Minutes, 1 March 1841, Copy

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Minutes, 1 March 1841, Copy
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Nauvoo City Council, Minutes,
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Hancock Co., IL, 1 Mar. 1841. Featured version copied [ca. 1 Mar. 1841] in Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, pp. 11–15; handwriting of
James Sloan
28 Oct. 1792–24 Oct. 1886. City recorder, notary public, attorney, judge, farmer. Born in Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Alexander Sloan and Anne. Married Mary Magill. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ordained an elder, ...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 1841–1845.

Historical Introduction
On 1 March 1841 the
Nauvoo
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, Illinois, city council met for the fifth time since the council was created. As with previous meetings, the council met at
Amos Davis
Ca. 20 Sept. 1813–22 Mar. 1872. Merchant, farmer, postmaster, tavernkeeper. Born in New Hampshire or Vermont. Son of Wells Davis and Mary. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. fall 1836. Married first Elvira Hibard, 1 Jan. 1837, in...
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’s house. In all city council meetings to date, JS had played an active role as a city councilor.
1
See, for example, Minutes, 3 Feb. 1841.
This 1 March meeting was no different, and these minutes are presented to provide an example of JS’s participation on the council. JS offered one resolution, made two motions respecting city appointments, and presented six city ordinances, all of which passed. Two of the ordinances JS introduced placed particular emphasis on protecting liberties and constitutional rights for people in Nauvoo, something JS and his coreligionists found lacking in
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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.
2
For more on the Latter-day Saint experience in Missouri, see “Joseph Smith Documents from February 1838 through August 1839.”
The passage of these ordinances highlights the commitment of the city council to guarantee civil, political, and religious liberty to all in Nauvoo.

James Sloan
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recorded the minutes of the 1 March 1841 city council meeting in a notebook. Those original minutes were then used by Sloan to record the official minutes in the city council’s ledger. The official minutes are featured here.
Footnotes
[1]
See, for example, Minutes, 3 Feb. 1841.
[2]
For more on the Latter-day Saint experience in Missouri, see “Joseph Smith Documents from February 1838 through August 1839.”
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Minutes, 1 March 1841 Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, February–December 1841
*Minutes, 1 March 1841, Copy
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 1841–1845
Page 11
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Monday March 1st. 1841.

City Council met pursuant to adjournment.— Meeting opened by Prayer.— Minutes of last Meeting read.
1
The city council met previously on 22 February 1841. Among the matters discussed at that meeting were the city plat, an ordinance on the city university, an ordinance on temperance and the selling of liquor in the city, an ordinance dividing the city into four wards, and a resolution on adjusting a county road. The 1 March meeting was scheduled during the 22 February meeting. (Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 22 Feb. 1841, 8–11.)

Colr. [Councilor] J. Smith moved an ordinance respecting roads & Town Plots, which went through the usual readings (the rules being dispensed with) and passed as follows.

An ordinance <in relation> to Roads and Town Plots.
2
For more information on town plats and surveys, see Historical Introduction to Report of Committee, 5 Feb. 1841.

Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of
Nauvoo
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, That all state and County roads within the limits of this
City
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, excepting where they occupy the same ground as the City streets; and the original surveys and plots of the old Town of
Commerce
Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...
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and
Commerce City
Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...
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; be, and the same hereby are, vacated.

Sec. 2. This Ordinance to take effect, and be in force, from and after its passage.— passed March 1st. 1841.—

John C. Bennett
3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...
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, Mayor.

James Sloan
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Recorder.

Colr. J. Smith moved an Ordinance respecting the surveying of any addition to the City Plot, which went through the usual readings (the Rules being dispensed with) and passed as follows.— An Ordinance in relation to the City Plot.

Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of
Nauvoo
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, That no tract of Land that within the Limits of this
City
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, shall hereafter by surveyed, plotted and laid out into city Lots, unless, the same be surveyed, and plotted, so as to correspond with the Original survey and plot, of the City of
Nauvoo
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.—
3
The Nauvoo plat was surveyed by Hancock County surveyor James W. Brattle and attested by him on 30 August 1839. The plat was drawn in the Hancock County plat book by John C. Mather on 3 September 1839. (Hancock Co., IL, Plat Books, 1836–1938, vol. 1, pp. 10–11, 37–39, microfilm 954,774, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.
and any survey or plot, made in violation of this ordinance shall be null & void.

Sec. 2. This ordinance to take effect, and be in force from and after its passage.

Passed March 1st. 1841.

John C. Bennett
3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...
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, Mayor.

James Sloan
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Recorder. [p. 11]
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Document Information
Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 1 March 1841, Copy
ID #
10302
Total Pages
5
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:49–55
Handwriting on This Page
James Sloan
Footnotes
[1]
The city council met previously on 22 February 1841. Among the matters discussed at that meeting were the city plat, an ordinance on the city university, an ordinance on temperance and the selling of liquor in the city, an ordinance dividing the city into four wards, and a resolution on adjusting a county road. The 1 March meeting was scheduled during the 22 February meeting. (Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 22 Feb. 1841, 8–11.)
[2]
For more information on town plats and surveys, see Historical Introduction to Report of Committee, 5 Feb. 1841.
[3]
The Nauvoo plat was surveyed by Hancock County surveyor James W. Brattle and attested by him on 30 August 1839. The plat was drawn in the Hancock County plat book by John C. Mather on 3 September 1839. (Hancock Co., IL, Plat Books, 1836–1938, vol. 1, pp. 10–11, 37–39, microfilm 954,774, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)
U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.