Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy and Letter [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, [, Ray Co., MO], 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied with letter ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-one pages; Mormons Collection, 1813–1970, Missouri History Museum.
saints must continue, and that dissenters could not live among them in peace.
I also conversed with Mr J. Smith <Jr> on this subject. I told him I wished to allay the then excitement, as far as I could do so it. He said the excitement was very high and he did not know what would allay it, but remarked he would give me his opinion which was, that if I would put my property into the hands of the bishop & high council to be disposed of according to the laws of the Church, he thought that would allay it and that the Church after a while, might have confidence in me. I replied to him I wish to control my own property. In telling Mr Smith that I wished to be governed by the laws of the land, he answered “now you wish to pin me down to the law”
And further this saith not.
, a witness for the State produced sworn & examined deposeth & saith:
The day after Mill-Port was burnt, in the evening, I went up to Mill Port in Company with young Mr Morin directly after our arrival I saw Joseph Smith Jr. and two others ride up, Mr Cobb the mail carryer rider and several of the Bleckleys came up also.— Cobb observed “see what the damned mormons have done” speaking of the burning asked how he knew it was the Mormons. He said they had burnt , some of the mormons replied that was burnt by the mob from Platte Cobb [p. [30]]