Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
, Closing Argument, [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 May [1845], State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [29 May–20 June 1845]; handwriting of and printed text; thirty-one pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
Here, Gentlemen, you will recognise the very same thing that this perjured Daniels swore to on this stand;— Daniels then, is the s informant for, no other person heard any such speech & no such speech was ever made. He relies upon the fabricated tale of this corrupt hirling wretch & grovel<y> sends forth to the world— to the very jury that is to try this man for his life— while he stands — under the sanction & with the power of executive authority, thislyingBullitin. I will not refer you <to> the <other> numerous engines brought to bear upon this trial— originating in the same room & sent forth for the same wicked & unlawful purpose. Let these [page torn] sages— let this filthy & contaminating State Register go— I will not rea[d] more of them, you have heard enough already to fill you with deep & lasting disgust. Why are these unholy [illegible] employed by the authorities of the ?— Why are these unholy means employed by the authorities of the ?— why this extraordinary effort of influence & power to wrest from your fellow citizens their s[page torn] & legal rights?— why this attempt of a high sworn officer to prejudice a public trial & trample upon the Constitution itself? [p. 28]