| 1108 "Independence, Mo., June 26, 1834.
Mr. Amos Reese;
Dear Sir.: Since my return from Liberty, I have been busily engaged in conversing with the most influential men of our county, endeavoring to find out if possible, what kind of a compromise will suit with the Mormons on their part. The people here, enmass, I find out, will do nothing like according to their last proposition. We will have a meeting if possible, on Monday next, at which time the proposals of the Mormons will be answered. In the mean time, I would be glad, that they, the Mormons, would cast an eye back of Clinton and see if that is not a country calculated for them."
Yours Respectfully,
S. C. OWENS."
The cholera continued its ravages about four days, when an effectual remedy for their purging, vomiting, and cramping was discovered; viz, dipping the person afflicted in cold water, or pouring it upon them, about sixty eight of the saints suffered from this disease, of which number thirteen died, viz. John S. Carter, Eber Wilcox, Seth Hitchcock, Erastus Rudd, Algernon Sidney Gilbert, Alfred Frisk, Edward Ives, Noah Johnson, Jesse B. Lawson, Robert McCord, Eliah Strong, Jesse Smith and Betsy Parish.
The last days of June I spent with my old Jackson county friends in the western part of Clay county.
On the first of July I crossed the Missouri river, in company with a few friends, into Jackson county, to set my feet once more on the "goodly land" and on the 2nd I went down near Liberty and visited the brethren. This day the 'Enquirer' the correspondence between the Sheriff and the camp, of the 22nd of June as follows:
GILLIUM'S COMMUNICATION.
"Being a citizen of Clay county, and knowing that there is considerable excitement amongst the people thereof: and also knowing that different reports are arriving almost hourly: and being requested of the Hon. J. F. Ryland, to meet the Mormons under arms, and obtain from the leaders thereof the correctness of the various reports in circulation; the true intent and meaning of their present movements, and their views generally regarding the difficulties existing between them and Jackson county:-I did in company with other gentlemen, call upon the said leaders of the Mormons, at their camp in Clay county; and now give to the people of Clay county their written statement, containing the substance of what passed between us."
(signed.) CORNELIUS GILLIUM,
"PROPOSITIONS &c. OF THE MORMONS."
Being called, upon by the above named gentlemen, at our camp in Clay county, to ascertain from the leaders of our men, our intentions, views, and designs, in approaching this county in the manner we have; we therefore, the more cheerfully comply with their request, because we are called upon by gentlemen of good feeling, and who are disposed for peace and an amicable adjustment of the difficulties existing between us and the people of Jackson county. The reports of our intentions are various and have gone abroad in a light calculated to arouse the feeling of almost every man. For instance one report is, that we intend to demolish the Printing office in Liberty; another report is, that we intend crossing the Missouri river on Sunday next, and falling upon women and children and slaying them; another is, that our men were employed to perform this expedition, being taken from manufacturing establishments in the East, that had closed business: also that we carried a flag, bearing "peace" on one side and "war or blood" on the other; and various others too numerous to mention, all of which, a plain declaration of our intentions from under our own hands, will shew [show] are not correct.
In the first place, it is not our intention to commit hostilities against any man or set of men, it is not our intention to injure any man's person or property, except in defending ourselves. Our flag has been exhibited to the above gentlemen who will be able to describe it. Our men were not taken from any manufacturing establishment. It is our intention to go back upon our lands in Jackson county, by order of the executive of the State, if possible. We have brought our arms with us for the purpose of self defence [defense], as it is well known to almost every man of the State, that we have every reason to put ourselves in an attitude of defence [defense], considering the abuse we have suffered in Jackson county. We are anxious for a settlement of the difficulties existing between us, upon honorable and constitutional principles.
We are willing for twelve disinterested men, six to be chosen by each party, and these men shall say what the possessions of those men are worth who cannot live with us in the county; and they shall have their money in one year; and none of the Mormons shall enter that county to reside until the money is paid. The damages that we have sustained in consequence of being driven away, shall also be left to the above twelve men, or they may all live in the county, if they choose, and we will never molest them if they let us alone, and permit us to enjoy our rights. We want to live in peace
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