not found in said by reason of himself and Guard having been driven by force from the Town in said in which the offenders were supposed then to be. The said affidavit, writ, and return are herewith respectfully submitted to your Excellency.
Your petitioner further believes and represents, that the Mormons are so numerous, and so well armed within the limits of the Counties of and , that the power of the County is wholy unable to execute any Civil or Criminal process within the limits of either of said Counties against a mormon or mormons as they each and every one of act in concert and out number the other Citizens. They also declare that they are independent, and your petitioner verily believes, that the said mormons hold in utter contempt the institutions of the in which they live.
Your petitioner further represents that some time about the 8th Sept Inst. that three individuals were arrested by the said mormons in and held in Custody, and your petitioner represents, that he believes they are still in confinement without any warrant of law. Your petitioner further represents that he verily believes, that no Civil officer of the could cause to be executed any legal process within either of said Counties of or .
Your petitioner would therefore respectfully pray your Excellency to furnish the Civil officers [p. [3]]