The circular is an answer to a request made by a committee of citizens of Quincy, Illinois, as to when the Mormons could be expected to leave the country. The Council of the Twelve replied that ". . . it is a mistaken idea that we have proposed to remove in six months; for that would be so early in the spring, that grass might now grow nor water run." For additional background see: CHC 2:504-520.
Nauvoo, September 24, 1845. Whereas a council of the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Nauvoo, have this day received a communication from Henry Asbury, John P. Robbins, Albert J. Pearson, P. A. Goodwin, J. N. Ralston, M. Rogers, and E. Conyers, Messrs.
Committee of the citizens of Quincy, requesting us to "communicate in writing our disposition and intention at this time, particularly with regard to removing to some place where the peculiar organization of our church will not be likely to engender so much strife and contention as so unhappily exists at this time in Hancock and some of the adjoining counties;"
And, whereas, said Committee have reported to us the doings of a public meeting of the citizens of Quincy, on the 22d inst., by which it appears there are some feelings in that place concerning us as a people, and in relation to which sundry resolutions were passed, purporting to be for the purpose of maintaining or restoring peace to the country;
And, whereas, it is our desire, and ever has been, to live in peace with all men, so far as we can, without sacrificing the right of worshiping God according to the dictates of our own consciences, which privilege is guaranteed to us by the Constitution of these United St
ates;
And, whereas, we have, time and again, and again, been driven from our peaceful homes, and our women and children been obliged to exist on the prairies, in the forests, on the roads, and in tents, in the dead of winter, suffering all manner of hardships, even to death itself, as the people of Quincy well know; the remembrance of whose hospitality in former days still causes our hearts to burn with joy and raise the prayer to heaven for blessings on their heads;
And, whereas, it is now so late in the season that it is impossible for us, as a people, to remove this fall, without causing a repetition of like sufferings;
And, whereas, it has been represented to us from other sources, than those named and even in some communications from the Executive of this State, that many of the citizens of the State were unfriendly to our views and principles;
And, whereas, many scores of our houses in this county have been burned to ashes, without any justifiable cause or provocat
ion, and we have made no resistance, till compelled by the authorities of the county so to do, and that authority not connected with our church:
And, whereas, said resistance to mobocracy, from the legally constituted authorities, appears to be misunderstood by some, and misconstrued by others, so as to produce an undue excitement in the public mind.
And, whereas, we desire peace above all other earthly blessings:
Therefore; we would say to the committee above mentioned, and to the Governor, and all the authorities and people of Illinois, and the surrounding States and Territories; that we propose to leave this county next spring, for some point so remote, that there will not need to be a difficulty with the people and ourselves, provided certain propositions necessary for the accomplishment of our removal, shall be observed, as follows, to wet:
That the citizens of this, and the surrounding counties, and all men, will use their influence and exertions, to help us to sel
l or rent our properties, so as to get means enough that we can help the widow, the fatherless and destitute to remove with us;
That all men will let us alone with their vexatious law suits, so that we may have the time, for we have broken no law; and help us to cash, dry goods, groceries, good oxen, milch cows, beef cattle, sheep, waggons, mules, harnesses, horses, &c., in exchange for our property, at a fair price, and deeds given on payment, that we may have the means to accomplish a removal, without the suffering of the destitute, to an extent beyond the endurance of human nature;
That all exchanges of property be conducted by a committee or committees of both parties, so that all business may be transacted honorably and speedily;
That we will use all lawful means, in connection with others, to preserve the public peace while we tarry, and shall expect decidedly that we be no more molested with house burning, or any other depredations, to waste our property and time,
and hinder our business;
That it is a mistaken idea that we "have proposed to remove in six months;" for that would be so early in the spring, that grass might not grow nor water run, both of which would be necessary for our removal, but we propose to use our influence, to have no more seed time nor harvest among our people in this county, after gathering our present crops. And that all communications to us be made in writing. By order of the Council, BRIGHAM YOUNG, Prest. Willard Richards, Clerk. {1845-September 24-Original Circular}
[source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
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