Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Courtesy of the Missouri State
Archives.
Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, , Ray Co., MO, 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-seven pages; Mormon War Papers, MSA.
Historical Introduction
Historical Introduction
as you have already done, and in every instance violated your promise, and regarded not the covenant which you had made, but put both it and us at defiance— We have solemnly warned you, and that in the most determined manner, that if you did not cease that course of wanton abuse of the citizens of this , that vengeance would overtake you sooner or later, and that when it did come, it would be as furious as the mountain torrent, and as terrible as the beating tempest, but you have affected to despise our warnings, and pass them off with a sneer, or a grin or a threat, and pursued your former course, and vengeance sleepth not, neither does it slumber, and unless you heed us this time, and attend to our request it will overtake you, at an hour when you do not expect, and at a day when you do not look for it. and for you there shall be no escape, for there is but one decree for you, which is depart,— depart, or a more fatal calamity shall befall you—
After had been taken by a States Warrant for Stealing and the Stolen property found concealed in the house of in which nefarious transaction had also participated, stole the property conveyed it to and to and there the officer of the law found it. While in the hands of the officer and under an arrest for this vile transaction and if possible to hide your shame from the world like criminals which indeed you were, you appealed to our beloved brethren Presidents Joseph Smith Jr, men whose characters you had endeavoured to destroy by every artifice you could invent, not even the basest lying excepted, and did you find them revengeful? no but notwithstanding all your scandalous attacks still such was the nobleness of their characters that even vile enemies could not appeal to them in vain,— they enlisted as you well know their influence to save you from your just fate, and they by their influence delivered you out of the hand of the officer, while you were pleading with them you promised reformation, you bound yourselves by the most solemn promises that you would never be employed again in abusing any of the citizens of , and by such condescensions did you attempt to escape the work house. But now for the [p. [13]]
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Source Note
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