we shall save all the amount of tax on personal property and of course it will be considerable benifit.
He has endeavored to ascertain during his travels, whether, if the leading characters of the Church should go away, and gathering to this place sease, the farming portion of the church could not stay a while longer in peace; and he is satisfied that such is the feeling of the people around. In regard to our future location <course> there is no place <plan> that meets his approbation so much as the one now under consideration, viz. for this kingdom to be transplanted to a secure place and let the poor live on our property. If our agents are appointed they could occasionally make use of their devil from amongst the [p. [96]]
Illinois taxed both personal property and real property. Because of the injunction against collecting taxes in Hancock County before May 1846, if the Mormons left before that time the personal property they took with them (including wagons, oxen, furniture, and other essentials for the exodus) would not be taxed. (See Revenue [3 Mar. 1845], Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], chap. 89, secs. 1–3, pp. 436–437.)
Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois, Adopted by the General Assembly of Said State, at Its Regular Session, Held in the Years, A. D., 1844–’5. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1845.