Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838 [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); unidentified handwriting; 126 pages; Eugene Morrow Violette Collection, State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia.
Major— and that I was chosen Adjutant, after that, I had a talk with & together, in which I was informed as who the officers were as above, and that was Captain General of the band. Maj Genl. and Brig Genl. This is I as I now recollect it—— in speaking to the society remarked that it would be impossible for the presidency to explain the object, of the society to every member, but that the presidency would explain their officer <views or wishes> to the head officers & that <the> officers to the members of the society— I was present at one meeting, when where the officers of the society were <presented &> introduced & presented to the presidency. each officer receiving a blessing from them. stated that he had procured the presidency to come there to show the society that what he was doing was according to their direction or will— and while there the presidency approved of s course, in the society, however did not explain to the presidency what his teaching had been in the society—
— I heard , on one occasion say that the danites were to consecrate their surplus property, and to come in by tens to do so— and if they refused <lied> about it they were to be dealt with as I my understanding was they were to be killed and instanced the case of Annanias & Saphira— who about it <he said that Peter killed> Annanias & Saphira did, the man and that would be an example for us— When appointed adjutant of the Danite band as referred to above— I did not think proper to object openly, ‘tho I determined within myself not [p. [56]]