| 123 landing, which renders it equal to any town on the Mississippi river for commercial improvements. The soil of the surrounding country is not inferior to any in the United States, and much of the lands can be purchased or leased at a reasonable rate.
There are now in the town about two hundred and fifty houses, and rapidly increasing; there are also about one thousand acres of land divided into town lots, and the size of each lot, except those which are fractional are eleven rods by twelve, which makes elegant gardens, and fills the definition of the Hebrew word Nauvoo, a delightful plantation. Now having all these local advantages, together with the commandments of our God in view, I am decidedly of the opinion that it is the duty and the privilege of the saints in the east, to gather them selves together, to this place, even the place where God has appointed for them, and taking into consideration the important events which are about to transpire, together with the duty which is binding on the saints to gather themselves together, induces me to call upon them for aid and influence, to assist us in building up the delightful plantation called Nauvoo. A. RIPLEY.
TIMES AND SEASONS.
NAUVOO, ILL. JUNE, 1840.
IMMIGRATION.
For immigration and growth, this place most assuredly takes the lead of all other places that ever came under our observation; scarcely a day leaves us without bringing several families to our midst, to mingle their exertions with others of their brethren, to build up a peaceful habitation, a place of industry, where, amidst a quiet people, they can enjoy the sacred rights of conscience.
When taking a short survey of this people: in their various situations and circumstances; say from one year to a year and a half back, and viewing them with an impartial eye, flying in every direction for their lives, lacerating their feet upon the bleak prairies, exposed to the snow and frosts of the spring and winter months; some in tents, some in wagons, some, like the savages of the forest in wig-wams of bark, and others with naught but the canopy of heaven for a covering over their heads, all thinly clad; having been robbed of their substance by the enemies of Christ, and forced to leave their houses and farms which they had procured by their own industry: wives mourning for their husbands, mothers weeping for their children, and orphans lamenting the loss of their parents: all who have fallen victims to the wrath of murderers, and been deprived of a decent grave.
And again, when viewing the saints (almost every family that was expelled from Missouri,) scattered upon the banks of the Mississippi, and elswhere [elsewhere] through this State and Iowa Teritory [territory], during the heat of last summer, all sick with the fever, chills and fever &c. many of whom died for the want of proper care, there not being well ones enough to take care of the sick; and all this in consequence of the above named exposures, brought upon them by the State of Missouri, by their unhallowed proceedings against an innocent people. When drawing the contrast between the sceneries [scenery] of those times and the present; it calls forth from our hearts expressions of gratitude to HIM who holds the destinies of all men, and who will mete out to every man his portion in due season; even the God of Israel, who in the disposal
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