| 116 head. In the mean time, the painted robbers and murderers under the command of one Gilliam, came pouring in from the west, to strengthen the enemy, and another company of murderers came in from Carrel county, and were taken into the ranks of Lucas, after murdering some twenty of our citizens at Haun's mill, of which I will give a particular account hereafter. Thus both parties were considerably reinforced during the night. In the mean time our people, being determined, if attacked, to defend their homes, and wives and children to the last, spent the night in throwing up a temporary breastwork of building timber, logs, rails, &c., and by morning our south side of the city was fortified with a breastwork, and also a considerable part of the east and west sides; the whole line of fortification extending a mile and a half.-This nights labor may seem incredible; but it happened that a great quantity of building materials had been accumulated near the spot where were thrown up the breastworks: and this proved an excellent material for the work. The next day, towards evening, we were informed that the Governor had ordered this force against us, with orders to exterminate us or drive us from the State. As soon as these facts were ascertained, determined not to resist any thing in the shape of authority, however tyrannical or unconstitutional might be the proceeding against us; therefore we had nothing more to do but to submit to be massacred or driven at the option of our persecutors. Colonel Hinkle waited on Messrs, J. Smith, S. Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, L. Wight, G. Robinson and myself, with a polite request from General Lucas, that we would surrender ourselves as prisoners and repair to his camp, and remain over night, with assurance that as soon as peaceable arrangements could be intered [entered] next morning, we should be released. With this request we readily complied, as soon as we were assured by the pledge of the honor of the principal officers, that our lives should be safe; we accordingly walked near a mile voluntarily, towards the camp of the enemy; who, when they saw us coming came out to meet us by thousands, with general Lucas at their head.-When the haughty General rode up to us, and scarcely passing a compliment, gave orders to his troops to surround us, which they did very abruptly, and we were marched into camp surrounded by thousands of savage looking beings, many of whom were painted like Indian warriors. These all set up a constant yell, like so many blood hounds let loose on their prey, as if they had achieved one of the most miraculous victories which ever dignified the annals of the world. In camp we were placed under a strong guard, and before morning, A. Lyman and several others were added to our number.-P. P. Pratts history of the persecution.
COMMUNICATIONS.
Quincy, Ill. April 28th. 1840.
BRO'S, SMITH & ROBINSON. I left Commerce on the 15th Inst. on my journey to the holy land in Asia. I stopped in Lima and preached there on the 16th to an attentive congregation. While speaking, Bro. Page rode up in a carraige, [carriage] in and spoke to the people at the close of my discourse. On Friday, the 17th Inst. Bro. Miles brought us to this place; and on Saturday evening, we commenced preaching, and then gave out appointments for preaching on Sunday, Sunday night and every night during the week with the exception of one. Last Sunday we closed our public labors in this place after administering the sacrament to the brethren and sisters.
There have been 15 persons added to the church by baptism during our meeting; and I think there are eight more that will be baptized to-morrow, Bro. Page has gone into the country to preach and baptize some to day. The Lord is truly with us, and enables us to speak with a power that finds way to the hearts of the people. The priests begin to be a little uneasy, because their members will believe the truth, and go down into Jordon: [Jordan] no, Mississippi. The people have treated us kindly, and have been very attentive to hear the word. The seed sown has taken deep root. Many will slip up to Commerce to be baptized who will be the fruits of our labor here. Most to much of a cross to come forward and
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