Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-07-05

III the room WIFI tnc k'iituHs "hN -
three balls in his leg. and one in his arm
He is not considered dangerous. Three
of the assailanis were slightly wounded.
1t will probably never be know who
sho. Joseph and Hyram Sm:th-bu. tier
murder was cold blooded cowardly ac1,
which will consign the perpetrators if dis
covered 10 merited infamy and disgrace
They have broken the pledges of the
Governor disgraced themselves and the
State to which they belong. They have
crimsoned their per6dy with blood.
The dead bodies of the Smiths were
conveyed to Nauvoo by order of the Gov
ernor yesterday. II was supposed by MAJ
ny that the Mormons on seeing them
would break away from all restraints and
commence war of determination. Blu!
nothing of ,he kind occurred. They re-
ceived their murdered friends in sorrow
laid down their arms and remained quiet.
Col Singleton and his company Of sixty
men, are sill in Nauvoo. and the Nor
mons submit TO their authority.
The 800 troops which left our city yes
terdav on the Boreas are at present in
Warsaw. A man was assailed and knock
ed down with muske. in Warsaw yes
,erday, for presuming 10 express dlsap.
probation at the murder of the Smiths.
1t will long be regretted that things
have taken the turn they have in relation
to the Mormons. After they had laid
down their arms, and submitted 10 the
laws, they were entitled to the protection
of those laws. Gov. Ford in the name
of the Stale pledged them that protection.
and he extended it to them so far as was
in his power. The conduct of the Gov.
ernor stands pre- eminen,ly un,arnished
in :his matter. Party is lost sighi of, as
it should be. and ali unite to award him
the need of praise. Several public meet
ings which have been held in this city du
ring the excitement. have passed resolu-
tons approving Of his course. As the
troops were leaving our whalf on the Bo.
reas yesterday. his honor, the Mayor,
came forward and proposed three cheers
for Gov. Ford. which were given in
manner that made the welken ring. Geo.
II. NJ. Davis. Esq, in an address to our
citizens last evening. also bore testimony
to the calm and impartial manner which
has characterized the conduc. the Gov
ernor throughout the whole of This affair.
In what we have written above we
would not have it understood that our re.
marks in relation to the assassination of
The two Smiths, apply to the people of
Hancock county generally. The actors
II FIJI L
confined 10 a few desperate characters who
are determined to ride over the law to af>
feet their object.
1t will be seen by the accompanying
Proclamation, that the Governor has is.
sued orders for the raising of troops to be
in readiness in case of Emergency. This
is cer,inIy discreet and provident move
ment. For although quie, reigns at pres.
ent in Nauvoo and vicinity, the prejudice
and excitement is so great, there is
no knowing how soon another outbreak
may occur.
desire 10 make brief but true statement
Of the recent dise raceful affair at Carthage, in
regard 10 the Smiths. Sc far as circumstances
have come to my knowledge. The Smiths,
Joseph and Hyram, have been assassina,ed in
Jail, by whom is hot known. but will be ascer.
tanned. pledged myself for their safety, and
upon the assurance of that pledge, they sur
rendered as prisoners. The Mormons surren.
dered the public arms in ihei! possession, and
the Nauvoo Legion submitted to the command
of Capt. Singleton Of Brown county. depued
for that purpose by me. All these things were
rod &c, -.
that the Mormons were peaceably disposed;
and to allay jealousy and exciemen, ia their
minds. 1t appears however that the compli-
ance Of the Mormons with every REMISSION
made upon them, failed of that purpose. The
pledge Of security to the Smiths, was not oiv-
en- upon my individual responsibility. Before
gave it. obtained a pledge of honor by a
unanimous vote from the officers and men un.
der my command. TO sustain me in performing
1t. Ii The assassination of the Smiths was
committed by any portion Of these, they have
added treachery to murder. and have done all
they could do TO disgrace the State, and sully
the public honor.
On the morning OF the day the deed was
committed, we had proposed TO march the ar.
my under my command into Nauvoo. ! how
ever discovered on the evening before, that no.
thing but utter destruction of the city would
satisfy portion Of the troops; and that if we
marched into The city, pretexts would not be
wanting for commencing hos!iliies. The
Mormons had done every thing required or
which ought to have been required o. them
Offensive operations On our part wonld have
been as unjust and disgraceful as they would
nave oeen lmpoli'ic. In the present critical
season OF the year, the harvest and the crops.
For these reasons decided, in council Of
officers. to disband the army, except three
companies, two of which were retained as a
guard Tor the Jail. With the other COMPANY
marched into Nanvoo. TO address the inhab.
i'an's there and Tell them what they might
expect in case they designedlv or ilnnrudsn..