“Head Quarters of Legion Aug 14 1842 — Dear General, I take this opportunity to give you some instructions how I wish you to act in case our persecutors should carry their pursuits so far as to tread upon our rights as free born American Citizens. The orders which I am about to give you, is the result of a long series of contemplation since I saw you— I have come fully to the conclusion both since this last difficulty commenced, as well as before, that I never would suffer myself to go into the hands of the Missourians alive; and to go into the hands of the officers of this is nothing more nor less, than to go into the hands of the Missourians; for the whole farce has been gotten up,—— unlawfully and unconstitutionally; as well on the part of the as others, by a mob spirit for the purpose of carrying out mob violence, to carry on mob tolerance in a religious persecution. I am determined therefore, to keep out of their hands, and thwart their designs if possible, that perhaps they may not urge the necessity of force and blood against their own fellow citizens and loyal subjects; and become ashamed and withdraw their pursuits. But if they—— should not do this and shall urge the necessity of force; and if I by any means should be taken, these are therefore to command you forthwith without delay, regardless of life or death, to rescue me out of their hands. And further to treat any pretensions to the contrary unlawful and unconstitutional, and as a mob got up for the purpose of a religious persecution to take away the rights of men. And further that our chartered rights and privileges shall be considered by us as holding the supremacy in the premises and shall be maintained; nothing short of the supreme court of this having authority to disarmed them; and the—— Municipal Court having jurisdiction in my case, you will see therefore that the peace of the City of is kept, let who will endeavor to disturb it. You will <​also see​> that whenever any mob, force or violence is used, on any Citizen thereof, or that belongeth thereunto, you will see that that force or violence is immediately, dispersed and brought to punishment; or meet it, and contest it at the point of the Sword with firm—— undaunted and unyielding valor; and let them know that the Spirit of old Seventy six, and of George Washington yet lives, and is contained in the bosoms and blood of the children of the fathers thereof. If there are any threats in the let legal steps be taken against them: and let no man, woman or child be intimidated, nor suffer it to be done. Nevertheless as I said in the first place we will take every measure that lays in our power and [HC 5:93] make every sacrifice that God or man could require at our hands, to preserve the peace and safety of the people without collision. And if sacrificing my own liberty for months and years, without stooping to the disgrace of persecution and violence, and ’s mis-rule and corruption, I bow to my fate with cheerfulness, and all due—— [p. 1366]