Docket Entry, 1–circa 6 July 1843 [Extradition of JS for Treason]
Source Note
Docket Entry, [, Hancock Co., IL, 1–ca. 6 July 1843], Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo, IL, Municipal Court 1843); Nauvoo Municipal Court Docket Book, 55–87, 116–150; handwriting of and ; CHL.
& fowls, at our own doors taking part away & leaving the rest to rot in the Streets. The soldiers also turned their horses into our fields of corn.
Here the witness was shewn s speech which is as follows viz
Gentlemen— you whose names are not attached to this List of names, will now have the priviledge of going to your fields & of providing <corn> wood &C for your families. Those that are now taken will go from this to prison be tried & receive the due demerit of their crimes; but you (except such as charges may hereafter be preferred against) are at liberty as soon as the troops are removed that now guard the place, which I shall cause to be done immediately. It now devolves upon you to fulfill the treaty that you have entered into, the leading items of which I shall now lay before you. The first requires that your leading men be given up to be tried according to Law, this you have complied with. The second is; that you deliver up your arms, this has also been attended to. The third Stipulation is, that you sign over your properties to defray the expences that have been incurred on your account this you have also done. Another article yet remains for you to comply with and that is that you leave the forthwith. And whatever may be your feelings concerning this, or whatever your innocence is it is nothing to me (whose military rank is equal with mine,) has made this treaty with you; I approve of it. I should have done the same had I been here & am therefore determined to see it executed. The character of this has suffered beyond redemption from the character, conduct & influence that you have exerted; & we deem it an act of justice to restore her character by every proper means.— The order of the to me was, that you should be exterminated & not allowed to remain in the . And had not leaders being given up & the terms of the treaty complied with before this time, your families would have been destroyed & in your houses in ashes. There is a discretionary power vested in my hands, which considering your circumstances, I shall exercise for a season. You are indebted to me for this clemency. I do not say that you shall go now, but you must no think of stopping Staying here another Season, or of putting in crops for the moment you do this, the citizens will be upon you: and if I am called here again, in case of non compliance with the treaty made, do not think that I will act as I have done now. You need not expect any mercy but extermination. for I am determined the s order shall be executed As for your Leaders do not think, do not imagine for a moment, do not let it enter into your minds that they will be delivered & restored to you again for their fate is fixed, the die is cast, there doom is sealed. I am sorry Gentlemen to see so many apparently intelligent men found in the sit [p. 118]