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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 7 Page: 167 (~1846-49)

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167 writ against writ; constable against constable; law against law, and posse against posse."-Ibid., pp. 414, 415.

To follow all the details of this controversy and conflict would be tedious and unprofitable. It will be sufficient to say that the agitation finally resulted in a battle between those clamoring for expulsion and the citizens of Nauvoo. Many of the latter were not Mormons but received the same treatment from the opposition, who were bent on robbing Nauvoo.

Of the events immediately preceding the fight, Governor Ford writes:-

"The posse continued to increase until it numbered about eight hundred men; and whilst it was getting ready to march into the city, it was represented to me by another committee, that the new citizens of Nauvoo were themselves divided into two parties, the one siding with the Mormons, the other with their enemies. The Mormons threatened the disaffected new citizens with death, if they did not join in the defense of the city. For this reason I sent over M. Brayman, Esq., a judicious citizen of Springfield, with suitable orders restraining all compulsion in forcing the citizens to join the Mormons against their will, and generally to inquire into and report all the circumstances of the quarrel.

"Soon after Mr. Brayman arrived there, he persuaded the leaders on each side into an adjustment of the quarrel. It was agreed that the Mormons should immediately surrender their arms to some person to be appointed to receive them, and to be redelivered when they left the State, and that they would remove from the State in two months. This treaty was agreed to by General Singleton, Colonel Chittenden and others, on the side of the anties, and by Major Parker and some leading Mormons on the other side. But when the treaty was submitted for ratification to the anti-Mormon forces, it was rejected by a small majority. General Singleton and Colonel Chittenden, with a proper self respect, immediately withdrew from command; they not being the first great men placed at the head of affairs at the beginning of violence, who have been hurled from their places before the popular frenzy had run its course. And

(page 167)

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