Change of Destination from Quincy to Nauvoo.
I consulted with my lawyers, and told them that Nauvoo was the nearest place where writs of habeas corpus could be heard and determined. They examined the subject and decided I was correct, when we turned our steps towards Nauvoo, which gladdened my heart at the prospect of soon being in the midst of my friends again. I sent a messenger to inform the citizens of Nauvoo of the glad change; and I requested Conover to ride ahead to Mr. Michael Crane's, on Honey Creek, and call for supper for one hundred men.
After dinner we traveled about fifteen miles. On arriving at Crane's, I jumped out of the buggy, and instead of going through the gate or climbing the fence, walked up and jumped over the fence without touching it. Mr. Crane ran out and embraced me, and bade me welcome.
A flock of turkeys and chickens were killed, and a substantial supper was provided for all; and the company feasted, sang, and had a happy time that night. I showed my sides to Mr. Crane and the company, which still continued black and blue from the bruises I had received from the pistols of Reynolds and Wilson, while riding from Inlet Grove to Dixon eight days ago.
Nauvoo, an Ordinance Concerning Strangers, etc.
To the Recorder of the City of Nauvoo:
We, your petitioners, aldermen of said city, request you to notify the marshal to call a special meeting of the city council, at the mayor's court-room, this afternoon at two o'clock.
GEO. A. SMITH, W. W. PHELPS, GEO. W. HARRIS, Aldermen.
City council accordingly met and passed "An ordinance concerning strangers and contagious diseases, and for other purposes," as follows:—
Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, for the peace, benefit, good order, convenience, cleanliness, health and happiness of said city, agreeable to the charter of the same, that the city council, marshal, constables, and city watch are hereby authorized, empowered, and required to require all strangers who shall be entering this city, or are already tarrying, or may hereafter be tarrying in said city, in a civil and respectful manner to give their names, former residence, for what intent they have entered or are tarrying in the city, and answer such other questions as the officer shall deem proper or necessary for the good order, health, or convenience of the said city; and for a failure or refusal on the part of strangers to give the desired information, or for giving false names or information, they shall be subject to the penalty of the "ordinance concerning vagrants and disorderly persons."
Sec. 2. And be it further ordained that the aforesaid authorities of the said city are further authorized and empowered, and required to hail and take all persons found strolling about the city at night, after nine o'clock and before sunrise, and to confine them in ward for trial, according to the aforesaid "Ordinance concerning vagrants and disorderly persons," unless they give a good and satisfactory account of themselves, or offer a reasonable excuse for being thus caught out after nine o'clock.
Sec. 3. And be it further ordained that the aforesaid authorities are further authorized, empowered, and required to require all such persons as they may suspect, to give information whether they have recently had or have been exposed to any contagious disease or diseases from whence they come, under the same penalties as are annexed to the two preceding sections of this ordinance.
Sec. 4. And be it further ordained that the aforesaid authorities are further authorized, empowered, and required to enter all hotels, or houses of public entertainment, and such other habitations as they may judge proper, and require the inmates to give immediate information of all persons residing in said hotel or habitation, and their business, occupation, or movements; and for a failure, non-compliance, or false information, their license shall be a forfeit, if it be a public-house, and they and the transient persons subject to the penalties of the three preceding sections.
Sec. 5. And be it further ordained that if any of the aforesaid officers shall refuse or neglect to do their duty as required by this ordinance, they shall be fined $100, and be broke of office.
They also passed "An ordinance concerning confining or keeping animals in the city of Nauvoo;" also "An ordinance concerning bathing and swimming."
Announcement of the Arrival of the Prophet at Nauvoo.
Friday, 30.—A messenger started from my company in the night, and arrived in Nauvoo early in the morning, saying that I and the company would be in the city about noon. Dr. Willard Richards and Wilford Woodruff arranged the seats in the court-room, preparatory to my arrival.
At half-past ten o'clock, the Nauvoo Brass Band and Martial Band started with Emma and my brother Hyrum to meet me; also a train of carriages, containing a number of the principal inhabitants.
At eight a.m., the company with me again started; arrived at the Big Mound about half-past ten, where the brethren decorated the bridles of their horses with the flowers of the prairie, and were met by a number of the citizens. Continued our journey; and at 11:25 a.m., I was gladdened, when opposite my brother Hyrum's farm, about one-and-a-half miles east of the Temple, with seeing the train approaching towards us; and I directed Colonel Rockwood to place my Life Guards in their appropriate position in the procession. I was in a buggy with Mr. Montgomery. Sheriff Reynolds and Wilson, with my three lawyers, Cyrus Walker, Shepherd G. Patrick, and Edward Southwick, were in the stage coach with Lucien P. Sanger, the stage proprietor. Mr. Campbell, the sheriff of Lee county, and a company of about 140 were with me on horseback.