Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-07-20
This Moruons.

We find in the Western papers the following
official document, addressed by the Governor Of
Illinois to the people of the State. 1t declares,
it will be seen, that the leading Mormons, Joe
and Hiram Smith, were basely assassinated, af-
ter they had voluntarily surrendered themselves,
on the pledge of protection from the Governor
Of the State and were awaiting their trial, ac-
cording to the laws of the land. We hope that
Gov. FoRp and the authorities of Illinois will
vindicate this horrible outrage upon humanity,
and the honor and dignity Of the State, by detec-
ting and bringing to condign punishment every
individual who had any haud in the murder:
HEAD QUARTERS,
Quincy, June %, 1874.
"To the people os Illinois
desire to make brief but true statement of
the recent disgraceful affair at Carthage, in re-
gard to the Smiths, so far as circumstances have
come to my knowledge. Tho Smiths, Joseph
and Hiram, have been assassinated in JAIL by
whom s not known, but will be ascertained.
pledged myself for their safety, and upon the
assurance of that pledge, they surrendered as
prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the pub
lic arms in their possession, and the Nauvoo
Legion submitted 10 the command of Capt. Sim
gleton, of Brown county, deputed for that pur-
pose by me.
All these things were required to satisfy the
old citizens of Hancock, that the Mormons were
peaceably disposed, and to allay jealousy and
excitement in their minds. 1t appears howe
yer that the compliance of the Mormons with
every requsition made upon them, failed of that
purpose. The pledge ofsecurity of the Smiths,
was not given upon my individual responsible
~. Before gave it, obtained pledge of ho-
nor by unanimous vote from the officers and
men under my command to Sustain me in per-
forming it. If the assassination of the Smiths
was committed by any portion of these, they
have added treacherv to murder, and have done
all they could do to disgrace the State, and sui.
ly the public honor.
On the moring of the day the deed was COM
mitted we had proposed to march the army un-
der my command into Nauvoo. |, however,
discovered, on the evening before, tina, nothing
but utter destruction of the city would satisfy
portion Of the troop; and that if we marcI ell into
the city, pretcxts would not be wanting for COM
mencing hostities. The Mormons had done e.
very thing required of them. Offensive opera
tions on our part would have been as unjust
and disgracefu as they would have been impo-
litic, 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 guard for the Jail With
the other company | marched into Nauvoo to
address the inhabitants there, and tell them
what they might expect in case they design
edly or imprudently provoked war. | per
formed this duty, as think, plainly and EN-
phatically, and then set out to return to Car,
thage. When had marched about three miles
a messenger informed me of the occurrence n,
Carthage, hastened on to that place. The
guard, it is said, did tier duty, but was over
powered. Many Of the inhabitants of Carthage
had fled with their families. Others were pre-
pairing to 90. apprehended danger to the set
dement's from the sudden fury and passion o
the Mormons, and sanctioned their movements
in this respect.
General Deming volunteered to remain with
a few troops, TO observe the progress OF events
10 defend property against small numbers, anC
with orders to retreat if menaced BY a superio
force. | decided to proceed Immediately t.
Quincy, to prepare force, sufficient to sup
press disorders, in case they should ensue from
the foregoing transactions or from any othe
cause. have hopes that the Mormons will
make no further difficulties. In this may b.
mistaken The other party may not be salts
fed. They may recOmmence aggression.
am determined 10 preserve the peace agains
all breakers of the same, at all hazards.
think present circumstances warrant the pre-
caution of having competent force at my dis
posal, in readiness to march at moment
warning. My position at Quincy will enable
me to get the earliest intelligence and to com
municate orders with greater CELEBRITY"
THOMAS FORD.
Governor and Commander in Chief