| 148 was a convention held at Carthage composed of delegates from the nine counties of Adams, Brown, Pike, Schuyler, Marquette, McDonough, Warren, Knox, and Henderson to consider the "Mormon subject." This convention, among other resolutions, passed the following:-
"Resolved, that it is the settled and deliberate conviction of this convention, that it is now too late to attempt the settlement of the difficulties in Hancock County upon any other basis than that of the removal of the Mormons from the State; and we therefore accept, and respectfully recommend to the people of the surrounding counties to accept, the proposition made by the Mormons to remove from the State next spring, and to wait with patience the time for removal.
"Resolved, that we utterly repudiate the impudent assertion, so often and so constantly put forth by the Mormons, that they are persecuted for righteousness' sake. We do not believe them to be a persecuted people. We KNOW that they are not; but that whatever grievances they may suffer are the necessary and legitimate consequences of their illegal, wicked, and dishonest acts."-The Prophet of Palmyra, p. 336.
The convention appointed four commissioners to visit the "Mormons" and demand their removal from the State. The commissioners were General John J. Hardin, commander of the State Militia, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, W. B. Warren, and J. A. McDougal. The commission had a conference with the church authorities in Nauvoo, who agreed to remove from the State. The following documents were signed, which for a time allayed hostilities and seemed to be satisfactory:-
"NAUVOO, October 1, 1845.
"To the President and Council of the Church at Nauvoo:-
"Having had a free and full conversation with you this day in reference to your proposed removal from this country, together with the members of your church, we have to request you to submit the facts and intentions stated to us in the said conversation to writing, in order that we may lay them before the Governor and people of the State. We
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