CHAPTER XXIII.
RUMORS OF INVASION FROM MISSOURI—THE LEGION ORDERED TO ASSIST THE CITY MARSHAL—NAUVOO PLACED UNDER MARTIAL LAW—THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS TO THE LEGION.
Monday, June, 17, 1844, (continued).—Edward Hunter, Philip B. Lewis and Major John Bills started with the affidavit of Thomas G. Wilson and my letter, &c., to take to Governor Ford. I charged Edward Hunter, under oath, to tell Governor Ford all he knew concerning me, good or bad, as he has known me for several years; and I said to him, "Brother Hunter, you have always wished you had been with us from the commencement. If you will go to Springfield and do this business for me now in this time of danger, it shall be as though you had been in Missouri and had always been with us."
Stephen Markham made the following affidavit:
Affidavit of Stephen Markham—Nauvoo to be Attacked.
STATE OF ILLINOIS,
CITY OF NAUVOO, ss.
On the 17th day of June, 1844, came Stephen Markham before me, Willard Richards, recorder of said city; and after being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that, from the public papers, especially the Warsaw papers, and from reports from the various precincts, a mob may be expected to make an immediate attack upon the citizens and city of Nauvoo, on account of the gatherings at the various precincts, and threats to exterminate the Latter-day Saints.
STEPHEN MARKHAM.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17th day of June, 1844.
WILLARD RICHARDS,
Recorder of the city of Nauvoo.
As soon as the affidavit came to my knowledge, I issued the following:
PROCLAMATION.
NAUVOO, June 17th, 1844.
To John P. Greene, Marshal of the City of Nauvoo, &c.:
SIR.—Complaint having been made to me on oath that a mob is collecting at sundry points to make an attack on this city, you will therefore take such measures as shall be necessary to preserve the peace of said city according to the provisions of the charter and the laws of the state; and with the police and the Legion, see that no violent act is committed. General Dunham is hereby instructed to act with the Marshal in keeping the peace, according to law.
JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.
And also:
ORDER TO THE LEGION.
HEADQUARTERS NAUVOO LEGION,
NAUVOO, June 17th, 1844.
To Major General in Command, Jonathan Dunham:
Complaint having been made on oath that a mob is preparing to make an attack upon this city and citizens of Nauvoo, and having directed the Marshal to keep the peace, you are hereby commanded to order the Nauvoo Legion to be in readiness to assist said Marshal in keeping the peace, and doing whatever may be necessary to preserve the dignity of the state and city.
JOSEPH SMITH, Lieut.-General N. L.