The  Mormon  Prophet.

It is but a few months since the death of Joe Smith was announced. His body now sleeps, and his spirit has gone to its reward. Various are the opinions of men concerning this singular personage; but whatever may be the views of any in reference to his principles, object, or moral character, all must admit that he was one of the most remarkable men of the age.

Not fifteen years have elapsed since a band composed of six persons, was formed in Palmyra, New York, of which Joseph Smith, jr. was the presiding genius. Most of these were connected with the family of Smith the Senior. They were notorious for breach of contracts, and for refusing to pay their honest debts. All of them were addicted to vice. They obtained the living, but by deceiving their neighbors with their marvellous tales of money digging. Notwithstanding the low origin, poverty, and profligacy of the members of that band of montebank have augmented their members till more than 100,000 persons are numbered among the followers of the Mormon prophet, and they were never increasing so rapidly as at the time of his death. Joe Smith arose from the very lowest grade of society to the head of this large body, without any of those aids by which most other men have ascended to their stations. He is represented by those unacquainted with him, as uneducated uncooth in his manners, dissipated in his habits, and disgusting in his personal appearance; and yet, unaided by the influence of literature, or the patronage of the great, he induced thousands to obey his mandates, and to rally around his standard. He fought his way through these adverse circumstances, and left the impress of his depraved genius upon the age, and his name will not be forgotten when that of many a statesman will be in oblivion. Born in the very lowest walks of life, reared in poverty, educated in vice, having no claims to even common intelligence, coarse and vulgar in deportment, the prophet Smith succeeded in establishing a religious creed, the tenets of which have been taught throughout the length and breadth of America. The prophet's virtues have been rehearsed and admired in Europe; the ministers of Nauvoo have even found a welcome in Asia, and Africa has listened to the grave sayings of the seer of modern Palmyra. The standard of the Latter Day Saints has been reared on the banks of the Nile, & even the Holy Land has been entered by the emissaries of the wicked impostor. He founded a city of no mean pretension in one of the finest situations in the world, in a curve of the "father of waters," and in it he has collected a population of 25,000 from every part of the earth. He planned the architecture of a magnificent temple, and reared its walls nearly fifty feet, which if completed will be the most beautiful, most costly, and the most noble building in America. Its walls are of solid stone, four feet in thickness; supported by thirty stone pillars. That building is a monument pointing the traveller to the genius of its founder.

The acts of his life exhibit a character as incongruous as it is remarkable. If we can credit his own words and the testimony of eye witnesses, he was at the same time the vicegerent of God, and a tavern-keeper -- a popular Jehovah, and a base libertine -- a minister of the religion of peace, and a lieutenant general -- a ruler of tens of thousands, and a slave to all his base unbridled passions -- a preacher of righteousness, and a profane swearer -- a worshipper of the God of Israel, and a devotee of Bacchus -- mayor of a city, and a miserable bar-room fiddler -- a judge upon the judicial bench, and an invader of the social, moral, and civil relations of men.

And notwithstanding all these inconsistencies of character, there are not wanting thousands who are willing to stake their soul's eternal salvation on his veracity. For aught we know, time and distance will embellish life with some new and rare virtues which his most intimate friends failed to discover while living with him.

Reasoning from cause to effect we must conclude that the Mormon prophet was of no common genius; few are able to commence and carry out an imposition like his; so long, and to such an extent. And we see in the history of his labors and success, most striking proofs of the gullability of a large portion of the human family. What may not men be induced to believe and follow. -- Christian Reflector.


Note: The April 1, 1845 issue of the Nauvoo Times and Seasons carried a reprint of this unusual and insightful article. The editor of the Mormon paper adds these remarks: "There is a spirit in man, possessed of so much 'divinity,' that it will discover truth by its own light; no matter whether it is covered with a 'sectarian cloak,' or thrown among the rubbish of scoffers. For this reason we copy the foregoing eulogy on General Joseph Smith, one of the greatest men that ever lived on the earth; emphatically proved so, by being inspired by God to bring forth the Book of Mormon, which gives the true history of the natives of this continent; their ancient glory and cities:-- which cities have been discovered by Mr. Stevens in Central America, exactly were the Book of Mormon left them."

THE MORMONS. -- We had been inclined to think, from the accounts which reached us from time to time, that the Mormons, although a deluded people, were more sinned against than sinning.

The recent intelligence, however, from Illinois, presents the case of these people in a new light. Proof has been adduced that the leaders and prophets have been engaged in a regular and extensive business of counterfeiting the coin of the United States, and that it has been carried on for some years. Joe Smith and the heads of the Church have been in the habit of working at the business with their own hands. The amount counterfeited has been immense, and the execution so fine as to elude any but the most critical examination. Other disclosures have been made of murders and robberies by these people, not before known.

These proofs have been laid before the Grand Jury, in attendance upon the United States District Court at Springfield, Illinois, and the result is the finding of twelve bills by that body against the chief men of the Mormons at Nauvoo.


Notes: (forthcoming)

... In the early part of 1846, a body of Mormons removed to the "Cross Timbers" the region in which Cooper is traveling, "and then returned to the Creek Nation, and are endeavoring to excite the Indians of that tribe against the citizens of Missouri...

(under construction)

Note: Full text not yet available.

MORMON   SETTLEMENT,  TEXAS. -- The Mormons have lately been negotiating for the purchase of a large tract of land on the Pierdenalos, above Fredericksburg, and intend to form a new settlement there. The anxiety they manifest to purchase this land has excited some suspicions that they have discovered mines upon it. They have also probably discovered that the soil of the Pierdenalos valley is admirably adapted to the culture of wheat and other grains, which they had been accustomed to raise in Missouri and Illinois, and will afford them all the facilities they desire for a new and extensive settlement. They have also a pretended prophecy that the new Jerusalem of their great prophet, is to be found in Texas. This opinion has long been prevalent among them, and we have been informed by an English gentleman that the presiding elder of the Mormon society in London has often said that the Mormons will, ultimately, all congregate in Texas. We should be sorry to learn that they have located the New Jerusalem on the Pierdenalos, or the San Saba, for our frontier settlement will soon be pushed beyond these streams, and then wars might arise between "the saints" and new settlers. If the Mormons, however, should find the New Jerusalem on the Puerea, many years would probably elapse before the frontier settlements would reach them, and they might build up their city, and fortify it with seven walls, if they desired, long before the advancing limits of the frontier settlements would be pushed even to the sources of the Colorado.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Man  of  Sin.

In 2d Thes. 2d ch., is a prophecy of Paul concerning an individual who is described as that man of sin, the son of perdition, and that wicked [man]. It is the general opinion of professors of christianity that this individual is the Pope of Rome. There are several reasons which prevent me from coinciding in this opinion. In the first place, noPope of Rome ever saw a temple of God, and hence could not sit in the temple of God, as the 4th verse says the man of sin would... the expression here used, "that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." This part of this prophecy was fulfilled in the temple of God, in Nauvoo, by Brigham Young. He is that man of sin, the son of perdition, which Paul here prophecies of. In the pretended endowments in the temple at Nauvoo, (according to the testimony of some who went through those performances,) there was a pretence made to represent the garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve therein, whilst Brigham Young blasphemously personified the God of Gods, answering to his name.

The old saints don't believe in the existence of any being higher than the Father of Jesus Christ, and therefore cannot counterfeit that which they have no idea or belief in. But it is a doctrine of the Church of J. C. of L. D. S. that there is such a being, and Brigham Young has has the daring audacity to personify such a being...

The expression of the Apostle that "he who now letteth will let," is believed by many, should be rendered thus. He who hindereth will hinder until he be taken out of the way. The question now arises, who hindered Brigham Young from commencing his work as the man of sin? I answer Joseph was the man who hindered him, until he was taken out of the way. Hence the prophet Joseph said that if Brigham Young ever led this church he would lead it to the devil. --

... The deceiveableness of unrighteousness and the strong delusion is strictly characteristic of Brigham Young. The spiritual wife doctrine of the Brighamite church is an essential part of the strong delusion here referred to. That which has supported and caused this strong delusion is the love if iniquity of many who are called saints....

We will in the next place refer our readers to an extract of the Journal of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which was published in the Times and Seasons. -- We do so with the firm belief that Brigham Young is the man who is there discribed as "that man who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning." Many important subjects are prophecied of in connection with that relating to the destruction of the man of sin.

See Times & Seasons, Oct. 15, 1844, page 674.

B. Young was legally called and appointed to the quorum of the twelve, but in putting forth his hand to preside over the church has made himself a vessel of wrath doomed to destruction

In Luke 15 ch. 11-32 v., is a parable of a man who had two sons. The younger son who went into a far country "and there wasted his substance with riotous living," we believe means the Brighamites who have gone to the West with their concubines; that a mighty famine will be there, that "the citizen of that country," is the man of sin, that the Father is the Prophet Joseph to whom they come...

...The victory of the man of sin in combat with the two just ones, being the finale of his vision, he did not see his final overthrow. We have brought forward the foregoing testimony on this subject, hoping that we may be instrumental in disseminating light and doing good to our fellow beings and in snatching some of our species, from the mesmeric and Satanic power of the man of sin. We have only arrived to the threshold of testimony on this subject, but we intend to continue the subject in our next number. We intend also to show what authority the Prophet Joseph holds at this time, and the hereditary rights and authority in the church and kingdom of God [from?] his brother William and his son Joseph.


Note 1: The editor of the above communication was Elder Isaac Sheen, a Mormon who had followed Joseph Smith, Jr. at Nauvoo, but who had refused to follow Brigham Young to Utah. Isaac Sheen's biography was published in the Jan. 26, 1910 issue of the RLDS Saints' Herald, where his 1849 Covington, Kentucky newspaper was acknowledged as one of the "Forerunners of the Saints' Herald." In fact, if it was not with the exact same press and type, it was with a set up very much the same, that Elder Sheen edited and published the first several issues of the Saints' Herald, across the river from Covington, in Cincinnati, Ohio, commencing in Jan., 1860. It is not much of an exaggeration to say that Sheen's 1849 Herald was the same publication as Sheen's 1860 Herald, albeit after the lapse of a decade and after the full blossoming of Reorganized LDS doctrine -- a doctrine which developed directly out of the early teachings and practices of Elder William B. Smith, the younger brother of Sheen's hyperbolic "two just ones" (Joseph and Hyrum) who died in combating "the man of sin" (Brigham).

Note 2: Although Isaac Sheen was the ostensible editor, publisher and proprietor of the 1849 Herald, the paper's true director was "President" William Smith, and it is unlikely that Sheen published anything in the paper's columns which did not either originate with President Smith or meet with his specific approval. Having ceased fellowship with J. J. Strang, and having issued published pronouncements in his own behalf, during the summer of 1847, William was no doubt delighted to convert Elder Sheen and his printing press to the fledging Smithite cause. William Smith's official residence was in Lee Co., Illinois -- if the constant traveler of those times can be said to have lived anywhere in particular. Therefore, President Smith projected his media voice from a distance of hundreds of miles away from his center of administration. William's nephew, the subsequent President of the RLDS, attempted, for a time, to continue this troublesome situation, but Sheen's 1860's Herald was eventually brought under the firm control of the Church at Plano, Illinois, where Joseph Smith III closely managed its production and content. Perhaps this same sort of press relocation was an idea sitting in the back of William Smith's mind all through the year 1849 -- but the uncle was unable to accomplish what his nephew did, and in the spring of 1850 the Smithite Herald on the banks of the Ohio, ceased publication for a decade. Isaac Sheen had at last grown weary of William's peccadillic peculiarities and the dour English elder parted ways with the wayward patriarch. William never again had a publication of his own and William's church died out in Illinois between 1855 and 1856.

It is now near two years since it was revealed unto us that the Prophet Joseph Smith will continue to hold the keys of the kingdom until the coming of Christ; that his kindred would enjoy extraordinary and special privileges and blessings in the kingdom of God -- the office of patriarch over the church of God is hereditary, and therefore belongs to Brother Wm. Smith; that the priesthood of Aaron is hereditary to the end of time, that we are of the lineage of Aaron. -- (See B. of Cov. 3, 4 and 22 sec.)

For more than a year after these things were made known to us, were entirely in ignorance of the ideas entertained by Bro. Lyman Wight, and nearly as much in ignorance concerning his location. When his position was made known to us, we found that we were united in spirit with a flourishing branch of the church, who are laboring for the redemption of Zion. Last fall we met with Bro. Wm. Smith, who instructed us more perfectly in the doctrine of the lineal rights of the presidency of the church. Since that time the subject has been unfolded to us with great plainness by the spirit of the living God.

Having corresponded with Bro. Wm. Smith, he has sent us for publication two letters from Bro. Wight and Bishop Miller, and a letter from Mother Smith, and one of his own.

We have prefixed the name of "Melchisedec" at the head of our paper, because Bro. Wm. has offered his aid in the publication of this paper, which we cheerfully accept/ We hope also that our brethren in Texas will unite with us, and the pure in heart everywhere, as soon as possible, that we may build a temple to our God in Jackson county, Mo., that Zion may be "redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness."

LETTER  FROM  BRO.  L. WIGHT.

Zodiac Mills,
August 22d, 1848. Brother William Smith: We are in a bustle this morning with business, not having been over 13 hours since we have appointed two messengers to go to your place, in which time we have spared no pains in writing our feelings concerning the Smith family.

In answer to your interrogation concerning your standing, we as a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ, organised under the hand of the ever to be remembered, your beloved brother Joseph and your father, one of the noblest Patriarchs on earth. -- We have considered it the most grievous part of our mission that you, the last survivor of six sons and a very aged father, should be turned from the house of their widowed mother, in her old age, for standing up for your rights, and then for it to be said by the authorities of the church, that your mother, between 70 and 80 years of age, should turn you from her door for the pitiful sum of $200 a year, after she had been a mother in Israel for the last 18 years, and being the mother of the seventh Angel of the seventh and last dispensation of God on earth, she will eventually be the mother of all those in the last dispensation or thousand years.

Now, Brother William, we hold you as a Patriarch, as being the last survivor of the Archangel of the seventh and last dispensation -- as being the Patriarch of the whole church, and the blessing of prophet and seer to rest upon his oldest son if he will receive it, if not, we shall look unto you until the Lord shall make some one of his posterity willing to receive it. Now tell your aged mother that she is not to be proscribed in her living. If she sees fit to come to Texas she can have all she wishes for her support on earth, and a home for her children; and if she wishes her bones to be carried to Nauvoo, I pledge myself it shall be done. If she wishes to remain there, our support will not be withheld from her as oft as we can make remittances, and if she should come here, she can have the privilege of going to and from as oft as she shall think it necessary. Tell Orange from the time he left up to the 1st of December next, there will be from fifty to one hundred new numbers of the citizens of Texas, and not less than 1,000 head of cattle. The bearers are waiting and I must close. -- With all due deference to the priesthood and lineage thereof, I remain your sincere brother in the Lord.
                                                   LYMAN WIGHT.

The following certificate was annexed to Bro. Wight's letter to Mother Smith and a letter from Mother Smith to her son William: --

P. S. -- We being appointed by the unanimous voice of the brethren here to write to Mother Smith and Wm. Smith, we join in sending the foregoing, approved by the Church.
                                                   L. WIGHT.
                                                   GEO. MILLER.

---

          Nauvoo, the 4th of January, 1849.
My dear son William: These letters I received the same time I received yours, which I send you. I received your letter dated Philadelphia, December, 1848, which gave me consolation to hear that you are alive, and building up the cause of our Heavenly Father, and I hope the Lord will prosper you.

I am sick and feeble. I hope you will write as quick as you get this. They all join me in sending their love to you.

This from your mother,       LUCY SMITH.

---

An extract from a letter which we wrote to brother Wm. Smith, Nov. 26, 1848: Last week I examined the book of Mormon to find what testimony it contains concerning the lineal rights of those who stood at the head of the Nephites... On the 394 p., it appears that Helaman died, and Shiblon his brother took possession of the sacred things, although Helaman had a son named Helaman. Shiblon held them three years and conferred them upon his nephew Helaman and died. It appears probable that his nephew was a minor when his father died.

---

LETTER  FROM  BRO.  WILLIAM SMITH.

Hartford Connecticut,
March 7, 1849. Brother Sheen: I have perused your letter of November 26, 1848, on a lineal priesthood, and give place to the following because of the correctness of your remarks. This doctrine of a lineal priesthood was so universally taught and believed by the church, that there was not a single individual member but what looked towards the Smith family (this family being first called) to continue their lead at the head of the church; until the plan was conceived of by either Brigham or his associate council in the spring and summer of 1845, to seize hold on the throne of the presidency, which was done at the same time and maintained at all hazzards, as they said they would do right or wrong.

As it regards my rights of patriarchal priesthood over the whole church, you will notice that the doctrine of Brigham Young upon this subject at one time was precisely the same as set forth in your letter, and no difference was attempted to be maintained until the work of usurpation commenced. The following were the views of Brigham only three months after the death of Joseph and Hyram: "In the place of Hyram Smith to the patriarchal office to the whole church, the right rests upon your (Wm.) head no doubt." See letter signed B. Young, dated Nauvoo, Sept. 28, 1844, published in the N. York Prophet, Nov. 9, 1844. See also Brigham's remarks on the same subject published in the conference minutes of Oct. 1844, in the Times and Seasons: "Young arose and said that it had been moved and seconded that Ashael Smith should be ordained to the office of Patriarch; he went on to show that the right of the office of Patriarche to the whole church belonged to Wm. Smith, as a legal right by descent." It was nearly one year after the publication of this position taken by B. Young, that John Taylor published a long article under the head of Patriarchal, declaring that my right to office only extended to the office of "Patriarch to the church and not over it;" claiming at the same time that the question of the 12 of which I was a member, had a right to ordain me; a right that could not belong to any one except the first Presidency of the church. If, indeed, the 12 held that authority over the church of God, I hold as much of this authority as any one member of that quorum, and by seniority of membership and lineage held a superior claim to any. Mine was not the claim (according to Brigham) to the office of patriarch in the church, or to the church, but it was a claim to the office of Patriarch over the whole church, or "to the whole church," as B. Y. calls it, which is virtually the same. That the "12 had a right to ordain patriarchs in all large branches of the church abroad," I did not pretend to deny, but that they had a right to ordain one of their own number and place him under the direction of the presidency, or to ordain a patriarch to the whole church, I do deny, and pronounce the position a false doctrine, and from the devil, to destroy the church. It was a right that belonged to the first Presidents of the church, and it is plain that the 12 had not this right or power over the church to act as first Presidents, as their position and place in the church is defined by revelation as a travelling council and not a local Presidency.

[ To be continued. ]
______

==> We intend to publish the conclusions of the above in our next, and also the letter of Br. L. Wight to Mother Smith.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A REVELATION, given to Selah Lane and others, March 19th, 1849, to choose twelve Apostles, and to call other laborers into the vineyard; to set in order the Churches, plant stakes, &c. -- It is also a commandment to all the Churches, and to all in every place that call on the name of [the] Lord; setting forth also the true light that was to come.

(under construction)

The above revelation was received and written Hartford, March 18, 1849 by the Prophet Elijah, and suffice it to say for the present, that in regard to the vision, it was like a burning fire shut up in my bones untill it was written.

A proclamation, calling the members to their places, will soon follow.

Mr. Editor: you are at liberty to publish this strange and singular affair, with my request for other papers to copy.
                                                ELIJAH, the Prophet.

---

The Progress of the Work.

We have at different times during the last two months, received cheering intelligence concerning the progress of the work of God in the eastern states. For this information we are indebted to brother Wm. Smith and brother Aaron Hook.

We regret that our limited space detains us from laying before our readers a large portion of the interesting documents we have received from them. We shall however comply with the wishes of both correspondents and readers as fast as possible in this matter. After the dark night of apostacy through which the Church has passed since the martyrdom of our Prophet and Patriarch the work is now reviving. Quite a number of branches have been organized in the east. Many elders are now engaged in preaching the gospel and organizing branches. We have received much encouragement from the saints in that region, in support of our publication, both by word and deed, and we hope we shall soon be enabled to enlarge it.

We hope that the saints throughout this land and other lands will unite in one grand effort to push forward the work by sending us the means of disseminating the truth abroad. Now is the time to work, for soon "the overflowing scourge will pass through," and as Joseph declared some years ago "pestilence, hail, famine and earthquakes will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country." Seeing these things are now near at hand we want to make a loud appeal to all sects and parties, clergy and laity, professors and non-professors to examine the doctrines and precepts of the church of J. C. of L. D. S. We want to show that it is an erroneous idea, that because ungodly men have crept in among us, turning the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into lasciviousness, that therefore they are justified in rejecting the fulness of the gospel which was revealed unto Joseph the prophet and the saints of the latter days. We don't want to bestow all our labors upon apostates, but we also desire to bring new converts into the work, for the Lord hath said, even "the Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, yet will I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered unto him." We want to make a general appeal to mankind to repent, for the hour of God's judgment has come -- to repent of their schisms and false doctrines and priestcrafts, and all their abominations and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.

PROGRESS  ADDITIONAL.

We have delayed the publication of this number in consequence of receiving late intelligence from Br. Wm. Smith and additional aid. We have therefore inserted twice the amount of reading that we intended to insert and still we shall have to omit publishing several important communications at this time. We hope however that by the liberality of the saints we shall continue to enlarge our publication from time to time. This is what we are striving after, to accomplish this, all monies received from subscribers, will be immediately expended on the paper, besides our own contributions. We want the saints to understand distinctly that we don't want your money for yourself [sic - ourself?], no, not one cent of it, but we want to give you a full equivalent for it. We want to send gospel truth from the center to the circumference of the United States, and to earth's remotest bounds.

Br. William at the date of his last letter (April 19th) was at Ellington, Tolland county, Conn., where he had been preaching and also at Mansfield, with success.

Br. Lane, counsellor, and Br. Samuel T. Capin who has been ordained to the apostleship are also laboring in that region with success. Among the people in that region there was a great desire to become acquainted with our doctrine. In Hartford county a branch of the church has been organized, and three elders, one high priest, and one apostle (Br. Capin) ordained.

In New Jersey the work is progressing.

Revelation versus Grammar.

The editor of the Hartford Weekly Gazette in a long article concerning Br. William and his revelation of March 19, 1849, finds fault with him and the revelation, because he and the revelation does not exhibit a conformity to the rules of grammer. Now we think that this learned editor must be grossly ignorant of some important facts, with which he ought to be acquainted, which stand connected with this subject. Whenever the Lord gives a revelation unto man he does not pay strict attention to the changeable laws of grammer which men establish from time to time. But he is independent enough to make laws of language for himself. Those learned nabobs who think that this is an infringement on their rights, will have to bear with it for there is no remedy. We would suggest to the editor of the Gazette, the propriety of an examination of the prophecies in the Bible that he may ascertain the truth concerning this matter. We will only mention one out of a multitude of such cases in that book. It is an expression which is very often used, namely, "the Most High." The author of Hervey's meditations vindicates this deviation from the laws of grammer, and admits that according to those laws it should be the Highest God instead of the Most High or the Most High God. But in publishing the revelation of March 19th, the Gazette has made a few mistakes, as Br. William informs us and he has omitted to copy off from the manuscript the pronoun I, in one or two places. We have had to copy from the Gazette without any correction of these errors.

The Lord has very frequently heretofore, raised up illiterate and unlearned men to confound the wisdom of the wise of this world. Peter and his colleagues were mostly illiterate fishermen. The prophet Joseph was an unlearned youth when the Lord called him, to bring forth his word, and to hold the keys of this last dispensation. His enemies urged the same objection to his calling as a prophet, which the Gazette now brings forward against his brother William. -- This objection they continued to urge against him long after the time, when God had bestowed upon him a knowledge of ancient and modern languages, astronomy and various other branches of learning, far superior to the learning of any man in this age of the world. Towards the close of his life this objection was not advanced so frequently for it was a self evident fact that he had surpassed the whole race of men now living in knowledge.

It appears truly that as Solomon says :there is nothing new under the sun," theredore the same insipid and ignorant objection is now advanced again in opposition to his brother who is the legal lineal head of the church of Christ.

Take warning Mr. Editor and all ye wise objectors for this is God's work and his counsel will stand and the wisdom of the wise shall perish and the understanding of the prudent shall be hid.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Mr.  Appleby.

Mr. Appleby was an elder of the Brighamite church. Last January he wrote a letter to sister Wells, the wife of Br. James Wells, of Bordertown, N. J., denouncing her for having left the Brighamites and united with the church of J. C. of L. D. S. He also slandered Bro. Wm. Smith in the same letter. Bro. William wrote a letter to Appleby in defence of himself and sister Wells, which contains a remarkable prophecy concerning him, that has already been fulfilled. The following is an extract from Br. William's letter:

"Appleby, you state in your letter to sister Wells, many things that I declare to be palpable falsehoods. God shall smite [thee,] thou whited wall, and thou shall die with the plague, and thy bones shall consume away in the tomb of the flesh, and if your life is prolonged, it will only be to augment thy paines and increase thy misery, and the Lord shall only have mercy upon thy family for their sake, and not for your sake. Because of thy lyings and thy abominations, the seeds of death are already sown in thy mortal body, and scarcely shall thy body and bones find a burial place or grave, for thus speaketh the spirit of the God of Joseph and William, for thy lies. Amen."

We can only say now, for want of space, that Appleby is dead. He died with the Cholera on his way to Council Bluffs.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  WORK  ABROAD.

Since our last issue we have received cheering intelligence from Elders and Saints abroad, We learn from letters received from Nathaniel T. James, one of the 12 apostles who has been laboring in various places in Connecticut with success. He has sown the good seed at least that will, we trust, bring forth an abundant harvest. The first Presidency highly approves of the spirit manifested by him, and of his diligent exertions in the cause of our Redeemer. We have received a letter from Elder O. Olney, and also his pamphlet which was published by him (in St. Louis in 1845) concerning the apostacy from the faith. We intend to publish his letter and some remarks of our own in connexion with it in our next.

We have received reliable intelligence that Selah Lane and Samuel T. Capin have foresaken their high and holy calling and gone back to the spirit of the world. They did run well for a season who did hinder. God will not be mocked, nor accept of such ignoble sacrifice. They that forsake such a high and holy calling and will trifle with the most sacred institution which God has revealed on earth, namely, the holy priesthood, while standng upon the very brink of eternity, are not fit to be apostles and high priests of God nor worthy of a name among the Saints of God. There is yet a chance for these brethren if they will repent and return to their calling again, otherwise the candlestick will be removed.

---

Wm. I. Appleby, if the truth is told by the Frontier Guardian, is still alive. We published the report of his death as we obtained it from the Brighamites themselves. If it was a mistake ir a lie, they were the authors of it. -- As to the prophecy of Pres. Wm. Smith concerning Mr. Appleby, surely God has plenty of time to fulfill all his judgments, and the messenger of death is still on the alert, and should Mr. Appleby's life be prolonged, "it will only be to augment his pains and in crease his miseries," as it is stated in the prophecy.

(under construction)

Note: Nearly thirty years after he presided over the Recklesstown LDS Branch, in Burlington co., New Jersey, High Priest William I. Appleby was still alive and well, living in Utah. He died there on May 20, 1870, and no mention of unusual circumstances is recorded at his passing. Perhaps William Smith's prophetic vision was a bit "hazy" in this particular case.

LETTER  FROM  PRES.  WILLIAM  SMITH.

To the Saints scattered abroad, greeting:

We have received a long communication from Bro. Lyman Wight, which we give in this number of the Herald. He is now appointed by revelation to be a member of the quorum of the first presidency. Bro. Wight is instructed in the same revelation to obtain apostles and send them among us. Bro. Aaron Hook and Bro. Alva Smith who have heretofore stood as members of the first council of the church, will continue to occupy the place of counsellors to the presidency, and most likely will be chosen as members in the quorum of the twelve as we are commanded to hasten the work and fill up this quorum immediately. Bro. Aaron Hook is a vigorous man, and has a strong intellect, and athletic powers. He is also a young man, and is just such a man as the Lord wants as an apostle. He has filled his office in the church with dignity and in a becoming manner. Since our last paper was published we have received a letter from his mother stating he was preaching in Alkinson and the country around, in the State of Maine, and that he was strong in the faith.

Bro. Alva Smith will also make a good apostle. We shall do as the Lord shall direct in these matters. It is a wise saying "old men for counsel and young men for war."

We would say also that in consequence of giving to Bro. Wight's letter, we are obliged to leave out several letters which we have lately received, and which would be interesting to our readers. -- We intended to publish some of these letters, but we hope the brethren will bear with us in this respect. The same day that we received Bro. Wight's letter we also received one from Bishop Miller asking counsel of the Presidency, which counsel we will give soon. We have also one from Bro. H. Herinshaw, Nauvoo, which states that the health of Mother Smith is improved. We have received one from Bro. W. J. Salisbury, which contains matters of great interest to the saints. We have received one from Elser Omar Olney from which we learn that one McKenzie, a Brighamite begging imposter, has been slandering my character, and also Bro. Sheen's, in the Eastern States. This imposter has been begging money and Gentile school books, &c., under the pretence of assisting the poor in the valley of the Salt Lakes in educating their children. If the truth was generally known respecting the false pretences of these apostates to obtain money, they would not find it a very profitable enterprise.

We have news from Bro. N. T. James one of the apostles. He has preached in different places in the east, and expects to visit us here soon. A letter from Cream Ridge brings us favorable news concerning the saints in that region. From Bordentown, N. J., we have encouraging news, and also from Hartford, Connecticut.

The brethren should not forget our Conference on the 6th of October. I shall be present. Bro. I. Sheen, Counsellor, and 2 of the 12 apostles, namely, J. W. Crippen and H. Nisonger will also be there. Bro. Henry Nisonger was ordained by me on the 10th of September to be an apostle.

We would say to all that are called saints, that the Lord knoweth them that are his, and we shall know all them that attend to their duty, and that send us money to pay the printer's bills.

It is no time to sleep now, be up and doing O ye elders, and make long and loud proclamation, for the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, in which the wicked shall be slain, and the avaricious shall perish, and their gold with them, and they who think more of their gold than of the word of God must perish with it. Send us then your money to help us in the work of God. Why do many stand back and still say they believe? If you have faith manifest it by your works. We have labored and toiled day and night for your good, and thus far sustained ourselves in the publication of 6 numbers of the Herald.

Strang published a falsehood in his paper by saying that "Isaac Sheen, Wm. Smith, and we believe 2 or 3 others have attempted to start publications which have entirely failed." But we say to such liars and hypocrites as Strang, O. Hyde and others, that truth will prevail, and that our motto is truth, Bible truth, gospel truth, and we look for all the Israel of God to come to Zion, which God will establish upon his glorious holy mountain, and bring your silver and your gold with you. A penurious and covetous Saint can never get into the celestial kingdom, and those who call themselves Saints, and will not help us, we shall regard as hypocrites. The first presidency in this place have dedicated all they have to our Redeemer's cause. May we not therefore boldly ask you to co-operate with us in this noble work, yea, the noblest and greatest of all the works of God on earth.

(To be continued.)

---

AN  EXTRACT  OF  CONFERENCE  MINUTES.

Held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, William Smith in the Chair and Aaron Hook Clerk -- On motion of John Hook, J. J. Strang was cut off from the Church and delivered over to the buffetings of Satan, &c., for adultery and for usurpation, and for other unmentionable offences.

On motion of Aaron Hook, Brigham Young, Willard Richards, H. C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, apostles, were cut off from the Church and delivered over to the buffetings of Satan for the destruction of the flesh and sealed up against all Gospel privileges, for adultery and for teaching and practicing the spiritual wife doctrine, and for usurpation, and for other crimes to base to name in print, and for advising the murder of Aaron Hodges.

On motion of Aaron Hook, young Joseph Smith was appointed to stand at the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. D. in his father's place when he will come forward and claim his rights.

On motion of Aaron Hook, Wm. Smith was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Conference to stand as the President of the Church in the place of little Joseph till he takes his place.

On motion of Aaron Hook, Lyman Wight was sustained as President of the quorum of 12 Apostles, or the privilege of occupying a place in the first Presidency if he should desire it.

On motion, Aaron Hook was sustained as Counsellor in the Presidency.

On motion of Jeremiah Cross, John Hook was appointed President of the Stake at Palestine, Lee co., Ill.

On motion of Aaron Hook, it was resolved that the Conference would sustain and uphold all the Smith family in their lawful position in the Church, and do all in its power to repel the insult and abuse heaped upon them by apostates, and to carry out Joseph's measures in planting stakes, preaching the gospel and building up Zion in these United States and upon the islands of the sea.

On motion of Joseph Younger, Conference was adjourned to meet again at our next annual meeting.

Palestine, Lee co., Ill., Oct. 6, 1848.
                          WILLIAM SMITH, Pres.
Aaron Hook, Clerk.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  UNITED  ORDER. --
CONCLUSION  OF  PRES. SMITH'S  LETTER.

We intend as soon as possible under existing circumstances to establish the UNITED ORDER of the Stake of Zion according to the sample which is given to the Saints in the book of Cov. page 300. Many counterfeit systems have been set up in the world under pretence of establishing a union of property. Among these may be classed the Order of Enoch, (so called,) which J. J. Strang has set up. The Lord made known his will to the Prophet Joseph that his church should not be called after the name of men.

The Book of Mormon 493 page says "If a church be called in Moses' name, then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man, then it be the church of a man, but if it be called in my name, then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel." As in regard to the church of Jesus Christ so in regard to the United Order: God has never authorized Mr. Strang nor any other man to call this Order the Order of Enoch nor by the name of any other man. It is a Celestial Order governed by a Celestial law, and the Lord has commanded us that when this Order is organized it shall be called the United Order of the Stake of Zion, and when it is organized in Zion it shall be called the United Order of the city of Zion. See B. of Cov. 350 p.

These commandments were given to Enoch in his day, and are now given again to the Saints as a sample for them to imitate. See B. of Cov. 76, 87, 94, 97, 99 Sec.

It is our intention that the establishment of the United Order of a Stake of Zion in the State of Ohio shall be for the benefit of the poor who are unable to get to Texas, and for the promotion of the work of the ministry in this region of the country. It is thought expedient by the first presidency of the church that the scattered Saints who are deprived of the privilege of assembling together to receive religious instruction, and who are unable to get to Texas, should, in the present emergency, move into this Stake of Zion.

The members of this church who do not choose to enter into this Order, can still retain their membership, but whoever enters into this Order are bound by the law of God to continue in it. I remain your brother in the new and everlasting covenant.   WILLIAM SMITH.
    Covington, Ky., Sept. 30, 1849.

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A  PATRIARCHAL  BLESSING,

Given by William Smith, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, upon the head of Isaac Sheen, son of William and Jane Sheen, born Dec. 22nd, 1810, in Lithorpe, in the Parish of Narborough, Leicestershire, England.

Brother Sheen: I lay my hands upon your head to seal upon you a father's blessing according to thy rights in thy father's family, as thou hast none else to bless thee. I bless thee with a father's blessing, that thy birthright may be preserved in thy father's family, in that place that is appointed unto to [sic] thee to stand; and that the priesthood which thou hast been ordained. might be brought out of that lineage unto which thy fathers were ordained; for thou art of the tribe of Levi, and a literal descendant of Aaron, whereunto pertained the administering of ordinances and of holding the keys of power; therefore, it shall be conferred upon thee, that birthright of administering for the saving of thy father's house, and of thy kindred, in ordinances and blessings that remaineth to be revealed. For thy understanding shall be opened, and thy knowledge shall be increased, and many great and precious promises that were given to thy fathers, shall be fulfilled upon thine head, in the work of that ministry whereunto thou art called; and the Heavens shall also be opened to thy view, and the Angels shall administer with the ephod and the holy vessels of the Court of the Lord; and thy raiments shall be that of the garments of Aaron, with the girdle and fair mitre placed upon thy head, according to thy rights of lineage, with the Priests of Levi, and the sons of Aaron, as a first born son of Aaron, and so shall thou stand and qualify thyself as Aaron was qualified, as a spokesman unto the Lord's prophet, and unto all of God's people; this is, therefore, the blessing of thy father upon thy head, that thy inheritance may be made secure unto thee, unto all generations, and thy rights of priesthood, according to the covenant, may be handed down unto thy children's children after thee forever, that thy name and priesthood, and also the name and priesthood of thy fathers, may be kept in everlasting remembrance; for thus saith the Spirit of the living God, Thy reward and crown is sure, therefore let thy faith fail not, for a kingdom is thine, power is thine, and the life that shall never end. Amen.   WILLIAM SMITH, Patriarch.
    Covington, Ky., June 13, 1849.

---

THE  CONSPIRACY  OF  THE SALT LAKE MORMONS  AGAINST
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

We have obtained numerous disclosures concerning the treasonable, blasphemous, licentious, and heaven daring wickedness of Brigham Young, Orson Hyde and Co., which they were guilty perpetrators of, in the temple of God at Nauvoo. If we had room we would give these disclosures in full at this time, but as we have not space we will give a extract of the disclosures of a man and his wife which has been testified to under oath by them, according to the laws of the land.

These individuals testify that in going through the endowment in the temple, the following were part of the proceedings:

"The man and woman are ordered to kneel at an altar, on which is the Bible. On it they lay their hands, when the following oath is administered:

THE  OATH.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Van Deusen have testified to the above facts under oath as the following affidavit will show:

United States of America,
Southern District of New York. J. McGee Van Deusen and Maria Van Deusen his wife, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that the matters set forth in the pamphlet entitled "Startling Disclosures," &c., by them published, are true, and that they themselves have passed through the initiatory ceremony by which thousands have been and are now being formed into a secret conspiracy against this nation.
J. McGEE VAN DEUSEN,
MARIA VAN DEUSEN,
Sworn this 13th day of December, 1847, before me, DAVID L. GARDINER,
           U. S. Commissioner. I do hereby certify that the above testimony of Mr. and Mrs. Van Deusen, concerning the Salt Lake Mormon oath, is correct.   ROBT. CULBERTSON.

The above is a very small sketch of the enormities of Salt Lake Mormonism.

We would advise or recommend, that if the government grants these Salt Lake Mormons a territorial government that they appoint men who are not members of this Salt Lake church or the government will find that they are most desperately bitten by these wolves in sheep's clothing. We are in favor of them having a government but we think that the government and laws should be administered by judicious and honest men and not traitors and conspirators against the rights and liberties of American citizens. But if government will not heed our advice, and will appoint a Salt Lake Mormon to be Governor of that territory, let them appoint A. W. Babbit, Esq., to that office, for we believe that he would be the most faithful servant of the government that can be found among the Salt Lake Mormons.

We have authentic information that more than 1500 Salt Lake Mormons took this oath in the temple at Nauvoo. We are entirely opposed to these people and will stand up in favor of the republican institutions of our country.
WILLIAM SMITH.
ISAAC SHEEN. Presidents of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

---

M A R T Y R S
OF THE
LATTER DAY SAINTS

The following are the names of a few of the MARTYRS, who, for the testimony of Jesus, have been inhumanly murdered in the States of Missouri and Illinois.

Mr. Barber, Martyred November 4, 1833, in Jackson county, Mo.

The following Saints were MARTYRED in Caldwell co, Mo., Oct 30, 1833.

Thos. McBride, Levi Hancock, Wm. Merrick, Elias Benner, Josiah Fuller, Benjamin Lewis, Alex. Campbell, Mr. York.

Warren Smith, Sardius Smith, George Richards, Mr. Napier, Mr. Harmar, Mr. Cox, Mr. Abbott,

About the same time and in the same county,
the following persons were MARTYRED, namely,

David W. Patten,
One of the Twelve Apostles.

Gideon Carter,    Mr. Obanion,
Mr. Carey.

Martyred in Carthage JAIL, in the county of Hancock,
State of Illinois, on the 27th day of June, 1844,

Joseph Smith, the Seer,
Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch,

Two of the noblest Martyrs whose blood has stained the earth for ages.

The murderers of the foregoing persons, though the most of them are well known, are yet running at large, boasting of their deeds.

Samuel H. Smith,

Brother of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, who died from the effects of poison administered to him. He died within one month after the martyrdom of his brother. Further particulars concerning this matter will appear hereafter. These are all martyrs, and have sealed their testimony with their blood, besides many more whose days have been shortened by the persecutions that they have endured.


Note 1: The advice given by William Smith and Isaac Sheen, that the U. S. Government appoint Sheen's brother-in-law, Almon W. Babbit, to be the first Governor of the proposed Utah Territory, put Elder Babbit into an untenable position, in respect to his top leader, Brigham Young and the LDS Church hierarchy at Salt Lake. As things turned out, Babbit was appointed in July, 1849 by the Mormons to serve as the representative in Washington for their proposed "State of Deseret." Babbit arrived in Iowa, from Salt Lake City, on Sept. 3, 1849 and then proceeded on to Washington, D. C. After Babbit arrived in the capital, he entrusted the constitution for the proposed state of Deseret, to Senator Stephen A. Douglas, who placed the matter before the Senate on Dec. 27, 1849. The Mormons' proposal was eventually rejected; in place of the State of Deseret, the Federal Government created, Utah Territory, on Sept. 9, 1850, with Brigham Young appointed to serve as its first Governor. Presumably, Elder Babbit passed through Ohio during November, 1849, and while in Cincinnati he may have conferred with his brother-in-law, Elder Sheen, regarding the future of William Smith's church. William Smith was probably away when Babbit passed through Cincinatti, but then again, William may have crossed paths with the Mormon delegate in St. Louis. According to a story reprinted in the Jefferson City, Missouri Enquirer, on Nov. 15, 1849, William had recently been in St. Louis, promoting Almon W. Babbit for the Utah governorship.

Note 2: After he had presented the proposed constitution for the State of Deseret to Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois senator reportedly "interrogated... the Representative from Deseret," asking Babbit to explain various charges made against the Mormons in the Missouri newspapers, by William Smith, etc. Babbit evidently denied all charges and voiced his wholehearted support for Brigham Young. After the interrogation, he waited in vain, in Washington D. C. hoping that Douglas' Senate committee on territories would recommend creation of the State of Deseret. When this action was not forthcoming, Babbit returned west, apparently stopping along the way to visit with Isaac Sheen in Covington or in Cincinnati. From Elder Sheen (who had by then ended his fellowship with William Smith) Babbit obtained the Church's patriarchial blessing book, Lucy Smith's manuscript, and other papers and records William Smith had abandoned. By Aug. 4, 1850 Babbit had reached Council Bluffs and there explained to a church court: "I have got the records of Father Smith, etc. I have not stole them, but attached them legally for the archives of God."

Note 3: "Presidents" William Smith and Isaac Sheen's announcement, saying that "Samuel H. Smith... died from the effects of poison administered to him" at Nauvoo, and that "Further particulars concerning this matter will appear hereafter," could not have set very well with the LDS Church hierarchy at Great Salt Lake City. After all, Samuel's final decline in health during the summer of 1844 was monitored and dealt with by prominent Brighamite leaders in Nauvoo, all of whom later went west to Utah. There is reason to believe that Brigham Young instructed Sheen's brother-in-law, Almon W. Babbit, to intercede and break up the Covington "President's" publication plans. Only one more issue of the A&M Herald was ever published by Sheen at Covington -- he disassociated himself from Smith in May of 1850, under unfriendly circumstances, centering primarily around William's secret participation in "spiritual wifery." William Smith, in a letter to Brigham Young, written July 13, 1856, practically accuses Babbit of turning Sheen against him: "I notice also that you have that scroundrel of A. Babbit about you... he is the man who paid Isaac Sheen one thousand dollars [for] my trunk of Books and advised my wife to separate from me." For William's later, more specific allegations regarding the poisoning of his brother Samuel, see notes appended to William's 1857 letter to the New York Tribune.

The Mormons at Salt Lake. -- The St. Louis Republican has received a pamphlet copy of the "Second General Epistle" issued by the Church of the Latter Day Saints, at the Salt Lake Valley, to "the Saints scattered throughout the earth." Ot is a detail of the condition of the Society at home and abroad, and in general embraces every thing that may be supposed to be of interest to the members of the Church. The crops are represented as having been very fine -- and it is stated that they have not only enough for themselves, but for their brethren on the way, until the next harvest...


Notes: (forthcoming)

               Feom the Cincinnati Commercial.

THE  SALT  LAKE  BANDITTI.

Mr. K. G. Curtiss -- Sir: I have received the following information in a letter from Pres. William Smith, the brother and successor of the prophet -- Joseph Smith. The conduct of the apostates of the 'Salt land,' (Jer., 17 chap. 6 v.) ought to be published in every newspaper in the United States, that this Salt Lake banditti may be broken up.
                                                    Yours respectfully,
                                                        ISAAC SHEEN.

---

I am in possession of evidence that bands of these Salt Lake Mormons, armed, dressed and painted -- having the appearance of Indians -- are stationed on the way to California and Oregon, for the purpose of robbing the emigrants. Many murders and robberies have already been committed by these demons in human shape, which have been published to the world and attributed to the Indians.

The people at the Salt Lake govern their church by a secret lodge of 50 men. It is in this lodge that Brigham Young is crowned as a king, and is there seated upon a throne prepared for him.
                                                      WILLIAM SMITH.

---

THE  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE

Of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be in Covington Kentucky on the 6th of April next. This announcement is made by authority from Pres. Wm. Smith. It is his intention to organize the quorum of the twelve at that time. It is expected that Pres. L. Wight will be present with other brethren from Texas. The saints far and near (as many as can) are earnestly requested to be present at the conference. It is expected that after the conference a company of saints will emigrate from this place to Texas.

---

MEMORIAL  TO  CONGRESS.

We have sent a long petition to Congress remonstrating against the admission of the State of Deseret into the Union. -- It is in the name of the presidency of the Church, and Bro. William's name and our own attached to it, and also a concurring petition signed by 12 members of the church in this place. You can see by the newspapers what effect it has produced; and that our principles have been promulgated in the Senate of the United States, and by telegraphic despatches in nearly all the daily papers in the Union. We have sent a similar petition to the President, requesting him that if a territorial government is established at Salt Lake, that he will appoint men to office there, who will protect us from the Bowie-knife priesthood of Brig-Ham Young, when we go there to reclaim some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Our cause is moving onward rapidly.


Note 1: This was the final issue of the Covington A&M Herald. It seems likely that editor Isaac Sheen had planned to publish a pre-conference issue in March, and then another, a month later, providing the minutes of the April conference in Kentucky. Three factors combined to contribute to the sudden demise of the Herald and the "Covington Stake of Zion." First of all, Lyman Wight did not show up for the conference, and his delegate, Elder Otis Hobart, died while on assignment to Covington, just prior to the publication of the February issue. Secondly, President William Smith was tardy in his arrival at Covington, which left Isaac Sheen to administer all of the pre-conference activities. Left alone, in this commanding capacity, without the meliorating presence of William Smith or Lyman Wight, Sheen was left to ponder the rumors he was hearing in regard to the alleged immorality of President Smith and the imprudence of organizing a company of saints to emigrate to Texas, given the President's disreputable intentions and practices. Elder Sheen laid something of a doctrinal trap for William Smith. On Apr. 18, 1850 Sheen succeded in getting Smith to admit openly that he "had a right to raise up posterity from other men's wives;" also, on April 29th, Sheen procured a letter in which Smith admitted to the secret practice of plural marriage among the top leadership of his church. Elder Sheen had this damaging letter published in the May 22, 1850 edition of the Cincinnati Commercial, and thus effectively destroyed Smith's proselytizing possibilities in the region. The Smithite church vanished from Covington overnight, and so did William Smith. In his rush to leave the vicinity, Smith abandoned his extensive collection of old books, periodicals, personal papers and church records -- a set of materials which he very much needed to keep in his possession in order to effectively administer his Mormon splinter group. With his ecclesiastical projects and resources in a shambles, President William Smith retreated to Palestine, Illinois, to lick his priestly wounds and hold together the remainder of his diminished flock.

Note 2: By the time the A&M Herald. made mention of William Smith "Memorial to Congress," extracts from the petition had already been published in various newspapers around the country -- see the Nov. 17, 1849 issue of the Missouri Jefferson City Enquirer, for one such text -- hand-delivered to the editor by Smith himself. In his May 19, 1857 letter to the New York Tribune, Smith states that his 1849 Memorial to the Senate saw publication in the "Congressional Journal of 1851." Perhaps the citation he meant to make was to the Journal of the House of Representatives for Dec. 31, 1849, where mention is made of "The memorial of William Smith and other citizens of Covington, in the State of Kentucky, remonstrating against the admission of the Territory of Deseret as a State into the Union." On Feb. 25, 1850 the same Journal noted that the House had "Ordered, That the memorial of citizens of Covington, Kentucky, remonstrating against the admission of Deseret into the Union, heretofore presented and referred to the Committee on the Territories, be printed." The actual document was published as "31st Congress, 1st Session: House Miscellaneous Document No. 43." Essentially the same text appeared in the Washington Congressional Globe vol. 92, pp. 92-3.

AN  ILLUSTRATION  OF  MORMONISM.

We became acquainted a few days since with a short history of certain transactions, partly in this city and partly out of it, which all adds a very fair illustration of the practical effect of their beautiful system of imposture which is shedding its lights and shadows upon the tops of the Western mountains. Possibly our readers may be interested in it -- especially if they should ever, in the mutations of the future, be thrown within the valley where this Upas sheds its poison and revels in the ghastly carcasses which strew the ground, they may perhaps be enabled to turn it to a practical use.

With this object in view, we will briefly state the circumstances to which we allude, suppressing names for the reason that some of thise affected, and most grievously affected by those circumstances are of our own citizens, and to whom we would render our profoundest sympathy. A few [days] since, a gentleman, his wife and three infant children, like thousands of others, left this city for the golden shores of the Pacific, the husband and wife dreaming doubtless that in the land of the shining ore they should soon [realize] a fortune for themselves and their children. The lady, we may promise, possessed more than an ordinary share of intellect, which had been cultivated in a highly respectable degree by the care of fond and doting parents, who little thought of the use to which that intellect would, in after years, be devoted, or how that devotion would be repaid. Alas! they can feel "how sharper than a serpent's teeth is it to have a thankless child," or one that brings them only [-----] instead of joy.

The family is settled in San Francisco. [Soon?] afterward the gentleman and his wife, in connection with a brother of the latter. chanced to step in on a Sunday to hear a Mormon missionary, from Utah who was holding forth in San Francisco. They were prevented by bad weather and walking from attending their usual place of worship, and as the house where the Mormon was speaking happened to be in their way, they concluded after leaving home, and from mere curiosity, to go in and hear him. Fatal curiosity! Inauspicious day! What the particular subject of the discourse was which they heard we are not advised. After coming out, the husband and brother expressed themselves very freely upon the merits of what they had heard, and pronounced some of it little, if any, short of blasphemy. To the utter astonishment of both, however, the wife and sister expressed herself highly pleased with it. As a probable solution of such a mystery, we may say, before proceeding further, that it subsequently turned out that she had heard a Mormon missionary while a young lady residing in one of the river towns in Mississippi. Polygamy was at that time carefully concealed from the outside Gentiles by the apostles of Jo Smith, and stoutly denied. Probably the young lady was fascinated by the romance which the Mormon may have skillfully woven into the discourse, and seeds of blasting ruin thus lodged in her mind spring up, fructify, and bear apples of Sodom to turn to ashes in the tasting many days after. Be this as it may, the lady soon became strongly attached to the Mormon faith, and went frequently if not constantly to hear its apostle. In a short time he had acquired sufficient influence over her to cause her to resolve to quit her husband -- if he would not accompany her -- and repair to the grand rendezvous of the Latter Day Saints, as they style themselves, at Salt Lake City.

The determination once taken, nothing could dissuade her from her purpose. But the children, what was to become of them? The mother was devotedly, passionately attached to them, and she was determined to take them with her. The father and brother of course became alarmed. To prevent her from going, they knew well would be impossible, but they resolved to save the children from the yawning gulf which was about opening to receive them; and in pursuance of this resolution they determined to send them to their gran parents in this city. They were therefore taken when the mother was absent, placed on board a steamer, and safely reached New Orleans, were soon under the loving care and hospitable roof of their grand parents.

Who, however, can baffle or circumvent a determined woman, fanatic though she be, when her feelings, her pride and her affection all combine to spur her on to the accomplishment of her object? The very next steamer that sailed brough that mother to this city, chafing like an enraged tigress, whose young have been taken from her! Her parents, who had been made aware of the circumstances, now determined that she should not take her children from them, and that if she was bent upon dooming herself to destruction, she should not drag her innocent babes down into the foul abyss with her.

We pass over the struggles, the watchings that ensued in this city a little more than one year ago on the part of the grand parents of these beautiful children of some ten or twelve summers, to keep the mother from taking them to Utah, and of her efforts to obtain possession of them for that purpose. Suffice it to say that for the time being she failed. How completely her whole soul had become wrapped up in the gross and disgusting deception which had seized upon her like a giant, the reader can judge when we tell him that rather than relinquish joining the vile horde which contaminate the air of Great Salt Lake by their abominations, she actually tore herself from the children of her heart and went without them.

She did not, however, abandon her purpose. Finding herself baffled for the time being, she determined to change her tactics, the more certain to secure at a future day what she could not then effect. She went to Salt Lake City via St. Louis, and her parents had the melancholy satisfaction to know that if she was lost to them, her children were at least safe. These, brother and sister, under the beautiful and fostering care which they received, budded like the opening rose beneath the sweet and genial influences of the Southern Spring.

They heard nothing more of her till one day last week, when they were struck almost dumb with amazement by her entrance into the family mansion. We pass over what followed, as the reader can much better imagine than we can describe it. She had been to Utah, had been a teacher there, had boarded at Gov. Brigham Young's -- only boarded -- had seen much suffering there from famine, and had seen also the error of her ways. Said she had been mad, had [-------] the Mormons, and had come to live with her parents and children, and to do what she could to make them happy. She asked them to restore to her once more their confidence.

Of course the delight of her parents was boundless. She did not profess, however, to have renounced Mormonism, but wished not to return to Utah, and still insisted that the Mormons were good people, and Brigham and his associates in office true prophets. If those drawbacks upon the value of her repentance created a regret or lingering suspicion in the minds of her parents, they did not express it, grateful and happy that she had done so much as she had, [----] made even a [---- confession] as to the impropriety of her past conduct, and hoping doubtless that time would accomplish what was lacking in her complete recovery from her horrible delusion.

On last Saturday morning she requested permission to take her children into town -- her parents live in the suburbs -- to go shopping, and promising to return by five, or at most by six o'clock in the evening. The permission was readily granted, and they have seen neither her nor children since. She has accomplished her purposes; and she is of course on her way back to Utah with her children, to be thrust into the open throat of the grim visaged and horrible monster who sits midway upon the Rocky Mountains, lapping his repulsive jaws and eager to devour new victims as they become entangled in his [foul], leprous coils. Her dissimulation was profound, was perfect. So much for Mormonism.


Mrs. McLean's brother arrived in New Orleans the next morning after her departure, wrote Mr. McLean informing him of her proceedings, and started in pursuit of her. Having obtained what he supposed to be good evidence of her having come to St. Louis, he came on here, bringing letters from respectable parties, certifying to the high respectability of McLean, and also of the family of Mrs. McLean, all of whom were equally interested with the unfortunate father in rescuing the children, from the destruction that awaited them.

But her plans of operation were deep laid and well matured in Mormon council, both in Salt Lake City and in St. Louis. And I speak advisedly when I say it, for I have the best evidence of that fact that the Mormon leaders, then and now, in this city, were busily engaged in aiding and abetting those parties in their nefarious work. And although the most diligent search was made in every direction, we were unable to ascertain with any degree of certainty the whereabouts of the woman and children until the 9th of March, when we received information of their being in Houston, Texas. Mr. McLean, the father of the children, had arrived in this city a few days previously. Pratt was then here, but on being informed of McLean's arrival he concealed himself. A warrant was obtained for him, and diligent search made, but, with the aid of his fellow apostles, he succeeded in making his escape.

McLean proceeded at once to Texas, but on his arrival there found that they had been gone some three weeks; but fortunately he obtained a list of the fictictious names which she bore, and found a letter from Pratt, of which I herewith furnish you a copy, directed to her as Mrs. Lucy R. Parker:

                                                St. Louis, Mo., March 3, 1857.

Dear Madam: I am well, except colds. I have just received yours of Feb. 15. Your correspondence with Mrs. Holmes, of New Orleans, has probably betrayed you before this, as the Post-Office will be watched, and your handwriting known. If you and yours are safe when this reaches you, cease correspondence with N. O. Fly instantly from your present vicinity, Northward. Cover up your track behind you; do not look back or write back, or know any person back, neither in Houston nor elsewhere. Take stage or private conveyance, or any way you can get to northward in safety and with speed. I shall direct no more letters to you at Houston. My next letter will be directed to you at Fort Gibson, on the Arkansas River, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. Marvel not if I am at the same place myself before you can get there. If not, you can stop there until I come or you hear from me. My name is Mr. P. Parker, or, if it cannot be otherwise, the next name can be added. You need not be a Mormon, or bound for Utah, nor need anybody know your business. You will only have to stay in Fort Gibson a week or two, and can hire your board or earn it, as the case may be. Only be reconciled.

If Brother Grinnel or Brother Moody, the Elders in Texas, wish to assist you, let it be in money or in ready and speedy conveyance, or in a boy or carriage, or some means or another to get you to Fort Gibson, Arkansas River.

My carriage will await you there, if the Lord will. As to you clothing from New Orleans, I have not the most distant idea your father will send you one rag. But id he should, it is a mere chance if Boardman ever hears from it; there may be fifty Boardmans in the city. It is a pity you did not give some certain address, such, for instance, as Brother E. Snow, Box No. 333. It will not do, however, for you to write (back) to your father, because the postmark will put him on the Texas track. You can, however, write to your father, and request him to forward them to E. Snow, basement of church, corner of Fourth street and Washington avenue, St. Louis. Date said letter to St. Louis, Mo., and indorse it to E. Snow, and he can mail it here to the old gentleman. You can indorse in a separate note to Brother Snow his [address[' and a request to forward to him, or in case your father has forwarded them to some house in St. Louis. You can ask him to send a letter to E. Snow, Box No. 333, St. Louis, Mo., containing order and directions to get them.

Brother Snow can then forward them to you this season. Do not make any effort to get your clothing unless you think there is some reason to hope they would be sent, because it will be giving them too much of a clue to your relationship, &c., &c.

I think I shall not start from here for Fort Gibson till I hear from you, say the 1st of April.

Mrs. Sayers is well. She has sent the $100. I paid it to Mr. E.

My [money] prospects, are as usual. Debt yet due in St. Louis, $---. Lick and Betsey are well and have ministered well.

Latest news from home, Dec. 4,. Our folks all well. Agatha sends her love to you. All the family united and full of the spirit of the "reformation," Nothing else [thought?] of in Utah. All the trains in: much suffering among the H. Carts.

Prest. J. M. Grant died very suddenly on the last day of November last. It is a heavy blow to all. But he is gone to rest and is called to a wider and more useful field of labor.

Now cheer up, trust in God, seek his spirit, and may he bless and preserve you and yours, henceforth and for ever; and may you be delivered from the hand of the enemy and gathered home, is my earnest prayer and blessing in the name of Jesus Christ.   Amen.   Z.

Should Providence order it so that you came on the Mississippi, avoid landing in St. Louis; land in some neighboring town, and write to E. Snow or to me.


The foregoing letter, together with [---- --- ---- ----] received at Houston, afforded McLean [a clue to?] the whereabouts of the whole party. He started at once for Fort Gibson, when, on presenting his letters, he met with the warmest reception from the United States officers and soldiers, and from the entire community, and every possible assistance was rendered him until he met the Mormon party and recaptured his children. There being no law in that country by which the arch fiend could be brought to justice, McLean had only the alternative left him of being exposed to his tormentings the remainder of his life, or of administering justice to him in a summary way. He chose the latter course and shot down the distinguished polygamist, and departed with his children to place them in security, when he qill come out before the world to receive whatever the consequences of his act may be. Whether his action can be justified upon Christian principles or not I do not undertake to say, but if a case can be imagined in which the taking of human life is justifiable, this in my opinion is one. Imagine an artful polygamist steathily insinuating himself into the affections of the wife of an honorable and highminded gentleman, influencing her to dispise and abandon her own husband and friends, and smuggle off his goods to the Mormon Church, and when their nefarous plans for running off his innocent and beautiful children were discovered, and the heart-broken father compelled to part with them for their safety, the villain takes his wife and the mother of his babes to his own licentious embraces, thus breaking up and destroying the happiness of a family forever -- (as he had done in no less than four instances before) -- bringing sorrow upon the gray hairs of parental affection. And not even content to stop there, but must come over the mountains, and by stealth rob the injured husband and father of his last remaining jewels of affection -- to doom them to a life of infamy and prostitution! And tell me, where is the husband and father with the heart and spirit of a man, who would longer forbear and suffer such a fiend to live?

The public and the press of the country in which McLean put an end to the tormenter of his life, unanimously sustained him in the act. A correspondent writing from the scene of action, says: "No jail could have held him in Arkansas, had he been arrested."

I have other instances of Mormon outrages equally revolting, which have been perpetrated here in St. Louis, and in other places, which I will give you in another article.   C. G. WARD, City Missionary.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Interesting  from  Utah.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Note: A much abriged version of this article appeared in several different newspapers during April of 1857 -- for example, in the Apr. 3, 1857 issue of the Missouri Liberty Tribune. The above text is thought to be the most complete version of the article

The Mormons Again.

Yesterday we published an article from the Philadelphia American, commenting upon the atrocities of the Mormon population in the Territory of Utah. It is undeniable that the conduct of these people is becoming unbearable, and such as should casuse the administration to take some steps to remedy the increasing evil. So long as they continued peacefully in their violation of the obligations of morality, as a people, and excluded their enormities from the public eye in the far region to which they have emigrated; so long as they were guiltless of any overt act of treason against the Government to which they profess to submit themselves, it was at least questionable whether the interposition of the administration was necessary or proper.

But now, under the lead of their spiritual chief, they have overstepped the legal bounds which divide impropriety from lawlessness, and, spurning the obligations of all citizens to obey and uphold the tribunals of justice, they have expressed their contempt for the law and its officers, and openly and avowedly destroyed the records of the court provided for them, and compelled the Judge, who was sent to see the proper execution of the laws of the United States to resign his position from the fear of personal consequences, and his utter inability to enforce his powers and uphold the jurisdiction of the Court over which he presided. We do not know what the force of United States troops in the Territory may be, but we suppose there must be in the whole of our army a sufficient number of soldiers to see to the safety of the lives and persons of the officers, and to compel submission to their legal behests. If there be, it would be well, we think, for individual security and our national honor, that a sufficient force should be sent among the lawless inhabitants of Utah to enforce a compliance with the laws of the Union. Greytown, expiated, in ashes, a much less grievance to our Government than that for which the Momrons go unpunished, and as yet unnoticed. If, in consequence of the contemptious conduct and degrading habits of this people, they fail to respect the judicial authority, there is only one influence which can operate upon them, and that is force. If, in disregard of our former lenity, they proceed to further and grosser instances of conetmpt and illegality, our only remedy is to thrash them into that respect and submission, which they deny to peaceful and persuasive measures.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Utah Saints.

We assure our neighbor of the South. that we hold Mormonism in the utmost detestation and abhorrence. But the Mormons themselves declair it to be their own peculiar institution, no matter how offensive it may be to us. And we desire the South to remember that the Abolitionists put Mormonism and Southern slavery upon the same footing precisely, declaring both to be insufferable "nuisances," which should be crushed out with all possible dispatch. Such is the boldly proclaimed Abolition notion on these subjects. The difficulty occuring to us was, whether if we invoked the power of government to put down Mormonism because we considered it a nuisance, the Abolitionists would not have the same right to invoke the same power to put down slavery, because they considered the latter a nuisance. But we have no thought of pursuing the subject.

As to Brigham and his saints "setting the laws and authority of the Federal government at defiance," why of course we concede that the government "not only may, but should interpose, to maintain its authority and the supremacy of the laws." And we sincerely trust that the South will hurry up its President and Cabinet at Washington to perform their duty in this respect fearlessly, vigorously, and with the utmost despatch. It is only by hanging Brigham and all his saints as rebels and outlaws that we can hope to extinguish Mormonism. And for one, we are rejoiced that the hoary headed old sinner has set himself up in open defiance of the Federal authority; and we further trust that he may continue in the way he has begun, so as to leave the government no excuse for not putting an end to him and all his saints.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Brigham Young and the Mormons.

The Democratic press all over the country have taken a peculiar and malignant pleasure in pointing to the fact that Brigham Young was originally appointed Governor of Utah by Mr. Fillmore for an act which was ratified by a Democratic Senate, and which was concurred in by the Pierce administration throughout. Now, if Mr. Fillmore was wrong in what he did in this matter, why did a Democratic Senate sanction the wrong? And why did Pierce, a Democratic President, also sanction and perpetuate the wrong done by his predecessor? This charging of blame to Mr. Fillmore for the appointment of Young is both ungenerous and unjust. Young had, at the time of his appointment, committed no outrages, and had threatened none. He was known -- although holding a peculiar and absurd religious faith -- only as a just, peaceable, and well-disposed man. But let the following explanation of Mr. Fillmore's appointment of him suffice, which we take from the Buffalo Commercial:

"In 1850, the Mormons were known as a people who professed an odd and very absurd religion, but they were not known as a community of polygamists. They had been persecuted in Missouri and Illinois; they had been driven from their settlement at Nauvoo, after it had grown to be a city of twenty thousand inhabitants; though they had lavished large sums on their temple, to avoid further persecution and annoyance, they had sought out a distant home in the valley of the Rocky Mountains, and had placed more than a thousand miles of wilderness between themselves and the outskirts of civilization. They naturally felt a prejudice against what they were accustomed to call "Gentile" governments, for those governments had failed to afford them protection. They had gone to Deseret to escape Gentile intermeddling, and the passage of the territorial act for Utah was the first attempt, since their exodus, to bring them under regular and rightful government. Under those circumstances and while as yet no opportunity had been offered for resistance, President Fillmore wisely judged that conciliation was a wiser policy than coercion. While nothing worse could be said against this people than that they had a strange religion, there was no sufficient reason why they should be excluded from civil office. It was thought that by the appointment of some of their prominent men to important offices in the Territory, the minds of the people might be won back to a feeling of respect and attachment to the government under which they were hereafter to live. Mr. Fillmore selected the Governor and one of the three Judges from among the Mormons; the Secretary, financial officer, and the other two Judges were sent from the States, and were not Mormons. By this distribution of territorial offices, the courts of justice and the management of the funds sent into the territory were secured from Mormon control, and, through the Secretary, the President could rely on receiving impartial accounts of what transpired in the Territory. Probably no arrangement could have been made which would have better combined conciliation with security.

"Mr. Fillmore, with the prudence which characterized all the acts of his administration, did not appoint Brigham Young until he had taken pains to learn, from authentic and respectable sources, whether the character of the candidate was such as to justify the act.

"The appointment of Brigham Young as Governor of Utah, was confirmed without opposition, by the Senate of the United States. A body of intelligent statesmen whose duty it was to scrutinize the appointment, and to reject it had it seemed to them improper, declared by their votes that they thought it suitable -- an appointment fit to be made. Another circumstance, less important indeed, but still of significance enough to justify us in calling attention to it, is the general indifference with which the appointment, at the time it was announced, was received by the country. It was indeed mentioned by the newspapers, as important official acts of the President always are, but although a bitter and envenomed opposition was then raging against the administration, the press had no word of reproach or rebuke to utter in connection with that appointment. These facts are unaccountable, on the supposition that the Mormons were then known to be addicted to the practice which they have since boldly avowed."


Notes: (forthcoming)

Utah a Foreign Colony.

We have a rumor from Washington to the effect that Major Benjamin McCulloch has been offered the Governorship of Utah. It is also said that the national authorities have determined to pursue a peaceful course towards the Mormons, in the hope of thus convincing them of the policy of yielding with as good a grace as possible. Brigham Young, will, of course, be removed; and this will, to a certain extent, be a test question. The new Governor will, we infer, be accompanied by an adequate force, as a precautionary measure. Such a step would seem to be indispensable. In the first place, to protect the officers of the Federal Government in the discharge of their duties, and in the second, to protect such residents of the Territory as decline to embrace, or are disposed to abandon the offensive tenets and practices of Mormonism. In this connection, we may mention that a somewhat curious article appeared in a recent number of the "Washington States," in which the editor endeavors to show that Utah is, in fact, an English colony. The Mormons, he says, and truly, have a most extensive organization, which stretches almost over every country in Europe. In Great Britain and Scandinavia they are the most successful. Their conversions are numerous, and chiefly among the ignorant lower-class people. They form communities in various localities, and raise funds by subscription, by which means they are carried to America, then let loose in parties to make their way through the country to the Great Salt Lake. -- It is in this manner that foolish, weak, and prurient people are entangled into their meshes. Some months ago we remember that an Elder Williams arrived from England in the ship Columbia with some two hundred and twenty, whom he himself had converted to the Mormon faith. They were principally from Bristol. They were quartered for the winter in St. Louis, Cincinnati, and New York, and are by this time on their way to the "Promised Land." About a twelve-month ago some details of desolation created in an English family by Mormons directed attention to the ship Enoch Train, which arrived at Boston, from Liverpool, with nine hundred Mormons, of which number three hundred were contributed by Birmingham alone.

It is doubtless true that the population of Utah includes a very considerable portion of foreigners, perhaps one third, but hardly more. It is evident, however, that the masses are credulous, deluded, ignorant and fanatical, while the leaders are for the most part shrewd, designing, mercenary and profligate. Mr. Buchanan is doubtless fully aware of the almost universal desire of the American public to see this moral plague neutralized, if not destroyed, and hence he will direct all the energies of his Administration to the accomplishment of the object. -- If he shall succeed without civil war or bloodshed, he will deserve the thanks of the country.


Notes: (forthcoming)

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

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

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

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

On arriving at Fort Gibson, and while there, he found letters in the Post-Office to his wife from Pratt, some of which were mailed at St. Louis, and others at Flint Post Office, Cherokee nation. We are unable to give the contents of these letters with particularity, but they contained the fact that McLean was on the look-out for her and the children, and that they were betrayed by the apostates and gentiles, and advising her to be cautious in her movements, and not to let herself be known, only to a few of the saints and elders. McLean