RE-ASSEMBLAGE  OF  THE  JEWS.

The following letter has been addressed to the Editor of the Paris Journal des Debats, by the Grand Rabbi, De Cologna, relative to the proclamation of the new self-constituted Judge and Regenerator of Israel, Mr. Noah, of New-York, calling upon his Jewish brethren, throughout the world, to assemble under his standard at the intended city of refuge, Ararat, in Grand Island, and imposing upon such as do not choose or are not able to obey his call, a certain annual tribute per head for leave of absence:

TO  THE  EDITOR.

Sir -- The wisdom and love of truth which distinguish your journal, and the well merited reputation it enjoys in France and in foreign countries, induce me to hope that your politeness will grant me a place in your next number, for some observations which I address to the public on interests of reason and truth.

The French and English papers have lately abbounced the singular project of aMr, Noah, who calls himself the founder of the city Ararat, in the United States of North America. Certainly, if Mr. Noah was, as he is supposed to be, the proprietor or occupier of a great extent of uncultivated land, and confined himself to the engagement of men without fortunes to run the risk of colonizing with him, promising them, at the same time, mountains of gold, nobody would think of disputing his right to follow the fashion of sending forth projects: but Mr. Noah aspires to play a much more elevated character. He dreams of a heavenly mission; he talks prophetically; he styles himself a judge over Israel; he gives orders to all the Israelites in the world; he levies a tax upon all Hebrew heads. In his exultation he even goes so far as to make the central Jewish consistory of France his charge d;affaires, and he honors the president of this body with the noble rank of "commissioner of emigration." The whole is excellent; but two trifles are wanting: 1st, the well authenticated proof of the mission and authority of Mr. Noah; 2dly, the prophetic text which points out a marsh in North America as the spot for re-assembling the scattered remains of Israel.

To speak seriously, it is right at once to inform Mr. Noah, that the venerable Messrs. Hiershell and Meldonna, chief rabbis at London, and myself, thank him, but positively refuse the appointments he has been pleased to confer upon us. We declare that, according to our degrees, God alone knows the epoch of the Israelitish restoration; and he alone will make it known to the whole universe, by signs entirely unequivocal; and that every attempt on our part, to re-assemble with any political-national design, is forbidden, as an act of high treason against the Divine Majesty. Mr. Noah has doubtless forgotten that the Israelites, faithful to the principles of their belief, are too much attached to the countries where they dwell, and devoted to the governments under which they enjoy liberty and protection, not to treat as a mere jest the chimerical consulate of a pseudo restorer.

As, however, justice requires some consideration to the absent, we should be sorry to refuse him the title of a visionary of good intentions.

Accept, Mr. Editor, the assurance of the distinguished and respected sentiments with which I remain your most humble servant.
                                                    The Grand Rabbi DE COLOGNE.

---

THE  DAVIDITES.

Extract of a letter from Canada, descriptive of a new and singular sect of people located near York:

"Their founder and present leader, is David Wilson... (see the Ontario Repository of Oct. 19, 1825 for this letter)


Note: The Republican Advocate edited and shortened this original Sept. 1825 letter from the New York Spectator.

From the Commercial Advertiser.

THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.

"It is American books," says a late English Review, "that are wanted of America; not English books made in America by Englishmen. We want in a word from the people of North America, books which, whatever may be their faults are decidedly, if not altogether, American." Well, here they have one -- a description of the aboriginal character -- in all its native, wild and lofty grandeur -- powerful, warm, rich, glowing and animated from the hand of a master tho' they may be unwilling to acknowledge him as such...

The "Last of the Mohicans" is a narrative work. The scene as has before been stated by us, is laid in the neighborhood of Lake George and its vicinity -- a region unrivalled for romantic beauty wilderness and sublimity. It commences at that critical conjuncture of the old French war after Braddock's defeat...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

A new novel, to be entitled "The New-York Yankee; or Tales of the First 'Settlers' on the Tioughnioga," is preparing for the press in Cortland Village in this state. Mr. William W. Phelps, the author, is represented as being among the accursed of fortune; and as having resolved in this manner, if possible, to gain reparation for the many evils with which he is afflicted. We wish him success; nevertheless, we must take the liberty to guess that if his "daily bread" is to be purchased by his wits in this book-making age, it will be rather stale before he eats it.


Note: William W. Phelps' youthful career as a popular novelist seems to have quickly floated down the bosom of the Tioughnioga and out of sight. It appears doubtful that he ever finished his "New-York Yankee" story. Later in life he experienced somewhat better luck, editing the Lake Light, writing hymn lyrics for the Mormons, etc.

__________________________________

printed and published every Friday
AT PALMYRA, WAYNE CO., N. Y. BY
TUCKER & GILBERT.
__________________________________


From the Western Balance.

WONDERFUL  INFATUATION.

Modern Pilgrims. -- In the Summer of 1818, a company of people, calling themselves Pilgrims, appeared descending the Mississippi, in flat boats. By their own account, they started from Lower Canada, in a company consisting of eight or ten. In Vermont they recruited twenty or thirty; in the state of New-York several more -- and when they reached Cincinnati, their numbers amounted to about sixty.

Their leader, a Canadian, by the name of Bullard, (called also by his followers, the Prophet Elijah,) was of a diminutive stature, with a club foot. Before he began his mission, he had a severe spell of sickness, when he fasted 40 days, (as he said, and his disciples believed;) after which he recovered very suddenly, by the special interposition of the Divine Spirit, and being filled with enthusiasm, he declared that he was commanded to plant the church of the Redeemer in the wilderness, and among the heathen. -- From these notions, thus imbibed, and which he instilled into his followers, they believed themselves capable of fasting 40 days; accordingly when they committed themselves to the current, the Prophet enjoined a 40 days' fast. The people becoming sick and in great distress from hunger, this severe commander found it necessary to remit, in some degree, the rigor of his injunction, and he permitted the taking of flour broth through a quill, because he received his food in this way after his long sickness and fast, when he could not open his jaws; and which had the vivifying effect taken by him for supernatural power or inspiration. But as the gruel allowed was very meagre, being simply flour and cold water, debility, misery, and death attended the experiment. Yet with faith and hope they persisted.

In this wretched situation, they arrived at Pilgrim's island; which derives its name from this fact; at which place they were fallen in with by a barge belonging to Nashville, whose crew, detesting the conduct of the prophet and his seconds, who watched and governed the timorous multitude, gave two or three of the leaders a sound drubbing with the pliant cotton wood switch.

They next landed at the Little Prairie. The prophet's staff, which by the direction of its fall had hitherto pointed out the way, now stood still; and he declared that here he was commanded to settle and build a church; but Mr. Walker, who owned the soil, and resided in this solitary spot, forbid the undertaking. This was accounted persecution -- yet they continued seven days, during which, several died, among whom were children, which were placed on the beach by their parents, at the command of Elijah, when, exposed to the scorching sun, they wallowed holes in the sand while they struggled away the agonies of death. While here laboring under sickness and persecution, it seems they began to suspect that they were forsaken by the divine spirit, and that no more miracles could be wrought for them. Hence they commenced the cry of "Oh, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" when, by assisting each other, the vociferating cry was not intermitted for three days and nights.

They stopped further down at a desert place, when six or eight more died, whose bones still lie on the shore uncovered; and all who remained, when they arrived at Helana, were objects of terror and compassion. The hospitable inhabitants furnished them a plentiful supply of milk and more nourishing gruel, for taking which every one was provided with a piece of reed cane.

Their boat next struck upon a sand-bar near the mouth of the Arkansas. The prophet, his brother, and other leaders being dead, the remnant dispersed into the settlements, and down the river in the passing boards.

From the time the party entered the Mississippi, their numbers decreased daily by death or desertion. And when they made their final landing, only about 15 remained. One disciple eloped at the Little Prairie, with all the cash belonging to the company. One child was rescued and here raised. Several individuals who were dispersed in various directions, are now comfortably settled, but it is supposed that more than half their number died on the pilgrimage.

This fete of folly and delusion, is perhaps worthy of notice, as furnishing a striking instance of the blindness of credulity -- the wilderness of fanaticism, and the miserable propensity of the mind, to believe itself possessed of powers which do not belong to humanity.


Note 1: The above article must have originally appeared in the Western Balance (of Franklin, TN?), in about late April of 1826. See the New York City Telescope of May, 6, 1826 for another reprint. For more on Isaac Bullard and his "Pilgrims" in retrospective accounts, see the articles, "The Pilgrims" in the Oct. 5, 1822 issue of the Saturday Evening Post, "The Mormon Delusion" in the June 24, 1831 issue of the Vermont Chronicle, and Zadock Thompson's "Fanatical Sects," in his 1842 History of Vermont, (summarized in the notes attached to an 1817 article.)

Note 2: For contemporary accounts about Isaac Bullard's "Pilgrims," see the Salem Register of Sept. 15, 1817, the Boston American Baptist Magazine of May 17, 1818, and the Chillicothe Weekly Recorder of Nov. 5, Nov. 12, and Nov 26, 1817. None of these reports came late enough to relate Bullard's purported 1818 murder of the Pilgrims' children on the shore at Little Prairie (now Caruthersville, Pemiscot Co.), Missouri -- however, in an 1817 report, Bullard was said to have fled from Quebec province, after having poisoned the child of one of his followers, "by command of the Lord," rather like his other followers' children were put in a dire situation, "at the command of Elijah."

Note 3: The story of Bullard and his followers' 1817 stop-over at Woodstock, Vermont is summarized in David M. Ludlum's 1939 book, Social Ferment in Vermont, pp. 242-244. Although the Joseph Smith, Sr. family had departed Vermont by the time the Bullard Pilgrims arrived on the scene, Oliver Cowdery's Grandfather, (William Cowdery, Sr.) then lived in Woodstock and Oliver himself lived in an adjoining county (see area map). It is not unlikely that members of the Cowdery family had some first-hand knowledge of Bullard's cult.

Note 4: In a 1997 article entitled "Joseph Smith's Testimony: The First Vision and Book of Mormon Evidence," Mark Stepherson has this to say about the cult and its possible influence on early Mormonism: "Isaac Bullard was noticed and had the public mind excited against him. He wore nothing but a bearskin girdle and a beard. He gathered his "pilgrims" into a community near the Smith's old home in Vermont. When the community moved west, they likely followed the same road the Smith family used when moving to New York. Isaac Bullard taught free love, but I wonder how many members were women willing to practice free love with their leader, a man who regarded washing as a sin and bragged that he had not changed clothes in seven years?"

The masonic fraternity and others, are cautioned in the Ontario Messenger, against a man calling himself "Capt. William Morgan, as he is a swindler and a dangerous man,"


Notes: (forthcoming)

(reply to the "People's Press)

[David C. Miller says violence is threatened against him] and while we are thus compelled to an act of justice to ourselves and to the public, we shall be sorry if we wound the feelings of any honorable men who may have been unfortunate in any of their associations... The strongest evidence of rottenness in any association is the desire of its worthy men that its secrets may be unfolded, thereby curtailing the practice of frauds and oppressions. 'I would rather give a thousand dollars,' said a worthy man a day or two since, 'than that it should not be done.' This is the sentiment of hundreds within our knowledge, who are of good report... Some are so excessively foolish as not to hesitate to express this unprincipled and abusive sentiment, that were the lives of any of those who are engaged in a certain work taken by violence the Governor would pardon the murderers! Rest assured, kind sirs, if there were no other hangman found in the state for such a criminal, the Governor himself would perform the duty! ...


Notes: (forthcoming)

To give a vivid delineation of the character and tendency of secret associations, we have made the following extract from the writings of Baron Knigge, who bore a conspicuous part in those societies existing during his day. That he speaks from experience, the reader may judge both from the Baron's reasoning, and his own observation.

Take care not to become a tool of disguised rogues.

ON  SECRET  SOCIETIES.

Among the great variety of dangerous and harmless amusements with which our philosophical age abounds, none is more prevailing than the rage for Secret Societies. -- There are few people possessing an eminent degree of ability and activity, particularly on the continent, who being actuated by a desire for knowledge, or by sociability, curiosity, or restlessness of temper, have not been for some time at least members of secret associations. It is high time these secret societies, which are so extremely dangerous to social happiness, as well as being useless and foolish, should at length be seen in their proper light. I have been held long enough in their mysterious bondage to be capable of speaking from experience, and of exhorting every young man who values his time properly, never to enter into any secret association, by what name soever it be called. They are not indeed all equally dangerous, but there is not one of them that can be said to be entirely harmless, or useful in any respect. They are useless, because at the present no important instruction needs to be enveloped in mysteries. The christian religion is so clear and so satisfactory as not to require, like the popular religions of the ancient heathens, a secret interpretation and a twofold method of instruction; and as for the arts and sciences, the newest discoveries which are made are publicly promulgated for the benefit of mankind, and ought to be made as public as possible, to enable every competent judge to examine and confirm them as really useful. -- In some individual countries, however, where darkness and superstition still prevail, the light of the dawning day must be quietly expected....

... these secret societies are also dangerous to the State and the world in general. They are dangerous inasmuch as they question the authority of the rulers of civil society having an undoubted right to demand information relative to every object of activity, for which a less or greater number of citizens have united themselves; and because the veil of mystery as completely conceals dangerous plans and principles as noble views and valuable knowledge; besides it often occurs, that all the members are not apprized of the nefarious views which frequently are disguised by the most imposing appearance; while moderate geniuses only will suffer themselves to be confined in those trammels by which the superiours of such societies are used to entangle the subordinate members; and the better part either throws off the yoke in a short time, or becomes tainted and degenerate from receiving a false turn, or rule arbitrarily at the expense of others. They are dangerous because unknown superiors are generally concealed behind the scene; and it is unbecoming a rational man to act upon a plan which he cannot overlook...

I thereby advise my readers to take no share in these fashionable follies; to concern themselves as little as possible about the system and the steps of such societies; not to throw away their time upon reading their polemic writings; to be circumspect in their conversations upon this subject, in order to avoid all useless vexations and to risk neither a favorable nor an unfavorable judgment upon such systems... should your former associates, however, disturb your tranquillity, then behave like a man of spirit, and hesitate not a moment to expose their fraud, follies and malice publicly, as a warning for others.

If we consider that Baron Knigge, whose confession this is, was a superior of a Lodge of Freemasons, and one of the principal chiefs of the illuminati; this declaration must have additional weight, as he certainly could speak from experience.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(Abduction of William Morgan)

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Never during our humble labors, were we called to make such a statement as at the present time to our friends and Patrons. Glorying in the privileges we enjoyed as American citizens, we basked under the sunshine of liberty, proud in our independence, and thankful for its blessings; acting under the protection of the laws of our country, we felt we stood as a strong wall, invulnerable to the attack of any enemy that dare attempt our repose. Whilst, as citizens of a free country, we give due honor to the Press, the mighty engine, in the moral machinery, and would cling to it as one of the last stays on which our hopes, as freemen, could be placed, we must raise our voice with every honorable mind against those through whose instrumentality these privileges are sacrificed.

To destroy our usefulness, and undermine our reputation, we have been assailed with every missile, in the shape of calumny and abuse, by a paper in this village, conducted by a crew of as lying and dastardly cowards as ever ministered to the corruption of the public. There was no slander too base, no tale too villainous, to find admission into the columns of the common vehicle of defamation. For some past time it has been a reservoir into which the accumulated filth and pollution of the whole neighborhood rolled in various offensive streams -- Limping verse, and uncouth prose -- profane parodies and descriptions of drunken orgies, in turgid bombast were held out as diversified specimens of this motley tribe! Cast-off Judges, turncoat politicians, dishonored pettifoggers, and menial quill drivers found this paper the recipient of all the billious matter which they could eject. So long as these men merely threw out their squibs and puffs, and vain boasting, conscious of the superiority of our intellect, and the rectitude of our intentions, clad, as it were, with a panoply of steel, we let their venom go out in froth, to fall harmless at our feet -- We have whipped them before, and so can we yet.

The essence of the journal to which we allude is prejudice; and dreading the poison and stings it carried, so long as we kept our front to its conductors, we cared not for its slang and abuse. In open day-light and before the gaze of the world, we are prepared for the murderer and assassin, but in the clouds of night or forgetfulness of sleep, as may be pushed out of existence. When the nauseating calumnies of the People's Press, springing from the most odious origin, and disfigured by the vilest accompaniments, founded on a malice at which hell rejoices, and deformed by falsehoods at which perjury would shudder, had failed, and were flung back with indignation to its polluted source, other means, however, more villainous and more effectual, have been used to accomplish our destruction. Before the sirocco of their breath, we withered not nor died, -- nor even shuddered, till the incendiary's torch was applied to the combustible materials placed under our buildings, and which, but for the overruling of an inscrutible Providence, would have accomplished the intended ruin. Although Johns has been overheard to say, "we did not intend eventually to burn, and were prepared, at the proper time, to get the fire under;" yet, had it not been that two men were living in Barre, were in the street, at the fatal hour, no alarm could or would have been given in season to save these buildings; and probably a considerable portion of the village must also have fallen a sacrifice. They saw the incendiary who applied the torch; he made a hasty retreat, and dropped his dark lanthorn containing the fatal torch. Yet, under all these damning circumstances, does the polluted Press attempt to quibble and prevaricate.

---

From the scandalous publications in a neighboring print, the public must have formed a tolerably correct idea that I was engaged in the publication of a work, that many felt an interest in having suppressed, or of crushing before it should be prepared to be presented to the world: -- This, when known, constituted a signal, around which hovered the malignant and mischievous spirits far and near. I had to compete with the engines of the law, with perjury and with scandal. Waxing warm, the storm raged finally in fire communicated to my establishment by the hand of an incendiary, and lastly in personal violence, committed by a lawless band collected by a Canadian, aided by individuals who had forgotten themselves, their country, and its laws.

---

The People's Press was the grand pioneer to these outrages, for which I shall hold Messrs. Chandler, Scott and Coates responsible, agreeable to a statement made in that paper sometime since in which they assumed this responsibility. -- That the two latter gentlemen were not sensible at the time of the extent of their amenability, I am fully satisfied; but when they consent to furnish the [abhorrent?] material they must be answerable for the mischieviousness of the torch-bearer. It was through this medium that the life or liberty of another citizen was assailed. Its is to this torch that Capt. Morgan owes the loss of one or the other, or both; and in whom if living, or to his country if dead, they must owe a sad accountability.

---

The People are aroused, and well they may be. -- An enquiry has gone forth, which will not cease, until Capt. William Morgan or his remains have been discovered. The question is not who or what is [he]? Where from, what his business or standing? or is he a useful member of society -- a Patriot to his country, or a useless drone? But the alarm is circulated! a citizen of these United States, free born, under the protection of laws, emanating from free and liberal institutions, has been stolen, kidnapped, and plundered from his family, and smuggled, by ruffian hands, to some place unknown, or murdered by members belonging to a band, who assume to be above the laws. A notice will be seen in this paper calling a meeting on this subject on Monday next: -- It will be full, and attended by many members belonging to an absurd order, who are desirous of making manifest to the world that they discountenance violence and are anxious of wiping off the stain fastened upon their society by some of its unworthy members.

---

Some, who are deeply implicated in late criminal transactions, attempt a flimsey cover to their misdeeds: 1st by asserting, that we had threatened Mrs. Morgan's life if she did not deliver, to us certain papers; 2d. That Capt. Morgan had been taken away at his own request -- that he had written letters to that effect to his friends in Canandaigua, who came on accordingly, and took him off. -- What shameful subterfuge will not villainy resort to!

---

No enquiry that has yet been made, has resulted in a knowledge of the final disposition of Capt. Morgan. Chandler, who evidently went to Canandaigua on Wednesday last on this business, has returned; and to enquiries made, merely answered what he learned while there, that he (Morgan) had been disposed of as follows: -- that a rope was fastened to the top of a tree, and turned up by the roots by the force of oxen -- his body placed under it, and then let back, where he will be found buried! Is this the way that Daniel H. Chandler calculates to appease an alarmed community? Is this the manner he contemplates to satisfy an enquiring world of the manner a kidnapped citizen has been disposed of? or does he and others think, that the hints and whisperings that Morgan's person is safe in some Canadian gaol will allay public feeling? If he is thus incarcerated, by whom and what violence was he taken there? Who caused him to be a prisoner in a foreign, if not an enemy's country? -- These are questions that must be answered by a few worthless members of a useless institution, made to bend to the purposes of the abandoned and unprincipled.

---

The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman at Canandaigua, to his correspondent in this place:

"I do not know how far you may be concerned with Mr. Morgan. I observe the Freemasons are alive to something. I do not belong to that society; but as a friend I advise you to be on your guard, as well as a man by the name of Babcock. Last night they took Morgan by force and carried him the Lord knows where."

---

The following was printed in a hand bill form, and published on Monday and Tuesday last.

There is reason to fear that Captain Morgan has been Assassinated.

Captain Morgan was taken by violence from Batavia on Monday morning (11th.) and carried to Canandaigua, delivered to the Gaol of that village; on Tuesday evening he was released, and at the dead and silent hour of night carried off by a powerful party; since which time he has not been heard of.

I feel that it has almost amounted to a criminal delinquency in not apprising the Public before this that a free born citizen of the United States, and a peaceable resident of the town of Batavia in Genesee co. was arrested Monday morning last, by virtue, as was said, of a criminal process, issued by some Magistrate in Canandaigua, and thrust with unusual violence into a carriage, and driven off with full speed, guarded by an uncommon and imposing force. The manner of this, in connection with the persons who were engaged in so singular a transaction, created at the time considerable sensation among our citizens; but pains were taken to allay the feeling, which was growing rather too intense to suit the views of some. Assurances were given that the prisoner would not only be well treated, but would fare sumptuously; & to carry conviction at once to the doubting, the character and standing of the gentlemen who arrested him were appealed to. These assurances, if they did not fully convince, at least soothed for the time: But to Tuesday was reserved the grand finale of breaking asunder and scattering all doubts upon this head! This was effected through the agency of Messrs. Sheriff Thompson, Nathan Follett, and a person from Rochester by the name of George Ketchum. They pledged themselves to Mrs. Morgan that on condition she would deliver up certain papers, her husband should be restored to her; she did so; and was immediately conveyed, by the man from Rochester, on her way to Canandaigua.

On her arrival in that village Mr. Morgan was not to be found; but in his place she received the following appalling relation: -- That he had been thrust into Canandaigua jail on a debt for about two dollars; where having remained a few hours, a friend, or a pretended friend came and paid the sum and liberated him, and advised him to repair to the inn situated in the upper end of the village (formerly kept by a person by the name of Bates) at which he remained but a short time, when a carriage was brought to the door and her husband thrust into it, and driven off at full speed under an escort of 15 or 20 armed men. This reaction she obtained from the wife of the Innkeeper, who is a Royal Arch Mason -- and who also further informed her that however unpleasant the task, yet she considered it her duty to inform her of what she had too much reason to fear was the case, that she would never see Mr. Morgan again, and the only consolation she could give her on so heart-rending a subject was to assure her that the Masons would see that she and her family would be provided for. -- Since he return to Batavia, which was on the afternoon of Thursday, Mr. Thompson has named the same thing to her, and proposed that she & her family should change her present boarding house for that of Mr. Danold's; the expenses of which would be defrayed as before stated.

During her stay at Canandaigua her chief if not her only intercourse was with Masons: from them she received a silent reserve with respect to Mr. Morgan's fate, with the exception of Mr. Ketchum who told her with some feeling, on parting with her, "that he considered it his duty to inform her that she must never, he feared, expect to see her husband again." Mrs. M. was also informed on her way to Canandaigua that the writer of this article, who was then held in durance by the violence of a mob, that his family need not expect soon to see him. And it was repeatedly mentioned in her presence by Masons at that place, that not only the writer of this but others that least expected it, would share the fate of Morgan; they had the names of all who had any agency in exposing Masonry, and had the power as well as the will to punish. A striking evidence of this POWER and this WILL was exhibited in this village on Tuesday afternoon, in the shape of a numerous and powerful mob, armed with bludgeons collected from various parts of the country, by a Canadian Spy of the name of Daniel Johns and headed by a citizen of Le Roy, who must ever bid adieu to the character of a Legislator after having headed such a lawless assemblage, who openly avowed their intention of destroying my printing establishment; and which would have been done, is admitted by Masons in this village, but for Mrs. Morgan's having delivered up certain papers on that day.

Every legal effort is making by the citizens of this place to arrest these lawless and alarming transactions, and to punish the daring delinquents. The public spirit on this occasion has risen to blood-heat -- an alarm has gone abroad among the people; and wo, wo is pronounced. Has it come to this that a Canadian, a stranger to our land and our institutions, can carry fire and sword into the heart of our country, and that too by the aid and consent of its citizens? -- That the liberty, life and property of its peaceable inhabitants are to be assailed when he pronounces the fiat? Shame, shame on that association, by whatever name it may be called, however ancient and honorable may have been its order when its members so far forget themselves, individual and public rights, as to be induced, by whatever motive, or headed by whatever chief, to engage in scenes that scandalize our well balanced institutions -- but shame puts on a double suffusion when these outrages are committed at the beck of a foreign renegade.

Fellow-Citizens -- When I conjure you to protect me and others who are not only threatened but assailed with lawless violence, I appeal to a principle intimately connected with your own preservation. Suffer one; even one citizen to be thus dealt with impunity and you thereby invite, and assuredly will be rewarded by similar outrages -- Suffer even the members of a society, however imposing in members, and however powerful by combination, to arrest from the laws what belongs to the laws and you inevitably seal the destruction of your liberty -- your social compact becomes barbarised, and you re led to toil and slaughter at the will of merciless task-masters and tyrants.

What can be more alarming to the well-being of social order, than to have the bonds which are destined to restrain the thoughtless and the ignorant rended asunder by the more knowing ones, stating "that whatever may be your violence in a particular case, you will be protected -- that the constituted authorities will protect you -- that the Governor of the state has written on, in any and every event, cost what it may, even to bloodshed, to suppress a certain thing -- by no means to suffer it to come to the world!" -- How little do those, who give the least color to such impositions, consider over what a volcano they are treading -- how many honest fathers and mothers may have to weep over the crimes committed by their misguided sons! and how soon the lawless mine they have devoted for the destruction of others may hurl themselves to that sad doom. -- It is rapidly approaching to this, unless the lawless fire, enkindled by those whose duty it is to suppress its first dawning, exert all their powers to put down what has been suffered to become too deeply enfixed. And I here call upon Benjamin Blodgett, as the publisher of a public journal, and upon Daniel E. Chandler, as a magistrate of the land, instead of quibbling about the character or qualities of a certain book, or of those engaged in it, or who are or who are not incendiaries, to lend a vigorous hand to the suppression of insubordination and bloodshed. I also call upon William R. Thompson, Sheriff of Genesee, possessing, as he does, the civil and military power of the county, to keep the public peace -- to suppress all riots or attempts at riots. He is one of the conservators of the laws, and he will have to answer for a fearful responsibility in any neglect of duty; which it is hoped and trusted no occasion may bring to his charge. I call upon the constituted authorities generally for aid and protection -- to suppress all efforts at violence, in their incipient state, and to punish outrages already committed, or those which may hereafter be attempted. -- I call upon the Governor, clothed with the power of the State, to suppress a rebel band, who have put at defiance the laws of the land, and assumed a right, not recognized by constitutional or statute law, to punish agreeably to the caprice or whim of their own will -- And I call upon the best efforts of all good citizens, whether in or out of authority, to be aiding in the premises. -- The rest I leave to the will of Heaven; invoking a steady nerve and a steady purpose in defending my rights,

To soon have the prophetic remarks of Capt. Morgan been verified. His fate he anticipated. "My best exertions," he often said, "have ever been devoted to my country and its free institutions. Man I have loved and do love, and I wish him unenthralled. My life is the property of my country, and my countrymen have a claim upon my utmost faculties for the preservation of all that is dear to intelligent freemen. The bane of our evil institutions is to be found in an order powerful and numerous, and becoming daily more so. It cankers and corrodes to the core the foundation on which Justice is based; and is destined, unless timely checked, to become the leveler, not of proud distinctions, but of social order. That, which, in its origin, it promoted, bringing form from uncomliness, is sadly reversed; -- and thieves and motley changers have entered the sacred Temple. -- Well, continued he, may the Virgin be presented weeping over the fallen column. This is no ideal picture, or the suggestion of a disordered fancy -- look about you -- within the precincts of your daily walks and daily avocations you will see injustice sanctioned, and crime sainted by the myrmidons of an absurd institution. With its power and corruptions, individuals not only may be sacrificed, but, in time, the State. If my life must be forfeit, I owe to my country an exposure of its dangers; not that there are not good men in the society, but that there are many evil ones." This is a mere point in comparison to the compass of his remarks. If ever man had honest views, I venture to aver that such were his; yet it is to be feared that he has fallen a martyr to truth and to the good of his fellow men. At the elbow of the immortal Jackson, braving death on the plains of Orleans, and successfully defending "Beauty and Booty" from the ravishment of unrestrained lust and love of plunder, he may have been destined to die by the hands of the worthless and the useless.

The late outrageous acts committed by some of the fraternity, conclusively prove that the institution is dangerous; because there is not a sufficient influencing or restraining power exerted to preserve subordination; because it is not in the power of those who would do justly and act uprightly to all men, so enforce this salutary principal; because many of its real moral orniments have ceased, and are daily ceasing to hold a communion with its more active and interested members; because they can associate at divers places, at the secret hour of midnight, concert their plans, meet and execute them at any given point or time; and because the society is claiming and attempting to enforce exclusive privileges, and are becoming as dangerous to individual rights and social liberty as the Spanish Inquisition ever was in the zenith of its baleful power.
                              D. C. MILLER.
Batavia, Sept. 18, 1826.

P. S. Since writing the above I have been credibly informed that Johns, despairing of a desperate force in this quarter to "storm the castle," has repaired to Canada, to enlist a myrmidos corps; which may be expected on every hour. This may prove not to be the fact, but every information we have as yet received. from the source that we obtained this, has proved too true. -- Let the conservators of the public peace beware!

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TO THE PUBLIC.

The inhabitants of the County of Genesee, who do not approve of the [vile?] transactions in the village of Batavia, to wit: the attempt to set fire to the buildings in said village, the forcibly taking away and secreting from his wife and children, a man not known to be guilty of any crime; and the abuse of legal process towards several of our citizens, together with other unwarrantable acts, are requested to meet at the Court House, on Monday next, the 25th inst., at 12 o'clock at noon, for the purpose of concerting and adopting such measures as may be deemed proper for investigating them, and, if possible, preventing the recurrence of similar attacks upon their persons and property, with which they have been openly threatened.
                            MANY CITIZENS.
Batavia, September 21, 1826.

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A CARD.

To my personal friends, and to the friends of civil and social liberty, and to the Rights of man, I owe an acknowledgment of grateful thanks, which I tender warm from the heart; assuring them, at the same time, that every avenue is guarded -- that every nook and corner from which a lawless corps might issue by day or night, is watched by vigilant sentinels. In return for this kindness, my life and my best exertions are at the command of civil, religious and political philanthropists.
                            D. C. MILLER.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Pursuant to notice given, the inhabitants of the County held a general Meeting at the Court House on Monday the 25th inst. The object of the meeting was briefly explained after which Aaron Van Cleve was appointed Chairman, and Jonathan Lay Secretary.

Nine depositions were then read to the meeting, giving an account of the conduct of certain persons, in relation to the carrying away of WILLIAM MORGAN; the manner in which Mrs. Morgan was treated; and a full statement made by persons who were present, of the arrest and detention of David C. Miller...

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The following are the depositions in the order in which they were read at the meeting.

Genesee County, ss.

              Lucinda Morgan, aged twenty-three, the wife of William Morgan, of Batavia, in said County, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith: that on Monday last, about, or a short time before sunrise, her said husband left his house, and went into the street of the village, that finding he did not come home to his breakfast as usual, she made enquiries for him and was told that he had been forcibly taken away by six men and put in a carriage and taken to Canandaigua. That during the whole of Monday she remained in ignorance of which way he had been taken, or who had taken him, excepting by loose information, that an officer from Canandaigua had taken him. That on Tuesday morning, soon after breakfast, she sent for William R. Thompson, the Sheriff, and requested to know of him if he knew on what pretext her husband had been taken away. -- Said Thompson told her he understood he had been taken under a charge of having stolen a shirt and cravat, and that he presumed it was merely a pretext to get him away, or carry him away; that thereupon this deponent asked him if he thought Mr. Morgan could be got back, or brought back, if she gave up to the Masons the papers she had in possession. Said Thompson answered that he thought it was very likely that Mr. Morgan would be brought back if she would give them up, but he would not obligate himself or undertake to say that he should be brought back. That thereupon said Thompson proposed that this deponent should go to Canandaigua, and take the papers, and give them to Morgan, or to them, or give them up; and deponent agreed to go and take the papers accordingly. Thompson then asked this deponent if there was any person or friend whom she would like to have go with her. She mentioned Mr. Gibbs (meaning Horace Gibbs,) and asked if it would do for him to go. Said Thompson said it would not do for him to go, as he was not a mason, and added it would not do for any person to carry her there but a mason. She asked him twice if Mr. Gibbs was not a mason, and he said he was not, and then asked deponent if she was acquainted with Mr. Follett: deponent said she was not. Thompson said he was a nice man, and a gentleman with whom she could safely trust herself. Said Thompson departed and soon returned, and told deponent that Mr. Follett was not willing to go unless she would let him (Follett,) and Mr. Ketchum see the papers: he did not want to go on a tom fool's errand. This deponent then objected to these papers being seen by them; Thompson then said it was useless, he should do no more and he could not send her out there unless they could see the papers. Deponent then with great reluctance, finally consented to let them see the papers, if they would take her to see her husband. -- This second visit lasted about twenty minutes, during which time Thompson urged deponent to let the papers be seen. Deponent told him she was afraid they would take the papers away from her, if she let them see them. Thompson said they would not. -- She offered to let Mr. Thompson see the papers; he said that would not answer; they would not take his word. Thompson then told her he would go to Humphrey's and stay until she had got the papers, and she must then make a sign to him when she was ready. Accordingly a short time afterwards she made a sign to Mr. Thompson, then standing on Humphrey's stoop, and immediately after, he, with Mr. Follett and Mr. Ketchum came to her apartment, when Thompson introduced Follett and Ketchum, and said they had come to see the papers, which this deponent then handed to them. -- They all looked at them a short time and Thompson then asked her if she was ready to go, saying Mr. Follett was ready to take her. Follett then said he would go home with the papers and look them over, and told Ketchum to stop for him at his gate. Accordingly, about four o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, deponent started with said Follett and Ketchum, in a small wagon, and proceeded to Stafford. where they stopped at a house, where she was conducted into a back room, into which Follett and Ketchum came, and were joined by one Daniel Johns, and by James Ganson; all of whom immediately proceeded to examine the papers with much earnestness, and held much low conversation with themselves in under voices. Ganson appeared to speak the most. One of them asked Johns if those were the papers that were in the office when he was there. Johns answered there was one degree back, and then took a piece of paper, and folding it up, said the papers that were back were folded so. They then held considerable more conversation in voices too low to be heard. Follett then turned to deponent and said; he did not see that he could go with her; that Mr. Ketchum was going to Rochester, and would be willing to take her to Canandaigua to see Mr. Morgan; said he was not much acquainted with him (Ketchum) but took him to be a Gentleman; and Ketchum then said he called himself a gentleman, and she need not be afraid to trust herself with him. Ketchum then took the papers and tied them up in his pocket handkerchief, and took them with him into the wagon in which they rode. Johns then got into the wagon and rode to Le Roy, when he got out, and bid Ketchum good bye, saying, I hope I shall see you day after to-morrow. They then proceeded to Avon, and staid all night. The next day they again started for Canandaigua, when Ketchum put the papers into this deponent's trunk. They arrived at Canandaigua about twelve at Noon, and stopped at a tavern at the corner of the main street. After being there some time, this deponent asked Ketchum if he had heard of Mr. Morgan. -- Ketchum said he had not; that the masons would not talk to him; he could not see them -- they seemed jealous of him -- thought him a friend of Mr. Morgan, and was afraid he had come to get him away from that place. Then he asked her where the papers were. He took them and said he would go and make further inquiries for Mr. Morgan; and if he could find him, or where he was, or where they had taken him, he would let her know all he could find out. This was about dinner time. He returned again a short time before night, and told her he had heard Mr. Morgan had been there; had been tried for stealing a shirt, and cleared, had been then put in jail for a debt of two dollars -- and that Tuesday night a man had come from Pennsylvania, who said he had a warrant against him for a debt he owed there; that he, the man, had paid the two dollars and had taken him away in a private carriage on Tuesday night, and that he had no doubt he was gone; and asked this deponent when she would go home again. The deponent then expressed her anxiety to return speedily on account of having left her child of two years old, and having with her a baby of two months old. -- Ketchum then went out, as he said to take a passage in the stage, and returned after candle light. This deponent was then walking the room in great distress, and in tears. -- She asked him if he could hear nothing of Mr. Morgan. He then seemed to pity deponent, and told her not to be uneasy, and after looking at her a short time, told her to come and sit down by him, and asked her if she would feel any better if he told her all he knew. Being answered yes, he then said that Mr. Morgan would not be killed -- that he would be kept concealed until they could get the rest of the papers. She asked him what papers were back. He said there was some sheets of the Mark Masters Degree back, and they wanted also to get the printed sheets that Miller had printed on the three Degrees. He then said he wanted to take the papers which he had received from this deponent, to Rochester, and he thought through the means of them he could find out where Mr. Morgan was: Iit was a secret where he was. Said he had paid her passage and gave her two dollars to bear her expenses home. He then wrote his name with a pencil on a scrap of paper hereto annexed, as follows: ("George Ketchum, Rochester") and promised to write to her if he could hear of Mr. Morgan. He then told her if she would, by any means get hold of the papers that Miller had, or find out where they were deposited, so that he could get hold of them, he would give her twenty-five dollars out of his own pocket, & he had no doubt the lodge would give her one hundred if she could get what Miller had now. Deponent told him she would not try to get the papers, that Miller had, and would take no money and would not let him have the papers she had delivered to him, but on condition he would try and find out where Mr. Morgan was, and let her see him. He then repeated his promise to try and find out, and said he would write to her as soon as he got to Rochester; and urged her to write to him immediately on her return, and let him know about the papers, and what the people were doing generally in Batavia, and whether they were making a great rumpus about Mr. Morgan. Deponent then expressed her fears that if she did give him any information about the papers, he would not keep his promise about letting her see him, but would keep him concealed until they had got all the papers, and finally kill him. Ketchum then said, "I promise before my God that I will not deceive you, but will do all I can to find out where he is, and let you see him. I have no doubt when I get back to Rochester I can find out more, and I think I can find out where he is." He then again urged her to find out where the papers were, and let him know. In the course of his conversation he said, that if Mr. Morgan had managed rightly he could have made a million of dollars, if the work had been published. Ketchum then departed for Rochester, leaving this deponent at the tavern -- she, the same day, started for Batavia. -- The papers taken away by the said Ketchum were numerous, and formed a very large bundle; they were written in the handwriting of her husband, excepting a few which were written by a person who some times assisted her husband by copying or taking down as he dictated to him. The deponent further says, she has no knowledge of the place where her husband now is, or what is his situation, and feels the most anxious fears for his life; that she was born in virginia, and is a stranger, without intimate friends or relations in this county, and is left with two infant children, without any money, except what is left of that given to her by said Ketchum, and has no property, nor any means of supporting herself and her children, her constitution being very feeble, and her health very bad most of the time.
                    L. MORGAN.
   Sworn the 22d, day of September, 1826,
before me. DANIEL H. CHANDLER, J. P.

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Genesee County, ss.

      Oren Dana aged twenty-one being sworn, deposeth and saith: that on Monday morning, the 11th day of September instant, he was attending as a Clerk in the store in Batavia kept by Jonas S. Billings. Between the hours of six and seven of the clock in the morning, William Morgan of Batavia village came into the store, and a few minutes afterwards a stranger came into the store and told Morgan he wished to speak to him, and walked out with him. -- They proceeded up the street towards Danold's Tavern, and he saw them no more. -- The stranger appeared to be acquainted with Morgan. He was a stout well made man, aged he thinks, between twenty-eight and thirty-five, wore a light colored hat considerably worn or used. He is well acquainted with the inhabitants of the village and its vicinity, but does not recollect that he ever saw the said stranger before.
                    ORREN DANA.
   Sworn the 18th day of September, 1826,
before me. RALPH COFFIN, Commissioner for Genesee county.

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(under construction)

Note: There appears to be some grounds for believing that Oliver Cowdery knew the William Morgan family at Batavia prior to Morgan's abduction. See notes attached to the Oct. 25, 1826 issue of the Geneva Gazette for more on this interesting possibility.

(Appeal to the Governor)

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

INSOLVENTS'  NOTICES.

By order of Charles H. Carroll, Esq/ first Judge of Livingston Common Pleas: Notice is hereby given to all the creditors of Stephen F. Cowdery of Avon, in said county, an insolvent debtor, to shew cause, if any they have, before the said judge at his office in the town of Groveland, in the county of Livingston, on the 1st day of November next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, why an assignment of the said insovent's estate should not be made, and his person be exempt from imprisonment pursuant to the act entitled "An act to abolish imprisonment for debt in certain cases," passed April 7, 1819.   Dated this 12th day of September, 1826.

6w. S. F. COWDERY, Insolvent.


Note 1: The authors of the 2000 CD-book, The Spalding Enigma, say on page 301: "...the first evidence we have of Oliver's brother, Stephen Fuller Cowdery, after he appears to have left Vermont, c. 1816-17, finds him filing an insolvency petition in Avon, Livingston Co., NY, in 1826." On page 305, they continue with this observation: "... it is reasonable to conclude that the four Cowdery brothers, Warren, Stephen, Dyar and Erastus, along with their sister Sally, all emigrated from Vermont to New York in the spring of 1816, ending up in the town of Groveland [between Geneseo & Dansville] in what was then southwestern Ontario County." If that was the case, the Cowdery clan did not remain in Groveland for very long. Warren set up a medical practice in the town of Le Roy, and then moved to Freedom, where he served as the postmaster -- Dyer lived in the same area as Warren -- Erastus moved to Ohio.

Note 2: On page 327 of The Spalding Enigma, the authors mistakenly credit the published insolvency notice to the "Livingston Recorder," rather than the Register. Stephen Cowdery and his second wife later moved to Buffalo (and from there evidently to northern Ohio, where he reportedly died in 1848).

Strange Proceedings. -- There has been much excitement in and about Batavia, fir several weeks, and it has been somewhat felt in this community, produced by the violent measures adopted by some of the fraternity of Masons, to arrest two individuals, who were engaged, it would appear, in publishing a book, in which the secrets of Free Masonry were to be disclosed. The Batavia newspapers had for some time teemed with articles, personal and acrimonious; and soon after the violence alluded to, was committed, the editor of the Republican Advocate, one of the obnoxious individuals, in handbills and in his paper, gave such an account of the transactions as might be expected under such circumstances, but which the public should be slow to believe. The affair, however, was considered by a respectable portion of the people, as a violation of good order and the laws of the land, which protect every person "of what state or condition soever," and who only "can be brought to answer by due course of law." -- A county meeting was consequently notified, and on the 25th ult, it was held, at the court house in that place. From the proceedings of this meeting, which are in the form of resolutions and an address, with nine despositions, and which fill ten columns of the Advocate, we are able to gather the facts relating to the affair, and proceed to a brief statement of them, leaving the reader to make his own comments. It is, that

On the morning of Monday the 11th Sept. a number of persons, whose names are given (and who are respectable citizens of this town,) having an officer with a precept, arrested at Batavia one William Morgan, and brought him to this place -- that on being acquitted of the alleged felony, he was imprisoned for a small debt. On the following evening, several persons called at the jail, one of whom desired to see Morgan, and on being admitted pretended that he had come to pay the debt and take Morgan home with him, to which M. assented -- the keeper of the prison being absent at the time, his wife was induced to receive the amount for which M. was confined, and discharge him, being assured it would all be right -- that on being liberated, Morgan was forcibly put into a carriage, the driver of which was ordered, by some of the five or six men within, to go to Rochester, which he did -- that they reached Rochester about day light, and proceeded to Hanford's Landing, where he left his passengers and returned home.

While these things were enacting, it is stated, that Mrs. Morgan, at Batavia, not seeing her husband come home to breakfast, (on Monday morning,) as usual, enquired after him, and was told that an officer from Canandaigua had taken him -- that after remaining until Tuesday, without learning where he had been carried, she sent for the sheriff of the county, and on enquiring of him was told that it was understood he was taken under a charge of having stolen a shirt and cravat, and that he (the sheriff) presumed it was merely a pretext to get him away -- that Mrs. M. then asked if he thought her husband "could be got back, if she gave up to the masons the papers which she had in possession," (we quote from Mrs. M.'s deposition) -- that the sheriff said he thought it probable, but he could not assure it -- that afterwards, it was agreed that Mrs. Morgan should go to Canandaigua, to see her husband, accompanied by two persons, provided she would let them see the papers; and, with one of these persons, she arrived in Canandaigua the next day, bringing a young child -- that here she gained no certain information of her husband -- that said person having got possession of the papers, departed for Rochester, and Mrs. M. the same day took the stage for Batavia.

While these measures were in execution against the projected book and its author, it appears that another was directed against the printer, David C. Miller, at Batavia. It stated, that on Tuesday (the 12th) a man who asserted himself to be a constable, "accompanied by more than 50 men, most of whom were furnished with large clubs," appeared in that village; that two of them forcibly seized upon Mr. Miller, and took him by violence to Stafford, "guarded as a criminal," showing no process for the arrest -- at Stafford he was kept in a room some time, and was then taken in a wagon "between two men armed with clubs," as far as LeRoy, where he was detained on several pretexts, but no one appearing to prosecute, he was discharged. It is further stated, that on the night before Morgan was taken, an attempt was made to burn two houses at Batavia, (in which about 25 persons were sleeping,) "for the apparent purpose of destroying some printed sheets," of which Morgan was the reputed author or compiler.

Such are the prominent facts which we have gathered from the detailed statement made by the county meeting. Committees were appointed to adopt measures to discover the present situation of Morgan -- to solicit sunscriptions for defraying expenses, and for relieving the present necessities of Mrs. Morgan and her infant children. The proceedings are signed by Aaron Van Cleve, chairman; Jonathan Lay, secretary; Theo. F. Talbot, David E. Evans, T. Cary, Wm. Keyes, W. Davis, J. Lay, T. Fitch, L. D. Prindle, E. Southworth, J. P. Smith, general committee.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(Sandoval the Freemason)

(Governor Clinton's Proclamation)

(under construction)

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FOR SALE.

The subscriber offers for sale, Slip No. 3 in St. James' Church, on accommodating terms.

                    DAVID C. MILLER.
Batavia, October 5, 1826.

Note: Evidently anti-masonic newspaper editor Miller found himself unwelcome in the local church and thus advertised his separation from the St. James Episcopal congregation. Episcopalians in western New York during the 1820s seem to have been especially prone to be Freemasons and it is doubtful that very many of them in Batavia managed to both renounce the craft and remain in the church.

In this paper will be found Gov. Clinton's Proclamation relative to the outrages which have recently been committed at Batavia, the particulars of which are given in the following article from the Ontario Repository. We have hitherto said but little about this disgraceful affair, because we did not think it a matter of much importance to the public. The reprehensible conduct of some of the Masonic fraternity, however, has created in the public mind a degree of excitement which could never have been produced by the threatened exposition, had it been left to stand upon its own basis, and renders the explanation we now give necessary. We know not how vulnerable the institution may be, but, judging from what has already come to light, we should not be surprised if the book proves to be a mere catch-penny concern, got up by a "man wanting principle and wanting bread," and if the commotion which its publisher has labored hard to excite be attended with no better result than he probably designed -- a ready market for a puerile publication.

Strange Proceedings. -- There has been much excitement in and about Batavia...
(for text see Oct. 11th Repository)

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DE WITT CLINTON, Governor of the State of New-York -- to State Officers and Ministers of Justice in the said State, and particularly in the County of Genesee and the neighboring Counties -- Greeting:

Whereas information, under oath, has been transmitted to me by Theodore F. Talbot, Esquire, -- and other citizens of the county of Genesee, acting as a Committee in behalf of the people of that country, representing that divers outrages and oppressions have been committed on the rights of persons residing in the village of Batavia, and that disturbances have ensued which are injurious and may prove destructive to peace and good order in that quarter -- Now therefore, I enjoin it upon you and each of you, to pursue all proper and efficient measures for the apprehension of the offenders, and the prevention of future outrages. And I do also request the good citizens of this state, to co-operate with the civil authorities in maintaining the ascendency of law and good order.

In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and the privy seal of the city of Albany this 7th day of Oct. A. D. 1826.
                                   DE WITT CLINTON.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(More on Morgan)

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

OUTRAGES  AT  BATAVIA

The following among other affidavits were read at a public meeting of the inhabitants of Genesee county, held at the court-house in Batavia, on the 25th of Sept. 1826.

Genesee County, ss.
Sept. 1826.

LUCINDA MORGAN, aged 23, the wife of William Morgan, of Batavia, in said County, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith: that on Monday last, about or a short time before sunrise, her said husband left his house, and went into the street of the village; that, finding he did not come home to breakfast as usual, she made inquiries for him, and was told that he had been forcibly taken away by six men and put in a carriage and taken to Canandaigua. That during the whole of Monday she remained in ignorance of which way he had been taken, or who had taken him, excepting by loose information that an officer from Canandaigua had taken him. -- That on Tuesday morning, soon after breakfast, she sent for William R. Thompson, the Sheriff, and requested to know of him if he knew on what pretext her husband had been taken away. Said Thompson told her he understood he had been taken under a charge of having stolen a shirt and cravat, and that he presumed it was merely a pretext to get him away, or carry him away. That thereupon this deponent asked him if he thought Mr. Morgan could be got back, or brought back, if she gave up to the Masons the papers she had in possession. Said Thompson answered that he thought it was very likely that Mr. Morgan would be brought back if she would give them up, but he would not obligate himself or undertake to say that he should be brought back. That thereupon said Thompson proposed that this deponent should go to Canandaigua, and take the papers, and give them to Mr. Morgan, or to them, or give them up; and deponent agreed to go and take the papers accordingly. Thompson then asked this deponent if there was any person or friend whom she would like to have go with her. She mentioned Mr. Gibbs, (meaning Horace Gibbs), and asked if it would do for him to go. Said Thomson said it would not do for him to go, as he was not a mason, and added, it would not do for any person to carry her there but a mason. She asked him twice if Mr. Gibbs was not a mason, and he said he was not, and then asked deponent if she was acquainted with Mr. Follett: deponent said she was not. Thompson said he was a nice man, and a gentleman with whom she could safely trust herself. Said Thompson departed and soon returned and told deponent that Mr. Follett was not willing to go, unless she would let him (Follett) and Mr. Ketchum see the papers; he did not want to go on a tom fool's errand. -- This deponent then objected to these papers being seen by them. -- Thompson then said it was useless; he should do no more, and he could not send her out there unless they could see the papers. -- Deponent then, with great reluctance, finally consented to let them see the papers, if they would take her to see her husband. -- This second visit lasted about twenty minutes, during which time Thompson urged deponent to let the papers be seen. Deponent told him she was afraid they would take the papers away from her if she let them see them. Thompson said they would not. She offered to let Mr. Thompson see the papers; he said that would not answer; they would not take his word. Thompson then told her he would go to Humphrey's and stay until she had got the papers, and she must then make a sign to him when she was ready. Accordingly, a short time afterwards, she made a sign to Mr. Thompson, then standing on Humphrey's stoop, and immediately after, he, with Mr. Follett and Mr. Ketchum, came to her apartment, when Thompson introduced Follett and Ketchum, and said they had come to see the papers, which this deponent then handed to them. They all looked at them a short time and Thompson then asked her if she was ready go, saying Mr. Follett was ready to take her. Follett then said he would go home with the papers and look them over, and told Ketchum to stop for him at his gate. A ccordingly, about four o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, deponent started with said Follett and Ketchum, in a small wagon, and proceeded to Stafford. where they stopped at a house, where she was conducted into a back room, into which Follett and Ketchum came and were joined by one Daniel Johns, and by James Ganson, all of whom immediately proceded to examine the papers with much earnestness, and held much low conversation with themselves in under voices. Ganson appeared to speak the most. One of them asked Johns if those were the papers that were in the office when he was there. Johns answered that there was one degree back, and then took a piece of paper, and folding it up, said the papers that were back were folded so. They then held considerable more conversation in voices too low to be heard. Follett then turned to deponent and told her he did not see that he could go with her; that Mr. Ketchum was going to Rochester, and would be willing to take her to Canandaigua to see Mr. Morgan, said he was not much acquainted with him (Ketchum) but took him to be a gentleman; and Ketchum then said he called himself a gentleman, and she need not be afraid to trust herself with him. Ketchum then took the papers and tied them up in his pocket handkerchief, and took them with him into the wagon in which they rode. Johns then got into the wagon & rode to Le Roy, where he got out and bade Ketchum good bye, saying, I hope I shall see you day after to-morrow. They then proceeded to Avon and staid all night. The next day they again started for Canandaigua, where Ketchum put the papers into this deponent's trunk. They arrived at Canandaigua about 12 at Noon, and stopped at a tavern at the corner of the main street. After being there some time, this deponent asked Ketchum if he had heard of Mr. Morgan. Ketchum said he had not; that the masons would not talk to him, he could not see them -- they seemed jealous of him -- thought him a friend of Mr. Morgan, and was afraid he had come to get him away from that place. Then he asked her where the papers were. He took them and said he would go and make further inquiries for Mr. Morgan and if he could find him, or where he was, or where they had taken him, he would let her know all he could find out. This was about dinner time. He returned again a short time before night, and told her he had heard Mr. Morgan had been there, had been tried for stealing a shirt, and cleared, had been then put in jail for a debt of two dollars -- and that Tuesday night a man had come from Pennsylvania who said he had a warrant against him for a debt he owed there, that he, the man, had paid the two dollars, and taken him away in a private carriage on Tuesday night, and that he had no doubt he was gone; and asked this deponent when she would go home again. The deponent then expressed her anxiety to return speedily, on account of having left her child of two years old, and having with her a baby of two months old. Ketchum then went out, as he said, to take a passage in the stage, and returned after candle-light. This deponent was then walking the room in great distress and in tears. She asked him if he could hear nothing of Mr. Morgan. He then seemed to pity deponent and told her not to be uneasy, and after looking at her a short time, told her to come and sit down by him, and asked her if she would feel any better if he told her what he knew. Being answered yes, he then said that Mr. Morgan would not be killed -- that he would be kept concealed until they could get the rest of the papers. She asked him what papers were back. He said there were some sheets of the Mark Master's Degree back; and they wanted also to see the printed sheets that Miller had printed on the three Degrees. He then said he wanted to take the papers he had received from this deponent to Rochester, and he thought through the means of them he could find where Mr. Morgan was: It was a secret where he was. Said he had paid her passage, and gave her two dollars to bear her expenses home. He then wrote his name with a pencil on a scrap of paper, hereto annexed, as follows, ("George Ketchum, Rochester") and promised to write to her if he could hear of Mr. Morgan. He then told her if she would by any means get hold of the papers that Miller had, or find out where they were deposited, so that he could get hold of them, he would give her twenty-five dollars out of his own pocket, and he had no doubt the lodge would give her one hundred if she could get what Miller had now. Deponent told him she would not try to get the papers that Miller had, and would take no money and would not let him have the papers she had delivered to him, but on condition he would try and find out where Mr. Morgan was, and let her see him. He then repeated his promise to try and find out, and said he would write to her as soon as he got to Rochester: and urged her to write to him immediately on her return, and let him know about the papers, and what the people was doing generally in Batavia, and whether they were making a great rumpus about Mr. Morgan. Deponent then expressed her fears that if she did give him any information about the papers, he would not keep his promise about letting her see him, but would keep him concealed until they got all the papers and finally kill him. Ketchum then said "I promise before my God that I will not deceive you, but will do all I can to find out where he is, and let you see him. I have no doubt when I get back to Rochester I can find out more, and I think I can find out where he is." He then again urged her to find out where the papers were and let him know. In the course of his conversation he said, that if Mr. Morgan had managed rightly he could have made a million of dollars, if the work had been published. Ketchum then departed for Rochester, leaving this deponent at the tavern -- she, the same day started for Batavia. The papers taken away by the said Ketchum were numerous, and formed a very large bundle; they were written in the hand writing of her husband, excepting a few which were written by a person who sometimes assisted her husband by copying or taking down as he dictated to him. The deponent further says, she has no knowledge of the place where her husband now is, or what is his situation, and feels the most anxious fears for his life; that she was born in Virginia, and is a stranger, without intimate friends or relations in this county, and is left with two infant children, without any money except what is left of that given to her by said Ketchum, and has no property nor any means of supporting herself and her children, her constitution being very feeble and her health being bad most of the time.
                               L. MORGAN.
Sworn the 22d day of September, 1826, before me, DANIEL H. CHANDLER, J. P.


Note 1: It is unfortunate that Lucinda Morgan did not provide more details in her Sept. 22, 1826 statement, in regard to the identity of the person "who sometimes assisted her husband by copying or taking down as he dictated to him." This scribe is nowhere else mentioned in the voluminous Morgan affair testimony or in later recollections of those who might have been in a position to have known that person's name and situation. In 1881 William Bryant, a former neighbor of Oliver Cowdery, told two high-ranking RLDS officials that Cowdery had once served as William Morgan's scribe -- or, that Cowdery had at least "helped to write Morgan's book."

Note 2: Support for Mr. Bryant's vague assertion -- that Cowdery worked with Morgan -- is to be had only in a few insubstantial bits and pieces of evidence. Oliver Cowdery's brother Warren had lived near Batavia during the early 1820s and Oliver himself may have frequented the Le Roy-Batavia area, c.1825-26. Lucinda Morgan later became one of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s secret concubines or "spiritual wives" and her second husband, George W. Harris, seems to have personally known Oliver Cowdery (who was a visitor in Mr. and Mrs. Harris' house at Far West in 1838). Harris was the high level Mormon official who shepherded Cowdery's Oct. 1848 application for re-admission to the LDS Church at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Louisa Beaman, the daughter of "Father Beaman," the "rodsman," reportedly was acquainted with her fellow "plural," Lucinda Morgan, well before either of the two girls was bethrothed to Joseph Smith, Jr. However, firm evidence is lacking in the documentation of how far back in time (and in western New York georgraphy) the two first became friends. Finally, Rob Morris, a Masonic historian, in 1883, quoted John Whitney, as having confessed that William Morgan "had been a half way convert of Joe Smith, the Mormon, and had learned from him to see visions and dream dreams." If William Morgan, Lucinda Morgan, or George W. Harris knew either Oliver Cowdery or Joseph Smith, Jr. during the 1820s, then they probably knew both of these future Mormon leaders at that early date.

The Freemasons. -- The Canandaigua papers contain the proceedings of a large meeting at Victor, relative to the carrying off of Capt. Morgan. The resolutions and address are of a very strong character, calculated to produce effect. This affair is becomming very serious. Those who belong to the craft, are well aware that the fundamental principles of masonry, are in strict accordance with morality and virtue; and there is no thing in masonry but what patriotism and religion sanction. It is therefore, the duty of masons to aid in discovering where Capt. Morgan has been carried, and if he is killed, (which we much doubt) to join in bringing the agents to condign punishment. A violent act of this kind in a country so free as ours, is calculated to do irreparable injury to an ancient and benevolent institution, which will be brought into disrepute from the hasty and ill-advised zeal of some of its members. --  Noah.


Notes: (forthcoming)

"Illustrations of Masonry." -- A pamphlet of this title, containing about 90 pages, has been published at Batavia, by William Morgan, (David C. Miller, printer) and hawked about the country by pedlars at one dollar each. It is said to be only the first part of "Masonry unvailed." The second part is advertised as being in the press. and shortly to appear. -- The editor of the Rochester Telegraph, after noticing the outrage committed upon Morgan, remarks:

We must at the same time caution the public against believing any assertions that may be made by David C. Miller, which are unsupported by the most unequivocal testimony. Our reason for so doing is this -- Miller is a mason, and in the book published by him, and in which he says discloses all the secrets of masonry, we find the following Oath, which he also says must be taken by every person before they are entrusted with any of the secrets of the society:

"I A. B. of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty God and this worshipful lodge of free and accepted masons, dedicated to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will always hail, ever conceal and never reveal any part or parts, art or arts, point or points of the secret arts and mysteries of ancient Freemasonry which I have received, am about to receive, or may hereafter be instructed in, to any person or persons in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the body of a just and lawfully constituted lodge of such; and not unto him, nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only whom I shall find so to be after strict trial and due examination, or lawful information. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not write, PRINT, stamp, stain, hew, cut, carve, indent, paint, or engrave it on any thing movable or immovable, under the whole canopy of Heaven, whereby or whereon the least letter, figure, character, mark, stain, shadow, or resemblance of the same may become legible or intelligible to myself or any other person in the known world, whereby the secrets of masonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all of which I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without the least equivocation, mental reservation, or self evasion of mind in me whatever; binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low water-mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-hours; so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same."

If there be such an obligation as the above, Miller has voluntarily taken it, and comes before the public either as a perjured man or an impostor, either of which characters are sufficient to destroy his credibility.

---

The following remarks relative to Morgan's book, are copied from the National Observer, edited by Solomon Southwick, Esq.

We shall only add, to what is said by the editor of the Repository, that as to the book, which Morgan has written, we do not believe it is worth a cent. We think that all who purchase it, will "pay too dear for the whistle." -- Such attempts have been made before now, and have always terminated in the disgrace of their authors, without injuring the cause of masonry. But, as we have said before, and now repeat it, Morgan's folly, depravity or wickedness, form no justification for the violation of the civil law, which has taken place in his person, as well as in that of Miller, the printer. If we have a government of laws, let us adhere to it; for anarchy is the ruin of all.

We repeat it again that we do not believe Morgan's book to be worth a cent; but if there be any who wish to know something of the history of masonry that is worth knowing, let them purchase a book, which was translated from the German about a year since, and published by Messrs. Hosford, of this city. That work is worth reading; for whilst it shews what abuses masonry has been subject to in England, France, Italy, and elsewhere, it likewise discloses, as far as they can be disclosed, the good sources of the Institution, and sublime principles of virtue which have ever governed it in its pristine purity... [remainder illegible.]


Notes: (forthcoming)

__________________________________

printed and published every Tuesday
AT PALMYRA, WAYNE CO., N. Y. BY
TUCKER & GILBERT.
__________________________________

Married. -- In Manchester, Mr. Wort to Miss Elizabeth Rouse; Mr. Cornelius Holoday, to Miss Charlotte Bigelow; Mr. Hiram Smith, to Miss Jerusha Barden. -- Another wedding close at hand. -- Communicated.


Note 1: Some writers have questioned the ability of editor and amateur historian, Pomeroy Tucker, to have learned much of anything about the Joseph Smith, sr. family, since they lived in Manchester township and Tucker lived a couple of miles to the north of them in Palmyra. Other writers have questioned Tucker's interest in and knowledge of local events surrounding the birth of Mormonism, since he did not publish a book on the subject until 1867. In fact, Tucker was writing about the first Mormons at least as early as 1858 and perhaps even before that time. It is more than likely that Tucker was speaking for personal observation -- and not from mere speculation of repetition of rumors -- when, in 1858, he recalled: "As early as 1820, Joe Smith, at the age of about 19 years, began to assume the gift of supernatural endowments, and became the leader of a small party of shiftless men and boys like himself who engaged in nocturnal money-digging operations upon the hills in and about Palmyra." Joseph Smith, jr. would have been younger than "19" in the year 1820, but he was of robust physical constitution and reportedly took on at least a few interesting responsibilities rather advanced for one of his tender years. Perhaps he appeared to be "about 19" when his actual age was closer to 15 or 16.

Note 2: On April 6, 1827 Pomeroy Tucker said farewell to his readers and left John H. Gilbert as the editor and publisher of the Sentinel. Gilbert returned to his work as the paper's master printer shortly thereafter, when Egbert B. Grandin took over the paper.

(article on William Morgan's disappearance --
(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

Masonry. -- It is said that tin-pedlers, nutmeg-merchants, &c. have all abandoned their carts, and are now travelling the country driving a brisk trade with "Capt. William Morgan's" book. The modus operandi is this: -- Notice is given that a such a place and hour, the "Secrets of Masonry will be revealed -- Admittance one shilling." The room fills, the Book is read, and the magician proceeds onward with "money in both pockets." -- Roch. Tel.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(Illustrations of Masonry)

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

JUST  PUBLISHED.

And for Sale at the Advocate Office.
The First Part of Masonry Unvailed, containing a full
Exposition of the Secrets and Ceremonies of that
"ancient and honorable" Institution,

FREEMASONRY.

"God said, Let there be Light and there was Light!"

The remaining part is now in press, and will shortly be published.

Notes: (forthcoming)

The Morgan affair. -- At a late term of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, for Monroe county, Judge Chapin in his charge to the Grand Jury, adverted to the case of Morgan, and charged the Jury that if they individually knew any thing of the persons concerned in the outrage, to present them to the Court to answer the violated laws of the country. In obedience to this charge, the Jury made a presentment, of which the following is an extract.

"The Grand Jury of the county of Monroe, in discharging that part of the duty imposed upon them by the court, in inquire whether William Morgan, who was unlawfully taken from the village of Batavia, had been brought within the limits of this county, have given their time and attention to a very diligent investigation of the subject; the result of which is a unanimous conviction that the said Morgan was carried through this village on the morning of the 18th of September last, before daylight, in a coach which returned to this village after going a short distance beyond Hanford's tavern, on the Ridge Road. Circumstances, unsupported however by direct testimony, authorise an opinion that Morgan was there taken into another coach, and carried beyond the limits of this county. From the great caution which seems to have been observed in keeping both Morgan and the place of his destination from the view and knowledge of all but such persons as may have been confidently entrusted with the design, and who would decline giving evidence upon the ground that it might tend to criminate themselves, the grand jury have found it impossinle to establish, by competent testimony, the unlawful agency of any citizen of this county, in that transaction."

---

Capt. Morgan. -- In an article, about Captain Morgan, the editor of the Boston Galaxy, says:

"At the recent session (in Sept, last,) of the U. S. General Grand Chapter, in the city of New York, a package of papers was presented for the consideration of that body, purporting to be an exposition of the mysteries of Free Masonry. A part of these papers were manuscripts, and a part printed sheets, probably the identical papers taken from Morgan's wife. They were referred to a committee, who examined them and reported their contents to the Chapter. It was considered inexpedient to take any order upon the subject and the papers were returned to the person who presented them."

---

At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of the town of Bloomfield, held on the 11th say of December, 1826, at the east Church, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of adoping measures to ascertain the fate of Capt. William Morgan; Doctor Ralph Wilcox was chosen Chairman, and Orson Benjamin, Secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated, on motion, voted, that a committee of three persons be appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. -- Whereupon, Flavius J. Bronson, Jonathan Buel and Orson Benjamin, were appointed said committee. The committee having retired for a short time, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, viz:

Resolved, That under any form of government an infraction of the laws ought to excite public attention; but more especially under a government like ours, in the hands of the people, where the good sense and virtue of the community are the only safeguards of the constitution, and the best supporters of the laws.

Resolved, That while we deprecate any unnecessary excitement of the public mind against individuals accused of crime, and before their country for trial; we conceive that the late unparalleled outrages upon private property and personal liberty, by an organized mob in a neighboring county, and the continuation of the same outrages by the sequestration and concealment of an individual, without authority and against the law, in our own county, and the consumation of these flagrant proceedures in another, demands public animadversion.

Resolved, That we have observed with surprise the studied silence or perverting ridicule of public journalists, in relation to these extraordinary transactions; and from these facts,, connected with others presented to this meeting, we cannot resist the conclusion that those bold violations of persons and oroperty, perpetrated in cold blood, originated in an extensive system, sanctioned and supported by a numerous body of men, actuated by an impulse incomprehensible to the community at large, and subversive of private right and constitutional liberty and law.

Resolved, That we view with distrust, as dangerous to the well being of the commonwealth, any combination of men however respectable otherwise, whose doings are secret, and who are bound together by invisible and unknown facts.

Resolved, That we respect and revere the constitution and laws of the state of New York, and particularly that part of the form which guarantees to the accused, the right of trial by jury; and that this meeting will use their exertions, together with others of their fellow-citizens, that all participators in the foregoing offences shall have full, fair and impartial trials.

Resolved, That this meeting pledge themselves, individually and collectively, to each other, and the community at large, that we will use our best endeavors to uphold the majesty of the laws, by affording our protection to private property and private right, wherever and however they may be assailed and by presenting to justice great as well as small offenders.

Resolved, That we condole with Mrs. Lucinda Morgan, in her afflictions, whose husband has been torn from his family and home for no crime known to our laws; and that we will exert ourselves to discover his fate, that if living, he may be restored to his friends, and if dead his murderers may be brought to justice; and for that purpose: --

Resolved, That a committee of vigilance and correspondence, of seven persons, be appointed, who are hereby empowered to appoint such agents to act in the premises in such manner as the said committee shall advise.

Resolved, That a subscription for the above purpose be obened by the said committee, and that the funds raised thereby, be applied as the said committee shall deem expedient.

And whereas, it appears to this meeting, that one or more subjects of the King of Great Britain were present for the very purpose of instigating, aiding and abetting our own citizens in the aforesaid infraction of the laws; Therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of vigilance, to open a correspondence with the executive of this state, requesting him to take such measures as may be by him deemed expedient, requiring the authorities of Canada to deliver up all aforesaid offenders, to the end that they may be brought to trial, and if found guilty, punished agreeably to our laws.

Voted, That the following persons compose the said committee of correspondence and vigilance, viz: Flavius J. Bronson, Orson Benjamin, Josiah Porter, Ba[nt] Bradley, Jonathan Buel, Ralph Wilcox and Heman Chapin.

Voted, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published in the papers of this county.

                          RALPH WILCOX, Ch'n.
O. BENJAMIN, Sec'y.


Notes: (forthcoming)