At seven-and-a-half, a. m., the heavens exhibited a splendid appearance of circles, accompanied by mock suns. For further particulars, see Times and Seasons, page 151.
The sword has been seen for several nights past; also, on the opposite side of the horizon, a black streak about the size of the light one. While the one is as black as darkness, the other has considerably the appearance of the blaze of a comet; but it is not a comet, for it appears about seven o'clock, and disappears about nine.
Friday, 24.—I took a ride to Camp Creek; met Brother Clayton; returned to Libeus T. Coon's, where we warmed for an hour, and then returned home.
In the evening, two teams arrived from Lima, loaded with provisions; also one load from Augusta.
The St. Louis Republican says:—
"At Point-a-Pitre, Guadaloupe, one of the West India Islands, 2,000 persons ran together in the public square, when the earth opened and swallowed the whole mass."
The papers report that General Napier, with 3,700 English troops, gained a brilliant victory over the Belochee army of 22,000 men, on the 17th ult.
Saturday, 25.—In the office at eight, a. m.; heard a report from Hyrum Smith concerning thieves; whereupon I issued the following:
PROCLAMATION.
To the Citizens of Nauvoo:
Whereas it appears, by the republication of the foregoing proceedings and declaration, that I have not altered my views on the subject of stealing: And
Whereas it is reported that there now exists a band of desperadoes, bound by oaths of secrecy, under severe penalties in case any member of the combination divulges their plans of stealing and conveying properties from station to station, up and down the Mississippi and other routes: And
Whereas it is reported that the fear of the execution of the pains and penalties of their secret oath on their persons prevents some members of said secret association (who have, through falsehood and deceit, been drawn into their snares,) from divulging the same to the legally-constituted authorities of the land:
Know ye, therefore, that I, Joseph Smith, mayor of the city of Nauvoo, will grant and insure protection against all personal mob violence to each and every citizen of this city who will freely and voluntarily come before me and truly make known the names of all such abominable characters as are engaged in said secret combination for stealing, or are accessory thereto, in any manner. And I would respectfully solicit the co-operation of all ministers of justice in this and the neighboring states to ferret out a band of thievish outlaws from our midst.
Given under my hand at Nauvoo City, this 25th day of March, A. D., 1843.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Mayor of said City.