History Draft [1 January–21 June 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
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Tuesday May 21. I copy from the Times and Seasons:— “Newark (page 557) .”
I received the following letter:— “Eldorado (see file) [Washington] Tucker”.
22 May 1844 • Wednesday
Wednesday 22. At home, watching, as the officers from were after me. At 10 A M., <​about​> 40 Indians <​of the Sacs & Foxes​> came up in front of the four or five of them being mounted; among whom was Black Hawk’s brother, Kis—Kish—Kee, &c. I was obliged to send word I could not see them at present; and they encamped in the Council Chamber afternoon and night. I was with the Police on duty, <​and​> saw several individuals lurking round.
Very pleasant day.
Prest. preached to the brethren in this evening.
23 May 1844 • Thursday
Thursday 23rd. rather better. Read Hebrew with , and Counseled with various friends. At 10 A. M. Municipal Court Met presiding, and <​but there not being a quorum present,​> adjourned for one week. At one P M had a talk with the Sac and Fox Indians in my back kitchen. They said: “When our fathers first came here, this land was inhabited by the Spanish, when the Spaniards were driven off the French came, and then the English and Americans; and our fathers talked a great deal with the Big Spirit.” I <​They​> told them I knew complained <​that​> they had been robbed of their lands by the white, and cruelly treated. I told them I knew they had been wronged, but that we had bought this land and paid our money for it. I advised them not to sell any more land, but to cultivate peace with the different tribes, and with all men; as the Great Spirit wanted them to be united and to live in peace. “The Great Spirit has enabled me to find a book (shewing them a <​the​> Book of Mormon) which told me of <​about​> your fathers, and the Great Spirit told me, ‘you must send to all the tribes that you can, and tell them to live in peace’; and when any of our people come to see you, I want you to treat them as we treat you.” At 3 P.M., the Indians commenced a war dance in front of my old house; our people commenced with music and firing [p. 45]
Tuesday May 21. I copy from the Times and Seasons:— “Newark (page 557) .”
22 May 1844 • Wednesday
Wednesday 22. At home, watching, as the officers from were after me. At 10 A M., about 40 Indians of the Sacs & Foxes came up in front of the four or five of them being mounted; among whom was Black Hawk’s brother, Kis—Kish—Kee, &c. I was obliged to send word I could not see them at present; they encamped in the Council Chamber afternoon and night. I was with the Police on duty, and saw several individuals lurking round.
Very pleasant day.
Prest. preached to the brethren in this evening.
23 May 1844 • Thursday
Thursday 23rd.— rather better. Read Hebrew with , and Counseled with various friends. At 10 A. M. Municipal Court Met presiding, but there not being a quorum present, adjourned for one week. At one P M had a talk with the Sac and Fox Indians in my back kitchen. They said: “When our fathers first came here, this land was inhabited by the Spanish, when the Spaniards were driven off the French came, and then the English and Americans; and our fathers talked a great deal with the Big Spirit.” They complained that they had been robbed of their lands by the white, and cruelly treated. I told them I knew they had been wronged, but that we had bought this land and paid our money for it. I advised them not to sell any more land, but to cultivate peace with the different tribes, and with all men; as the Great Spirit wanted them to be united and to live in peace. “The Great Spirit has enabled me to find a book (shewing them the Book of Mormon) which told me about your fathers, and the Great Spirit told me, ‘you must send to all the tribes that you can, and tell them to live in peace’; and when any of our people come to see you, I want you to treat them as we treat you.” At 3 P.M., the Indians commenced a war dance in front of my old house; our people commenced with music and firing [p. 45]
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