The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-15
THE MORMONS,

/ TIE MOhMONO.
! 10 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AMONG THE MoRMoNs
AT NAUvoo.-We have good reasons for placing
reliance in the details of letter, the contents OF
which are hereafter stated, giving an account of
an emeute at the chief city of the Mormons, Nau-
voo The occurrences took place on the Goth ult.
| On that day-says the writer-a fracas of an
| alarming and important character occurred in
| Nauvoo, threatening with impending destruction
| the Mormon government aud even the life of the
Prophet himself. 1t originated under the follow.
| ing circumstances 10 Smith, Prophet and Mayor
elect, having ordered his police to arrest man by
the name of Spencer, for assault on his brother
| in his own house--the residence of his mother
also-the accused refusing to become prisoner al
lodging it was illegal to arrest without writ from
the Mayor. All the parties, however, collected
| round the Masonic Hall, or courthouse. 10
Smith, Mayor, being present, ordered the police
| and the people to take said Spencer into custody.
The constable having placed hands on him, Spen-
| Ger put himself in a fighting position, and was as
sisted by Dr. Foster and his brother, younger
Foster, and also James, Higby--who said they
would not submit to the authority of the Prophet.
10 Smith put hands, too, to assist in taking him,
when the younger Foster took out pistol, pre-
sentel it, and said he would shoot the Prophet
AT this moment came up and saw the struggle.
The Prophet got hold of the pistol, and held firm
ly round the brtch until, by the assistance Of
Rockwell, a second, the Prophet succeeded in
getting the pistol from Foster. The Dr.. and
Lasner at this time took up stands, and vociferated
they would kill the Prophet-said he was vii
lain and an imposter, and that he knew it !; that
they would be doing merilorious act to rid the
world of such william, an imposter and tyrant.-
Higden said he would certainly shoot hm-at any
| rate told him he remembered by gone times; knew
| of blood being shed on the island opposite ; that
| he, the Prophet, was the right man. He (Rigby)
| belonged to his band--had sustained him by mo-
ney and force; he knew the Mormon Prophet,
| 10 Smith, the author of murders, and it was
| high time he should die, and he would kill him.
The Prophet got his hand cut and his nervous
system shook. Finally, the authorities succeed
ed in bringing up the three traversers before the
court. 1t would be too long TO write all the trial.
Let the following suffice The traversers mani
tested no disposition to withdraw their threats
on the contrary, demanded their pistol from the
Mayor, who gave it them-said he was always
| lenient, and would tyrannize over no man. Foster
took the pistol and took another from his breast,
| examined to see all was properly loaded, and be-
trayed much wickedness and desperation. The
court having heard the evidence, the Prophet
made many observations about his clemency-ad-
verified to the threats, and denied ever having been
| prvy to any murders on the island-said he would
maintain his authority and the law, should it cost
| life, and then fined the traversers-Spcncer, for
assaulting his brother, cripple, in 800; and
said Spencer, DR.. Foster, and his brother young
Foster, each 800. for resisting the city authori-
ties. Appeals were taken in all the suits. The
case is. at present, undergoing second trial be.
fore Squire in the upper part of the city, where
the mother, brother of Spencer, and his two
daughters are called on to give evidence before a
jury The verdict is not yet returned. Spencer
in the peadings, when the Elder Brother object
ed to his mothers evidence, on the ground of age
and forgetuness, called on his brothers. daugh-
tiers, who were present, and whose memories, he
assured the court, were bright as their faces
(and they are undoubtedly Handsomely The court,
however, overruled his motion.
| 10 Smith has number of enemies and his in
fuence is beginning to decline, but think his
doctrine is on The increase.
There are about fifty masons and stone cutters
engaged about the Temple. 1t will be the most
extraordinary building on the American continent.
We have regular theatre, got up by the Mormons
themselves. Last night the play OF Pizarro went
off in good style to large audience, of which
about one hundred were ladies' was astonish-
ed to see such array of beauty in the new Je-
rusalem.-St. Louis Repub