In addition to being president of the quorum that led the church and the chairman of the Council of Fifty, Young was lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion, the title he used in his letter to Ford. (Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, 31 Mar. 1845, draft, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
When news of the repeal of their charter reached Nauvoo in late January 1845, church leaders wrote several letters to national politicians and lawyers, including Illinois congressman Joseph P. Hoge, seeking advice. Hoge stated that he could not give a legal opinion since he did not have copies of the charter or the act repealing it. Nevertheless, he wrote, “the general power of the Legislature over city charters of its own creation, would I apprehend be unquestioned.” In response to a question from church leaders about “which court would be the most proper tribunal” to challenge the repeal, Hoge stated that Illinois courts would be the correct venue, though he hoped that “the passage of a new & satisfactory charter by the legislature will relieve you from the necessity of taking any steps to vindicate your rights & interests.” (Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, to Stephen A. Douglas et al., 1 Feb. 1845; John Wentworth, Washington DC, to Brigham Young et al., 25 Feb. 1845; Joseph P. Hoge, Washington DC, to Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, 8 Mar. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.