| 281 On August 18, Elder David Dancer wrote of the then new town of Lamoni, Iowa, now headquarters of the church, as follows:
I think there ought to be something said, through the Herald, in regard to our new town. If things could be got into working order this fall, our town would command quite a large trade this winter, and in fact till the southwestern road is built, and I think they will not undertake that very soon . . . . As long as the road remains as it is, our town will draw the trade of Eagleville, Loraine, and a distance of twenty miles or more from the south and southwest. It will command a strip of country ten by twenty-five miles, if buildings and men suitable to do the business can be got this fall. If not the trade must go to some other place. We need a hotel,-I hardly know how we can get along without it this winter,-a brick-yard, lumber-yard, stock scales, stores, mechanics; and now is the time to start. It is expected that the cars will be running to our place by September 20.
to the United States with the intent of violating their laws and committing crimes expressly punishable under the statutes as penitentiary offenses.
No friendly power will, of course, knowingly lend its aid even indirectly, to attempts made within its borders against the laws and government of a country wherewith it is at peace, with established terms of amity and reciprocal relations of treaty between them; while, even were there no question involved of open and penal infraction of the laws of the land every consideration of comity should prevail to prevent the territory of a friendly State from becoming a resort or refuge for the crowds of misguided men and women whose offense against morality and decency would be intolerable in the land from whence they come.
It is not doubted, therefore, that when the subject is brought to its attention, the Government of - will take such steps as may be compatible with the laws and usages to check the organization of these criminal enterprises by agents who are thus operating beyond the reach of the law of the United States, and to prevent the departure of those proposing to come hither as violators of the law, by engaging in such criminal enterprises, by whomsoever instigated.
You are instructed, therefore, to present the matter to the Government of -, through the minister of foreign affairs, and to urge earnest attention to it, in the interest not merely of a faithful execution of the law of the United States, but of the peace, good order, and morality which are cultivated and sought to be promoted by all civilized countries. You will fortify your representations on the subject by the citation of any facts which may come to your notice concerning emigration of this character from -, and to this end the consular officers in your jurisdiction have been instructed to communicate to you what information with regard thereto may come to their knowledge. Your timely protest in cases where the probable departure of Mormon emigrants is reported or known to you would probably prove a weighty auxiliary to the general representations you are now instructed to make. You are also authorized in your discretion to call attention to this subject, and the determined purpose of this Government to enforce this law and eradicate this institution, through the public press of the principal cities or parts of the country, as you may find it useful toward the end in view. I desire to be informed of the steps taken by you under these instructions, and of the disposition shown in reference to the same by the Government to which you are accredited.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM M. EVARTS.
-The Saints' Herald, vol. 27, pp. 9, 10.
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