History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 97
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<​June 13​> “Ordered, That , , Chauncy Robinson, Wm. L. Freeman, , , Lyman Prentiss and Stephen H. Tyler, be said Committee.
“On motion of Geo. Rockwell,
Resolved, That Constables in the different precincts hold themselves in readiness to obey the officer in possession of the writs, whenever called upon, in summoning the posse.
“On motion the meeting adjourned.
John Knox, President
John Doty) Vice Presidents.”
Lewis F. Evans)
“W. Y. Head, Secretary
14 June 1844 • Friday
<​14​> Friday 14 Wrote to as follows:—
, June 14th, 1844.
“His Excellency
Sir;
I write you this morning briefly to inform you of the facts relative to the removal of the press and fixtures of the ‘Nauvoo Expositor’ as a nuisance.
“The 8th and 10th instant were spent by the city council of , in receiving testimony concerning the character of the Expositor, and the character and design of the prorietors.
“In the investigation it appeared evident to the council that the proprietors were a set of unprincipled, lawless, debauchees, counterfeiters, bogus makers, gamblers, peace disturbers, and that the grand object of said proprietors was to destroy our constitutional rights and chartered privileges; to overthrow all good and wholesome regulations in society; to strengthen themselves against the Municipalitiy; to fortify themselves against the church of which I am a member, and destroy all our religious rights and privileges, by libels, slanders, falsehoods, perjury &c; <​and​> sticking at no corruption to accomplish their hellish purposes, and that said paper of itself was libelous of the deepest dye, and very [HC 6:466] injurious as a vehicle of defamation;— tending to corrupt the morals, and disturb the peace, tranquility, and happiness of the whole community, and especially that of .
“After a long and patient investigation of the character of the Expositor, and the characters and designs of its proprietors, the constitution, the charter, (see addenda to charter from the charter, sec. 7) and all the best authorities on the Subject. (see Blackstone III, 5. and n. &c &c.).
“The City council decided that it was necessary for the ‘peace, benefit, good order, and regulations’ of said , ‘and for the protection of property’, and for ‘the happiness and prosperity of the citizens of ’, that said Expositor should be removed; and, declaring said Expositor a nuisance, ordered the Mayor to cause them to be removed without delay, which order was committed to the by due process, and by him executed the same day, by removing the paper, press, and fixtures into the streets, and burning the same; all which was done without riot, noise, turmult, or confusion, as has already been proved before the Municipality of the ; and the particulars of the whole transaction may be expected in our next ‘Nauvoo Neighbor.’
“I send you this hasty sketch that your may be aware of the lying reports that are now being circulated by our enemies, that there has been a Mob at , and ‘blood and thunder’, and ‘swearing that two men were killed’, &c &c, as we hear from abroad, are false— false as Satan himself could invent, and that nothing has been transacted here but what has been in perfect accordance with the strictest [p. 97]
June 13 “Ordered, That , , Chauncy Robinson, Wm. L. Freeman, , , Lyman Prentiss and Stephen H. Tyler, be said Committee.
“On motion of Geo. Rockwell,
Resolved, That Constables in the different precincts hold themselves in readiness to obey the officer in possession of the writs, whenever called upon, in summoning the posse.
“On motion the meeting adjourned.
John Knox, President
John Doty) Vice Presidents.”
Lewis F. Evans)
“W. Y. Head, Secretary
14 June 1844 • Friday
14 Friday 14 Wrote to as follows:—
, June 14th, 1844.
“His Excellency
Sir;
I write you this morning briefly to inform you of the facts relative to the removal of the press and fixtures of the ‘Nauvoo Expositor’ as a nuisance.
“The 8th and 10th instant were spent by the city council of , in receiving testimony concerning the character of the Expositor, and the character and design of the prorietors.
“In the investigation it appeared evident to the council that the proprietors were a set of unprincipled, lawless, debauchees, counterfeiters, bogus makers, gamblers, peace disturbers, and that the grand object of said proprietors was to destroy our constitutional rights and chartered privileges; to overthrow all good and wholesome regulations in society; to strengthen themselves against the Municipalitiy; to fortify themselves against the church of which I am a member, and destroy all our religious rights and privileges, by libels, slanders, falsehoods, perjury &c; and sticking at no corruption to accomplish their hellish purposes, and that said paper of itself was libelous of the deepest dye, and very [HC 6:466] injurious as a vehicle of defamation;— tending to corrupt the morals, and disturb the peace, tranquility, and happiness of the whole community, and especially that of .
“After a long and patient investigation of the character of the Expositor, and the characters and designs of its proprietors, the constitution, the charter, (see addenda to charter from the charter, sec. 7) and all the best authorities on the Subject. (see Blackstone III, 5. and n. &c &c.).
“The City council decided that it was necessary for the ‘peace, benefit, good order, and regulations’ of said , ‘and for the protection of property’, and for ‘the happiness and prosperity of the citizens of ’, that said Expositor should be removed; and, declaring said Expositor a nuisance, ordered the Mayor to cause them to be removed without delay, which order was committed to the by due process, and by him executed the same day, by removing the paper, press, and fixtures into the streets, and burning the same; all which was done without riot, noise, turmult, or confusion, as has already been proved before the Municipality of the ; and the particulars of the whole transaction may be expected in our next ‘Nauvoo Neighbor.’
“I send you this hasty sketch that your may be aware of the lying reports that are now being circulated by our enemies, that there has been a ‘Mob at , and ‘blood and thunder’, and ‘swearing that two men were killed’, &c &c, as we hear from abroad, are false— false as Satan himself could invent, and that nothing has been transacted here but what has been in perfect accordance with the strictest [p. 97]
Page 97