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.
the Prophet & one of his counsellors as President of the Church. The prisoners spent this day as comfortably as could be expected under the existing circumstances. Night came on & under the dark shadows of the night subaltern of took me one side & said we do not wish to hurt you nor Kill you, neither shall you be by G——d but we have one thing against you & that is you are too friendly to Joe Smith & we believe him to be a G d. d——n rascall!! & you know all about his character, I said, I do Sir, will you swear all you know concerning him said I will Sir was the answer I gave, give us the outlines said — I willsirwas the answer I gave give us the outlines said I then told said I believed said Joseph Smith to be the most philanthropic he ever saw & possessed of the most pure & republican principles, a friend to mankind a maker of peace & sir, had it not been that I had given heed to his counsel I would have given you hell before this time with all your mob forces, he then observed: I fear your life is in danger for thare is no end to the prejudice against Joe Smith— kill & be d——d sir was my answer he answered & said there is to be a court martial held this night & will you attend sir? I will not unless compelled by force was my reply. He returned that night about 11 OClock & took me aside & said I regret to tell you, your die is cast, your doom is fixed you are sentenced to be shot to morrow morning on the public square, in at 8 oClock. I answered shoot & be d——d.
We were in hopes said he you would come out against Joe Smith, but as you have not, you will have to share the same fate with him, I answered, you may thank Joe Smith that you are not in hell this night, for had it not been for him I would have put you there. Somewhere about this time came up & said me; Colonel, the decision a damned hard one & I have washed my hands against such cool & deliberate murder He further told me, that <General> Graham & several others, (names not recolected) were with him in the decision & opposed it with all their power; that he should move his soldiers away by day light, in the morning; that they should not witness such a heartless murder, Colonel, I wish you well. I then returned to my fellow prisoners, to spend another night on the cold damp earth and the canopy of to cover us. The night again proved a damp one. At the removal of ’s part of the army, the camp was thrown into the utmost confusion & consternation. fearing the consequence of such hasty & inconsiderate measures, revoked the decree of shooting the prisoners & determined to take them to . Consequently, he delivered the prisoners over to ordering him to see them safe to , Jackson, County. About the hour the prisoners were to been shot on the public square in , they [p. 129]