Petition to United States Congress, circa 29 November 1839, Draft
Source Note
JS, , and , Petition Draft, , to United States Congress, Washington DC, ca. 29 Nov. 1839; handwriting of ; 35 pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes dockets.
that these were unjust, yet they felt and hope that time and an uprigh[t]ness of live would enable them to outlive them. From the date of their settle while this summer of peace and happiness and hope shone over the infant settlement of the saints, the cloud was gathering unseen by them, that bore in its bosom the thunderbolt of their destruction.
On the 20th. of July 1838 <1833> around their peaceful <> a mob gathered to the surprise & terror to the suprise and terror of the quiet Mormons. Why they knew not. They had broken no Law. they had harmed no man in deed or thought. Why they<that> were <they> thus threatened they knew not, soon a Committee from the Mob called upon the leading citizens <Mormons> of the village <place>. They announced, that the the and the shops must be closed and that forthwith every Mormon must leave the . The message was so terrible so unexpected, the Mormons asked time for deliberation for consultation— which being granted <refused> the bretheren <h◊◊◊◊◊> were severally asked are <You> willing to abandon your home? The reply was one, we will not go: Which determination being reported to the Committee of the Mob. One of them replied that he was sorry for said he the work of destruction must now begin. No sooner said than <it was> done, The a large two story [p. 3]