Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-29
IMPORTANT REPORT ON THE con-
DVrION OF AFFAIRS.s

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, July 24.-Th'
House Committee on Territories have made
report on the condition of Utah. They say
the testimony discloses the fact that claw
of the United States are openly and defiant
ly violated throughout the Territory, anC
that an armed force is necessary to preserve
the peace and give security to the lives and
property Of citizens of the United Stateo re
siding therein. The only witness introduc.
ed at the request Of the delegate from Utah
admits the necessity Of maintaining United
States troops in the Territory, in order to Sc
cure protection and safety to persons and
property. Thei Committee have been un-
able TO adopt the suggestions made by some
of the gentlemen examined for the abolition
Of the present territorial Government OF
Utah, and the establishment of a military
government They also regret to state that
they have been unable TO agree upon and
submit for the action Of the House a plan
which seemed to them to promise practical
solution Of the abuse and evils complained
Of and which are admitted to exist. They
do not deem it advisable either to divide the
territory and annex it to Nevada and the
territories adjacent, nor do they favor the
establishment of a military government.
They have therefore been compelled to post
pone the further consideration Of the matter
until December next.
On the 18th June, Mr. HOOPER, the dele
gate from Utah, addressed a letter to the
Chairman Of the Committee, in which he de-
MED the statements Of some of the witnesses,
and asks that no report be made to the
House until the people Of Utah could be
heard in reply 10 the charges made against
them. He also asked for a copy of the tes-
timony already taken which the Committee
declined to furnish him. He subsequently
appeared before the Committee and request
ed that a select committee, or a sub-cOm-
mittee from the Territorial Committee be
sent to Utah by direction of the House, with
authority 10 examine and report on all the
allegations made by the Witnesses examined,
and also on the condition of all classes re-
siding in the Territory. The Committee
were unable TO satisfy themselves that any
material facts could be obtained even if a
subcommittee should 90 to the Territory;
they. therefore, declined to ask the House to
make an order which would necessarily in
volve large expenditure Of money in send
ing such n committee 10 Utah. Among the
witnesses examined was JOSEPH SMITH, the
son Of the founder Of the Mormon Church,
who says that the book of Mormon explicitly
condemns and forbids polygamy, which was
not known, acknowledged, or held as an ar
ticle Of faith until BRIGHAM YOUNG became
the leader Of that part of the Church which
went west with him.
The Church did not, under the Presiden-
cy of his father, nor does it now, under his.
The witnesses testify that the Presidency
teaches hostility to the Government Of the
United States. Gen. CoNNoR, who has been
Military Commander Of the District Of Utah
since 1852, testified that polygamy is taught
as a fundamental principle of the Mormon
religion, and disloyGlty and treason to the
government Bis a practice enjoined by its te-
net. 1t is regarded by good Mormons not
only allowable, but meritorious to assail and
despoil the Federal Government in every
practicable way. Gen. CoNNoR has no
doubt the Mormon leaders have assumed to
authorize and Justify homicide. He believes
il from their own record, from current report
among themselves, and from Mormon who
confessed to him that he had committed
murder by direction of the Mormon leaders
and believed at the time he was doing right
as taught by them. As further evidence,
the witness submitted the following copy Of
a special order issued by BRIGHAM YOUNG
for the murder Of eighty innocent men, dis
charged teamsters of Gen. JoHNsoN's COM
mand, then at Fort Bridger, Utah, who were
IN route for California. Fortunately the Of
hcer designated to execute the order was a
humane person and did not execute it, and
lately gave the original order to a Federal
officer in Utah, and it is now in Gen. Cox
NoR's possession. The signature Of JAMES
FERGUSoN is authenticated by the aflidavits
Of two respectable merchants Of Salt Lake
City.
SALT LAKE CITY, April 9, ISjS.-SPE-
CIAL LORDER-The officer in command Of es-
cort is hereby ordered TO see that every man
il well prepared with ammunition, and have
it ready at the time you see those teamsters
hundred miles from the settlements. Presi-
dent You've advises that they should be all
killed 90 prevent them from returning to
BridEcr 20 Join our enemies. Every precau-
tion should be taken, and see that not one
escapes. Secrecy is required. BY order Of
GEN. DANIEL II. WELLS.
JAMES FERGUSON, A. A. q.
Other witnesses testified TO the demoral-
ized condition Of the Mormons.