Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy and Letter [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, [, Ray Co., MO], 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied with letter ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-one pages; Mormons Collection, 1813–1970, Missouri History Museum.
he had tried to please them long enough that we had tried to keep the law long enough, but as to keeping the law of any longer, he did not intend to try to do so, that the whole was a mob set, and that if they came <to> fight him, he would play hell with their apple carts— He told his people that they heretofore had the character of fighting like devils but they should now fight like angles [angels], for angles could whip devils—
While in on the last expedition, I mentioned the great difficulties, the course they were pursuing would likely get them into— theyreplied reply was by several a number of them, that as the citizens had all fled, there would be none to prove it by but themselves, and they could swear as they pleased in the matter— these I believe were of the Danite order, and I understood from them that they could swear each other clear if it should become necessary.— While at , I heard a conversation about having commenced the war and I expressed doubts as to their being able to get along with it in the community; in that community conversation while many were present I heard say that the sword had now been drawn & should not be sheathed until he had marched to in Carroll county, into , and into many other places in the , and swore that he was able to accomplish it. While the <last> expedition was in progress in , a portion of the troops returned to and was paraded [p. [9]]