| 1073 to previous appointment, accompanied by four baggage wagons. They traveled to New Portage and there tarried with the church, until the remainder of the Kirtland company arrived , who were not in readiness to start with them.
The following letter from Elder Phelps to us clearly shews [shows] the necessity there was of the saints in Missouri receiving assistance from afar:
"Liberty, May 1st 1834.
Dear Brethren.-There are great moves in the west. Last week an alarm was spread in Jackson county, the seat of iniquity and bloodshed, that the "Mormons" were crossing the Missouri, to take possession of their lands, and nearly all the county turned out, "prepared for war;" on Saturday and on Sunday took the field, near old McGees, above Blue; but no Mormons came; neither did Arthur go over to see about his spilt whiskey, so that the scene closed by burning our houses, or many of them. Our people had about one hundred and seventy buildings in Jackson, and a bonfire of nearly all of them at once, must have made a light large enough to have glared on the dark deed and cup of iniquity running over, at midnight.
"The crisis has come, all who will not take up arms with the mob and prepare to fight the "Mormons," have to leave Jackson county. I understand some have left the county because they refused to fight an innocent people. It is said the mob will hold a "general muster" this week for the purpose of learning who is who. They begin to slip over the Missouri and commit small depredations upon our brethren settled near the river, as we have reason to believe.
It is said to be enough to shock the stoutest heart to witness the drinking, swearing, and ravings of the most of the mob: nothing but the power of God can stop them in their latter day crusade against the Church of Christ.
Our brethren are very industrious in putting in spring crops; and they are generally in good health, and the faithful in strong faith of a glorious hereafter.
I remain yours, &c.,
W. W. PHELPS."
All hopes of relief from the General Government was destroyed on receipt of the following communication from the city of Washington:
"War Department, May 2nd 1834.
Gentlemen:-The President has referred to this department the memorial and letter addressed to him by yourselves and other citizens of Missouri, requesting his interposition in order to protect your persons and property.
In answer, I am instructed to inform you that the offences [offenses] of which you complain, are violations of the laws of the State of Missouri, and not of the laws of the United States. The powers of the President under the constitution and laws, to direct the employment of a military force in cases where the ordinary civil authorities are found insufficient, extend only to proceedings under the laws of the united States.
Where in insurrection in any State exists, against the government thereof, the President is required on the application of such State, or of the Executive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened,) to call forth such a number of the Militia, as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.
But this state of things does not exist in Missouri or if it does, the fact is not shewn [shown] in the mode pointed out by law. The President cannot call out a military force to aid in the execution of the State Laws, until the proper requisition is made upon him by the constituted authorities.
Very respectfully, your obed't serv't.,
(Signed,) LEWIS CASS.
To Messrs. A. S. Gilbert, W. W, Phelps. E. Partridge, and others, Liberty Clay county, Missouri."
"City of Jefferson, May 2nd 1834.
To Messrs. W. W. Phelps and others:
Gentlemen:-Yours of the 24th ult., is before me, in reply to which I can inform you that becoming impatient at the delay of the Court of Enquiry [Inquiry] in making their report in the case of Lieut. Col. Pitcher; on the 11th ult. I wrote to Gen. Thompson for the reasons of such delay; last night I received his reply, and with it the report of the Court of Enquiry [Inquiry], from the tenor of which, I find no difficulty in deciding that the arms your people were required to surrender on the 5th of last November should be returned and have issued his order to Col. Lucus [Lucas] to deliver them to your or your order, which order is here enclosed.
Respectfully, your obed't serv't.
(Signed) DANIEL DUNKLIN.
The following is the order referred to above:
"City of Jefferson, May 2nd 1834.
To Samuel D. Lucas, Col. 33rd Regiment:
Sir,-The Court ordered to enquire [inquire] into the conduct of Lieut. Col. Pitcher, in the movement he made on the 5th November last, report it as their unanimous opinion that there was no insurrection on that day, and that Col. Pitcher was not authorized to call out his troops on the 5th Nov. 1833. It was then unnecessary to require the Mormons to give up their arms. Therefore, you will deliver to W. W. Phelps, E. Parried [Partridge], John Corrill, John Whitmer,
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