Page:The City of the Saints.djvu/564

546 "Dr. Barns, one of the persons who went with the officers to Nauvoo for the purpose of arresting the rioters, having just arrived, came into the meeting, and reported the result of their proceedings, which was, that the persons charged in the writs were duly arrested, but taken from the officer's hands on a writ of habeas corpus from the Municipal Court, and discharged, and the following potent words entered upon the records—.

"On motion of O.C. Skinner, Esq., a vote of thanks was tendered to Dr. Barns for volunteering his services in executing said writs.

"Francis M. Higbee was now loudly called for. He stated his personal knowledge of the Mormons from their earliest history, throughout their hellish career in Missouri and this state, which had been characterized by the darkest and most diabolical deeds which had ever disgraced humanity.

"The committee appointed to draft resolutions brought in the following report, which, after some considerable discussion, was unanimously adopted:

Whereas the officer charged with the execution of a writ against Joseph Smith and others, for riot in the County of Hancock, which said writ said officer has served upon said Smith and others; and whereas said Smith and others refuse to obey the mandate of said writ; and whereas, in the opinion of this meeting, it is impossible for the said officer to raise a posse of sufficient strength to execute said writ; and whereas it is the opinion of this meeting that the riot is still progressing, and that violence is meditated and determined on, it is the opinion of this meeting that the circumstances of the case require the interposition of executive power: Therefore,

Resolved, That a deputation of two discreet men be sent to Springfield to solicit such interposition.

2d. Resolved, That said deputation be furnished with a certified copy of the resolution, and be authorized to obtain evidence by affidavit and otherwise in regard to the violence which has already been committed and is still farther meditated.'

"Dr. Evans here rose and expressed his wish that the above resolutions would not retard our operations, but that we would each one arm and equip ourselves forthwith.

"The resolutions passed at Warsaw were again read by Dr. Barns, and passed by acclamation.

"On motion of A. Sympson, Esq., the suggestion of Mr. Bagby, appointing places of encampment, was adopted, to wit: Warsaw, Carthage, Green Plains, Spilman's Landing, Chili, and La Harpe.

"On motion, O.C. Skinner and Walter Bagby, Esqrs., were appointed a committee to bear the resolutions adopted by this meeting to his excellency the governor, requiring his executive interposition.

"On motion of J.H. Sherman, a Central Corresponding Committee was appointed.

"Ordered, That J.H. Sherman, H.T. Wilson, Chauncy Robinson, Wm. S. Freeman, Thomas Morrison, F.M. Higbee, Lyman Prentiss, and Stephen H. Tyler be said committee.

"On motion of George Rockwell,

"Resolved, That constables in the different precincts hold themselves in readiness to obey the officer in possession of the writs, whenever called upon, in summoning the posse.

"On motion, the meeting adjourned.

", Secretary."

The following will conclude the "Expositor Question:"

",—I write you this morning briefly to inform you of the facts relative to the removal of the press and fixtures of the 'Nauvoo Expositor' as a nuisance.

"The 8th and 10th instant were spent by the City Council of Nauvoo in receiving testimony concerning the character of the 'Expositor,' and the character and designs of the proprietors.

"In the investigation it appeared evident to the Council that the proprietors were a set of unprincipled, lawless debauchees, counterfeiters, bogus-makers, gamblers, peace-disturbers, and that the grand object of said proprietors was to destroy our