| 609 Joseph resumes his history as follows:-
Several rumors were afloat in the city, intimating that my retreat had been discovered, and that it was no longer safe for me to remain at Bro. Sayers'; consequently Emma came to see me at night, and informed me of the report. It was considered wisdom that I should remove immediately,
one remaining doubt, and your honor will recollect that you said to me that you would not advise Mr. Smith ever to trust himself in Missouri.
And, dear sir, you cannot for one moment indulge one unfriendly feeling towards him if he abides by your counsel. Then sir, why is it that he should be thus cruelly pursued? Why not give him the privilege of the laws of this State? When I reflect upon the many cruel and illegal operations of Lilburn W. Boggs, and the consequent suffering of myself and family, and the incalculable losses and sufferings of many hundreds who survived and the many precious lives that were lost,-all the effect of unjust prejudice and misguided ambition, produced by misrepresentation and calumny,-my bosom heaves with unutterable anguish. And who that is as well acquainted with the facts as the people of the city of Quincy, would censure me if I should say that my heart burned with just indignation towards our calmuniators [calumniators] as well as the perpetrators of those horrid crimes?
But happy would I now be to pour out my heart in gratitude to Governor Boggs, if he had rose up with the dignity and authority of the chief executive of the State, and put down every illegal transaction, and protected the peaceable citizens and enterprising emigrants from the violence of plundering outlaws, who have ever been a disgrace to the State and always will, so long as they go unpunished. Yes, I say, how happy would I be to render him not only the gratitude of my own heart, but the cheering effusions of the joyous souls of fathers and mothers, of brothers and sisters, widows and orphans, whom he might have saved by such a course, from now drooping under the withering hand of adversity brought upon them by the persecutions of wicked and corrupt men.
And now may I entreat your Excellency to lighten the hand of oppression and persecution which is laid upon me and my family, which materially affect the peace and welfare of this whole community; for let me assure you that there are many whole families that are entirely dependent upon the prosecution and success of Mr. Smith's temporal business for their support; and if he is prevented from attending to the common avocations of life, who will employ these innocent, industrious, poor people, and provide for their wants?
But, my dear sir, when I recollect the interesting interview I and my friends had with you when at your place, and the warm assurances you gave us of your friendship and legal protection, I cannot doubt for a moment your honorable sincerity; but do still expect you to consider our claims upon your protection from every encroachment upon our legal rights as loyal citizens, as we always have been, still are, and are determined always to be a law-abiding people; and I still assure myself that when you are fully acquainted with the illegal proceedings practiced against us in the suit of Governor Boggs, you will recall those writs which have been issued against Mr. Smith and Rockwell, as you must be aware that Mr. Smith was not in Missouri, and of course he could not have left there; with many other considerations, which, if duly considered, will justify Mr. Smith in the course he has taken.
And now I appeal to your Excellency, as I would unto a father who is
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