Mormon History

Arrest Warrant for Joe Smith by Outgoing Governor - 1842

Sangamo Journal – September 30, 1842

FOUR  HUNDRED  DOLLARS  REWARD!

STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Executive Department,
Sept. 20, 1842.

WHEREAS, a requisition has been made upon me, as the Executive of this State, by the apprehension and surrender of O. P. ROCKWELL, who is charged with the crime of shooting Lilburn W. Boggs, with intent to kill, in the county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, on the night of the sixth day of may, A. D. 1842;

And whereas a demand has also been made by the Governor of Missouri, upon me, for the apprehension and surrender of JOSEPH SMITH (commonly called the Mormon Prophet,) who is charged with the crime of being accessory to the shooting of said Boggs, at the time and place aforesaid, with intent to kill:

And whereas, in obedience to the Constitution and laws of the United States, executive warrants have been issued, and the said Rockwell and Smith arrested as fugitives from justice from the State of Missouri:

And whereas, the said Rockwell and Smith resisted the laws, by refusing to go with the officers who had them in custody, as fugitives from justice, and escaped from the custody of the officers:

Now, therefore, I THOMAS CARLIN, Governor of the State of Illinois, in conformity to an act entitled "an act concerning fugitives from justice," approved January 6th, 1827, do offer a reward of TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS, to any person or persons, for the apprehension and delivery of each, or either of the above named fugitives from justice, viz. O. P. ROCKWELL and JOSEPH SMITH, to the custody of James M. Pitman, and Thomas C. King, or to the Sheriff of Adams county at the city of Quincy.

( L. S. )

In testimony whereof, I have here
unto set my hand and caused the
great seal of the State to be
affixed, the day and date above
written.
By the Governor:
          THOMAS CARLIN.

Lyman Trumbull, Sec'y of State.



Joe Smith, it is again stated, has left the country. It is supposed he aims to reach Canada. The occurrences connected with the attempts to arrest Smith and Rockwell show that the Mormons are not under the control of the laws of the State; but that they can and do set them at defiance when they please. And yet one of their number has the hardihood to claim a seat in our Legislature, and assist in enacting laws for the government of this State!

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