William Gannaway Brownlow, an evangelical minister and editor of the Jonesborough Whig and Independent Journal, in Jonesborough, Tennessee, caustically took to task newspapers that reported with regret the murders of JS and Hyrum Smith. Brownlow’s retort was that “that blasphemous wretch Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet . . . ought to have been dead ten years ago, and that those who at length have deprived him of his life, have done the cause of God, and of the country, good service.” Brownlow concluded that “Smith was killed, as he should have been. Three cheers to the brave company who shot him to pieces!” (“Death of Joe Smith,” Jonesborough [TN] Whig and Independent Journal, 24 July 1844, [1], italics in original.)

Jonesborough Whig and Independent Journal. Elizabethton, TN, 1839–1840; Jonesborough, TN, 1840–1849; Knoxville, TN, 1849–1861.

Throughout the debates over the annexation of Texas, many newspapers claimed that “England is making every possible exertion to obtain the cooperation of the French government in opposing the annexation of Texas to this country.” The 5 March 1845 edition of the Nauvoo Neighbor reported that “England seeks an alliance with France to oppose the annexation of Texas to this Union.” (“Highly Important from Europe,” New York Herald, 17 Feb. 1845, [2]; “One Week Later from Europe,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 Mar. 1845, [2]; see also, for example, “Another Andrews Plot,” Daily National Intelligencer [Washington DC], 20 Feb. 1845, [3]; and “English Opinions of Mr. Calhoun’s Diplomacy—the Slavery Question,” Weekly Nashville Union, 12 Feb. 1845, [3].)

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Daily National Intelligencer. Washington DC. 1800–1869.

Weekly Nashville Union. Nashville, TN. 1844–1846.