Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838 [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]

he didn’t intend to to try to keep it any longer <​do so.​>— that the whole state was a mob stet set, & that if they came to fight him he would play hell with their apple carts.— He told his people, <​that​> they heretefore had the character of fighting like Devils, but they should now fight like angles [angels] for angles could whip devils— While in on the last expedition I mentioned the great difficulties, the course they were pursuing would likely get them into— are they the replied reply was by a number of them, that as the citizens had all fled, there would be none to prove it by but themselves, & they could swear to the <​as​> they pleased in the matter. these <​I believe​> were of the danite order— & I understood from them that they could swear each other clear if it should become necessary— While at , I heard a conversations about having commenced the war & I expressed doubts as to their being able to get along with it in the community— in that conversation, while many were present I heard say— That the sword had now been drawn & should not be sheathed, until he had marched to in Carroll county into & to was many other places in the , & swore that he was able to accomplish it— During the time of the <​last​> expedition to a portion of the troops returned to , & was paraded in the square before s house. he <​​> addressed them in a cheering & encouraging manner, in the course they had been <​were​> pursuing— A letter was sent from from Jos Smith Jr to , which he then had in his hand but said their was a profound secret in it, & that the boys <​who were present were sent away​> who could not keep se [p. [44]]