convulse not only Jackson but the surrounding counties, to their very centre, and to imbrue the whole upper Missouri in blood and carnage. We will here observe, in conclusion, that our proposition to the Mormons to sell their lands to us on the same terms on which we offer ours to them, must be regarded as a proof of our desire to do them justice, and thus put a final termination to this controversy.

"SAMUEL C. OWENS,

"Chairman of Jackson county Committee,

"Independence, (Mo.) June 23, 1834."

Copy of a Letter from Daniel Dunklin, Governor of the State of Missouri, to Col. James Thornton, dated、

CITY OF JEFFERSON, June 6, 1834.

Dear Sir: I was pleased at the receipt of your letter, concurred in by Messrs. Ress, Atchison, and Donaphin, on the subject of the Mormon difficulties. I should be gratified, indeed, if the parties could compromise on the terms you suggested, or, indeed, upon any other terms satisfactory to themselves. But I should travel out of the line of my strict duty, as chief executive officer of the government, were I to take upon myself the task of effecting a compromise between the parties. Had I not supposed it possible, yes, probable, that I should, as Executive of the State, have to act, I should, before now, have interfered individually, in the way you suggest, or in some other way, in order, if possible, to effect a compromise. Uncommitted as I am, to either party, I shall feel no embarrassment in doing my duty; though it may be done with extreme regret. My duty in the relation in which I now stand to the parties, is plain and straight forward. By an official interposition, I might embarrass my course, and urge a measure for the purpose of effecting a compromise, and if it should fail, and in the end, should I find it my duty to act contrary to the

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advice I had given, it might be said, that I either advised wrong, or acted wrong; or that I was partial to one side or the other, in giving advice that I would not, as an officer, follow. A more clear and indisputable right does not exist, than that the Mormon people, who were expelled from their homes in Jackson county, to return and live on their lands, and if they cannot be pursuaded as a matter of policy, to give up that right, or to qualify it, my course, as the chief Executive officer of the State, is a plain one. The Constitution of the United States declares, "That the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States." Then we cannot interdict any people who have a political franchise, in the United States, from emigrating to this State, nor from choosing what part of the State they will settle in providing they do not trespass on the property or rights of others.Our State Constitution declares that the people's "right to bear arms, in defence of themselves, and of the State, cannot be questioned.' Then it is their constitutional right to arm themselves. Indeed, our militia law makes it the duty of every man, not exempt by law, between the ages of 18 and 45, to arm himself with a musket, rifle, or some firelock, with a certain quantity of amunition, &c. And again, our Constitution says, 'that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.' I am fully persuaded that the eccentricity of the religious opinions and practices of the Mormons, is at the bottom of the outrages committed against them.

"They have the right constitutionally guaranteed to them, and it is indefeasible, to believe and worship Jo Smith, as a man, an angel, or even as the true and living God, and to call their habitation Zion, the Holy Land, or even Heaven itself. Indeed, there is nothing so absurd or ridiculous, that

they have not a right to adopt as their religion, so that in its exercise, they do not interfere with the right of others

"It is not long since an impostor assumed the character of Jesus Christ, and attempted to minister as such; but I never heard of any combination to deprive him of his rights.

“I consider it the duty of every good citizen of Jackson and the adjoining counties, to exert themselves to effect a compromise of these difficulties, and were I assured that I would not have to act in my official capacity in the affair, I would visit the parties in person, and exert myself to the utmost to settle it. My first advice would be to the Mormons to sell out their lands in Jackson county, and to settle somewhere else, where they could live in peace, if they could get a fair price for their lands, and reasonable damages for injuries received. If this failed, I would try the citizens and advise them to rescind their illegal resolves of last summer; and agree to conform to the laws in every particular, in respect to the Mormons. If both these failed, I would then advise the plan you have suggested, for each party to take separate territory and confine their members within their respective limits, with the exception of the right of egress and regress upon the highway. If all these failed, then the simple question of legal right would have to settle it. It is this last that I am afraid I shall have to conform my action to in the end. And hence the necessity of keeping myself in the best situation to do my duty impartially.

"Rumor says that each party are preparing themselves with cannon. That would be illegal. It is not necessary for self-defence, as guaranteed by the Constitution. And as there are no artillery companies organized in this State, nor field pieces provided by the public, any preparations of that kind will be considered as without right; and in the present state of things, would be understood to be with a

criminal intent. I am told that the people of Jackson county expect assistance from the adjoining counties, to oppose the Mormons in taking or keeping possession of their lands. I should regret it extremely, if any should be so imprude n as to do so; it would give a different aspect to the affair.

"The citizens of Jackson county have a right to arm themselves and parade for military duty in their own county independent of the commander-in-chief; but if the citizens. march there from other counties, with arms, without orders from the commander-in-chief or some one authorized by him, it would produce a very different state of things. Indeed, the Mormons have no right to march to Jackson county in arms, unless by order or permission of the cammander-inchief. Men must not "levy war" in taking possession of their rights, any more than others should in opposing them in taking possession.

"As you have manifested a deep interest in a peaceable compromise of this important affair, I presume you will not be unwilling to be placed in a situation, in which, perhaps, you can be more serviceable to these parties. I have therefore taken the liberty of appointing you an Aid to the commander-in-chief, and hope it will be agreeable to you to accept. In this situation you can give your propositions all the influence they would have, were they to emanate from the Executive, without committing yourself or the commander-in-chief in the event of a failure.

"I would be glad if you or some other gentleman who joined in your communication, would keep a close correspondence with these parties, and by each mail, write me.

"The character of the State has been injured in consequence of this unfortunate affair: and I sincerely hope it may not be disgraced by it in the end.

"With high respect, your obedient servant, Signed: "DANIEL DUNKLIN."

Thus ended the far-famed Morman war, and thus the the difficulties stand at the present time. It was set on foot, as they constantly held out, by a command of the Lord, for the sole and express purpose of "redeeming Zion,” as the dupes who marched under the orders of the prophet, firmly believed. They entertained not the least doubt that they were to have a brush with the people of Jackson county, and some were sorely disappointod and chagrined, when it was first announced that no blood was to be spilt; so much so, that one, at least, manifested a determination not to submit to the decision of the Prophet, and was only pacified by an exhibition of the revelation to his view. After all, Smith had the hardihood and affrontery to declare, after his return, that his sole and only object in marching his troops thither, was to carry money and other supplies to his brethren, who were in destitute circumstances. But the reasons why the expedition was so suddenly terminated, may be readily discovered in the Governor's letter, and the manifestations of the citizens in that part of the country. Smith and his High Priests supposed that they had nothing to do but to make a display of their instruments of destruction, and their flag, to restore peace to the country. All the benefit, therefore, which was derived from his long march and expenditure of money, was, for the Prophet to get the information that he had no business there, and that it would be the most prudent course to "march back again.”