KIDNAPPING MORMONS. -- Information from Nauvoo gives us to understand that two Mormons have been kisnapped from that place can carried to Missouri. The Governor of Illinois has been called upon to demand the men of the Governor of Missouri, but he refused to do so. This is a gross outrage upon those people, the mass of whom are good citizens and obey the laws, whatever may be said of their leaders. We have seen no reasons for the Governor's refusal to make the demand, but presume it will be forthcoming.


Notes: (forthcoming)

An ordinance has been passed at Nauvoo, Illinois, declaring that any person or persons from Missouri who may come to that city to arrest Joe Smith or any one of his confederates, for crimes alleged to have been committed in the last named State, shall on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for life, and can only be pardoned by the Governor, of Illinois, with the consent of the Mayor of the city!!


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> Having resided in Pittsburgh from the eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, until the eighth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and forty-three, we had a sufficient opportunity to make ourself acquainted with all the particulars concerning one Mr. Solomon Spaulding, of whom it is said, that he wrote a romance, from which it is asserted, originated the Book of Mormon. We have duly examined the whole matter, and exposed the story to the righteous contempt of a candid public, in a pamphlet, entitled "The Spaulding Story."

Price ten cents per single copy, or six dollars per hundred.


Note 1: LDS Apostle John E. Page published the first issue of The Gospel Light at Pittsburgh in June 1843. It is likely that his "Spaulding Story" pamphlet was issued from the same press in Pittsburgh in that same month. The Feb. 1844 issue of The Gospel Light, advertising that 1843 pamphlet, may have been printed in Philadelphia, however. The final issue of the paper was published at Pittsburgh in the latter part of May, 1844. The Gospel Light was replaced in June of 1844 by the larger-sized People's Organ, a paper that lasted only three issues.

Note 2: John E. Page's series of articles written in Pennsylvania in defence of Mormonism began with his May 28, 1842 letter to the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle. Page did not specifically address the Solomon Spalding authorship claims until he published an article in the Chronicle on July 2, 1842. The Apostle continued his attack on the Spalding claims with three more articles, published in the same paper on July 4th, July 8th, and July 12th. The last two of these articles merely reproduced pp. 5-8 and pp. 11-12 of Elder Benjamin Winchester's Origin of the Spaulding Story. It must have occurred to Page, during the summer of 1842, that Winchester's 1840 pamphlet was an inadequate defence against local charges saying that Sidney Rigdon had once obtained a Spalding manuscript in Pittsburgh and later turned that story into the Book of Mormon. By mid-1843 Page had completed his own anti-Spalding pamphlet, drawing new material from G. J. Adams' 1841 Plain Facts shewing the origin of the Spaulding Story and from his own investigations in and around Pittsburgh.

Note 3: Although John E. Page reportedly interviewed the Rev. Robert Patterson, Sr. prior to publishing his 1843 attack on the Spalding claims, the Apostle makes no use of any facts obtained from that interview in his pamphlet. Rather, he prints statements taken from local Mormons Carvil Rigdon (Sidney's brother) and Peter Boyer (Sidney's brother-in-law) dated Jan. 27, 1843. Elder William Small dates Page's unpublished interview with Patterson to about the year 1841, but the Page-Patterson encounter more than likely occurred a few months after the publication of Rev. Samuel Williams' Mormonism Exposed at Pittsburgh on May 4, 1842.

==> The Mormons, through Jo Smith, have addressed a letter to J. C. Calhoun, and because he declines promising to do the world and all for them, have repudiated the idea of voting for him, if he be nominated to the Presidency.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons and those residing in the neighborhood of Nauvoo, are assuming a belligerent position towards each other. The Mormon Magistrates were resisted a few days ago by Mr. Milton Cook, and the posse kept at bay for two days; at the expiration of which time, the posse retired.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- The Quincy Herald of the 9th inst., contains the following item of a bellicose character. From the recent difficulties with the Mormons, we should not be surprised at a serious outbreak in Northern Illinois before many months have passed:

We understand that four wagons passed through four wagons passed through this city on Tuesday morning last, on their way to the State Arsenal at Alton, for the purpose of procuring arms to be used against the Mormons. We fear much trouble will grow out of this difficulty sooner or later. We are also informed that the knowledge of what is going on in this quarter has been brought to the notice of Gov. Ford, and we would suggest whether it is not the duty of his Excellency to protect the innocent in their lives and property.


Note: A slightly longer and somewhat differently worded version of this news item also appeared in the St. Louis Missouri Republican in February of 1844.

PROBABLE  MORMON  WAR.

A large meeting was recently held at Carthage, Ill., growing out of numerous difficulties of late occurence, between the citizens of Carthage and their neighbors of Nauvoo, at which resolutions were passed strongly denunciatory of the Mormons and their notorious leader, Smith. The Warsaw Message, remarking upon this state of things, holds the following language:

We see no use in attempting to disguise the fact that many in our midst contemplate a total extermination of that people; that the thousands of defenceless women and children, aged and infirm, who are congregated at Nauvoo, must be driven out, aye, driven, scattered, like the leaves before the autumn blast! But what good citizen, let us ask, what lover of his country and his race, but contemplates such an event with horror?


Notes: (forthcoming)

A NEW CANDIDATE. -- The Nauvoo Neighbor announces its determination to support Gen. Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, for the Presidency at the election. It is strongly opposed to either Van Buren or Clay.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS IN MISSISSIPPI. -- The Mobile Register learns by a letter from Sumter county, Ala., that the Mormons are making a somewhat formidable demonstration in an adjoining county in Mississippi. They commenced operations at Pleasant Springs, late in the fall, and now number about seventy-five proselytes -- some twenty being seceders from the Methodist connexion, and about twenty-six from the Baptist -- the balance from non-professors. They have revently commenced propogating their faith at Brooklyn, only a few miles from the Alabama State line, where they will probably meet with a like success.


Notes: (forthcoming)

GREAT  MORMON  EXCITEMENT.

We learn from the Boston Times that there was a tremendous row at the Marlboro' Chapel, in that city, on Monday night. It seems that a Mr. John Dennett [sic - Bennett?], formerly a Mormon, but expelled for some indescretions with a "sister," was the orator of the evening. He had hired the chapel on speculation, and he charged 12 1/2 cents a head admission.Mr. Dennett has a very peculiar style of eloquence, and stands six [sic] feet in his stockings. He commenced by giving with remarkable candor and plainness the history of his amour with a "gentle priestess" of Nauvoo; the Mormons, however, he declared, were themselves guilty of the very sin for which they had excommunicated him. While he was relating his experiences with his Yankee brogue, and in unsophisticated innocence, and bearing down upon the Mormons with irrepressable energy, a snapping of Chinese crackers was heard, and soon a rotten egg came within three inches of his nose, and exploded on the wall behind him. Showers of aromatic snuff and any quanty of wheat flour also lighted upon his devoted cranium, and clothed him in garments of radient beauty. He then attempted to sing an onscene song, when a tremendous yell arose and a battery of all sorts of filth was opened upon his devoted person. The yolk of eggs became matted into his hair and ran down upon his face, mingled with flour and snuff. He was an interesting object indeed to look at; and being unable to stand it further, rushed from the platform bare-headed, over the seats and benches, and for the door, followed by the motely assemblage. -- Philadelphia Times.


Note: The Boston "Dennett" account was similarly paraphrased in the May 4, 1844 issue of the Iowa Lee County Democrat. A lengthier reading of the Philadelphia Times article appeared in the St. Louis People's Organ of April 10, 1844 -- probably taken directly from a Boston paper. This version ends by saying: "... [an] African vocalist came forward and attempted to divert them with a Virginny break-down, Old Dan Tucker, &c. But it was no use... [Bennett left] followed by the vast assemblage, who chased the bare-headed [ex]Mormon around the streets until he disappeared..."

THE  LATTER-DAY  SAINTS.

The Preston (Eng.) Chronicle notices the return to their home of two young Englishmen, who it seems left their friends anout three years since, and emigrated to Nauvoo, the city of the Mormonites. They have given curious accounts of their sojourn with Joe Smith, and assert that the followers are much dissatisfied with their prospects, both terrestrial and heavenly:

"The English disciples, it seems are regarded with very little favor, and numbers of them, last winter, were out of work for five months, on account of the severity of the season. The frost and snow set in early in November and continued till April. Their sufferings were beyond description. They were without shoes and clothing, they lived on the coarsest food, scarcely fit for hogs, and were huddled together in houses to which there were neither doors nor windows. Last fall, as it is termed, the number of deaths among the Mormonites especially the English portion of them, was fearfully great; the heat and vapory emanations from the Mississippi, spread dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice, fever and ague among them, and they sickened and died by hundreds."

The journal from which we glean the above, after relating other circumstances connected with the subject, makes the following wise observations:

"We have heard and read a good deal of the Mormon prophet and his followers, and the result is a conviction that Joe's terrestrial paradise is just as much a humbug as his pretended heavenly mission. Those of our countrymen who intend to take themselves and their property to Nauvoo, may depend upon it that they will avoid much suffering, and ultimately be the gainers, if after having paid for their passage, they throw the rest of their money in the river and return home and work as common day laborers."


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormonism  Exposed!

Expulsion of a Mormon Elder by the Rev. A. M. Bryan, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of the city of Pittsburgh, in which a principle of intolerance foreign to every principle of Virtue, Religion and Humanity, was practised and carried out. I call upon all men to witness this act, which betrays a character unworthy of the Savage of the Forest, much more a man professing the Religion of Jesus Christ, and one too (from the position he occupies) that should have compassion on the ignorant, and, as Paul says, should condescend to men of low estate, and not, (because of a difference of sentiment,) show not only a want of gentility, but a spirit which reigns in the hearts of Bigots.

I, RICHARD SAVERY, in company with brother Matthew Smith, this 26th day of April, 1844, called at the Rev. A. M. Bryan's for the purpose of seeing Mr. Mordeica, the Indian Preacher. Mr. Bryan invited us into his house, and, after the usual salutations, the discourse or sermon of said Indian was introduced. Mr. Bryan said that he came well recommended from persons whom he knew and highly respected, and in view of this he called the attention of the community, and opened his church for him, &c. &c. He said that he soon discovered by the introductory remarks of the Indian, that it (the subject,) would prove a perfect failure, and in view of this felt himself very unpleasantly situated, having announced him as worthy the attention of the people as a preacher, and he (the Indian) proving to the contrary, consequently, Mr. Bryan was fearful that the congregation would think he wished to impose upon their good sense, saying that he felt himself perfectly bored. Also, that, were it not in the church, he had no doubt but the congregation qould have hissed the Indian down, remarking that he was wholly incompetent to give correct information even of his own tribe, let alone others.

I then said that the remark of the Indian relative to Democratic and Whig Christians contained more truth than fiction, but as a general thing, his discourse was made up of emptiness, or words without meaning. Mr. Bryan then said that he could not recommend him as a preacher but only as a converted Indian. I then said, that being much interested in the developments of antiquity, as discovered by Messrs. Catherwood and Stephens, which afforded conclusive evidence that this was a land of enlightened nations long before its discovery by Columbus. I at the same time adduced Mr. Norman's book, entitled "Rambles in Yucatan, 1843," on page 180, which says that all the civilized Americans had a Priesthood, and that the ordinance of Circumcision was practiced by the tribes of Mayas of Yucatan, and the Chalsaques [sic - Saques?] of Caho [ sic - Cahokia?], thus affording collateral evidence that they originated from Abraham. I also mentioned other traditions yet extant, that warranted the same idea. Mr. Bryan said that he was acquainted with these facts, which, indeed, were astonishing. I then said, that I had learned by a friend who had conversed with the Indian, that he mentioned concerning a tribe of Indians who now were in possession of metalic plates, covered with hieroglyphics, supposed to be records of important events, &c. &c.

I then said to Mr. Bryan that the plates recently found in the ground in the state of Illinois, (here showing him a fac simile of them,) and the engravings on them when compared with the Egyptain characters, or hoeroglyphics, as found in Mr. Gladdon's late remarks of that country, abundantly proved the Aborigines of this country to be the seed of Abraham and descendants of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Mr. Bryan then asked me if these plates had been translated. I answered that I understood they had been. I next adverted in a circumstance relative to a Mr. Chandler, an Egyptian Antiquarian, who ontained five mummies in that country, which [had been] exhibited in the city of New York, at which [exhibition] [it had been] [discovered] that one of the mummies had a large protuberance on the left side, which awakened the curiosity of a gentleman, who proposed that it be examined, and in doing so found it to contain Papyrus or Parchment, containing writing, a portion of which was translated in that city. The proprietor then conveyed them to Philadelphia, where the same was translated as in New York. Being unable to decypher the remainder, he was advised to take them to Joseph Smith, in Ohio, who pretended to have the power or gift of translation. On arriving there, he presented the parchment to him, who said that in an hour he would acquaint him with the matter, at the end of which he returned, having translated the same as in New York and Philadelphia, and much more, pronouncing it to be the Book of Abraham, the characters of which closely resemble those on the plates lately found in Pike county, Ill.

Here Mr. B. remarked that no man on earth had this power, and manifested his contempt by a sneer, that Joseph Smith should be so presumptious as to claim to be inspired of God and said he would as soon believe the moon made of green cheese; I replied that ?I presumed men now were like men anciently, and were as susceptible of these impressions from God now as then. He being unchangeable, and then cited Moses, Aaron, Samuel, and David to prove that they, by means of the Urim and Thummim, had this power, and could receive answers from God through this according to their desires, and if Joseph Smith had had thos power, he was an extraordinary man, remarking that many honest men believed it, and if not it was a great humbug.

Here Mr. B. appeared somewhat pale, and asked me if I was a Mormon, I replied yess; then pointing to brother Smith he asked if he was, who said yes, whereupon Mr. Bryan arose, opened the door, (pointing to the street,) said good morning! Being sensible of the insult here manifested without the slightest provocation on our part, and seeing him betray a passion so unworthy the name of Him who is for our pattern in all things, who was acquainted with grief, and finally was put to death by the hireling Priests of that generation. I said to Mr. B. "do I understand you mean by this to turn us out of your house?" He said "yes," at which brother Smith remarked to him that he showed a pretty spirit for a Christian, -- I also said, quoting the 2d verse of the 24th chapter of Isaiah, which says, "As with the people so with the Priest," &c. He then cried "get out of my house!"

I have here stated all the conversation that took place between Mr. Bryan and myself and do declare in the fear of God, with reference to the judgment that nothing is said contrary to what was said, but is word for word as near as memory could serve me. Therefore you see, my respected fellow citizens, that nothing save that I was a Mormon caused such shameful treatment. Now, I do say, that were all men like him, where would liberty be enjoyed? The answer is obvious to every mind, and if I, together with my brethren, are to be thus treated, simply for expressing our sentiments openly and fearlessly, in the name of justice, virtue and mercy, what will Pagans or Infidels say of such "Christianity?" From my soul I pity such men, and I do hope that he may repent of such sin: -- humble himself before God, and practice benevolence, charity, brotherly kindness and humanity.

With respect I am your fellow citizen and lover of freedom,   RICHARD SAVARY,

Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, called Mormons.


==> At the request of Mr. Savary we insert the above. Mr. S. is a respectable mechanic of our city, and feeling the body of citizens in which he belongs insulted by the treatment he received desires to lay the matter before the public.

We have no remarks to make on the above. If Mr. Bryan desires to explain or reply our columns are at his command.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORE MORMONS. -- The St. Louis New Era states that one hundred Mormons arrived at that city on the Steamer Charlotte, on their way to Nauvoo.

---

==> It is said that Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet, has turned his wife out of his house, for refusing to inform him what was the purport of her conversation with a gentleman of the same sect. It is rumored that she is now in St. Louis.

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- On Tuesday of last week one hundred and fifty Mormons arrived at St. Louis, on the Congress, from England, making three hundred who have passed that city within ten days on their way to Nauvoo, the Mormon paradise.

Notes: (forthcoming)

                                From the St. Louis Republican

JO  SMITH.

Dissensions among the Mormons at Nauvoo. -- We have good reasons for placing reliance in the details of a letter, the contents of which are hereafter stated,

(read original article from Missouri)

Notes: (forthcoming)

NAUVOO.

The Ohio Observer says, that "a riot lately took place at Nauvoo, in the course of which a man named Foster, undertook to shoot Joe Smith. Joe is said to have been slightly wounded. A Mormon Temple is going forward, some fifty men being at work upon it. The Mormons have started a Theatre." Holy city! New Jerusalem!! Indeed! rather is is the new and corrupt Sodom and Gomorrah... Gain, or whatever gratifies the fleshly appetites of Joe Smith, the great General, tavern keeper, and libertine of Nauvoo, is his principle, and that of his vile clan, with the exception of a few deluded persons...


Note: Rev. Milton Bird's "Nauvoo" article, as published in the Evangelist and Observer, was responded to by Apostle John E. Page, in the June 15, 1844 issue of The People's Organ, published by the LDS Church at Pittsburgh.

More trouble at Nauvoo. -- The Alton Telegraph of Saturday week, states that a Deputy Marshall of the District of Illinois, recently proceeded to Nauvoo, with a process issued by the Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the arrest of Jeremiah Smith, upon a criminal charge of embezzling money. The deputy marshal succeeded in arresting Smith; when Joe caused his follower to be taken out of the possession of the United State's Officer, and brought before the municipal court of Nauvoo, for an examination under the writ of habeas corpus, issued by that immaculate body. The depury in a letter, states that the examination was to come off on the next day, and the result was involved in doubt. He farther avowed a fixed determination on his part, fearlessly and faithfully to execute the process of the United States Court, regardless of the course of this mock tribunal of justice, whose chief business is the release of all rogues who take shelter at Nauvoo, and are subsequently arrested by any process of law, whether issued from the State or Federal courts. -- Should Joe Smith refuse to surrender the accused into the hands of the deputy marshal, Col. Prentiss will repair in person to the scene of the action, with such a force as will insure obedience to the Constituted authorities of the Government.

==> P. S. -- The Mormons are in deep trouble, surrounded with a large body of armed citizens of the adjacent country, who threaten to assail the city of Nauvoo. This terrible state of affairs has been provoked by the continued resistance of the laws by Joe Smith.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> A new Mormon paper has been started in New York called the "Prophet." It advocates the doctrine of Mormonism, and the election of Joseph Smith, a western man with American principles, to the Presidency.


Notes: (forthcoming)

INCREASE OF MORMONISM. -- The St. Louis Reporter estimates the increase of Mormonism during the past year at six or eight hundred from foreign countries, and three or four hundred from the United States, (principally from Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.) Fifty or sixty missionaries arrived at St. Louis on the 29th ult., on their way to preach Mormonism in different parts of the country.

---

We understand that Jo Smith has sent recently fifty-one missionaries into the different States to preach Mormonism, and electioneer for the Prophet as a candidate for the Presidency. He should employ the "Buckeye blacksmith" and the "Kentucky pump-borer," for they are marketable missionaries, and have had some experience in electioneering business.


Notes: (forthcoming)

... Mr. Bird copies from the 'Ohio Observer.' which says 'a riot took place at Nauvoo, in the course of which a man named Foster, undertook to kill Joe Smith. Joe is said to have been slightly wounded.' Mr. Bird, would you desire to intimate because Foster endeavored to kill Joe Smith that that was evidence Smith ought to die, or that it was proof that he is a bad man...

If the Mormons are knaves, they are not such consumate fools as not to know that such vile abuse never is designed to redeem them from errors, if in error they are... You can slander, but you are not the Man, Mr. Bird, who can argue or render a reason... At this you may whine out the Mormons are not worthy of my notice. -- Then be consistant and let them alone entirely and never mind them, only when they harm you or those over whom you have charge. --

... I have heard so many sober candid gentlemen, who are not Mormons and probably never will be, say that they were heartily sick of all the foolery, manifested about the Mormons in the characters of editors and ministers. The means is close at hand to put down the Mormons, if it can be done at all, and that is this: The Mormons profess to believe the scriptures and consequently preach them to the people, they quote scriptures to show that the scriptures call for such a book as the book of Mormon professes to be. Also, to show that there is such a prophet to be; they preach that the scriptures call for the gathering of the people, just as the Mormons are doing -- the first thing to settle then is; Do or do not the scriptures call for a literal gathering of the Lord's people in the 'last days,' if they actually do not then as a matter of course the Mormons are of the Anti-Christ. In that case there is no call for a prophet, or such a book as the book of Mormon professes to be... Mr. Bird, editor of the 'Obeserver' and all others like him in slandering Joseph Smith and the Mormons are only sinners of the darkest dye...

Where is the press that has not teamed with every tale that could possibly be invented by debauchees and prostitutes against us... If nine tenths of the church members of the Latter Day Saints in Nauvoo, should apostatize and go to the devil, it would not necessarily follow that Joseph Smith is a bad man...

All I regret in the case is, that a man like Rev. Bird will thus give himself to inquiry without a provocation. The Mormons nor Joseph Smith has never laid a straw in his way, nor never will. We pity the insipid spirit that prompts him thus to treat an abused, and as a community a persecuted people. May God give him repentance unto salvation, is the prayer of your humble friend.     JOHN E. PAGE.


Note 1: The Peoples' Organ was an LDS paper designed to be published in support of Joseph Smith's campaign for the U. S. Presidency during the summer of 1844. It was edited by Apostle John E. Page and was the successor to his Gospel Light, published in Pittsburgh during 1843.

Note 2: In attempting to understand Apostle Page's cryptic remarks concerning "debauchees and prostitutes" it is useful to recall that the former top LDS leader John C. Bennett was generally characterized by the Mormons of this period as a "debauchee." Page's reference to "prostitutes" is illuminated by what his understudy, Elder William Small of Pittsburgh, reportedly said concerning the testimony given by Miss Martha Brotherton regarding secret polygamy at Nauvoo: "such evidence was given by PROSTITUTES, of whom a number were at Nauvoo." As Thomas Smethurst (who knew Miss Brotherton) subsequently observed in the Morning Chronicle of July 27, 1842, the Mormon Elder's words gave the "impression on the minds of the people that the said Martha H. Brotherton was a prostitute," and thus her testimony was not worthy of consideration by the LDS authorities. All of this carefully chosen rhetoric served to further obscure the hidden Mormon polygamy at Nauvoo, at the expense of the presumably innocent characters of candid ex-Mormons like Martha Brotherton.

AN ATTACK ON NAUVOO. -- The St. Louis Gazette of the 4th, states that an organized party of five or six hundred men has started for Nauvoo, to release from the custody of the Mormons, Dr. Hitchcock, U. S. Marshal of Iowa. Dr. H. went to Nauvoo to arrest a criminal, and was seized and confined by the Prophet's followers.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONITE CONVENTION The Presidency. -- There was a meeting at Military Hall, New York, on Tuesday evening, called for the purpose of advancing the claims of Joe Smith of Nauvoo, the leader of the Mormonites, or "Latter Day Saints," to the Presidency of the United States. The Republic says, --

"The attendance was small, some fifty men, twenty women, and a few boys composing the whole number of those present. Two brokers, by the name of Pratt, both originally from New York State, but more recently from Missouri, made speeches, strongly denunciatory of Mr. Van Buren, Mr. Clay, the principal characters of the nation and of Missouri, all of whom were called murderers, and robbers, and in comparison with whom Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet, was alone worthy of being entrusted with the government of the country. Twelve delegates were appointed to a convention to be held at Utica, on the 23d of next August."

---

==> The St. Louis Reporter says that seven indictments have been found by the Grand Jury of Hancock county, Ill., against Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet. He is charged with perjury, larceny, &c., &c.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> A paper was started at Nauvoo, a short time since, called the Expositor. We do not know the precise character of the sheet, but its course was offensive to the Prophet, and in order to put it down, he had an ordinance passed under which it was declared to be a nuisance, and the City Marshal of Nauvoo, at the head of a posse, repaired to the office, took out the materials, and burnt them on the street!


Notes: (forthcoming)

For the People's Organ.                        

Elder Sidney Rigdon Arrived.

This morning, June the 27th, on board the steamer "REVENUE," Elder Rigdon in company with Elder Ebenezer Robinson; designs to make a permanent residence in this city (Pittsburgh) for this season at least. Elder Rigdon will visit his friends the coming week in the country; and on the first Sabbath of July next, the 7th day of the month, his friends and old acquaintance, together with the public at large, can avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing Mr. Rigdon for themselves. The "Post" and other papers have been active in giving currency to an error relative to the origin of the Book of Mormon as being but the product of one "SOLOMON SPAULDING," of this city. Mr. Rigdon is the man who, it is said, obtained the manuscript of S. Spaulding, and from which it is said he made the "Book of Mormon." We hope that Rev. S. Williams will now come out and sustain, if possible, what he published in a pamphlet in the spring of 1842, concerning this matter; or, by remaining silent on the subject, prove to the honest part of this city that he only took advantage of the absence of Mr. Rigdon to wickedly slander his (Rigdon's) character, in order to save from utter ruin a rickety bantling of a system of religion that has nothing better than falsehood and misrepresentation to sustain it. Rally your forces, Rev. Williams, for you are certainly in danger of being showed up in dark colors relative to what you set forth in your pamphlet.

I presume none will dispute that Elder Rigdon is amply able to speak for himself concerning this matter. Some no doubt will say it is not worth your while to go and hear him; but those that do will evince to sensible men that they feel that their speculating craft is in danger -- for truth and its advocates have nothing to fear, for truth is like oil, it will rise on the top in the end, and no mistake. Elder Rigdon's character is too well known as an orator and a gentleman of intelligence to need any puffing to command public attention in any place whatever.     JOHN E. PAGE.

"The Time has Come."

Yes, 'the time has come' that the free thinking people of these United States are not to be so easily 'humbugged' into panic about the Mormons as they have been, concerning some momentary flare up about 'Joe Smith' and the Saints at Nauvoo, got up by some political demon-gogues.

Let the good people keep it in strict remembrance that Gen. Joseph Smith is a Jeffersonian candidate for the Presidency of these United States. Remember too, that Mr. Hiram Smith, Esq., the prophet's brother is a candidate for a Representative in the Illinois Legislature. True 'the time has come' for the mobocrats of Nauvoo and Carthage, in Hancock county, Illinois, to resume their business, and that is to combine all the intelligence of the braying asses they have in their midst, to make the people believe if possible, that 'Joe' and his neighbors are a desperate set. But it won't go down the throats so easy as they vainly hope for. Fourteen years experience of the people of these United States, in watching with a vigilent eye the character and movements of the Mormons has taught them that 'the time has come' that it is as necessary to hear both sides of the case in order yo know the truth of any matter concerning the Mormons, as it is concerning any other matter. Free trade and equal rights.     JOHN E. PAGE.


Note 1: When Sidney Rigdon moved from Nauvoo to Pittsburgh in 1844, he was, no doubt, aware that he was entering a media battlefield in which the local press delighted in attacking the Mormons. Throughout the early 1840s various Pittsburgh and Philadelphia newspapers continually printed articles questioning and debunking the Saints' own explanations for the origin of Mormonism and its sacred writ. Stories of Rigdon's probable earlier association with Pittsburgh publishing notables Robert and Joseph Patterson, Silas Engles, and Jonathan H. Lambdin had been freely bandied about in the city for several years. Rigdon must have returned to his old home ready to defend himself against the then current charges saying that he had purloined in Pittsburgh a story written by Solomon Spalding and that he had subsequently turned that story into the basis for the Book of Mormon.

Note 2: Apostle Page's words about "the mobocrats of Nauvoo" probably should be taken to refer to those associated with Elder William Law and his Nauvoo Expositor. The first issue of that paper printed considerable evidence to establish the fact of hidden Mormon polygamy at Nauvoo. By mid-1844 Apostle Page was, of course, privy to that secret and the Church's need to suppress any and all reports of its existence.

THE  MORMONS --
EXCITEMENT  IN  ILLINOIS.

All our intelligence from Illinois indicates the probability and almost the certainty of aspeedy and bloody collision between the Mormons and the surrounding citizens of Illinois. The St. Louis Republican of last Monday says: -- Our intelligence from the seat of the disturbances at Nauvoo, is down to Friday night last. We learn by the Die Vernon, that great excitement existed in all the counties, on both sides of the river, and that a resort to arms was inevitable. The Die Vernon, on her last trip took about sixty stand of arms from Quincy to Warsaw, and efforts were making to get arms from other quarters. Some 300 of the Mormons, it is understood, had left Nauvoo, but Joe Smith had put a stop to this migrating disposition by anathematizing all persons who had expressed any intention of leaving the city.

The citizens of Hancock county, in which Nauvoo is situated, held an immense mass meeting at Carthage, the seat of justice, on the 13th inst. The strong preamble and serious resolutions previously adopted at a meeting of the citizens of Warsaw, in the same county, were adopted unanimously as the sense of this meeting. The substance of these resolutions we give this morning. A committee of one from each precinct in the county was then appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the future action of the people. While the committee were [met?], Dr. Barns, one of the persons who went with the officers to Nauvoo, for the purpose of arresting the rioters engaged in the destruction of the Expositor, having just arrived, came into the meeting and reported the result of their proceedings, which was, that the persons charged in the writs were duly arrested, but taken from the officers' hands on a writ of habeas corpas from the municipal court and discharged, and the following potent words entered upon the records: HONORABLY DISCHARGED.

The committee then returned and reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, and O. C. Skinner and Weller Bagby were appointed the committee to go to Springfield.

Whereas, the officer charged with the execution of a writ against Joseph Smith and others, for riot in the county of Hancock, which said writ said officer has served upon said Smith and others refuse to obey the mandate of said writ; and whereas, in he opinion of this meeting, it is impossible for said officers to raise a posse of sufficient strength to execute said writ; and whereas, it is the opinion of this meeting, that the riot is still progressing, and that violence is mediated and determined on, it is the opinion of this meeting that the circumstances of the case require the interposition of Executive power: Therefore,

Resolved, That a deputation of two discreet men be sent to Springfield to solicit such interposition.

Resolved, That such deputation be furnished with a certified copy of this resolution and be authorized to obtain evidence by affidavit, and otherwise, in regard to the violence which has already been committed and is still further mediated.

The meeting afterwards determined that their operations should not be retarded by these resolutions, but all should arm and equip themselves forthwith. Six places of encampment were appointed. The latest information is that the citizens were ordered to assemble at their various places of encampment on Wednesday last. The steamboat Hibernian brought information to St. Louis that the people, who were rapidly concentrating for that purpose, would move to an attack upon Nauvoo on Wednesday. A patrol was kept at Warsaw, and all suspicious persons were arrested.

Friday: 8 o'clock, A. M. -- We are informed by gentlemen direct from Carthage, that the citizens are ordered to assemble at their various places of rendezvous on Wednesday next.

A gentleman from Nauvoo, who arrived in Carthage to day, reports that almost 200 persons, including nearly all of Joe's enemies in Nauvoo, have left the city, with their moveables -- being in fear of their lives.

Preparations are making throughout the country, for the coming contest.

---

THE  MORMON  EXCITEMENT.

The following from the St. Louis New Era of the 17th is the latest from the scene of the expected war: --

Great excitement prevails in Hancock, Adams, and the adjacent counties of Illinois, and also in the neighboring counties in Iowa and Missouri. The whole country is preparing for action. An immediate collision of the most sanguinary character is anticipated. The same spirit seems to prevail that formerly prevaded Jackson county and the Grand river country in Missouri. Several thousand persons had intended to go from that portion of Illinois to the Peoria Convention, and steamboats had been chartered for that purpose, but they now say that the danger and excitement at home is so great that they cannot go.

That paper of the 18th has later news:

LATTER FROM WARSAW. -- By the Borea, which arrived this morning, we have received another Extra issued from the office of the Warsaw Signal, dated Junr 17th. It contains an address reported by Thos. C. Sharp, Esq., which was unanimously adopted by a meeting of the citizens, held at Warsaw on the 14th inst., and ordered to be published in connexion with a preamble and resolutions adopted by a mass meeting held by the citizens of Hancock county at Carthage on the previous day; these resolutions are the same as those passed by the Warsaw meeting on the 13th -- breathing war and destruction to the whole Mormon race.

At the bottom of the Extra we find an article in substance as follows:

LATEST ORDERS. -- The citizens of this county are ordered to assemble at their various places of rendezvous on Wednesday next, by the officer, from whom Smith was rescued, and there to receive general orders to cooperate as a posse to aid in arresting Smith. Citizens of the adjoining State, Territory and Counties can join and act with the 'posse comitatus' without violating any law.

In addition, we learn from the officers of the Boreas that at Warsaw on Sunday, the 16th inst., there was a muster of volunteers, and that they turned out 150 men, armed and equipped for the war. Great excitement is said to prevail in the vicinity of Warsaw, which seems to be on the increase every day, To-morrow is the day set for general rendezvous of the forces who are to aid in the arresting of Joe Smith, and unless the Executive interfers by ordering out the militia, in accordance with the wishes of the citizens, we are afraid it will not end without bloodshed.

---

From Nauvoo -- Mormon War.

The St. Louis Republican of Saturday, June 22, has the following:

THE MORMON AFFAIR. -- The steamboat Waverly left Nauvoo on Thursday afternoon, and Warsaw in the night. She lay at Nauvoo some time, and ascertained that Gen. Jo. Smith had 2,300 men under arms, and ready for defensive operations. At Warsaw and Carthage, it was understood about 3,000 citizens were under arms, but were awaiting an additional force of a thousand men, before they directed an attempt to serve the writs in the hands of the officer. Of course, they would be ready to sustain the constituted authority, if necessary, to the extremity of making war upon Smith and his men.


LATER FROM NAUVOO. -- The St. Louis Reveille of Sunday, says:

By the clerk of the stramer Gen. Brooke, which came down yesterday evening, we are informed that Gov. Ford had arrived at Carthage, approved of present operations, to further which he had ordered out 2,500 men. By this time, it is supposed that active preparations have been commenced.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> THE PROGRESS OF MOB LAW. -- The murder of Joe Smith and his brother Hiram is another fearful evidence of the rapid progress that mob law is making in our country, and will create alarming forebodings for the permanancy of the internal safety of the country, if the strong arm of the civil authorities is not raised to prevent citizens of every shade of opinion. That provision of the constitution which purports to grant permission to all to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences is becoming a dead letter; the religious freedom of which we boast will soon be trampled under the feet feet of the mob, whose brutal passions can only be appeased by the destruction of property and the spilling of blood.

Whatever may have been the faults of Smith, none could have been of sufficient magnitude to justify the punishment inflicted, and, with the information we have received, we cannot regard his death in any other light than as a cowardly and brutal murder.

Smith had been charged with serious crimes against the laws; a clamor was raised to have him punished; personal violence was threatened; perhaps to avert the shedding of blood, he surrendered himself to the civil authorities, under a promise that he should be protected and have a fair trial. A military guard was placed round his prison to protect him, but instead of guarding him and letting the laws which it was alleged he had violated take their course, they sent a "hundred balls through his body" without even respecting the formalities that have heretofore been observed by those who believe in the efficacy of Lynch Laws. The absurdity or fanaticism of the religious opinions of the 'prophet' will induce many to look upon this bloody act with a lenient eye, but the true friends of rational religion cannot but regard it with horror, and tremble for fearful outrages on other creeds, for which the murder of the Mormons may form a precedent.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We find the following in the Cincinnati Gazette of Wednesday last. The death of the Smiths has beyond all doubt led to a bloody collision between the Troops and the Mormons. The situation of Gov. Ford, it will be seen, was critical. Should the Mormons have attacked him before he could retreat they would be very likely to have destroyed the small body of men under his command. Their destruction will infallibly bring upon the Mormons an extirpating war. From the tenor of former advices it seems the citizens of the surrounding counties were eager for some plea to drive the Mormons from the State. They are likely to have their hands full now. We shall look for further news with great anxiety.

DEATH  OF  JOE  AND  HIRAM  SMITH.

The steamboat Boreas just in from Warsaw, brings shocking intelligence from the scene of the Mormon war. The following slip from the office of the Warsaw Signal explains the dreadful tragedy:

"Joe and Hiram Smith are dead -- shot this afternoon. An attack from the Mormons is expected every hour. -- Will not the surrounding counties rush instantly to our rescue?
          Warsaw, June 27th, 1844."


It seems that the circumstances attending the killing of the Mormon Prophet and his brother Hiram are as follows: On yesterday Gov. Ford left Carthage with about 120 soldiers for the purpose of taking possession of the "Nauvoo Legion" and their arms. They arrived at Nauvoo about noon, and called for the assembling of the Legion. About 2000 men with arms immediately responded to its call. These troops were put under command of Col. Singleton of Brown county, who accompanied Gov. Ford to Nauvoo.

The Governor finding all quiet left Nauvoo about 5 o'clock P. M. with a company of 60 men for the purpose of encamping about seven miles from the city.

At about the same time that Gov. Ford left Nauvoo, the Prophet and his brother were killed at Carthage, under the following circumstances, as near as we can ascertain them.

Joe and Hiram were both confined in the debtor's room of the Carthage jail, awaiting their trial on the charge of treason. The jail was strongly guarded by soldiers and anti-mormons, who had been placed there by the Governor. A Mormon attempted to rush by the guard for the purpose of forcing his way into the jail. -- He was opposed by the guard and fired a pistol at one of the guard, giving him a slight wound.

A general confusion ensued in the crowd around the jail. Joe and his Mormon fellow-prisoners it seems provided themselves with pistols abd commenced firing upon the guards below. He attempted to escape from the window, when a hundred balls entered his body, and he fell a lifeless corpse.

His brother Hiram shared the same fate. Richards, a leading Mormon, was badly wounded. There our intelligence ends -- what took place after this, God only knows. Mormons immediately left for Nauvoo to carry the news of the death of the Prophet. It is feared that the Mormons at Nauvoo will be so exasperated as to exterminate the Governor and his small force.

The Boreas brought down the most of the women and children from Warsaw. It is feared their town is in ashes before this.

Our citizens were aroused this morning by the ringing of bells and a call to arms. Our three independent companies are already in marching order. Major Flood hasordered out the militia of this regiment, and the steamer Boreas is waiting to convey them to the scene of action.

There is no knowing where this dreadful affair will end. Many have expressed fears that our city is in danger, because most of the Warsaw families have taken refuge here -- but we believe there is no danger, we are too far from the scene of action.

Messengers have just left for Hannibal and the towns below for the purpose of arousing the Missourians. The excitement in our city is intense and the anxiety to hear the fate of Governor Ford and his men is very great.

---

Death of Joe Smith Confirmed.

We were confident from the manner in which the death of Smith was announced that it was true, notwithstanding many doubted and pronounced it a hoax. The following extracts are from the St. Louis New Era of the 20th, an evening paper: --

MORE MORMON NEWS -- From passengers and officers of the steamboat Dove, we learn that on yesterday a messenger from Governor Ford arrived at Rushville calling on the militia to march speedily to Carthage to resist an attack apprehended from the Mormons. He stated that about 4 o'clock on the 27th, a mob of two hundred men, armed, painted and disguised came to Carthage, demanded the key of the jail, and took out Joe Smith, Hiram Smith and William Richards, and shot them forthwith. They were fearful that the Mormons would retaliate this murder by burning Carthage and Warsaw. Several hundred of the militia were about to march from Schuyler when the Dove left. The Governor's message arrived at Rushville about 12 o'clock. Those who came down on the boat consider this news as authentic. If true, it is both alarming and disgraceful. It was cruel and cowardly to murder unarmed prisoners when they had surrendered themselves and were in the custody of the laws. They were under the protection of the laws; the word of the Governor and the faith of the State were pledged to protect them from mobs and to secure to them a fair trial.

An extra from the Alton Telegraph contains letters from G. T. M. Davis, from which we learn that the two Smith, Richards, and also Phelps, a Mormon, were killed by the mob at Carthage. Three citizens of Hancock county were wounded in the attack on the jail; their names were Mills, Galagher, and Vorhees. Mr. Davis apprehended great violence, and feared an indiscriminate extermination of the Mormon population. He was endeavoring to allay it, and Gov. Ford was trying to restrain Mormons and the populace.


LATEST ACCOUNTS FROM NAUVOO. -- The Mendota left Nauvoo yesterday at 4 o'clock. -- The Captain says he satid at Nauvoo several hours and talked with a number of the Mormons; that whilst there a body of Mormons came in bearing the dead bodies of Joe Smith and Hyrum Smith. Mr. Phelps was not killed, but was in Nauvoo when the Mendota left, making a speech to the Mormons, and advising them to peace. No Mormons were killed except Joe and Hyrum Smith. The Mormons all expressed a determination to keep the peace and not to resort to arms except in necessary self-defence.

They state that at Carthage the Mormons were confined; that about fifty or one hundred men disguised suddenly rushed on the jail jouse; that the guard fired on them and wounded three of them; that the men in disguise fired into the jail and killed Hyrum Smith, before the door was opened. Joe Smith had a revolving pistol, and fired it two or three times without effect, bit was himself soon killed by the assailants, that Taylor, the editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, was in jail, and was shot through the thigh, but not seriously injured; Richards was not injured. After the assault the disguised mob retreated, and it was not even known who they were. The guard consisted of fifty men, left by the Governor, of whom eight or ten were on duty when the attack was made on the jail house.


Notes: (forthcoming)

IMPORTANT  NEWS.

We find the following in the Cincinnati Gazette of Wednesday last. The death of the Smiths has beyond all doubt led to a bloody collision between the Troops and the Mormons. The situation of Gov. Ford it will be seen was critical. Should the Mormons have attacked him before he could retreat they would be very likely to have destroyed the small body of men under his command. Their destruction will infallibly bring upon the Mormons an extirpating war. From the tenor of former advices it seems the citizens of the surrounding country were eager for some plea to drive the Mormons from the State. They are likely to have their hands full now. We shall look for further news with great anxiety.

Death of Joe and Hiram Smith.

We received the following last evening by a passenger.

(From the St. Louis Evening Gazette, Extra.)

Friend Flagg -- Enclosed you have a copy of an extra issued at Quincy. We left Nauvoo about day-light this morning (Friday 28th,) all was quiet. The Mormons have not heard of the death of the SITHS, as Gov. Ford, who was encamped a few miles back, had (as supposed) intercepted the messengers from Carthage.

At Warsaw all was excitement. The women and children were all removed, and an immediate attack was expected from the Mormons.

We met the "Boreas," just above Quincy, with 300 men armed and equipped for Warsaw, eager for fight.

I send the "Quincy Herald," printed this morning, containing the particulars of Smith's death.
                          In haste yours &c.   A. J. Stone.
On board the Steamboat St. Croix,
Friday evening, June 28, 1844.

---

From the Quincy Herald, Friday, 3 o'clock.

DEATH OF THE PROPHET!

JOE AND HIRAM SMITH ARE DEAD.

The steamboat Boreas, just in from Warsaw, brings shocking intelligence from the scene of the Mormon war. The following slip from the office of the Warsaw Signal explains the dreadful tragedy:

"Joe and Hiram Smith are dead -- shot this afternoon. An attack from the Mormons is expected every hour. Will not the surrounding counties rush instantly to our rescue?"
Warsaw, June 27, 1844"

It seems that the circumstances attending the killing of the Mormon Prophet and his brother Hiram are as follows: On yesterday, Gov. Ford left Carthage with about 120 soldiers for the purpose of taking possession of the "Nauvoo Legion" and their arms. They arrived at Nauvoo about noon, and called for the assembling of the Legion and their arms. About 2000 men with arms immediately responded to ots call. These troops were put under command of Col. Singleton of the Brown county, who accompanied Gov. Ford to Nauvoo.

The Governor finding all quiet left Nauvoo about 5 o'clock P. M. with a company of 60 men for the purpose of encamping about seven miles from the city.

At about the same time that Gov. Ford left Nauvoo, the Prophet and his brother were killed at Carthage, under the following circumstances, as near as we can ascertain them:

Joe and Hiram are both confined in the debtor's room of the Carthage jail, awaiting their trial on the charge of treason. The jail was strongly guarded by soldiers and anti-Mormons, who had been placed there by the Governor. A Mormon attempted to rush by the guards for the purpose of forcing his way into the jail. He was opposed by the guard, and fired a pistol at one of the guards, giving him a slight wound.

A general confusion ensued in the crowd around the jail. Joe and his fellow Mormon fellow-prisoners it seems had provided themselves with pistols, and commenced firing upon the guard within. He attempted to escape from the window, when a hundred balls entered his body, and he fell lifeless corpse.

His brother Hiram shared the same fate. -- Richards, a leading Mormon, was badly wounded. There our intelligence ends -- what took place after this, God only knows. Mormons immediately left for Nauvoo, to carry news of the death of the Prophet. It is feared that the Mormons at Nauvoo will be so exasperated as to exterminate the Governor and his small force.

The Boreas brought down most of the women and children from Warsaw. It is feared their town is in ashes before this.

Our citizens were aroused this morning by the ringing of bells and a call to arms. Our three independent companies are already in marching order. Maj. Flood has ordered out the militia of the regiment, and the steamer Boreas is waiting to convey them to the scene of action.

There is no knowing where this dreadful affair will end. Many have expressed fears that our city is in danger, because most of the Warsaw families have taken refuge here -- but we believe there is no danger, we are too far from the scene of action.

Messengers have just left for Hannibal and the towns below for the purpose of arousing the Missourians. The excitement in our city is intense and the anxiety to hear the fate of Gov. Ford and his men are very great.

---

LATER.

Death of Joe Smith Confirmed.

We were confident from the manner in which the death of Smith was announced that it was true, notwithstanding many doubted and pronounced it a hoax. The following extracts are from the St. Louis New Era of the 29th, an evening paper: --

MORE MORMON NEWS. -- From passengers and officers of the steamboat Dove, we learn that on yesterday a messenger from Governor Ford arrived at Rushville calling on the militia to march speedily to Carthage to resist an attack apprehended from the Mormons. He stated that about 5 o'clock on the 27th, a mob of two hundred men, armed, painted and disguised, came to Carthage, demanded the key of the jail, and took out Joe Smith, Hiram Smith, and William [sic] Richards and shot them forthwith. They were fearful that the Mormons would retaliate this murder by burning Carthage and Warsaw. Several hundred of the militia were about to march from Schuyler county when the Dove left. The Governor's message arrived at Rushville about 12 o'clock. Those who came down on the boat consider this news as authentic. If true, it is both alarming and disgraceful. It was cruel and cowardly to murder unarmed prisoners when they had surrendered themselves and were in the custody of the laws. They were under the protection of the laws; the word of the Governor and the faith of the State were pledged to protect them from mobs and to secure to them a fair trial.

An [extra] from the Alton Telegraph contains letters from G. T. M. Davis, from which we learn that the two Smith, Richards, and also Phelps, a Mormon, were killed by the mob at Carthage. Three citizens of Hancock county were wounded in the attack on the jail, their names were Mills, Galagher, and Vorhees. Mr. Davis apprehended great violence, and feared an indiscriminate extermination of the Mormon population. He was endeavoring to allay it, and Gov. Ford was trying to restrain Mormons and the populace.

LATEST ACCOUNTS FROM NAUVOO. -- The Mendota left Nauvoo yesterday at 4 o'clock. The Captain says he staid at Nauvoo several hours and talked with a number of the Mormons; that whilst there a body of Mormons came in bearing the dead bodies of Joe Smith and Hiram Smith. Mr. Phelps was not killed, but was in Nauvoo when the Mendota left, making a speech to the Mormons, and advising them to peace. No Mormons were killed except Joe and Hiram Smith. The Mormons all expressed a determination to keep the peace, and not to resort to arms except in necessary self-defence.

They state that at Carthage the Mormons were confined; that about fifty or one hundred men disguised suddenly rushed on the jail house; that the guard fired on them and wounded three of them; that the men in disguise fired into the jail and killed Hiram Smith before the door was opened. Joe Smith had a revolving pistol, and fired it two or three times without effect, bit was himself soon killed by the assailants, that Taylor, the editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, was in jail, and was shot through the thigh, but not seriously injured; Richards was not injured. After the assault the disguised mob retreated, and it was not even known who they were. The guard consisted of fifty men, left by the Governor, of whom eight or ten were on duty when the attack was made on the jail house.

Note: Part of the introductory article was also published in the July 8, 1844 issue of the Washington Daily National Intelligencer. The "slip" from the Quincy Herald was reprinted in numerous papers, including the Richmond Inquirer of July 9, 1844, etc.

THE  MURDER  OF  JOE  SMITH.

The Louisville Journal of July 3d, says: "We have seen a gentleman who was in Nauvoo on Friday, and who informs us that all was quiet there, the prominent Mormons exhorting their followers to offer no insult or molestation to any one, and in no case to offer violence except in strict self-defence. The deepest grief and affliction pervaded the city. There appeared to be no danger of the burning of Warsaw or Carthage."

The Cincinnatti Gazette of July 4th, states that the reports about the Mormons, and the death of Joe Smith and his brother are various and contradictory. A traveler just from the scene, of apparent candor and truth, gives the following account of the death of the prophet:

"He was left in prison, with Hiram at Carthage, and a guard of sixty men placed over them by order of Gov. Ford. -- The Guard, except about eight, had left their position at the Jail, when a mob disguised in dress and painted black in the faces, rushed into the Jail, shot Hiram dead, and then killed Joe. No resistance was made by either. Joe was leaning or sitting upon a window when shot; he fell from it exclaiming, My God! My God! and died, -- After he reached the ground he was stabbed, apparently by a young man, in the breast, who said 'Damn you; take that; you killed my father,'"

We give this as we receive it without being able to vouch for its correctness. -- We shall probably get at the truth in a day or two. --   zAge.


Note: This was the final issue of The Peoples' Organ. Its editor, Apostle John E. Page, had been summoned back to Nauvoo by Joseph Smith on June 20th but was unable to respond to that order prior to Smith's assassination on June 29th. Oddly enough, Apostle Page did not accompany President Sidney Rigdon back to Nauvoo when Rigdon left Pittsburgh near the end of July, 1844. Rigdon had initially called for a conference of the Twelve Apostles to meet at Pittsburgh that month and it is possible that he left Page behind with instructions to carry out plans for that conference, should any of his fellow apostles respond to the call. By the time Rigdon arrived back in Pittsburgh, from his unsuccessful attempt to seize power over the Church in Illinois, Page was wavering in his support for the unstable (and recently excommunicated) Mormon leader. Page initially submitted to the authority of the Twelve in a meeting with Apostle Orson Hyde at Cincinnatti. Although he moved his family from Pittsburgh to Nauvoo at the end of 1844, Page's fealty to the Twelve was short-lived. According to his biography in the RLDS History of the Church, he "was one of the three members of his quorum who protested against the action of the majority of the Twelve and refused to countenance their proceedings."

--> From St. Louis we have papers to July 6. All was quiet at Warsaw and Nauvoo at last accounts. The flame is not quenched, however, and will work again before long --


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON NEWS. -- The last Nauvoo Neighbor says that the hand of fellowship has been withdrawn from Elders Rigdon. James Emmitt and Zachariah Wilson. The Warsaw Signal says it was rumored, that on Saturday week last, nineteen of the leading Mormons were ejected from the church, among them, John Forge [sic - John A. Forges?] and Emmit [sic - Emma?] Smith. The Temple is still going ahead, the third tier of windows being ready to receive their caps. Above them, is to be a belt of course stone, and then six feet of plain cut stone work, will finish the walls.

The Signal says, that twenty-five Mormon families have left Bear Creek, taking with them several horses, valued at $700, and many head of cattle, which they had stolen; they had gone to Nauvoo. The Mormons were also leaving Morley's settlement.

Serious dissentions are said to exist in the church. Rigdon has about four hundred followers, who admit his claim to the leadership, and deny the right of the Twelve to govern -- of this number, are Edward Hawley and Robert Price.

---

THE MORMONS. -- The Warsaw Signal says, that Daniel Spencer, has been elected Mayor of Nauvoo, pro tem.; George Miller and Whitney have been elected trustees of the church property, and under this management, the Temple is progressing rapidly. Samuel H. Smith, brother of the Prophet, died in Nauvoo about two weeks since. William is now the only surviving brother. Sidney Rigdon, who claimed the leadership of the church on the ground of his being the only survivor of the first Presidency, and also, on the ground of his having been named by Joe at one time, as his successor, has had his claims rejected by the Twelve, who have decided not to have any one man for leader, but that the church shall be governed by them collectively.

---

STARTLING DISCLOSURES. -- Joseph H. Jackson, recently a Mormon, in the [inmost confidence] of the great Impostor Smith, has published an expose of his (Smith's) villainy and black-heartedness, which makes the blood curdle to read. If but the tenth part of his allegations are true, the "Prophet" was as unfit to live [as] to die.

---

OUR  PAPER.

We have our first number a short time in advance of the completion of our arrangements, that our friends and the public may have before them a specimen of the paper, which we propose to publish. We will not issue the second number until the first Wednesday of November, after which time the paper will be published regularly on Wednesday of every successive week. We avail ourselves of this interval between the publication of the first and second number to finish our printing arrangements; and to obtain returns of subscribers in the hands of agents, that our readers may be furnished with the paper from the commencement of the volume.

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TO  SUBSCRIBERS.

We send this first number of our paper to each of the former subscribers to the "Carthage Evangelist," as this is a substitute for that publication. We earnestly request all who shall not wish to become subscribers, to return this number forthwith, by mail, directed to us, as we shall forward the paper regularly to all who fail to do so. Those subscribers to the "Carthage Evangelist," who have paid in advance will be supplied with this paper, and charged the additional price, unless they order otherwise by returning the paper as directed above.

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TO  OUR  READERS.

The present is a crisis of hope and fear. Men are not satisfied with the ordinary life. Their eyes are on the future. They demand extra excitement, and keep solemn vigils with reference to unknown events looked, if not longed for, with marked impatience. They exclaim what next? Our brethren are among them; and are imbued with the inquietude and inquisitiveness of the age. They know that reading is the food of the mind, and they crave it. They seek to have at regular intervals a supply of religious information with the current political news of our own and foreign nations. We offer them the "PROTESTANT UNIONIST."

After an absence of many years we have in the course of divine providence returned to Pittsburgh. This is a great emporium and center of trade and manufactures, and a point from which may be distributed with as much facility as any other city in the west, every thing in literature and religion which it is befitting our brethren to understand.

These facts of time, place and other circumstances concur with our design, as indicated in the Protestant Unionist.

Myself and colleagues have only to request all our brethren, our acquaintances, and particularly the subscribers of the Evangelist, to favor and further its interest. Will you give us your personal support. We have given our youth and manhood to the cause. We desire for Christ's sake, and your sake, to devote it to our ago, also. Go on then, my brethren, and procure us subscribers, and we will by the help of our Lord be up to our duty.

SEN. ED.      

Note: Elder Walter Scott (the senior editor) makes little reference to his previous tenure as a Christian pastor in Pittsburgh. The circumstances of his 1825 departure from that city are not explained -- he says only: "After an absence of many years we have in the course of divine providence returned to Pittsburgh..."

ANOTHER MORMON WAR. -- An express arrived in town on Wednesday evening last, bearing an order from Gov. Ford to the officers of the militia in this and neighboring counties, commanding them to call out a portion of their forces and march to places of rendezvous, which he mentioned, in the counties bordering upon Nauvoo. The reason assigned for this is that the citizens of Hancock and the surrounding counties, intend holding a large wolf hunt, and it is feared an attack upon Nauvoo is cloaked beneath this avowed intention. -- Jackson City Journal.


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the St. Louis New Era, Sept. 28.

THE MORMON WAR. -- Our accounts of the movements of Gov. Ford and his army, by the boats which have arrived to-day from the Upper Mississippi and Illinois, are quite imperfect and uncertain. Those from the vicinity of Warsaw confirm the report which was received here yesterday of the flight of Sharp, the editor of the Warsaw Signal, and Col. Williams. The officers of the Boreas learned at Warsaw, as she passed down, that there were from one hundred to three hundred of Gov. Ford's soldiers at Carthage, but the exact designs or principal features of this military campaign does not seem to be rightly understood, even by those for whose express benefit it was gotten up, and as Gov. Ford has chosen to keep the matter pretty much to himself, we will have to wait patiently until he accomplishes something. It is said that he is trying to arrest and bring to justice the murderers of the Smiths. If this is his sole object, and he thinks it will take from one to two thousand troops to do it, why keep them at Rushville, or scattered over the country.

From the Warsaw Signal of the 25th.

Just as our paper was going to press this morning, a man came into our office, and said that he had a writ for me. Well, sir, let me see it. He produced the paper, which proved to be a warrant for the murder of Joe and Hyrum Smith, issued by Aaron Johnson, Justice of the Peace in Nauvoo. After reading, I told the officer that if my friends said go, I would go, if not, I would stand fast. Accordingly I went out, and conversed with the citizens, and unanimously they said don't go. I then told the officer that he could return and report progress, but I could not go with him, for I was not to be singled out as the sole object of Mormon vengeance. Now, gentle reader, I did not help to kill Joe Smith, for I did not go to the jail, with those who killed him. If my influence helped to produce the state of feeling that resulted in his death, why I am in common with some hundred others, guilty -- not of murder, but of an extra judicial execution. I have the most satisfactory proof that Joe Smith threatened my life, and sought to take it; if I had, therefore, killed him I should only have acted in self-defence. The writ only included Col. Williams and myself. Thus it will appear that it is not the guilty, but those most obnoxious to the Latter Day Saints, who are to be selected as victims. The officer, who is deputy Sheriff, says that his orders are to arrest and return the prisoners to the Sheriff, in Carthage, from thence I suppose I am to be taken to Nauvoo; but I will not go to Nauvoo unless my fellow citizens say so. I did not resist the officer, but my friends asvised me not to go, and the officer did not call on any of the citizens to aid him in taking me. After I told him I would not go, he troubled me no further.

Fellow-citizens, shall we submit?
                                  THOMAS C. SHARP.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon Difficulties -- The officers of the steamer Monona from the Upper Mississippi report, that it was said at Warsaw that Governor Ford was encamped in the vicinity of Nauvoo, with about 1500 men. All things were quiet at Nauvoo and Warsaw, but it was thought that if the Governor attempted to forcibly arrest any of the persons suspected to be concerned in the murder of the Smiths a conflict would ensue. -- The Governor had sent a message to Quincy, the purport of which was not known. -- St. Louis Republic. Oct. 1.

---

By the Monona, which arrived this morning, we have the latest intelligence from Nauvoo and Gov. Ford's army. The M. left Nauvoo night before last; Gov. Ford, with the principal portion of his forces, was then encamped on the outskirts of the city. Persons on board the boat distinctly heard the report of musketry and the strains of martial music, when several miles distant, on their approach to the city. An express or bearer of dispatches was sent down on board the M. to Quincy from his excellency; the subject or nature of the message was not ascertained. The Quincy Volunteers had arrived at Nauvoo before the M. passed. Every effort was made on the part of the officers of the boat, while at Nauvoo, to ascertain the Governor's next movement, but without success; to their oft repeated inquiries, put to the citizens and others, they received but one answer, which was that he was 'thar,' "well what is he going to do" the universal cry was we don't know. Some of the companies had been at Nauvoo two or three days previous to the M's passing. All was quiet at Warsaw, which place she left yesterday about noon. Sharp, Williams, and a portion of Joe Smith's guard at Carthage, had taken up their quarters at Churchville, on the Missouri side of the river. When the M. landed at Warsaw she was boarded by hundreds of anxious citizens inquiring after the news from Nauvoo.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                  From the Morning Chronicle.

HO!  THE  MORMONS.

==> Notice is hereby given to the public to beware of receiving the ordinance of Baptism at the hands of Mr. Sidney Rigdon, Esq., or any of his adherents, thinking to attach themselves to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- for Mr. S. Rigdon is at this time expelled from the aforesaid Church, and all his adherents are suspended from the performance or administration of any ordinance whatever, until they repent and adhere to the proper authorities of the said Church. For whatever Mr. S. Rigdon, or his adherents may say, or do, under the pretention or nominal name of Latter Day Saints, in a legal point of light, will be no more in connection with the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, than the Republic of the United States has with the Crown of England.

JOHN E. PAGE, Elder,      

And one of the Twelve travelling high council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


Note: The above notice apparently was first published in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of Thursday, Oct. 7th. See notes attached to report in the Oct. 11th Gazette & Advertiser for more comments.

From the St. Louis New Era.

Latest News from the Seat of War.

By the arrival of the Boreas, we are put in possession of a letter from a correspondent at Churchville, which gives the latest intelligence from Gov. Ford and the Mormon War:

CHURCHVILLE, Sept. 28th, 1844.    

Mr. Editor: -- Since my last, Gov. Ford, with the forces under his command, has been to Nauvoo, where they encamped night before last, and there remained until this morning. Yesterday, the Nauvoo Legion was paraded, but made but a very poor impression on the Governor's troops. I have the most satisfactory information, that the Mormons were very distrustful of the Governor, and were much alarmed -- because of the hostile disposition manifested towards them by the troops individually.

Last night while the guard was being relieved, at the camp of the Governor, one of the Springfield cadets was accidently shot in consequence of a false alarm purposely given to try the men; he died instantly. His name is Norris. So this silly movement of the Governor has been the death of one estimable citizen, and God only knows but that the lives of hundreds are yet to be sacrificed because of it.

Yesterday, most of the men apprehending arrests came over to this side of the river, and still remain here. Many who came over had no hand whatever in the mob who killed Smith. To-day Ford's troops marched to Warsaw, and are now encamped there. They number 420 in all -- being the whole number that the Governor could raise out of 2,500 ordered out; and from various authentic sources we learn that four fifths, at least, of these would mutiny if ordered to assist in making arrests. Some of the officers have been over here, and are very friendly, and as good anti-Mormons as any of us. They commend the course of the citizens as a discreet one, and say that in all probability they will be gone to-morrow, when all hands can return home. There have been no more arrests. The fact is, the Sheriff is so cowardly that he has not courage to make them. -- Report says that there are 70 writs out, and that rewards are offered for Sharp, Williams and Jackson.

If any man is taken to Nauvoo, I am greatly mistaken, if there is not the tallest mob raised, that the West has ever seen. The whole country around will rise en masse, and march to the rescue. It is useless to reason this matter, -- the feeling is in the people, and Gov. Ford can't whip it out. He professes great anxiety to punish mobbers, but in the attempt to do so, he will only aggravate the evil; and it seems to me the height of folly to try the virtue of the law, when the inevitable result will be a further and more dangerous violation of it.

Ford seems to make this a personal matter, his greatest antipathy being against certain individuals who are not afraid to express their opinions of him and his cause. Well, he may spend his wrath -- he is perfectly harmless so long as the vox populi is against him. The game is between him and the people; if he can head them; he is a better man than the world generally give[s] him credit for being.

The men on this side of the river are encamped, and spend their time very agreeably in hunting and fishing. They live cheap and easy, and feel but little incommoded by the Governor's movements.
                                  CLARKE.

---

SCHISM AMONG THE MORMONS. -- Elder Page of this city, one of the "high travelling council of twelve," has issued his manifesto, warning all Mormons, and all who wish to become Mormons, against Sidney Rigdon, who it seems has been expelled from the company of the "Saints."


Note 1: The LDS "manifesto" mentioned in the "Schism" item was apparently first published in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of Oct. 7th. It was reprinted in the Oct. 10th Spirit of the Age, and from there, made its way into Sidney Rigdon's Messenger & Advocate of Dec. 2, 1844.

Note 2: The notice by LDS Apostle John E. Page, directed against his former ecclesiastical superior, Sidney Rigdon, marked a formal break between the two. At about this same time word must have reached Page from Nauvoo that he had been sustained in his office as one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church. Practically nothing is known of the battle that went on between Rigdon and Page for the loyalty of the Pennsylvania Mormons, but Rigdon seems to have bested his apostolic rival, in Pittsburgh at least. In a letter dated Oct. 15, 1844, published in his Pittsburgh Messenger & Advocate of the same date, "President" Sidney Rigdon says: "I have been informed, since Mr. Page published his Bull, and subsequent departure from this place, that he had attempted to teach the doctrine of spiritual wives in this city some time since. This will account for his sudden departure from both this place [Pittsburgh] and yours [Brighton]..."

END OF THE THIRD MORMON WAR. -- A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, writing from near Quincy, Illinois, under date of the 30th ult., gives the following account of the termination of Governor Ford's recent disgraceful campaign.

The war is ended and the troops are en route for home. To-day the Governor held a treaty with the individuals against whom the writs had been issued for being engaged in the killing of the Smiths, and after some considerable negotiation, the matter was finally settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Col. Williams and Thos. C. Sharpe, Esq., agreed to surrender if they could be taken to Quincy for their examination. -- This was agreed to on the part of the Governor. Further, they were to have an escort to protect them while in the custody of the officer. If sufficient evidence was adduced to warrant the judge to commit for trial, the prisoners were to give moderate bail for their appearance at court. If an indictment is then found, they are to have a continuance and a change of venue. This all might have been accomplished without calling out twenty five hundred militia, if the Governor had taken the proper steps in the first instance.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MRS. JOE SMITH. -- GRAND DESIGN OF THE PROPHET. -- A correspondent at Alton, after stating that the recent murder of Joe Smith had been followed by a dispersion of his adherents, gives the following interesting items: Mrs. Joe Smith, it is said, has lost all confidence (if she ever had any) in the Mormon faith. She will soon retire to some secure situation, undoubtedly the richest lady in the West. Joe had been amassing money for several years, for the purpose of eventually going to Jerusalem, intending to issue a proclamation calling in the Jews, over whom he was to be head till the return of Christ upon the earth -- which event, he believed, would take place 45 years from 1844.

With reference to this expedition, he was crowned "King of Israel" in 1844, by the Council of Fifty, denominated the "Ancient of days." The fifty were all sworn to secrecy. This was the prophet's grand design, and affords a key to certain movements of the prophet, which are otherwise wholly inexplicable.


Note: A slightly longer reprint of this New Bedford Bulletin report may be read in the Portland, Maine Christian Mirror of Oct. 24, 1844. This is rare and unusual early exposure of the LDS secret Council of Fifty at Nauvoo and of their corronation of Joseph Smith, Jr., not only 'King of Israel' but also king of the entire planet. The assertion about Smith's plan to eventually travel in person to Jerusalem seems suspect, however. See also a similar reprint in the Putney Perfectionist of Nov. 2, 1844.

GOV. FORD appears to be determined to keep up the [ressentment?] between the citizens of Hancock county and the Mormons, and if a collision [---- ---- -------], it will certainly not be his fault. By the officers of the steamer Osprey, which left Nauvoo on Saturday evening last, we learn that a part of the Nauvoo Legion were being armed, and were to march to Carthage, in compliance with an order from the Governor -- but for what purpose was not positively known, but was supposed to [circumstances] growing out of the trial of Sharpe and others, which is now progressing at that place. In a day or two we shall know the particulars. -- St. Louis Republican, Oct. 9.


Notes: (forthcoming)

ROBBERY AT NAUVOO. -- The Mormons still seem to think that they render God service by robbing the Gentiles. On the night of the 16th of October, the store of Mr. Harrison Kimball at Nauvoo was robbed. A small safe, painted green, was taken, containing about $400 in gold, silver and paper money. A receipt for $8,000 worth of notes, given by Gamble and Walker; certificates of stock for $10,000 of the Farmers and Mechanics Insurance Company of St. Louis; 1 piece of blue cloth; 2 piece of blue Ky. janes; 1 piece mixed cloth; 1 piece olive cloth; 30 pieces prints, linsey, blue drills, bleached sheeting, and 1 $10 bill on the Jefferson County Bank, New York, No. 4121, letter A. Nothing has been heard of the goods or money since they so mysteriously disappeared -- St. Louis New Era.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON DIFFICULTIES. -- We understand, says the St. Louis Republican, that the late grand jury of Hancock county, Illinois, assembled at Carthage, found indictments for the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, against Sharp, Williams and ten others, making in all twelve indictments. -- It is believed some curious and probable strange developments of the political maneuvering and management of some of the political managers in Illinois will me made in the course of these trials. We are told that nearly every one indicted has caused subpoenas to be issued for Governor Ford; and boast of what they can prove in justification or extenuations by the Governor, Time will show how far these expectations are to be realized.


Notes: (forthcoming)