Vol. XIV. Richmond, November, 1848. No. 11.
[pg. 641]
MEMOIR OF THE MORMONS. *
It may be thought by some that the subject of the following article does not deserve the time and labor bestowed upon it. A fanatical delusion begun and carried on by inventions so preposterous and yet so common-place, would at first sight appear wholly unworthy of notice, in the present enlightened age. But, when we look at its extraordinary success, its singular ascendancy over its devotees, and the serious disorders it has produced in some parts of the country, it assumes an importance greatly transcending its own intrinsic merit, as well as that of its supporters. It becomes a prominent feature in the history of the times; and might profitably employ an abler and more accomplished pen. This sketch is undertaken, in the hope, that it may attract the attention of others more comptent to the task, and thus lead to a more thorough development of this strange episode in our national annals.
A writer in the Dublin University Magazine once characterized this faith very happily, as "Mohammedanism in the New World." And, except that the Arabian prophet may, with some reason, complain of his company, the comparison is appropriate. The mean origin, the astonishing spread, the shallow devices, the blind devotion, and the untiring perseverance, of the two sects, are all striking points of resemblance: but, however mortifying to our national pride, it must be admitted that the eastern impostor far excelled his western imitator, in character, in policy, and in achievement.
Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, (or "Joseph," as his people called him, out of Scriptural simplicity,) was born in Sharon, Vermont, on the 23rd December, 1805. About ten years after, his parents removed to the neighborhood of Palmyra, in New York, where they lived for several years. The family were low: not merely poor, but without the respect of their neighbors. Joe himself grew up, with the tastes and habits of what is now called a "loafer." He was an idle lounger at drinking shops; ignorant, uneducated, coarse, and vicious. Except the trifling jobs which fell in his way at these haunts, he did no work: unless we dignify with that name an occasional turn at "money digging," a searching for hidden treasure, the favorite pursuit of vagabonds in every age. He is still well remembered in that vicinity as he is here represented: and his disciples, unable to contradict the facts, have sometimes had the effrontery to build an argument upon them, by comparing his origin with that of the fishermen of Galilee.
Near Palmyra, according to his story, the Spirit of the Lord found him, at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and awakened him to religious thoughts by a miraculous vision. A subsequent revelation, in 1823, disclosed to him that he was chosen of God, as the instrument of a new dispensation: a dispensation, which should fulfill and complete those heretofore vouchsafed in the Old and New Testaments. He was informed that the American Indians were a remnant of Israel, a branch of the tribe of Joseph: that they had been conducted to this country a civilized people, possessed of the true religion, and favored of the Almighty: that they walked not in the ways of the Lord, but fell into all manner of wicked courses, and massacred one another in endless wars: that, at last, they were almost exterminated in a great battle, at a hill called "Cummorah," 200 miles west of Albany, in the State of New York, and not far from Joe's residence in Palmyra: and that the survivors degenerated into the savage tribes, whom the Europeans found in possession of the country. It was further revealed to him, that the ancient records of this people, which had been kept from time to time by their Seers and Prophets, were saved by divine providence, and " hid up" in the hill Cummorah, A. D. 420, by Moroni, the son of Mormon: that, in due time these records should be entrusted to him, and he should be enabled by inspiration to translate and publish them to the world: and that, through his agency, the kingdom of "The Latter Day Saints"' should be established, the New Jerusalem built up, arid the whole earth prepared for the final coming of Christ. Some parts of the foregoing summary were probably made known in later revelations, but the question of time is unimportant.
__________
* 1. The Book of Mormon: an account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi. Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun. First European, from the second American edition. Liverpool, England. 1841.
2. Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: carefully selected from the revelations of God, and compiled by Joseph Smith, Jun., Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick C. Williams, presiding elder of said Church. Kirtland, Ohio. 1835.
3. A voice of Warning and Instruction to all people, containing a declaration of the Faith and Doctrine of the Chinch of the Latter Day Saints, commonly called Mormons. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel. New York. 1837.
642 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
After many preparatory visions, the sacred plates were at last committed to this Moses of the Latter Day Covenant. With them he received a pair of spectacles, consisting of two transparent stones, set in a bow, by the aid of which he was to interpret the records. This instrument was called " Urim and Thummim:" and its use by "Joseph" was supposed to settle decisively the long controversy, touching the nature and office of these mysterious jewels, among tile Jewish priesthood. The plates were of gold, seven or eight inches square, not quite as thick as common tin, bound together like a book, and secured by three rings running through one side, or edge, of the plates. The book was six inches thick. The plates were covered with Egyptian* characters, and were found resting on a breast-plate, and enclosed in a stone box, se cured with cement. Some of the plates were sealed up, others were open.
The work of translation was commenced, but was now and then suspended, by reason of sundry backslidings on the part of Joseph, which are not explained. At such times, he and his fellow-worker, Oliver Cowdery, were admonished that the power was withheld from them, on account of the divine displeasure. In the book of Doctrine and Covenants, are contained several revelations, connected with this matter, given in the years 1828 and 1829. It appears from one of them, that Joe had delivered the translation, so far as it went, to some faithless friend. The latter refused to return it; and tempted Joe, by challenging him to test the genuineness of the first translation, by the production of a second. But Joseph was relieved from this dilemma, by a command, which dispensed with the trying ordeal. He was forbidden to touch the plates already translated; and was directed to proceed with the plates of Nephi, which would furnish a more particular account of the same matters, and would thus confound the wicked devices of the infidel.
An edition of 1,200 [sic] copies, of the "Book of Mormon," was published in Palmyra, New York, in 1830. It is presumed to be the same, in substance, with that afterwards published in 1841, at Liverpool, in England, under the auspices of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Parley P. Pratt. The latter contains the 1st and 2nd Books of Nephi -- the books of Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, the words of Mormon -- and the books of Mosiah, Zeniff, Alma, Helaman, Nephi (the second,) Mormon, Ether, and Moroni. The whole is a prosy and awkward imitation of the Old Testament in subject matter and style; abounding in bad grammar, verbose trifling, puerile conceits, stolen incidents, and palpable anachronisms.
But there is another history of the Book of Mormon, which proceeds from Gentile authority. Mrs. Matilda Davison, of Mason, Massachusetts, whose character is vouched for by two witnesses, a clergyman and the head of an academy in that place, published, in 1839, a narrative to this effect. Her first husband was the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, a Congregational minister, with whom she lived, in New Salem, Ohio, about the year 1812. He regarded with curiosity the antiquities found in that State, and indulged in speculations about their origin. At length, he conceived the idea of writing a Scriptural romance, taking up the lost tribes of Israel, removing them to this continent, and deducing for them an imaginary history. The Book of Mormon was the result. As he proceeded, he read portions of his work to his wife and friends, who felt an interest in his labors, and remembered many of the strange names that occurred in it. From New Salem, he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. There a Mr. Patterson, editor of a paper, became acquainted with the production, which was entitled " Manuscript Found." He retained it for a considerable time, and even proposed to Spaulding to publish it; which, however, was declined. It was returned to the author; who, afterwards, removed to Amity, Pa., and died in 1816.
At the time when the manuscript was in the hands of Mr. Patterson, Sidney Rigdon was employed by him in his printing office, and had ample opportunities to read and copy the work. In the year 1828, Rigdon was engaged at his trade in Palmyra: and, at this very juncture, the public began to hear rumors of the golden plates discovered by Joe Smith. Rigdon became, soon after, one of his most zealous and able coadjutors, assisted in the translation, and continued to be a leader in all their affairs, only inferior to Joe himself, until a short time before Joe's death in 1844.
The people of New Salem, in the year 1834, were surprised to hear certain passages read from the Book of Mormon by a female preacher, which they recognized as parts of Mr. Spaulding's manuscript. His own brother was one of the audience. A public meeting was held: a committee appointed to visit Mrs. Spaulding, (now Mrs. Davison) and compare the new revelation with the old romance. It was done accordingly, and the identity of the two fully established.
The Mormons, of course, declare this account of the " Golden Bible" to be only a device of the Arch-Enemy himself. But the circumstances of
__________
* After [sic] their establishment at Nauvoo, Joe procured some Egyptian mummies, and caused several sheets of papyrus, covered with hieroglyphics, to be framed with glass, like pictures. His mother, then almost in her dotage, kept these as an exhibition, and explained to visitors, who always paid a small gratuity, the history of "King Pharaoh, and his wife, and da'ter," (being the mummies there present,) and their connexion with the children of Israel, and the Latter Day Saints: all of which she derived from the sacred papyrus. Her accounts would sometimes have astonished, if not edified, the learned historians of Europe and Asia.
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 643
persons, time and place, are too clear and conclusive, to be resisted by any sane mind. The only unaccountable thing about it is, that a minister of the Gospel should have written such wretched trash and have found people patient enough to listen to its reading. The names of Mormon and Moroni have been sometimes referred to in confirmation of this story. The first is a Greek word, meaning a frightful mask, or, (as children call it,) a "scareface." The latter is supposed to be an anomalous formation from the Greek, "mormos," a fool.
The work of translating and making proselytes was industriously pursued. At first, the converts were men of no better reputation than the prophet: but, by degrees, others, having an outward show of respectability, joined him, from hopes of profit, or other motives. Missionaries were sent out, who found ready audience among a people, eager, (like the Athenians of old,) "to tell or to hear some new thing. Curiosity, discontent, and love of change, predispose many in every community, to favor all sorts of novelties, and especially such as appeal to their appetite for the marvellous. The spirit of fanaticism was powerfully stimulated. Passages of the sacred history and prophecies were plentifully quoted, and their fulfilment confidently promised at the hands of the new preachers. All religious teachers were denounced as false guides, who did not possess the true tests of authority -- divine revelation, and the power of working miracles. For themselves, they laid claims to immediate inspiration; to the gift of prophecy; to the power of casting out devils; to the ability to heal the sick, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, and the crippled; and to a divine protection from the venom of serpents and other poisons. Nevertheless, the missionaries were cautioned that they should not " boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world:" reserving them, probably, for such minds as were prepared, by weakness and superstition, for an easy belief.
I have not materials for tracing in detail the progress of this sect. But it appears, that, in the year 1831. they had been sometime settled in Kirtland, Ohio, and were contemplating another move to the West.
From some cause it happened that the Prophet several times mistook the place intended for the rebuilding of Zion. From New York it was transferred to Ohio: thence to Missouri, and afterwards to Illinois. But, after his death, the perverse Suckers* obliged them to another pilgrimage: and the "City of the Great Salt Lake," among the Rocky Mountains, is now the chosen place for the concentration of the faithful. How long it will remain there the issue of former prophecies gives some reason to doubt. But one thing is observable, in every removal except the last. They always selected a rich country, thinly populated, where their peculiar institutions" might have room
"Gaily to burgeon, and broadly to grow,"
without the interference of unregenerate neighbors. At the same time, it was advisable, to be so near other settlements, that the Saints might participate in their wealth and substance, by that process which they facetiously called "milking the Gentiles."
All the affairs of the church, spiritual and temporal, were regulated by frequent instructions from Heaven. These were, generally, communicated to Joseph himself: but often to other persons. Sometimes it happened, that the subordinate leaders displayed a tendency towards self-seeking and arrogance; which was invariably rebuked by a revelation of the Divine displeasure, and an injunction to amend. The most minute directions were given, upon every subject, some of which will be quoted presently. But upon all the disciples was constantly urged the great duty, to contribute their substance, beyond their immediate wants, to the common stock of the Church, for the good of the poor, under the direction of the proper officers. Of these, there were a great number, and of various grades. There was the Prophet, the Patriarch, the Melchisedec priesthood, and the Aaronic priesthood: High Priests and Presidents, the Twelve traveling Counsellors or Apostles, the Quorum of Seventy, Bishops, Elders, Priests, Deacons and Teachers; whose respective powers and duties were prescribed to them by the same high authority. Now and then, special provision was made for the support of particular persons; and it may be easily anticipated, that the Prophet and his family were not overlooked. He did not forget that the laborer was worthy of his hire, and that the ox should be unmuzzled which treadeth out the corn.
In Kirtland, they so far departed from Scriptural precedent, as to establish a bank; Joe Smith being President, and Sidney Rigdon Cashier. It shared the fate of similar institutions in the hands of the Heathens around them. The country was flooded with its paper, and the Bank vaults were innocent of specie. The service of Mammon was believed to have been highly profitable to this brace of Apostolic financiers: but, as they removed about that time to Missouri, and rendered no account of their stewardship, their gains are left to conjecture. One thing, however, is certain -- the holders of the notes never got a farthing.
The reader may not be displeased to see a specimen of the matter and manner of these revelations. I will, therefore, select a few extracts from some which relate to the transmigration from Ohio to Missouri. From "A revelation given in Zion, July, 1831. 1. "Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith
__________
* This is the sobriquet of the Illinoisians.
644 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in the land which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wisdom. Behold the place which is now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot, which is not far from the Court house: wherefore it is wisdom, that the land should be purchased by the saints; and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. * And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples † are enable to buy lands. Behold this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.
2. "And let my servant, Sidney Gilbert, stand in the office, which I have appointed him, to receive moneys, to be an agent unto the church, to buy land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be in righteousness, and as wisdom shall direct.
3. " And let my servant, Edward Partridge, stand in the office which I have appointed him, to divide the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded: and also, those whom he has appointed to assist him.
4. "And, again, verily I say unto you, let my servant, Sidney Gilbert, plant himself in this place and establish a store, that he may sell goods without fraud, that he may obtain money to buy lands for the good of the saints; and that he may obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to plant them in their inheritance. And also let my servant. Sidney Gilbert, obtain a license, (behold, here is wisdom, and whoso readeth, let him understand,) that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will, as clerks employed in his service ‡ and thus provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached unto those who sit in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death.
5. "And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant, William W. Phelps, be planted in this place, and be established as a printer unto the Church: and lo, if the world receiveth his writings, (behold here is wisdom,) let him obtain whatsoever he could obtain in righteousness, for the good of the saints, &c., &c."
* * *
A part of the "wisdom," so often commended to the attention of the saints, evidently consists in the wholesome adage, "to mind the main chance." They are enjoined to secure the lands -- to peddle goods -- to print papers -- all for the purpose of "obtaining money" for the good of the church: and, in another revelation, appears an injunction of very especial propriety -- " Pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer!"
Another leading object, which they never lost sight of, was to retain as long as possible, their foothold in one place, even when establishing "Zion" in another. For instance, take the following from
"A Revelation given in Kirtland, September, 1831."
* * * " I willeth ** not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, willeth to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some: and, after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty, that shall go, with an open heart, up to the land of Zion: for I, the Lord, requireth the hearts of the children of men."
About the year 1831, as has been already said, the settlement in Missouri was commenced, and the towns of "Far West" and "Adam-ondi-ahman" were established. It would perhaps be a hopeless task for the philologist to attempt the etymology of Mormon names: with my slender pretensions, even a conjecture is out of the question. This disability, however, is much less regretted than the want of precise accounts of their actings and doings in the new Zion, which obliges me to pass hastily over this period. Between the years 1831 and 1838, when they were finally expelled from Missouri, dissensions and difficulties, between the Saints and the other settlers, increased in frequency and violence. The same complaints of their dishonesty and turbulence -- their defiance of all laws. moral, civil and social -- which were afterwards urged against them by the people of Illinois, were heard from the Missourians at this time, in justification of themselves. At length, affairs were brought to a crisis. The Mormons refused obedience to the officers and process of the law; alleging in excuse the danger of trusting themselves in the hands of cruel enemies. They fortified their towns as well as they could, set up a sort of martial law, and prepared to defend themselves by military force. The militia of the State was called out under the Governor's authority. Gen. Doniphan, since so distinguished in Mexico, a gentleman of high and unblemished character, was placed at their head: and after some warlike demonstrations, Joe Smith surrendered himself a prisoner to answer various felonies of which he was accused, and his people dispersed to seek a refuge beyond the limits of Missouri.
Governor Boggs incurred great censure, at the time, for the severity of his orders, which allowed the Mormons no other alternative but exile or extermination. By no portion of the community was this conduct more disapproved, than by the inhabitants
__________
* Query. Indian and White man?
† Prophet loquitur.
‡ This seems to be a provision for the employment of spiritual pedlars. who were to drive a trade in Mormonism and other "notions." Their invoices could probably wind up, like the advertisement of a worthy deacon in New England, with Godly Books and Gimlets."
** According to Murray, English grammar requires the noun and verb to agree in person, as well as number; but this revelation is given, not in English, but in what Macaulay would call Mormonese.
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 645
of that part of Illinois to which the fugitives turned their steps. They began to arrive in Quincy, and its vicinity, during the winter of 1838-9. They were, for the most part, wretchedly poor, scantily supplied with clothing, and almost destitute of food. They were compelled for want of houses, to camp out for weeks together at that inclement season, in the river bottoms, under such shelter as poles and blankets afforded them. They were the most humble and submissive of men. They described their wrongs and sufferings in the most moving terms: but still, rather in the language and tone of unresisting martyrs, than those of defeated and vindictive partisans. Every body was filled with compassion. Contributions were freely made for their relief, in money and necessaries, both by the public authorities and by individuals. Employment was given to them on farms, in workshops, and in private families: and many of them distributed themselves through the adjoining counties, and even in distant parts of the State, pursuing various avocations. There seemed to be a fair prospect of their being gradually absorbed in the general population of the country: and their inoffensive demeanor conciliated the good will of their new neighbors, while it confirmed the prejudice against Gov. Boggs and the Missourians. The sequel will show, what reason the people of Illinois had, for a subsequent change of opinion; and how far they were justified, even without the countenance of their own government, in adopting measures similar to those which they had condemned.
Early in the spring of 1839, Joe Smith escaped from prison in Missouri, and rejoined his followers in Illinois. A great gathering took place soon after, a few miles from Quincy at an old camp-meeting ground. On this occasion, the Prophet first addressed himself to the ears of "Suckers," for numbers of the old residents were attracted thither by curiosity. In one of his harangues, he alluded to the obnoxious doctrines charged upon them by their enemies, and showed some ingenuity, in avoiding offense, as well to his disciples, as to the surrounding Gentiles. He said he had been asked, whether he claimed the power to work miracles, to cure the blind, to heal the sick, &e. "No said he, "I don't claim any such thing. No man can do such things. God alone can do it. When I am requested to do it, I pray for the sick -- I pray God to cure them. If he please to cure them, they will be cured. If not, I can do nothing without him!" In reference to the gift of interpreting unknown tongues, he said -- " Whatever gift is necessary for us, we shall receive from God: if it is necessary for a man to have the gift of tongues, God will give it to him; and if not, he won't get it." These subterfuges are shallow enough, to be sure: but he well knew the mental depth of the Saints. And, while others smiled at the impudent cunning of his evasions, the faithful were highly edified at the wisdom, which confounded his questioners. One of his observations, notwithstanding its blasphemy, is too characteristic of him to be omitted. He referred to a schism in the Church, created during his imprisonment, by a man, who assumed to be his successor, and to receive revelations at Springfield in Illinois. "I don't know any thing about his revelations," says Joe. "God can give revelations, if he pleases -- this may be true or it may be false. I don't know any thing about it. I can't be every where at once. God Almighty must attend to some of these things himself."
After some time spent in visiting different parts of the country, and conferring with his counselors, the Prophet once more selected a site for the Holy City, and prepared to collect the Saints together. Nauvoo was the name bestowed upon it, which is said by some, (I know not how truly,) to be a Hebrew word signifying "the Beautiful." It well deserves the appellation, for a more beautiful and commanding situation is scarcely to be found. A high bluff, approaching the Mississippi, slopes gradually down into a level bottom, two square miles or more in extent, and surrounded by a semi-circular bend of the river five or six miles long. On the opposite shore is the town of Montrose in Iowa, formerly Fort des Moines, in a prairie bottom, stretching several miles to the west, and shut in by an amphitheatre of hills. To the eastward after passing through a belt of timber, two miles wide, you emerge upon an open prairie, some eighteen miles across, and extending almost indefinitely to the north and south. The view in every direction commands a lovely and fertile country. But the advantages of the site, in point of trade, by no means correspond to its picturesque appearance. The extreme upper part of the town affords the only landing. The channel from thence runs on the Iowa shore, and leaves Nauvoo inaccessible to the ordinary boats, except at very high water. Add to this, that within a short distance above and below, the back country has much better and more accessible outlets for its produce, and the commercial disadvantages of this place must be apparent to all. In fact, there had been previously several attempts to build a town there: at one time it was fancifully called "Venus," by which name it was known for some years to the Post Office Department; and more recently, the "City of Commerce," had been projected in a magnificent, but unsubstantial scheme, by certain proprietors, from whom it passed into the hands of the Mormons.
In the course of three or four years a city sprung up here as if by magic. The descriptions of travellers contain, as might be expected, many exaggerations, from the haste and imperfect information with they wrote. But, after making all just deductions, its extent and activity are still wonderful. Some good houses of brick, some of wood, and a few of stone, were scattered throughout its extent:
646 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
but the far greater part were of a temporary and indifferent character, and not a few, in the suburbs, were built of turf, cut in squares and dried in the sun. The population in 1844 was estimated at 15,000, which is probably not far from the truth: but it must be remembered, that the city limits surrounded a space some three miles square, and embraced cultivated fields, and even farms, within its jurisdiction. Besides this, the population were of a fluctuating character. Families were constantly arriving from other States, and emigrants from foreign countries; many of whom, after a short stay, removed to other settlements of the Mormons, or "stakes," as they were called, planted in that and the adjoining counties. From these lesser towns, also, there was a continual reflux of population, which appears to have been partly owing to the restless habits of the people, and partly to policy: for thus was kept up and diffused, throughout all the settlements, a singularly intimate acquaintance with each other's situation and affairs.
The Temple itself was a solid and costly building: and the projected "Nauvoo House," (in which Joe Smith and his family were, by special revelation, to possess a suite of rooms in perpetuity,) was commenced on a scale of corresponding excellence. But their other public buildings do not deserve mention, and the private dwellings have been already noticed. On the whole, the city it self (though an attractive sight to him who beheld it from the cupola of the Temple, or some distant elevation,) well warranted the odd comparison of Gen. Brockman, the leader of the anti-Mormons in 1846, "that it looked to him, as if the houses had been thinly sown and badly come up!"
During the first year or two of the settlement, matters went on smoothly enough. The policy of the Mormons was conciliatory. They engaged in farming. mechanical and other pursuits, while the surplus funds of the new comers were drawn from them by the Prophet and his confederates, in the shape of contributions, loans, &c., to supply their own wants and the public necessities. The country people, and visitors generally, were treated with civility, and no pains spared to cultivate the good opinion of all classes. But as the Mormons grew in numbers and strength, they increased in confidence, and at the same time became an object of attention to political adventurers. Of these it cannot be denied, there were enough, and more than enough, of all parties. Some of the dominant party desired their votes to perpetuate the possession of office; and others, of the opposition, wanted their aid to acquire it. The mass, of both parties were governed by no such influence; but most of the office-holders, great and small, as well as those most anxious to succeed them, became, to a greater or less extent, candidates for their favor and influence. This resulted, ere long, in the charter of the city of Nauvoo, the incorporation of Nauvoo University, and the establishment of the Nauvoo Legion, as a distinct portion of the militia of the State. The authority conferred by the Legislature in these acts, although ample and, in some particulars, objectionable, was soon warped and stretched by Mormon ingenuity, to an absurd and pernicious extent.
An adventurer, named Bennett, who had been, (to the surprise of all who knew him,) appointed Quartermaster General of the State by the then Governor, (Thomas Carlin,) turned his new position to account, by forthwith joining the Mormons. Through his agency, the celebrated Legion was gotten up and organized; and by his orders, all the State arms, of every description, cannon, small arms, swords and pistols, were distributed to the militia of Nauvoo, so that, for a long period, the State was without weapons for the volunteers and militia of other counties. Bennett was a man of some ability, and much more pretension. He boasted a great deal of his military knowledge, and the exact discipline of his Legion; and occasionally treated the public to a grand parade and a prodigious sham battle. Some idea of his real merit may be inferred from this -- that, on one occasion, he appeared on the field as Major General, to command a Legion of 1,500 men, himself on foot, and with a huge fireman's trumpet slung around him for the purpose of giving, orders. But there were subordinates in their array, who were not without courage and conduct, however ridiculous the little General himself might be; and the numbers and union of the Mormons, together with the monopoly of the State arms, and the large additions reported to have been made to them, from their own resources, made them a formidable enemy to the scattered and unarmed population of the surrounding country.
But it was in civil affairs, that the movements of the Mormons were most alarming. Before the summer of 1844 -- a memorable period -- had arrived, they had usurped and successfully exercised many powers totally inconsistent with the peace and good order of the community.
In 1843 Joe Smith was arrested by order of the Governor of Illinois, upon a requisition from the Governor of Missouri, to answer the charges upon which he had formerly been imprisoned, and from which he had escaped.
Twice before, had he been so arrested, and twice discharged, upon habeas corpus, for irregularities in the process; once by a State Judge, and once by a Judge of the U. S. District Court. But on the present occasion, the Prophet was unwilling to trust the Gentile Judiciary. He was intercepted by a band of his own adherents, who turned the tables upon the officers of the law, and carried the whole party to Nauvoo. There, the City Council of Nauvoo, a Board of Aldermen and Justices of the
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 647
Peace, went through the solemn farce of trying a writ of habeas corpus, nullified the action of the two Governors, dismissed the officers with a reprimand, and set at liberty the worthy President and Mayor without more ado!
Among other acts of usurpation, this "imperium in imperio" -- this sovereign Legislature of Nauvoo, had promulgated and enforced the following --
They established a Recorder's office for the Record of deeds, independent of that provided for by the State laws in every county --
They issued Marriage Licenses, contrary to the State Laws, requiring them to be issued from the County Court.
They assumed jurisdiction of suits for Slander, and other causes, cognizable by law only in the Circuit Courts.
They passed an ordinance to punish, with fine and imprisonment, all persons guilty of disrespectful words concerning Joseph Smith! One man was actually fined $100 under this ordinance, and reversed it on appeal to the State Circuit Court!
They arrested peaceable visitors to the city, confined them in jail, and subjected them to inquisitorial examinations, on pretence of regulating the police of the city!
The writ of habeas corpus, already mentioned, was frequently resorted to, by the City Council, to discharge persons arrested under the civil and criminal process of the State! And officers, who came to execute such writs, as well as persons reclaiming stolen property, were taken into custody for alleged breaches of the peace, till the culprits could escape and the property be secreted!
And, to cover all sorts of cases, they passed another ordinance, prohibiting, under penalty of fine and imprisonment, the service of any process whatever, unless countersigned by the Mayor of Nauvoo! And these penalties they forbade the Governor of the State to remit by his pardon!
It is needless to point out the gross and palpable usurpations of these ordinances. I will only say, that the charter under which they pretended to act, was similar to other acts of incorporation for municipal purposes merely.
But one resource now remained to the anti-Mormons, and of this also they were soon bereft -- to wit: the administration of Justice in the Courts of the State. The people elected three County Commissioners and the Sheriff. The Commissioners selected the Jurors, and the Sheriff summoned them, besides supplying the vacancies with talesmen. The Mormons had the majority of votes. By degrees, all these offices were filled by creatures of their own selection -- the juries were so packed, as to preclude a fair trial -- they were tampered with in the jury rooms -- while the ready resource of false witnesses enabled the Mormon suitor to present his case in any shape that was necessary to success. The fountain of justice was polluted at its very source, and the sufferers under this infamous combination were wholly without remedy.
In the mean time the Mormons begun and carried on an alarming system of plunder. Property, of all movable descriptions, became daily more insecure. Horses, cattle, farming utensils, domestic poultry, clothes on the line, honey, every thing, in short, which contributes to the wealth and comfort of the farmer, were carried off by these marauders. Nor did other classes escape. Stores in the little towns were broken open and rifled of their goods: and every article which lay within the reach of cunning and audacity, and which was not "too hot or too heavy" to hold, was transferred from the rightful owner to these freebooters and their confederates. More indirect methods were not neglected, also, of "milking the Gentiles." It is well ascertained, that a regular manufacture of counterfeit money, both in coin and in paper, was got up and superintended by the heads of the Church. The silver coin was well calculated to deceive even men of some experience: and large quantities, not only of these issues, but of gold and bank notes, were circulated among the unsuspecting country people.
At first, the more moderate of the old settlers were not disposed to believe the Mormons guilty, and attributed the charges to prejudice or malice. But, as time wore on, and these offenses became unaccountably frequent -- as theft after theft was traced to Nauvoo -- as the efforts to reclaim property were defeated, now by false witnesses, now by the abuse of their corporate powers of legislation and the perversion of so-called legal process, and sometimes by open force -- as neighborhoods, hitherto quiet, became invariably disturbed, whenever Mormons settled among them -- as crowds of suspicious people swarmed about Nauvoo, and traversed the country without ostensible business and as the country became flooded with counterfeit money, whose source could not well remain undiscovered, elsewhere than in the Prophet's City -- in proportion as these indicia of guilt forced themselves upon the observation of the most candid, doubts ripened into suspicion, and suspicion into full conviction, that Nauvoo was the headquarters of a gang of bold, artful and desperate villains.
This belief, and the very natural feeling of hostility growing out of it, gained ground by degrees throughout the county, and extended itself to those in other counties, who had the best opportunities of ascertaining the truth. It was, however, by no means universal. The Mormons had many adherents beyond the pale of the church, or the limits of their city. Some were undoubtedly honest in, their good opinion; but the greater part were governed either by motives of interest or of fear. Besides the bait of Mormon votes to the office-hunter, there were the temptations of profitable traffic for such as enjoyed the favor and protection of the
648 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
Prophet: there was in many cases, the tie of near relationship to some in the Church: and, very frequently, a dangerous proximity to the Saints, which kept down the disposition to oppose them, by apprehensions of robbery, fire, and assassination. The country, in the immediate neighborhood of the Mormons, became thus divided into three parties: the Mormons, the Anti-Mormons, and the Jack Mormons; by which last name were distinguished those who did not profess the faith, but who adhered, openly or secretly, to the temporal views and interests of the professing Saints.
The "old citizens," or Anti-Mormons, at last be came sensible that there was no other course, but to root out the nest of miscreants from their midst: and they eagerly sought some favorable occasion to undertake it.
It is not pretended, that, in every collision between the parties, the Anti-Mormons were blame less. When affairs get into such a condition as has been described, and when dissensions break out in to civil broils, the best cause w ill be sometimes dishonored by excesses and violence, not to be justified. To some of these, I shall have occasion to advert, and I shall speak of them as they deserve. But he who will soberly review the whole conduct of the two parties, throughout the seven years of Mormon rule in that unhappy country, will be disposed to wonder -- not at the excesses of the exasperated Anti-Mormons -- but at their forbearance in the beginning of the troubles, and their moderation at the end. I hazard nothing in saying, that half of the provocations endured by that people, would have wrapped in flames the most peaceful county in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In May or June, 1844, certain Ex-Mormons, seceders from the church, established a paper in Nauvoo. for the purpose of breaking down the Prophet and his adherents, by exposing their hypocrisy, extortion, licentiousness and other crimes. These seceders had been influential men, and deep in the secrets of the supreme councils. Their fire was hot: and its effect threatened to be fatal. Joe Smith called together the ever-ready City Council, and consulted on the crisis in which they stood -- a desperate remedy seemed necessary: and they resolved to apply it. They declared, by ordinance, that the paper was a public nuisance, and issued a warrant to their city marshal to abate it forthwith! Armed with this authority. and supported by the presence of the Mayor and Council, the officer broke into the printing house, destroyed the press, and threw the type into the street!
One of the proprietors went immediately to the circuit clerk, and complained on oath against the authors of, and actors in, this riot. A warrant was issued against them, upon this affidavit, and a constable, with one follower, went to Nauvoo to serve it. He served it first upon Joe Smith, and his brother Hyrum, * and then upon the others. The Prophet began with threats, and swore he would lose the last drop of his blood, rather than go to Carthage, the county seat: but, growing cooler after a time, he fell back upon his ark of safety -- the writ of habeas corpus! He issued writs for the other defendants a part of them, being the City Council, issued a writ for him: they tried each other and discharged each other: and the constable was sent off by the City Marshall (himself a defendant) with the assurance that they would never be taken out of that City by his writ!
The constable called out the posse of the county to support him in his office: and, in view of the military organization of the Mormons, he required them to be armed and equipped for hostilities. The volunteer companies turned out promptly. Others were soon raised and organized: aid was sought from other counties: arms, ammunition, and provisions collected: and messengers dispatched to apprise the Governor of what was going on.
Nor were the other party idle on their side. They called all the brethren from the scattered settlements, into Nauvoo: paraded and drilled their troops every day: stationed guards about the city who allowed no one to pass in or out, without leave of the city authorities: formed magazines for their support and defense: and, in short, enforced practically (so far as they knew how) all the strict regulations of martial law. Even after the Governor had taken command of the Anti-Mormon force, the United States' mail was stopped in Nauvoo, and detained for several hours, until the Mormon council thought proper to order the driver's release!
Nauvoo is about 250 miles above St. Louis, on the river, and about 18 miles below, stands Warsaw, then containing about 1,000 inhabitants. In the interior, about 18 miles from the two other places, is Carthage, the county seat, having then some 400 or 500 inhabitants. Warsaw and Carthage were the chief centers of the Anti-Mormons, but there were several other villages scattered through the county, not inferior to them in zeal and activity. At Carthage, the Governor, Thomas Ford, joined the Anti-Mormons, and assumed the command. He was a man of respectable intelligence and attainments: but weak, timid, fickle, and irresolute. He at first demanded an unconditional surrender of the Mormon leaders: but allowed them to shuffle him into a correspondence, which lasted several days, and which greatly impaired his influence with the men under his command.
He adhered, however, to his demand that the leaders should surrender themselves. The Smiths became alarmed, and crossed the river to Iowa: but were, unfortunately for Illinois, as well as themselves, persuaded by their people to return. At length, they voluntarily gave themselves up to a
__________
* That is the Mormon spelling.
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 649
company of dragoons, who were sent to Nauvoo, to demand the public arms. They were brought to Carthage, and gave bail upon the writs, first sued out against them. But, by this time, other affidavits were filed, accusing them of treason, in levying war against the authority of the State. The hearing was postponed for want of witnesses: and the Smiths, with several others, were committed to jail for safe keeping.
During this interval, to gratify the public curiosity, the Governor had the militia formed into line, and marched with the Smiths along the front, to exhibit them to the people. Unluckily, the company, selected as a guard, were placed in front, and thus made to assume the seeming position of an honorable escort. Indignant at this, which they construed into an affront, they marched off the ground, leaving the Governor and his prisoners to make their way through the crowd to the tavern. A still greater blunder succeeded: for an order was issued, to arrest and disarm the refractory company, which was one of the best in the country. and the nucleus of the infantry militia. They formed, and loaded their pieces for self-defense -- a terrible commotion spread through the camp -- their comrades prepared to stand by them -- and the tumult was only allayed, by the Governor's countermanding and disavowing the offensive order.
This incident, however, was not without mischievous consequences: and another mistake, which soon followed, precipitated the catastrophe, which we are now approaching.
The Governor had directed the forces at Warsaw and Carthage, to rendezvous, on Thursday, the 27th June, at Golden's Point, a few miles from Nauvoo, and to march upon that city. His object was, probably, to make a display of strength, and thus to convince the Mormons of the folly of resistance. On the morning of that day, however, apprehending that some disturbance might take place, if he marched with so large a force, he ordered all the troops to be disbanded, except 200 men. A part of these were already in Nauvoo, as a police: another part (the very company which had mutinied before) were placed as a guard at the jail: with the residue, he started for Nauvoo.
The order to disband met the militia from Warsaw, on their way to the rendezvous. Their surprise and resentment were extreme: and they were still further inflamed and incited to violence by suggestions of treachery on the part of the Governor, and a design to release the prisoners. Speeches were made by men, who had suffered personal wrongs, indignities, and menaces, at the hands of the Mormon leaders: and the most disastrous results were prophesied, if they should be permitted to escape. It was made known to them, that an attempt had been detected, to convey disguises into the jail: and the event afterwards proved, that the prisoners, although in custody, were actually armed to the teeth! The result might be anticipated. Some seventy or eighty men marched hastily upon the jail, overpowered the detachment on guard, not without some suspicion of collusion, and (after a brief resistance on the part of the prisoners, in which some of the assailants were wounded,) succeeded in killing the two Smiths, and wounding one or two other prisoners.
This deed was a bloody and lamentable crime, for the victims were prisoners, under the protection of the law; and, moreover, the militia of the country had expressly promised the Governor to respect his pledges for their safety. But, in estimating the guilt of the murder, we ought not wholly to lose sight of the previous causes of exasperation, and the state of feeling, excited by the circumstances already detailed. As to the Smiths themselves, they deserved their fate, had it only been inflicted under the sanction of the law.
The Governor was informed of the occurrence soon after it happened. He left Nauvoo immediately, and by a precipitate night march, removed himself full sixty miles from the scene of action. On his way, he advised every body to flee from the wrath of the Mormons, and, with few exceptions, his advice was followed. But the suddenness of the blow paralyzed the hearts of the Prophet's people. The Anti-Mormons also were shocked at the event. And the county remained, for some time, in a state of deathlike stillness and quiet.
From this time forward, Governor Ford was a decided enemy of the Anti-Mormons. The danger, to which he conceived himself to have been exposed, dwelt heavily on his mind; and he charged the whole party with criminal designs against his person. But this did not save his credit with the Mormons. They accused him of connivance at the murder, though, unquestionably, he was wholly innocent. And thus he lost altogether the confidence and obedience of both the antagonist parties -- a circumstance which contributed much to prolong and aggravate the feud between them.
The authors of the murder were never ascertained. Five persons were indicted and tried for the offense. Counsel were retained by the State, and sent from Springfield, to prosecute them. To secure an impartial jury, special officers, from other counties were appointed to summon the venire. But all was in vain. No witnesses, except Mormons, could be procured: and their evidence was interwoven, with so much that was incredible, as to destroy its weight altogether. One of them saw a miraculous light surround the body of Joe Smith, at the moment of his death, which struck motionless a man, who was approaching to mutilate his remains! And some of them saw and conversed with him, face to face, several days after his death and burial! Besides this, one or two of the
650 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
accused produced clear proof of an alibi: and the jury could not do otherwise than acquit them all, for want of reliable testimony.
For more than twelve months after the death of the Smiths, nothing happened, calling for our special notice. Partial disturbances and collisions were of every day occurrence, but the general peace of the county was not broken by any convulsion. At last, about the month of August, 1815, a party of Anti-Mormons once more resumed the offensive, with a view to harass and drive out their adversaries from the land. They went from house to house of the scattered settlements, compelling the inhabitants to remove their persons and property to Nauvoo, and burning the dwellings, barns and outhouses, to prevent their return. No injury was done to their persons or furniture, except in one instance. One night, a Mormon was shot at his own door; whether from motives of private revenge or wanton cruelty, was never known. These outrages were disapproved and condemned by the great body of the people: and, indeed, not more than 20 or 30 individuals were, at any time, seen engaged in their perpetration. But the measures, adopted on the other side, produced a speedy reaction. The Sheriff of the County, Backenstos, * who had been elected by the Mormons, and was devoted to their interests, collected some 400 of them on horseback, for the purpose of arresting the rioters, and suppressing the violence. Had he acted in good faith, his course would have been commended. But, under the pretext of doing his duty, he scoured the county in pursuit of leading Anti-Mormons, who were not concerned in the out-break. His myrmidons entered houses by force, ransacked, and often pillaged, the property of the inmates, and, with threats and demonstrations of force, terrified the most orderly and inoffensive, no less than the turbulent. The latter, indeed, for the most part, sought safety in flight. On one occasion the Sheriff surrounded the town of Carthage at nightfall, drove all the men promiscuously into the Court-House, and detained them for several hours under an armed guard, while he conducted an inquisition into their persons and behavior. A garrison was left in the town for several days, keeping it in a state of constant terror. The prominent citizens were followed every where, to the post office and to places of business, by men with drawn swords or loaded rifles, watching every motion and word which they made or uttered. A Reign of Terror prevailed throughout the county: in the course of which, several lives were lost, some of them by the most unprovoked and cold blooded assassination. Among these, was a young man named Wilcox, who went to Nauvoo on business, was arrested as a spy, and never heard of afterwards. And a quiet old farmer, named Daubenbeyer, returning home, alone and unarmed, from the county town, was shot and thrown into a ditch, where his body was found several days after. Plunder was carried on more actively than ever, for which they had some excuse, on the ground of reprisals for the loss of their own houses and crops.
At length the Governor was induced, after repeated applications, to interfere. General Hardin (who afterwards fell at the head of his regiment, at Buena Vista) a man of great and acknowledged worth, was sent, with a body of militia from distant counties, to restore peace. Immediately upon his arrival, he required Backenstos to disband his posse, which order, after some demur, was complied with. Tranquillity once more prevailed, and steps were taken for a final termination of the contest. A convention was held of delegates from the surrounding counties, which declared, that the Mormons must and should remove from the State, and pledged themselves to support each other by force in effecting it. The leaders of the Mormons, who had succeeded to the influence of the Prophet, expressed their willingness to go, if time were allowed, to make preparations, and sell their property. A treaty was made with them, under the sanction of General Hardin, upon these conditions. They were to remove the following spring: and, in the mean time, an armed police was left by Gen. Hardin, to keep the peace and enforce the laws, until the period for emigration arrived. It consisted, at first, of two companies, under the command of Major Wm.. B. Warren: but was soon reduced to one, the Quincy Riflemen, under the immediate command of Capt. Jas. D. Morgan. The duty, which was one of no small delicacy and peril, bringing them often into collision with both parties, was discharged, both by officers and men, with great fidelity, intelligence, and courage. ** The two officers, above named, and most of the men, joined the First Illinois Regiment during the war with Mexico, in
__________
* The brother of this worthy had married the niece of Joe Smith, and preceded him in the office of Sheriff of the County.
** During Major Warren's command, he accompanied the Judge of the Circuit to Nauvoo, by express understanding with some of the chief men among the Mormons, for a friendly interview. The first thing, which surprised them, was an armed outpost, which they encountered two or three miles from the city: at which Warren remonstrated, inasmuch as both parties had been prohibited from assembling in that way. He was very cavalierly answered then. When they were received by the leaders in Nauvoo, and conducted to a public room, they were entertained with violent and: inflammatory speeches, abusive of the Governor, the people of the State, and the functionaries and officers then present. Menaces were frequently thrown out: to which the crowd at the doors and windows responded, with shouts and the clashing of weapons. Major Warren replied to them with becoming spirit and firmness: and the cool and resolute behavior of himself and his small escort, had the effect of preventing the personal outrages, which seemed likely to follow.
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 651
1846 and 1847, and were highly complimented, on several occasions, by General Wool, under whom they served. For this favorable notice, their friends at home were prepared, by their faithful and efficient service in Hancock County.
But, in the spring of 1846, this force was withdrawn, and its removal was immediately followed by agitation. The Mormons, it cannot be denied, had emigrated in large companies: three-fourths, at least, had taken up the line of march for California. Among them were Brigham Young, and the other heads of the church: induced thereto in part, as was supposed, by the pendency of certain indictments for counterfeiting, against them, in the United States' Circuit Court. But still there was a formidable number left, who declared (and probably with truth) that they had not the means of removing, and could not sell their property. The last difficulty was unavoidable. For reasons already explained, the value of lands and houses was wholly factitious, created and sustained entirely by the presence of the Mormons. And, although they were offered and sold, at one half, and even one fourth of their cost, few sales could be effected; and such as were made, resulted in a still greater depreciation, in the hands of purchasers. The people of the county detested the place too much to think of settling there: and the only dependence was upon strangers coming in from a distance. Large numbers of these arrived: some were men of worthy and respectable character; many others persons of broken fortunes and doubtful reputations; and a considerable proportion were Mormons in disguise from other States. At the time of their final expulsion, one of the trustees of the church admitted that they had not, until then, abandoned the hope of retaining a foothold at Nauvoo: which they designed as a sort of resting-place or depot, for emigrating parties, prior to their departure for the Western prairies.
This policy did not escape the penetration of the Anti-Mormons: and, as soon as circumstances favored them, they determined to counteract it. A pretext was all that they desired: and, in the month of August this was afforded, by the forcible rescue of a Mormon in Nauvoo from the hands of a constable. Again, as in 1841, the posse was summoned -- and again, the people began to assemble in arms, and to prepare for a conflict with their enemies.
At first, the enterprise was unpromising. Many of the firmest and most influential Anti-Mormons disapproved the undertaking, and refused to join in it. But, nevertheless, the purpose was maintained, and the encampment went on, slowly increasing in numbers, subsistence, and munitions of war.
The Mormons were much reduced in force, but they made up their deficiency, to a great extent, by cunning and address. Besides the new comers of their own faith, they found natural allies in the adventurers already described; and they had the art to sow distrust, between the better sort of the new settlers in Nauvoo, and the Anti-Mormon party. For months before, they had contrived to alienate them from one another by false reports: and now, they persuaded the residents of Nauvoo that the Anti-Mormons had, for their main object, the plunder and destruction of the city. Many hasty and imprudent threats, uttered by individuals, had given color to this charge: and, it is probable, that such a result might in truth have taken place, if the town had been carried by storm. Thus influenced, the new settlers were induced to take the lead, in the preparations for defense; and, under cover of their names, the Mormons hoped to fight their own battle, and maintain their ground. The Governor was applied to once more: he refused to come in person, but issued his proclamation, denouncing the Anti-Mormons as usual, and commanding them to disperse. At the same time, he issued commissions to the leaders of the opposite party, authorizing them to embody the militia, and break up the Anti-Mormon camp.
The effect was the very reverse of what he intended. His proclamation was treated with open contempt and derision. The attempt to levy militia was wholly abortive: and those engaged in it were told plainly that they should never reach Nauvoo. Even in remote counties, the people said to them, "when you march one man to Nauvoo, we will send three to the camp." Those, who had hitherto held off, now flocked to the standard. They became convinced that the issue, whether for good or evil, was finally made, and must be decided. The pretext of the civil process was scarcely spoken of. They looked upon the quarrel, as one that was to determine the possession of the country; and avowed the resolution to drive out the Mormons, or to abandon the State. They smarted under the imputation of cowardice, which had rested upon all their former demonstrations, and made up their minds to efface it by perseverance this time, at whatever hazard of life and property. Some idea of the feeling may be gathered from a saying of one of the most amiable and dispassionate citizens of the county, who had long kept aloof from the struggle -- "It is too late now to retreat," said he "the issue is made up -- and we must cut their throats, or they will cut ours!" Men of every profession and calling left the cares of business and the comforts of home, to encounter the vicissitudes of weather and the other hardships of camp duty. Those who, from age and other circumstances, were unfit for active service, were no less busy in other departments; and an old farmer sent word to the Anti-Mormons that his crop of wheat -- 1,500 bushels -- was subject to their order, to any extent which their wants might require. The Anti-Mormons had now been several weeks
652 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
in camp. Their first leader, Gen. Singleton, had effected a treaty with the Mormons, which his own men refused to ratify; alleging that it gave time to the Mormons, and they would evade a compliance with it. Singleton, therefore, threw up the command and retired from the camp: and Thomas S. Brockman was chosen in his stead.
The great want of the Anti-Mormons had been a Leader. There had been always men enough among them of intelligence, high principle, and courage. But there was no one of that peculiar talent, which is necessary to win the personal confidence, to command the obedience, and control the feelings of men, whose submission is merely voluntary. Such a leader they now found in Brockman. He was a blacksmith by trade -- a Campbellite preacher by choice -- a sort of cross between Wat Tyler and Hugh Peters. He was a strong, humorous, stump-speaker -- uneducated, but sensible and sagacious -- a sober, kind neighbor -- a plain, good-humored, familiar companion -- but resolute and fearless -- and capable of enforcing discipline to a degree, that, with such a force as his, was astonishing. Of course, there was little or nothing of military show or etiquette. But, in the substantial discharge of the soldier's duty, in obedience, forbearance, vigilance, and endurance of hardship, raw militia have seldom equaled the men under his command. When he was elected, there were some 350 men in camp, about 12 miles from Nauvoo. He immediately advanced 8 miles nearer, and encamped. The movement itself increased the general confidence. Reinforcements came in; and he advanced by degrees, skirmishing as he came, until he got within a mile and a half of the Temple, where he entrenched himself. Here his numbers swelled to 800 or 1,000 men, and he resolved on an attack. The Mormon force was very inferior, not more than 300 or 400, as it is said; but they had the cover of the scattered houses and fences, and a better knowledge of the ground. The Anti-Mormons had several six pounder field pieces, from which they fired round shot and grape with considerable accuracy. 'The whole fight was at long distances, and hence few were killed or wounded on either side. But the Mormons were driven, step by step, into the city itself, until the cannon shot were exhausted: when, Brockman, satisfied with his success, retreated, slowly, and in good order, to his camp.
Two or three days of inaction followed; during which, the Anti-Mormons were busily engaged in collecting ammunition and provisions, and were constantly reinforced. The Mormons, though few in numbers, and without the prospect of succor, seemed determined to dispute the ground, inch by inch. The streets were mined in the vicinity of the Temple, where the last stand was to be made. The besieged had arms and ammunition in abundance; and every thing betokened an obstinate and bloody struggle.
At this juncture, a public meeting was held by the citizens of Quincy, to consider the state of affairs in the adjoining county. Quincy is about 60 miles below Nauvoo on the river. It was resolved to send a committee of 100 Anti-Mormons, unarmed, and in the character of mediators, with instructions to propose a compromise. The basis of the compromise was to be -- 1. The Surrender of the City of Nauvoo. 2. The immediate removal of the Mormons. 3. Permission to a fixed number of them to remain as trustees for the settlement of business -- and 4. That the rights of persons and property should be respected by the Anti-Mormons. The terms, it must be admitted, were hard and severe; but it was well known, that none better would be granted by the successful party; and the only alternative would be, a fight without quarter from street to street, and from house to house.
Between 65 and 70 of the committee appointed, went up immediately, and reached the scene of action on the third day after the engagement. There seemed at first no prospect of success. Both parties were filled with the strongest hatred and distrust of one another; and the greatest obstacle was found in the apprehension, that the city would be sacked and burned if it were given up. By dint of great and patient exertion, however, on the part of the sub-committees, sent to treat with the two parties, an arrangement on the basis proposed was at last effected, and the treaty signed, after dark, on the second day of the negotiation.
The next morning, which was the 17th September, 1846, the treaty was made known to the Anti-Mormons by General Brockman. In the course of the day, most of the obnoxious Mormons and other residents of the city withdrew from it; and those who remained, occupied themselves in preparations for removal. About 4 o'clock, P. M., the Anti-Mormons broke up their camp, and were formed in column of march. Brockman rode from front to rear, halting at every section, and requiring of every man a pledge, that he would respect persons and property, and obey orders. The pledge was given, and it was kept. The army, receiving a late reinforcement after the march was actually commenced, moved through the city, and encamped in a field, at the opposite or lower end of it, near the river. No disturbance whatever occurred: and so soon were the apprehensions of violence allayed, that, at night, the Mormon Trustees requested a guard of Anti-Mormons for the temple, to protect it from the violence threatened by some of their own people, who were enraged at the surrender.
Complaints, and charges of misconduct, were afterwards made against a company of 100 men, who were left for some weeks in Nauvoo, to see the removal
1848] Memoir of the Mormons. 653
carried into effect. It is admitted by them that one of the number was caught, stealing a Mormon's property; but he was promptly arrested by his comrades, lodged in jail, and in due time went to the penitentiary. They also admit, that some Mormons, who ventured to return from Iowa, after being once sent off, were ducked in the river as a punishment, and again transported to the other side. With these exceptions, the accusations were all denied; and no satisfactory evidence was adduced to sustain them.
Within two weeks after the expulsion of the Mormons, the condition of the country was perfectly tranquil. The Circuit Court held its session, and the ordinary business of the country resumed its usual channels. When all had subsided into quiet, the Governor became suddenly alarmed for the peace of the country, and made his appearance unexpectedly, at the head of some 70 men, to suppress all disorders. He found nothing to encounter, except ridicule and irony; but these assailed him, from every quarter, and in every conceivable shape. He went home at last, mortified and disgusted, and revenged himself, by making his campaign the subject of a special message to the Legislature, in which he assailed the Anti-Mormons without mercy. The latter were too much gratified at their recent good fortune, to be concerned at any thing, which his Excellency could say or do to their prejudice. The Legislature ordered the Message to be printed, and laid on the table: the Governor's term of office soon after expired; and he fell into oblivion, as soon as the excitement died away, which alone had brought him into notice.
Before leaving this part of the narrative, it is proper to advert to the fact, that large contributions were made by the Anti-Mormons, immediately after the surrender of the city, for the relief of the people thus driven out. Not only were the remaining stores of the camp turned over to them, but subscriptions in money, clothing and provisions, were got up in the different towns, to which none gave more liberally, than the prominent Anti-Mormons. A committee of these very men proceeded with the subscriptions, raised in Quincy, to the Mormons in Iowa, and delivered them into their own hands. Even during the hostilities, at least one destitute family in the vicinity of Nauvoo, was fed, by Brockman's order, out of the Commissary's stores, while the head of the family was known to be in arms in Nauvoo. It was no war upon women or children: and none regretted more than the Anti-Mormons themselves, that the necessity of expelling the men involved also the unavoidable suffering of the other sex, and of their unfortunate children.
With a few remarks upon the character of the Prophet, and his people, derived in part from personal observation, I will close this article, already perhaps too long.
Joe Smith, at the time he resided in Illinois, was a stout and rather corpulent man, about 5 feet 10 inches high, and from 35 to 40 years of age. His manners were generally plain and blunt, with an appearance of simplicity, which covered a large share of cunning and deceit. He was usually very civil and hearty in his deportment; but when influenced by liquor, or ruffled in temper, he became coarse, brutal, and abusive. His mind was of an ordinary cast, and his general intelligence very limited; so that educated men were at a loss to account for his influence. But he had, to an astonishing degree, the art of cajoling the multitude, and of controlling the illiterate, the vicious, and the fanatical. On one occasion, he caused great scandal, by appearing in the streets drunk, swearing lustily, and challenging men to wrestle. But he had the address, strange as it may seem, to obviate the ill effects of this display, by representing it as an experiment, solely designed to test the faith of the Saints! If at any time, a subordinate proved refractory, he was speedily denounced, and accused of the grossest crimes by the Prophet himself; and, in every instance, he was crushed by the indignation and contempt of the people. In this way, the Prophet put down, by a word, the redoubtable Bennett, the two Laws, and even the crafty Sidney Rigdon himself. Joe's vanity was inordinate. Success elated him beyond measure; and his career exhibited not a few contrasts, between the most reckless insolence, and the most abject and despairing cowardice. Some of his projects of empire, as disclosed by men at one time in his confidence, are well nigh incredible, from their absurdity: the vicissitudes of his fortunes, as it has happened to greater men, inspired him with an insane reliance upon his destiny.
His vices were, unquestionably, many and infamous. The system of concubinage, (practised by himself and others of the initiated,) which he called "Spiritual Marriage," is proved by all the testimony, which can be adduced in such cases; by the concurrent evidence of those, who were admitted to the inner secrets of his councils, and who, from whatever motive, divulged them to the world. Some of his victims opened their eyes too late to the delusion. Others, horror-struck at his proposals, abandoned and denounced him, only to incur discredit and odium with the mass of his dupes, and vindictive persecution from his accomplices. It is well known, that attempts upon their female relatives, and connexions, caused his quarrels with Sidney Rigdon, and the two Laws: and, even his blood relations accused him of similar designs upon members of his own family.
The Danite band, whose existence was well ascertained both in Missouri and Illinois, were a chosen gang of miscreants, hardened to every species of crime. One of these, O. P. Rockwell, has been heard to boast of his attempt on the life of Gov.
654 Memoir of the Mormons. [November,
Boggs, in terms that were scarcely equivocal; but, at the time of his imprisonment in Missouri on this charge, there was no evidence within the reach of the prosecution sufficient for his conviction. The barbarous murder of Col. Davenport in his own house at Rock Island, was traced to Nauvoo, and some of the perpetrators there arrested, notwithstanding considerable opposition -- and the disappearance of obnoxious persons, and the frequent threat, that "their enemies should feed cat-fish in the Mississippi," leave no room for doubt, that deeds of blood were familiar things to this select body guard of the Assassin Prophet.
It is by no means designed to charge these enormities, indiscriminately, upon the whole body of the Mormons. There were, doubtless, many among them, who were sincere believers in the faith which they professed; who knew nothing of the dark secrets of those who ruled their hearts and conduct; and who were taught to regard the accusations against them, as slanders, emanating from open foes, or treacherous apostates. Yet their proficiency in the arts of verbal evasion, * and their proneness to dissemble, must detract largely from our good opinion. These were, indeed, inevitable consequences of their system: of the secrecy injoined by the chiefs, whom they obeyed with implicit reverence, as the Oracles of God; and of the prevalent idea, that to keep faith with Gentiles was no part of their religious duty. Deriving their rules of action from sources, believed to be directly inspired by the Almighty, they justified themselves by the example of the Israelites; and respected no laws-- natural, social, or municipal -- which came in conflict with these heavenly commands. Their tenets of faith, except under these modifications, bore a general resemblance to the more enthusiastic of the Christian sects; and their ordinary discourses were not unlike the exhortations, at the revivals and camp-meetings, so common throughout this country. It was only, when their peculiar revelations came under discussion, that they displayed the wide differences, which separated them from all other denominations.
Numbers of them have given convincing proof of their devotion to the cause, by adhering to it through every extremity of hardship and privation; after sacrificing fortune, family, friends, respectability, and all that conduces to the comfort and embellishment of life. They turned a deaf ear to the advice and entreaty, which would have persuaded them, to disperse through the country, and seek a livelihood, in separate families, like other people. No -- the church of the Saints was the object of all their desires. Wherever its standard was set up, however great the distance, however appalling the difficulties and dangers of the way -- thither they resolved to direct their steps. And when the stake was finally removed to California, they prepared, with few exceptions, to follow to the Pacific, or to perish on the road. They have been decimated by famine and sickness. Foreseen and foretold disasters have fallen heavily upon their caravans and encampments. But their purpose of concentration is as fixed and unchanged as ever. In a fertile region, where ordinary toil is sure to be rewarded with plenty and comfort, they have for two years persisted in an irregular, nomadic life, more like that of the wandering Arab, or the Indian of our own land, than the habits of men reared in a civilized society. Hence their continued want and suffering; calamities, that will scarcely have an end, without a radical change in their creed and character. It is a sad and humiliating, it should be an instructive, lesson on human weakness and degeneracy, in an age which boasts of its improvement and intelligence.
Their future fate is matter of conjecture only. But, if they thrive and prosper in their new possessions -- if they adhere to their fundamental maxim, "that the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and his Saints shall inherit it," -- if they seek to accomplish this destiny, as they have heretofore done, whenever they believed their strength adequate to the work -- then the colonists of the Pacific shores may expect to realize, in that remote country, what their fellow-citizens have experienced in the great valley of the Mississippi. The emigrants may encounter, on the broad prairies of the west, a banditti more formidable than the daring Comanches: the weak settlements will be exposed to incursions, not less harassing than those of the Seminoles in Florida; and, if the Mormons should establish themselves in strength upon the sea-coast, the commerce of that region may find in them enemies, as active and relentless as the piratical Malays of the other continent.
__________
* The writer, already referred to in the Dublin University Magazine, gives an amusing example of this trait. He was conversing with an English disciple of this faith, a man of sense and respectability, just on the eve of departing for America. To disprove the genuineness of the Book of Mormon, he pointed out a passage in which the navigator Nephi says of himself: "I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it" -- insisting that the allusion to the mariner's compass, so long before its discovery, was fatal to the authenticity of the narrative. But the Mormon maintained the antiquity of the invention, on the authority of St. Paul: "for," said he, "we find him say in Acts, ch. 28, v. 13, 'and from thence we fetched a compass and came to Rhegium.'"
|
Eclectic Magazine (replaced Museum)
