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"This resolution," said the anti-Mormons, in an account of the occurrence published under their authority, "was, with the utmost order, and the least noise and disturbance possible, forthwith carried into execution, as also some other steps of a similar tendency, but no blood was spilled, nor any blows inflicted." The meeting then adjourned for three days, to give the Mormons an opportunity of considering what their fate was likely to be in case they should ultimately refuse to leave the country.

The "other steps of a similar tendency," alluded to in this extract, appear to have been the tarring and feathering of two Mormons. Phelps, the editor, managed to escape from the mob, but Partridge, the Mormon bishop, and another Saint named Allen, were not so fortunate. These two were seized, according to the established back-wood or Lynch fashion, stripped naked, tarred and feathered, and set loose. The Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs —a man who from thenceforward appears to have pursued the Mormons with unrelenting hostility—was in the immediate neighbourhood of the riot, but declined to take any part in preserving the peace. Joseph Smith afterwards stated that he actually looked on, and aided the movement, saying to the Mormons, "You know what we Jackson boys can do. You must all leave the country." A Presbyterian preacher is also reported to have declared from the pulpit that “the Mormons were the common enemies of mankind, and ought to be destroyed." On the morning of the 23rd of July, the meeting again assembled. It was composed of several hundred persons, well armed, and bearing the red flag in sign of vengeance. They declared their intention of driving the whole sect forcibly out of Missouri, if they would not depart peaceably. The Mormons saw that it was useless to resist, and their leaders agreed, if time were given, that the people should remove westward into the wilderness. It was arranged, and an agreement was duly signed to that effect, that one half of the Mormons, with their wives and families, should depart by the 1st of January, and the other half by the 1st of April next ensuing; that the paper should be discontinued; and that no more Mormons should be allowed to come into the country in the interval. The opposite party pledged themselves that no violence should be done to any Mormon, provided these conditions were complied with.

In these distressing and perilous circumstances, Oliver Cowdery was despatched to Kirtland with a message to the "Prophet." On his arrival, it was resolved, in solemn conclave, Joseph himself presiding, that the Morning and Evening Star should be published in Kirtland, and that a new paper, to be called the Latter-Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate, should be forthwith started. It was also re

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solved to appeal for protection to Mr. Dunklin, the governor of the State of Missouri, and to demand justice for the outrages inflicted upon the sect. Joseph himself did not venture into "Zion," in the dangerous circumstances of his people, but undertook a journey to Canada with Sidney Rigdon and another, where they made some converts. In the meantime, Governor Dunklin wrote a sensible and conciliatory letter in reply to the Mormon petition, in which he stated that the attack upon them was illegal and unjustifiable, and recommended them to remain where they were, and to apply for redress to the ordinary tribunals of the country. This letter was widely circulated, and the Mormons, upon the strength of it, resolved to remain in Missouri, and " proceed with the building up of Zion." They commenced actions against the ringleaders of the mob, and engaged, for a fee of 1,000 dollars, the best legal assistance they could procure to support their case. But on the 30th of October, the mob was once again in arms to expel them. Ten houses of the "Saints" were unroofed and partially demolished at a place called Big Blue; and on the following days several houses were sacked at Independence. The Mormons, in some instances, defended their property, and a regular battle ultimately ensued between thirty of the Saints, armed with rifles, and a large company of their opponents, also well armed. In this encounter two of the anti-Mormons were killed. Things at last assumed so alarming an aspect, that the militia, under the command of Lieutenant-Governor Boggs, was called out. The militia, however, was . anti-Mormon to a man, and the unhappy Saints saw that they had no alternative but in flight. The blood that had been shed had caused such an exasperation against them, that it was unsafe for a solitary Mormon to show himself in the towns or villages. The women first took the alarm, and fled, with their children, across the Missouri river.

"On Thursday, Nov. 7th," says the account in the Times and Seasons, "the shore began to be lined on both aides of the ferry with men, women, and children, goods, waggons, boxes, chests, provisions; while the ferrymen were busily engaged in crossing them over; and when night again closed upon the Saints, the wilderness had much the appearance of a camp meeting. Hundreds of people were seen in every direction, some in tents, and some in the open air, around their fires, while the rain descended in torrents. Husbands were inquiring for their wives, and women for their husbands; parents for children, and children for parents. Some had the good fortune to escape with their family, household goods, and some provisions; while others knew not the fate of their friends, and had lost all their goods. The scene was indescribable, and would have melted the hearts of any people upon

earth except the blind oppressor, and prejudiced and ignorant bigot. Next day the company increased, and they were chiefly engaged in felling small cotton trees, and erecting them into temporary cabins, so that when night came on, they had the appearance of a village of wigwams, and the night being clear, the occupants began to enjoy some degree of comfort. The Saints who fled took refuge in the neighbouring counties, mostly in Clay county, which received them with some degree of kindness. Those who fled to the county of Van Buren were again driven and compelled to flee, and those who fled to Lafayette county were soon expelled, or the most of them, and had to move wherever they could find protection."

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JOURNEY OF THE PROPHET INTO MISSOURI-THE LAMANITE SKELETON-THE SHOWER OF METEORS-FINAL REMOVAL OF JOSEPH FROM KIRTLAND, OHIO-PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI-MASSACRE AT HAUN'S MILL-THE DANITE BAND-EXPULSION FROM MISSOURI.

THE public authorities of the State of Missouri, and, indeed, all the principal people, except those of Jackson county, were scandalized at these lawless proceedings, and sympathized with the efforts made by the Mormon leaders to obtain redress. The Attorney-General of the State wrote to say that if the Mormons desired to be re-established in their possessions, an adequate public force would be sent for their protection. He also advised that the Mormons should remain in the State, and organize themselves into a regular company of militia, in which case they should be supplied with public arms. The "Prophet," having by this time returned to Kirtland, wrote to his people in their distress, though he did not take the bold step of personally appearing among them. He reiterated that "Inde

pendence," or "Zion," was the place divinely appointed by God for the inheritance of the Saints; that, therefore, they should not sell any land to which they had a legal title within its boundaries, but hold on "until the Lord in his wisdom should open a way for their return." He also advised that they should, if possible, purchase a tract of land in Clay county, for present emergencies. He also had a revelation in which the Lord was represented as saying that these calamities were a punishment on the Saints for their "jarrings, contentions, and envying, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires." Zion, however, was the appointed place, and thither, in due time, the Saints should return " with songs of everlasting joy." The revelation, which was of unusual length, and contained a long parable, commanded the Saints to “ importune at the feet of the Judge; and if he did not heed, to importune at the feet of the Governor; and if the Governor did not heed, to importune at the feet of the President of the United States; and if the President did not heed, then the Lord God Himself would arise and come forth out of His hiding-place, and in His fury vex the nation."

The Saints, however, did not succeed in their object. They never returned to their "Zion," but remained for upwards of four years in Clay county. It was mostly uncleared land where they settled or squatted, but being a most industrious and persevering people, they laid out farms, erected mills and stores, and carried on their business successfully. They also laid the foundation of the towns of Far West and Adam-On-Diahman; but their fanaticism here, as well as in their former location, soon proved the cause of their expulsion from the whole State of Missouri. The slavery question, the calumny about their open adulteries and community of wives, their loud vaunts of their supreme holiness, their continually repeated declarations that Missouri was to be theirs by Divine command, and the quarrels that were the constant result, led to the same ill-feeling in Clay county, as had been exhibited elsewhere. But before the final consummation, when, as one of their hymns says

66 'Missouri,

Like a whirlwind in its fury,

And without a judge or jury,

Drove the Saints and spilled their blood"

various interesting events in their history took place. On the 5th May, 1834, Joseph resolved to proceed to Clay county, and put the affairs of the scattered and dispirited church into order. Having organized a company of one hundred persons, mostly young men, and nearly all elders, priests, deacons, and teachers, he started at their head for Missouri.

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