THE  MORMONS.

(under construction, full text uncertain)

Note: The above item reports on the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo to Council Bluffs and beyond.

MORMONS.

(under construction, full text uncertain)

Note: The above issue contains two items on the Mormons. One article reports the situation in Hancock Co. and the other gives a short notice about the Mormons traveling through Council Bluffs.

THE  MORMONS  IN  CALIFORNIA.

(under construction, full text uncertain)

Notes: (forthcoming)

DESERTED  TEMPLE  IN  THE  WEST -- A  LESSON.

(under construction, full text uncertain)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS: -- A passenger in the Lake of the Woods, from the Upper Missouri, informs us that the Mormons are in a flourishing condition in their new location on the fine lands of the Pottawotamie Purchase on both sides of the river, above Council Bluffs. They have planted immense fields of corn -- to the extent, it is estimated, of 30,000 acres -- and other grain, and produce. They have built, also, a town, called "Winter Quarters," which already contains a population of some seven thousand souls. This town is entirely picketed in. It is represented, that the Mormons are on friendly terms with the Indians, and rarely molest them, although they are accused of occasionally stealing cattle.

Immense herds of Buffalo were seen on the plains, and crossing the Missouri, at the mouth of a stream called Stillwater.   St. Louis Republican.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- A passenger in the Lake of the Woods from the Upper Missouri, informs us that the Mormons are in a flourishing condition, in their new location on the fine lands of the Pottawotamie Purchase on both sides of the river, above Council Bluffs. They have planted immense fields of corn -- to the extent, it is estimated, of 30,000 acres -- and other grain and produce. They have built, also, a town called "Winter Quarters," which already contains a population of some seven thousand souls -- This town is entirely picketed in. It is represented that the Mormons are on friendly terms with the Indians, and rarely molest them, although they are accused of occasionally stealing cattle. Immense herds of buffalo were seen on the plains and crossing the Missouri, at the mouth of a stream called Stillwater.


Note: This item was evidently copied from the Sept. 17, 1847 issue of the Liberty, Missouri Weekly Tribune.

[Dec. 31, 1849]

THE  MORMONS.

Mr. Underwood: I beg leave to present the memorial of William Smith and Isaac Sheen, representing themselves to be the legitimate Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and also twelve members of that church. They say in this memorial that they belong to the church or sect which is more commonly known by the denomination of Mormons; and they represent that prior to the emigration of this people from Nauvoo, in the State of Illinois, fifteen hundred of them took the following oath:

"You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith upon this nation, and so teach your children, and that you will from this day henceforth and forever begin and carry out hostility against the nation, and to keep the same a profound secret, now and ever. So help you God."

They further represent that this people, now settled near the great Salt Lake, have in their practice and by their insinuations tolerated polygamy. They charge upon them various offences and crimes, and they call on the authorities of the nation to establish a system of government by which the perpetration of those crimes and offences may be prevented.

Since I have received this memorial I saw in a newspaper what I will read to the Senate.

[The substance of the paragraph read by Mr. Underwood (the reporter being unable to obtain a copy) was, that two Indian agents, whose names were therein stated, had been seized and subjected to trial by Mormons upon a charge of having been instrumental in driving them from the State of Missouri, and were only cleared in consequence of being able to prove that they had not participated in that act. It also charged the Mormons with having imposed duties upon all goods imported into the Salt Lake region from the United States.]

If there be any truth in what I have just read, it will be seen that these people are about to carry out the intention of the oath taken at Nauvoo.

Mr. Foote. Will the Senator allow me to ask him, for I did not hear his preliminary remarks, whose memorial that is?

Mr. Underwood. I will state again, it is the memorial of William Smith and Isaac Sheen, who represent themselves to be Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the legitimate successors of Joseph Smith; and it is signed by twelve others, representing themselves to be members of said church.

Mr. Morton. Where do these men live?

Mr. Underwood. They live in Covington, Kentucky; at least the paper was mailed to me from that place. I trust the memorial will be referred to the Committee on Territories, and that some investigation, at all events, will take place before that committee in regard to these charges.

Mr. Douglas. Before the reference is made, I feel it due that I should make a remark upon one branch of the subject to which the Senator from Kentucky has called the attention of the Senate. In regard to the memorial and the statements contained in it, I know nothing; therefore I can give no explanation in regard to them. But I had observed in the newspapers the article which the Senator has read and, and meeting with the delegate who has been elected and sent here from the provisional government of Deseret, being the government which the Mormons at the Salt Lake have established for themselves, in the absence of any action by Congress in their behalf, I asked Mr. Babbit if he could give me any explanation as to the facts as represented in that publication, and whether the Mormons had assumed the right to impose duties upon goods passing through the valley of the Great Salt Lake. He stated to me that the transaction was alleged to have occurred since he left, but that this was what he understood to be the state of the case: That these people, having assembled in large numbers in the neighborhood of the Salt Lake, with the intention of making their permanent home there, found it necessary to establish a government for their protection until Congress should provide one for them; and they found it necessary when they had established their government to provide the means of raising revenue for its support. The course adopted was to impose duties on all goods brought in and sold within the city of Salt Lake, whether by Mormons or anti-Mormons, residents or non-residents, all being placed upon an equality. I asked Mr. Babbit if this duty was imposed upon goods passing through, going beyond, and not to be vended in the city. He assured me that it was not imposed upon goods that were not sold in the city, and that large quantities of goods, large caravans conveying goods, had passed through without being molested. He assured me, furthermore, that these caravans sold their goods outside of the limits of this Mormon settlement without paying any such duty, and that the duty was only imposed on those who retailed their goods inside of the city, and it was merely for the purpose of providing revenue for the support of the government they had established until Congress should provide one for them. This the explanation which Mr. Babbit, a gentleman elected by the provisional government, and sent to represent them in the other end of this Capitol, gave to me. I felt it due to the Senate, to the country, and to these people, to make this explanation, that it might go out with the statement of the Senator from Kentucky. I know nothing of the facts myself, but have given the authority upon which I make the statement.

The memorial was then referred to the Committee on Territories.


Note 1: The unspoken political maneuvering underlying this exchange on the Senate floor, on Dec. 31, 1849 is both exquisitely subtle and wondrously ironic. Senator Stephen A. Douglas was a leading Democrat (later that party's candidate for the presidency), while Joseph R. Underwood was a slave-owning Whig emancipationist (not quite an abolitionist) of some note. Hidden just behind the scenes of this short transaction on the last day of 1849, were questions as to whether slavery would be condoned in Kansas and "Deseret;" whether the pioneers in those distant places would vote Democratic or Whig-Republican, the extent to which the federal government should regulate legal/social situations on the frontier, etc. etc. The Salt Lake Mormons had sent Almon A. Babbit, a Democrat, to plead their cause, of getting their petition for the acceptance of the "State of Deseret" through Douglas' Committee on Territories and onto the Senate floor for a vote. Douglas had no interest in seeing the Mormon entity organized as anything other than a territory, but he wished to regain the tacit political support of the Mormons for the Democrats -- something that had been lost when Douglas and other Illinois Democrats joined in the popular effort to expel the Saints from Nauvoo in 1846. Underwood fully knew the Whig affiliations of Smith and Sheen (an abolitionist) and he knew the historical tendency of the Mormons to vote for the Democrats rather than the Whigs. Underwood had at least a passing interest in seeing Deseret kept out of the Union, but he must have realized that Brigham Young was positioned to control a great deal of what went on in the West, even if Utah were organized only as a territory. Douglas also knew the political power Young commanded. Douglas knew William Smith as well, and was savvy enough to realize that William Smith had no chance of prevailing in any struggle with Brigham Young, even if the fight were just over some means to protect the western emigrant parties from Mormon taxation. And, under all of this, was the gnawing problem of Mormon polygamy, which Underwood probably only guessed at, but which Douglas comprehended would be a troublesome matter indeed. In the end William Smith's pleas were swept under the same rug as Babbit's petition for Mormon statehood. And Babbit (Sheen's brother-in-law) was left with the unenviable task of reporting back to Brigham Young his failure to obtain statehood for the Mormon colony -- as well as having to explain why it was that Smith and Sheen had recommended him to govern the Mormons, and why he was setting up the Western Bugle, a Democratic newspaper in Council Bluffs, in opposition to Apostle Orson Hyde's Whig-leaning Frontier Guardian.

Note 2: Kentucky Whig Underwood's submission of the anti-Deseret remonstrance before the Senate constituted only half of William Smith's effort to bring the matter before Congress. In the House, a pro-Mormon constitution for Deseret was being proposed by one of Underwood's political enemies, prominent Kentucky Democrat Linn Boyd. For documentation of the other half of William's plan -- the submission of his petition to the House and Boyd's opposition -- see the Feb. 26, 1850 issue of the Congressional Globe.

[Feb. 25, 1850]

STATE  OF  DESERET.

Mr. Wentworth presented a petition from A. Morgan. Thomas Hunt, and other citizens of Shelbourn, Lee county, Illinois, praying Congress to protect the rights of American citizens while traveling through the valley of the Salt Lakes, and setting forth other matters concerning the treasonable designs of the Salt Lake Mormons. Also, representing that some of the prominent movers for the organization of a State Government in Deseret are in favor of a Kingly Government, are robbers and murderers, and that these men are all in favor of polygamy, &c., &c.

Mr. Wentworth asked that the petition be read, with the view to its reference to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Bowlin objected to the reading of the petition through.

Mr. Jones gave notice of his intention to debate the motion to refer.

The Chair stated that the reading of the petition having been objected to, the question of permission would have to be decided by the House.

Mr. Wentworth said he preferred to have the petition read by the Clerk; but if the objection was persisted in he would read the petition himself, as he had the right to do under the rules.

The Chair stated that the rule regulating the presentation of petitions allowed only a statement of the substance of the petition.

Mr. Conrad inquired whether it was a remonstrance.

Mr. Wentworth said it was a remonstrance from the State of Illinois against the admission into the Union of the Salt Lake Mormons, as a distinct political organization.

After some further conversation by Messrs. Richardson and Wentworth with the Chair -- The question whether the petition be read was put to the House and agreed to; and the petition having been read --

Mr. Wentworth moved its reference to the Committee on Military Affairs...


Note 1: Having already engineered the submission of a petition against the establishment of a State of Deseret in the Senate, through the assistance of Isaac Sheen's Whig connections with Senator Underwood, William Smith played the opposite political card in the House, by having the noted Illinois Democrat, John Wentworth, introduce a similar remonstrance among his fellow Representatives. It does not seem that William attached his name to the document -- perhaps the House was best not reminded of Wentworth's previous political support for the Nauvoo Mormons, and his ties to William's late brother, Joseph Smith, Jr. The identities of "A. Morgan and Thomas Hunt" remain unknown; they may have been William's gentile neighbors in Lee Co., Illinois. On May 4, 1850, William's former follower, Isaac Sheen, wrote a letter to the Hon. R. H. Stanton, (published May 17, 1850) stating: "I have been credibly informed that to the memorial which William Smith sent from Illinois he attached the names of persons who never authorized him to do so."

Note 2: Among the various newspapers noticing this activity in the House by Mr. Wentworth, was the Warsaw Signal of Mar. 30, 1850. There the editor guesses, "The petitioners represent themselves to be Mormons residing in the State of Illinois, and we presume are Strangites belonging to Mr. Wentworth's District." The petitioners "residing in the State of Illinois" were not exactly "Strangites;" rather, they were former Strangites, allied with William Smith at Shelbourne, Lee Co., Illinois. Shelbourne was the western terminus of Palestine Grove, immediately south of what is now Amboy, Illinois. This was the headquarters of William Smith's "Palestine Stake of Zion." In Chapter 5 of his 1901 book on the Mormons, William Alexander Linn provides the following information: "The constitution of Deseret was presented to the House of Representatives by Mr. Boyd, a Kentucky Democrat, on January 28, 1850, and referred to the Committee on Territories. On July [sic] 25, John Wentworth, an Illinois Democrat, presented a petition from citizens of Lee County, in his state, asking Congress to protect the rights of American citizens passing through the Salt Lake Valley, and charging on the organizers of the State of Deseret treason, a desire for a kingly government, murder, robbery, and polygamy." According to the Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, Wentworth's presentation was made on February 25, 1850 -- the relevant entry for that date reads: "Mr. Wentworth presented the petition of Thomas Hunt and other citizens of the State of Illinois, praying Congress to protect the rights of American citizens while trading through the valley of the Salt Lake, and setting forth other matters concerning the treasonable designs of the Salt Lake Mormons. On motion of Mr. Wentworth, the said petition was read. Mr. Wentworth moved that the petition be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. And debate arising thereon, the petition was laid upon the table under the rule." See Feb. 26, 1850 issue of the Washington D. C. Congressional Globe for further information on this petition.

Note 3: According to the Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, on July 19, 1850, "Mr. Robert M. McLane reported that the... Committee of Elections, to whom were referred the credentials of Almon W. Babbitt, esq., and his memorial, praying to be admitted to a seat in the House as a delegate from the provisional State of Deseret, together with the resolution reported by the said committee, had come to no resolution thereon." The issue for July 20, 1850 records that John Wentworth voted against tabling the resolution to admit Almon W. Babbitt, Esq., as the "delegate from the alleged State of Deseret."

THE MORMONS OF DESERET OR SALT LAKE: -- The brother and successor of Joseph Smith has published the following letter:

I am in possession of proofs to show that bands of Salt Lake Mormons, clothed and armed as Indians, and in perfect disguise, with their bodies and faces painted like Indians, have taken positions on the high road from Oregon and California, in order to plunder the companies of emigrants. Many murders and robberies have already been committed by these devils in human shape, which are all published to the world as if committed by Indians.

The Mormon church on Salt Lake is under the government of a secret lodge. In this lodge Brigham Young has been crowned as king, and sits there upon a throne erected for him.   (Signed,)
                                  WILLIAM SMITH.


Note: The above item was reprinted from a notice in the Feb., 1850 issue of William Smith's church newspaper.

IN  SENATE.

Thursday, March 14, 1850

THE  LATTER-DAY  SAINTS.

Mr. Underwood. I also have a petition from the President, I believe he styles himself, of the Mormon Church of Latter-day Saints, together with the twelve apostles. They present very grievous complaints against their brethren of Deseret, and charge that the Mormons about Council Bluffs, who have possession of that region of the district, and control the post-office, obstruct the free circulation of information through their papers, by which they are prevented from enlightening that sect, and spreading useful information among them. They wish the interposition of Congress, and particularly the Post-Office Department, and that free information may be circulated among their brethren. (The petition was sent to the Secretary's desk.) It is a petition from Isaac Sheen, who represents himself as a first counsellor to the prophet, Wm. Smith, and president of the Aaronic priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with two apostles and some twelve high-priests, urging very grave complaints against their brother Mormons, whom they designate as the Salt Lake Mormon banditti. These people set forth that Council Bluffs is principally settled by Salt Lake Mormons, who are governed in political as well as spiritual affairs by the secret lodge of fifty men, that also rules the Salt Lake territory, and by Brigham Young, their governor, president, prophet, seer, revelator, and inquisitorial chief. They assert that these people obstruct the receipt of the religious newspaper called the "Melchisedek and Aaronic Herald," and letters to their friends and relations in that quarter, and implore the protection of Congress from the tyranny, injustice, and political intrigues of the Salt Lake banditti, and insist that the treasonable acts and designs of the Salt Lake combination are sufficient, not only to show the impropriety of admitting Deseret into the Union, but also to convince government that no Salt Lake Mormon should be allowed to hold any office, either at Salt Lake valley or Council Bluffs. They charge them also with having commenced a warfare against the liberty of speech and of the press, and against the religious rights of American citizens who do not acknowledge their supremacy.

The memorial was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.


Note 1: The petition above paraphrased has apparently not survived. Unlike the previous petition from the Smithite church at Covington, its full text has not survived. See the Mar. 22, 1850 issue of the Gettysburg Star and Banner for a typical reprint of the summary, as it appeared in the popular press of that time.

Note 2: The "petition from Isaac Sheen" mentioned above was an entirely separate document from the memorial William Smith and Isaac Sheen previously presented to Congress and to the President of the United States. This second petition, requesting that no Mormon hold the position of Post-Master at Council Bluffs, etc., was sent to Washington, D. C. at about the same time as the Smith-Sheen document, but the second petition was submitted under Sheen's name alone, and mentioned William Smith only in passing. Here is how H. H. Bancroft described the situation in his 1889 book: On Dec. 31st, Joseph R. Underwood of Kentucky presented a memorial from William Smith and Isaac Sheen -- the former a brother of the prophet -- representing themselves to be the legitimate presidents of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, and from twelve members of that church... The memorial was referred to the committee on territories. Cong. Globe, 1849-50, xxi. 92. A second memorial from the same parties was presented to Mr. Underwood on March 14, 1850, preferring grievous complaints against the people of Deseret, and stating that the Mormons around Council Bluffs controlled the post-office in that district and obstructed the free circulation of newspapers. It was referred to the committee on post-offices and post-roads. Ibid., 524."

Note 3: As an anti-slavery editor, Isaac Sheen evidently developed a special interest in the problem of non-delivery of the federal mails by parties who disagreed with the purpose of certain publications sent out though the postal system. Sheen himself had served as a mail-carrier (or "papers-carrier") and understood the serious consequences of anyone's tampering with the post. Beyond that, Sheen was probably able to gather first-hand accounts of postal irregularities in western Iowa from his brother-in-law, the Hon. Almon W. Babbitt, who was then in the process of establishing a newspaper at Council Bluffs. The Council Bluffs Frontier Guardian of June 13, 1851 mentions this newspaper, The Bugle, in these words: "Our readers will recollect that this is the paper he [Babbitt] brought to Kanesville, to start in opposition to us [Orson Hyde and Whig-affliated Mormons]..."

The Mormons.
_____

To the Editors of the Union:
  I shall consider myself under particular obligations to you, if you will have the goodness to give a conspicuous place in the Union to the note, of the Hon. Richard H. Stanton, of the House of Representatives, and of the Hon. Joseph R. Underwood, of the United States Senate, and to the accompanying extracts of a letter from Mr. Isaac Sheen, of Kentucky.     Respectfully yours,
                                           JOHN M. BERNHISEL.
Washington, May 16, 1850.

---

                            House of Representatives, May 14, 1850.
Sir: It is proper I should submit to you the enclosed letter from Mr. Isaac Sheen, one of the signers of a petition which I presented to the House at an early part of the present session, remonstrating against the admission of Deseret into the Union, and charging the Mormon population of that Territory with immorality, treason and other crimes. Mr. Sheen, I presume, desires by this recantation to remove all prejudices against the interests of the people of Deseret which may have been produced by that memorial; and I know of no more effectual means of accomplishing his wishes than by publishing so much of his letter as may be necessary to show his withdrawal of the charges and his reasons for doing so.     With much respect,
                            your obedient servant,
                                  R. H. STANTON.
Dr. J. M. Bernhisel.

---

                                    May 14, 1850.
Sir: Having seen a letter from the Hon. R. H. Stanton to yourself, in which you propose to publish, containing an extract of a letter written by Isaac Sheen, I deem it [best] to the Mormons in Great Salt Lake Valley to [state] that I have received a letter from Mr. Sheen of the same purport with that addressed by him to Mr. Stanton. You are authorized to publish this statement, should you think proper to do so.     Yours respectfully,
                            Your obedient servant,
                                  J. R. UNDERWOOD.
Dr. J. M. Bernhisel.

---

                              Covington, Kentucky, May 4, 1850.
Dear Sir: About 5 months since a memorial was sent to your address signed by William Smith and several others, to which my name was attached, remonstrating against a State organization for the people of Deseret. Now, sir, permit me to say that although I cannot fellowship the religious doctrines of the people resident there, known as Mormons, yet I have become satisfied that there are many false statements in that memorial, and also in the memorial of Wm. Smith and others from Illinois. It was my firm belief at the time that the representations of William Smith, on which those false statements were based, could be relied on; but I have ascertained that I have been greatly deceived in regard to his veracity. His complaints against the Deseret Mormons are unworthy of any attention. I cannot think of troubling you with a detail of all the disclosures which have been made concerning the hypocrisy, licentiousness, treachery, deceit, slanders, and lies of William Smith. *  *  *  I find that his accusations against the Deseret Mormons are the ebulitions of a malicious heart, and have been made by him to divert attention from his own outrageous villainy and licentiousness. I have been credibly informed that to the memorial which William Smith sent from Illinois he attached the names of persons who never authorized him to do so.     I have the honor of being
                            Your obedient servant,
                                  ISAAC SHEEN.
Hon. R. H. Stanton, Washington, D. C.


Note 1: The above text is copied from its reprint in the June 26, 1850 issue of the Frontier Guardian. Editor Orson Hyde must have been overjoyed to receive the news that William Smith and Isaac Sheen had parted ways, after the disastrous Smithite church conference which was held at Covington during the first week of April, 1850. It is unclear whether Smith ever made it to Covington to participate in the conference, and the precise details of what transpired between those two men at that time have never been published, but Orson Hyde insinuated that William had inserted his debauched "corruption" into Elder Sheen's "domestic circle" in a seduction or molestation "too near his own home" for Sheen's comfort. In less Victorian language, President William Smith was being charged with a sexual indelicacy, perpetrated upon a member of the Sheen household in Covington -- probably with Drucilla Babbitt Sheen, the Elder's wife. The telling statement from Isaac Sheen, is that William "claims that he has authority from God to raise up posterity from other men's wives, and says it will exalt them and their husbands in the eternal world." This sounds very much like the words Sheen had published in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial on May 22, 1850, that William Smith was a "hypocritical libertine," who, though he "has professed the greatest hostility to the plurality wife doctrine... on the 18th [of April]... told me that he had a right to raise up posterity from other men's wives. He said it would be an honor... and that they would thereby be exalted to a high degree of glory in eternity.... He offered me his wife on the same terms that he claimed a partnership in other men's wives." Sheen is not explicit in his letter, as to whether William Smith's legal wife, Roxie Ann Grant Smith, was ever present in Covington, to participate in such a holy wife-swapping program -- probably she was not. The most straightforward interpretation of Sheen's remarks is that he caught William Smith in the initial stages of a seduction (or learned of an earlier, consummated seduction) with Mrs. Drucilla Babbitt Sheen, and that Smith offered Sheen similar intimate access to the person of Mrs. Roxie Ann Grant Smith, as a sort of celestial compensation. Three years later, William Smith would accuse Roxie of having been a Nauvoo initiate into "'seven degrees' in spiritual wifery," implying that the lady was a sort of John C. Bennet-style "sacred Cyprian." Prior to marrying Roxie, William Smith divorced a previous Mormon wife, in Illinois, on the complaint that she functioned as a "common prostitute."

Note 2: Apostle Hyde had sense enough, not to speculate in print, just how William Smith came to hold such unorthodox "religious" views on relations between the sexes. Given the fact that William's elder brother had once carried on an intimate, Priesthood-sanctioned relationship with Hyde's own wife, perhaps the LDS Apostle decided that the less said of such "sacred things" in public, the better. Roxie Ann Grant Smith's LDS brother was less reticent to relate such bygone adulterous amours in public; see his remarks of Feb. 19, 1854: If Joseph had a right to dictate me in relation to salvation, in relation to a hereafter, he had a right to dictate me in relation to all my earthly affairs... What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph... came and said, 'I want your wife?' 'O yes,' he would say, 'here she is; there are plenty more.' ... Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for? He did not, but in that thing was the grand thread of the Priesthood developed."

Note 3: It is difficult to believe that Elder Isaac Sheen suddenly felt morally compelled to renounce his previous accusations against the Utah Mormons, just because he had renounced William Smith and his church. True enough, Sheen could no longer hope to hold the moral high ground, in publicized denunciations of Brighamite spiritual wifery, secret combinations, and treasonable intentions -- but he might have at least stood his previous position in regard to Brigham's usurpation of power and to Mormon tampering with the mails in and around Council Bluffs. Sheen reportedly received a $1000 payment (in gold?) from his Utah Mormon brother-in-law, Elder Almon W. Babbit, just prior to his May, 1850 letter writing project. The modern reader might be forgiven for wondering aloud whether this Pillar of the Reorganization might not have lined his own pockets at the Smith family's expense, ten years before he nominated Joseph Smith III to be the first RLDS President, at the Amboy Conference.

THE  MORMONS  AND  THEIR  CITY  OF  REFUGE.
_______

Between four and five thousand feet above the ocean level, on the eastern rim of the Great Basin, in whose unexplored deserts the waters of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada of California are lost, and island salt sea stretches northwesterly from latitude 40 degrees to 42 degrees, and between 112 degrees and 114 degrees of longitude. Up to the year 1843, little was really known of this vast body of water, its shapes and tributaries, as the accounts given by half-breed hunters and wandering Indians, in their visits to Fort Hall abd other trading posts on the route from Missouri to Oregon, had been as vague and unsatisfactory as they were marvelous.

It was reserved for the adventurous Fremont to explore, with something like scientific accuracy, these strange regions. Follwing the windings of the Bear River -- its principal tributary -- through a wild maze of Mountains, of the vast Utah Range, on a gusty September morning he looked down upon the great object of his toilsome exploration, the Sea of the mountains. Checkered with the shadows of clouds, broken here and there by rocky islands and mountain headlands, it stretched westerly beyond the limit of vision. The annals of modern discovery have nothing of more exciting interest than the partial exploration of this unknown sea, by the young adventurer and his companions, in a frail and ill-constructed boat of India-rubber cloth. The Indians whom they encountered had never launched a canoe upon the lake, and, as it had no apparant outlet, they imagined there was a great whirlpool in its midst, which swallowed up its surplus waters. Our travellers were the first to visit its mysterious islands, and break with the cheerful sound of human voices its long solitude and silence

      "They were the first that ever burst
     into that silent sea."

The lateness of the season rendered the stay of Fremont brief, and his explorations imperfect. After spending a night on an island in the Lake, listening to the roar of the salt-surf beating on the rocks, and making two or three days' marches along its marshy borders, and having settled its latitude and longitude, and taken some notice of the characteristics of the soil and vegetation of the valley in which it lies, he left, regretfully, this strange and interesting region, to pursue his journey to California, along the skirts of the Great Basin, and across the Snowy Sierra. For two or three years, nothing further was known of the Great Salt Lake.

In the mean time, the Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, as they love to call themselves, had been expelled by mob violence from Illinois. A city of some twenty-thousand inhabitants was left untenanted; and square miles of ripened grain were abandoned to the sun and rains of autumn and the snows of winter. The wretched exiles had little leisure for preparation for their long, uncertain journey into the wilderness in search of a new home, out of the reach of civilized inhumanity. Bearing with them their aged and infirm, their sick and dying, they passed in mournful processions through the streets of Nauvoo, and through their corn fields and orchards, the fruit of which they could no longer gather. Pausing on the swell of the last wave of prairie from whence the gilded spire of the great Temple was visible, they bade farewell forever to their homes, hearths, and altars, and then set their faces resolutely towards the setting sun:

      "Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon
     The world was all before them, where to choose
     Their place of rest, and Providence their guide."

The last sad cavalcade left Nauvoo in the autumn of 1846. It had been preceded by several others, who had engaged to prepare the way for those who should come after. Delayed by sickness and want of the necessary vehicles and tems for their journey, and desirous to unite the numerous camps of exiles, scattered from the Mississippi to the Missouri, the early summer of 1846 found the pioneer encampment at Council Bluffs, near the Pottawattomie Indian agency.

On the hills of the "High Prairie," which here crowd upon the river, and on the broad alluvial flats below them, the tents of the modern Israel were pitched. A traveller, Thomas L. Kane, Esq., of Philadelphia, from whose graphic and brilliant "Discourse before the Pennsylvania Historical Society" we have derived many of the materials of this sketch, has described their appearance as he first reached them, on a bright June morning. Each hill was crowned with its great camp. white with canvass, and alive with the stir of swarming occupants. The smoke of a thousand cooking fires streamed lazily upwards. Herd-boys were dozing on the slopes, with sheep and oxen, cows and horses, around them, numbering many thousands. Children, almost as numerous, were playing about the camps. Women were washing clothes along a little creek; blacksmiths, tailors, and shoemakers, were busy in the open air, or under the shade of tents. Great arbors made of poles and brush, and wattled with willow and birch, served them for places of religious worship and halls of council. It was here that the famous Mormon battalion for the Mexican war was recruited. On the eve of its departure, a farewell ball was got up in primitive style, under the shelter of the largest arbor. Grave Elders and Chiefs of the High Council led off the dance, which was kept up with great animation until the sun had dipped behind the sharp outline of the Omaha hills. "Then," says the writer to whom we have referred, "silence was called, and a well-cultivated mezzo-soprano voice, belonging to a young lady with a fair face and dark eyes, gave, with quartette accompaniment, a little song, a version of a text touching to all earthly wanderers:

      "By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept;
     We wept when we remembered Zion!"

There was danger of some expression of feeling when the song was over, for it had begun to draw tears; but, breaking the quiet with his hard voice, an Elder dismissed the gathering, and asked Heaven to bless all who, with purity of heart and brotherhood of feeling, had mingled in that society." After the departure of the battalion, thew exiles moved on, organized in companies of tens, fifties, and hundreds, all under the direction of the High Council of the Church. Upon the rich but unhealthy delta between the Nebraska and Missouri, they again pitched their tents, and waited for the straggling emigrants of their faith to overtake them. Decimated by sickness, the winter found them still in the border regions of Missouri and Iowa, where, divided into several encampments, they were enabled to sustain themselves and a considerable portion of their cattle. Early in the spring of 1847, a body of one hundred and forty picked men, with seventy wagons, started, under the direction of the members of the High Council, in search of a favorable location for a permanent settlement. They carried with them little save seed and farming tools, it being their aim to plant crops at the place selected. Crossing the South Pass, they struggled through the defiles and over the spurs of the Rocky Mountains, forcing their way over the Utah range, sometimes creeping along the stony bed of torrents, and sometimes cutting their way through heavy timber. At length, in midsummer, they reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake. The High Council, after a careful survey of the country, decided that the Land of Promise had at last been reached, and that the Tabernacles of the Mormon Israel should be set up. Late as was the season, roots and seeds were planted, from which a partial harvest was obtained. They were soon joined by other detachments from the main body, and also by a part of the Mormon Battalion from California. They sowed large fields of grain for the next season, bult themselves houses of sun-dried brick, fortifying themselves with walls and block-houses, and safely passed the winter of 1847-'8. In the course of the next year, the residue of the Nauvoo emigrants reached the valley, loaded with grain raised on the plains of their encampments on the Missouri and Nebraska. A detailed history of this remarkable Exodus would exhibit in strange alliance the shifty enterprise, practical energy, and shrewd calculation of modern utilitarianism, and the undoubting faith of the middle ages, unshaken by manifest inconsistency or detected imposture; the enthusiasm of the old Crusaders and the fanaticism of Musselman propagandists; an old oriental drama acted over in the New World, by men and women of Yankee origin, united in devout belief in a prophet-martyr who could only be properly characterized as a cross between Sam Slick and the Mokanna of Khorassin. It would do more than this. It would contain the record of a persecution as cruel and remorseless as that which hunted the Huguenots from France, and the Jews from Spain, endured, for the most part, with a patient firmness and heroic persistence, under circumstances of suffering and danger, which go far to reconcile liberal and generous minds to those absurdities or novelties or worship and faith, which were made the excuse of a new Christian crusade on the part of the blackleg and nomadic rascality of the Mississippi valley. In the language of the author of the "Discourse" before us, it would tell of "a people whose industry had made them rich, expelled by lawless force from the comforts and luxuries of refined life, into the Great Wilderness, seeking an untried home, far away from the scenes which their previous life had endeared them, moving onward, destitute, hunger-sickened, and sinking with disease, bearing with them wives and children, the old, the poor, the decrepid; renewing daily on their march the offices of devotion, the ties of family, and friendship, and charity; sharing necessities and braving dangers together, cheerful in the midst of want and trial -- of men who, menaced by famine, and in the midst of pestilence, with every energy taxed by the urgency of the hour, were building roads and bridges, laying out villages, and planting corn-fields, for the benefit of the stranger who might come after them, their kinsmen only by a common humanity, or, peradventure, by common suffering -- of men who have renewed their prosperity in the homes they have founded in the desert; and who, in their new-built city, walled round by mountains like a fortress, are extending pious hospitalities to the destitute emigrants from our frontier States."

As yet we can scarcely form an accurate idea of the geographical peculiarities of the new Territory. We only know that, hemmed in by successive chains of rugged mountains, and by vast unexplored deserts, it combines within its limits the most inconsistent characteristics of other countries. The climate of its mountains is more severe than that of Switzerland; descending towards the great valley, the varied climates of Italy are successively encountered. Barren salt wastes -- desolate and unsightly as the shores of the Dead Sea -- alternate with valleys of extraordinary fertility and beauty. Streams strongly impregnated with salt flow down from the mountains in close proximity with others of the purest and sweetest water. Hot springs, and ice-cold ones, are found in the same neighborhood. The resources of the country, in an agricultural point of view, were not overlooked by its first explorer. "The bottoms," says Fremont, "are extensive, the water excellent, timber sufficient, the soil good, and well adapted to the grains and grasses of an elevated region. The lake furnishes abundant supplies of salt. All the mountain sides are covered with a valuable and nutritious grass, called bunch grass, which has a second growth in the fall; its quantity will sustain any amount of cattle, and make this truly a bucolic region." On some of the best lands it appears that irrigation is necessary to secure the full advantages of the rich virgin soil. Fifty bushels of wheat may thus be raised to the acre, and in the present price current of the country, it is $4 the bushel. Promimity to the gold region secures a ready and sure market for all kinds of provisions.

The City of Salt Lake, if we may credit the statements of recent travellers, now numbers from 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants. The houses are of sun brick, generally of one story, with gardens, distributed over an area as great as that of New York, and surrounded by square miles of wheat fields. There are several other settlements, extending forty miles north and two hundred miles south of the great city.

"It is to these homes," says the author of the Discourse, "in the heart of our American Alps, like the holy people of St. Bernard, they hold out their welcome to the passing traveller. Some of you have doubtless seen in the St. Louis papers the reported votes of thanks to them of companies of emigrants to California. These are often reduced to great straits after passing Fort Laramie, and turn aside to seek the Salt Lake colony, in pitiable plight of fatigue and destitution." The route from the Oregon road to the Salt Lake is one of great difficulty, over mountains, and through deep and narrow ravines. The poor struggling emigrant at length comes abruptly out of the dark pass into the lighted valley of the Mormons, on a level terrace of its high table land. "No wonder if he loses his self-control here. A ravishing panoramic landscape opens out below him, blue, green, and gold, and pearl; a great sea of grassy plain, all set as in a silver-chased cup, within mountains whose peaks of perpetual snow are burnished by a dazzling sun. It is less these, however, than the foreground of the old country farms, with their stacks, thatchings, and stock, and the central city, swarming with its working inhabitants, and smoking from its chimneys, that tries the men of fatigue-broken nerves. The Californians scream, they sing, they give three cheers, and do not count them, a few pray and more swear, some fall on their faces and cry outright."

Several hundred emigrants, in more or less distress, have, during the past year, received gratuitous relief from the Mormons, whose indomitable industry has enabled them to exercise to the fullest extent the rites of hospitality. They boast that they have no loafers, idle gentlemen, or vagabonds. Their glorious valley must be the grand central station of the future railroad which is to unite the two oceans, and to open to us the golden stream of oriental traffic by the way of California. The peculiarity of their religious faith and customs may have the effect to divert from them some of the emigration which would otherwise flow towards so inviting a region; but even this cannot essentially retard their growth. Fifty thousand of their order in Great Britain are already preparing to join them. They have shrewd, intelligent men at the head of affairs, and are evidently losing a great deal of the fanaticism of their early time. They have a regularly organized Government, and all accounts agree in representing them as an orderly and peaceful people. The author of the "Discourse" before us, denies emphatically the charges which have been preferred against their habitual purity of life, integrity of dealing, their toleration of religious differences, their regard for law, and their devotion to constitutional government.

In the dispute now going on in respect to New Mexico and California, the Territory of Utah has been measurably forgotten. But its importance cannot be overlooked much longer. Slavery has already, like the serpent of old, stolen into the Garden of the Mountains. Senator Seward, in his late speech, stated that he had positive information that slaves are now held in Utah. Hon. P. R. Thurston, the delegate from Oregon, in his late letter to a member of the Massachusetts delegation, gives it as his opinion, that the working of slaves in Utah, under the existing circumstances of a great and increasing demand for labor, and the probability of the discovery of valuable mines, would be profitable to the masters. He is well acquainted with the country, and sees no Providential enactment of the Wilmot Proviso in its soil, climate, or "Asiatic formation." Here, them should New Mexico and California take their places in the Union, with their respective Constitutions and boundaries, the contest will be renewed. The policy of the inhabitants, thus far, has been to blink [at] the subject of slavery, hoping thereby to propitiate the Southern propaganda. How far this policy has been successful, may be seen in the unceremonious rejection of their delegate, by a more decisive vote than that which denied a seat to the delegate from New Mexico, although the latter made no secret of his hostility to the institution of slavery, and although the anti-slavery Constitution of his constituents was on the desk of Congress, and the question of his admission was complicated with the claim of Texas. This timid, indecisive policy on the part of Utah, while it has failed to secure the favor of the South, has awakened suspicion and doubt on the part of the North. no possible good can come of it. Let Utah take her stand by the side of California and New Mexico as a free State, and, like them, present herself at the door of the Union with the Declaration of Independence embodied in her Constitution. This will settle the question more effectually than twenty compromise bills. It would not be possible for the ultra slave faction to resist the united will of the inhabitants of the entire acquisition from Mexico. The three-fold cord could not be broken. Besides, it becomes the people of Utah to consider that, in their peculiar circumstances, the religious faith for the quiet enjoyment of which they have made so many sacrifices will be justly held responsible for their action in this matter. Toleration of slavery will not be likely to facilitate the popular recognition of their claim as Saints of the Latter Day. The condition of many of the older sects in this country, rent and divided on the question of slavery, should be an effectual warning to them to meet the evil at the outset, and exclude forever from their community an element of perpetual contest and disturbance. The time for action has fully come. A decision between freedom and slavery is pressed upon them. God grant that it may be made in accordance with sound policy and the claims of humanity.   J. G. W.


Note: See also John Greenleaf Whittier's 1847 article, "A Mormon Conventicle," in which he says of Joseph Smith and the Mormons: "They speak a language of hope and promise to weak, weary hearts, tossed and troubled, who have wandered from sect to sect, seeking in vain for the primal manifestation of the divine power."

RIOT AT THE MORMON CHAPEL.

(under construction)

AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE SAINTS.

(under construction)

TERRITORY  OF  UTAH.

From the "Deseret News" of July 20 we copy the following acts of organization of the Government of the new United States Territory of Utah:

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the law of the Congress of the United States, approved September 9, 1850, organizing a Territorial Government for Utah, provides that the Governor of said Territory shall, after enumerating the inhabitants, make an apportionment of the members of Council and House of Representatives, in accordance with the ratio of population in their respective counties --

Therefore I, Brigham Young, Governor of said Territory, have caused the enumeration of the inhabitants to be taken, and direct that an election be held in the respective precincts throughout the Territory, on the first Monday of August next, in accordance with the existing laws of the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret, regulating the elections passed by the General Assembly November 19, 1849, page 9, for the election of the following offices, viz six councilors and thirteen representatives for Great Salt Lake county...

At the same time and place, in the respective precincts, an election will be held for a Delegate to the House of Representatives of the United States, to represent said Territory.
                                              BRIGHAM YOUNG, Governor...


notes: (forthcoming)

NEW WORK. -- "JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET." This is the title of a very interesting work, written by the direction, and under the immediate inspection of the Prophet himself. It is now, for the first time, printed. It contains the genealogy and a brief sketch of his ancestors back for six or seven generations. Several remarkable dreams and visions of his father are related. But what renders the work doubly interesting is the early history of the Prophet, including many remarkable occurrences and important facts, never before published. Copies of this work would be valuable to every lover of truth, and would adorn the libraries of the honest and patriotic descendents [sic] of our pilgrim fathers, who will be pleased to learn that one of the greatest and most renowned Prophets that ever graced our earth, descended from that hardy illustrious race who first peopled the dense forests of New England, and formed the nucleus of a great and independent nation of freemen. We have on hand a few copies, procured from England, printed on superior paper, and bound in the most superior style of morocco, neatly gilted. Price $2; common paper, calf $1 50; Roan, $1.


Notes: (forthcoming)

EXPLANATION  OF  SUBSTITUTED  NAMES
IN  THE  COVENANTS.

BY  THE  EDITOR.

For the edification of the Saints we will give some explanation concerning certain names in connexion with several revelations in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. By reference to section 76th, it will be perceived that the Lord gave a revelation to "Enoch in relation to a permanent and everlasting establishment and order" for the benefit of the poor. Many of the Saints, unacquainted with the circumstances, have wondered whether thenames "Enoch," "Gazelam," "Ahashdah," "Pelagoram." &c., mentioned in that section, together with those of a similar character mentioned in sections 87, 94, 97, 99, 101, and 102 were really ancient personages and ancient places and things, or those of the present age. All these names have reference to modern persons, places, and things of our day. Indeed when these revelations were first received by the Prophet Joseph, the real names were given; and it was not until months, and in regard to some of them, even years, had passed away before the names were altered, and others bearing an ancient appearance were substituted.

We often had access to the manuscripts when boarding with the Prophet; and it was our delight to read them over and over again before they were printed. And so highly were they esteemed by us, that we committed some to memory; and a few we copied for the purpose of reference in our absence on missions; and also to read them to the Saints for their edification. These copies are still in our possession. When at length the time arrived to print the manuscripts, it was thought best not to publish them all on account of our enemies, who were seeking every means to destroy the Prophet and the Church, on account however of the great anxiety of the Church to see them in print, it was concluded, through the suggestions of the Spirit, that by altering the real names given in the manuscripts, and substituting fictitious ones in their stead, they might thus safely aappear in print without endangering the welfare of the individuals whose real names were contained therein. It was by this means that several revelations were permitted to appear in print in the first edition, that otherwise would have been withheld from the knowledge of the Saints, perhaps for many long years, or at least until more favorable circumstances would have permitted them to be made public.

It may be asked had the Prophet a right to alter names given by revelation, and substitute fictitious ones in their stead? We reply that it is only the printed edition that contains the substituted names, while the original manuscripts that are safely preserved in the hands of the Church contain the names as they were originally given. Moreover, the substitution of fictitious names for persons and places does not alter or destroy the sense or ideas contained in the revelations. But what the Prophet did in relation to this thing was not of himself; he was dictated by the Holy Ghost to make these substitutions for the time being, until it should be wisdom for the true names to appear. That he was thus inspired is certain from the fact that at the very time that he made these substitutions he also received much additional light; and by revelation line was added upon line to several of the sections and paragraphs about to be publishedBut some may inquire, are not the Almighty's revelations perfect when they are first given? and if so, where was the propriety of the Lord's adding any thing to them when, they were already perfect? We reply that every word of God is perfect; but he does not reveal all things at once, but adds "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little," revealing as the people are able to bear, or as circumstances require. But these were not the only revelations to which the Lord made additions; for when the king of Judah burned the book of revelations, which God gave by the mouth of Jeremiah God commanded Jeremiah to rewrite the same. "Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiachim, king of Judah had burned in the fire; and there were added besides unto them many like words." -- Jer. xxxvi 32.

The Lord therefore, adds to his own revelations whenever He thinks proper; but He has expressly forbidden man to make any additions. The high prerogative of adding to an inspired revelation belongs to the Lord only; hence the Lord added by the mouth of Joseph "line upon line, here a little and there a little," to some of the manuscript copies which were about to be published.

A similar thing transpired in ancient America. God expressly forbade the Prophet Mormon to write all the revelations contained in the numerous records of his forefathers. He was only permitted to make a small abridgment called the Book of Mormon, and he states that not one hundredth part was permitted to be copied into the abridgment. The Lord declaring to him that He would try the faith of the Gentiles and of the nations of the latter times, to see whether they would receive this abridgment: if so, He would give them more; but if not, He would withhold the greater things to their condemnation.

To add to or diminish the light to be offered to a generation or individual is in strict accordance with the wisdom, justice, and mercy of God.

When a generation or individual is faithful to the light already given, God has promised to add more, and will cause that the light shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day. But when men despise the light and treat it with contempt, He will withhold from them and diminish that which they already have, until their minds become entirely enveloped in darkness, and they thus prepare themselves to dwell with the prince of darkness, and to be cast into outer darkness, where there are wailing and gnashing of teeth, and where no ray of heavenly light can penetrate their dark and dismal abode. This will be the fearful state of the wicked, because they love darkness rather than light, and will not come to the light that their deeds may be reproved...


Note: For some critical commentary on the logic basic to Apostle Pratt's assertions, see the Salt Lake Tribune of Ocr. 3, 1879, as well as the strictures contained throughout William H. Whitsitt's 1891 manuscript and the numerous examples of problematic early textual changes documented in H. Michael Marquardt's 1999 book The Joseph Smith Revelations.

U T A H.

Our latest intelligence from Utah is up to the l2th of Dec. All things apparently were in a prosperous condition. Two volunteer companies, under the direction of Elder Orson Hyde, had started in the month of Nov. to form a settlement between one and two hundred miles east of Salt Lake City, on Green river. They were well fitted out with farming utensils, and every thing necessary for the formation of a permanent settlement. A colony formed in that vicinity will be of great importance in rendering aid and assistance to the weary emigrant, as he pursues his tedious and lonely track towards Oregon and California. The emigrating Saints will, also, reap much benefit in finding settlements of their own brethren near two hundred miles east of their destination. It is to be hoped that this little colony will flourish and prosper.

The Indians of the territory appear to be more friendly than they were a few months since. The massacre of Captain Gunnison and party was by a band of the Par-van-tes who were highly exasperated by the brutal conduct of a company of California emigrants, under the command of a man by the name of Hillsworth, who had wantonly killed one of their number and wounded two others; previous to this, that small tribe had been friendly with the whites. The Saints have constantly studied the welfare of the red-men, although they have, in some few instances, been reluctantly compelled to defend themselves against their depredations. The Indians in that territory, near our settlements, are in a ten fold more prosperous condition than they were previous to the location of the Saints in the country. Through the wise and humane policy of Governor Young, and of the people generally, there is a bright prospect of extending civilization and Christianity among the uncultivated and savage tribes of the interior. Already many of their children are being comfortably clothed and fed, and are acquiring the first rudiments of an English education. And it is to be hoped, that not many years hence, we shall see whole tribes laying aside the tomahawk and scalping knife, and pursuing the peaceful avocations of a civilized life.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Utah

(From the Deseret News to July 26, six weeks later than previous advices.)

On the 16th of June, the workmen began at the southeast corner to lay the foundation for the Temple Block, in Salt Lake City. It is to be of stone, two hundred and forty feet square.

The News says it is quite probable that the richest product of Green River county will be the coal from the extensive, rich, and thick coal beds of Bitter creek, unavailable at present, merely from the lack of facilities for transportation to our settlement.

PEACE WITH THE INDIANS -- PROSPERITY. -- The Deseret News says: Our red neighbors remain friendly towards the whites; but there are rumors of slight disturbances, and one or two small fights between the Green River Snakes and the Uinta Utahs

All kinds of vegetation is growing rapidly, and give indication of an abundant harvest/ The wheat especially looks unusually well.

A correspondent writing from, Manti July 5, says" On the 4th instant, Walker and his band all left with friendly feelings; we gave them fat cattle and a quantity of flour. About the first of June last, some Indians came in and reported that the two Spaniards which Fremont sent back for some cached articles had been killed. They said that soon after the Spaniards took out the articles, some Indians rushed upon them, killed them and took the property, scattering the contents of the mail sacks, and destroying the surveying instruments.

I have not been able to learn what Indians committed this outrage. "All's well," and Manti will soon become a beautiful and populous city; and a good portion of the coming emigration would do well to settle in Sanpete valley, where they will find timber and fuel in abundance and easy of access, water plenty, and soil and grazing excellent.

Harmony, about three hundred miles south of Great Salt Lake City, is the extreme southern settlement of the Mormons. The News says: The southern settlements are reported to be full of industry, energy, and enterprise in farming, building, and various other useful avocations, and rejoicing in the midst of prosperity, in peace, general health, and union.

The wheat fields of Utah are very extensive this year, and promise a most abundant harvest.

AID FOR THE NEW CONVERTS. -- Brigham Young has called upon the heads of families to send out teams and supplies for the brethren on the road, and to receive them and give them employment and food until the harvest of 1855.

The News states that goods to the value of one million dollars are on the road from Missouri to Deseret.

JOHN SMITH TO BE PATRIARCH. -- At a meeting of the Saints on the 28th of June, missionaries were appointed to many distant lands, and John Smith, the eldest son of Hiram Smith, was voted to be ordained the Patriarch over the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We quote from the London Times an account of the trial of a Scotchman indicted for disturbing a meeting of Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, in London recently. The defense was, the meeting was called for immoral and impious purposes. The London Times thinks the court erred in finding the prisoner guilty. It says:

"We do not propose that a man shall be persecuted because he is a Mormonite, but we submit to the good sense of the country that he should not be entitled to call himself a 'Protestant dissenter,' and as such to claim rights and privileges which were intended for others. We should be grieved, indeed, to see the great principles of religious toleration infringed; but are we, under the name of religious toleration, to sanction and protect assemblages of persons gathered together for the purpose of setting Christianity at defiance, turning its doctrines into ridicule, and bringing its practice into contempt?

"Be it observed, we are not pleading the cause of the Church of England, as by law established in any peculiar manner. If we are not supported by the common opinion of English churchmen, of Protestant dissenters of every form, of Roman Catholics, of Unitarians, and others, being the Queen's subject, let our words go for nothing. We are pleading the cause of religion against blasphemy -- of reason against Bedlam -- and decline at once entering into the consideration of any analogy which an expert casuist might suggest between the situation of Roman Catholic minorities in Protestant countries, or vice versa, and of the Mormonites in Christian England. If a man does not see the profound absurdity and wickedness of a recognition on the part of the state of the 'Mormonites' as a sect of Protestant dissenters, we will not trouble him with more argument upon the subject. These men call themselves Christians, it is true; but at the same time they proclaim that the Christian dispensation has been superseded by the Mormonite Bible -- Christ has been dethroned, and Joe Smith, the Yankee swindler, reigns in His place. Nor do they leave the question simply as one of theory. Their rules of practice -- such as the one which provides for a plurality of wives -- most certainly disentitle them to the protection of any orderly and decent community."

______

MORMONISM  IN  ENGLAND.

(see original article in London paper)

Notes: (forthcoming)

ICARIA -- M.  CABET.

We have noticed in the Globe several times within the last four or five years, the purposes, propositions, and doings of M. Cabet, the father, founder, and gerent -- manager of the Society of French Communists, now established at Nauvoo, but finally to be translated to the Slate of Iowa. Icaria was to have been established originally somewhere in the northwest of Texas, and a detachment of communists left France, under the direction; of M. Cabet, for that land of promise, of the whereabouts of which, however, they could hear nothing on their arrival at New Orleans -- became disheartened, dissatisfied, disgusted, and finally incensed against M. Cabet, whom they accused -- unjustly it afterwards appeared -- of having swindled them out of their money. His standing in the world is that of an honest, intelligent, benevolent, and well meaning man, rather too enthusiastic, and in some things a little visionary. The Icaria in Texas having been abandoned, or rather never having been found, M. Cabet pitched his tent at Nauvoo, temporarily, where for four or five years his colony, as he calls it, has been exerting itself to prosper, though it has not so far prospered in any remarkable degree, or to our apprehension, encouraging degree. But M. Cabet thinks differently, and as he has all our good wishes, we hope that we are the party mistaken. He is now publishing a little newspaper in French, which he calls the Icarian Colony, and in it he gives a good deal of information about this society. It is "based," he says, "upon fraternity, solidarity, equality, liberty, and unity; upon education and labor; marriage and the ties of family. It is a mutual and universal insurance company, the realization of democracy, of a republic and of Christianity in its primitive purity."

A society with such a foundation as this to rest upon, ought to be permanent and prosperous. We think Christianity had better been left out, for the reason that it may mislead some and induce them to believe that it is in some way a religious society, which is not the fact. Christianity and every other religion is completely ignored; that is, none is recognized and none is prohibited. Everyone is at liberty to believe what he pleases, and worship as he pleases provided he lives according to the Icarian constitution. This is the sine qua non, and after that a member may be a Jew, a Turk, a Christian, or a Mormon -- polygamy, however, is not recognized by the Icarian laws and regulations.

The colony is now composed of between four and five hundred individuals, among which are to be found one American and one Englishman. We are surprised that there is even one of our countrymen there. Communism is little suited to the genius, or habits, or tastes of our people. They are too fond of doing what they please, of going whither they please, and of their freedom from any sort of restraint, ever to become communistic in their ideas. Communism will therefore never flourish in this country except as an exotic. Foreigners may form communities and prosper, but the native accessions will be very few. The French are so social in their habits, and so fond of talking, that it suits them better than it does either the Englishman or the Anglo-American, who retains always something more or less of Johnbullism or of Jonathanism, about them that would render them not a very great acquisition to the French communists. A dozen Americans would be likely to break them up, for they would agitate forthwith for more personal liberty, and if they did not get it, would come out with a platform, and raise the standard of revolt, and then delenda est Icaria.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A Utah correspondent of the St. Louis Republican says that Lieutenant Beckwith has succeeded in finding a new route from Great Salt Lake City to Carson Valley, which, in addition to being as good or better than the old northern routes for grass and water, &c., shortens the distance to California at least one hundred and fifty miles. The road is considered good, and, on many accounts, it will doubtless be far preferable to the old one. This is the route for the railroad from Great Salt Lake City to the coast, according to the views of men who appear to take an interest in the matter, and is doubtless not only feasible but far more direct than any which has been heretofore suggested. It has long been supposed that a practicable route could be found in that direction, but it is now reduced to a certainty.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(From the Independence Agrarian.)

Great Salt Lake.

The mail arrived on the evening of the 1st, bringing full files of the Deseret News, from which such extracts have been taken as were deemed likely to interest our readers. What fellows la from information furnished by Mr. Magraw, one of the contractors, who came through with the mail:

In the United States court, Chief Justice Kinny presiding, assisted by John Schaffer. Longhair and Antelope, two Utah Indians, were tried for murder, committed in Utah county on the 8th day of August, 1854, on the bodies of two Mormon lads, found guilty, and sentenced to be hung on the 15th ultimo. Affairs in Utah are prosperous.

Mr. Magraw heard that gold had been discovered on Sweet Water, and that quite a number of persons were prospecting on that river and its tributaries. Reports represented that the prospects were flattering.

There are now on the way across the plains about forty Mormon missionaries, under charge of Elder Taylor; destined for all quarters of the world. They travel in company with about an equal number of returning Californians; and together with about twenty traders and explorers, they make a party of about one hundred; probably the last considerable party that will come eastward this season.

The trading house on Deer Creek, about eighty miles west of Laramie, when passed, was almost entirely consumed, and most of the outbuildings were in flames, everything indicated it was the work of hostile Indians. The inmates were understood to have left in consequence of the previous difficulties at Laramie. Saw no Indians that day except four Arapahoes.

Seventy-five miles west of Salt Creek, passed a party of fourteen Pawnees, supposed to be the same which attacked a party of Californians, wounding one, a few nights previous, on that stream. From signs of blood on the ground of the attack, the supposition was, that at least one Indian had been killed, and the party worsted in the fight.

The company has been compelled to abandon its station, built at considerable expense, at Ash Hollow, on the North Platte, in consequence of a notification from the head chief of the Sioux nation, that he would cut the throats of all found there after a given day. The employees of the company chose the alternative of going to Scott's Bluffs, eighty miles further west.

Met, this side of Kearney, half a dozen different trains ,belonging to resident Indian traders, being probably all that are on the route. They are getting on well.

Grass remarkably scarce west of Laramie, partly in consequence of the immense number of stock driven across the plains, and partly owing to the work of the grasshoppers.

All was quiet at Laramie, the Sioux having disappeared after the massacre, and supposed to have gone to White river, or Old Woman's Fork, from seventy to a hundred miles distant from the fort.

Two days before arriving at Kearney, Indians, supposed to be Sioux, stampeded twenty-two head of Government horses and mules, about an hour before sun in the morning, and within half a mile of the fort. They were pursued by the soldiers, but with what success is not known.


Notes: (forthcoming)

POLYGAMY  DEFENDED  BY
MORMON  ELDER.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a letter from James McKnight, a Mormon Elder, with two wives, in which he defends polygamy, and says:

"Our young ladies, accomplished and beautiful, often choose a man with ten, or twenty, or forty wives, in preference to an attractive young gentleman who has not one; thus showing their good taste, and regard for age and experience. If one of your most polite, fashionable, and fascinating young gentlemen should come here, he would find it very difficult to get a wife; and if he succeeded at all, she would in all probability be one whom our gray-headed and infirm old men would refuse."

He also contends that there is more humanity among the Mormons in the family of a man who has ten wives, than in the mass of families elsewhere, where one wife presides mistress of the house, husband and children. This is attributed to the fact, that in the Mormon belief "the husband is the head of the wife, and her Lord and Saviour, and unless she is obedient and submissive to him, she cannot be saved." He says further: "There are instances of from six to ten wives habiting one dwelling and living amicably; though for the most part each wife has her own house, and rules her own children. The children are under the mother's care until they arrive at maturity, or at an age when the father needs their services."

There is more of the same vulgar pretensions and degrading sophistry with which these miserable polygamists attempt to excuse themselves, and commend their salacious theories to the world.


Notes: (forthcoming)

From Utah.

Louisville, November 1. -- The Salt Lake mail arrived at Independence, Missouri, on Sunday last, but brings little news of interest.

Business in the valley was recovering, although money was not very abundant.

More amicable relations existed between the Mormons and the various tribes of Indians, and the latter were very quiet and had discontinued their depredations.

Messrs. Ward and Gurry had moved their trading post further up the mountains.

Two companies of United States troops were met near Fort Kearney.

The prairies had been pretty well burnt off by the Indians and grass was only to be found in certain spots.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS -- WHAT OF THEIR FUTURE? -- The newspapers from various parts of the country are discussing the anomalous position of the Mormons, and especially the policy that should be pursued by the United States, should application be made for the admission of Utah as a member of the Confederacy. Generally speaking, the ground taken is, that the Mormons should at once be made to yield obedience to the laws, and that the longer this duty is postponed, the greater will be the difficulty on the part of the national authorities. It is now conceded that the Mormons are, in the first place, polygamists; that in the second, they consider themselves saints, or superior beings; and in the third, they are governed by so-called prophets or priests, the chief of whom is Brigham Young. Should such people, with such principles, be admitted into the Union? Or if admitted, should they not be compelled, as a preliminary step, to abolish the odious features of their system? But, suppose that Brigham Young and the other elders and priests, seeing this condition of affairs, should not apply for admission, should the Mormons be allowed to increase and multiply, and to form a peculiar Empire, within the soil of the American Republic. And this, indeed, is the question which the Government and people of the United Stales will be called upon, sooner or later, to decide.

The Charleston Mercury, we perceive, expresses the opinion that the Mormons have acquired the "right to possess the peculiar region of country that they occupy, and if they cannot enjoy its possession in common with the United States, they have the right to enjoy it to themselves." This is a novel view of an interesting question, but one, we incline to the opinion, that will not bear the test of investigation. If the Mormons have any right to establish such a government within the Republic, other bands of adventurers would have a similar right, and in the course of time we should find many singular fanaticisms, combinations, and dynasties, occupying important points of our territory, and fomenting all sorts of mischief. -- Penn. Enquirer.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS have sent out more Elders as Missionaries, one of whom, John Taylor, is one of the Twelve Apostles. His destination is New York City, where he is to publish a newspaper. He is accompanied by assistants and counselors.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Governor of Utah.

We understand that the President has nominated to the Senate Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Steptoe, of the United Stales Army, to be Governor of Utah, in the place of Governor Young, who was appointed by President Fillmore. Colonel Steptoe, who is in lineal rank a captain of artillery, and who has been twice breveted for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec, is, of course, well known to the whole country in that relation. In addition to this, all who are acquainted with him, either personally or in his official capacity, bear testimony to the dignity and manliness of his character, his intelligence, his extensive information upon subjects not connected with his profession, his eminent discretion, and to the conscientious and religious temper of his mind. All these are qualities which signally fit him for the delicate and important duty of Governor of a Territory so peculiar in its condition and population as Utah.

We do not apprehend that the substitution of Colonel Steptoe for Governor Young will be attended with any inconvenience. We confide much in the practical good sense of the inhabitants of Utah, notwithstanding their peculiar institutions, and not less in the combined moderation, firmness, and sagacity of Colonel Steptoe, who has been for some time encamped with his command near Salt Lake City. -- Union of this morning.


Note: The "eminent discretion... and religious temper" of Col. Steptoe served him well enough to decline the President's nomination, after that "meritorious" gentleman was caught in a compromising and embarrassing "woman trap" engineered by the Mormon leaders in Utah.

The New Governor of Utah.

We have announced the appointment of Colonel Steptoe as Governor of the Territory of Utah. The following account of the appointee is from the pen of the Washington correspondent of the New York Evening Post:

"Edward Jenner Steptoe, now about forty years of age, is a native of Virginia, and was graduated with high reputation in the artillery corps of West Point. He was for many years stationed at Fort Adams, Newport, and at the beginning of the Mexican war obtained a command as captain of artillery in the American Army. For his gallant conduct he was breveted at Chepultepec and Cerro Gordo. During the whole war he was an intimate friend of General Pierce, and was greatly in favor with the officers and soldiers, from whom, on account of his strict observance of the rules of the Episcopal Church, to which he belongs, and his general uprightness, he received the title of 'the immaculate Steptoe.' After the war he was again placed at Newport, where he remained as lieutenant-colonel by brevet until his departure, in the fall of the present year, to the Territory of Utah.

"Colonel Steptoe arrived at his camp at the Great Salt Lake City, where he now has command of over three hundred men. His management of the Mormons is said thus far to have evinced a firmness and accommodation that have produced a favorable impression upon a class of people not easily pleased. I am told that he is the first of the 'Gentiles' that has been honored by the hospitality of Brigham Young, who, however, may not be so placably disposed after the arrival of the order for his removal.

"Whether Colonel Steptoe accepts or not is yet undecided. Before his departure he was spoken to on the subject by the President, but returned no definite reply. If he should enter upon the office, great prudence will be required even for the preservation of his little army, surrounded, as it is, by an armed force of seven thousand men, completely at the disposal of Brigham Young. There were reports lately that a division was existing among the Mormon soldiery; but the last arrival from there indicates that they are without foundation -- Brigham having formally propounded the question to them, whether they regarded him as God's vicegerent, and receiving a unanimous reply in the affirmative.

"Colonel Steptoe is, as his friends say, a man of remarkably handsome and commanding appearance, courteous and dignified manners, irreproachable private life, and his qualifications, as a scholar and a civilian, would secure him eminence should he turn his attention to legislative and political life. He wields a ready pen, and was thus of great service in promoting the election of General Pierce to the Presidency.

"Whether his mission will prove efficacious in settling the troubles which threaten our Government from the decisive course it has chosen to pursue is regarded by the Administration as extremely problematical. They are, however, resolved to face and suppress them at all hazards -- by the iron hand if necessary. It has been proposed, to obviate the embarrassments which will result from the organization of an exclusively Mormon Territory, to divide Utah into four parts, annexing one to California and distributing the remaining three among the three surrounding Territories. In this way the Saints would be mingled with the populations of other governments, so as to prevent their exercising a dangerous influence as a single concentrated political organization. The geographical divisions might thus be somewhat irregular and inconvenient, but the counter-balancing advantage would perhaps justify the measure."


Notes: (forthcoming)

Interesting from Utah -- Mormon Opinion
of Colonel Steptoe, &c.

October 26, which is one week later than the intelligence received by the last steamer from California. The News says:

"Governor Young and suite returned on the 18th, having been absent eight days on a trip to Manti and the intervening settlements. Talks were had with the Indians on the route, who, with few exceptions, manifested friendly feelings, and a strong desire for the continuance of peaceful relations. Much counsel and instruction on the policy to pursue with our red neighbors, and on other matters, was given to the inhabitants in each settlement.

"The notorious Washcar, or Squash-head, told Governor Young 'that he had been mad, and had acted foolishly, but had got over it now, and would do better; and as he was very poor, if he would give him a blanket he would go out hunting, and get his living honestly.' The Governor overlooked Squash-head's past folly, and gave him a blanket, being well aware that, as we have been twenty-four years in severe drill to learn what we know; we should be very lenient to the natives, who have to start from a position so far below the vantage ground we had at the beginning."

The following is from the some paper:

"While tending Governor Young's large circular saw, the man who carries off the slabs, and boards, accidentally let a loose board touch the teeth of the saw, when it was hurled from his hands like lightning, and the end of it struck Brother Bingham Bement on his left side and in front, passing across his bowels. Notwithstanding all the help that medical and other skill could afford, Brother Bement failed rapidly, and died on the morning of the 23d October. He was about 35 years old. In him our community has suffered the loss of an industrious, intelligent, and faithful saint."

Elder Orson Hyde, one of the big guns of the Mormon church, and second only to Brigham himself in regulating the affairs of Utah and Great Salt Lake City, endorses Col. Steptoe in the following mandate:

"Col. Steptoe, of the United States Army, with his command, is now in our Territory, and expects to winter with us. This gentlemanly officer and his associates, have the good will of our society, and have, thus far, acted in a manner becoming officers of their rank. The colonel wishes his men to conform to the best principles and rules of moral society, and, if we mistake not, has given orders to this effect. Will the trading citizens of this town sell to the soldiers liquor, by which their own peace, and that of their families, may be disturbed? If they will, do not attach the blame to the officers, but to our own citizens, who, for paltry gain, will corrupt the soldiers, and themselves also, by a traffic that worketh death instead of life. So far as I am a witness, the officers and the men, with few exceptions, of the United States Army, now in our midst, take extra pains to have all things move on happily and amicably, and it affords me pleasure to be able to bear this testimony in their behalf. It is hoped that all the citizens in the southern country will receive Colonel Steptoe and his command with cordiality and kindness, for his high minded and gentlemanly bearing merit this testimonial of our respect and esteem.
                  Respectfully,        ORSON HYDE.
.
When the news reaches Salt Lake that Brigham Young is displaced, and that Colonel Steptoe is to take the reins of government, and administer to the wants of the Mormons after the style that it is done in New Hampshire, we should not be surprised to hear quite a different story from Elder Hyde.

We find the following notices in the News:

FELLOWSHIP WITHDRAWN.

The Seventies of Lake City, Utah county, have withdrawn the hand of fellowship from Arza Adams and Robert Plunkett. October 13, 1854. D. D. HUNT, President.

NOTICE -- TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

Enoch M. King is disfellowshipped from the Church of Jesus Church of Latter Day Saints, for repeatedly refusing to conform to the rules of said church, in the law of tithing.   JAMES HENDRIX, Bishop.
A. H. RALEIGH, Clerk.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- Speaking of the possibility of a collision between the Mormons of Utah and the United States authorities, growing out of the appointment of Colonel Steptoe to the governorship of that Territory, the Louisville Journal says:

"Terrible as a collision at this time between the General Government and the Mormons might be, we say, unhesitatingly, let it come, if it must. Let the legitimate authority of the United States be maintained in the Territory of Utah, even if, in order to that end, the whole Mormon population have to be driven out or annihilated. All appearances indicate unerringly, sooner or later, a conflict between the Mormons and the lawful authorities of the nation must take place, and if so, surely the sooner it takes place the better. And it is especially desirable, and vastly important that, whenever the conflict occurs, our Government shall be clearly and indisputably in the right, as it certainly will be in asserting and maintaining, by force, its right to appoint the Governor of Utah. The Mormons are a most pestilent people, and a great many persons insist that the General Government shall put down polygamy among them. We have no idea that the Government has a right to attempt this, but it has a right to govern Utah as it governs other Territories; and, as a conflict at no distant day must, from the very character of Mormonism, and the whole conduct of its devotees, occur from one cause or another, we are not unwilling that those horrible fanatics should take ground for the maintenance of their profligate prophet as Governor, and bring on the issue now."


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormonism --Polygamy.

Polygamy, just now, seems to be the all engrossing subject, and in the Deseret News we find a number of columns devoted to a lecture upon the subject by Elder Orson Hyde. He says:

I know that this doctrine is made the subject of a great deal of ridicule. I know that the world at large who profess to be pious, or, if not pious, morally upright, look upon it as a damning sin -- as a stain upon the bright escutcheon of their country, here in the very heart of the United States Territory, surrounded by tall mountains -- they consider it a dark spot in the country's history. Many of the great politicians of the day view it in this point of light. Religionists are still more scrupulous; they regard it as a heinous and damning sin.

Jesus Christ a Polygamist. -- Now, suppose I should set out myself, and travel through the cities of the nation as a celebrated reformer, preaching revelations and sentiments as lofty as the skies, and rolling out ideas strange and new, to which the multitude were entirely unaccustomed, and wherever I went, suppose I had with me three or four women -- one combing my head, another washing my feet, and another shedding tears upon them and wiping them with the hair of her head. Suppose I should lean upon them and they upon me -- would it not appear monstrous in the eyes of the world? Would they ride me into Jerusalem upon an ass's colt, and cast branches of palm tree beneath my feet, shouting "Hosanna! blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" I guess they would give me a coat of tar and feathers, and ride me on a rail; and it is my opinion they would serve the Saviour the same, did he go about now as he did eighteen hundred years ago.

Mary and Martha, Wives of Jesus. -- How was it with Mary and Martha, and other women that followed him? In old times, and it is common in this day, the women, even as Sarah, called their husbands Lord; the word Lord is tantamount to husband in some languages; master, lord, husband, are about synonymous. In England we frequently hear the wife say, "Where is my master?" She did not mean a tyrant; but as Sarah called her husband Lord, she designated hers by the word master. When Mary of old came to the sepulcher on the first day of the week, instead of finding Jesus, she saw two angels in white. "And they said unto her, woman, why weepest thou? She said unto them, because they have taken away my lord, or husband, and I know not where they have lain him. When she had thus said, she turned back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary; she turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say master." Is there not here manifested the affections of a wife? These words spake the kindred ties and sympathies that are common to that relation of husband and wife