Freaks of Popular Sovereignty Among the Mormons
-- Resignation of W. W. Drummond, Chief Justice of Utah.

From the New Orleans Courier, April 3.

NEW GOVERNOR OF UTAH. -- We had the gratification yesterday morning of a call from Judge W. W. Drummond, of Chicago, late Chief Justice of Utah Territory. He was in that condition of fine health and spirits in which we always rejoice to see good, sturdy, manly democrats. He entertained us for a considerable time with an account of his personal and judicial experience among the saints, and of their manners, habits, history, notions and purposes. Although we were disgusted with this set of miserable fanatics from accounts which had already reached us, some relations given by Judge Drummond, in addition to those contained in his letter to Attorney-General Black, added many revolting shades to the picture.

The Judge's position, as administrator of civil and criminal law in the territory, has been such as to give him a better and probably more intimate knowledge of the workings of teh whole Mormon system than is possessed now by any one out of Utah or in it. His duties as the representative of federal judicial authority have shown him where the supreme rule of that superstition-fettered host rests, whose is the will that sawys the destinies of a considerable nation. what the motive that binds a hundred thousand inhabitants to the girdle of Brigham Young, and what the use made of their power by that astute, capable and bold hypocrite and his subordinates.

The leading characteristic of the followers of the modern Mahomet seems to be settled and abiding hatred of all "Gentiles," as they are pleased to style all who do not subscribe to their dogmas and conform to their unique and revolting creed. Although they come mainly from the Northern portion of this Republic, they look upon the United States with no other feeling than hatred. Patriotic love for the country which gave them birth, and which they disgrace has no place in their bosoms. They have been taught to look upon the United States Government as an oppressive one, whose authority they have a right to resist. All those who are without the pale of the Latter-Day Saints, whether in or out of the territory which they have usurped, they regard as their enemies. They either set at open defiance the decrees of our courts, or dictate to grand or petit juries the indictments they shall report or the verdict they shall render. In notable cases, where the guilt of criminals has been as apparent as the noon-day sun, Young and his fellow prophets have forbidden Mormon juries to render a verdict of conviction. In one instance, where a poor helpless dumb boy was tortured in many ways for months, barbarously beaten, and then, while in the agony of his mortal wounds, was fettered and drowned in a brook; when his brutal murderer was sentenced to the penitentiary, Brigham Young took him from the hands of the officer, led him into the tabernacle, proclaimed his absolute pardon, forbade any one to arrest him, and gave him a seat at his tight hand!

If Indians commit depredations on Mormons they are punished without delay or scruple, but if they rob or murder "Gentiles," the prophet extends his protection, and forbids juries to pronounce them guilty. No law except what emanates from the supreme hierarchy, receives the slightest regard.

The right of private property among the Mormons is almost unknown. Whatever the rulers need they always find means to obtain. "The Lord needs it," is a warrant sufficient to enable Young and his Council to sieze upon any property in Utah, and remonstrance is not only useless but dangerous. If a wealthy disciple arrives from the States, the Church (Young) immediately lays hold of just such a share of his goods as he pleases. -- The portion, of which the former owner is suffered to retain nominal possession, he is compelled to manage according to the dictation of some prophet or priest. If the prophet says to his neighbor "Plant that field with potatoes," the farmer would lose his lands and, perhaps his life, were he to refuse. The counsel he is thus obliged to obey, he is also compelled to ask. The result is, that the actual possession of the great mass of all the real and personal property in Utah is in the foul oligarchy of Young and his immediate subordinates.

But if the control over the property of Mormons is tyrannical, that exercised over their most sacred private and family affairs is still more so. If a father has a child, fair and innocent, whom he cherishes and loves, and if she captivates the fancy of some leading Mormon, she will be taken from her home by the decree of the elders, and given up by the ceremony of "sealing" to become the fortieth or fiftieth wife to an old villain, while her predecessors, who have grown old in the same guilty and abominable connection, become his household or cornfield servants. It often happens that a man is sealed to two women at the same ceremony, and cases are not rare when one of the wives so acquired is lost by a divorce before breakfast the next morning!

The account given by Judge Drummond of many of these connections, where sometimes a mother and two or three of her daughters were all sealed to the same man, presents a picture of beastly barbarity. Could a correct idea of thses horrible transactions be made known throughout the country, a crusade would be preached against this foul horde that would soon put an end to their sway.

We were not a little gratified to learn that none or but very few of these Mormons are natives of Southern States. Such a fact speaks volumes in refutation of the mean slanders of abolitionists against Southern society. We would congratulate our our fellow-citizens of the Northern States upon being rid of so many of their fanatics by emigration to Utah, did we not know that for every one that has left there are hundreds more whose superstition and bigotry are equal in degree if different in form. Mormonism, communism, Maine Liquor Lawism, agrarianism and abolitionism are all obscenae volueres of the same plumage, one of which are made less odious by any mutual hatred that may exist among them.

RESIGNATION  OF  JUDGE  DRUMMOND.

To the Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, Attorney General of the United States, Washington City, D. C.:

MY DEAR SIR: As I have concluded to resign the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah, which position I accepted in A. D. 1854, under the administration of President Pierce, I deem it due to the public to give some of the reasons why I do so. In the first place, Brigham Young, the governor of Utah Territory, is the acknowledged head of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," commonly called "Mormons"; and, as such head, the Mormons look to him, and to him alone, for the law by which they are to be governed: therefore no law of Congress is by them considered binding in any manner.

Secondly. I know that there is a secret oath-bound organization among all the male members of the church to resist the laws of the country, and to acknowledge no law save the law of the "Holy Priesthood," which comes to the people through Brigham Young direct from God; he, Young, being the vicegerent of God and prophetic successor of Joseph Smith, who was the founder of this blind and treasonable organization.

Thirdly I am fully aware that there is a set of men, set apart by special order of the Church, to take both the lives and property of persons who may question the authority of the church, (the names of whom I will promptly make known at a future time).

Fourthly. That the records, papers, &c., of the supreme court have been destroyed by order of the church, with the direct knowledge and approbation of Governor B. Young, and the federal officers grossly insulted for presuming to raise a single question about the treasonable act.

Fifthly. That the federal officers of the Territory are constantly insulted, harassed, and annoyed by the Mormons, and for these insults there is no redress.

Sixthly. That the federal officers are daily compelled to hear the form of the American government traduced, the chief executives of the nation, both living and dead, slandered and abused from the masses, as well as from all the leading members of the Church, in the most vulgar, loathsome, and wicked manner that the evil passions of men can possibly conceive.

Again: That after Moroni Green had been convicted in the district court before my colleague, Judge Kinney, of an assault with intent to commit murder, and afterwards, on appeal to the supreme court, the judgment being affirmed and the said Green being sentenced to the penitentiary, Brigham Young gave a full pardon to the said Green before he reached the penitentiary; also, that the said Governor Young pardoned a man by the name of Baker, who had been tried and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment in the penitentiary, for the murder of a dumb boy by the name of White House, the proof showing one of the most aggravated cases of murder that I ever knew being tried; and to insult the court and government officers, this man Young took this pardoned criminal with him, in proper person, to church on the next Sabbath after his conviction; Baker, in the meantime, having received a full pardon from Governor Brigham Young. These two men were Mormons.

On the other hand, I charge the Mormons, and Governor Young in particular, with imprisoning five or six young men from Missouri and Iowa, who are now in the penitentiary of Utah, without those men having violated any criminal law in America. But they were anti-Mormons -- poor, uneducated young men on their way for California; but because they emigrated from Illinois, Iowa, or Missouri, and passed by Great Salt Lake City, they were indicted by a probate court, and most brutally and inhumanly dealt with, in addition to being summarily incarcerated in the saintly prison of the Territory of Utah. I also charge Governor Young with constantly interfering with the federal courts, directing the Grand Jury whom to indict and whom not; and after the Judges charge the Grand Juries as to their duties, that this man Young invariably has some member of the Grand Jury advised in advance as to his will in relation to their labors, and that his charge thus given is the only charge known, obeyed, or received by all the Grand Juries of the federal courts of Utah Territory

Again, sir, after a careful and mature investigation, I have been compelled to come to the conclusion, heart-rending and sickening as it may be, that Captain John W. Gunnison, and his party of eight others, were murdered by the Indians in 1858, under the orders, advice, and direction of the Mormons; that my illustrious and distinguished predecessor, Hon. Leonidas Shaver, came to his death by drinking poisoned liquors, given to him under the order of the leading men of the Mormon Church in Great Salt Lake City; that the late secretary of the Territory, A. W. Babbitt, was murdered on the plains by a band of Mormon marauders, under the particular and special order of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and J. M. Grant, and not by the Indians, as reported by the Mormons themselves; and that they were sent from Salt Lake City for that purpose, and that only; and as members of the Danite Band they were bound to do the will of B. Young as the head of the Church, or forfeit their own lives.

These reasons, with many others that I might give, which would be too heart-rending to insert in this communication, have induced me to resign the office of Justice of the territory of Utah, and again return to my adopted State of Illinois. My reason, sir, for making this communication thus public is, that the democratic party, with which I have always strictly acted, is the party now in power, and therefore is the party the should now be held responsible for the treasonable and disgraceful state of affairs that now exists in Utah territory. I could, sir, if necessary, refer to a cloud of witnesses to attest the reason I have given, and the charges, bold as they are, against those despots who rule with an iron hand their hundred thousand souls in Utah, and their two hundred thousand souls out of that notable territory, but shall not do so, for the reason that the lives of such gentlemen as I should designate in Utah and in California would not be safe for a single day.

In conclusion, sir, I have to say that, in my career as Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah territory, I have the consolation of knowing that I did my duty; that neither threats nor intimidations drove me from that pat; upon the other hand, I am pained to say that I accomplished little good while there; that the judiciary is only treated as a farce. The only rule of law by which the infatuated followers of this curious people will be governed, is the law of the church, and that emanates from Governor Brigham Young, and him alone.

I do believe that, if there was a man put in office as Governor of that territory, who is not a member of the church (Mormon,) and he supported with a sufficient military aid, that much good would result from such a course; but, as the territory is now governed, and as it has been since the administration of Mr. Fillmore, at which time Young received his appointment as Governor, it is noon-day madness and folly to attempt to administer the law in that territory. The officers are insulted, harassed, and murdered for doing their duty, and not recognizing Brigham Young as the only law-giver and law-maker on earth. Of this every man can bear incontestable evidence who has been willing to accept an appointment in Utah; and I assure you, sir, that no man would be willing to risk his life and property in that territory after once trying the sad experiment.

With an earnest desire that the present administration will give due and timely aid to the officers that may be so unfortunate as to accept situations in that territory, and that the withering curse which now rests upon this nation by virtue of the peculiar and heart-rending in. situations of the territory of Utah may be speedily removed, to the honor and credit of our happy country,

   I now remain your obedient servant,
                                                    W. W. DRUMMOND,
                                            Justice Utah Territory.
March 30, A. D. 1857.


Notes: (forthcoming)

NEW GOVERNOR OF UTAH. -- The Washington Union announces, at the head of its leading editorial column, that it understands that the Governorship of Utah Territory has been tendered to Major Benjamin McCullough, of Texas, and "that there is every reason to believe he will accept the office," The Union says: "It would be difficult to name another person who combines in himself so many qualities for the successful discharge of the duties of this important and delicate trust as are undoubtedly possessed by major McCollough." This reads much as if the Administration intended bestowing unequivocal attention upon the Salt Lake community. It is presumed that the great mass of the Mormon people will be gald to avail themselves of an opportunity to escape from the loathsome and exacting despotism of the obscene prophets, and that the notorious braggart, Brigham Young, could not, if he dare, raise much of a rebellion.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> The Utica (N. Y.) Herald of April 21st says: "Eight hundred Mormons passed through this city night before last en route for Utah. They occupied some 30 cars. They were mostly English and Scotch. One of the 'leaders' had a pleasant little responsibility of fifteen wives."


Notes: (forthcoming)

Beauties of Brigham Young.

In one of this "old sinner's" discourses at Salt Lake, we notice sundry gems, which may, perhaps, be read with the same instruction and profit, as going to show the sort of spiritual food which the "saints" in that region regale themselves with:

BRIGHAM DISCOURSES ON GOATS.

"As I have frequently said to the brethren, stop, hold on. If you have sheep, and have become a shepherd in the field of Christ, you must know your sheep, and that then they will know you, that is, if you have got sheep. Perhaps some of you are nursing a flock of goats, and do not know the difference. But if you actually have a flock of sheep, you should, instead of hallooing to them 'shoo shoo, shoo, get out of the way,' take a course, that when they hear your voice, they begin to bleat and run for their shepherd, because he has a little salt for them."

BRIGHAM CAN CHASTISE.

'When a man or woman ought to be chastised, I am able to do it, and will do it righteously. If they need a severe chastisement, I can put it on severely; if a light one, I can bear on with a light hand."

JOS. SMITH NOT RESURRECTED.

"I thought many would understand Bro. Heber as saying that Joseph was resurrected, and I take this opportunity to correct this misunderstanding. Joseph was not resurrected; and if you will visit the graves you will find the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum yet in their resting places. Do not be mistaken about that; they will be resurrected in due time."

BRIGHAM ON KEEPING SECRETS FROM WIVES.

"Some men and women fairly get sick, so that they have to go to bed. What is the matter? "O I feel that I cannot stand it any longer?" What is the matter, sister? "My husband knows something that he cannot tell me." Do some of you men know something that you cannot tell your wives? "O, I have received something in the endowment that I dare not tell my wife, and I do not know what to do about it." The man who cannot know millions of things that he would never tell his wife, will never be crowned in the celestial kingdom, never, Never, NEVER! It cannot be; it is impossible."

A WOMAN'S SECRETS LIKE A NEWSPAPER.

Do you know anything that I should keep fast locked in my bosom? Yes, thousands of things pertaining to other people, that ought to sleep as in the silent grave. Do those things go from me to Bro. Heber? No. To my wife? No, for I might as well at once publish them in a paper. Not that I wish to undervalue the ability, talent and integrity of women, for I have many women to whom I would rather reveal any secret that ought to be revealed, than nine hundred and ninety-nine out of a thousand men in this church. I know that many can keep secrets, but that is no reason why I should tell them my secrets. When I find a person that is good at keeping a secret; so am I; you can keep yours, I mine."

---

The News.

... Col. A. Cumming had been appointed Governor of Utah.

The administration have at last decided upon sending a formidable body of troops to Utah. Orders have been issued for the dispatch to that Territory of the Second regiment of dragoons, the Fifth and Tenth regiments of infantry, and Captain Phelps' battery of light artillery, numbering in all some two thousand men, under the command of Gen. Harney. This is said to be only the beginning of the movement...

The Mormons had commenced the work of expelling the Gentiles from Utah...


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the Chicago Press,

Some Facts about Mormonism.

We have had a number of interviews with the Hon. W. W. Drummond since his arival in this city from Utah, and have learned much from him of the manner in which affairs are conducted in that modern Sodom. Judge Drummond expresses freely his belief that the design of Brigham Young and the Mormon leaders generally is to build up a sovereignty in Utah, acknowledging no allegience to the Constitution and laws of the United States. Even now the Mormons draw a broad line of distinction between themselves and American citizens. They glory in the appellation of Mormon, while American is a term of reproach among them, synonymous with "Gentile."

How Gov. Young Exercises the Pardoning Power. -- Judge Drummond states that all the monstrosities that have been published concerning the Mormons, and their acts, but feebly express the condition of affairs in that Territory. The first Court he held there was at Fillmore. It occupied fifty-nine days, fifty of which he was engaged in twenty-seven cases of prosecution. The juries only convicted two -- and before they went to prison, Gov. Young pardoned both of them.

Murderers Acquitted. -- Carlos Murray, a nephew of Elder Kimball, comitted a cruel, cold-blooded murder, and fled. The Marshal -- a Mormon -- raised a posse and pursued him -- arrested him and brought him back. He was tried, and though the proof was as clear as could be, the Mormon jury, without leaving their seats, returned a verdict of not guilty, and he was acquitted! The arrest and trial of this man cost the United States about $20,000.

The Way the Mormons Fleece the Government. -- One way in which the Mormons fleece the United States Government is as follows: Some of the leaders will bring complaints against "bad Mormons" who, say they, we wish punished by the laws of the United States, so as to put ourselves right before the world. Warrants are made out, and as it is an Indian country, a posse -- Mormons of course -- is raised to assist the Marshal, who ramble over the Territory, arrest them, bring them to trial when they are acquitted by a Momron jury. Meanwhile the bill of costs is sent to the Marshal. In this way the Government is robbed of thousands of dollars.

A Mormon Leader who Killed Seven Men. -- Murder there isd almost a common occurence. One of the chiefs of the church is a notorious fellow named Wm. A. Hickman. He has murdered as many as seven persons, and has never been bro't to trial. The last man he killed was a Mormon, who would not promise not to sell goods to the "Americans." Hickman buried an axe in his brains. The murderer is the same person who figures in the scenes of which Bonney gives an account in his "Banditti of the Prairies." He has been tried for different offences in Hancock county, in this State, before Judge Purple, always contriving to evade the law.

The Design of the Mormons regarding the Indians. -- It is the design of the Mormon leaders to gain over to their side the chiefs of the various tribes of Indians -- have them baptized into the Church, and so possessed of the malignity of Mormonism towards the United States, as to make them hostile to all Americans, and in time be able to use them to accomplish their own ends.

Searching the Mails. -- The mails of the United States have been habitually broken up, and nothing can go out or come into the Territory safely unless by private carriers.

Wife Whipping. -- Whipping women is a common occurrence. Gov. Young's hired man whipped one of his (Young's) in his presence till the blood trickled down her back -- and that while the woman was within one month of her confinement. The crime was disobedience to the laws of the church.

Judge Drummond to be murdered by order of the Church. -- Elder Hyde (who has recently left them) stated that he and Hickman (spoken of above) were set specially apart, by the Danite band to murder Judge Drummond. The deed was to have been committed last July while crossing to Carson Valley. Hyde stated this publicly, before the Legislature of California.

Brigham Young indicted for Counterfeiting -- Douglas's knowledge of the fact. -- Judge Purple, of this State, informed Judge Drummond that at the time Fillmore appointed Brigham Young Governor of Utah two indictments were pending against him in the U. S. District Court for this State, for making and passing counterfeit money. Young was appointed Governor of Utah at the express solicitation and recommendation of Senator Douglas -- at the time these indictments were pending against him. -- Douglas and Fillmore are the most popular men for the Presidency in Utah. This is the reason.

How a Mormon is served when he attempts to leave Utah. -- Judge Drummond also informs us that when a Mormon makes up his mind to leave the Territory, he informs Brigham Young, who says, "Oh, yes, you can leave. Pay up your tithes -- don't steal anything -- and then you can leave and go to h--l." One man, named Benbow, from Kenosha, Wis., resolved to leave Mormondom. He paid his tithes -- paid all his debts -- settled his whole business, and starting off, taking with him his cattle, goods, and wagons. He had not proceeded homeward, however, over 150 miles, when he was overtaken by a posse, who arrested him because of a debt which was stated to be unpaid. Benbow looked at the claim, and stated that he never owed the claimant a cent; but rather than go back he would submit to the imposition, and offered to pay the sum demanded. This was not sufficient -- he must pay the costs, which he at length agreed to do, by turning out some of his stock. But no -- he must go back to Salt Lake City -- such was the order. he had to submit -- he went back, and his goods, cattle, and wagons, were taken the next day, and sold under the hammer, without trial, without law -- except the orders of the leaders of the church. He is now in Utah, without means to take him out of the Territory.

These constitute but a small portion of the revelations made to us by Judge Drummond. Is it not true, as we said the other day, that a strong arm is needed in Utah?

---

==> We print considerable interesting matter on Mormonism to-day. We learn that emissaries of these land pirates at Salt Lake are now preaching in this valley, and that they have made some converts in the Tualatin Plains. There is no doctrine so monstrous and black but what devotees can be found to it, and we presume that if a paper was started among us advocating the introduction of polygamy, 'just to save the Union," quite a number of subscribers could be had for it. The woman who will embrace Mormonism, and go to Salt Lake, deserves to have 365 husbands.


... at a call from Brigham Young of $700 per annum each, we should probably witness an emigration of several footpads, with a knapsack strapped across the back marked "for Utah." Upon arriving at Salt Lake, the "new democratic papers" that would start up, would be characterized by the same tone that is alluded to in the following item which we clip from the New Orleans Delta:

"The Deseret News (Brigham Young's organ) assumes a defiant and warlike tone; declares that the principle of squatter sovereignty shall be vindicated by the Mormons; and that under it the people of Utah have the right to choose their own institutions, without regard to the General Government."


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormon Wife.

(Written by a Mormon lady of Salt Lake City, for the Weston Argus.)

We were poor but we were happy, my good man and myself.
  For we prized each other fondly, and we craved not worldly pelf;
And our lowly little cottage was a paradise of love,
  And we fancied that the angels smiled upon us from above.

But a stranger came among us with a smooth and oily tongue,
  And my husband lent his reason to a wily syren song;
And his heart grew discontented with our rude and humble cot,
  And he panted for more freedom and a less secluded lot.

So we left our little cottage and we roamed the wild praries through,
  To the dwelling of the Prophet, the wild city of Nauvoo;
And we built a new log cabin, and we fenced a garden round,
  And commenced a new existence on its consecrated ground.

I was far away from kindred, but while he was by my side,
  I could utter not a murmur, though I often sadly sighed;
For he loved me very dearly, and was ever good and true,
  And I strove to make life happy in the city of Nauvoo.

It was evening, in jy garden, I waited his return,
  O with what affection did my earnest bosom burn!
He was more to me than stars of gold; I lived the ground he trod;
  I was bowing indolatry forgetful of my God,

He came, but one was by his side, a stranger to our roof,
  But why should afright me? could I doubt my husband's truth!
Her eye was flashing joyously with happiness and life,
  But I knew not theb as afterwards she too was his wife.

Another came, and she must share my place within his heart.
  How sank within my deepest soul grief's poison pointed dart.
My love, nor thought, nor throb, could know, but what was all his own,
  Why did he bring another queen to reign upon my throne?

Around his knees at eventime his laughing children twine,
  Alas! that I should call aught his that never can be mine,
My life has grown all burdensome, my cheek is thin and wan,
  And all its light and happiness is gone -- forever gone.

I strive to feign contentedness, to wear a cheerful smile,
  But my heart within my aching breast is breaking all the while;
Yet for a little time I know the conflict I must brave,
  Then this weary bosom shall repose within the silent grave.

Notes: (forthcoming)

BRIGHAM YOUNG, THE MORMON. -- It appears from an article in the Buffalo Commercial that President Fillmore, in appointing Brigham Young to Governorship of Utah, did so after consulting many respectable persons in the several States, among them Col. Thos. L. Kane, of Philadelphia, a brother of the late Dr. Kane the Artic navigator. Col. Kane spent many months in Utah, and at that time formed a high opinion of Brigham Young. It seems, however, that at the time the appointment was made, the doctrine of polygamy was not avowed by the Mormons, and that if they practiced it, they did so and concealed the fact from the world. They have since incorporated it in their creed as one of their leading articles, and have openly defended it, and hence the just indignation which has everywhere been expressed throughout the country. It is further stated that Brigham's nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate without the slightest opposition.

---

Summary Death of Elder Pratt.

Seduction of a Wife in California -- she deserts her Husband, steals away her children, and is sealed as the ninth concubine to her debaucher.

It is with regret we have to chronicle the homicide, committed in our vicinity on Wednesday last, by Mr. Hector H. McLean, late of San Francisco, California, upon the person of a Mormon preacher. -- More than all do we deplore the melancholy affair that led to its commission. -- The deceased, whose name was Parley Parker Pratt, was a man of note among the Mormons, and judging from his diary and his letter to Mrs. McLean, he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability. He had been a preacher and missionary of the Mormons at San Francisco, California, where he made the acquaintance of Mrs. McLean, whom he induced to embrace the Mormon faith.

She was at that time living with her husband, Hector H. McLean; they were happy and prosperous until she made the acquaintance of Pratt, and embraced the Mormon faith. She is the mother of three children by McLean, two boys and one girl, and seemed to be an intelligent and interesting lady; converses fluently, and with more grace and ease than most of ladies. About two years ago, and soon after she became a convert to Mormonism, she made an attempt to abduct two of her children to Utah, but was detected and prevented by her brother, who was then in California, and residing with his brother-in-law, Mr. McLean. She soon after, however, found means to elope with said Pratt to Salt Lake, where it is said that she became his ninth wife.

After the elopement of Mrs. McLean, her parents, who reside near New Orleans, wrote to McLean, in Claifornia, to send the children to them. He did so. Several months after this, Mr. Mclean received news that his wife had been to her father in New Orleans, and eloped with the two youngest children. He immediately left San Francisco for New Oreleans, and on arriving at the house of his father-in-law, he learned from them that Mrs. McLean had been there, and after an ineffectual attempt to convert her father and Mother to Mormonism, she pretended to abandon it herself, and so far obtained the confidence of her parents, as to induce them to entrust her in the city of New Orleans with the children, but they soon found she had betrayed their confidence and eloped with the children.

They wrote McLean in San Francisco, who, upon recept of their letter, went to New Orleans, and learning from them the above facts in relation to the affair, immediately started in pursuit of his children. He went to New York and then to St. Louis. While in St. Louis he learned that the woman and children were in Houston, Texas. On his arrival in Houston he found that his wife had left some time before, to join a large party of Mormons en route for Utah. He then returned to New Orleans, and from there to Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee Nation, with the expectation of intercepting his wife and children at that point.

On arriving at Fort Gibson, and while there, he found letters in the Post Office to his wife, from Pratt, some of which were mailed in St. Louis, and others at Flint Post Office, Cherokee Nation. We are unable to give the contents of these letters with particularity, but they contained the fact that McLean was on the lookout for her and the children, and that they were betrayed by the apostates and Gentiles; and advising her to be cautious in her movements, and not to let herself be known, only to a few of the saints and elders. -- Mclean then, upon affidavit made by himself, obtained a writ from the United States Commissioner at that place for their arrest, and succeeded in getting them arrested by the United States Marshal. -- They were brought to this place for trial, and after an examination before the Commissioner were discharged.

Pratt, as soon as released, mounted his horse and left the city. McLean soon after obtained a horse and started in pursuit and overtook Pratt about eight miles from the city and shot him. Pratt died in about two hours after receiving the wound. This is a plain narrative of teh facts as we heard them from the most reliable resources, which we give to our readers without comment, as we feel that we are unable to do so with justice to all parties. But deeply do we sympathize with Mclean in the unfortunate condition in which Mormon villainy and fanaticism have placed him. --   Van Buren (Ark.) Intelligencer.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                                                               For the Oregonian.
                San Ramon, Cal., July 4, 1857.

Mr. Editor: -- ... It is currently reported here that Brigham Young has fled from Salt Lake, with about 2000 followers, for your state or Washington Territory, and if so, you will doubtless hear of him about Walla Walla or Whitman's station, and it is to be hoped he may received a reception suited to his official status. The atmosphere it seems, is rather warm for the peace and comfort of his excellency at Salt Lake...

---

Intelligence from St. Paul, Minnesota, has been received... The troops from Fort Snelling, ordered to Utah, were to leave on the afternoon of the 8th ult...

Philip P. Thomas has declined the governorship of Utah. The salary is only $2500... Col. Richardson of Illinois has also declined. It is going begging -- even Major Hoipkins of Florida had the refusal.... Emery D. Patten, of Ohio, has accepted one of the vacant Utah Judgeships... -- Cincinnati Commercial, June 23.

---

From Salt Lake.

Mr. Wilkins, an apostate from Mormonism, arrived on the 11th inst. at Placerville with news from Salt Lake to the 30th May, twenty-two days later than previous advices.

Brigham Young (as heretofore reported) had gone north with his expedition fully equipped, with three months' provisions, and a train of eighty wagons. It is supposed that he has gone in search of a locality to defend the faithful against the expected troops from thr East. He exhorts all the Saints, if it comes to a fight, to kill each his man, and his salvation is securred.

The destroying angels are busy engaged at their hellish eork, murdering and robbing those who are apostates.

Wilkin and party is composed of twenty six persons, eight of whom are women. After leaving Salt Lake they were arrested by a large body of Mormons, and taken back on a charge of horse stealing. As no evidence, even for a Mormon court, was offered against them they were discharged at the request of one Mesick, who knew three of them in San Franscico -- he being the Clerk of the Court. After that they were hunted like wolves, day and night, until they reached Goose Creek Mountains, over 100 miles from Salt Lake, when the Mormons made a charge on them, killing six of their animals.

One-half of the population would leave, and will do so, if the government sends a sufficient force to protect them.

Brigham declares that if the Saints will stand by him and the Church, he will be President of the United States in less than ten years.

Williams, the lawyer, had fled. The destroying angels were on his track, and it was not known if he escaped them. Open and avowed murder of all who have and are becoming obnoxious, is advocated in public assemblages; in fact, an offer was publically made in a meeting, by one of the faithful, to murder two traders at Box Elder, near the city, who had incured the displeasure of Elder Lorenzo Snow, if they did not leave by June 1st.

A train of one hundred wagons had left Salt Lake, bound for the States, all of which belonged to Apostates.

Now deiisentions are continually arising. That which causes the most ill feeling, is Brigham sealing young girls to old men. Several heads of families were put out of the way, as they call it, on suspicion of their being Apostates, by which means they prevent the families from leaving. Several who heretofore have been in the confidence of the high priests, are known to have been murdered in attempting to leave secretly.

Seven ladies, with their families, whose husbands had made their escape, begged to be taken away by Wilkins' party, expecting daily to see some of their number dragged to the harem of some of the anointed.

Brigham preaches open rebellion to all attempts on the part of the government to establish a foothold in his territory. he has inaugurated a new law by which he governs disobedient wives, by degreading and maling menials of them -- depriving them of the right to marry or have a protector. It is called an "Earthly Hell." -- Sac. Union.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Interesting Letter from Judge Drummond
-- Real State of Affairs in Utah.

                                         Chicago, Ill., Monday, May 4, 1857.
To the Editor of the New York Daily Times:

Sir: -- A valued friend of mine has just presented me an extract of a communication from Feramorz Little, of Great Salt Lake City, which made its appearance in some one of the New York papers, in which this high functionary of Mormonism, this Elder of the Latter Days, this member of the "quorum" of the "seventies," this spiritual brother-in-law of Gov. Brigham Young, this tool, agent and abettor, in the blackest crimes that the malignant heart of men can conceive, has had the church duty to perform in denying the allegations in my communications to Attorney-General Black. In the first place he asserts that the books and records were not destroyed. I assert that they were, that Mr. Little well knew it at the time of the black outrage, and that in his capacity of Elder he sat in judgment on certain members of the Church and cut them off, for the reason that they expressed a degree of dissatisfaction at that high-handed outrage of the High Priesthood of Mormonism.

Again he asserts that at the time that he left Salt Lake there were no persons in the Penitentiary of Utah save three Indians, who were convicted in A. D. 1854. This, I assert, is a gratuitous and unmitigated falsehood, and well-known by Mr. Little; and that there were at least four young men in the Utah Penitentiary who were tried and convicted before Elias Smith the Probate Justice of Great Salt Lake City and County, in March, A. D. 1856, and severally sentenced for fourteen, sixteen and eighteen months; and that, too, without those men having committed any criminal act known to the law books save the Mormon Priesthood, and that they were in the Penitentiary when he left Salt Lake City, and that he knew that fact.

Again: I assert that a man by the name of Lewis was tried and convicted before George Peacock, Probate Judge of Manti County, in Dec. last, of assault and battery, and put in the Penitentiary of Utah for five years' time, and that before he was incarcerated in the prison that he was castrated by a Mormon mob, all of which Mr. Little well knew and no doubt had an active hand in this bloody outrage.

Again, he asserts he never heard anything of the murder of the dumb boy, Whitehouse, by the English Doctor named Baker. I assert that Mr. Little's connection with that band of Church-licensed pirates and murderers well-known as Danites or Destroying Angels, is such as to keep him fully and promptly posted in all the nefarious acts of the Church, and in this case in particular, that he well knew that Baker was tried and should have been hung for one of the most brutal murders ever committed by the hand of man; that the Jurors did find him guilty of murder in the second degree, and that he, Baker, was sentenced to the Penitentiary in care of Deputy Marshal Anson Call, on Wednesday, and promptly pardoned by Gov. Young without ever seeing the inside of the Penitentiary, before the following Sunday; that Hosea Stout and John Bair were the lawyers who defended Baker, and that Joseph A. Kelting was the counsel for the Government on the trial; that Lewis Bronson, Wm. Stevens, Allen Russel, George Catlin, John Cavir, Chas. Price, Jeremiah Hatch, John Mangum, Warren Snow, Wm. Holden, and Orville Cox were the Jurors who tried the case.

Again, Mr. Little asserts that the murder of Col. Babbitt, on the Plains, last Fall, is all fancy, &c. Mr. Editor, I wish it was so; that Col. Babbitt was a bad man and a murderer, no man will deny, neither did I expect Mr. Little and his numerous licensed coadjutors in crime to acknowledge that they had murdered Babbitt and Sutherland, while on the way to the "peaceful valleys of the mountains;" but, Sir, it is the base and cruel act, the manner in which it was done, of which I complain. If Babbitt was worthy of death, let him be tried by a constitutional jury of his country, and not by a self-constituted court, known as the Melchisedec Priesthood, or higher law of a Church whose code is stained with the blood of countless scores. Babbitt had been in and out of the Church, as occasion seemed to require, for nearly twenty-nine years, and at times, when under the influence of liquor, told many solemn truths on the subject and design of Mormonism, among which were the secret oaths administered to the male members of the Church, all of which are pregnant with treasonable designs; and for this overt act the poor unfortunate fellow lost his life, in strict obedience to the absolute law of the Church, all of which Mr. Little well knew.

In connection with this communication I send you an affidavit made by Hiram A. Watson, now a resident of the city of Chicago, and a gentleman who enjoys the confidence of all who know him (save the Mormons;) and as Mr. Watson has been a minister of this Church, and was honest enough to leave it after losing several thousand dollars worth of property, I fancy that his statements will be taken for far more real worth than the man who is still in the meshes of the Church, who is still the pliant, willing and obedient tool of the Church, whose duty it is not only to say openly that the charges against the Mormons are untrue, but it is his duty to go into Court and swear that they are false and untrue, which he would assuredly do.

But, Sir, why is it that all the appointees under both Fillmore and Pierce's Administration so nicely agree as to the disloyalty of the Mormons, and their open and secret rebellion to the laws and instructions of the country? Does not the universal language of all these men agree in this state of facts? Certainly, Sir, no man will have the presumption or ignorance to take any other view of the subject. Then you must conclude that these men tell the simple truth as far as they go, or that they have all joined together as enemies to the truth.

Tear up the graves of a Shaver, a Harris, and of Babbitt; call together all the judges, secretaries and Indian agents, who have not been under the baneful influence of Mormonism, and in one universal tongue will they recite the same state of stubborn facts which constitute now a record that will yet agitate this happy country from centre to circumference. The American people, thank heaven, are kind and benevolent to a fault; hence, Sir, those arch-traitors are relying on that benevolence; and while the parent Government deals with this Territory as a rude child, in loose kindness, every effort is being made to bring into that Territory a class of ignorant aliens from foreign countries to build up an independent republic in the midst of the most beautiful republican form of Government that civilized men ever beheld, and after ages will yet point to America as a stench in the nostrils of all refined and civilized countries, unless a firm and speedy step is taken to suppress that spirit of organized hostility to our common country: and I, for one, Sir, confess that I have but little hope of seeing this question fairly and promptly met by this administration; but it will be met in the pulpit and on the rostrum, by politicians in after years, as a stepping-stone to political preferment, which should certainly be avoided; but will it?   Respectfully yours,
                                                      W. W. DRUMMOND.


MR. WATSON'S AFFIDAVIT. -- The following is the affidavit referred to in Judge Drummond's letter:

State of Illinois, County of Cook, ss. -- Hiram A. Watson being first duly sworn on oath, says that he is well acquainted with Feramorz Little of Great Salt Lake City, in Utah Territory; that this affiant was once a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints (commonly called Mormons), and lived in Great Salt Lake City for near three years, during which time he took three endowment degrees in the Church, and, that he knows from the order and secret organization in the Mormon Church that Mr. Little, as well as all other male members of the Church of the same degree and standing in the Church, have taken such oaths and obligations as to bind them to open hostility to the form of Government in the United States; that he is acquainted with Judge W. W. Drummond, late a Judge in Utah Territory, has read his letter of resignation in office, and from what he knows of Mormonism, he can fully vouch for much of what Judge Drummond charged against the Mormons in his letter of resignation, and that from what he has heard from reliable information he believes the whole to be true; that he knows Feramorz Little to be worthy of death under the laws of the country, and that the said Little is bound by his oath to the Mormon Priesthood to contradict the charges and statements of Judge Drummond, as well as all other Federal officers, relative to Mormonism, be they ever so true, or forfeit his life to the hands of Mormon assassins for failing to contradict the statements of the Gentiles and that said Little has often aided and abetted in the commission of murders at the request of his brother-in-law, Brigham Young, and that it is a part of the Church duty, of the whole Church, to murder and pit out of the way all who may question the authority of the Church, or disobey the will of Brigham Young; and that the secret organization of the Church is one of determined hatred to the American people, and particularly to the Constitution and laws of the United States; and that Mormonism teaches its Church members neither to obey nor respect any man in office or authority under the laws of the United States or any of them, unless that officer be a Mormon; and that he is bound to execute the will of the Church, and disobey the law of the land, or lose his life, according to the law of the Mormon Church, and further the deponent saith not.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 29th day of April, 1857.
                                                  H. A. WATSON,
W. L. Church, Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

---

==> On the outside of this paper will be found Judge Drummond's letter we referred to last week, together with the affidavit of Mr. Watson, who had been a Mormon.

---

==> From a letter to the Advocate at Salem from Gen. McCarver, dated Washington City, May 19th, we clip the following extract:

"Information was received to-day, at the State Department, from major Ben McCulloch, that he declines the Governorship of Utah, tendered him some time since. Our high functionaries at Washington are evidently at a loss to find a person in every way suitable for that place. -- Your humble servant was called upon this morning in relation to the Utah governorship by some of his over-zealous friends, but it was no go. I can stand Indians, but not Mormons."

To those who know General McCarver, this will afford an item for a hearty shaking of the sides. It seems that although to General is returning home with no commission in his pocket from Buchanan, his lucky escape from having one forced upon him is duly heralded by the Advocate in advance of him.

Who the "over-zealous friends" he speaks of were, and what they said to him in relation to the ":Utah Governorship," we are only left to infer from the fact that "it was no go," and his declaration that he "can stand Indians, but not Mormons."

We think that the General's narrow escape from having the Governorship of Utah saddled upon him, was truly providential.

---

==> The Mormon Elders left us last Monday in disgust, after holding forth on Sunday to a slim and sleepy audience. -- Our citizens treated them with respect, and paid some $24 in cash for the use of the room for them to speak in, and although
Not an egg was thrown,
Not an insult passed, they failed to convert any body and we have not even heard of any one's being "under conviction."

---

==> The Governorship of Utah has been declined by Ex-Gov. Thomas of Maryland, and by Col. Richardson of Illinois. -- It is thought that Col. Cumming, who has once declined, may now be induced to accept. Dr. Emery D. Potter of Ohio has accepted one of the Utah Judgeships, and the other has been offered to Judge Eckles of Indiana, who it is believed will accept.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE POPULATION OF UTAH. -- The facts which have been elicited within the last few weeks show that the "Saints" have systematically palmed off spurious enumerations upon the public. In the early part of the year 1853, the Mormons estimated their strength in Utah roundly at from 30,000 to 35,000, but at the fall conference of that year, as appears from the regular census taken by themselves, they did not quite come up to 19,000. According to information obtained from the Mormon agency in St. Louis in 1855, it appears that the immigration of 1854 was only about 3,500, that 2,600 was the sum total reported as shipped from Liverpool for 1853, and that 3,000 only were the numbers intended to be sent over the plains the same year. With these data, and making a fair allowance for the loss and gain, the population in 1855 was estimated by the Hon. B. G. Ferris at 18,500. From these slender figures they have gone on magnifying their population until they have actually induced most persons to believe it one hundred thousand. At the present time it does not reach 40,000.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> Mrs. McLean, the wife of the man who shot Pratt, the Mormon Elder, has published a defence of her conduct, and of Pratt. It shows the great delusion of which she has been made the victim. She accuses her husband of neglect previous to her conversion to Mormonism, and acquits the Mormon Elder of having attempted to get her away from him. She says that all the advances were made by herself. -- Her story is intermingled with scraps of very bad verses, and shows that her husband did not lose much when she ran away from him. She certainly was not worth killing even a Mormon Elder for.

---

BRIGHAM YOUNG ON SECRETS. -- In the course of one of Brigham's sermons, that individual said: " Do you know anything that I should keep fast locked in my bosom? Yes, thousands of things pertaining to other people, that ought to sleep as in the silent grave. Do those things go from me to Bro. Heber? No. To my wife? No, for I might as well at once publish them in a paper." The question arises: -- If a man with forty wives, has no faith in women, how shall it be with those who have only one?


Notes: (forthcoming)

                                                         For the Oregonian.

The Mormons.

              Fresh Lake City, July 25, '57.

Editor Oregonian -- Dear Sir: Our community is now under considerable excitement, owing to the presence of some Salt Lake pirates -- traitors! Four Mormon emissaries, self-styled missionaries, are now lurking about in "these diggings." occasionally preaching some of the peculiar beauties of Mormonism. Since the arrival of these hocus pocus actors, the three or four families among us that belonged to this order of "earth's rejected," when they were driven from Nauvoo, have been revived in the Jo Smith faith, except the husband of one. Four new converts were caught, three of which have already backslid, while one, a female, who having been assured by the holy prophet Stewart, that she was "to become the mother of many nations," sticks with double geared, steam concentrated adhesion. If she is to be the mother, who are to be the fathers?

Knowing that Salt Lake Mormonism is treason, we are resolved that men shall not sow the seeds among us. Men are set apart by the leaders of this chief of humbugs, to murder their influential opponents, as in the case of Judge Drummond, who was to be killed by Hickman and Hyde, by order of the Danites. Are Oregon and Washington Territories to have the seeds of this treasonable heresy sown upon their soils? Are we the sons of revolutionary sires to tamely submit to a lawless banditti? While our patriotic countrymen are being slaughtered at Salt Lake and vicinity, by Mormon order, without provocation, are we to suffer the advocates of this murderous villainy to preach its justification in our midst? Mormon preachers endorse, as a matter of course, Salt Lake cruelties, hence it is the light of impudence for them to attempt our conversion to their despotic and murderous religion!

While the Danites (destroying angels) are deputing a few of their banditti to murder the staunch opponents of their hellish creed, the leaders have men among us, preaching a very flattering bible doctrine, not a particle of which is believed in Salt Lake. Mormonism is not preached here, it is mere catch-trap deception, which accounts for the new conversions. A young gentleman who wintered at Salt Lake in the winter of 1850, where he learned their systematic opposition to our federal government, and something of their popular cruelties, is now very successfully opposing and exposing them. On Sunday the 12th inst., he addressed a large concourse of citizens, among whom were the old bogus, the hypocritical and the new made Mormons, the last mentioned of whom, were rescued and now are done with the hellish ism. He ably and fearlessly denounced the organization as a growing conspiracy -- a systematized robbery. He is after them and will not cease his opposition until he witnesses the expulsion of the last pirate preacher from our shores.

The citizens are resolving to spoil Mormon missions here. My patient brothers prepare to drive these traitors from our land; maintain the legacy bequeathed to us by our revolutionary fathers! No man who loves our laws, constitution and government, can consistently harbor these villainous conspirators. No, it would be taking to our bosoms the venomous serpents -- "lending clubs to break our own heads."

Peaceably warn them to leave our county, if they refuse, force them from it. Our community is resolved to drive them hence; if they come among you, drive them elsewhere! Remember our patriot brothers who have fallen at Salt Lake and other places. Remember their robberies at Nauvoo and Far West. Remember that these Mormons are resolved upon the overthrow of our government, that they may build in its stead the most cruel despotism! Remember their past history, and ask, are we not bound by the sense of duty, to drive this element from our land? Let our motto be: Our country first, our country last, our country always. No Mormonism or treason among us.

Mormon preachers leave, or take what comes.   CATO.

---

Atlantic News.

... The President has offered the appointment of Surveyor-General of Utah to Col. John C. Hays, of San Francisco, to settle the question of settlers' rights, and to apportion the government lands.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Utah Expedition.

                                                Washington, June 29.

To-day official orders and instructions were sent to Gen. Harney, who is to have command of the Utah expedition. It is to be composed of the 2d Dragoons, the 5th and 10th Infantry, which will shortly be at Fort Leavenworth, together with the battery of the 4th Artillery, now at that post; all of which will be prepared to march to and establish post at or near Salt Lake City; and at the earliest practicable day, he (Gen. Harney) will put troops en route, but will until that time retain his present command of troops in Kansas.

On the 6th of January next, after the territory of Utah shall have been entered by the troops, it will constitute a new and separate military department, to be styled the "Department of Utah," to be commanded by Gen. Harney, or the senior officer present, who will from the time of leaving Forth Leavenworth, be the commander of a separate army in the field, within the sense of the 56 article of war.

The armament and equipment deemed most suitable for the service of the battery of artillery, will be selected, and if necessary, extended in guns and horses by the commander of the expedition. The post at Salt Lake City, when established, and any other posts, not exceeding two in addition, that may be established in Utah, will be included among the "Chaplain-posts." and "double ration posts," of the army. Capt. Duncan leaves here to-morrow, to take charge of the troops now at Carlisle Barracks, intended for the Utah service.

Yesterday afternoon 250 U. S, recruits took their departure by the New York and Eire railroad for Leavenworth City, Kansas, where they will join the command of 3,000 men, that is to accompany the new Governor of Utah to Salt Lake City.

---

"Two Mormon emissaries were in town last week. Wonder if they are after wives and spirituals in Oregon!! They lectured on polygamy on Saturday last. -- Decent and virtuous people should give them a thorough letting alone."

We copy the above from the Salem Christian Advocate, italics and all. Now the editor of that paper, Rev. T. H. Pearne, on that very Saturday on which the Mormons lectured, (in the Court-room,) went into a room in the lower part of the building expressly to listen to this lecture on polygamy, and did listen to it with the utmost interest, and denounced the lecturer as a "hypocrite" and "servant of the devil." According to his own advice to others, he is neither "decent or virtuous."

"Do not as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whie, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,
And heads not his own teaching." Which is the most "decent and virtuous," and which is the most manly, we ask the Advocate editor, if maleness can find place in a heart habitually awry, to go openly into the hall, and listen to a Mormon lecture, or sneak into an adjacent room, and eaves-drop

And then how came a clergyman, if his thoughts were chaste and pure, as a clergyman's ought to be, to think and write of "wives and spirituals" first, and only in connection with Mormonism? Mormonism has other features besides its polygamy, and a pure mind need not necessarily and would not think of that alone, or first, in considering it. It is seen and read that nature has emblazoned sensuality upon the Advocate editor's face; can it be that it is equally as strongly infused into his composition?

Then too, this ungenerous and obscene "fling" at the two Mormon preachers, is highly characteristic of its author, and aptly illustrates his time-serving character. The Mormons are a despised and hated people in Oregon; we suppose there is not a person within the borders of the Territory who does not repudiate their faith, and practices; and unless persecuted, they are not likely to make a single convert; -- therefore it is popular to assail them, and hence the editor of the Advocate does so. But were they numerous in Oregon, and becoming more so. The Advocate editor would either applaud, or be as silent as death concerning them, and importune them to subscribe for his paper. If human nature has one feature more disgusting than any other, it is that of time-serving and trimming.

The Advocate editor will now call us a "Mormon" probably. It would be in keeping with his candor and honesty. -- But he should be careful and not contradict himself, for if we are an "infidel" as he says, we can't be a "Mormon." However, the Advocate editor can call us "Mormon," "infidel," "atheist," or anything else he thinks will excite prejudice against us. We are all we profess to be, and no man can call us insincere, or a canting hypocrite. -- Czapkay's Organ.


Notes: (forthcoming)

CALIFORNIA EMIGRATION. -- The St. Louis Republican of the 13th June says:

Among the passengers in the Morning Star yesterday, were the United States Marshall, P. K. Dobson, and T. D. Pitt, from Salt Lake. They left Salt Lake on the 15th of April; they were out forty-five days from Salt Lake to Independence. They report the grass on the plains very slim, and were surprized to see the emigrants' cattle look so well. They met the first trains twenty miles this side of Fort Kearney, getting along as well as could be expected, and all generally healthy. They report some three companies of United States Dragoons at Fort Laramie, and about the same number at Fort Kearney, all well. Met more or less emigrants every day, with large numbers of stock; estimated that 10,000 wagons and 30,000 cattle would cross the plains this season for California.

---

UTAH. -- The difficulties to be encountered in Utah are more numerous and complicated than is now generally supposed. Among them may be incidentally mentioned that Brigham Young claims a title to all lands in the territory, and has never recognized the United States surveys. None of his followers have purchased land in accordance with our laws, Hence one of the delicate duties of the federal courts of that territory will be to establish and maintain the rights of those who may hereafter purchase in accordance with our laws. Not an individual in all Utah now holds a foot of land the title of which is derived from the United States, and it follows, under this strange condition of things, that all parts of the territory are at the present time open to preemption. -- Washington Union.

---

                                                         For the Oregonian.

Anti Mormon Meeting.

                                            Lewis River, W. T., Aug. 8, '57.
Editor Oregonian: -- The following resolutions were adopted at a meeting of the citizens of Lewis River, held on Sunday, Aug. 21, which we desire published in your paper, that our position may be correctly known to our fellow countrymen:

   Wm. Ginder, Jno. Simmons, Wm. Miller, R. T. Lockwood, G. Kinder, Wm. Irvine, C. H. Fairchild, M. Webb, and others.

---

Resolved, That Salt Lake Mormonism is treason; that it authorizes murder, robbery, and breaking open of the United States mails. That every inducement is employed to proselyte the less investigating of our fellow-citizens to its creed.

Resolved, That the confiscation of individual property to church purposes as practiced by the leaders of this gigantic conspiracy is a virtual denial of the essence of the declaration of American Independence, and [looks] to the subversion of the basis of civil polity.

Resolved, That Brigham Young and his coadjutors in professing to receive revelations from God, are guilty of the basest blasphemy and the most criminal deception.

Resolved, That we too highly prize the blessing of liberty and too strongly adhere to the laws of our country, to be willing that they should be wrested from us, (who have been reared in "the land of the free and the home of the brave,") by Mormon usurpers and conspirators.

Resolved, That we are opposed to men preaching among us, who endorse the outlawry, the tyranny, the bloody cruelties of the Mormon leaders, and that we therefore civilly invite the Mormon preachers now among us, to leave our community, or renounce their connection with the Mormon church; and that we suggest to those two or three families among us, who have been harboring, thereby "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," that a sense of propriety requires them to desist this unpatriotic business.

Resolved, That while we are unwilling to employ coercive measures, or use personal violence in executing out determination, we shall not fail to adopt such a course of action as shall fully accomplish our object -- trying the virtue of severer means, when milder fail.

Resolved, That the oath administered to the members in the "endowment" is treason steeped in blood! and that taken by members on entering into the church, but little better


Note: About a month after the Republican article was printed, the majority of the U. S. troops stationed on the western frontier were on their way to occupy Utah Territory. Although hand-carried reports of the troop movements reached the Mormon leaders in Utah before the end of July, the portentous event was not yet common knowledge in the far west when the Oregonian reprinted the Republican's news report.

==> On the 28th of October last, Hiram F. Morrell was appointed postmaster at Salt Lake City, Utah, in the place of Elias Smith, removed. The credentials were regularly forwarded from the Department, but never delivered to Mr. Morrell. Duplicates followed, with no better success. Mr. Morrell, being now at the seat of the General Government, has received his commission, qualified before the Hon. Geo. P. Stiles, associate judge of Utah, now in Washington, entered into the bonds required, and will start, fully empowered to take charge of the post office ar Salt Lake City.


Note: (forthcoming)

SUMMARY MEASURES. -- That old sinner, Brigham Young, in a late speech to his "Saints," made the following declaration, which has a light air of parental severity:

"Were my daughter to marry a Gentile, I would save her in this kingdom, namely cut her throat from ear to ear."

"Gentiles" visiting Salt Lake City, will please to notice, as Brigham has some forty wives, it is not impossible that his daughters are equally numerous.


Note: (forthcoming)

S P E E C H

OF THE

HON.  ABRAM  LINCOLN,
(Of Illinois.)

DELIVERED AT SPRINGFIELD, JUNE 26, 1857.

In Reply to Hon. S. A. Douglas.
___________

Utah, -- Kansas, -- The Dred Scott Decision.

FELLOW CITIZENS: -- I am here to-night, partly by the invitation of some of you, and partly by my own inclination. Two weeks ago Judge Douglas spoke here on the several subjects of Kansas, the Dred Scott decision, and Utah. I listened to the speech at the time, and have read the report of it since. It was intended to controvert opinions which I think just, and to assail (politically, not personally,) those men who, in common with me, entertain those opinions. For this reason I wished then, and still wish, to make some answer to it, which I now take the opportunity of doing.

I begin with Utah. If it prove to be true, as is probable, that the people of Utah are in open rebellion to the United States, then Judge Douglas is in favor of repealing their territorial organization, and attaching them to the adjoining States for judicial purposes. I say, too, if they are in rebellion, they ought to be somehow coerced to obedience; and I am not now prepared to admit or deny that the Judge's mode of coercing them is not as good as any. The Republicans can fall in with it without taking back anything they have ever said. To be sure, it would be a considerable backing down by Judge Douglas from his much vaunted doctrine of self-government for the territories; but this is only additional proof of what was very plain from the beginning, that that doctrine was a mere deceitful pretense for the benefit of slavery. Those who could not see that much in the Nebraska act itself, which forced Governors, and Secretaries, and Judges on the people of the territories, without their choice or consent, could not be made to see, though one should rise from the dead to testify.

But in all this, it is very plain the Judge evades the only question the Republicans have ever pressed upon the Democracy in regard to Utah. That question the Judge well knows to be this: "If the people of Utah shall peacefully form a State Constitution tolerating polygamy, will the Democracy admit them into the Union?" -- There is nothing in the United States Constitution or law against polygamy; and why is it not a part of the Judge's "sacred right of self-government" for that people to have it, or rather to keep it, if they choose? These questions, so far as I know, the Judge never answers. It might involve the Democracy to answer them either way, and they go unanswered.

As to Kansas. The substance of the Judge's speech on Kansas is an effort to put the free State men in the wrong for not voting at the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention. He says: "There is every reason to hope and believe that the law will be fairly interpreted and impartially executed, so as to insure to every bona fide inhabitant the free and quiet exercise of the elective franchise".... [Lincoln's remarks on the situation in Kansas follow]

... And now as to the Dred Scott decision. That decision declares two propositions -- first, that a negro cannot sue in the U.S. Courts; and secondly, that Congress cannot prohibit slavery in the Territories. It was made by a divided court -- dividing differently on the different points. Judge Douglas does not discuss the merits of the decision... [Lincoln's remarks on the Dred Scott case follow]

... How differently the respective courses of the Democratic and Republican parties incidentally bear on the question of forming a will -- a public sentiment -- for colonization, is easy to see. The Republicans inculcate, with whatever of ability -- they can, that the negro is a man; that his bondage is cruelly wrong, and that the field of his oppression ought not to be enlarged. The Democrats deny his manhood; deny, or dwarf to insignificance, the wrong of his bondage; so far as possible, crush all sympathy for him, and cultivate and excite hatred and disgust against him; compliment themselves as Union-savers for doing so; and call the indefinite outspreading of his bondage "a sacred right of self-government."

The plainest print cannot be read through a gold eagle; and it will be ever hard to find many men who will send a slave to Liberia, and pay his passage while they can send him to a new country, Kansas for instance, and sell him for fifteen hundred dollars, and the rise.

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LINCOLN'S SPEECH. -- We publish this week the speech of the Hon. A. Lincoln of Illinois, delivered in the State House at Springfield, in reply to that of Senator Douglas, on Utah, Kansas, and the Dred Scott decision. It is unnecessary to tell any one from central Illinois who Abe Lincoln is, and to others we may say that if there is any one in the State able to cope with the "little giant" of black democracy, he is the man. Mr. Lincoln served one term in Congress, and last year in the Republican national convention ran next to Dayton for the nomination on the ticket with Fremont. It is possible that he will succeed Douglas in the U. S. Senate, should the Republicans carry the Legislature next year.

We agree in the main with Mr. Libcoln's views, and ask for the speech an attentive perusal, sepecially as it is a fair offset to Douglas's speech published in the pro-slavery Messenger.

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UTAH. -- The Mormons generally deride the idea of the exertion of military force against them. They have among them shrewd lawyers and diplomats, who will contrive to keep all Mormondom within the pale of constitutional law. Over the consciences of the Mormons the federal authorities can excercise no control, and their morals cannot be improved by force of arms. It is probable that they will be careful to commit no overt act of treason, but their juries will be so constructed that a due and impartial administration of justice will be impracticable.

The idea that the Mormons can be exterminated or expelled from the country, or that their fanaticism will be repressed by force is totally absurd. Treason against the Constitution and laws of the United States may be punished; and this is the extent of the power of the Federal Government over this matter.

There is nothing in the Constitution that justifies a crusade against polygmists any moe than against Abolitionists, or Romanists, or Clavinists, or even Hard-Shell Baptsists.

But the administration does not share in the extravagant views which are put forth on this subject, and the instructions to Gov. Cumming will be, to take care that the laws of the United States be observed in the Territory, and to exert every constitutional power to secure the due administration of justice.

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BRIGHAM YOUNG'S PERSONAL APEARANCE. -- In person he is above the medium height, and a little inclined to corpulency. He is dressed in black cloth, and, although the air is very warm, he is well wrapped up in an overcoat. His habits of life make him very sensitive to the slightest changes in the atmosphere. He has suffered a good deal in his younger days, and this with the cares of his family -- for his children are very refractory -- begin to weigh heavily upon him. His constant struggles and difficulties with the United States officers not only try his patience, but also wear his body. His consuming anxiety about his object of ambition -- the establishment of an independent kingdom, -- and his efforts to maintain the people in constant and implicit submission, are sufficient to leave their mark on any man's physique. he is now fifty-six years old; and, although young-looking in features, still evinces his age in person. His face is indicative of penetration and firmness. -- Some ladies think him handsome; but his lower lip, if nothing else, eminently betrays the sensual voluptuary.

Note: The above engraving of Brigham Young, although contemporary with the article it accompanies, was not published by the Argus. It comes from an illustrated newspaper of that period.

The immigration to California via the plains is reputed larger than any other year since '52. One half of those having control of the wagons are heads of families, [and are ------- ---- ----] immigration [----] from Missouri, Iowa, Texas and Arkansas. All the trains have cattle and many of them mules and horses. As far as known, there are 25,000 head of cattle, and from 2,000 to 3,000 head of mules and horses. The cattle have been affected with a disease peculiar to the Humboldt and Carson Valley, many dying. But few deaths have occurred among the immigrants. Many of them are stopping at Carson Valley and taking farms....

A party of Mormons, obeying the orders of Brigham Young, left San Francisco on the 17th ult. [August] for Salt Lake.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE NEW GOVERNOR OF UTAH. -- Col. Cumming, the new Governor of Utah, who is to put an end to the reign of "Brother Brigham," is said to be a gentleman of the exact type of character best suited to that most difficult and responsible post. Conversant with all phases of life, and experienced in every degree of fortune, he is admirably adapted to exercise executibe functions in the Territory to which he has been appointed. Col Cumming was at one time an extensive merchant in Augusta, Ga., but failed. Removing to St. ouis, he established himself as a sutler to the forces stationed at Jefferson Barracks, and was subsequently appointed Indian Agent, the duties of which he discharged with great discretion and judgment. -- Baltimore Sun.


Notes: (forthcoming)

EASTERN BOUND EMIGRANTS BY OVERLAND ROUTE. -- Wm. I. Johnson and company arrived at Salt Lake City, on the 4th July, and left on the 7th. They were from California and went by way of Pitt River and Nancy Lake Valley, having left Yreka June 3d. They experienced no trouble from the Indians and expected to reach the frontiers of the States early in August.

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ONE MONTH LATER FROM SALT LAKE. -- Our files of Deseret News, via San Bernadino are to August 5th. The sermons of the Saints breathe defiance against the United States Government, and people out of the pale of Mormonism.


Notes: (forthcoming)

UTAH Washington, Aug. 2. -- The instructions to Gov. Cumming were completed to-day. They are brief and specified. He is to see that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed. No man in Utah is to be affected for his political or religious opinions, but held responsible for his conduct. Should the civil authorities be unable to enforce the laws, military forces are then to be employed. -- While Gov. C.'s powers are ample for all practical purposes, much is confided to his discretion. -- Cor. N. Y. Times.


The Mormon Standard of San Francisco holds the following language in reference to the new appointments:

"No man can be governor of Utah but Brigham Young. he has no need to commit any overt act of treason, nor to, in the least, oppose the rule of another man -- for he is firmly seated in the affections of the people as their prophet and seer -- as an honest man, and one whose interests and welfare are theirs. As such they will seek him for counsel and guidance. Whoever may be the Washington appointee, the acts of the Territorial Legislature will be but the reflex of the mind of Brigham Young. * * *

"We predict that the new Governor and other officials will be received at the Utah capital with due courtesy, and that no obstacle will be thrown in their way to prevent them entering upon their official duties. The Saints will act upon the principle that it is better to be friends than enimies. * * * But there will be no civil cases for Gentile courts to adjudicate. The Mormons possess the Constitutional right to arbitrate their difficulties and settle them among themselves, and they will do so."


Notes: (forthcoming)

OVERLAND EMIGRATION FOR OREGON. -- We are informed by Mr. J. W. Berry, of Logansport, Indiana, who has just arrived across the Plains, that there are five hundred wagons, and about fifteen hundred emigrants en route for Oregon. He left the Oregon emigrants at Bear River, who were coming on the Fort Bridger or Northern route. The party were well armed, and prepared for any emergency with the Indians. They had a large amount of fine stock, which was in good order. The grass was good all the way. When Mr. Berry left the train no difficulty had occurred except a little fight with the Sioux Indians. on Sweetwater, eight miles from Devil's Gate. Four whites were killed, and between twenty and thirty Indians. The whites drove the Indians back. Mr. B. informs us that he met fourteen hundred United States troops between Forts Kearney and Laramie, on their way to Salt Lake.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SUICIDE. -- J. B. Backenstos committed suicide by drowning himself in the Willamette river, opposite this city, on Friday night, September 25th.

Note: This is the same J. B. Backenstos who served as sheriff of Hancock county, Illinois during the "Mormon War."

==> Col. J. B. Backenstos of Portland committed suicide by drowning, on Friday night of last week.

Note: For more on Jacob. B. Backenstos' suicide, see the Oregonian and the Oregon Statesman, both of Nov. 28th.

THE PACIFICATOR OF KANSAS AND THE CONQUEROR OF UTAH. -- In personal appearance, General Harney is impressive... Analyze the quality of character... and I think you will discover the traits which military men consider to fit General Harney eminently as the leader of this Utah expedition. -- N. Y. Tribune.

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==> The Mormons have all left Carson's Valley, California, and gone to Salt Lake by order of Brigham Young. Their farms have been purchased by newly-arrived immigrants from the States.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Atlantic  News.

... The splendor of the Utah expedition, says the Tribune, is quite faded away. Only two regiments of dragoons will go to Salt Lake. The troops will remain in Kansas, for service at the polls.... Gen. Harney will remain in command of Kansas. Col. Albert S. Johnson, late from Texas, has been assigned the command of the troops to Utah.

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IMPORTANT ARMY ORDERS. -- Washington, Sept. 3 -- The War Department has issued an order to the following effect: It being deemed advisable [sic, inadvisable?] to detach Brevet Brigadier General Harney from service in kansas, Col. A. S. Johnson of the Second Cavalry is assigned to the command of the Utah expedition, and will proceed to join the saem without delay.

As Col. Sumner of the First Cavalry may be daily expected, with his column of horse and foot, Gen. Harney will in anticipation, dispatch the civil officers to Utah on thei mission, and remain attached to the command of Col. Johnson.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> "Have you a fellow feeling in your bosom for the poor women of Utah?" asked a speaker of the sister of Mrs. Partington. "Get out you insulting rascal!" said she, "I'll have you know I don't allow fellows to be feeling in my bosom. Oh dear!"


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> The last Advocate goes for a law to prevent Mormons from preaching in Oregon. We are sorry to see any public journal favor such intolerance. It is enough for the border ruffians to legislate against freedom of speech, and we wish to enter our solemn protest against such a movement, no matter how humble a source it comes from.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Horrible Massacre of Emigrants.

J. Ward Christian writes to the Los Angeles Star, as follows:

                                                  SAN BERNARDINO, Oct. 4, 1857.

I take this opportunity of informing you of the murder of an entire train of emigrants on their way from Missouri and Arkansas to this State, via Great Salt Lake City; which took place, according to the best information I can possibly acquire, (which is primarily through Indians,) at the Mountain Meadows, which are at or near the rim of Great Basin, and some distance south of the most southern Mormon settlement, between the 10th and 12th ult. It is absolutely one of the most horrible massacres I have ever had the painful necessity of recording.

The company consisted of about 135 men, women and children, and including some 40 or 45 men capable of bearing arms. They were in possession of quite an amount of stock, consisting of horses, mules and oxen. The encampment was attacked about daylight in the morning,so say the Indians, by the combined forces of all the various tribes immediately in that section of the country.

It appears that a majority of them were slain at the first onset made by the Indians. The remaining force formed themselves into the best position their circumstances would allow, but before they could make the necessary arrangements for protecting themselves from the arrows, few were left to bear arms. After having corralled their wagons, and dug a ditch for their protection, they continued to fire upon the Indians for one or two days, but the Indians had so secreted themselves that, according to their own statement, there was not one of them killed, and but few wounded. The emigrants then sent out a flag of truce borne by a little girl, and gave themselves up to the mercy of the savages, who immediately rushed in and slaughtered all of them, with the exception of fifteen infant children, that have since been purchased with much difficulty by the Mormon interpreters.

I presume it would be unnecessary for all practical purposes, to relate the causes which gave rise to the above described catastrophe, from the simple fact that it will be attributed to the Mormon people, let the circumstances of the case bewhat they may. But it seems, from a statement which I received from Elders Wm. Matthew and Wm. Hyde, who were in Great Salt Lake City at the time this train was there, recruiting their "Scout," and were on the road to this place at the time when they were murdered, but several days' journey in the rear -- somewhere about the Beaver mountains, which is between Parawan and Fillmore cities -- that the causes were something like these: The train camped at Corn creek, near Fillmore City, where there is an Indian village, the inhabitants of which have raised a crop of wheat, and a few melons, &c. And in trading with the Indians they gave them cash for wheat, and they not knowing the value of coin were severely cheated. They wanted a blanket for a sack of wheat, but they gave them fifty cents, and told them that amount would buy a blanket.

They also had an ox with them which had died, and they put some strychnine in him, for the purpose of poisoning the Indians; also put poison of some description in the water, which is standing in holes. This occasioned several deaths among them, within a few days after the departure of the train. And upon this, it seems, the Indians gathered themselves together, and had no doubt chosen the place of attack, and arranged everything before the train arrived at the place where they were murdered.

It was ascertained by some of the interpreters, from a few of the Indians who were left at Corn Creek, that most of the Indians in the country had left, but they could not learn for what purpose, and before any steps could be taken to ascertain for certain what was the cause, the story was told -- they were all killed.   Yours truly,
                                                    J. WARD CHRISTIAN.

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MORMON TOASTS. -- The Mormons of Philadelphis had a picnic recently and the proceedings were published in the Mormon. We give a couple of specimens of the "regular toasts""

Brigham Young -- The Lion of the Lord. When he roars in the mountain the whelps stick up their ears. Such a getting up stairs I never did see.

The Requirements of Brigham Young -- The mandate of heaven. Let Israel respond to his calls, or share the fate of Gentile nations.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMON OATH. -- The guilty and treasonable oath which the 40,000 or 50,000 Mormons now in Salt Lake valley, and many others scattered in all parts of the country, have taken upon themselves at the hands of Brigham Young and the Danite followers, reads as follows:

"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 on this nation, and teach the same to your children; that you will from this time hence and forever begin and carry out hostilities against the nation; and to keep the same intent a profound secret, now and forever, so help me God."


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- The following letter, which should have appeared in the Advocate, is published as a news item. It will be seen that Elder Stuart has made some proselytes to the church of "latter day sinners." We think, however, that a goodly number of the "twenty-four baptized" persons are such as have "fallen from grace" and have been re-baptozed:

                                        Oregon City, Oct. 27, '57.

Editor Argus -- Sir: To avoid misrepresentation, I here represent myself. And thinking this the proper place for confession, I proceed at once, by saying, I am that "Mormon" Elder who has raised the devil in the country, and caused him to show his cloven foot among Christians. -- Their "Advocate," Br. Pearne, would (if he had the power) not only deprive us of religious liberty, but of our constitutional rights, the freedom of speech! And this from the editor of a public journal, professing to be an American, and a minister of the Gospel! It is a disgrace to the country, and a blight on the cause of Christianity. Since we have been in your midst, I have violated no law, sought no privilege but that which the Constitution gives to every American citizen. I have observed the Mormon creed, "Mind your own business." I would recommend it to Brother Pearne and others who are finding fault with the Mormons. I have traveled and preached in all the principal towns in the Territory; have baptized twenty-four persons, organized two churches -- one on the coast fork of the Willamette river, the other on Pleasant Hill, ten miles from Oregon City -- and am now on my way to Washington Territory. Good day, and believe me ever the friend of all good men.
                                         DAVID M. STUART.

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===> The Mormons have adopted a new alphabet with forty-one letters. Messrs. Ludew & Peers of St. Louis have just furnished the Deseret News the punches and matrices of the new alphabet.


Notes: (forthcoming)

PROPOSED NEW TERRITORY. -- Some two months since, the residents of Carson Valley held a public meeting, at which they resolved to memorialize Congress for the erection of a new territory east of the Sierra Nevada, including that and several other valleys at the base of the mountains. On the 3d inst., the residents of Honey Lake Valley held a meeting and endorsed this action of their Carson Valley brethren. The design is to include in this new territory the great basin between the Goose Creek range of mountains on the east, and the Sierra Nevada on teh west, and between the Oregon and Utah line on the north, and the Colorado river on the south.

Both the meetings referred to elected Judge J. M. Crane their delegate to lay the subject before Congress. The Honey Lake Valley people resolved that if any attempt be made to bring them under the jurisdiction of Claifornia, before the boundary line between this State and Utah has been officially surveyed, they will resist it, with all the power they can command. A committee has been appointed to ask the Legislature of California to [enter] and transfer all the State's interests to all lands lying east of the Sierra Nevada, to the United States Government, so that theirs may be established on the other side.

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THE LATE MASSACRE ON THE PLAINS. -- The report of the late massacre has been fully confirmed. The number of persons slaughtered by the Indians was 118. Great excitement prevailed in Los Angeles on the announcement, shortly after the receipt of the news, that parties were in town who corroborated all the statements that had been previously made.

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ANOTHER MASSACRE, PROBABLY. -- Mr. W. W. Smith, who arrived yesterday, Nov. 4, in Sacramento, furnishes the Journal with some additional news from Carson Valley from which we copy the following:

Mr. Blacklord, who arrived a short time before Mr. Smith left, reports that several trains whose arrival should have been made some days ago at a point of safety, are supposed to have been cut off by the Indians. No other satisfactory reason can be given for the delay. They were heard of, all well, at the head of the Humboldt, and no news of them has since been received, although they should have been in many days ago. The Washoes have all left the valley and not one of the tribe has been seen since the present difficulties.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Utah Affairs and the Mormons.

Five hundred kegs of power was recently seized by Col. Hoffman from one of the Mormon trains, en route to Salt Lake.

We learn by a letter from leavenworth, dated the 19th, that Secretary Hartnett had left Leavenworth on the afternoon of that day, with the baggage wagons, to join the expedition to Utah which had preceded him a day or two. The force under Col. Johnson does not exceed two thousand men, but it is well provided with everything to make the march a pleasant one -- St. Louis Democrat.

The United States Indian Agent at Fort Laramie has informed the Interior Department, that the Mormons have initiated measures to control the trade with the Indians, by making settlements every twenty or thirty miles. He calls on the Secretary to remove them, saying if this be not done, the Mormons will become exceedingly troublesome, and defeat any policy our Government may adopt with the Indians. It is plain the Mormons are acting in that matter in violation of law.

A gentleman lately arrived at Lexington, Mo., from Salt Lake, states that the Mormons have fortified Fort Bridger, with the express intentions of defending it against the United States troops.

The Washington Union says, a letter dated Fort Kearney, Sept. 5th, was received in Washington on the 17th. It states that a party of returning Californians, who passed through Salt Lake on the 25th of July report that the evening before they left that city, the Mormons arrested Mr. Wilson, whom the late Surveyor-General Barr left in charge of the office, and, with a rope around his neck and a pistol at his breast, compelled him to answer several questions which they propounded about Bell, Mogo, and others. Mogo was connected with the Surveyor-General's office. The Mormons made Wilson promise to bring Mogo to them during the next day, before they released him. Mogo obtained information of these proceedings, and immediately quitted the city, leaving his wife behind him, so precipitate was his retreat. They went in pursuit of Landon and the other clerk, but Landon escaped by jumping out of the second story window. He went that night somewhere south, and the report is that he