| 141 believe what is reported to us, that they have employed runners to steal the saddles and bridles from their own horses, while in our city, for the purpose of damning us in the eyes of the community;
"And whereas, the Chief Magistrate of this State, after a second and protracted visit to this city, and much pains taken to investigate the charge of promiscuous stealing, reports to the legislature as follows:-
"'Justice, however, requires me here to say, that I have investigated the charge of promiscuous stealing, and find it to be greatly exaggerated. I could not ascertain that there were a greater proportion of thieves in that community, than in any other of the same number of inhabitants; and perhaps if the city of Nauvoo were compared with St. Louis, or any other western city, the proportion would not be so great.'
"And whereas, the printing office of our open and avowed enemy, Dr. Foster, was set on fire, in this city by himself, or by his instruction, as we believe, to fan the flame of mobocracy, which fire was only prevented by our vigilant police;
"And whereas, we firmly believe that our enemies in this city have several times attempted to fire their own buildings and have only been prevented by the diligence of our officers;
"Therefore, be it resolved, unanimously, that we will use all lawful means in our power to assist the public to prevent stealing and bogus making, and bring the offenders to justice.
"Resolved, that to prevent further depredations in our city, by lawless desperadoes from abroad, we approve the raising of five hundred police by this city.
"Resolved, unanimously, that we invite all honest men to watch closely their property, and arrest all thieves; and if they shall catch a thief in the act of stealing, challenge him to stand, and if he refuses to do so, and flees, so far as the Mormons are concerned, we will be satisfied if the owners of the property shall speedily send after him a writ of habeas corpus sealed with lead to arrest his progress; but after all, should the thief prove to be a mobocrat, alas! alas!! O, what a pity !
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