| 355 my journal. If you think them worthy of a place in your invaluable periodical, you are at liberty to insert them:-
"Having, whilst in my native land, heard a great deal said respecting the people called Mormons. I thought it would be well, in the course of my rambles (or tour) to visit their city, hold converse with them, see their city, investigate their principles, and judge for myself I had heard, previous to my leaving England, some of their missionaries, among whom was Elders Woodruff, Richards and Young. I thought they were setters forth of strange doctrine, yet it had an influence on my mind, so that I felt determined, as soon as opportunity served to hear both sides of the question, as well from the Missourians as from any other source. With an unprejudiced mind I had, previous to this time, been a member of the methodist church, but having observed that there existed in the breasts of those people a very strong prejudice with respect to the Mormons. I could not give full credence to their statements, neither could I rest satisfied with the statement of the Mormons. I thought it was possible that they might dissemble in England, but as a people, they could not do so at home, their actions would appear ungarnished; they would there act out their principles, and their moral and religious influence would there be seen as clear as the sun at noon day; but above all I wanted to know something concerning the Missourian persecution; so after having overcome all opposition, (some of my friends being greatly alarmed lest I should become a follower of Joe, as they termed it. I took ship and arrived in safety at New Orleans. I then sailed up the Mississippi, and landed at St. Louis. As soon as I had taken lodgings I commenced my inquiries respecting the Mormons. What think you of the Mormons, I asked? I had scarcely spoken before my ears were saluted form all quarters, from high and low, rich and poor. The Mormons! The mean Mormons! The G-d d--Mormons! The deluded Mormons, &c. I heard them calumniated, and vilified, nay, abused beyond belief. They informed me that their crimes were of the deepest dye. That polygamy was not only tolerated but practiced among them; that they would rob and plunder; and that blood and murder was to be found in their skirts. That after they had stripped a poor stranger of his all, they confined him in a kind of dungeon, underneath the temple, where he was fed upon bread and water, until death put a period to his sufferings-left to die alone without a kind friend by him to perform the last sad offices, or to see him consigned to the silent tomb, but like a dog he was left to die, and like a dog he was buried. Well, one would have thought that after having heard all this my courage must have failed, and that I would at once have given up the search, but I called to mind the old adage, "Nothing venture nothing have." Pistory [History] also informed me of the wonderful exploits performed in days of yore by the chivalrous and noble knights of England, and so I felt determined to see and behold the wonderful place, with the history of which I had become acquainted. I had, however, determined to sell my liberty and life as dearly as I could, in case the reports I had heard should prove true, but the fact was, I did not place much confidence in their Jack the Giant Killer's tales, looking upon them as being too marvellous [marvelous] to be true. I landed at Nauvoo on a beautiful morning in the summer season. I felt a degree of superstitious dread creep over me, as I set my foot upon the shore! Presently I discovered some armed men advancing towards where I was, but immediately perceived that they were peaceable citizens of the place engaged in a pleasure party. As I walked onward I felt myself comparatively at home, as I now and again met with an Englishman that I once had gazed upon in my native land. I directed my course towards the Temple, and after having gazed upon and thoroughly examined every part of it, I was soon led to the conclusion that there was not much danger to be apprehended from being confined in the subterranean vaults or dungeon, beneath the Temple. I took up my abode as convenient to that edifice as I could, in order that I might be the better enabled to take cognisance [cognizance] of every circumstance which might come under my observation. I had resolved to keep my head and understanding from being confused in order that I might be enabled to judge correctly, and have a true and correct report to send to my native land, should I be permitted to reach its shores in safety. The city is of great dimensions, laid out in beautiful order; the streets are wide, and cross each other at right angles, which will add greatly to its order and magnificence when it is finished. The city rises on a gentle incline from the rolling Mississippi, and as you stand near the Temple you may gaze on the picturesque scenery around. At your side is the Temple, the wonder of the world; round about and beneath you may behold handsome stores, large palaces, and fine cottages, interspersed with varied scenery. At the foot of the town rolls the noble Mississippi, bearing upon its bosom the numerous steam ships which are conveying
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