“A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841”; handwriting of , , , and ; 432 pages, including one inserted leaf; CHL. Includes insertions, notes, tables, redactions, and use marks.
The minutes were inscribed in a commercially produced blank book measuring 13 × 8¼ × 1½ inches (33 × 21 × 4 cm). The volume contains 216 leaves measuring 12¾ × 7½ inches (32 × 19 cm) and consists of nineteen gatherings of leaves. The first and last gatherings consist of six ruled leaves and two flyleaves, while the other gatherings are each composed of twelve ruled leaves. The book contains three front flyleaves and three back flyleaves. The volume is covered in brown leather, with a dark brown pattern decorating both the front and back covers as well as the spine. At some point, an unknown scribe inscribed “Records | OF THE | City Council | of the | City of Nauvoo | commencing AD. 1841” on the front cover in black ink, and “Sermons | by | Joseph Smit[h] | and others.” on the back cover. The spine is divided into five segments. The second and fourth segments are black with gold designs; the word “RECORDS” is printed in gold on the second segment. At an unknown time, white labels inscribed with black ink were placed upon the first and fifth segments of the spine to identify the two purposes of the book. “NAUVOO | CITY COUNCIL” was written on the label on the first segment, while an inverted label reading “SERMONS” was placed on the fifth segment of the spine. The second back flyleaf is inscribed with an index for a compilation of sermons inscribed in the book. Each page has thirty-six horizontal blue lines. At some point, a clerk used a pencil to rule pages 1–189 with a single vertical line running the length of each page on the left side. The same side of pages 190–261 was also vertically ruled in black ink with either a single or double line. An unknown clerk numbered the pages with blue ink on the top outside corner of each page. Following page 403, the remaining pages of the book were misnumbered 304–332.
Pages 1–239 were used to record minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other matters pertaining to the meetings of the Nauvoo City Council between 1841 and 1845. The city council items are inscribed in blue and black ink. A loose sheet containing minutes inscribed in black ink was inserted into the volume between pages 238 and 239. Pages 240–362 were left blank. Although the volume contains some minutes, its main function was to record the decisions of the city council rather than to give a detailed exposition of the minutes. The volume accordingly corresponds with the Nauvoo City Council rough books. The rough books capture the discussions and debates of the council, while this volume includes the decisions and resolutions following those debates. At some point after 1843, a clerk turned the volume upside down and began inscribing sermons given by JS and others during 1843 and 1844, beginning at the end of the volume and continuing through page 363. These pages were renumbered 1–70 in their upside-down state. The sermons are inscribed in black ink with occasional insertions and other redactions written in graphite.
The inside cover of the book includes an insertion from the Niles National Register for 21 March 1840; a loose copy of the Times and Seasons for 15 January 1841; and an index of ordinances, resolutions, and other Nauvoo City Council matters discussed within the volume. The index consists of eight leaves, with each page measuring 13¼ × 4¼ inches (34 × 11 cm). The entries were inscribed in blue and black ink. It is ruled with forty-one horizontal black lines and a single blue line that runs vertically along the right side of each page.
The contents of the book suggest that clerks made entries in the volume as early as 3 February 1841 and finished sometime after 8 February 1845. An inventory of church records indicates that the volume came into the possession of by 1846. The volume was included in the 1846 inventory of church records prior to the exodus and was taken to Utah Territory with other church records. Subsequent inventories indicate that it has remained in continuous institutional custody since that time.
Sec. 28. When a portion of any such city lot or tract of land shall be struck off on any bid, it shall be taken off from an average quality of the same, considered without the building that may be found thereon.
Sec. 29 Lands or city lots sold under the provisions of this Ordinance may be redeemed at any time before the expiration of two years from the date of the sale by any person who will pay double the amount for which the same was sold, & all taxes accruing after such sale, together with six per cent interest on the amount of each subsequent years tax.
Sec. 30. Immediately after the expiration of two years from the date of the sale of any land for taxes under the provisions of this Ordinance, the Marshal shall make out a Deed for each city lot or tract of land sold & remaining unredeemed & deliver the same to the purchaser upon the return of the certificate of Purchase. Deeds executed by the Marshal shall be in the following form;
Know all Men by these presents that whereas on the [blank] day of [blank] A. D. 18[blank] before the Municipal Court of the City of a judgment was obtained in said Court in favor of the city of against the (here insert the description of the land) for the sum of [blank] Dollars and [blank] Cents, being the amount of taxes & costs assessed upon said tract of land (or city lot) for the year 18[blank]. And whereas on the [blank] day of [blank] 18[blank]. I, A. B. Marshal of the aforesaid by virtue of a precept issued out of the Municipal Court of the aforesaid, dated the [blank] day of [blank], & to me directed, did expose to public sale at the [blank] in the aforesaid, in conformity with all the requisitions of the Ordinances & laws in such cases made & provided, the tract of land (or city lot) above described, for the satisfaction of the judgment so rendered as aforesaid. And Whereas at the time & place aforesaid, C. D. of the [blank] and [p. 116]