Nauvoo City Council, Rough Minute Book, 26 Nov. 1842–16 Jan. 1844; handwriting of and ; forty-six pages; Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, Feb.–Dec. 1841.
to pass the streets at any time of night without molestations, but if the police see a man breaking my house or Barn, <or any body, house or barn> tell him to stand and enquire his business. Thought it possible some one had been practicing fraud on the police,— & upon individuals,—
<proposed> Let[illegible] <that> Bro , & W Smith be dropped from the police if the council consent <lest they scare some body,>— dont guard house any more.
Men must <not> pervert the power entrusted to them. & referred to
does not know that it was a policeman who stopped <him> does not know that the police kindled the fire before his house let the police have canes, Let the citizens pass & repass at all times of night
C. spoke. thought the conclusion drawn up by thought <that> Joseph or somebody was going <to> get revenge by setting the guard to kill , was the most contemptible that could be imagined. and if had had the respect for Bro Joseph he ought to have had, he would not have done it.
< and retired.>
<Ordered to be erased Jan 16 1844>
Mayor referred to ’s testimony. thought had better stay at home & hold his tongue, lest rumor turn upon him, <did not believe there was any rumor of the kind afloat,—> thought the young men of the had better withdraw from him & let him stand on his own merits, not consider him the standard, <of for the —>
There is a system of things which has been from the beginning which this has grown out off.— and from these individuals are those who do not want a police they want to prowl at pleasure.—
spoke.—
C . spoke in objection to dropping the 2 police mentioned by the Mayor
— said the police were in the hands of the Mayor
Gen spoke.
<Gen said Bro Joseph I am Josephs friend, he has no better friend in the world I am ready to lay down his my life for him & upon that the Mayor and Gen shook hands>
said the fire was kindled before by by some men from the North part, <of the > and not the policemen
spoke again, exp[r]essed of his good feelings
. Policemen have always had to learn their duty. hoped not one would get up another tempest in a tea pot, C. apologized—
Ordinance concerning the 40 policemen read twice [p. 39]