Mormon History
Mistreatment of Oregon Settlers - 1851
Oregon Spectator – June 12, 1851
New Immigrants.
==> The Rev. Mr. Goodell, captain of the company
who have just arrived in Oregon, numbering in all some 105 persons, gives a
dreadful account of the treatment received from the Mormons at the Great Salt
Lake. The people are represented as being dissolute and immoral to a shameful
extent. We learn from Mr. Goodell that they have appointed missionaries for
South America, California, Oregon, and numerous other countries. The object
appears to be to make proselytes, with the view to join them at the Salt Lake to
increase their numbers. The two missionaries appointed for Oregan, it is
expected will soon arrive to enter upon the duties of their mission. We cannot
think for a moment that we have men among us who will join them, after obtaining
the facts about their manner of living and their pross immoralities, which
outcie in paractice, the seraglios of the Turks and Persians.
The principal part of those arrived are familes. There are some 20 families
among the number. They left the Salt Lake about the last of March and arrived at
the Dalles of the Columbia on the 2nd May, having been 62 days on the road. --
The Oregonian learns that they practice polygamy to a great extent. Some of the
prophets are represented as having as many as 60 wives; all take unto themselves
as many as may please their fancy and their means will support." Think of a
harem in a country belonging to the United States.
Since writing the above we have received the following from Mr. Goodell, who has
promised to give us, as soon as he gets leisure, a more detailed account of the
state of society, &c."
The number of our company, said he, is 105; of them 49 are men, 19 women and the
rest children, included in 10 families. Being compelled to winter among the
Mormons, it gave us an opportunity of becoming acquainted with their manners and
customs. Concubinage, polygamy, and incest, are common among them. It is not at
all uncommon for a man to take for his wives a mother and a daughter at the same
time. Polygamy is publicly advocated by the leaders. Brigham Young, according to
the testimony of the Mormons themselves, has over 80 wives.
Between 600 and 1000 persons, immigrants, wintered in the Salt Lake valley --
most of them were bound for California. They all suffered more or less of
injustice and wrongs from the Mormons. The liberty of speech was denied them.
Their lives were threatened by the heads of the church, if they said aught
against the religion or practices of the Mormons. The most unjust measures were
resorted to to rob the immigrants of their money. One man ventured to say "that
if a man in the States had as many wives as Young, he would be called a wicked
man," was immediately arrested and fined $50 and costs.
To cap the climax, an unjust and cruel tax was imposed upon them. After they had
left their settelement, they were followed 60 miles from their city by teh State
Marshal, with power to assess their property and collect tax at the same time --
authorized to seize their teams if the tex was not promptly paid. This tax was 2
per cent. on every kind of property they possessed -- even to the beds -- valued
at the prices put upon such property in Salt lake valley. The immigrants had to
pay from $15, up to as high as $50 and $60 each. This, considering the
circumstances in which they were placed, they felt severely.
The Mormons are opposed to the Government of the United States -- speak against
it publicly and privately, and predict its overthrow....