The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-11-13
Correspondence 9the Stale Register.
Tt,E HANCOCK EXPEDislON.
On, ,r-,-.,, Y -. L : ~
CHARLES II. i.ANpuIrR,


Deer Nr:-Gov. Ford's lille force Of
brave men are now eucamped around the
celebrated temple Of the Mormons. We
/ have about 200 meh; divided into five
smnll companies, lo-wit: Capt Hop
km's Arn'lcry-Capt. Aliens Rough
and Re-; dies both from Springfeld.)
/ Capt JIckson's "louug lickorlrs,"
and Capt Heads company of infantry,
/ lboh from MrDonough county, aud
Capt. Ilanerclail's company from Boards
town. We arrived at Carthage on
Wednesday last about one O'Clock the
Governor and a mounted guard, consist
ing OF ten or twelve armed men, one mile
IN advance of his troops. As soon as the
Governor and guard rode MP 10 Mr. liam
lltuu'S Hotel, he was introduced to Gen,
Btorkman, and several Others of tie lead.
mon forces were pointed out Gov. Ford
talked 10 these men in firm and decided
tone, as the Executive of State should
lie gave them To understand, in plain Ian
guage, that lis object was to re.esrablsh
law and and order in Hancock county.
and protect the prescribed and banishcd
citizens IN their rights.
In the evening, after having encampcd
abon, mile from Carriage, the Cover.
nor returned, with guard OF ten men,
and addressed the people in the Court
House; informing them of his dr,ermi.
nation to sustain the prescribed new cili-
Gems in their tights; aud demanded in the
name of the people OF Illinois, the State
arms. After making his speech he left
the meeting for camp, leaving Gen.
Brockman speaking. The meeting alter
wards appointed committee, consisting
Of several WHO Justify the Punishment Of
men who express themselves opposed to
the late movements Of the Anti Moimons.
Gen. Brockman was one Of this commit.
tee. The committee waited upon the
Governor at The camp in the morning.
but tie Governor promptly refused to
have any interview with them whatever,
a. the constitution and laws pointed out
his dutv, and he could make 10 compro-
mise at all with the viola,ers Of the Law,
but assured them that he would seek for
the facts in regard to the late disturbances
from the most djsinlereslCd persons that
could be found in the county, and would
act accordingly. The State alas have
all been concealed, and the Antics refuse
TO give them up.
We arrived a, Nauyoo on Thursday,
and the Governor has had an interview
with the banished citizens, (who have
returned and are unmolesied by The An
ties q, present. and he has also addressed
a meeting Of the prominent Antics, doclar.
| ing lis intention to maintain tie new cit
liens in their rights al every hazard.
Many Of the mobocrals are roaring and
ranting like menagere of wild beasts
in iron cages, but they dare not attempt
/ 10 bite.
The Mormons have been driven of,
and no one desires their return; no one
would encourage the return Of single
Mormon. The question of Mormon and
Anli-MorTon is settled beyond all doubt.
Now the question is-shall the laws and
constitution prevail, or shall mobocracy
rule with an iron rod. II the Executive
cannot sustain the laws in one county,
/ the reckless in other counties will be
tempted to rebel against the government,
until the spirit Of mobocracy wiki ride trl.
umphant over the ruins Of civil and reig-
ious government,
Ii is said that, in the late battle, when
boy Of Is years fell, beng manglcd by
cannon ball, lie uttered these words
"IGe IN d9sacs crmy mother and tie
lars IF my country" His father had
been sho. few hours before. Such 4
sen,imen. uttered by dying hero Of L.
gally authorized army, would be printed
in letters Of gold, for the admiration OF
future generations--bul they fell from the
lips of a poor Mormon boy, defending
himself against an Illegal force.
The Governor, by some means, was
informed Of concealed State arms, in the
city, aud dispatched a small squad OF his
men about the dawn Of day, who took
them iro a stable and brough, them into
camp yesterday morning. They were
buried abou, one foot below the surface
Of the ground, and were loaded. We
are determined to take all the arms we
can hear Of at every hazard.
1t is uncertain what will be the result
of this expedition. think it will be
crowned with success. The better dis.
posed and more Interested Antics wan,
peace, and so soon as they can be assur.
ed that they will be secured, they will
show their hands and lift their voice
against gang Of vagabonls who have
carried destruction aud fire before them
IL man ul,ers word agains, these
scoundrels to-day, his barn will be in a
blaze tonight, aud from fears of this kind
men, good meaning men, have been com
PEELED TO appreciate the course Of the more
reckless.
+ There are many good reasons why Ger
tain men have no, been arrested. In the