of fine education, and a faithful scribe and elder in the church. "Wednesday, March 4, 1840. I arrived safely at Nauvoo, after a wearisome journey, through alternate snows and mud, having witnessed many vexatious movements in government officers, whose sole object should be the peace and prosperity and happiness of the whole people; but instead of this, I discovered that popular clamor and personal aggrandizement were the ruling principles of those in authority; and my heart faints within me when I see, by the visions of the Almighty, the end of this nation, if she continues to disregard the cries and petitions of her virtuous citizens, as she has done, and is now doing. "I have also enjoyed many precious moments with the saints during my journey. "On my way home I did not fail to proclaim the iniquity and insolence of Martin Van Buren towards myself and an injured people, which will have its effect upon the public. mind; and may he never be elected again to any office of trust or power by which he may abuse the innocent and let. the guilty go free. "I depended on Dr. Foster to keep my daily journal during this journey, but he has failed me."-Millennial Star, vol. 17, p. 613. Thus ended what would appear to have been a fruitless effort to obtain redress.. We have, to save space, omitted numerous affidavits and statements concerning the Missouri outrages; but we think most of the general facts, as well as some of the details, are now before the reader; and we leave it with a candid public to judge who were the aggressors, and whether justice was done to the oppressed or not. The General Conference on April 8, 1840, passed the following: "He then gave some account of his mission to Washington City, in company with President Rigdon and Judge Higbee, the treatment they received, and the Conference. action of the Senate on the memorial which was presented to them. Action of a President Smith. "The meeting then called for the reading of the memorial, and the report of the committee on judiciary, to whom the same had been referred.- Which were read. "It was then resolved that a committee of five be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of this conference in reference to the report. "Resolved, that Robert D. Foster, Orson Hyde, John E. Page, Joseph Wood, and Robert B. Thompson compose said committee, and report to this conference. "Resolved that this meeting adjourn until to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. "A hymn was then sung and the meeting was dismissed by Elder John Smith. "Wednesday morning [8th], conference met pursuant to adjournment. "A number were confirmed who had been baptized the previous evening. "The meeting was then opened with prayer by Elder Marks. "The committee appointed to draft resolutions on the report which was read yesterday, were then called upon to make their report. "Robert B. Thompson of the committee then read the resolutions, as follows: Whereas, we learn with deep sorrow, regret, and disappointment that the committee on judiciary, to whom was referred the memorial of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called Mormons) complaining of the grievances suffered by them in the State of Missouri, have reported unfavorably to our cause, to justice and humanity, Therefore, "Resolved, 1st. That we consider the report of the committee on judiciary unconstitutional and subversive of the rights of a free people; and justly calls for the disapprobation of all the supporters and lovers of good government and republican principles. "Resolved, 2d. That the committee state in their report that our memorial aggravated the case of our oppressors, and at the same time say that they have not examined into the truth or falsehoods of the facts mentioned in said memorial. "Resolved, 3d. That the memorial does not aggravate the conduct of our oppressors, as every statement set forth in said memorial was substantiated by indubitable testimony, therefore, we consider the statement of the committee in regard to that part as false and ungenerous. "Resolved, 4th. That that part of the report referring us to the justice and magnanimity of the State of Missouri for redress, we deem it a great insult to our good sense, better judgment, and intelligence, when from numerous affidavits which were laid before the committee proved that we could only go into the State of Missouri contrary to the exterminating order of the Governor, and consequently at the risk of our lives. "Resolved, 5th. That after repeated appeals to the constituted authorities of the State of Missouri for redress, which were in vain, we fondly hoped that in the Congress of the United States ample justice would have been rendered us; and upon that consideration alone, we pledged ourselves to abide their decision. "Resolved, 6th. That the exterminating order of Governor Boggs is a direct infraction of the Constitution of the United States, and of the State of Missouri; and the committee in refusing to investigate the proceedings of [the] Executive and others of the State of Missouri, and turning a deaf ear to the cries of widows, orphans, and innocent blood, we deem no less than seconding the proceedings of that murderous mob, whose deeds are recorded in heaven, and justly calls down upon their heads the righteous judgments of an offended God. "Resolved, 7th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to the citizens of the State of Illinois for their kind, liberal, and generous conduct towards us; and that we call upon them, as well as every patriot in this vast republic, to aid us in all lawful endeavors to obtain redress for the injuries we have sustained. "Resolved, 8th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to the delegation of Illinois, for their bold, manly, noble, and independent course they have taken in presenting our case before the authorities of the nation, amid misrepresentation, contumely, and abuse which characterized us in our suffering condition. "Resolved, 9th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to Governor Carlin, of Illinois, Governor Lucas, of Iowa, for their sympathy, aid, and protection; and to all other honorable gentlemen who have assisted us in our endeavors to obtain redress. "Resolved, 10th. That Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rig. don, and Elias Higbee, the delegates appointed by this church to visit the city of Washington to present our sufferings before the authorities of the nation, accept of the thanks of this meeting for the prompt and efficient manner in which they have discharged their duty; and that they be requested in the behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout the world to continue to use their endeavors to obtain redress for a suffering people; and if all hopes of obtaining satisfaction (for the injuries done us) be entirely blasted, that they then appeal our case to the court of heaven, believing that the great Jehovah, who rules over the destiny of nations and who notices the falling sparrow, will undoubtedly redress our wrongs and ere long avenge us of our adversaries. "It was then resolved that the report of the committee on judiciary, as well as the foregoing preamble and resolutions, be published in the Quincy papers."-Times and Seasons, vol. 1, pp. 93, 94. CHAPTER 20. 1839-1840. AFFIDAVITS PRESENTED TO CONGRESS-SIMEON CARTER-W. F. CALHOON J. M. BURK-JOHN LOWRY-JEDEDIAH OWEN-T. ALVORD WM. HAWK-T. B. CLARK-U. V. STEWART-JOHN SMITH-SAMUEL SMITH-JAMES POWELL-JOHN SMITH-SMITH HUMPHREY-HENRY ROOT-JOSEPH CLARK-T. D. CASPER-J. W. JOHNSTON-OWEN COLE-E. MAGINN-A. GREEN-J. P. GREENA. A. LATHROP-BURR RIGGS-S.P.CURTIS-E. H. GROVES-JACOB FOUTS-F. G. WILLIAMS-JACOB SHUMAKER-LEVI RICHARDSGIBSON GATES- DAVID PETTIGREW. In this chapter we introduce without special comment the statements and affidavits of several of the saints, and others, prepared for and introduced by the Washington committee to the Congress committee on judiciary: Simeon "I, Simeon Carter, certify that I have been a resident of the State of Missouri for six years and upwards, and that I have suffered many things by a lawless mob; both me and my family having been driven from place to place, and suffered the loss of much property, and finally expelled from the State. I further certify that I belong to the Church of the Latter Day Saints, commonly called 'Mormons.' And I certify that in the year eighteen hundred and thirtyeight both me and my people suffered much by the people of the State of Missouri. And I further certify that in this same year, in the month of November, between the first and sixth, were surrounded by a soldiery of the State of Missouri, in the city of Far West, in Caldwell County, both me and many of my 'Mormon' brethren, and were compelled by their soldiery, which were armed with all the implements of war to shed blood, by a public declaration of our entire extermination, to sign away our all, our property, personal and real estate, and to leave the State of Missouri immediately. "I certify I had at that time one hundred and sixty-two acres of land, the same which I held the certificates for. I |