Letter: Joseph Smith to Governor Ford—Explaining his Return to Nauvoo.
FOUR MILES WEST OF CARTHAGE MOUND,
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS,
Monday, 10 o'clock.
His Excellency Governor Ford:
DEAR SIR.—On my way to Carthage to answer your request this morning, I here met Captain Dunn, who has here made known to me your orders to surrender the state arms in possession of the Nauvoo Legion, which command I shall comply with; and that the same may be done properly and without trouble to the state, I shall return with Captain Dunn to Nauvoo, see that the arms are put into his possession, and shall then return to headquarters in his company, when I shall most cheerfully submit to any requisition of the Governor of our state.
With all due respect to your Excellency, I remain your obedient servant.
JOSEPH SMITH.
He also issued the following order:
Order: Joseph Smith to General Dunham—Complying with Governor Ford's Demand for State Arms.
HEADQUARTERS NAUVOO LEGION,
Prairie Four Miles West of Carthage,
June 24th, 1844, 10 o'clock and 10 minutes.
To Major-General Jonathan Dunham and all commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates of the Nauvoo Legion:
You are hereby ordered to comply strictly with the within order of the Commander-in-Chief, Governor Ford.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Lieut.-Gen. Nauvoo Legion.
And requested that the state arms should be taken to the Masonic Hall without delay.
Messenger Sent to Carthage.
Hyrum then said to Abram C. Hodge, "You go on into Carthage and see what is going on, and hear what is said on this matter."
Joseph and his company then returned with Captain Dunn, and arrived in Nauvoo at half-past two p.m.
When Hodge arrived at Carthage, he met with Rev. Mr. Dodge, who had some time previously been very kindly treated by Hyrum. He warned Hodge that as sure as Joseph and Hyrum came to Carthage, they would be killed. Hodge also saw Hamilton, the innkeeper, who, pointing to the Carthage Greys, said, "Hodge, there are the boys that will settle you Mormons." Hodge replied, "We can take as many men as there are there out of the Nauvoo Legion, and they would not be missed."
Surrender of State Arms.
When the fact of the order for the state arms was known in Nauvoo, many of the brethren looked upon it as another preparation for a Missouri massacre, nevertheless, as Joseph requested that it should be complied with, they very unwillingly gave up the arms.