| 1090 money is to be paid is the same, as the above set forth in our propositions to buy, the Mormons to give good security for the payment of the money, and the undersigned will give security that the land will be conveyed to the Mormons. They further propose, that all parties are to remain as they are till the payment is made, at which time the people of Jackson will give permission.
(Signed) SAMUEL C. OWENS,
RICHARD FRISTOE,
THOS. HAYTON Sen..
THOS. CAMPBELL,
JOHN DAVIS,
THOS. JEFFREYS,
SMALLWOOD NOLAND,
ROBERT RICKMAN,
ABRAHAM M. CLELLAN,
S. K. NOLAND."
On presentation of the foregoing, Samuel C. Owens made a flaming war-speech, and Gen. Doniphan relied on the side of peace. The Rev. M. Riley, a Baptist Priest, made a hot speech against the Mormons, and said "the Mormons have lived long enough in Clay county; and they must either clear out, or be cleared out." Turnham, the moderator of the meeting, answered in a masterly manner; saying, "let us be republicans; let us honor our country, and not disgrace it like Jackson county. For God's sake dont [don't] disfranchise or drive away the Mormons. They are better citizens than many of the old inhabitants."
Gen. Doniphan exclaimed, "that's a fact, and as the Mormons have armed themselves, if they don't fight they are cowards. I love to hear that they have brethren coming to their assistance. Greater love can no man show, than he who lays down his life for his brethren."
At this critical instant, the cocking of pistols, and jingle of implements of death, denoted desperation. One motioned 'adjourn" another, "go on," and in the midst of this awful crisis a person bawled into the door "a man stabbed." The mass instantly rushed out to the spot, in hopes, as some said, that "one damn'd Mormon had got killed," but as good luck would have it, only one Missourian had dirk'd another: (one Calbert a blacksmith, had stabbed one Wales, who had previously whipped one Mormon nearly to death, and boasted of having whipped many more.) The wound was dangerous, and as if the Lord was there, it seemed as though the occurrence was necessary to break up the meeting without further bloodshed, and give the saints a chance to consult what would be most advisable in such a critical instant, and they immediately penned the following answer to the propositions from Jackson county, presented by Owens, &c.
"Gentlemen;-Your propositions for an adjustment of the difficulties between the citizens of Jackson county and the Mormons, is before us; and as explained to you in the court house this day, we are not authorised [authorized] to say to you that our brethren will submit to your proposals; but we agree to spread general notice, and call a meeting of our people in all, the present week, and lay before you an answer as soon as Saturday or Monday next. We can say for ourselves, and in behalf of our brethren, that peace is what we desire and what we are disposed to cultivate with all men: and to effect peace, we feel disposed to use all our influence, as far as would be required at our hands, as free born citizens of these United States, and as fears have been expressed, that we designed hostilities against the inhabitants of Jackson county, we hereby pledge ourselves to them, and to the hospitable citizens of Clay county, that we will not, and neither have designed, as a people, to commence hostilities against the aforesaid citizens of Jackson county or any other people.
Our answer shall be handed to Judge Turnham, the chairman of the meeting, even earlier than the time before stated, if possible.
(Signed) W. W. PHELPS,
WM. E. McCLELLAN,
A. S. GILBERT,
JOHN CORRILL,
ISAAC MORLEY.
N. B. As we are informed that a large number of our people are on their way to Jackson county, we agree to use our influence immediately to prevent said company from entering into Jackson county, until you shall receive an answer to the propositions afore named."
It may be thought, at first view, that the mob committee made a fair proposition to the saints, in offering to buy their lands at one hundred per cent, in thirty days; and offering theirs on the same terms; but when it is understood that the mob held possession of a much larger quantity of land than the saints, and that they only offered thirty days for the payment, having previously robbed them of nearly every thing, it will be readily seen that they were only making a sham to cover their previous unlawful conduct; but the tempest of an immediate conflict seemed to be checked, and the Jackson mob to the number of about fifteen, with Samuel C. Owens and James Campbell at their head, started for Independence, Jackson county, to raise an army sufficient to meet me, before I could get into Clay
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