Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-25
rr,ah Exnedition-War Declared.

The Secretary Of War has received official IN
uelgence from the Utah expedition, confirming
the newspaper accounts of the destruction b.
the Mormons of sesen,y,eight of the govern
nent wagons, with their contents. The Depart
nent is also in receipt of several important doc
unents, among which is q proclamation by Brig
ham Young virtually declaring war against tn
United States. On the Both of September, Dan
lel H. Wells, Lieut.. Gen. Commanding Nauvo
Legion" addressed letter, dated Fort Bridgel
to Col. Alexander, who is,with the advance
the United States army, enclosing letter fror
Gov. Young, copies of his proclamation, &c
and announcing that he was ready to carry GU
the Governors instructions. Brigham's letter
dated Salt Lake City, Sept 29th, is addresses
"To the Officer Commanding the Forces now in
vading Utah Territory" The following is al
extract:
81 am still the Governor and Superintendent
of Indian Affairs for the Territory, no successo
having been appointed and qualified, as provided
by law, nor have | been removed by the Presi
dent OF the United States. By virtue of the an
thority thus vested in me, have issued and for
warded to you copy of my proclamation for
bidding the entrance of armed forces into the Ter
ritory. This you have dsregarded. now fur
Their direct that you retire forthwith from thu
Territory, by the same route you entered
Should you deem this impracticable, and prefe
to remain until spring in the vicinity of YOU
present encampment-Blac Fork on Green Riv
er-you can do so in peace and unmolested, or
condition that you deposit your arms and am
munition with Lewis Robinson, Quartermaste
General of the Territory, and leave in the spring
as soon as the condition of the roads willpermi
you to march and should you fall short of pro
Visions they can be furnished you upon making
the proper application therefor"
Brigham Young's proclamation is dated Sal
Lake City, Sept. 10Th. He complains that thu
Mormons have not been treated as American
citizens, that the movement of the general gov
eminent has been superinduced by misrepresen
tations, to drive them from their soil, and por
ceeds as follows: ,......,.
'The issue which has thus been forced upon u
compels us to resort to the first great law of self
preservation, and stand in our own Defence
institutions of our country, and upon which thu
government is based. Our duty to ourselves, t.
our families, requires US not to tamely submit t.
be driven and slain without an attempt to pre-
serve ourselves Our duty to our country, ou
holy religion, our God, to freedom and liberty
requires that We should not quietly stand still
and see those letters forging around us which
are calculated to ensave and bring us into sub
nj
as can only emauate in a country OF constitu
tional law, from usurpation, tyranny and op
preston. 4
Therefore /, Brigham Young, Governor an(
Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Terrific
ry of Utah, forbid,
"First-All armed forces of every description
from coming into this Territory, under any pre-
tence whatever. ea.H 80 tl
"Second-That all the forces in said Territor.
hold themselves in readiness to march at mo
ment's notice to repel any and all such invasion
''rhird-Martial law is hereby declared to ex
list in this Territory from and alter the publica
ton of this proclamation, and no person shall b.
allowed to pass or re-pass into or through o
from this Territory without permit from tb
l.proper officer"
Col. Alexander replied to Brigham's letter in
note dated Headquarters 10th Regiment OF In
fantry, Camp Winfield, October 2nd," stating
that the communications would be submitted t.
the General commanding as soon as he arrived
and that the further movements of the troop
would depend upon orders issued by the com
petent authoritory.
Accompanying the correspondence to the wa
Department is letter from COL A. S. Johnston
of the second cavalry, dated Oct. 10, 1857, OF
the Sweet Water, in which he says 'the Cover
nor's escort is three days march" behind him
with two companies of Dragons "The expires
man says that Col. Alexander would attempt t.
reach the valley of Utah by Bear river;;" bu
Col. Johnston can see no reason for this, as tn
route is longer, excepting that it is feared tina
the Mormons have burnt the grass "lf," h
adds, 81 could communicate with Col. Ale1an
der, | would direct him to take good position
for the winter at Hams Fork. The road is be
set between this and Hams Fork with compa
MES of Morrnons, so that it is doubtful whethe
shall be able to communicate with Col. Alex
ander." .r4s