1850 – 30 March, p. 3 – Lately a scene occurred at St. Thomas’s Churchyard, Bampton, Derbyshire, between the incumbent and a party of Mormons resolute to bury there a deceased brother. The clergyman read a formal protest against being compelled to perform the service, and the sad office was fulfilled ultimately by the curate.

1850 – 19 October, p. 4 – Anglesey, Llanddaniel. The fanatics who call themselves “Latter-day Saints,” have visited our rural and secluded village, in order, as they say, to lead sinners from the errors of their way, and to convert them to God. As their visit has excited a little interest in this neighborhood, and for fear they may delude poor and ignored souls, with their condemnable trash, Mr. W. R. Thomas delivered an excellent lecture on the “Rise and Progress of Mormonism,” on the 10^th instant, at Cana Chapel. The congregation was numerous, and listened with intense interest to the strange things the eloquent lecturer disclosed. The Saints were invited to attend the meeting; but apparently, they had not courage enough to enter within the boundaries of a public discussion. After the conclusion of the powerful lecture, Mr. O. Williams, sensibly addressed the meeting, and submitted that a vote of thanks should be tendered to Mr. Thomas for his able and convincing lecture. At this, every right hand was unanimously raised. We hope that the lecture will prove an effectual antidote against the poisonous imposture of “Mormonism” in this locality.

1852 – 10 April, p. 7 (CDH) – Copy of a Letter from a Latter-day Saint in America. “St. Louis, Dec. 7, 1851. Dear Friend, I avail myself of this opportunity to write to you these few lines to inform you of the state of affairs in this country. Myself, together with my wife and child, have been ill here for five months, and now I am somewhat better, but I have lost all my comforts, for I have buried both wife and child in the same grave, in Illinois. I am now living in Missouri. It is very unhealthy here; and I beg of you to use all your influence to persuade my friends and the people of that country to stay where they are, rather than suffer themselves to be blindfolded into such a system of roguery and plunder as Mormonism. It is nothing but a mere humbug: I have found it is to my heart’s worry. Would that the people would see their error! They make them all kinds of promises at home, and when once here they laugh at them. I do not say this to dishearten any of them, but to inform them of the true state of things here; so that, if they will come after being told of their danger, they must abide the consequences. Of the 400 who came here, 200 have died since we came. No Welshmen died in crossing the sea, and coming up the river, save four children. I am now living with William Davies, of Abercarn, Monmouthshire, who came here with the Mormons; and this is his handwriting to prove that this is true. It would have been better for us not to have been born than to come here to be Mormons. They will take all from you at home, and starve you when you come here, if they have the chance, and take your wives from you. Their chief, Brigham Young, has twenty-four wives, and those lower in office than he, have smaller number, in proportion to their office, according to their station. Some have fourteen, some seven, and others different numbers. And now they are trying to insult the officers of the United States, who have left their places and have gone to Washington. And as Congress is now sitting, we shall hear what they will do. The Mormons are very unkind one to another. I had to dig my wife’s grave myself. She had a decent burial, but the Mormons did not put their hands to help at all. The men who gave them so much money had promises of land and everything else, when they reached here; but they have been let to die in the workhouse. Among these are Howells, Williams, and William Rees; and there are many more in the workhouse now; we do not know whether they will live or die. Your friend and well-wisher, Evan Powell. P.S. I wish to tell you also that the Sabbath is no more regarded here than any other day. There is gaming of every description here on the Sabbath, such as horse-racing, rolling the ten-pins, playing cards, etc.; and the leaders of the Mormons indulge in these to a great extent, together with dancing, swearing, and everything else that is beyond decency. – To Mr. John Lewis, Victoria Iron Works, South Wales.

1852 – 1 May, p. 3 (CDH) – Another terrible steamboat explosion, by which it is supposed 100 lives have been sacrificed, took place on April 9, at Lexington. The New York Herald says: The steamer Saluda, bound for Council Bluffs, exploded her boilers at Lexington, on Monday, April 9. She had on board, besides other passengers, a large number of Mormon emigrants. All the officers of the boat were killed, except the first clerk and mate. About 100 lives are supposed to have been lost. The boat is a total wreck. Her boilers have been in use several years.

1852 – 14 August, p. 6 – The Mormons in the North of Europe. A letter from Hamburg states that the Mormons have established a weekly newspaper at Hamburg, and have prepared a translation of their bible. They have missionaries actively employed, and seem to have money. In Norway also their doctrines are spreading.

1852 – 11 September, p. 5 – Lectures on the Mormon Delusion. The first of a series of Welsh lectures on the above subject was delivered at the Town Hall, Ruthin, on Friday evening, the 3^rd September, by Mr. Thomas Hughes (T. ab Gwilym), R. Edwards, Esq., solicitor, in the chair. The audience was numerous, amounting to several hundreds. On taking the chair, the president addressed the assembled multitude in most appropriate terms, explanatory of the object of the meeting, and the desirableness that some competent person should undertake to test and explain the strange doctrines taught by those people who called themselves the Latter-day Saints. These people declare that they alone are in possession of the truth, and condemn all other denominations of the Christian world as wandering in error: hence the necessity that we should inquire into, hear both sides of the question, and judge for ourselves. He observed, that if it was proved that they were in possession of the truth, it behooved us to listen to them and adhere to their tenets; but, if on the other hand, it could be proved that what they taught was of a delusive character, and tended to mislead mankind, it would be our duty to stand apart from them and expose their fraud before the world. By the statistics of the Mormons, we learn that the number of their members amounts to several thousands, and they pretend that they have brought over a vast number of our fellow-countrymen to embrace their views. This statement was in itself enough to justify an inquiry into the principles promulgated by these people. He entreated the audience to listen attentively, and with an unbiased mind; and if anyone was inclined to contradict anything said by the lecturer, or to require further information on any subject touched upon, an opportunity would be afforded at the close of the address. The Chairman called upon a choir, who had volunteered their presence, to sing a hymn, and at the conclusion introduced the lecturer to the meeting.

The Lecturer observed, that he had undertaken to compose and deliver a course of lectures on the above subject at the request of several respectable friends, and apologized for his coming forward, as a layman, to advocate the cause of truth, which was openly assailed by the Mormons in their publications and orations. He considered it to be the incumbent duty of every man to stand in defense of what appeared to him, after diligent investigation, to be the truth. He found that it would be impossible for him to trace the delusive system in all its hearings within the compass of one lecture, and therefore it was his intention to deliver six lectures on the various points into which the system naturally resolved itself. He would confine himself in the first lecture to treat upon the origin of the Mormon delusion. The second on the Mormon doctrines in reference to God, angels, and the soul of man. The third on the gift of miracles—the opinions and pretensions of the Mormons. Fourth, on the Mormon doctrines, touching the preaching to spirits in prison, and baptism for the dead. Fifth, that the Bible is the only standard of the faith and conduct of man, and that the world has no reason for expecting a new revelation. Sixth, that it was the grand end aimed at by Smith and his apostles to establish a temporal theocratic kingdom in America, for their own interests and worldly aggrandizement.

After the delivery of the said lectures, the lecturer hoped to accomplish a correct portraiture of the Mormon system in all its abominations; and it was not improbable that a fair elucidation of facts would convince some of the deluded saints, and incline them to exclaim “who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

The lecture on the first subject was most excellent, its delivery eloquent and powerful, and the proofs adduced fair and convincing. The audience listened attentively for an hour and a half, though most were inconvenienced by the want of sittings; and the chairman observed that he scarcely ever witnessed an audience exhibiting more interest and attention. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the lecturer and the chairman; and the audience express their approval of the task undertaken by “T. ab Gwilym.” It will be gratifying for many to learn that the lecturer, at the express wish of several respectable parties amongst the audience, has consented to publish the lectures in a cheap form.

1852 – 2 October, p. 7 – Latter-day Saints. New way of getting a Congregation—On Sunday morning last, several persons stopped in coming out of the different chapels to read the anti-militia papers which had been posted on the walls of the Meat-market. One of the saints mounted a chair and delivered a Mormon lecture to the loungers.

1853 – 1 January, p. 3 – The Mecklenburg post steamer Obotritt has conveyed from Copenhagen to Kiel a body of about 300 Mormons, including women and children. With the exception of a few Norwegians, the whole are Danes. They will be conveyed from Hamburg to Hull, and thence to Liverpool, where they will embark for New Orleans, to join their brethren in the distant settlements. The greater part of the elders possess some capital, and all are respectable.

1853 – 7 May, p. 6 – These deluded people the Mormons, principally from Carmarthenshire, still continue to leave their native shore in large numbers for the land of promise—the Salt Lake. Last week, nearly one hundred persons, many of them highly-respectable yeomen, left Swansea for Liverpool in the Troubadour steamer for embarkation.

1853 – 25 June, p. 6 – A Mormon preacher, named O’Kelly, while preaching at Spurstow, on Sunday week, said the reason of the disease among cattle and potatoes, was on account of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet.

1853 – 2 July, p. 4 – [In the report of a public meeting of the Church Pastoral Aid Society, the following comments were made about the “Mormons:”] “On one occasion, 200 of these disciples of Mormon had met in a schoolroom in order to witness the resurrection of a corpse. The body that was to be raised, lay extended on a table, and all present appeared to be anxiously awaiting the result, when one man less credulous than the rest, stepped forward and asked, ‘Is he really dead.’ The answer was affirmative. ‘Oh, then,’ said he, ‘a stick (stab) with this here knife will do him no harm,’ and he was going to suit the action to the word, but was prevented by the supposed corpse suddenly jumping up from the table. It might be supposed that after such an exposé the people would be cured of Mormonism; but no! The Mormonites stood their ground, explained things their own way, and made numbers of people believe that a real resurrection had taken place.”

1853 – 15 October, p. 3 – On Friday week last, the celebrated Robert Parry (Robin Ddu) delivered a sermon on Mormonism, in Swansea. From thirty to forty persons went to hear the great orator. The Latter-day Saints number but very few in the neighborhood.

1853 – 24 December, p. 10 – The Mormons intend to surround Great Salt Lake City with a wall, to protect themselves from the attacks of the Indians.

1853 – 31 December, p. 7 – Massacre of an Exploring Party. Among the items of news just received from the United States we find the following: “Advices by the Salt Lake mail report the massacre of Captain Gunnison and some of his exploring party, by a number of Indians on Sevier River. The killed were Captain Gunnison, Mr. Kern, the topographical engineer, William Porter, a guide, two others, and three mounted riflemen. The following are the particulars – Captain Gunnison and twelve of his party had departed from the rest, and while at breakfast a band of Indians, intending to destroy a Mormon village near at hand, came upon them and fired with rifles, and then used bows and arrows. Shots were returned by the Gunnison party, but they were overpowered, and only four escaped. Gunnison had twenty-six arrow shots in his body, and when found, one of his arms was off. The notes of the survey which had been nearly completed, instruments, and the animals, were taken by the Indians.”

1854 – 4 February, p. 6 – Aberystwyth. Latter-day Saints. The Zephyr steamer took, on Friday last, about 20 persons, converts to Mormonism, to Liverpool, intending to emigrate to the Salt Lake City. They were all from the neighborhood of Llanarth in this county, with the exception of one from this town, who had been in service at Llanarth, and married one of the Saints. There were old women about 80 years of age among the emigrants.

1854 – 4 March, p. 7 – A Voice from the Mormon Camp. Mr. J. M. Browne, of Northallerton, sends to the Leeds Mercury an extract of a letter received from his brother in St. Louis, North America, under date Jan. 15, 1854, in which he enters his protest against Mormonism, in the most unqualified manner. He says: “It is nearly four years since I espoused Mormonism. At that time, I had the strongest faith in its delusions, but subsequent events have induced me to investigate its doctrines, and I now have the satisfaction to inform you that my mind is quite made up in the matter. My reading and study have led me to conclude that there never was a greater monstrosity palmed upon the world in the name of religion that Mormonism. I believe the leaders of this sect to be a most unprincipled, ignorant, headstrong, bigoted, overbearing, tyrannical, indolent, lustful set of rascals; and their followers are a poor benighted, deluded, ignorant set of believers. No matter how absurd the sayings and doings of the priesthood, their poor dupes believe them to be infallible; so bigoted are they that they won’t believe any persons will get to Heaven except themselves. God preserve them from their Heaven! for, from what I know of them, I believe it will be a regular ‘hell upon earth.’”

1854 – 9 December, p. 2 – The King of Prussia having ordered a collection of the books of the Mormons, the Latter-day Saints jumped to the conclusion that he must be about to favor their views. So a deputation set out from Stettin to wait upon the Monarch to ‘compliment’ him; but when the train arrived at Berlin, the Mormons were arrested by the police, interrogated at great length, and ordered to leave the city in twenty-four hours.

1855 – 10 February, p. 10 – The Mormons at Utah. We have been favored with the following letter from a former resident in Manchester, who, like too many others, was induced to leave home by the representations of Mormon missionaries, and to take up his residence at Utah: “Great Salt Lake City, November 30, 1854. Dear Sir, I am happy to inform you that the persons you sent a letter by arrived here in safety; and that it was so ordered (shall I say providentially) that I happened to see your letter. I will now proceed to answer your questions as distinctly as you have asked them. In the first place, we have not heard anything of your father; but still we shall do our best to obtain tidings of him, and should we be fortunate enough to do so, I will be sure to let you know immediately. In the next place, I will tell you the truth, which, alas! is so seldom told. Things are as different here from what they are represented in England as darkness from light. People dare not say their souls are their own; in other words, they dare not give their opinion upon anything in opposition to what the authorities say. If they do, it is at the risk of their lives; in fact, I am writing this at the risk of my life, which would be forfeited if they found me out. But although the risk is great, I will encounter it, because I don’t want any to be deceived as I have been. Although I know that the saints in general would not believe it, I know you will; because I see you have a mind of your own. It is a regular money-getting system. The elders who go on missions to England, only go to line their pockets. That sanctimonious look which they have is all assumed; when they get upon the plains coming back, they swear like troopers, and laugh at the English for being such fools. When the English get here, and go and ask for relief, they treat them like dogs, and tell them that potatoes and salt are good enough for them. The very elders whom they have treated well in the old country (as England is termed here), and in many cases have turned out of bed, that they might turn in – when the English arrive here, half-starved, penniless, and destitute, these very elders do not know them. It is very easy to get here; but getting away is quite a different matter. We are upwards of 1000 miles from the United States on one side, and 600 from California on the other – the road each way through a desert country; and, as a matter of course, they who wish to leave, must have a good outfit, and when they have spent all their money in coming here, how are they to get an outfit. Hundreds die crossing the plains, through hard work, exposure, and the small quantity of food. There is not the least ceremony made in burying them. A hole is dug, the bodies put in, and left there. Tea is 8s. to 12s. per lb; butter, 2s. 7d. per lb; coffee, 1 s. 8d.; meat (beef), 5d. to 6d. per lb. Laborers get 6s a day, paid in whatever the employer likes to give them; and if they don’t like that, they may go without anything. Cash is out of the question; it is in a few hands, and they take care to keep it. Oh! if I could but induce the English people to serve God at home – for they can serve him a great deal better there than here! If I could only persuade them to do this, and keep their money in their pockets, instead of supporting a parcel of artful impostors, I should be glad. But they are so infatuated, the wool is so effectually drawn over their eyes, that they cannot see and would not believe. There are hundreds here who would like to get back to the states or to England; but they cannot, they dare not say so. As they are caught in the trap, they are obliged to remain. In the old country the elders say that as soon as the people arrive here, they have land given to them; but it is a downright falsehood. They will have no land, unless they pay a good price for it; and if they can’t pay for it, they must go without. Will you be so kind as to show this letter to the -----‘s, the -----‘s, and all the folks, in fact give it all the publicity you possibly can. We should like to hear from you how things are in England, etc. When you write direct to him who brought your letter – you know his name. Direct to him at Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. Will you be so kind as to send a letter to Mrs. -----, Kensal Green, near London. Tell her to tell her son J-----, and Brothers -----, not to come to the valley; for it’s all a take-in and a humbug. Tell them to be sure and keep their money in their pockets. Tell them it is a voice from the mountains, and put any other remarks you may think proper. If you will favor me by doing this you will oblige the writer of this, Tell Truth. P. S. You need not put your name in the letter unless you like. Your friends have not tasted either butter or sugar since they have been in this valley. Manchester Guardian.

1855 – 17 February, p. 2 – The Mormonites in the West. For some time past there has been a small colony of Mormons in Taunton, and their practices have rendered them so offensive that they have on more than one occasion been attacked by mobs. These attacks have at last become so serious that the matter was brought before the magistrates a few days since. A large crowd of persons, it appears, assembled round the meetinghouse of the Mormons, and broke the windows and did other damage, which rendered it necessary to call in the assistance of the police, when several of the offending parties were apprehended. The magistrate said that, however objectionable the doctrines of the Mormons might be—and no one felt stronger on the subject than himself—they must be protected by the law, and he therefore inflicted a small fine upon the offenders.

1855 – 3 March, p. 4 – Mr. J. T. Hammack calls attention, through the Times to the proceedings of the Mormons, who are striving to supply their harems in America with young women from England; and they appear to be but too successful.

1855 – 18 July, p. 3 – St. Louis, 6^th June, 1855. Dear Mother—I have a man and wife just arrived here with the Mormons from Abergele, his name is Richard Morgan Stevens, they are cousins to Mr. Pritchard, late gardener at Llanbedr Hall, near Ruthin. They came here in a very destitute condition. They had all their things taken from them by the Mormon ministers. There are hundreds of them about here in the same condition, and many dying for want of food and lodgings. They are acquainted with Edward Roberts, Borthyn’s two sons. They wish the truth of their condition to be made public in Wales, to prevent others from being deceived. Your affectionate son.

1855 – 18 August, p. 10 – Mormon Emigration. From a statement contained in the weekly organ of these fanatical people, and which now openly espouses the principle of polygamy, it seems that in the half-year between November, 1854, and April, 1855, the number of Mormonites who left the port of Liverpool for the United States, en route for the Salt Lake, was 3,626, of whom 2,291 were English, 401 Scotch, 287 Welsh, etc. The total number of the Scandinavian mission is said to have been 533, of whom 409 were Danes, 71 Swedes, and 53 Norwegians.

1855 – 1 December, p. 10 – Renewed Disturbance of a Mormon Congregation at Worcester. Elder Wheelock delivered an address about polygamy. Then during a hymn, the audience “drowned the music with shouts, stamps, catcalls, hisses, and the firing of a cracker.” The writer of the article finds this to be “reprehensible in a place of worship.”

1855 – 29 December, p. 3 – The Mormonites. At the forthcoming Dover sessions, the question will be brought forward for the Recorder’s decision, whether Mormonites are protestant dissenters. This arises from the charge recently preferred against a young man for disturbing public worship in a Mormonite meeting house, when the magistrates held the offender to bail.

1856 – 15 March, p. 10 – Report of the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Welsh Society. [Some quotes] The Welsh have become a nation of Dissenters; and whilst the chapels of the latter are thronged with worshippers, the churches are deserted, or nearly so. . . During my sojourn in this diocese I everywhere encountered the disciples of Mormon, who appeared to be making the greatest efforts to propagate their tenets amongst the peasantry. They were well versed in both Welsh and English. They preached in the lanes and highways and the corners of the streets, and distributed their tracts from house to house; and no attempt, as far as I could learn, was being made by the diocesan or his clergy, to arrest the onward movement of these heretics. Indeed, the English prelate is regarded by the mass of the population as a perfect cipher in the country, utterly disqualified to be of any service to the cause of true religion amongst them.

1856 – 5 April, p. 10 – Mormonism Illustrated. The Worcestershire Chronicle reports that a Mormon emissary, having become acquainted with the family of a well-to-do coal-dealer, at Spring-hill, Tallow-hill, Worcestershire, induced his eldest son to become a disciple, and to accompany him to America. Having attained a high office in Mormon community, he was sent home, charged with the errand of inveigling others—‘eligible parties,’ who had plenty of money, to the Mormon settlements. With his mother and sister he succeeded, and they, during the absence of the father, started with three hundred other converts from Liverpool, taking with them all the money (some hundreds of pounds) they could obtain, and everything portable in the house. The husband’s agony on being made aware of the facts, on his return, was very great, but he immediately took means to discover the fugitives. Through the assistance of the police, he learned that, in all probability, they had sailed on an American vessel from Liverpool, and with their assistance he engaged a steam-tug, and accompanied by a superintendent, gave chase. After steaming for some hours down channel, they boarded the vessel which was supposed to contain the fugitives, and announced their errand. The excitement amongst the Mormon emigrants was intense, and the wife and children were kept carefully out of sight between decks. An interview, which was obtained, resulted in the wife and three of the children being taken on board of the tug. The two eldest daughters, however, aged sixteen and eighteen refused to return.

[Here is the full article (from which the foregoing was condensed) as it appeared in the Worcestershire Chronicle for 26 March 1856, p. 2:]

“Mormonism Illustrated – Chase Extraordinary.” [bracketed information is from FamilySearch:]

We have this week to tell a tale which will well serve to expose the infatuation which takes possession of the followers of Mormonism and the villainy of its “apostles.” On Spring Hill, Tallow Hill, in this city, lives Mr. Joseph Hodgetts, a coal-dealer, who, by dint of industry and perseverance has accumulated considerable property. His wife [Ann Walcroft Hodgetts] an active and managing woman, supplied his lack of scholarship and conducted his business at home, while he was engaged in voyages up the canal, with both thrift and shrewdness. They were blessed with several children, all of whom were well favored both in body and mind, a progeny of whom their parents might fairly be proud, and they felt themselves well enough off to allow of their adopting and bringing up the child of a relative in addition to their own. This picture of prosperity and domestic happiness was unmarred, till in an evil hour an emissary of Mormonism darkened their door. The eldest son [William Benjamin Hodgetts] became enamored of the picture drawn of present indulgence at the Salt Lake and future bless which the “apostles” of this detestable superstition know so well to paint, and started off to America. By and by he came back having attained to high office in the Mormon community, charged with the errand of inveigling others – “eligible parties,” who had plenty of money – to the Mormon settlements. He succeeded in inoculating his mother and sisters with the Mormon faith; they believed with all their hearts the wildest of Joe Smith’s stories, and every thought was turned to the far west. Last week the signal was given by the leaders for a general Exodus, and the “Saints” from every part were ordered to embark in vessels chartered at Liverpool for Boston. The scene at New Street Station, Birmingham, where some 300 persons from the Midland Counties set off for the northern port on this fool’s errand, is said to have been extraordinary enough. Amongst that crowd were Mrs. Hodgetts and her family. Mr. Hodgetts had started on one of his usual voyages into the coal country on the previous Sunday. He left his home just as years of quiet and habit and domestic pleasure had endeared it to him, but when he returned on Saturday morning, he found it stripped and deserted; there was no welcome, and no voice to answer him as he stepped across the threshold. His wife had not only left him, but had induced all the children to accompany her, had taken away much ready cash which she had diligently collected from the customers, had drawn £314 by cheque out of the bank on the previous day, and carried off everything portable – even the bed linen – from the house. The poor man’s agony and distraction of mind can scarcely be imagined; he implored the aid of the police in recovering his wife and children, and Superintendent Chipp started with him on Saturday night to Liverpool on this almost hopeless errand. They got to that town about three o’clock next morning, and of course immediately procured friendly aid at the police office there, but at such an hour on a Sunday morning it was very difficult to learn anything of the fugitives. After some hours inquiry they ascertained that 400 Mormons had just set sail in the Enoch Train, a fine American ship, and it was reasonably supposed, but only supposed, that Mr. Hodgetts’ family were of the number. It was to have sailed at four o’clock that morning, but had fortunately been detained till about seven. It was now between nine and ten, and with some difficulty Mr. Chipp struck a bargain with the captain of a steam tug, named the Great Conquest, a new tugboat and one of the fastest on the river, to go in pursuit. The fires were fortunately alight, and steam was soon got up, but the little party of pursuers were not much encouraged by the captain to hope that they would have any chance of overhauling the Enoch Train, for she had been taken out to sea by a strong tug, and had all her sails set to a favoring breeze. They saw nothing of her till they had crossed the bar at the mouth of the Mersey, but the captain of the Great Conquest then made her out with his glass, and screwed down his safety valves. For two or three hours the chase continued, but it was clear that they gained fast on the big ship, and when within hailing distance the captain of the Enoch Train slackened sail, supposing that her pursuers were Custom house officers who had scented something wrong. As soon as the two vessels were lashed alongside, Supt. Chipp and Mr. Hodgetts, with the Liverpool officer who had accompanied them, jumped aboard, and when they announced their errand the excitement amongst the Mormon emigrants was intense. The captain took them into his cabin and asked to see the warrants under which they were acting. They had none, but that a husband should be robbed of his household gods and goods at once was felt by the captain, who avowed himself no Mormon, to be an unendurable rascality and he was evidently willing enough to render Hodgetts what assistance he could. The woman and children were however kept carefully out of sight between decks, and poor Hodgetts, who was more than half distracted, rendered the position which Mr. Chipp had taken up untenable by declaring that he did not wish to punish the runaways. For an hour and a half did the officers and the captain and the Mormon leaders wrangle, the vessel all this time going further and further out to sea, and it was only by the finesse and firmness of Mr. Chipp, who declared that rather than fail in his mission he would accompany the vessel to Boston and denounce the whole party to the British authorities there, that the Mormon slave drivers consented to produce the woman, and let her have an interview with her husband. The upshot of the matter was that the wife and youngest child [William Joseph, age 5] were first of all handed into the tug, and when the husband still knelt on the bulwarks, the very picture of paternal distress, praying that yet more of his offspring might be restored to him, even the emigrants themselves began to murmur and say that it was a shame to part a father and his children. The Mormon elders hereupon peremptorily ordered their insubordinate victims to go below; but the captain, finding now that he could do so safely, ordered the other two children, girls about seven years of age [just one girl Amelia, age 7], to be handed to their delighted parent, and the tug then cast herself loose to return to Liverpool. The two eldest daughters [Emily and Maria], aged 16 and 18 [15 and 17], the latter a very fine young woman, obstinately refused to go back, and we shudder to think of the fate that is in store for them. The errand of the Great Conquest had got wind in Liverpool, and numbers of people were anxiously waiting her return upon the quays to learn the upshot of the chase. Mr. Hodgetts is once more safely housed at home with his wife, but we understand that she still positively declares that she will go to the Salt Lake some time or other. She has brought back with her a great part of the money she took, but not the whole. To show the state of agitation in which the poor man was thrown, we may state that, from the time when he discovered his loss to the moment when he first caught sight of the vessel bearing away his treasures, he refused to taste a morsel of food, and he repeatedly told Mr. Chipp that, if he did not recover his wife and bairns, he should throw himself into the sea. The tact, firmness, and promptitude of Superintendent Chipp through the whole affair cannot be too highly spoken of.

1856 – 3 May, p. 3 – The Recent Mormon Elopement. When Mr. Hodgetts came home and found that his wife and family had “flitted” to the Salt Lake, he also found a letter for him written by his daughters telling him that they were off to the Mormon settlement, and endeavoring to put him on a false scent in case he should pursue them. The whole epistle is so illustrative of the sort of morality likely to be produced by Mormonite teachings that we (Worcestershire Chronicle) think we shall do well to insert it. It runs verbatim as follows:

Spring Hill, Worcester, March 13, 1856.

My dear Father – By the request of my mother I take my pen to write the following lines to you. We are gone to the Valley you told Mother in my hearing either to quit Mormonism up or go to the Valley. So we have chosen going to the Valley, for it is God’s will. All the money in the world would not have enticed me to go, if we were not sure that Mormonism was not true. But we know it is true and will stand for ever and ever. Mother says she has left a good home and a good husband and the comforts of life to go and look for a livelihood and had enough to live upon. But she would rather live poor and obey the commandments of the Lord than she would live in luxury and disobey them. These words are from her own lips she is telling me what to say. All her grief has been ever since she knew Mormonism that she could not make you obey it. All that grieves her is that she has to leave you behind. But it shall be our earnest prayer to God that in some future time you will obey the gospel of the true and living God. We have taken the 3 hundred pounds out of the bank, which you know is very little to go such a journey with 5 children. Tis a hard task for her, but tis with a pure motive to gain salvation and to keep God’s commandments. Ben is not gone with us. He is somewhere about. But where I know not. Mother hopes you will endeavor to see Ben and reason with him, and she is sure he will do all in his power to help you. This is not Ben’s doing, for he would not go with us. We shall leave England on Thursday morning 20 instant on board a steam vessel from Southampton. It will be useless you spending your money to follow us, for we never intend coming back. No, never, if it costs us our lives. Suffer what we may, we WILL go. I have left the books all right. The rent leaf and all accounts are in the large green book on the table. Mother wishes you to get someone to gather your money in. Then you will be able to pay for the house being now built when you have all your money up. Mother says she did not leave you because she disliked you, but she went because the commandments of the Lord called her away and nothing else, I can assure you. I will write to you every month and let you know how we all get along. Mother has taken no more than I have told you. She has not left you in debt one farthing. So if any bills should be brought you, pay them not, for there is nothing owing. Mother and all the children send their love to you. Mother wishes me to say you have very often complained to keep your children to do nothing. But you will not have that to complain of again. There was no peace for her, she says, nor of us children when you were near us. So we all determined to stay no longer. We are gone by ourselves and of course we shall have to earn our bread before we eat it. You have many times told mother to go. Mother says she has taken all the expense and trouble off your hands. So now you can live a gentleman’s life. If you should ever make up your mind to come to Salt Lake, we shall be most happy to receive you, and you will find mother and your family the same as you left them. Mother wishes to say she has not left you for the sake of man or men, but just to do the will of God our father, for he has declared to gather his people. But we feel it our duty to comply with the will of the Lord. I must conclude with all our prayers in your behalf that you may obey the gospel of the living God. From your affectionate wife and daughter, Ann & Maria Hodgetts.

1856 – 16 August, p. 9 – The Mormon Delusion. The Fort Des Moines (Iowa) papers give some details of the passage of a band of Mormon emigrants through that place. In the broiling sun, these poor creatures, the majority of whom are women, moved along slowly in Indian file, dragging behind them in little carts the necessaries for the journey, sometimes two women dragging the cart, at other times a man and woman together. The company was from Europe, and mostly consisted of English people, who had left their comfortable homes, their early associations of all the attachments which render the English such unwilling emigrants, and here, with a journey of more than a thousand miles before them, of which two hundred would be through a perfect desert, without shade or water, these miserable deluded people were trudging forward.

1856 – 8 November, p. 5 – Machynlleth. A lecture was delivered at the Town Hall on Sunday last by J. R. Franklin, of London, who has just arrived from the Salt Lake. The subject was ‘Mormonism or the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints.’ The lecturer proved to the entire satisfaction of all present, that Joseph Smith and B. Young were false prophets, and that the Mormon city resembled Pandemonium. The lecture lasted two hours. There was no interruption of any kind, and the audience went home much pleased with the proceedings. The lecturer has thrown out a challenge to any champion of the Mormon faith for a public discussion.

1857 – 24 January, p. 10 – Mormon Polygamy. Some statistics of Mormon polygamy are given by a correspondent of the San Francisco Herald, who writes from Utah. Of the members of the Council, 13 persons have 171 wives amongst them; the House of Representatives, 26 members, have 157; and 5 officers of the House, 22. To this add 68 for the number living of Governor Young’s wives, and the whole number of women thus represented by the members of the legislature, officers of the same, and his Excellency, amount to 420; or, in other words, 45 men had 420 wives.

1857 – 7 March, p. 9 – The New York Tribune states that malignant small-pox broke out among a part of emigrants en route through Utah territory to California. The medical men, on making a rigid investigation, discovered that a child had picked up a bead filled with small-pox virus, the ends being stopped with cotton. The theory was that it must have been placed there by Mormons, in the hope that they would thus implant the seeds of that dreadful disease among the Indians, whom they have been unable to make tools of.

1857 – 2 May, p. 6 – The Esoteric Doctrines of Mormonism. In the correspondence of the New York Tribune, the following letter appears, dated Salt Lake City, October, 1856:—In order to understand Mormonism aright, it is necessary to bear constantly in mind that the foundation of this remarkable system of fanaticism and imposture lies in the doctrine of direct revelation from Heaven in respect to all things pertaining to spiritual or political government, and that the whole fabric of the Church, both doctrinal, ethical, and liturgical, may be at any time changed by a new revelation uttered by its Prophet. And again, that one of the most important points in their theological system is the regular progression to be observed in the conversion and subsequent advancement of a person in Mormonism.

This principle is thus explained on page 507, vol. XV., of the Millennial Star, the Church organ in England:—“If a man receives all truths, he must receive them on a graduated scale. The Latter-Day Saints sets upon this simple natural proposition. Paul had milk for babes, and things unlawful to utter.” In carrying out this doctrine, they have invented a series of secret rites and ceremonies founded upon the Masonic ritual, and embracing oaths of obedience to the counsels of the priesthood more binding, if possible, than those of the ancient order of Jesuits. This system consists of several degrees which are called endowments. The highest orders of Mormonism, consequently, are only attainable to such as have proved themselves, after many years of service in the Church, to be useful and trustworthy; and those alone who have penetrated into the Holy of Holies (the most sacred and mysterious of these endowments) are entrusted with the secret plans and machinations of the Mormon Government.

The influence which has been acquired over many of their ignorant followers by these means is unbounded. I will give you an instance. While travelling a short time since, I had occasion to ride in a wagon with a Mormon who was very firm in the faith but naturally communicative. In the course of a conversation which we had about Mormonism, I found occasion to ask him what he would consider it his duty to do if Brigham should counsel him to murder me. His reply was that if Brigham told him to murder me, it would be because God had revealed it to be necessary that I should leave the world, and, therefore, he, as the instrument in the hands of God through his prophet Brigham, would not be responsible in taking my life. Alone with this man, far from any settlement, this confession, made in a solemn, earnest manner, impressed itself deeply on my mind.

Thus you see the importance which is attached by them to the completion of the Temple, for it is not, as many suppose, to be a place of public religious meetings, but in it are to be celebrated their infernal rites of endowment; within its walls animal sacrifices are to be offered up for the remission of sins; in one of its apartments, baptism will be made for the dead; and if we may judge from Brigham Young’s own words, human sacrifice will be the fitting accompaniment of their blasphemous, demonical ceremonies.

Brigham has declared his determination not to bring over any emigrants next Summer, but will devote the funds and energies of the Church toward finishing the Temple; the work on it will accordingly be resumed as soon as the season opens. The square on which the Temple is to be situated contains the Tabernacle and the Endowment house (a building which at present answers for the purposes of a temple), and is surrounded by a high adobe wall with a stone coping.

Mormon missionaries still unblushingly point to Utah as the place where female virtue is protected, and refer to the law which makes it death for a man to seduce the wife or daughter of a Mormon (without Brigham’s consent). They fail, however, to tell us the punishment for a Mormon who seduces a Gentile girl, for they have before them the example of Brigham Young, who by pictures of the fearful misery and agony to which a Gentile is doomed in the future, and by promises of happiness and visions of a heaven of sensual bliss, which could scarcely fail to entrance the senses of a weak-minded person, together with that easy, personal address characteristic of the accomplished roué, succeeded in seducing Mrs. Cobb, the wife of a Boston gentleman, and induced her to flee with him to ruin and shame, taking with her a beautiful daughter. They remember Parley P. Pratt, the Apostle, who, by similar means, graced his harem with Mrs. McLean, the wife of a gentleman in New Orleans. In fact, they can scarcely find a single one of their leaders who has not only ruined and thrown into utter degradation, wives and mothers, but has supplied his harem with young girls whom he has seduced, and induced, under the disguise of religion, and by the grossest misrepresentations and falsehoods, to leave father, mother, home, and rush into absolute slavery and despair.

The anxiety of the Latter-Day Saints to save females from perdition has, since their settlement in Utah, led to results which will make the genealogical tress of succeeding generations exceedingly picturesque and interesting; they will not have the stiffness of outline which our old ancestral trees had.

Mr. David Wilkin of this city, already happy in the possession of two better halves, who were sisters, fell in love with a pretty Scotch girl. This beauty, however, had an aged mother whom she refused to leave. David thereupon, with the consent of Brigham, overcame the difficulty by marrying both mother and daughter. But last spring, finding that with the enormous rates for provisions and breadstuffs he could not support four wives without making large inroads into his pile of the needful, he gave the two sisters notice that he had supported them long enough, and that they must find accommodations elsewhere. Accordingly, they had to leave him, and now support themselves by washing for some of the Gentiles. Again, you will find at Springville, on Utah Lake, Mr. Aston Johnson (its bishop) serving the Lord by supporting as his spirituals five sisters, his own nieces, and the report is that he has engaged to marry the sixth as soon as she reaches her teens.

From these examples (taken from the numberless ones to be found in this territory) you will appreciate the interest with which the children trace out their relationship to each other. They commence by calling each of their father’s wives, except their own mother, aunt.

And yet the Mormons quote the Bible in support of these monstrous iniquities, and say that Christ himself had two wives who were sisters, namely, Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus.

The second wives, or spirituals, are not supported by their husbands; on the contrary, there are numerous cases on record in which the women support the men, going out even in the field to work. The light in which the women are looked upon in this country is illustrated by the following incident:—When the first hand-cart train entered the city, foremost in the line were noticed three buxom Welsh girls, who had drawn their hand-cart some 1500 miles. Wishing the next day after their arrival to see a Mormon with whom I had some business to transact, I inquired of one of his spirituals where I could find him. She answered me, with an ironical smile on her lips:—“He has gone to engage as spirituals those three Welsh girls who were in the lead of the hand-cart train. He thinks they would be very useful in hauling his winter’s wood from the canoes, they make such an excellent team.”

1857 – 9 May, p. 6 – [The full text of the resignation letter of Judge William W. Drummond as Justice of Utah Territory is followed by this article taken from The Times:] The Mormons are far off, but they are not out of reach. The desert is a frightful one, but it can be passed by the protectors of public order as well as by the miserable victims of spiritual delusion. Unhappily, the whole case touches us nearly. Mormonism, if conceived in America, is propagated and supported in England, nor do we know of any sign of our times more bewildering than the success of this shocking imposture among a civilized and instructed population. Witchcraft is a mere nothing by the side of this living and moving monstrosity. No pilgrim or crusader in past ages ever ventured upon such an expedition as is now undertaken by educated Christians with a huge den of vice and wickedness awaiting them at its close. The picture now given of these abominations by Judge Drummond shows that tyranny, by a natural sequence of events, has been brought in aid of delusion, and that when once the unhappy proselytes have been entrapped, as room is allowed them for repentance of return. It is this which aggravates the enormity of the institution. It is terrible enough to think of the delusion itself, but the view becomes infinitely more alarming when it is known that violence and terror are prepared to overwhelm any symptom of penitence or remorse. This feature of Mormonism, at any rate, we may hope to see extinguished, and such an exposure as is now given may tend, we trust, to open the eyes of even the weakest and most credulous to the real nature of the snare.

1857 – 16 May, p. 4 – The Mormons. Slave Dealers. In regard to the Mormon children, they appear like a neglected, uncared-for set, generally dirty and ill-clad. The majority of them are girls, and this troubles the women very much, for they know that a female is doomed to slavery and a life of misery. It is also a singular fact that a large proportion of them are white-headed. These children are suffered to grow up in ignorance and vice. Without the hallowed influence of home to restrain them, they are vicious, profane, and obscene. Some of the worst language I ever heard fell from the lips of urchins in the streets; but when the most profane and indecent language is heard in their tabernacle, and all other public meetings, no one can expect any other result. The Mormons feast or exult in calling things, as they say, by their right names; all parts of the human body are spoken of familiarly, in terms that would make anybody but a Mormon blush, and they say it is a part o their duty, if not of their religion, to teach their children a knowledge of the “issues of life,” as they term it. As to education, there is none here. I suppose that not less than four hundred Indian children are held in bondage under the pretense of apprenticeship! These children are purchased from the Indians (who steal them from the neighboring tribes) for sums varying from twenty dollars to forty dollars. This traffic is thus encouraged by Mormons, and in fact sanctioned by their laws. Correspondence of the New York Tribune.

1857 – 6 June, p. 9 – The rumor of Brigham Young having had to flee from Utah is incorrect. He still remains at the Mormon settlement, at Salmon River. For some unknown cause the Mormons at Bernardine and the surrounding settlements had been summoned to Salt Lake City.

The last accounts from the Great Salt Lake represent matters in that quarter as being most unsettled, and contain a narrative of startling facts, showing that unmitigated treason, murder, arson, robbery, and forcible debauch are everyday incidents of Mormon life, and that not an effort is made to check the perpetration of any of these terrible crimes. Brigham Young was at Great Salt Lake City, organizing a secret expedition to somewhere in the north, for some purpose unknown to the Gentile world. This fact is corroborated by a dispatch from St. Louis. His negotiations with the chief Pah-Utah for his cooperation in the plans of the expedition, fully explain the statement that he had been treating with the Indians for safe conduct out of the country. Women were becoming scarce in the territory, and the Mormons consequently are resorting to mere children to replenish their harems; while the most fiendish oppression is resorted to for the purpose of forcing reluctant females to become the “spirituals” of Mormon Turks.

1857 – 13 June, p. 4 – The Mormons. The movements of Brigham Young have attracted some attention since the receipt of the report that he had fled from Utah. Now that it has been ascertained that there is no truth in this report, his proposed expedition to the north forms the interesting feature of Mormon intelligence. The Mormons are about commencing a settlement near Council Bluffs for an outpost or receiving station. The leading men of the new settlement are to be eastern men who have not been initiated into the real mysteries of Mormonism, and who will therefore be better fitted for taking charge of young disciples, and giving them their first lessons in the new faith. It is more than probable that the founding of this settlement is the real cause of Brigham’s “secret expedition to somewhere in the north.” The discourses of Brigham and other leading elders forcibly enjoin the necessity of perfect unity of thought and action among the faithful. The projected expedition to the north is alluded to by Governor Young in one of his sermons.

1857 – 13 June, p. 6 – The Mormons in Merthyr are laboring to obtain proselytes with a zeal worthy of a better cause. During the past fortnight four young men in Merthyr have obtained licenses to officiate as Mormon preachers.

1857 – 20 June, p. 9 – Item #1 – The American papers record the death of Orson [Parley] Pratt, the famous Mormon elder. He seduced the wife of a man named M’Lean, in San Francisco, and was conveying her and her children into Utah, where she was to live with him as his ninth wife. M’Lean followed the fugitives and shot Pratt dead at Van Buren, in Arkansas. The deceased was a man of considerable ability, and had traveled as a missionary through Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. He was next in influence to Brigham Young, and was one of the original followers of Joe Smith, the Mormon founder.

1857 – 20 June, p. 9 – Item #2 – It is reported that the schism in the Mormon Church at the Great Salt Lake has assumed a formidable character. Brigham Young is afraid to show himself in public.

1857 – 20 June, p. 10 – Item #1 – The number of Mormons in England, according to return of last year, is 22,400.

1857 – 20 June, p. 10 – Item #2 – A Mormon preacher at Southampton said in his sermon a Sunday or two ago, ‘Shall I tell you, my brethren, when the comet shall come and strike this earth? When Brigham Young chooses to say the word, then will the comet come and strike the earth.

1857 – 27 June, p. 9 – The Daily News correspondent says: Affairs in Utah, the Mormon territory, seem to be rapidly approaching a crisis. Brigham Young has at last determined to drive “all heathen gentiles” out “from the Canaan of the saints.” He has hitherto satisfied himself with harassing other people, and rendering their sojourn or resident in his neighborhood uncomfortable. Now he is resolved to make it intolerable. He has broken up the judicial tribunals of the Republic in the territory—he has expelled all the public servants of the federal government—he has announced himself the “viceregent of the Almighty in the land of saints;” and now he boldly defies the whole central power of the national administration. It is well, since things have gone so far, that they should go still further. It fortunately precipitates a crisis which in any event could not have been long delayed; and it justifies the prompt action of the government, which has already ordered several regiments of troops, under the command of one of our ablest frontier generals, to march to the scene of rebellion. There may be bloody work; but the better opinion seems to be that a very serious collision may be avoided. General Harney is ordered to publish a proclamation on his arrival at the Salt Lake offering protection to all persons in the territory who may wish to escape from the oppressive rule of Brigham Young. It is well known that many persons—not Mormon—now reside in the territory who would embrace the first opportunity of a safe escape. This class is mostly made up of the relatives and personal friends of “the Saints,” who have from various motives been induced to straggle to far into the wilderness. But many American citizens who have had no affinities with Mormonism are residing in that region; and how deeply they have suffered in their interests and feelings we can certainly form no adequate conception. And there is another and probably a far more numerous class of malcontents within the Mormon community. It is said that there are not less than forty thousand women in Utah, who are held in the most degrading state of concubinage, utterly helpless either to fly from their wrongs or to redress them. Among them are many of superior education, who now recall the recollection of their distant English, Scotch, or Welsh homes, where they were virtuously brought up, where they first loved and became wives and mothers. Some were carried away by religious fanaticism, or terrified by invocations of Divine wrath if they refused to obey the Lord’s prophet. Others went to the far-off region rather than part with husband and children. But once settled in the Mormon land, deprived of all the charities of home, and the amenities and decencies of Christian life—cast off as wives from the confidence of their husbands, and as mothers denied all control over their children—witnessing every day the desecration of their nuptial beds, and reduced to utter helplessness—powerless even for revenge—it would be strange indeed if there should not be many wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters in such a community who would now fly with desperate eagerness to the protection of a friendly and powerful government. It is therefore believed that General Harney’s proclamation will be likely to undermine the brutal despotism of this most disgusting and despicable tyrant. But if sterner measures are called for, we are assured they will be employed.

1857 – 15 August, p. 10 – Mormon Blasphemy. The Mormon elders are going far, by their extreme ignorance and gross sensuality, to break up the community they have formed in Utah. Even the most callous cannot but realize disgust at hearing words such as these which follow, taken from a “sermon by Elder Orson Hyde, delivered in Great Salt Lake City,” and reported at length in the Deseret News (the official organ of the Polygamist leaders), of the 18^th of March last: “It is true that the people of Utah believe in and practice polygamy; not because our natural desires lead us into that condition and state of life, but because our God hath commanded it, and wishing to comply with that as well as all others of his commands, we are as we are. We also wish to be counted Abraham’s children to whom the promises were made, and also with whom the covenants were established; and being told that if we are the children of Abraham, we will do the works of Abraham, we are not a little anxious to do as he did. Among other things that he did, he took more than one wife. In this he was not alone; for this example was copied by most of the ancient worthies and others who succeeded him under the same everlasting covenant—entered the most deeply into this practice. Nor was this practice limited to the days of the Old Testament. It will be borne in mind that once on a time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and, on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. If he were never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha, and the other Mary also whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming and improper, to say the best of it. I will venture to say that if Jesus Christ were now to pass through the most pious countries in Christendom with a train of women, such as used to follow him, fondling about him, coming hair, anointing him with precious ointment, washing his feet with tears and wiping them with the hair of their heads, and unmarried, or even married, he would be mopped, tarred, and feathered; and rode, not on an ass, but on a rail. What did the old prophet mean when he said (speaking of Christ), “He shall see his seed, prolong his days, etc. Did Jesus consider it necessary to fulfil every righteous command or requirement of his father? He most certainly did. This he witnessed by submitting to baptism under the hands of John. “Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness,” said he. Was it God’s commandment to man, in the beginning to multiply and replenish the earth? None can deny this, neither that it was a righteous command; for upon an obedience to this depended the perpetuity of our race. Did Christ come to destroy the law or the prophets, or to fulfill them? He came to fulfill. Did he multiply, and did he see his seed? Did he honor his father’s law by complying with it, or did he not? Others may do as they like; but I will not charge our Savior with neglect or transgression in this or any other duty.”

1857 – 12 September, p. 10 – Mormon Conference in London. This sect held its sixth annual conference on Sunday, at the Adelaide Gallery, Lower Arcade, Strand. It was presided over by “two of the apostles,” Brothers Orson Pratt and Ezra Benson. About 600 persons were present in the morning, about 1,000 in the afternoon, and upwards of 1,000 in the evening, most of whom judging from appearances, were Latter-day Saints, or Mormons. The proceedings consisted chiefly of addresses.

Brother Pratt described, in forcible language, the scriptural claims of Mormonism. Delegates were present from different parts of the country.

From the statement of Pastor Ross, the representative of London, it appeared that 1,260 pounds had been subscribed during the past year for emigration and other purposes. The exertions of the priesthood in the good work had been universally received and accepted. Preaching in the streets, lanes, and other places, had been revived, and where there had been opposition great wisdom had been evidenced.

The President of the Kent Conference said they had had very pleasant times. He looked upon the saints there, who numbered 550, as “a first-class lot of people, as they supported thirteen elders, and also paid their tithing,” and approved all that the elders proposed. They had also to bear their share of opposition, but they had felt the better for it.

The President from Essex said he had re-baptized in his district 241 out of 374. The people were first-rate in the work, and willing to pay their tithes and offerings; the Lord had been with them this year more than ever.

The President from Reading was happy to be present, surrounded as he was by the saints and servants of the Great God. In his district (a poor agricultural one), out of 300 or 400 saints, there were 150 who were good for nothing. Of the remaining 250, the greater portion lived or father vegetated on the parish allowance. They had subscribed 50 pounds during the past year to the emigration fund, and a large number of them would emigrate during the coming season.

A pastor from Southampton and Dorsetshire complained of the want of honesty “on the part of the learned editors.” Not long since the papers teemed with accounts of the vicious character of their elders—of their doing everything unbecoming a man, much less a saint, circulated by Judge Drummond. It had been proved by the American papers that Judge Drummond had invented his stories to injure the Latter-day Saints, and to bring them into collision with the United States government.

The Sheffield delegate (a gentleman from Utah) said the Saints in his district were not rich, “but good looking,” as they enjoyed the spirit of the Lord, which made them look and feel well. He himself had been baptized and received the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands. He conjured his hearers to become Mormons and forsake their sins. They were, he said, the most temperate people in the world. Just go into the houses. Where were their pipes? They had thrown them away. Where were their teapots? They had no use for them. He declared that Joe Smith had done more good than any man since our Savior, and that Brigham Young was a great and mighty prophet and father in Israel.

The proceedings of the afternoon were pleasantly varied by refreshments, such as ginger beer and other cooling drinks. Here and there might be noticed affectionate pairs with their arms round each other’s waists.

The proceedings of the evening consisted chiefly of a rapid review of the origin and history of Mormonism down to the present time, by Mr. Orson Pratt.

Collections were made after each service.

1857 – 19 September, p. 6 – The new “Deseret Alphabet” is completed, and a fount of pica type has been cast in St. Louis. Specimens of the type are published in the St. Louis papers, but they are unproducible in types that common people use. The type founders have supplied the Mormons with molds and other apparatus for re-casting their old metal. So the Deseret News will probably hereafter be a profound mystery, at least in part, to all but the initiated. The new characters are 41 in number, and bear a striking resemblance to those of the Ethiopic alphabet. The ukases of Brother Brigham will hereafter be a sealed letter, literally, to Gentile eyes. New York Paper.

1857 – 24 October, p. 4 – (925 words) “An Escape from Salt Lake.”

The following narrative is from the pen of John Davies, a young Welshman, who emigrated to Salt Lake, with his family, about two years ago, from Maesteg, South Wales. It is taken from a private letter, dated Council Bluffs City, Iowa, June 29:

“I guess you are anxious to know the reasons why I left Salt Lake. I shall try, in the first place, to inform you what a man must do to be a Mormon. He must give himself, his family, and all his possessions over to Brigham Young, and then he’ll have to give a the tenth of all his income—the tenth day’s work—and he must keep from two to ten wives. If he don’t agree to these things, he had better quit; but by doing so he is in danger of losing his life every minute, for they would rather kill him than let him be the means of letting the world know how things are in their midst. Many have been shot down in trying to escape. I have seen dozens shot down in the street; and three days before I left, I saw three persons killed, merely because they intended to escape—they were shot down in a place called Springfield, while they were preparing their trunks to leave. This took place about eight o’clock on a Sunday morning, within fifty yards of the gates of the city. The first was a young man called William Parish: he received seven balls in his body. The second was his father, and the third was a man called Potter, whose body received as many as fifteen balls. The old man was pierced in the back, and his throat cut in three different places. I saw them lying down, and I could name the persons who killed them. Brigham Young has got men for this purpose. Their number is four hundred. They are called the ‘Destroying Angels.’ Their captain’s name is William Hickman, and the second in command is Porter Rockwell. The walls around the city are fifteen feet high, and they are surrounded by a deep and wide moat. The city is entered by four gates, which are watched in the nighttime. The gates are so narrow that only one vehicle can pass through at once. The ‘Destroying Angels’ go out on the plains in the spring, in order to intercept those who may escape from the city. Many left on foot last January. They sleep by day and travel by night. I know of men and women who have traveled this way—the men dressed as women and the women as men. I cam across some who were very short of food; the little they had they gave to the women, and the men were principally sustained by the women’s milk! I left Salt Lake City on the 17^th of April, in company with two Welshmen and an African. The few Mormons who knew of our intentions said that we would never reach the States alive, but I told them that I was determined to try, whatever would occur. On Saturday (the day after we left) we had traveled thirty miles from the city, when we saw three men following us. They were sent by the authorities of the city to catch us. The name of one was Patrick Linch, an Irishman by birth, and secretary to Brigham Young. This man fired his revolver at me, but the ball went by without hurting me. They then came near us on the horses, and inquired our names, and when we refused to tell them, they swore that they would blow ‘our damned brains out.’ With that, one of them raised his revolver as if he was going to use it—he had one on each side of the saddle. I then took out my revolver, and told him to fire if he liked. I had six revolvers with me, and a rifle, containing in all thirty-seven balls. Another ball was then fired at me, which whistled by my left cheek. I then fired at him, and one ball hit him on the leg and another on the shoulder. (My friends by this time had run in the woods, and I was left to fight it out myself.) I then lost my footing, and one of the men run at me with a knife, and cut my belt and took four of my revolvers. I had the other two hid in my boots. I got hold of one of them and fired, and succeeded in keeping them off for some time, till I had a chance to run to the woods, where I got the assistance of my friends. We continued to travel that day and the following night, and succeeded in reaching a place called Fort Bridger, which is 113 miles from the Valley. The number of our pursuers had now increased to twenty, and we had to put to the woods again. We traveled till night, and were so fortunate as to meet a host of friendly Indians, who gave us buffalo meat to eat. The next day we overtook a number of wagons, known as Mrs. Babbit’s train, in number twenty-eight. I was hired to drive one wagon, which was drawn by six mules. We had some trouble with a lot of Indians called the ‘Crow tribe.’ They were well armed, and about 1,000 strong. About 600 shots came into our tent. We killed about thirty Indians, and they killed five of our men.”

1857 – 24 October, p. 9 – Our advices from Salt Lake state that the Mormons were fortifying the fort and bridges, with the intention of contesting the progress of the United States troops now on the way to Utah.

1857 – 21 November, p. 4 – The Mormons were to leave Carson Valley on the 25^th of October. Brigham Young has ordered a secret cavalry company to organize from the Saints in Carson Valley, armed and equipped with one year’s provisions and clothing. It is said to be their intention, should matters go too serious, to seek a refuge in the Russian possessions, where they have already driven the stakes for a new Zion.

1857 – 28 November, p. 9 – The government has received intelligence from the military post at Leavenworth to the effect that the Mormons are calling in their people and making preparations to resist the troops now on their way to Utah, under the command of Col. Johnston. There is no doubt of the truth of this report. The breaking up of the Mormon congregations in the Atlantic States, the exodus of the saints from Carson Valley, the defiant speeches of the head men at Salt Lake City, and the thorough military organization and martial spirit that began at Nauvoo and is continued in Utah – all confirm it. But there is little probability of the Mormons carrying their threats to the extreme point of actual collision with the forces of the federal government. In order, however, to be prepared for even such a contingency, the administration will, it is stated, direct Gen. Harney, now in command of the troops in Kansas, to remain at Fort Leavenworth; and in the event of hostilities, that distinguished officer will be dispatched, at the head of a large force, to the scene of action.

1857 – 28 November, p. 10 – Intelligence from Fort Laramie is to the 22^nd ult. Colonel Johnston, the commander of the Utah military expedition, had reached 230 miles beyond that point. His progress was greatly embarrassed from the want of food for his animals. News had reached the fort of the destruction of three Government trains by the Mormons. From the accounts it appears pretty certain that, owing to the deep snows, the expedition will not reach Great Salt Lake City this season.

1857 – 5 December, p. 2 – Item #1 – Official dispatches have been received at Washington confirmatory of the report of the capture and destruction of government provision trains by the Mormons. This first act of treason against the federal authorities was perpetrated on the 5^th ult., near Pacific Spring. No one was killed in the affair, as the small escort of the trains offered no resistance. It is stated that the Mormon force at Pacific Spring numbered 700, and there was a force of 1500 men at Great Salt Lake City. The effective strength of the army for Utah does not exceed 1000. As it is not deemed possible to forward reinforcements and supplies until spring, the troops are in a desperate strait, and we soon expect news of a bloody collision between the opposing parties. Additional accounts confirmatory of the news of the destruction of the provision trains by the Mormons have reached Washington. It is stated that Col. Johnston was determined to winter in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, and the route of the expedition had been changed in order to reach that point by a road less obstructed by snow than the one originally adopted. The Mormons were assembling in large force to oppose the advance of the troops.

1857 – 5 December, p. 2 – Item #2 – From Carson Valley we learn that the Mormons had departed in a body for Salt Lake City. They numbered nearly 1,000 souls, of whom only 350 were men. Their departure left the remaining inhabitants partly unprotected from the ravages of hostile Indians, and an application had been made to the Governor of California for assistance. The emigration across the plains was very large, and we have an account of one party from Missouri and Arkansas, numbering over 100 persons, having been massacred by the Indians.

1857 – 19 December, p. 9 – Brigham Young, the Mormon leader, has claimed the independence of Utah, and thrown off allegiance to the United States.

1857 – 26 December, p. 4 – Item #1 – There has been a skirmish between Colonel Alexander’s forces and the Mormons. A large force is sent against the latter, and a protracted war is considered inevitable.

1857 – 26 December, p. 4 – Item #2 – The Mormons are to be signally chastised for their defiance of the Sovereign Authority, and an increase of the army is demanded for the purpose. Meanwhile we hear that Brigham Young intends coming to close quarters at once. He will fight the United States troops while he can, before reinforcements have arrived, and after destroying the Mormon possessions in Utah leave for another country.

1857 – 26 December, p. 9 – The Mormons. A territorial government was established for Utah by act of Congress, approved the 9^th September, 1850, and the constitution and laws of the United States were thereby extended over it, so far as the same or any provisions thereof may be applicable. This act provides for the appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of a governor who was to be ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs, a secretary, three judges of the Supreme Court, a marshal, and a district attorney. Subsequent acts provided for the appointment of the officers necessary to extend our land and our Indian system over the territory.

Brigham Young was appointed the first governor on the 20^th September, 1850, and has held the office ever since. Whilst Governor Young has been both governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for this period, he has been at the same time the head of the Church called the Latter-day Saints, and professes to govern its members and dispose of their property by direct inspiration and authority from the Almighty. His power has been therefore absolute over both church and state. The people of Utah almost exclusively belong to the church, and believing out of a fanatical spirit that he is governor of the territory by divine appointment, they obey his commands as if they were direct revelations from Heaven. If, therefore, he chooses that his government shall come into collision with the government of the United States the members of the Mormon Church will yield implicit obedience to his will.

Unfortunately, existing facts leave but little doubt that such is his determination. Without entering upon a minute history of occurrences, it is sufficient to say that all the officers of the United States, judicial land executive, with the single exception of two Indian agents, have found it necessary for their own personal safety to withdraw from the territory, and there no longer remains any government in Utah but the despotism of Brigham Young.

This being the condition of affairs in the territory, I could not mistake the path of duty. As chief executive magistrate I was bound to restore the supremacy of the constitution and laws within its limit. In order to effect this purpose I appointed a new governor and other federal officers for Utah, and sent with them a military force for their protection, and to aid as a posse comitatus in case of need in execution of the laws.

With the religious opinions of the Mormons, as long as they remained mere opinions, however, deplorable in themselves and revolting to the moral and religious sentiments of all Christendom, I had no right to interfere. Actions alone, when in violation of the constitution and laws of the United States, become the legitimate subjects for the jurisdiction of the civil magistrate. My instructions to Governor Cumming have, therefore, been framed in strict accordance with these principles.

At that date a hope was indulged that no necessity might exist for employing the military in restoring and maintaining the authority of the law, but this hope has now vanished. Governor Young has by proclamation declared his determination to maintain his power by force, and has already committed acts of hostility against the United States. Unless he should retrace his steps, the territory of Utah will be in a state of open rebellion. He has committed these acts of open hostility, although Major Van Vliet, an officer of the army, sent to Utah by the commanding general to purchase provisions for the troops, had given him the strongest assurance of the peaceful intentions of the government, and that the troops would only be employed as a posse comitatus, when called on by the civil authority to aid in the execution of the laws. There is reason to believe Governor Young has long contemplated this result. He knows that the continuance of his despotic power depends upon the exclusion of all settlers from the territory except those who will acknowledge his divine mission, and implicitly obey his will, and that an enlightened public opinion there would soon prostrate institutions at war with the laws both of God and man. He has, therefore, for several years, in order to maintain his independence, been industriously employed in collecting and fabricating arms and munitions of war, and in disciplining the Mormons for military service. As superintendent of Indian affairs, he has had an opportunity of tampering with the Indian tribes, and exciting their hostile feelings against the United States. This, according to our information, he has accomplished in regard to some of those tribes, while others have remained true to their allegiance, and have communicated his intrigues to our Indian agents. He has laid in a store of provisions for three years, which, in case of necessity, as he informed Major Van Vliet, he will conceal, and then take to the mountains and bid defiance to all the powers of the government.

A great part of all this may be idle boasting, but yet no wise government will lightly estimate the efforts which may be inspired by such frenzied fanaticism as exists among the Mormons in Utah. This is the first rebellion which has existed in our territories, and humanity itself requires that we should put it down in such a manner that it shall be the last. To trifle with it would be to encourage it, and so render it formidable. We ought to go there with such an imposing force as to convince these deluded people that resistance would be in vain, and thus spare the effusion of blood. We can in this manner best convince them that we are their friends, and not their enemies. In order to accomplish this object, it will be necessary, according to the estimates of the War Department, to raise four additional regiments, and this I earnestly recommend to Congress. At the present moment of depression in the revenues of the country I am sorry to be obliged to recommend such a measure, but I feel confident of the support of Congress, cost what it may, in suppressing the insurrection, and in restoring and maintaining the sovereignty of the constitution and laws in the territory of Utah.

1858 – 30 January, p. 10 – Reinforcements were under orders for Utah, as the Mormons were determined on resisting to the utmost; a late telegram from St. Louis, however, says they were preparing to leave Utah for a British territory.

1858 – 6 February, p. 9 – The telegraph and the news brought by the Star of the West from the Great Salt Lake indicate that the Mormons contemplate removing to the British possessions in the spring. Doubt is thrown upon the story, and it is possible that the wish on the part of their assailant may have been father to the thought. But there are reasons why the rumor may be true. It is known that for some time past Brigham Young has been having a very thorough survey made of the country lying to the north of Utah, especially the banks of the River Columbia. We hear that latterly he has dispatched orders to scattered disciples in California and in the southern parts of the territory of Utah to join him at Salt Lake City without delay; and that, accordingly, notwithstanding the season, trains were en route for the Mormon headquarters from the south and the southwest. The country along the Columbia is admirably adapted for settlement and cultivation, much more so than any other which is open to the Mormons on the Pacific.

1858 – 20 February, p. 9 – Item #1 – It is reported that General Scott will certainly proceed to California, to organize an expedition against the Mormons.

1858 – 20 February, p. 9 – Item #2 – Advices from California represent the feeling against the Mormons as very strong in all sections of the state, and thousands of volunteers are in readiness to march against the saints, as soon as a requisition should be made for troops by the President. A number of companies have already been formed.

1858 – 27 February, p. 2 – Item #1 – We know an old lady, who, when she alludes to the leader of the Mormons, always calls him – either unintentionally, or else by a curious jumble of ideas—Mr. Bigamy Young.’” – Punch.

1858 – 27 February, p. 10 – Item #2 – An official statement published this year by the United States government gives the following statistics of Mormonism: The Mormons have about ninety-five missionaries in Europe, and an equal number in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, besides large numbers of native elders in the various fields of labor, and a considerable number scattered throughout the United States and British America. They have one newspaper in Salt Lake City, issuing 4000 copies weekly; one in Liverpool issuing 22,000 weekly; one in Swansea, South Wales; one in Copenhagen, in the Danish language, one in Australia; one in India; and one in Switzerland, in the French language. The Book of Mormon has been translated and published in the Welsh, Danish, French, German, and Italian languages. The Mormons claim 280,000 members of their church scattered over the world.

1858 – 6 March, p. 6 – Elopement of a Married Lady with a Mormon. Information has been received, that Mrs. Welch, hostess of the Rose and Crown Inn, at Ampthill, Bedfordshire, has eloped from her husband, taking with her considerable property, in company with a draper named Rogers, a Latter-day Saint, who, having converted Mrs. Welch to Mormonism had induced her to abandon her husband and fly with him to Utah. Mrs. Welch has left four children behind her, and Mr. Welch offers £30 to anyone who brings her back to Ampthill.

1858 – 6 March, p. 9 – The Mormon news is interesting, but unreliable. There was a rumor of a battle between the United States troops and the saints, but it was not believed. A report that five American citizens had been killed by the Mormons.

1858 – 20 March, p. 9 – We have later news from Salt Lake City, and from the camp. The weather was mild, and the troops in good health and spirits. The extemporaneous court organized by Judge Eckels, in Green County, had found bills of indictment for high treason against Brigham Young and other Mormon prominent leaders.

Brigham Young delivered a message to the Utah Legislature, in which, after alluding to the condition of the territory as regards agriculture, the mechanic arts, mining, education, the policy pursued towards the Indians, and the mail contract, he discusses the difficulties of the Saints with the Gentiles. Having received no official notification of the intention of the Government to supersede him in the gubernatorial office, nor of the dispatch of troops to Utah, Young affects to regard the army at Fort Bridger and the civil authorities there as an organized mob, against which he has already fulminated a proclamation to disperse; and he calls upon the Legislature to adopt such measures as may be deemed proper in the premises. The Legislature thereupon passed resolutions expressing their entire confidence in Brigham Young, and their determination to sustain him. It also passed a law attaching Green County to Salt Lake County, with the view, probably, of nullifying some of the proceedings of the United States Court which had opened there by Judge Eckels.

1858 – 27 March, p. 10 – The New York Herald says: Our Washington dispatch states that Dr. Bernhisel, the Mormon delegate in Congress, has recently received letters from BY in which he predicts the annihilation of the United States troops now in Utah, unless they are recalled by the government. He also suggests the appointment of a commission to proceed to Utah, to inquire into the condition of affairs there. It is not in the least degree probable that the President will listen to overtures of this character, coming from persons in rebellion against the federal authorities, and against whom an indictment for treason is pending.

1858 – 3 April, p. 3 – [A quote from a discussion of various religions:] So with regard to Mormonism (which erroneous system is comparatively of recent date). What is it but a gigantic lie, an invention of falsehood. There is not a part of it that will bear the light of God’s truth. It is from beginning to end a fabrication of falsehood and wickedness, framed for speculation, in order that its abominable and lewd leaders may feast on the spoil of their dupes. What is the Book of Mormon but a lie, a mixture of truth and nonsense, which has been presumptuously and blasphemously palmed off as a divine revelation to Joe Smith, a man utterly destitute of moral character, and addicted to almost every vice. The impostor’s mark is legible in every page of this publication.

1858 – 10 April, p. 9 – We have later news from Utah. A mail from Fort Independence was three months in reaching the United States camp, and then half despoiled of its contents. A Mormon prisoner had escaped, and it was feared that there were traitors in the camp. An express is said to have reached Leavenworth, from the camp of Colonel Johnston, requesting that supplies of ammunition and more men be sent him immediately.

1858 – 17 April, p. 8 – Private letters from Colonel Johnston, at Camp Scott, to the 5^th ult., have been received. He describes the Mormons as manifesting a decided intention to set up an independent government of their own, and expresses an earnest hope that supplies will be forwarded to him at as early a day as practicable. A large train with supplies, and two regiments of Infantry and two of Cavalry, have already left Fort Leavenworth for Utah.

1858 – 24 April, p. 3–4 – The following is a copy of a letter received at Barnsley from Elizabeth Cotton, a young woman who formerly resided there. George Wadsworth, the individual named in the letter, who was well known in Barnsley, was in the habit of delivering open-air addresses upon Mormonism in the Barnsley Market-place. The letter is dated February 1^st, 1858, and proceeds:

“Dear Mother – I would have written to you sooner, but I could not write you the truth. I am very uneasy hearing nothing from you but what brother-in-law told us when we met him on the plains. He told us that the Mormons had cut you out of the church, and of that I am glad, for, dear mother, if I had never been in the church it would have been a happy thing for me, for we are now on the plains with 7000 soldiers who are waiting to go to Salt Lake to make the Mormons comply with the laws of the country; for you must bear in mind that the Mormons have their own laws, and what Brigham Young says must be done, for his is the word of the Lord.

“I am afraid I shall never see you again, but still I live in hopes.

“We started from Salt Lake some time since to come back again, but the Mormons met us, and George Wadsworth took little Jemmy and pulled him out of the wagon, and he cried out, ‘Mother, shoot me; don’t let me go!’

“I have learnt a great deal since I saw you, and have had a great deal to go through. The number that went the same time that we did was 1000 men and women, and they were but 400 when they got to Salt Lake. The Mormons made them pay tithings of the clothes they had on their backs, and everything else they had, and they were obliged to get married to get something to eat and something to wear. All have to make their own clothes. They go in rags, and are as badly dressed as the rag-gatherers in England.

“On arriving at the Salt Lake, I was not a little surprised to see the men running after the women and asking them if they were married, but I have not got married yet, and I do not intend. There are no tables or chairs to rub, or floors to wash, and the bedsteads are nearly eaten away with vermin; they take them under the sheds or upon the haystacks, for they cannot sleep in houses. We only had meat twice all the eight months we were there, and my aunt had to exchange her clothes for bread, for there is no money there. Many of the men have eight or ten wives, and he sleeps with one two nights and another two nights, and so on, and this is Mormonism, but this is not all, for Brigham Young has 60 women, and they had twelve sons in one year, and how many daughters I do not know. What they preach about is ------, thieving, and cutting anybody’s throat, and if you ask anything about it you are told it is none of your d----d business. Marrying little children ten or eleven years of age against their mind is common, and in about two months they will leave one and go to another. I know one young woman of nineteen who has had four husbands in five months, and that gives you an idea of Mormonism. Ann Jubb came alone with us across the plains, and when she got to Salt Lake there were so many men running after her that she got married, and she is the second wife, and they call her Ann Webb, but she is far from being comfortable, and would be glad to be back again.

“If I was in England and any Mormon elder came to the house where I was I would give him a pretty warm reception. Mormonism in England and Mormonism in Salt Lake are as different as chalk and cheese.

“When we crossed the plains, in 1856, we had a quarter of a pound of flour in one day; it was very cold weather, nearly 14 feet deep in snow. We could not travel, and had to wait on the plains until the Mormons came out with teams to fetch us in. I could tell you a great deal more if I was with you. I am your affectionate daughter, Elizabeth Cotton.” Leeds Mercury.

1858 – 8 May, p. 9 – News had been received from Salt Lake City to the 6^th of February. About four hundred Mormons had been met on their journey from Salt Lake City to California. Their residuary brethren were preparing to attack the United States forces and intercept their supplies. The latter were in good health. Messrs. Majors and Russell, the contractors to transport the army supplies to Salt Lake, have decided on making Nebraska City the starting point, and are organizing an immense train to Utah. The caravan will be one of the most imposing and extensive that the western world has ever witnessed. It will be composed of two thousand wagons, each hauling fifteen hundred pounds of freight; sixteen thousand head of cattle, two acres of ox yokes to hitch them up with, and two thousand ox drivers.

1858 – 22 May, p. 3 – Lecture on Mormonism. On Friday evening, Mr. E. Davies, late of Cardiff, a returned Mormon who has renounced the faith, gave a lecture at the Athenaeum, Llanelli, on the above subject. The Rev. D. E. Williams, Incumbent of St. Paul’s, occupied the chair. The lecturer described his journey from Cardiff to the Salt Lake Valley, his sojourn there, the dishonest and cruel manner in which the saints were treated, etc. The saints, he stated, can marry as many wives as they think proper. He knew many with three wives, and was also acquainted with a man who had taken a mother and her daughters as his wives, and cohabited with them both as husband and wife. A more disgraceful state of things cannot be. He also informed his hearers of the great number of wives Brigham Young had, and of his authority to marry or divorce whoever he thought proper. Our Bill of Divorce would be of no use in the Salt Lake Valley, inasmuch as the head of the Mormon Church has the power to divorce whom he pleases, and whoever pays him well has but little trouble to effect that object. At the close of the address several questions were put to the lecturer, which were boldly and satisfactorily answered. The Rev. D. Rees, in moving the thanks of the meeting to the chairman, remarked, that inasmuch as the Mormons believed in the plurality of wives, he should like to know their reason for not carrying out their principal in this country? Upon this Mr. David Davies, the president of the Llanelli District of Saints, arose and said that the law of God and that of Victoria did not agree on the point, and therefore they were prohibited in this country, from having more than one wife, but in Zion they would be enabled to give perfect obedience to God’s commandments. Mr. Rees maintained that if the saints were thoroughly convinced that a plurality of wives was taught in the Bible, they ought to act consistently with that principle in this country even if they were martyred for so doing. The saint in reply quoted a passage of Scripture, which as proceeding from ‘Satan” to our Savior, was anything but armor proof.

1858 – 5 June, p. 9 – The Daily News correspondent writes from New York, May 18. The last news from the Utah expedition is so favorable that everyone is afraid to believe it. The story goes that the Mormons are decamping en masse to the White River Mountains, about 150 miles from Salt Lake City, and that Brigham Young has invited Governor Cumming, the Federal appointee, to enter in and take possession, thus bringing the military enterprise to an inglorious, but somewhat gratifying conclusion. However, supposing the news to be true, a retreat to the White River Mountains does not entitle the Mormon chief to the forgiveness of the government, or release the latter from all responsibility in the matter, as what is wanted from the Mormons is, not change of abode, but submission to the authority of the United States as long as they remain on their territory. The feeling of the country is now so thoroughly roused that this will certainly be exacted at all hazards, no matter in what quarter of the Federal territory the saints establish their Zion.

The history of the sect in its political relation to the United States is curious, and certainly, if the morals of its members were better than they are reported to be, would entitle it to our sympathy. They have been driven from New York, from Missouri, and from Illinois in tolerably rapid succession, amidst the execration of the inhabitants; and in 1844, fourteen years after the first appearance of the new creed, they sought refuge in the wilderness. After a march of 2,000 miles over a howling waste, under circumstances of privation and difficulty which had no parallel in modern times, they fixed their abode in the Salt Lake Valley, at that time in the territory of Mexico. They were now safely delivered from the odious jurisdiction of the United States, and there was little chance of Mexico, in her enfeebled and disorganized condition, ever thinking of interfering with the affairs of a remote and almost inaccessible settlement. Unluckily, however, for their new-born hopes of a quiet future, the Mexican war ended soon after in a peace, which transferred their new-born hopes of a quiet future, the Mexican war ended soon after in a peace, which transferred the whole region round about them to their old enemies, and they were once more in the clutches of the common law, and the statutes at large. The Federal government proceeded to organize the territory, by appointing Brigham Young governor, and sending its own judges and marshals from the east. Since that period the story is a monotonous one. The Federal judges were received with respect, but their decisions were treated as nullities, and their courts laughed at; and the other officials from Washington found that their performance of their duties was the merest farce. They came home, and fresh ones were appointed, with the same result, until the last batch left, as they alleged, in fear for their lives, and hostilities have followed for the assertion of the supreme authority. There can be little question, I think, that there has been too much fuss made about the Federal dignity, and enormous expense has been incurred for the attainment of an object, which time would have effected in a vastly more satisfactory manner. The tide of emigration would, in the course of a few years, have reached Utah, as it is advancing both from California and from the eastern states, and Mormonism would have disappeared, or been broken up, by the mere force of public opinion, or the presence of an adverse majority. No such community as Mormonism can now-a-days maintain itself in the midst of a Christian, civilized, educated population, and it would consequently have been far better to have left the evil to be dealt with by those moral forces, which are at once the glory and safeguard of the Union, than raise an armed force against it for the benefit of jobbers and contractors. As matters stand, our arms have acquired no new luster, and the Mormon leaders have derived fresh éclat for their imposture, from this new instance of Gentile persecution. It would be hard to devise a worse mode of extirpating a disgusting heresy than marching against it with a division of infantry.

1858 – 19 June, p. 9 – Dates from Utah are to the 6^th of May. The Mormons had expelled Governor Cumming, the regularly appointed executive officer of the territory, from the settlement, and had determined to resist the troops sent against them to the last.

1858 – 19 June, p. 10 – The widow of Joe Smith, the Mormon, still resides at Nauvoo,, but she cares nothing for the saints, and has married a tavern keeper, who thinks all prophets humbugs. Young Joe, who should be right have been the head of the Mormons, is a stout gawky of 22, who hates Brigham Young and curses the Salt Lakers. Nauvoo was once a place of 20,000 inhabitants, but is now a place of ruins. Washington Union.

1858 – 3 July, p. 9 – Advices from Washington state that General Scott had received dispatches from Utah of five days’ later date than those transmitted by Governor Cumming. They represent that the governor had been received by the Mormons; that after they had removed their women and children from Salt Lake City the men returned, strengthened their defensive positions, and assumed a threatening attitude. The news was regarded as reliable. The soldiers under General Johnston were on short allowance of food. Capt. Marcy was within six days of Camp Scott at last accounts.

1858 – 10 July, p. 9 – Item #1 – It is said that the President is much perplexed at the contradictory nature of the dispatches from Utah, and expresses regret at what he now considers his premature message to Congress announcing the end of the Mormon rebellion.

1858 – 10 July, p. 9 – Item #2 – In Utah seventy Mormon families had come into Camp Scott to claim protection, which had been granted to them. When the great seal and records of the Mormons had been given to Governor Cumming, he was requested to put them in a fireproof safe. It was ascertained afterwards that arrangements had been made to fire the city.

1858 – 10 July, p. 9 – Item #3 – It has been rumored that the Mormons purpose concentrating and fortifying themselves at Proverst [Provo], forty miles from Salt Lake City.

1858 – 17 July, p. 9 – One hundred and fifty Mormons from Salt Lake City, have placed themselves under the protection of the United States.

1858 – 28 August, p. 10 – Escape from the Mormons. Mr. J. D. Wilson, a very zealous disciple of the Mormon faith, who went out from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with his wife and family, to the Salt Lake City, has found out his mistake and left the place. In a letter to his father and mother, which is published in the Northern Daily Express, he says: “The Mormons preach one thing and practice another. They come to England and other places; break up families, and get men to leave their wives, and wives to leave their husbands, and children to leave their parents to make slaves of them when they get them to Salt Lake Valley, and to feed them on bread and water, potatoes and salt. The only way to be first-rate with them is to get two or three wives. William Bell, from Newcastle, has two; Chance B. Webb has six, and a number of others whom you know, have several wives also. Brigham Young would have allowed me to leave Salt Lake in March last, but not my family. He would not allow me a horse, and if I had left, I should have had to carry on my back meat sufficient to serve me for 1,000 miles. If I had been mad enough to attempt it they would have followed twenty or thirty miles and then killed me; they say, ‘Dead men tell no stories.’ If Governor Cumming had not got in we should not have got out yet. There are hundreds who would come away if they could. We never see an English newspaper or hear anything of what is going on in the world at Salt Lake, and I have not had a pound of tea, coffee, or sugar since I came to the city.”

1858 – 25 September, p. 10 – An English Girl Rescued from the Mormons. An important law case (writes the Utah correspondent of the New York Herald) has just been disposed of by Judges Eckels and Sinclair, in which Henry Polydore, of Glooucester, England, was plaintiff, and Samuel W. Richards, a Mormon dignitary, (and Jane Mayer, his fourth wife, were defendants. The nature of the case is fully explained in the subjoined letter of Mr. Polydore to the Earl of Malmesbury. It is dated Gloucester, March 26^th, 1858:

My Lord, In 1854, my only daughter, Henrietta Polydore, then eight years of age, was abducted by her mother, without my consent and against my will, from the school at which I had placed her in Lincolnshire, and taken in a company of Mormons to America. At that time and whilst my wife and child were in the United States, I made strenuous endeavors to recover possession of the latter, and in my efforts I was aided by the Earl of Carendon, then her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who directed instructions to be sent out to the British consuls at New Orleans and Portland to aid me in recovering my daughter. However, all my attempts failed, and the child is still withheld from me. In 1855 the mother and child proceeded to the Mormons’ settlement, Utah, and at the Salt Lake City was the child left on the mother coming to England in 1856. Mrs. Polydore long since returned to the United States, but it would seem she has not yet rejoined the child at the Salt Lake City. I should name that I have not seen either my wife or child since the latter’s abduction in 1854, and that I have never been able to hold communication in any manner with my child. A few days since I received a letter from Mr. Hyde, an entire stranger to me, dated New Orleans, U. S. A., simply in which he apprised me, in mercy to the child, and in justice to myself, of the movements and intentions of the mother, and of the position of my child. Mr. Hyde, after informing me that he had been a Mormon, had a few days previously met Mrs. Polydore in that city (New Orleans), and that she desired to reach Salt Lake City this year, if possible, and to remove the child as soon as practicable; and, he added, your daughter Henrietta is now living under the assumed name of Lucy, with her aunt Jane Mayer (a sister of Mrs. Polydore), who is the fourth wife of S. W. Richards, a Mormon dignitary, at Salt Lake City.

The government of Great Britain, through her representative, Lord Napier, as a matter of international courtesy, called upon the government of the United States to afford such assistance as might be in their power, with the view of securing the personal safety of the little girl, and her restoration to her father. Instructions were immediately given to General Johnston, commanding department at Utah, through the War Department, to adopt such measures as might seem to him advisable to bring about the release of the little girl from the Mormon community. But a different state of affairs existing here to what there was at the time the instructions were given, the General delivered over the papers to the civil authorities, whereupon the Attorney General, W. J. Cormack, prepared a petition, and brought the parties before Judges Eckels and Sinclair upon a writ of habeas corpus. A. G. Brown, Jr., assisted in the prosecution as attorney. The case was before the court for three consecutive days, and was finally disposed of by a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, Henry Polydore. The little girl is now in the custody of the United States Marshal, and will be sent on to the British Legation at Washington as soon as her wardrobe can be prepared for so long a journey, and a responsible person to take charge of her.

1858 – 2 October, p. 9 – News from the Salt Lake is to the 14^th of August, but there is nothing important. The Indians were somewhat troublesome, and the murder of several Mormons was reported.

1858 – 16 October, p. 2 – A Mormon preacher traveling about the country on a velocipede has been taken up at Redford on suspicion of stealing that instrument of locomotion.

1858 – 13 November, p. 9 – Advices from St. Louis of the 26^th say the Salt Lake mail, with dates of the 25^th September, reached St. Joseph on the 16^th. Business was very brisk at Salt Lake. Trains were constantly arriving from California with goods and provisions. There was good feeling between the Mormons and Gentiles. The former speak in high terms of Governor Cumming. General Johnston’s command consists of 7000 to 8000 men, including troops and employees, all of whom were consolidated in one grand encampment, and would remain together during the winter. There were about 4000 troops at Fort Bridger under Colonel Cambrey. Colonel Morrison, of the 7^th Infantry, had arrived at Camp Floyd.

1859 – 22 January, p. 9 – We have papers and correspondence from Utah up to the 4^th December. President Buchanan’s proclamation of pardon to the Mormons was before the court of the third judicial district. Judge Sinclair claimed the right first to find out the guilty, pass sentence, and then apply the pardon. The prosecuting attorney for the United States supports the executive, commissioners, and new governor, and regards the course of the judge as unnecessarily tending to increase difficulties in that territory. Accounts from Utah state that the service of a civil process upon Brigham Young had been resisted by his friends, and that trouble would perhaps grow out of it. There is, however, but little danger of serious difficulty in that region so long as General Johnston with his troops remains there.

1859 – 5 February, p. 10 – A man of the name of Thomas Reed, who five years since deserted his wife and children to go to the Salt Lake City, has just written to Derby, asking his wife to come out to him. In a long letter, filled partly with “cant” and descriptions of his possession, he states this strange inducement for his wife to join the Mormon sect: “I have Got A Nother wife and a Little Girl and Boy the Little Girl her name is Jane Elizabeth and the Little Boy is namd Thomas Robey Read the Little Girl is Just Lick my Little Jane and the Little Boy is Just Like my Thomas William and of them I am not ashamd Jane and Me Often talk abought you and wishes you ware all heare if you Can Make your Self comfortable a long with another woman or More as the Case may bee and Subject your Selvs to the law of Christ.” Death has spared the poor woman, to whom this letter was addressed, the pain of perusing its atrocities. [Original spelling has been preserved.]

1859 – 9 April, p. 10 – The steamship L. N. Hvidt, belonging to the Danish General Steam Navigation Company, is expected to arrive at Hull on Sunday next, from Copenhagen, with about 400 Mormon passengers, en route for the Salt Lake. We understand there is a further lot of about 500 to follow. Eastern Counties Herald.

1859 – 14 May, p. 2 – Accounts from Utah represent the condition of that territory to be deplorable. Irreconcilable dissentions exist among the United States officials. The Mormon Juries persist in refusing to return verdicts against Mormon prisoners, and a collision between the Mormons and the United States troops is apprehended.

1859 – 11 June, p. 10 – The Mormon Quarrel. The Correspondent of the Daily News writes from New York, May 26: Affairs in Utah are passing from bad to worse, the military and civil functionaries of the United States being at daggers drawn. Judge Cradlebaugh, the federal judge for the district, found on commencing his sittings that the Mormon grand juries would not present anybody, and that the petty juries would not convict anybody if presented, and finally, that his life was in danger from the violence of the Mormon mob. In this extremity he called upon General Johnston, the general in command of the troops, for aid and protection, and the general accordingly sent two companies of infantry to attend the court during its sittings. Governor Cumming, on hearing of these proceedings, denounced them in a violent and vigorous proclamation, and openly took part with the Mormons. The quarrel then waxed fast and furious, and at the last accounts the governor had called out the Mormon militia, and a collision between them and the troops was imminent. Considering that Mr. Buchanan has been doctoring the Mormon difficulty ever since he came into office, and that he has in some measure staked his reputation on its settlement, this is a most lame and impotent conclusion of the whole business. What will be the end of it nobody knows, and to tell the truth, nobody cares. People are generally very tired of the Mormon imbroglio, and with a great war raging in Europe are not disposed to spend much time in thinking of a little war on the shores of the Salt Lake.

1859 – 29 October, p. 9 – There are at present in the world about one hundred and twenty-one thousand Mormons. Eighty-three thousand live in Utah, of whom four thousand six hundred and seventeen have sixteen thousand five hundred wives.