| 41 Ans. Yes. Q. Did he not obtain them of you by telling you that he had a revelation to the effect that he was to have them. Ans. No, he did not mention a word of the kind concerning the oxen; he purchased them the same as another man would.
After a few more such attempts, the court was detained for a time, in order that two young women (daughters to Mr. Stoal) with whom I had at times kept company; might be sent for, in order, if possible to elicit something from them which might be made a pretext against me. The young ladies arrived and were severally examined, touching my character, and conduct in general but particularly as to my behavior towards them both in public and private, when they both bore such testimony in my favor, as left my enemies without a pretext on their account. Several attempts were now made to prove something against me, and even circumstances which were alleged to have taken place in Broom county were brought forward; but these, my lawyers would not here admit of against me, in consequence of which, my persecutors managed to detain the court, until they had succeeded in obtaining a warrant from Broom county, and which warrant they serve upon me, at the very moment in which I had been acquitted by this court.
TIMES AND SEASONS
CITY OF NAUVOO, THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 15, 1842.
REMARKS ON CHARTERED RIGHTS.
It will be seen by the inaugural address of Gov. Ford, that our city charters are considered objectionable, by his excellency, on many accounts; but particularly on account of the 'powers granted.' He states tkat [that] the people of the State have become aroused on the subject and anxiously desire that those charter s should be modified, so as to give the inhabitants of the city of Nauvoo no greater privileges than those enjoyed by others of our fellow citizens.' The House of Representatives have taken up the subject and many of the Honorable members feel very desirous to take from us our chartered rights. We insert the whole of the particulars pertaining to this discussion as published in the Sangamo Journal of Dec. 15.
Now it does and always has appeared strange to us that such a feverish excitement and such a continuous dogged jealousy should exist on the minds of community pertaining to us as a people; and more particularly that such feelings should be cherished by honorable members; and that opportunities should be sought to misrepresent us, and to speak evil of our religion, in the Senate chamber, and in the Legislative hall.
If indeed we as a people do possess peculiar, exclusive privileges: if we have violently, or fraudulently taken from any men their rights; if we have refused to be subject to any legal enactments; if we have transcended the bounds of our chartered privileges; or violated the Constitution of the State, or that of the United States; we refuse not to be dealt with legally, fairly, and constitutionally: but if we have broken no law, and have kept within the limits of our chartered rights, and those rigts [rights] are not exclusive; we throw ourselves under the banner or our great republic; we stand proudly erect, and proclaim ourselves American citizens; we claim the rights of the free sons of Columbia; we rest under the shade of our glorious Constitution; the broad folds of which we trust, will secure us from the power or religious bigots, and fanatics; the hand of persecution, and the power of tyranny and despotism.
His Excellency seems to think that our charters are 'objectionable on many accounts; but particularly on account of the powers granted.' What the many things are that are objectionable we are at a loss to know, as we have never observed them in the city charter; nor have honorable members who have discussed this subject, informed us of them; we have heard a great deal said about exclusive rights, and extraordinary powers; but we have never yet been shown where those powers exist; and unless we have more light thrown upon the subject than has yet been made manifest, we must remain ignorant. Our city Charter grants us the privilege of electing our own Mayor, City Council, Aldermen, Marshall and Constables; of creating all offices and making all laws that shall be considered for the benefit, well being, peace and happiness of the city of Nauvoo, 'not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States or of this State.'
Is there any thing objectionable in this? any powers that a duly advised Senator, or Legislator, would deprecate? or that a philanthropist or republican would not subscribe to? We have, too, our charter for the Nauvoo Legion, University, and Agricultural Society.
As it regards the first of these, we say that it is equipped, officered, and organized, in a manner that not only does credit to the city of Nauvoo, but to the State of Illinois; and is acknowledged by all who have seen its numbers, uniform and discipline, and witnessed its evolutions, to be one of the most efficient military bodies in
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