, and take care of fire and robbery, and all my things
there, as I shall be home soon. Tell Amos Davis to keep his eyes
open, as we learn that consecration law will soon commence on him.
This we know, and he had better look out sharp. Let him read this
sheet. Tell Norton Gibbs and all my boys that I should be glad to
see them a minute, but I cannot come. They must be patient and
faithful, and I will be there and reward every man according to his
desert; and I won't forget the perjured villains there either.

[Sidenote: Hyrum Smith's Fidelity to the Prophet.]

I advised my brother Hyrum to take his family on the next steamboat and go to Cincinnati. Hyrum replied, "Joseph, I can't leave you." Whereupon I said to the company present, "I wish I could get Hyrum out of the way, so that he may live to avenge my blood, and I will stay with you and see it out."

_Friday, 21.--_About 10 a.m. I rode out with my guard up Main Street past the Major-General's quarters, and reviewed the Legion. I returned to headquarters about 2:30 p.m., having met Col. Elam L. Freeman and Mr. Bartlett, who came as express from the Governor who had arrived at Carthage this morning, and they delivered me the following letter:

{521} _Letter: Governor Ford to Mayor and Council of Nauvoo Asking
Representatives to Meet him at Carthage_.

HEADQUARTERS CARTHAGE, June 21st, 1844.

_To the Honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the City of
Nauvoo_:

GENTLEMEN.--Having heard of the excitement in this part of the
country, and judging that my presence here might be necessary to
preserve the peace and enforce the laws, I arrived at this place
this morning. Both before and since my arrival, complaints of a
grave character have been made to me of certain proceedings of
your honorable body. As chief magistrate, it is my duty to see
that impartial justice shall be done, uninfluenced either by the
excitement here or in your city.

I think before any decisive measure shall be adopted, that I ought
to hear the allegations and defenses of all parties. By adopting
this course I have some hope that the evils of war may be averted,
and, at any rate, I will be enabled by it to understand the true
merits of the present difficulties, and shape my course with
reference to law and justice.

For these reasons I have to request that you will send out to me
at this place, one or more well-informed and discreet persons, who
will be capable of laying before me your version of the matter, and
of receiving from me such explanations and resolutions as may be
determined on.

Col. Elam L. Freeman will present you this note in the character of
a herald from the Governor. You will respect his character as such
and permit him to pass and repass free from molestation.

Your messengers are assured of protection in person and property,
and will be returned to you in safety.

I am, gentlemen, with high consideration most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS FORD.

Governor and Commander in Chief.

[Sidenote: Joseph H. Jackson at Nauvoo.]

I immediately notified the City Council to meet in session at 4 p.m. About 11 a.m. a rumor was circulated at General Dunham's headquarters that Joseph H. Jackson was seen at Davidson Hibberd's. He [Dunham] ordered out a _posse_ to arrest him, which went accordingly, but returned without success.

At 4 p.m. I met with the City Council, when the affidavits of the following persons were read--namely {522} Isaac Morley, Gardner Snow, John Edmiston, Edward Durfee, Solomon Hancock, William Gardner, John G. Lofton, Allen T. Waite, James Guyman, Obadiah Bowen, Alvah Tippetts, Hiram B. Mount, John Cunningham, Cyrus Canfield, Gilbert Belknap, Anson Call, David Evans, William E. Horner, Stephen Markham, Thomas G. Wilson, John P. Greene, John M. Bernhisel, Truman Gillett, Jr., Carlos W. Lyon, and H. T. Hugins; when Dr. J. M. Bernhisel, Councilor John Taylor, and Dr. Willard Richards were appointed by the council to return with the express to the Governor at Carthage, and carry said affidavits with the following letter:

_Letter: Joseph Smith to Governor Ford--Submitting Documents_.

NAUVOO, June 21, 1844.

SIR--The affidavits and handbills herewith connected, are submitted
for your Excellency's consideration.

Respectfully, I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient
servant,

JOSEPH SMITH.

THOMAS FORD, Governor of Illinois, Carthage.

Messrs. Taylor and Bernhisel went accordingly, but Dr. Richards tarried to prepare additional documents.

The following affidavit was taken:

_Affidavit: John P. Greene--Joseph H. Jackson,--Threatens Prophet's
Life_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, HANCOCK CO.,

CITY OF NAUVOO. ss.

June 21st, 1844.--Personally appeared John P. Greene before me,
Willard Richards, recorder of said city; and after being duly
sworn, deposeth and saith that on or about the 27th day of May,
1844, while at Hamilton's tavern, in Carthage, county aforesaid,
in company with Joseph Smith and others, Robert D. Foster called
deponent into a private room, and there and then said, "For God's
sake, don't suffer that man, Joseph Smith, to go out of doors; for
if he steps outside of the door his blood will be spilt;" to which
statement deponent replied he had no such fears; when said Foster
confirmed said statements with considerable emotion, and said he
knew that Smith could not go out of doors, but his blood would be
spilt.

{523} Deponent asked Foster who would do it. Foster said he would
not tell; but he knew the proud spirit of Jackson, that he would
not be insulted, and that he would kill Joseph Smith if he had to
die on the spot; and there were many others in Carthage who would
assist to do the same thing. Joseph H. Jackson was in the house
below at the time.

A day or two previous to the above conversation, while at Carthage
aforesaid, deponent heard Joseph H. Jackson say that Joseph Smith
was the damnedest rascal in the world, and he would be damned if
he did not take vengeance on him, if he had to follow him to the
Rocky Mountains; and said Jackson made many more such like threats
against Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith.

JOHN P. GREENE.

Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of June, 1844, before me,

[Seal]

WILLARD RICHARDS,

Recorder of the city of Nauvoo.

And as this affidavit confirms what was told me in Carthage, I made the following affidavit:

_Affidavit: Joseph Smith--Conspiracy Against Affiant's Life_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

COUNTY OF HANCOCK. ss.

CITY OF NAUVOO, June 21st, 1844.

Personally appeared Joseph Smith before me, Willard Richards,
recorder of the City of Nauvoo; and after being duly sworn deposeth
and saith that while at Hamilton's tavern at Carthage, in the
county aforesaid, on or about the 27th day of May, 1844, whither
deponent had gone to transact business in the Circuit Court of the
county aforesaid, Charles A. Foster took deponent into a private
room, and told deponent there was a conspiracy against the life of
deponent, and that deponent had not better go out of doors. If he
did, his blood would be shed. Foster said he was deponent's friend,
and did not want to see bloodshed.

JOSEPH SMITH.

[Seal]

Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of June, 1844, before me,

WILLARD RICHARDS,

Recorder of the City of Nauvoo.

I instructed my clerks, Willard Richards, William Clayton, Thomas Bullock and John McEwan, to prepare all {524} necessary papers and affidavits ready to be sent to the Governor tomorrow morning.

Joseph Jackson made the two following affidavits:

_Affidavit: Joseph Jackson--Francis M. Higbee's Threat to Kill the
Prophet_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

CITY OF NAUVOO. ss

On the 21st day of June, 1844, came before me, W. W. Phelps, clerk
of the Mayor's Court, Joseph Jackson: and after being duly sworn,
deposeth and saith that on Tuesday, the 11th instant, he was in
Nauvoo, when Francis M. Higbee, while speaking of the destruction
of the printing press, said he was very sorry, for the proprietors
had set up that press for the destruction of the city, and that he
meant to kill Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith; and he saith no further.

JOSEPH JACKSON.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 21st day of June, 1844.

WILLIAM W. PHELPS, Clerk M. C.

_Affidavit: Joseph Jackson--Reporting Mob at Pilot Grove_.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,

CITY OF NAUVOO. ss

On the 21st day of June, 1844, came before me, W. W. Phelps, clerk
of the Mayor's Court for said city, Joseph Jackson; and after
being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that on the 19th day of June
instant, at his residence near Pilot Grove, in the afternoon, about
twenty-four persons fired about twenty-six guns at him, and that
the balls whistled close by his head. Thus this mob, of which John
McKay was one, fired about one hundred guns, but not all at your
affiant; and that this mob was very noisy, cursing and swearing
that they would kill every damned Mormon; and he says no further.

JOSEPH JACKSON.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 21st day of June, 1844.

WILLIAM W. PHELPS, Clerk M. C.

At 7 p.m. James Emmett went by order of the Sergeant of the Guard at the Stone House to the Major-General and reported the crew of the _Maid of Iowa_ for firing five guns contrary to orders, which were, that any firing of guns was an alarm.

After the news had reached the city of the Governor's {525} arrival at Carthage, an express was sent to Keokuk to stop an express which I had sent to the Governor at Springfield before I had learned of his arrival at Carthage.

An officer of the United States army, having arrested a deserter, came to Nauvoo, and stayed at my house all night.

Col. Brewer and lady arrived at the Mansion about 9 p.m. Also James W. Woods, Esq., my attorney from Burlington.

At 10 p.m., Private -- Minor gave information that as he was passing, an hour since, about two miles out of the city to his home, he was fired upon by some unknown person. General Stephen Markham ordered out a detachment to proceed to the designated place, scour that part of the country, and see that all was right.

[_Saturday, June 22.--_]

_Letter: Joseph Smith to Governor Ford--Inviting the Governor to
Come to Nauvoo and Investigate Conditions_.

NAUVOO, Saturday Morning, June 22, 1844.

_To His Excellent Thomas Ford, Governor_:

DEAR SIR.--I this morning forward you the remainder of the
affidavits which are ready to present to you, by the hands of a
gentleman who is fully competent to give you information on the
whole subject which has been the cause of the origin of our present
difficulties. I would respectfully recommend the bearer, Col.
Woodworth, as one of my aides, and a man whose testimony can be
relied upon.

I presume you are already convinced that it would be altogether
unsafe for me or any of the City Council to come to Carthage on
account of the vast excitement which has been got up by false
report and libelous publications. Nothing could afford me a greater
pleasure than a privilege of investigating the whole subject before
your Excellency in person; for I have ever held myself in readiness
to comply with your orders and answer for my proceedings before any
legal tribunal in the state.

I would hereby respectfully pray your Excellency to come to Nauvoo,
if congenial with your feelings, and give us a privilege of laying
the {526} whole matter before you in its true colors, and where
abundance of testimony can be forthcoming, to prove every point by
disinterested persons--men of character and of worth and notoriety,
strangers--who were here all the time. But I am satisfied your
Excellency does not wish men to expose the lives of the citizens of
this place by requiring them to put themselves into the power of an
infuriated, blood-thirsty mob, a part of whom have already several
times fired upon our people without the least shadow of cause or
provocation.

I am informed this morning that some gentleman has made affidavit
that he had a private conversation with me, in which I stated that
I had secret correspondence with you, &c. If any person has been
wicked enough to do this, he is a perjured villain; for in the
first place, I do not suffer myself to hold private conversation
with any stranger; and, in the second place, I have never even
intimated anything of the kind as having secret correspondence with
your Excellency.

Our troubles are invariably brought upon us by falsehoods and
misrepresentations by designing men. We have ever held ourselves
amenable to the law; and, for myself, sir, I am ever ready
to conform to and support the laws and Constitution, even at
the expense of my life. I have never in the least offered any
resistance to law or lawful process, which is a well-known fact to
the general public; all of which circumstances make us the more
anxious to have you come to Nauvoo and investigate the whole matter.

Now, sir, is it not an easy matter to distinguish between those
who have pledged themselves to exterminate innocent men, women and
children, and those who have only stood in their own defense, and
in defense of their innocent families, and that, too, in accordance
with the Constitution and laws of the country, as required by the
oaths, and as good and law-abiding citizens?

In regard to the destruction of the press, the truth only needs to
be presented before your Excellency to satisfy you of the justice
of the proceedings. The press was established by a set of men who
had already set themselves at defiance of the law and authorities
of the city, and had threatened the lives of some of its principal
officers, and who also made it no private matter that the press was
established for the express purpose of destroying the city, as will
be shown by the affidavit of Joseph Jackson, and as they stated to
me in their threats.

Mr. Babbitt informs me that reports are in circulation that we
have taken property which belongs to the Messrs. Law and others.
There has been no property meddled with, to my knowledge, belonging
to any person, except property we have purchased of the rightful
owners.

Mr. Law turned over some property to a Mr. Hicks, to pay a debt.
This I purchased of Mr. Hicks, and I am responsible to him for
the {527} amount. We have been especially careful to preserve the
property of those who are exciting the public against us, inasmuch
as we know that every means would be used which could be invented
to raise excitement; and we have appointed the police to watch this
property and see that no harm was done to it by any person, as they
had tried to fire their own building and were detected in the act.
The fire was extinguished by the policemen, and no property damaged.

There have been no prisoners taken in this city, neither any person
held as hostage, only some who are residents of this place, who had
broken the laws. No stranger has been interfered with or detained
in the city under any circumstances.

In haste, I have the honor to remain, dear sir, your most obedient
servant,

JOSEPH SMITH.

Lieut.-Gen. N. L.

This letter was accompanied by other affidavits, and was sent by Lucien Woodworth, who was delegated to go in place of Dr. Richards. He started at noon in company with Squire Woods of Burlington.

{528}