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Discourse, 9 December 1843

Source Note

JS, Discourse, [
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
, Hancock Co., IL, 9 Dec. 1843]. Featured version published in Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, vol. 1, no. 31, [3]. For more complete source information, see the source note for Notice, 26 Aug. 1843.

Historical Introduction

On 9 December 1843, JS addressed citizens 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....

More Info
, Illinois, at a public meeting called by the city council in the aftermath of the kidnappings of
Philander Avery

13 June 1822 or 1823–9 May 1907. Farmer. Born in Franklin Co., Ohio. Son of Daniel Avery and Margaret Adams. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry, Franklin Co., by June 1830; to Colwell, Schuyler Co., Illinois, 1832; to Rushville, Schuyler...

View Full Bio
and his father,
Daniel Avery

1 July 1797–16 Oct. 1851. Farmer, carpenter. Born in Oswego Co., New York. Son of Daniel Avery and Sarah. Moved to Franklin Co., Ohio, by 1821. Married Margaret Adams, 4 Jan. 1821, in Franklin Co. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry...

View Full Bio
, which occurred in November and December.
1

For more on the kidnappings, see “Part 5: December 1843.”


The previous day, the Nauvoo City Council had issued orders that “the Citizens of this city be called together” to hear a public reading of an ordinance intended to protect JS from possible extradition to
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
.
2

Minutes, 8 Dec. 1843; Ordinance, 8 Dec. 1843.


A large group of Nauvoo residents assembled on the corner of Main and Water streets on 9 December in accordance with the appointment.
3

Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3]. It is unclear what time the meeting took place. The city council called for the meeting to take place in the morning. Wilford Woodruff recorded in his journal that it occurred after another meeting. It is possible that the public meeting occurred in the afternoon in connection with the mobilization of a portion of the Nauvoo Legion. The previous day, JS issued orders to Major General Wilson Law to activate a portion of the legion, and on 9 December, Law issued orders for two regiments to mobilize and assemble at three o’clock in the afternoon at JS’s home—located on the northeast corner of Main and Water streets—to receive ammunition. (Minutes, 8 Dec. 1843; Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843; Military Order to Wilson Law, 8 Dec. 1843; Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL; Charles C. Rich to Hosea Stout, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, in Order Book, 1843–1844, 13, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

When the public meeting opened, the city council elected
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
, an
apostle

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
and a member of the city council, as chair and appointed
John M. Bernhisel

23 June 1799–28 Sept. 1881. Physician, politician. Born in Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, Cumberland Co. (later in Perry Co.), Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Bernhisel and Susannah Bower. Attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, 1818, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
, a prominent physician, as secretary.
George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
, an apostle and a city alderman, spoke first, though the meeting minutes do not disclose his subject.
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
—a city councilor, an apostle, and a newspaper publisher—followed Smith and read the extra issue of the Nauvoo Neighbor that had been published the night before. The extra contained the resolutions from a public meeting held 7 December, the city ordinances passed on 8 December, quotations from 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
Constitution, and letters from
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
attorney general
James A. McDougall

19 Nov. 1817–3 Sept. 1867. Attorney, politician. Born in Bethlehem, Albany Co., New York. Early member of Jacksonville bar, in Morgan Co., Illinois. Moved to Pike Co., Illinois, 1837. Married Maritta McConnells, 19 Apr. 1842, in Morgan Co. Attorney general...

View Full Bio
and his predecessor
Josiah Lamborn

31 Jan. 1809–31 Mar. 1847. Lawyer. Born in Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Lamborn and Mary McGinnis. Moved to Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1811; to Washington Co., Kentucky; to Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, 1832; and to Jacksonville, Morgan...

View Full Bio
concerning the status of the
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
.
4

Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3]; Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 9 Dec. 1843, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

McDougall and Lamborn dismissed financial claims from the city’s legion officers to the state of Illinois and stressed the legion’s financial independence. McDougall further stated that the legion was “entirely independent” from the state militia and was exempt from state militia laws or regulations. He claimed that according to the legislative act incorporating
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
, the legion was “designed to sustain the Municipal authorities of Nauvoo” rather than to function as a regular unit of the state militia.
5

Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 9 Dec. 1843, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

After his public reading of the Nauvoo Neighbor extra, Taylor addressed the attendees presumably on the subjects covered in the extra.
6

Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3].


JS then spoke to the assembly. According to
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
’s account, JS delivered an “interesting address to the assembly,” in which he “Spoke of our persecutions, the manner that our rights & liberti[e]s had been trampled upon & that it was time it was stoped.”
7

Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Bernhisel

23 June 1799–28 Sept. 1881. Physician, politician. Born in Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, Cumberland Co. (later in Perry Co.), Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Bernhisel and Susannah Bower. Attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, 1818, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
’s meeting minutes, however, said nothing about the Saints’ history of persecution and instead reported that JS critiqued the letters from
McDougall

19 Nov. 1817–3 Sept. 1867. Attorney, politician. Born in Bethlehem, Albany Co., New York. Early member of Jacksonville bar, in Morgan Co., Illinois. Moved to Pike Co., Illinois, 1837. Married Maritta McConnells, 19 Apr. 1842, in Morgan Co. Attorney general...

View Full Bio
and
Lamborn

31 Jan. 1809–31 Mar. 1847. Lawyer. Born in Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Lamborn and Mary McGinnis. Moved to Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1811; to Washington Co., Kentucky; to Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, 1832; and to Jacksonville, Morgan...

View Full Bio
, insisting that the Nauvoo Legion was part of the state militia and subject to the governor’s orders. Woodruff noted that following JS’s address, the assembly “all sanctioned the speach of the general & were dismissed in good order & retur[n]ed to their homes.”
8

Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Bernhisel

23 June 1799–28 Sept. 1881. Physician, politician. Born in Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, Cumberland Co. (later in Perry Co.), Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Bernhisel and Susannah Bower. Attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, 1818, in Philadelphia...

View Full Bio
’s meeting minutes were forwarded to the Nauvoo Neighbor, which published them in its 20 December issue. In the intervening days, the Nauvoo Neighbor published the letters from the attorneys general for a second time in its 13 December issue, expressing satisfaction that the opinions conveyed in the letters “correspond so much with our own.”
9

“Public Meeting,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 13 Dec. 1843, [1], [2]. With ordinances passed by the city council and enforced by the legion, the Nauvoo Neighbor expressed satisfaction that the Saints could legally “punish the aggressors” without threat of persecution.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

The contradiction between JS’s published remarks and the statements in the Nauvoo Neighbor—as well as JS’s apparent reliance on the letters to justify mobilizing the legion on 8 December
10

See Historical Introduction to Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.


—possibly reflected the city leadership’s desire to claim that the legion was both independent from and authorized by 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
. Given the Nauvoo Neighbor’s later publishing date and the differences between
Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
’s contemporaneous summary of the discourse and the published minutes, it is possible that Bernhisel selectively reported or revised his account to reflect the more conciliatory position that JS adopted after 18 December.
11

See Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843; Complaint, 18 Dec. 1843; and Clayton, Journal, 19 Dec. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For more on the kidnappings, see “Part 5: December 1843.”

  2. [2]

    Minutes, 8 Dec. 1843; Ordinance, 8 Dec. 1843.

  3. [3]

    Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3]. It is unclear what time the meeting took place. The city council called for the meeting to take place in the morning. Wilford Woodruff recorded in his journal that it occurred after another meeting. It is possible that the public meeting occurred in the afternoon in connection with the mobilization of a portion of the Nauvoo Legion. The previous day, JS issued orders to Major General Wilson Law to activate a portion of the legion, and on 9 December, Law issued orders for two regiments to mobilize and assemble at three o’clock in the afternoon at JS’s home—located on the northeast corner of Main and Water streets—to receive ammunition. (Minutes, 8 Dec. 1843; Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843; Military Order to Wilson Law, 8 Dec. 1843; Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL; Charles C. Rich to Hosea Stout, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, in Order Book, 1843–1844, 13, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.)

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

    Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

    Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

  4. [4]

    Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3]; Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 9 Dec. 1843, [1].

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  5. [5]

    Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 9 Dec. 1843, [1].

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  6. [6]

    Minutes, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Dec. 1843, [3].

  7. [7]

    Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843.

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

  8. [8]

    Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843.

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

  9. [9]

    “Public Meeting,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 13 Dec. 1843, [1], [2]. With ordinances passed by the city council and enforced by the legion, the Nauvoo Neighbor expressed satisfaction that the Saints could legally “punish the aggressors” without threat of persecution.

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  10. [10]

    See Historical Introduction to Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.

  11. [11]

    See Woodruff, Journal, 9 Dec. 1843; Complaint, 18 Dec. 1843; and Clayton, Journal, 19 Dec. 1843.

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

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

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Discourse, 9 December 1843
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [3]

After some pertinent remarks by
Mr. [John] Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
, General Joseph Smith briefly addressed the meeting; he dissented entirely from the opinion of the
Attorney General

19 Nov. 1817–3 Sept. 1867. Attorney, politician. Born in Bethlehem, Albany Co., New York. Early member of Jacksonville bar, in Morgan Co., Illinois. Moved to Pike Co., Illinois, 1837. Married Maritta McConnells, 19 Apr. 1842, in Morgan Co. Attorney general...

View Full Bio
, and observed that it was stated in the charter that the
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
was a part of the militia of
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
,
1

According to the act incorporating Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion was to function as “a body of independent military men” that was required to “perform the same amount of military duty as is now . . . required of the regular militia of the State.” The language of this provision apparently referenced a type of independent or volunteer unit in the state militia. However, state law provided only for the creation of independent companies, battalions, and regiments and made no mention of independent brigades or divisions. Except for JS’s role as lieutenant general, the legion’s organization of two cohorts supervised by a major general and led by brigadier generals structurally paralleled a division, the largest militia unit described in state law. (Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840; An Act for the Organization and Government of the Militia of This State [2 Mar. 1833], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois [1839], pp. 469–470, 472, 478–479, secs. 2–3, 9–10, 35.)


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.

and that his commission declared that he (General Smith) was the Lieutenant General of the
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
, and if [of] the militia of the State of
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
,
2

Illinois governor Thomas Carlin commissioned JS as lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion and as an Illinois militia officer in March 1841. (Commission from Thomas Carlin, 10 Mar. 1841.)


and as such, it was not only his duty to enforce the
city

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
ordinances, but the laws 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
when called on by the Governor.
3

The Nauvoo city charter placed the Nauvoo Legion “at the disposal of the Mayor in executing the laws and ordinances of the City Corporation, and the laws of the State,” as well as “at the disposal of the Governor for the public defence, and the execution of the laws of the State or of the United States.” (Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.)


He also stated that he had been informed that the
Chief Magistrate

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...

View Full Bio
of
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
had it in contemplation to make another requisition on the
Governor

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
of
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
for him, Joseph Smith.
4

On 6 or 7 December, a rumor reached Nauvoo that Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds was making another attempt to extradite JS. Although it caused considerable excitement in the city, the rumor proved groundless. (Affidavit from Dellmore Chapman and Letter to Thomas Ford, 6 Dec. 1843.)


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Editorial Title
Discourse, 9 December 1843
ID #
1219
Total Pages
1
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JSP, D13:350–353
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Footnotes

  1. [1]

    According to the act incorporating Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion was to function as “a body of independent military men” that was required to “perform the same amount of military duty as is now . . . required of the regular militia of the State.” The language of this provision apparently referenced a type of independent or volunteer unit in the state militia. However, state law provided only for the creation of independent companies, battalions, and regiments and made no mention of independent brigades or divisions. Except for JS’s role as lieutenant general, the legion’s organization of two cohorts supervised by a major general and led by brigadier generals structurally paralleled a division, the largest militia unit described in state law. (Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840; An Act for the Organization and Government of the Militia of This State [2 Mar. 1833], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois [1839], pp. 469–470, 472, 478–479, secs. 2–3, 9–10, 35.)

    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.

  2. [2]

    Illinois governor Thomas Carlin commissioned JS as lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion and as an Illinois militia officer in March 1841. (Commission from Thomas Carlin, 10 Mar. 1841.)

  3. [3]

    The Nauvoo city charter placed the Nauvoo Legion “at the disposal of the Mayor in executing the laws and ordinances of the City Corporation, and the laws of the State,” as well as “at the disposal of the Governor for the public defence, and the execution of the laws of the State or of the United States.” (Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.)

  4. [4]

    On 6 or 7 December, a rumor reached Nauvoo that Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds was making another attempt to extradite JS. Although it caused considerable excitement in the city, the rumor proved groundless. (Affidavit from Dellmore Chapman and Letter to Thomas Ford, 6 Dec. 1843.)

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