| 143 away our property; and to complete the measure of their infamy as a state their Executive caused unofending [inoffensive] thousands to be banished from the state, without even the form of a trial, or the slightest evidence of crime; they are now sending their gangs of murdering banditti, and theiving [thieving] brigands, to reak [wreak] further vengeance and satisfy their insatiable cupidity in the state of Illinois, and that to, before we have even had time to erect shelters for our families.
3rdly, That for the purpose of giving a semblance of justification to their most unhallowed conduct, of the people of Missouri, have again commenced concealing goods within the limits of our settlements, as they had done before in the state of Missouri, in order to raise a charge of stealing against our citizens, and under this guise they have within a few days kidnapped and carried away several honest and worthy citizens of this county.
4thly-Under these circumstances, the first duty and the only redress which seems to offer itself to our consideration is an appeal to the Executive of the State of Illinois for redress, and protection from further injuries, with a confident assurence [assurance] he, unlike the Governor of Missouri, will extend the Executive arm to protect from lawless outrage, unofending [inoffensive] citizens.
Therefore. Resolved first: that we view, with no ordinary feelings, the approaching danger, as a necessary consequence following the lawless and oatragious [outrageous] conduct of the citizens of Missouri in setting at defiance the laws of this, as well as all other States of this Union; by forcing from their homes and from the State, civil citizens of Illinois; and taking them into the State of Missouri without any legal process whatever, and there inflicting upon them base cruelties in order to extort false confessions from them, to give a coloring to their (the Missourians) iniquities, and screan [screen] themselves from the just indignation of an incensed public.
Resolved secondly-that while we deeply deplore the cause which has brought us together on this occasion, we cannot refrain from expressing our most unqualified disaprobation [disapprobation] at the infringement of the laws of this State, as set forth in the above preamble, and strongest indignation, at the manner in which the people of Missouri treated those whom they had thus inhumanly [inhumanely] taken from among us.
Resolved, Thirdly-that, inasmuch as we are conscious of our honest and upright intentions, and are at all times ready and willing to submit to the just requirements of the laws; we claim of the citizens and authorities of this state, protection from such unjust, and before, unheard of oppressions.
Resolved, fourthly-that the forcible abduction of our citizens by the citizens of Missouri, is a violation of the laws regulating the fedral [federal] compact, subversive of the rights of freeman, and contrary to our institutions and republican principles.
Resolved , fifthly-that, the cruelties practized [practiced] upon our citizens, since their abduction, is disgraceful to humanity; the height of injustice and oppression, and would disgrace the annals of the most barbarious [barbarous] nations, in either ancient, or modern times; and can only find its parallel in the "Auto da Fa" the inquisitions in Spain.
Resolved , sixthly-that, such unconstitutional and unhallowed proceedings on the part of the citizens of Missouri, ought to arouse every patriot to exertion and diligence, to put a stop to such procedure; and use all constitutional means to bring the offenders to justice.
Resolved , seventhly-that, we memorialize the Executive of this state of the gross outrage which has been committed on our citizens; and pledge ourselves to aid him in such measures, as may be deemed necessary to restore our citizens to freedom, and have satisfaction for the wrongs we have suffered. ELIAS HIGBEE, Chairman. R. B. THOMPSON, Sec't.
NOTICE
The elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Iowa Territory, are hereby requested to enroll their names in the quorum of elders, by the 4th Saturday of August next, or they will not be considered in fellowship with said quorum.
Also that the quorum of elders will hereafter meet at Ambrosia, on the 4th Saturday of each month, at 1 o'clock A. M. Ordered by the unanimous voice of the quorum of elders convened at
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