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.
ding to the laws of the church, he thought the Church that would allay it. & that the Church, after a while, might have Confidence in me— I replied to him I wished 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.
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. a witness in behalf of the State produced, sworn & examined, deposeth & saith:
The day of <after> Mill-Port was burnt, in the evening I went up to Mill-Port in company with young Mr Morin— I directly after our arrival I saw Joseph Smith Jr , . & two others ride up. Mr Cobb the mail-rider, and several of the Blakeleys came up also. Cobb, being the mail-rider observed, “see what the damn mormons, have done,” speaking of the burning— Smith asked how he knew it was the Mormon's. he said they had burnt , Smith <some of the mormons> replied that was burnt by the mob from Platte— Cobb then remarked that all & were turning out, to come against them. or Smith observed he did not believe that was true. said their cause was just, he considered they were acting on the defencive and [p. [99]]