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  2. Documents, Volume 12, Part 4 Introduction: June–July 1843

Part 4: June–July 1843

During June and July 1843, JS continued to lead the Saints even as he contended with an attempt by
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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and
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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state officials to extradite him to stand trial in Missouri for allegedly committing treason during the 1838 conflict between Latter-day Saints and their opponents in that state. Documents from June and July show that JS performed routine ecclesiastical and civil responsibilities, delivered significant doctrinal discourses, and dictated a lengthy revelation on eternal and plural marriage. He also participated in multiple legal actions resulting from the extradition attempt.
JS's civic and financial responsibilities demanded much of his attention during these months. As mayor of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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, Illinois, he attended city council meetings and signed a city ordinance that gave him sole authorization to operate a ferry near Nauvoo on the
Mississippi River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
.
1

Ordinance, 1 June 1843; see also Letter from James Adams, 8 June 1843.


Managing land transactions in the city was a particularly pressing issue. Most significantly, on 7 July 1843 land speculators
Smith Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

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and
John Gillet

2 Aug. 1796–17 July 1848. Likely born in Connecticut. Son of Benoni Gillett and Phoebe Dean. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, by May 1837. In Aug. 1839, with land-speculating partners Horace Hotchkiss and Smith Tuttle, sold land in...

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renegotiated the terms of an 1839 agreement in which the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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purchased on credit approximately four hundred acres of land on the
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

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peninsula, the area that became Nauvoo. The renegotiated agreement allowed the church to retain fifty city lots, amounting to forty-seven acres—located primarily to the west of the church’s unfinished
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

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—while returning the rights to the remaining property to the land speculators.
2

See Bond from Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, 7 July 1843.


Ecclesiastical concerns also required JS’s time. In early June, he signed two significant authorizations. The first authorized
George J. Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

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to raise funds for a mission to Russia, while the second permitted
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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to collect donations in the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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for the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

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and the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
.
3

Authorization for George J. Adams, ca. 1 June 1843; Authorization for Brigham Young, 1 June 1843.


Church members such as
Joseph L. Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

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conveyed donations to JS, the church’s trustee-in-trust, for the ongoing construction of the Nauvoo temple.
4

See Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 5 June 1843; and Appointment as Trustee, 2 Feb. 1841.


In addition, JS received correspondence dealing with subjects such as political candidates and the purported discovery of ancient metal plates near Kinderhook, Illinois. He was also invited to submit a short history of the church for publication.
5

See Letter from Daniel McNeil, 21 July 1843; Letter from David Orr, 14 June 1843; and Letter from Clyde, Williams & Co., between ca. 1 and 15 July 1843.


JS focused considerable attention in these months on instructing the Saints. He delivered several discourses on a variety of subjects, including the construction of the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
, his 1820 vision of Deity, and the nature of the
priesthood

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

View Glossary
.
6

Discourse, 11 June 1843–A; Discourse, 11 June 1843–B; Discourse, 16 July 1843; Discourse, 23 July 1843; see also Discourse, 9 July 1843; and Discourse, between 11 June and 23 July 1843.


He also expanded the doctrinal and textual foundations of eternal and plural marriage. Although he had previously introduced the practice of plural marriage to a small group of female and male confidants, a revelation he dictated on 12 July 1843 provided the most detailed explication of the subject recorded during his lifetime.
7

Revelation, 12 July 1843 [D&C 132]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from May through August 1842”; and Blessing to Sarah Ann Whitney, 23 Mar. 1843.


Four days later, JS delivered his first public discourse on the eternal nature of marital unions sealed by priesthood authority.
8

Discourse, 16 July 1843.


During late June and early July 1843, JS was preoccupied with his efforts to extricate himself from the most recent extradition attempt by
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
officials, the third since he relocated to
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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four years earlier. The first attempt occurred in 1840–1841 and was based on a treason charge stemming from the 1838 conflict. In June 1841, JS appeared before Illinois judge
Stephen A. Douglas

23 Apr. 1813–3 June 1861. Lawyer, politician. Born at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Stephen Arnold Douglass and Sarah Fisk. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, 1830. Moved to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois, 1833. Served as attorney general of Illinois...

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on a writ of
habeas corpus

“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...

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, a common law remedy that allowed an authorized court to review the legality of an arrest. Douglas discharged JS, citing a deficiency in the warrant.
9

See JS, Journal, 22–23 Apr. 1839; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes; and “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

The second attempt was based on JS’s alleged role in the attempted assassination of former Missouri governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

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in May 1842. In January 1843, JS appeared on a writ of habeas corpus before the
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
Circuit Court for the District of Illinois. Judge
Nathaniel Pope

5 Jan. 1784–22 Jan. 1850. Lawyer, judge. Born at present-day Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of William Pope and Penelope Edwards. Graduated from Transylvania University, 1806, at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Moved to St. Genevieve, St. Genevieve...

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ruled that the documents supporting the extradition were insufficient and discharged JS from arrest.
10

Court Ruling, 5 Jan. 1843; see also “Part 1: March 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Accessory to Assault.


Following JS’s release, former Latter-day Saint
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

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coordinated with his allies in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
to reinitiate extradition proceedings on the treason charge.
11

On 5 August 1840, Missouri court officials dismissed the treason indictment against JS that stemmed from the 1838 conflict, as it became clear that he was not going to appear for trial. This dismissal did not function as an acquittal, however, meaning he could be charged again with the same offense. (Boone Co., MO, Circuit Court Record, 1821–1925, vol. C, p. 317, microfilm 981,755, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Nolle Prosequi,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 2:183.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

Bennett and his collaborators arranged for a grand jury in
Daviess County

Area in northwest Missouri settled by European Americans, 1830. Sparsely inhabited until 1838. Created from Ray Co., Dec. 1836, in attempt to resolve conflicts related to Latter-day Saint settlement in that region. County is transected diagonally from northwest...

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, Missouri, to again indict JS for treason based on the 1838 evidence, believing that with proper documentation JS would not be able to use the writ of habeas corpus to challenge the extradition.
12

See John C. Bennett, Springfield, IL, to Sidney Rigdon and Orson Pratt, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Jan. [1843], Sidney Rigdon, Collection, CHL; and Samuel C. Owens, Independence, MO, to Thomas Ford, 10 June 1843, copy, JS Office Papers, CHL.


On 5 June 1843, the grand jury returned the new indictment alleging that in October 1838, JS and at least five hundred armed men had assembled in Daviess County and levied “public war” against the state of Missouri, alluding to the definition of treason included in the the Missouri state constitution.
13

Indictment, Daviess Co., MO, [5] June 1843, State of Missouri v. JS for Treason (Daviess Co. Cir. Ct. 1843), Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Mason Brayman, 3 July 1843, Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; see also Historical Introduction to State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852. Illinois State Archives, Springfield.

Based on the indictment,
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
governor
Thomas Reynolds

12 Mar. 1796–9 Feb. 1844. Attorney, politician, judge. Born at Mason Co. (later Bracken Co.), Kentucky. Son of Nathaniel Reynolds and Catherine Vernon. Admitted to Kentucky bar, 1817. Moved to Illinois, by 1818. Served as clerk of Illinois House of Representatives...

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initiated a third extradition attempt. On 13 June 1843, he prepared a requisition demanding that
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
officials apprehend JS and deliver him to Sheriff
Joseph H. Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
of
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

More Info
, Missouri.
14

Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]. The requisition is apparently not extant. The power of attorney designating Reynolds as the agent authorized to convey JS to Missouri is featured with JS’s petition to the Nauvoo Municipal Court. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

After receiving the requisition, Governor
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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issued a warrant for JS’s arrest on 17 June and gave it to Constable
Harmon T. Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
of
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
, Illinois.
15

The warrant is featured in Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.


In mid-June, JS and his family departed
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
to visit
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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’s sister Elizabeth Hale Wasson in Palestine Grove, near
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
, Illinois.
16

See JS, Journal, 13 June 1843; and Chase, “Township of Amboy,” 57–58.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Chase, D. G. “Township of Amboy.” In Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee County, [edited by Seraphina Gardner Smith], 9–157. Dixon, IL: Inez A. Kennedy, 1893.

On 23 June 1843, Wilson and Reynolds, who may have been apprised of the trip, approached the Wasson home pretending to be Latter-day Saint missionaries. Wilson apprehended JS in a rough manner and transferred custody to Reynolds. The two lawmen then transported JS to Dixon, where they hoped to acquire fresh horses and quickly convey JS to Missouri.
17

See Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; and Historical Introduction to Affidavit, 24 June 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

With the aid of several
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
residents, none of whom were members of the church, JS retained attorneys
Shepherd Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

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and
Edward Southwick

10 Aug. 1812–26 Nov. 1857. Lawyer. Born in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of Edward Southwick and Catherine Wilkinson. Studied law in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. Admitted to New York bar, 1836. Moved to Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, fall 1836. Admitted...

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. They were subsequently joined by
Cyrus Walker

6 May 1791–Dec. 1875. Lawyer. Born in Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Son of Alexander Walker and Mary Magdalene Hammond. Presbyterian. Moved to Adair Co., Kentucky, ca. 1794. Lived in Columbia, Adair Co., by 1810. Married Flora Montgomery, 30 Jan. 1817, in Adair...

View Full Bio
, an attorney and congressional candidate who was campaigning in the area.
18

Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584; see also Discourse, 30 June 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

JS and his attorneys initiated several legal actions designed to hinder the extradition. First, they obtained a writ of habeas corpus that required
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
to present JS before an
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
circuit court judge, who would review the legality of the detention.
19

In answer to a petition from JS, Joseph Chamberlin, the Lee County master in chancery, ordered circuit court clerk Charles Chase to issue the writ of habeas corpus, in accordance with Illinois law. (Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584; Affidavit, 24 June 1843; see also “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454; An Act to Provide for Issuing Writs of Ne Exeat and Habeas Corpus, and for Other Purposes [11 Feb. 1835], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 145, sec. 2; People v. Town, 4 Ill. [3 Scammon] 19 [Ill. Sup. Ct. 1841]; JS, Journal, 27 Dec. 1842; Kent, Commentaries on American Law, 2:25–31; and Walker, “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism,” 5–8.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Scammon / Scammon, J. Young. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois. 4 vols. St. Louis: W. J. Gilbert, 1869–1870.

Kent, James. Commentaries on American Law. Vol. 2. New York: O. Halsted, 1827.

Walker, Jeffrey N. “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism: Joseph Smith’s Legal Bulwark for Personal Freedom.” BYU Studies 52, no. 1 (2013): 4–97.

Next, the attorneys brought multiple charges against the lawmen stemming from their handling of JS’s arrest.
20

The documents for the cases stemming from these charges are apparently not extant. However, both William Clayton and Reynolds summarized the charges. Wilson and Reynolds were charged with committing assault and battery against JS and Latter-day Saint Stephen Markham, who was with JS at the time of the arrest. Wilson was also charged with denying JS the right to a writ of habeas corpus. (Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; see also JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Finally, JS and his lawyers brought a civil suit against Reynolds and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
for false imprisonment and personal injury. JS submitted to the
Lee County

Located in north-central Illinois, with part of northern county boundary formed by Rock River. Fertile agricultural area. French trappers frequented area, by 1780. Second Black Hawk campaign fought in area, 1832. Illinois Central Railroad construction began...

More Info
Circuit Court an affidavit recounting his arrest, after which Lee County sheriff James Campbell arrested Reynolds and Wilson and held them in custody until they could secure bail.
21

See Affidavit, 24 June 1843.


On 24 June, JS, his attorneys, his captors, Sheriff Campbell, and a few others departed
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
for Ottawa, Illinois, where they expected to appear before Judge John Caton. The party traveled more than thirty miles to
Paw Paw Grove

Settlement in northern Illinois; established 1834. Post office established in settlement, 1837. Stagecoach road built through area, 1839. While under arrest, en route from Dixon to Ottawa, Illinois, for trial, JS delivered discourse to local residents and...

More Info
, where they learned that Caton was in
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

More Info
. On 25 June, they returned to Dixon, arriving in the late afternoon.
22

JS History, vol. D-1, 1584–1585; “Missouri vs Joseph Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1843, 4:243; see also Discourse, 4 July 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

They obtained another writ of habeas corpus for JS, which commanded
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
to present JS “before the nearest Judge or Judicial tribunal” in the fifth judicial circuit “authorised to hear and determine upon writs of Habeas Corpus.”
23

Shepherd Patrick et al., Affidavit, [Nauvoo, IL], 2 July 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL. The writ of habeas corpus is apparently not extant, but JS’s attorneys alluded to its language in a 2 July 1843 affidavit. Under Illinois law, judges of the state’s supreme and circuit courts were authorized to review the legality of detentions on habeas corpus. In 1841, the Illinois legislature divided the state into nine judicial circuits, each of which covered several counties. Each circuit was presided over by one judge, who held court in county circuit courts in biannual sessions, with times determined by the legislature. In June 1843, the fifth judicial circuit included ten counties—Adams, Brown, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Marquette, McDonough, Schuyler, and Warren—which were clustered along the western border of Illinois. (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 322, sec. 1; An Act to Establish Circuit Courts [23 Feb. 1841], Laws of the State of Illinois [1840–1841], pp. 103–105, 108, secs. 1, 4, 9, 18; An Act to Change the Time of Holding Courts in the Fifth Judicial Circuit [4 Mar. 1843], Laws of the State of Illinois [1842–1843], p. 136, secs. 1, 4; see map of Illinois.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Twelfth General Assembly, at Their Session, Began and Held at Springfield, on the Seventh of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1841.

JS and his attorneys reportedly decided to appear before circuit court judge
Richard M. Young

20 Feb. 1798–28 Nov. 1861. Attorney, judge, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Moved to Jonesboro, Union Co., Illinois Territory. Admitted to Illinois bar, 1817, in Jonesboro. Served as state representative from Union Co., 1820–1822. Married Matilda...

View Full Bio
in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, possibly because Young had previously been friendly to JS and the church.
24

“Arrest of Joseph Smith,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 19 July 1843, [2]; Historical Introduction to Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840. Stephen A. Douglas was previously judge of the fifth judicial circuit, but he resigned his judgeship on 28 June 1843 to run as Illinois’s Democratic candidate for Congress. Although Young was judge of the seventh judicial circuit, he maintained residency in Quincy, which was located within the fifth circuit. (An Act to Establish Circuit Courts [23 Feb. 1841], Laws of the State of Illinois [1840–1841], p. 105, sec. 9; “Stephen A. Douglas,” Illinois State Register [Springfield], 23 June 1843, [2]; Gross and Gross, Index to All the Laws of the State of Illinois, ix; Snyder, “Forgotten Statesmen of Illinois,” 318, 320.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Twelfth General Assembly, at Their Session, Began and Held at Springfield, on the Seventh of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1841.

Illinois State Register. Springfield, IL. 1839–1861.

Gross, Eugene L., and William L. Gross. An Index to All the Laws of the State of Illinois, Both Public and Private, Which Are Not Printed at Large in Gross’ Statutes of 1869. Springfield, IL: E. L. and W. L. Gross, 1869.

Snyder, John F. “Forgotten Statemen of Illinois. Hon. Conrad Will.” In Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1905, 350–377. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Historical Library, 1906.

Reynolds and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
, still in Sheriff Campbell’s custody due to JS’s civil suit, also obtained a writ of habeas corpus with the intent to appear before Young to challenge their detention.
25

Reynolds and Wilson obtained their writ of habeas corpus from Lee County court officials, as JS did. (Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw [IL] Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

The traveling party departed
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
on 26 June. Although
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
was the stated destination, it appears that no one in the party actually intended to go there.
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
wanted the party to head west to the
Mississippi River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
, where a steamboat was waiting for them, ostensibly to convey them more quickly to Quincy further south on the river. JS and his associates in the party suspected that once on the boat, Reynolds intended to force JS into
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
. JS and his allies instead insisted that the group travel overland in the direction of Quincy.
26

Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2]; “Arrest of Joseph Smith,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 19 July 1843, [2]; JS History, vol. D-1, 1587–1589.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Reynolds later claimed that JS and his allies insisted on the overland route because it would bring them close to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
and the city’s municipal court, where JS would seek discharge on habeas corpus.
27

Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

JS’s attorney
Edward Southwick

10 Aug. 1812–26 Nov. 1857. Lawyer. Born in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of Edward Southwick and Catherine Wilkinson. Studied law in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. Admitted to New York bar, 1836. Moved to Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, fall 1836. Admitted...

View Full Bio
confirmed Reynolds’s suspicion, explaining in July 1843 that prior to the group’s departure from Dixon, “it was the determination of the whole company”—apparently including Sheriff Campbell, who held Reynolds and Wilson in custody—“to go to Nauvoo.” Southwick further claimed that the stagecoach was “chartered to go to Nauvoo.”
28

[Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1]; Editorial, 15 July 1843, in Warsaw Message, 12 July 1843, [3]. In JS’s 30 June 1843 discourse, he also implied that the decision to go to Nauvoo rather than Quincy was made before leaving Dixon. (See Discourse, 30 June 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

The municipal court’s habeas corpus powers caused significant controversy in western
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
during the early 1840s. Church members argued that the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
charter, which was granted by the Illinois state legislature in 1840, and various city ordinances subsequently passed by the city council granted the court authority to review any warrant, regardless of whether it was issued by federal, state, or city officials. The church’s opponents countered that the legislature had envisioned the municipal court reviewing detentions stemming from alleged violations of city ordinances, not state or federal laws.
29

See Historical Introduction to Discourse, 30 June 1843; and Smith, “Untouchable,” 1–42.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Alex D. “Untouchable: Joseph Smith’s Use of the Law as Catalyst for Assassination.” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 112, no. 1 (Spring 2019): 8–42.

JS later explained that he had “dictated” to attorney
Cyrus Walker

6 May 1791–Dec. 1875. Lawyer. Born in Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Son of Alexander Walker and Mary Magdalene Hammond. Presbyterian. Moved to Adair Co., Kentucky, ca. 1794. Lived in Columbia, Adair Co., by 1810. Married Flora Montgomery, 30 Jan. 1817, in Adair...

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“the laws of Nauvoo” regarding habeas corpus and that Walker “rec[e]ived them on my testimony.” JS claimed that he had “converted” Walker “to the truth of Habeus Corpus.”
30

JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1843; Discourse, 30 June 1843.


Southwick

10 Aug. 1812–26 Nov. 1857. Lawyer. Born in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of Edward Southwick and Catherine Wilkinson. Studied law in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. Admitted to New York bar, 1836. Moved to Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, fall 1836. Admitted...

View Full Bio
explained that both he and
Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
were also convinced, later stating that the attorneys believed the “jurisdiction of said case was very properly entertained by said court.” Southwick further argued that because “the language of the writ of habeas corpus” obtained in
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
stated that the writ was returnable before the nearest court with habeas corpus powers within the fifth judicial circuit, the writ gave JS “the right to go before the municipal authority of said city.”
31

Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
later stated that he “did not intend” to allow JS to appear before the Nauvoo Municipal Court, which in his view “had no legal power to interfere in the matter at all.”
32

Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

After the party passed through Geneseo, Illinois, on 27 June, a small group of
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
scouts intercepted JS’s group. The scouts were among approximately two hundred legion soldiers who began departing
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
on 25 June to search for JS and to rescue him if his captors sought to convey him out of the
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
without due process. Over the next few days, dozens of legion troops joined the traveling party.
33

JS History, vol. D-1, 1587; Woodruff, Journal, 25 June 1843. Willard Richards wrote in JS’s journal that “about 40” legion troops were part of the traveling party when it entered Nauvoo on 30 June 1843. However, Peter Cownover, one of the soldiers who intercepted the party on 27 June, reported in 1854 that “about 100” troops joined the party “in several little squads” prior to reaching Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 30 June 1843; Peter Cownover, Statement, [26 Sept. 1854], Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL; see also Clayton, Journal, 30 June 1843; and William McIntire, Statement, 3 Oct. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Although armed, they evidently kept their weapons hidden;
Southwick

10 Aug. 1812–26 Nov. 1857. Lawyer. Born in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of Edward Southwick and Catherine Wilkinson. Studied law in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. Admitted to New York bar, 1836. Moved to Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, fall 1836. Admitted...

View Full Bio
and other
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
citizens who were with the traveling party later claimed that the troops did not have any visible weapons.
34

A version of the affidavit featuring this information can be found in Letter from Edward Southwick, 29 July 1843.


JS enjoined the troops not to harm
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
, while JS’s allies in the traveling party pledged that they would not allow JS to escape prior to his appearance before a court on habeas corpus.
35

Discourse, 30 June 1843; [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

As the traveling party approached
Monmouth

Post village about 120 miles northwest of Springfield. Made county seat, 1831. Population in 1858 about 900.

More Info
, Illinois, on 28 June, they left the main road that would have taken them to
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
and instead followed the route toward Nauvoo, despite Reynolds’s objections.
36

Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; JS History, vol. D-1, 1589.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

As the party approached
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
on 30 June, “an immenes [immense] concourse of people” accompanied by a band met them and escorted the company into the city. JS and
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
hosted
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
at their home for the midday meal, after which JS petitioned the Nauvoo Municipal Court for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted.
37

JS, Journal, 30 June 1843; Clayton, Journal, 30 June 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Although Reynolds “refused to recognise the jurisdiction of the court,” he nevertheless wrote on the writ of habeas corpus a notation explaining by what authority he detained JS, effectively transferring custody of JS to the court for the hearing.
38

Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

In the evening, JS addressed the Saints, recounting his arrest and the journey to Nauvoo and defending the Nauvoo Municipal Court’s habeas corpus powers.
39

Discourse, 30 June 1843.


On 1 July 1843, the municipal court justices heard testimony regarding the extradition and the 1838 conflict in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
. The court then discharged JS, citing deficiencies in
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
’s warrant and, “upon the merits of said Case,” essentially acquitting JS from the treason charge.
40

Minutes, 1 July 1843, Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo Mun. Ct. 1843), JS Collection, CHL; Docket Entry, ca. 1 July 1843, Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo Mun. Ct. 1843), Nauvoo Municipal Court Docket Book, 55–56, 60–87, 116–150; see also Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Treason.


Following the 1 July 1843 discharge, Sheriff Campbell allowed
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
to leave
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
and go to
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
, Illinois, the seat of
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
, where they gave bail and were discharged from his custody on the condition that they would appear at the next session of the
Lee County

Located in north-central Illinois, with part of northern county boundary formed by Rock River. Fertile agricultural area. French trappers frequented area, by 1780. Second Black Hawk campaign fought in area, 1832. Illinois Central Railroad construction began...

More Info
Circuit Court for JS’s civil suit against them.
41

See Recognizance for Joseph H. Reynolds, [Carthage, IL], 1 July 1843; Recognizance for Harmon T. Wilson, [Carthage, IL], 1 July 1843, JS v. Reynolds and Wilson (Lee Co. Cir. Ct. 1843), microfilm, CHL; and [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

According to
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
, while in Carthage, the lawmen claimed that JS “had resisted the law and the Mormons had rescued him.” Furthermore, Reynolds and Wilson “had made some excitement & had petitioned the Gov. to send on an armed force to take” JS.
42

Clayton, Journal, 2 July 1843; see also JS, Journal, 2 July 1843; and Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

In response, church members forwarded a petition to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
asking him not to take this action and sent missionaries throughout
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
to tell the Saints’ side of the story. JS also spoke publicly on 4 July about his arrest and the history of the Saints’ difficulties with their antagonists in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
.
43

Clayton, Journal, 2 July 1843; JS, Journal, 2 July 1843; Discourse, 4 July 1843; see also Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

Seeking reliable information on the arrest and subsequent events,
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
sent attorney
Mason Brayman

23 May 1813–27 Feb. 1895. Farmer, lawyer, printer, editor, soldier, railroad developer, politician. Born in Buffalo, Erie Co., New York. Son of Daniel Brayman and Anna English. Prominent Baptist layman and temperance crusader. Edited Buffalo Bulletin, 1834...

View Full Bio
to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
to investigate the claims made by
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson

1 Feb. 1815–27 June 1851. Merchant, deputy sheriff. Born in Montgomery Co., Virginia. Son of John Wilson and Elizabeth Cummins. Moved to Christianburg, Montgomery Co., by 7 Aug. 1820; to Newbern, Montgomery Co., by June 1830; and to Hancock Co., Illinois,...

View Full Bio
. On 7 July, JS recounted his experience in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
in 1838 and 1839 in an affidavit, which was sent, along with copies of the evidence submitted to the municipal court in the habeas corpus hearing, to Ford on 9 July.
44

Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Mason Brayman, 3 July 1843, Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; Affidavit, 7 July 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852. Illinois State Archives, Springfield.

At the end of the month, Brayman wrote to inform JS that Ford had decided not to grant Reynolds’s request to send the state militia to arrest JS.
45

Letter from Mason Brayman, 29 July 1843.


JS’s attorney
Edward Southwick

10 Aug. 1812–26 Nov. 1857. Lawyer. Born in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of Edward Southwick and Catherine Wilkinson. Studied law in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. Admitted to New York bar, 1836. Moved to Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, fall 1836. Admitted...

View Full Bio
also wrote recounting his efforts to influence public opinion via the press in response to the negative fallout from the claims made by Reynolds and Wilson.
46

Letter from Edward Southwick, 29 July 1843.


Twenty-five JS documents created in June and July 1843 are reproduced in part 4, including correspondence, accounts of discourses, legal and financial documents, a revelation, and other miscellaneous documents.
  1. 1

    Ordinance, 1 June 1843; see also Letter from James Adams, 8 June 1843.

  2. 2

    See Bond from Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, 7 July 1843.

  3. 3

    Authorization for George J. Adams, ca. 1 June 1843; Authorization for Brigham Young, 1 June 1843.

  4. 4

    See Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 5 June 1843; and Appointment as Trustee, 2 Feb. 1841.

  5. 5

    See Letter from Daniel McNeil, 21 July 1843; Letter from David Orr, 14 June 1843; and Letter from Clyde, Williams & Co., between ca. 1 and 15 July 1843.

  6. 6

    Discourse, 11 June 1843–A; Discourse, 11 June 1843–B; Discourse, 16 July 1843; Discourse, 23 July 1843; see also Discourse, 9 July 1843; and Discourse, between 11 June and 23 July 1843.

  7. 7

    Revelation, 12 July 1843 [D&C 132]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from May through August 1842”; and Blessing to Sarah Ann Whitney, 23 Mar. 1843.

  8. 8

    Discourse, 16 July 1843.

  9. 9

    See JS, Journal, 22–23 Apr. 1839; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes; and “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454.

    Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

  10. 10

    Court Ruling, 5 Jan. 1843; see also “Part 1: March 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Accessory to Assault.

  11. 11

    On 5 August 1840, Missouri court officials dismissed the treason indictment against JS that stemmed from the 1838 conflict, as it became clear that he was not going to appear for trial. This dismissal did not function as an acquittal, however, meaning he could be charged again with the same offense. (Boone Co., MO, Circuit Court Record, 1821–1925, vol. C, p. 317, microfilm 981,755, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; “Nolle Prosequi,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 2:183.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

  12. 12

    See John C. Bennett, Springfield, IL, to Sidney Rigdon and Orson Pratt, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Jan. [1843], Sidney Rigdon, Collection, CHL; and Samuel C. Owens, Independence, MO, to Thomas Ford, 10 June 1843, copy, JS Office Papers, CHL.

  13. 13

    Indictment, Daviess Co., MO, [5] June 1843, State of Missouri v. JS for Treason (Daviess Co. Cir. Ct. 1843), Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Mason Brayman, 3 July 1843, Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; see also Historical Introduction to State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason.

    Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852. Illinois State Archives, Springfield.

  14. 14

    Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]. The requisition is apparently not extant. The power of attorney designating Reynolds as the agent authorized to convey JS to Missouri is featured with JS’s petition to the Nauvoo Municipal Court. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.)

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  15. 15

    The warrant is featured in Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.

  16. 16

    See JS, Journal, 13 June 1843; and Chase, “Township of Amboy,” 57–58.

    Chase, D. G. “Township of Amboy.” In Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee County, [edited by Seraphina Gardner Smith], 9–157. Dixon, IL: Inez A. Kennedy, 1893.

  17. 17

    See Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; and Historical Introduction to Affidavit, 24 June 1843.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  18. 18

    Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584; see also Discourse, 30 June 1843.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  19. 19

    In answer to a petition from JS, Joseph Chamberlin, the Lee County master in chancery, ordered circuit court clerk Charles Chase to issue the writ of habeas corpus, in accordance with Illinois law. (Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584; Affidavit, 24 June 1843; see also “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454; An Act to Provide for Issuing Writs of Ne Exeat and Habeas Corpus, and for Other Purposes [11 Feb. 1835], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 145, sec. 2; People v. Town, 4 Ill. [3 Scammon] 19 [Ill. Sup. Ct. 1841]; JS, Journal, 27 Dec. 1842; Kent, Commentaries on American Law, 2:25–31; and Walker, “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism,” 5–8.)

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

    The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    Scammon / Scammon, J. Young. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois. 4 vols. St. Louis: W. J. Gilbert, 1869–1870.

    Kent, James. Commentaries on American Law. Vol. 2. New York: O. Halsted, 1827.

    Walker, Jeffrey N. “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism: Joseph Smith’s Legal Bulwark for Personal Freedom.” BYU Studies 52, no. 1 (2013): 4–97.

  20. 20

    The documents for the cases stemming from these charges are apparently not extant. However, both William Clayton and Reynolds summarized the charges. Wilson and Reynolds were charged with committing assault and battery against JS and Latter-day Saint Stephen Markham, who was with JS at the time of the arrest. Wilson was also charged with denying JS the right to a writ of habeas corpus. (Clayton, Journal, 23 June 1843; Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; see also JS History, vol. D-1, 1583–1584.)

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  21. 21

    See Affidavit, 24 June 1843.

  22. 22

    JS History, vol. D-1, 1584–1585; “Missouri vs Joseph Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1843, 4:243; see also Discourse, 4 July 1843.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  23. 23

    Shepherd Patrick et al., Affidavit, [Nauvoo, IL], 2 July 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL. The writ of habeas corpus is apparently not extant, but JS’s attorneys alluded to its language in a 2 July 1843 affidavit. Under Illinois law, judges of the state’s supreme and circuit courts were authorized to review the legality of detentions on habeas corpus. In 1841, the Illinois legislature divided the state into nine judicial circuits, each of which covered several counties. Each circuit was presided over by one judge, who held court in county circuit courts in biannual sessions, with times determined by the legislature. In June 1843, the fifth judicial circuit included ten counties—Adams, Brown, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Marquette, McDonough, Schuyler, and Warren—which were clustered along the western border of Illinois. (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, p. 322, sec. 1; An Act to Establish Circuit Courts [23 Feb. 1841], Laws of the State of Illinois [1840–1841], pp. 103–105, 108, secs. 1, 4, 9, 18; An Act to Change the Time of Holding Courts in the Fifth Judicial Circuit [4 Mar. 1843], Laws of the State of Illinois [1842–1843], p. 136, secs. 1, 4; see map of Illinois.)

    The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Twelfth General Assembly, at Their Session, Began and Held at Springfield, on the Seventh of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1841.

  24. 24

    “Arrest of Joseph Smith,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 19 July 1843, [2]; Historical Introduction to Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840. Stephen A. Douglas was previously judge of the fifth judicial circuit, but he resigned his judgeship on 28 June 1843 to run as Illinois’s Democratic candidate for Congress. Although Young was judge of the seventh judicial circuit, he maintained residency in Quincy, which was located within the fifth circuit. (An Act to Establish Circuit Courts [23 Feb. 1841], Laws of the State of Illinois [1840–1841], p. 105, sec. 9; “Stephen A. Douglas,” Illinois State Register [Springfield], 23 June 1843, [2]; Gross and Gross, Index to All the Laws of the State of Illinois, ix; Snyder, “Forgotten Statesmen of Illinois,” 318, 320.)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

    Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Twelfth General Assembly, at Their Session, Began and Held at Springfield, on the Seventh of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1841.

    Illinois State Register. Springfield, IL. 1839–1861.

    Gross, Eugene L., and William L. Gross. An Index to All the Laws of the State of Illinois, Both Public and Private, Which Are Not Printed at Large in Gross’ Statutes of 1869. Springfield, IL: E. L. and W. L. Gross, 1869.

    Snyder, John F. “Forgotten Statemen of Illinois. Hon. Conrad Will.” In Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1905, 350–377. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Historical Library, 1906.

  25. 25

    Reynolds and Wilson obtained their writ of habeas corpus from Lee County court officials, as JS did. (Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw [IL] Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].)

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  26. 26

    Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2]; “Arrest of Joseph Smith,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 19 July 1843, [2]; JS History, vol. D-1, 1587–1589.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  27. 27

    Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  28. 28

    [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1]; Editorial, 15 July 1843, in Warsaw Message, 12 July 1843, [3]. In JS’s 30 June 1843 discourse, he also implied that the decision to go to Nauvoo rather than Quincy was made before leaving Dixon. (See Discourse, 30 June 1843.)

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  29. 29

    See Historical Introduction to Discourse, 30 June 1843; and Smith, “Untouchable,” 1–42.

    Smith, Alex D. “Untouchable: Joseph Smith’s Use of the Law as Catalyst for Assassination.” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 112, no. 1 (Spring 2019): 8–42.

  30. 30

    JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1843; Discourse, 30 June 1843.

  31. 31

    Edward Southwick, St. Louis, MO, 12 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 12 July 1843, [2].

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  32. 32

    Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  33. 33

    JS History, vol. D-1, 1587; Woodruff, Journal, 25 June 1843. Willard Richards wrote in JS’s journal that “about 40” legion troops were part of the traveling party when it entered Nauvoo on 30 June 1843. However, Peter Cownover, one of the soldiers who intercepted the party on 27 June, reported in 1854 that “about 100” troops joined the party “in several little squads” prior to reaching Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 30 June 1843; Peter Cownover, Statement, [26 Sept. 1854], Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL; see also Clayton, Journal, 30 June 1843; and William McIntire, Statement, 3 Oct. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  34. 34

    A version of the affidavit featuring this information can be found in Letter from Edward Southwick, 29 July 1843.

  35. 35

    Discourse, 30 June 1843; [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  36. 36

    Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2]; JS History, vol. D-1, 1589.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  37. 37

    JS, Journal, 30 June 1843; Clayton, Journal, 30 June 1843.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  38. 38

    Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  39. 39

    Discourse, 30 June 1843.

  40. 40

    Minutes, 1 July 1843, Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo Mun. Ct. 1843), JS Collection, CHL; Docket Entry, ca. 1 July 1843, Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo Mun. Ct. 1843), Nauvoo Municipal Court Docket Book, 55–56, 60–87, 116–150; see also Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Treason.

  41. 41

    See Recognizance for Joseph H. Reynolds, [Carthage, IL], 1 July 1843; Recognizance for Harmon T. Wilson, [Carthage, IL], 1 July 1843, JS v. Reynolds and Wilson (Lee Co. Cir. Ct. 1843), microfilm, CHL; and [Edward Southwick], “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, Extra, 12 July 1843, [1].

    Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

  42. 42

    Clayton, Journal, 2 July 1843; see also JS, Journal, 2 July 1843; and Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  43. 43

    Clayton, Journal, 2 July 1843; JS, Journal, 2 July 1843; Discourse, 4 July 1843; see also Joseph H. Reynolds, St. Louis, MO, 10 July 1843, Letter to the Editor, Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald, 10 July 1843, [2].

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Old School Democrat and Saint Louis Herald. St Louis, MO. 1843–1844.

  44. 44

    Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Mason Brayman, 3 July 1843, Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; Affidavit, 7 July 1843.

    Illinois Governor’s Correspondence, 1816–1852. Illinois State Archives, Springfield.

  45. 45

    Letter from Mason Brayman, 29 July 1843.

  46. 46

    Letter from Edward Southwick, 29 July 1843.

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