Mormon History
Controlling the Mormons in Missouri - 1833
Daily Missouri Republican – August 9, 1833
REGULATING THE MORMONITES. -- Some
very extraordinary proceedings have recently taken place in Jackson county, in
this state, against the sect of fanatics called Mormons. These proceedings may
find some justification in the necessity of the case, but they are wholly at war
with the genius of our institutions, and as subversive of good order as the
conduct of the fanatics themselves. Perhaps, however, it was the only method
which could have been effectually put in practice to get this odious description
of population out of the way. Banished as they are from that frontier, it may
well be asked to what place will they now remove; and will they enjoy any better
security in the new abode which they may select? But to the proceedings:
A meeting of the citizens of Jackson county, to the number of four or five
hundred, was held at Independence on the 20th of July. Their avowed object was
to take measures to rid themselves of the Mormonites. Col. Richard Simpson was
called to the chair, and Jonas H. Flournoy and Samuel D. Lucas appointed
secretaries. A committee was then appointed to report an address to the public,
in relation to the object of the meeting. After having retired for some time,
they sumitted an address, which was unaninously adopted; and in which the
conduct and views of the obnoxious sect are exposed. They represent that the
Mormonites number some 1,200 souls in that county, and that each successive
spring and autumn pours forth its swarms among them, with a gradual falling off
in the character of those who compose them, until they have now nearly reached
the low condition of the black population. That the citizens have been daily
told that they are to be cut off, and their lands appropriated to the Mormons
for inheritances; but they are not fully agreed among themselves as to the
manner in which this shall be accomplished, whether by the destroying angel, the
judgement of God, or the arm of power. The committee express their fears that,
should this population continue to increase, they will soon have all the offices
of the county in their hands; and that the lives and property of other citizens
would be insecure, under the administration of men who are so ignorant and
superstitious as to believe that they have been the subjects of miraculous and
supernatural cures; hold converse with God and his angels and possess and
exercise the gift of divination, and of unknown tongues; and, are withal, so
poor as to be unable to procure bread and meat. The committee say that one of
the means resorted to by them, in order to drive us to emigrate, is an indirect
invitation to the free brethren of color in Illinois, to come like the rest to
the land of Zion. True, the Mormons say this was not intended to invite
but to prevent emigration; but this weak attempt to quiet our
apprehensions is but a poor compliment to our understanding." The invitation
alluded to, contained all the necessary directions and cautions to enable the
free blacks, on their arrival there, to claim and exercise their right of
citizenship. Finally, the committee say --
Of their pretended revelations from heaven -- their personal intercourse with
God and his angels -- the maladies they pretend to heal by the laying on of
hands -- and the contemptible gibberish with which they habitually profane the
Sabbath, and which they dignify with the appelation of unknown tongues, we have
nothing to say. Vengeance belongs to God alone. But as to the other matters set
forth in this paper, we feel called on by every consideration of
self-preservation, good society, public morals, and the fair prospects, that if
not blasted in the germ, await this young and beautiful country, at once to
declare, and we do most solemnly declare.
1. That no Mormon in future move and shall settle in this county.
2. That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their intention
within a reasonable time to remove out of the county, shall be allowed to remain
unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell their property and close
their business without any material sacrifice.
3. That the editor of the 'Star' be required forthwith to close his office, and
discontinue the business of printing in this county; and as to all other stores
and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must in every case strictly comply
with the terms of the second article of this declaration, and upon failure,
prompt and efficient measures will be taken to close the same.
4. That the Mormon leaders here, are required to use their influence in
preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren to this county, and
to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the above requisitions.
5. That those who fail to comply with these requisitions, be referred to those
of their brethren who have the gifts of divination, and unknown tongues, to
inform them of the lot that awaits them.
Which address being read and considered, was unanimously adopted. And thereupon
it was resolved that a committe of twelve be appointed forthwith to wait on the
Mormon leaders, and see that the foregoing requisitions are strictly complied
with by them; and upon their refusal that said committee do, as the organ of
this county, inform that it is our unwavering purpose and fixed determination,
after the fullest consideration of all the consequences and responsibilities
under which we act, to use such means as shall ensure their full and complete
adoption, and that said committee, so far as may be within their power report to
this present meeting. And the following gentlemen were named as said committee:
Robert Johnson, James Campbell, col, Moses Wilson, Joel F. Chiles, hon. Richard
Fristoe, Abner F. Staples, Garr Johnson, Lewis Franklin, Russel Hicks, esq.,
col. S. D. Lucas, Thomas Wilson, and James M. Hunter, to whom was added col. R.
Simpson, Chairman.
And after an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened, and the
committee of twelve reported that they had called on Mr. Phelps, the editor of
the "Star," Edward Partridge, the bishop of the sect, and Mr. Gilbert, the
keeper of the Lord's store house, and some others, and that they declined giving
any direct answer to the requisitions made of them, and wished an unreasonable
time for consultation, not only with their brethren here, but in Ohio.
Whereupon it was unanimously resolved by the meeting that the "Star" printing
office should be razed to the ground, the type and press secured. Which
resolution was, with the utmost order, and the least noise or disturbance
possible, forthwith, carried into execution, as also some other steps of a
similar tendency; but no blood was spilled nor any blows inflicted. The meeting
then adjourned till the 23d instant, to meet again to know further concerning
the determination of the Mormons.
The citizens again convened on the 23d day of July, 1833, which was composed of
gentlemen from all parts of the county, and much more unanimousely attended than
the meeting on the 20th instant.
The meeting was organized by the chairman taking his seat, when the following
gentlemen were appointed a committee, to wit:
Henry Chiles, Esq., Dr. N. K. Olmstead, H. L. Brazile, Esq., Zachariah Waller,
Samuel Weston Esq., Wm. L. Irwin, Leonides Oldham, S. C. Owens Esq., George
Simpson, Capt. Benjamin Majors, James C. Sadler, Col. Willian Bowers, Henry
Younger, Russel Hicks Esq., Aaron Overton, John Harris, and Harmon Gregg, to
wait upon the Mormon leaders, who had intimated a wish to have conference with
said committee. After an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened,
when the committee reported, to the meeting that they had waited on most of the
Mormon leaders, consisting of the bishop, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Phelps, editor of
the Star, Mr. Gilbert, the keeper of the Lord's store house, and Messrs. Carrol,
Whitmer, and Moseley, elders of the church, and that the said committee had
entered into an amicible agreement with them, which they had reduced to writing,
which they submitted; and that the committee have assured Mr. Phelps that
whenever he was ready to move, that the amount of all his losses should be paid
to him by the citizens. The written agreement is as follows:
"Memorandum of agreement between the undersigned of the Mormon society in
Jackson county Missouri, and a committee appointed by a public meeting of the
citizens of said county, made the 23d day of July, 1833.
"It is understood that the undersigned, members of the society, do give their
solemn pledges each for himself, as follows, to wit:
"That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, William McClealand, Edward Partridge, Lyman
Wight, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and Harvey Whitlock, shall remove
with their families out of this county, on or before the first day of January
next; and that they, as well as the two hereinafter named, use all their
influence to induce all the brethren now here to remove as soon as possible --
one half, say, by the first of January next, and all by the first day of April
next. To advise and try all means in their power to stop any more of their sect
from moving to this county; and as to those now on the road, they will use their
influence to prevent their settling permanently in the county, but that they
shall only make arrangements for temporary shelter, till a new location is
agreed on for the society. John Carrol and Algernon Gilbert are allowed to
remain as general agents to wind up the business of the society, so long as
necessity shall require; and said Gilbert may sell out his merchandise now on
hand, but is to make no new importations.
"The 'Star' is not again to be published, nor a press set up by any of the
society in this county.
"If the said Edward Partridge and W. W. Phelps move their families by the first
day of January, as aforesaid, that they themselves will be allowed to go and
come in order to transact and wind up their business.
"The committee pledge themselves to use all their influence to prevent any
violence being used so as long as a compliance with the foregoing terms is
observed by the parties concerned; to which agreement is subscribed the names of
the above named committee, as also those of the Mormon brethren named in the
report as having been present."
The report of the committee was unanimously adopted by the meeting and it was
then adjourned.
Note: This article was widely reprinted in the Eastern papers, providing many
American readers with their first detailed information on the Mormons in
Missouri.