Nauvoo City Council, Preamble and Resolutions, , Hancock Co., IL, 13 Jan. 1845. Version copied [ca. 13 Jan. 1845] in Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, pp. 231–233; handwriting of ; CHL.
Resolved, That it is our opinion that very many scoundrels, such as thieves, robbers, bogus makers, counterfeiters and murderers, have been induced from reports published in the Warsaw Signal to flock into this in order to carry on their evil practices, knowing that it would be immediately charged upon the Mormons, and thereby they escape— and although we think that the reports of thefts have been very much exaggerated, yet we know from dear bought experience that such things do exist, and further we doubt not there may be some such characters prowling in and about our .
Resolved, That we are extremely anxious to ferret out and bring to justice, all such persons, if any, that are within the limits of our , and for this purpose we have authorized our Mayor to enlarge the Police, to any number, not exceeding five hundred, and we also pledge ourselves to double our diligence, and call upon our Citizens to assist in ridding our and of all such infamous characters.