"An immediate court of enquiry called while our people are thus situated, would give our enemies a decided advantage in point of testimony, while they are in possession of their own homes, and ours also; with no enemy in the county to molest or make them afraid.
"Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
A. S. Gilbert."
"To his Excellency Daniel Dunklin, Jefferson City, Missouri."
"I have seen and read the above letter, and on reflection, I concur entirely in the opinion therein expressed. I also think that at the next regular term of the court, an examination of the criminal matter cannot be gone into, without a guard for the court and witnesses.
(Signed.) Amos Reese."
Those mentioned in this letter as having been threatened on Sunday the 24th, fled into Clay county, and encamped on the Missouri river. There were about one hundred and fifty men, women and children.
We had sent reports of their proceedings to Brother Joseph Smith and the brethren in Kirtland, but it appears that in some particulars they did not agree, being given by different persons, so Brother Joseph wrote seeking correct information, and for documents. He also sent comforting news to the Saints reminding all that it is only through great tribulation, that the blessings are received.
On the 6th of December, a petition and letter were sent to Governor Dunklin asking for aid and protection. We also asked that a court of enquiry might be established to investigate the whole matter and bring the offenders and law-breakers to justice. We thus showed that we intended to maintain our rights to our inheritances, so that if we should be deprived of them for any length of time, the responsibility would not rest upon our shoulders.