| 768 Of subsequent events connected with this trouble, Governor Ford in this same message wrote as follows:-
"I omit to say anything of the manner of the murder of the Smiths; or of the persons by whom the murder was committed, because several persons are under indictment for their supposed share in the act; and it is not proper that I should say anything which might possibly prejudice a fair and impartial trial.
"It has always appeared to me, however, that the persons who committed the deed ought to be made to answer for their crime. The honor of the State and the supremacy of the laws seemed to be compromitted; a trial ought to be insisted on, exactly as in other cases; and if the accused have all the matters of defense and justification on their side, which they claim, they will be able to show them to the court.
"During the latter part of August and first of September last I observed that the anti-Mormon paper, in Hancock County, renewed its attacks on the Mormons; every number of which groaned with charges of larcenies and robberies and meditated outrages. By this fact, connected with my previous information, I was certain that the time was approaching when a new attempt was to be made to expel the Mormons. In a short time afterwards I ascertained that the officers of the militia in Hancock County had appointed a grand military parade at Warsaw to come off on the 26th day of October. Circulars were printed, signed by these officers, and extensively circulated in Iowa Territory, in the State of Missouri, and in the neighboring counties, inviting the militia in all those parts to attend the parade, and to come prepared for a six days' encampment.
"It was also extensively given out that there was to be a grand wolf hunt; and that the Mormons and Jack-Mormons, were the wolves to be hunted. A large number engaged in getting up this movement openly stated that the object of it was to make war on the Mormons.
"I could not hesitate as to what duty required. The State had already been in danger of disgrace by a treacherous and cowardly murder. The Mormons had been peaceable, submissive, and quiet ever since the death of the
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