Account of Meeting, 3 July 1841

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Account of Meeting, 3 July 1841
Source Note

Account of Meeting, [
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Hancock Co., IL], 3 July 1841. Featured version copied [ca. 1844–1845] in Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 1, p. 5; handwriting of
Hosea Stout
18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...
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; one page; Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.

Single leaf measuring 9¾ × 7⅞ inches (25 × 20 cm), ruled with twenty-eight blue lines. The account of the meeting was recorded on the recto only and appears between other entries of
Hosea Stout
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’s manuscript history of the
Nauvoo Legion
A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...
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.

The account was copied and collected with
Hosea Stout
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’s history of the Nauvoo Legion between 1843 and 1845.
1
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 21 Oct. 1843, 67.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.
Early Church Historian’s Office inventories include Stout’s Nauvoo Legion record, indicating that it has likely remained in institutional custody since its creation.
2
“Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [2]; “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.
Footnotes
[1]
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 21 Oct. 1843, 67.
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.
[2]
“Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [2]; “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.
Historical Introduction
On 3 July 1841, JS required the
Nauvoo Legion
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to assemble for inspection as part of the
city
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’s Independence Day celebrations and expressed his patriotism in a speech to the legion.
1
See General Orders for the Nauvoo Legion, 4 May 1841.
Though Independence Day was officially observed on 4 July, in 1841 the fourth fell on a Sunday, so Nauvoo, Illinois, celebrated the holiday on Saturday, 3 July. Another celebration was held by the Saints across the
Mississippi River
Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...
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in
Iowa Territory
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...
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on Monday, 5 July.
2
Clayton, Diary, 5 July 1841.
Clayton, William. Diary, Vol. 1, 1840–1842. BYU.

The Independence Day celebration of 3 July was apparently well advertised, as many visitors came to
Nauvoo
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to witness the event. According to one Nauvoo resident, “On the 1 & 2 Numbrs of Strangers from a distance came into the City some on Horse back others in large Waggons drawn by Oxen others in very fine teems early on the 4th all was live the legion mostly dressd & equibt in full Uniform met at the place of Rendevouz about 3 o cl[ock] the Artelrie [artillery] anouncet the Arrivel of the Leutnant General on the whole it was a grand Muster.”
3
Neibaur, Journal, 4 July 1841.
Neibaur, Alexander. Journal, 1841–1862. CHL. MS 1674.
After reviewing the troops, JS delivered a patriotic speech expressing his devotion to the nation and his willingness to die in its defense.

This public review of the Nauvoo Legion may have been designed to serve two purposes: to counter accusations of Latter-day Saint disloyalty to the nation and to demonstrate that
Nauvoo
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was well prepared to defend itself. One month earlier, on 5 June 1841, JS had been arrested on his way home from
Quincy
Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...
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, Illinois, on a warrant issued by Governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
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at the request of the state of
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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. In the subsequent court hearing, held 9–10 June, the case was dismissed on a technicality.
4
“The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–448; see also Historical Introduction to Statement of Expenses to Thomas King, 30 Sept. 1841.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
However, the arrest caught the attention of newspapers in
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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, and reports were reprinted in newspapers in other states. Some papers, like the New York Herald, anticipated that conflict would arise between those attempting to capture and arrest JS and those determined to protect him. The Herald concluded that “according to all appearances a civil war will soon break out in Illinois.” Noting that the Saints were armed, the paper speculated that it was “highly probable that the next accounts will bring us descriptions of the scenes and deeds of blood.”
5
“Highly Important from the Far West,” New York Herald, 26 June 1841, [2].
New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

These apprehensions notwithstanding, the account of the Independence Day proceedings published in the Times and Seasons stated that “good feeling; unanimity, and pleasure was manifested by all parties,” also noting that the Nauvoo Legion “appeared in its glory and presented a beautiful appearance, and will soon compare with the best military organization in the
union
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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.” The Times and Seasons made particular note of the “several distinguished citizens from different parts of the
State
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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” who attended the celebration and “expressed their great pleasure at the proceedings.”
6
“Celebration of Independence,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1841, 2:479. Both the Times and Seasons and the Warsaw Signal, a paper critical of the Latter-day Saints, also noted there were many women present at the celebration. (See “Great Parade at Nauvoo,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 7 July 1841, [2].)
Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

While preparing his manuscript history of the Nauvoo Legion, sometime between 1843 and 1845,
Hosea Stout
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copied the account of this meeting, likely from a source that is no longer extant. The loose manuscript was placed in chronological order among copies of minutes from various Nauvoo Legion proceedings. A second copy of this featured account was also made and included in Stout’s history of the Nauvoo Legion.
Footnotes
[1]
See General Orders for the Nauvoo Legion, 4 May 1841.
[2]
Clayton, Diary, 5 July 1841.
Clayton, William. Diary, Vol. 1, 1840–1842. BYU.
[3]
Neibaur, Journal, 4 July 1841.
Neibaur, Alexander. Journal, 1841–1862. CHL. MS 1674.
[4]
“The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–448; see also Historical Introduction to Statement of Expenses to Thomas King, 30 Sept. 1841.
[5]
“Highly Important from the Far West,” New York Herald, 26 June 1841, [2].
New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.
[6]
“Celebration of Independence,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1841, 2:479. Both the Times and Seasons and the Warsaw Signal, a paper critical of the Latter-day Saints, also noted there were many women present at the celebration. (See “Great Parade at Nauvoo,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 7 July 1841, [2].)
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Account of Meeting, 3 July 1841 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
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On the the 3rd day of July 1841 the
Legion
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was called out to celebrate our National Independance <the 4th being Sunday>, and was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Joseph Smith. Who made an Eloquent and patriotic Speech to the troops and strongly testified of his regard for our national welfare and his willingness to lay down his life for his in defence of his
country
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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if need be
1
Despite the Latter-day Saints’ grievances over their treatment in the United States and the failure of the federal government to intervene, JS still considered himself a devoted, patriotic American. In a letter JS wrote a year later to James Arlington Bennet, he asserted he was a “patriot and lover of [his] country, pleading at their feet for protection and deliverance, by the justice of their Constitutions.” (JS, Journal, 8 Sept. 1842.)
and closed with these <remarkable> words emphatically spoken. “I would ask no greater boon than to lay down my life for my country.”
2
The Warsaw Signal, a newspaper that advanced Whig politics and perceived the Saints as favoring the Democratic party, used a caustic tone in covering the celebration, but its account of the proceedings may shed some further light on what JS said in his address: “[the] Mormon orator held forth—to enumerate particulars would be tedious. He however appeared to be a democratic republican of the first water—said that in a Republican Government the people must at all events be obeyed by their representatives.— President Tyler was just the man for him.— Did’nt believe that there were any brave men, and told the troops that they need’nt be brave, but just obey orders, lift their guns and crack away &c. &c.” (“Great Parade at Nauvoo,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 7 July 1841, [2].)
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Footnotes
[1]
Despite the Latter-day Saints’ grievances over their treatment in the United States and the failure of the federal government to intervene, JS still considered himself a devoted, patriotic American. In a letter JS wrote a year later to James Arlington Bennet, he asserted he was a “patriot and lover of [his] country, pleading at their feet for protection and deliverance, by the justice of their Constitutions.” (JS, Journal, 8 Sept. 1842.)
[2]
The Warsaw Signal, a newspaper that advanced Whig politics and perceived the Saints as favoring the Democratic party, used a caustic tone in covering the celebration, but its account of the proceedings may shed some further light on what JS said in his address: “[the] Mormon orator held forth—to enumerate particulars would be tedious. He however appeared to be a democratic republican of the first water—said that in a Republican Government the people must at all events be obeyed by their representatives.— President Tyler was just the man for him.— Did’nt believe that there were any brave men, and told the troops that they need’nt be brave, but just obey orders, lift their guns and crack away &c. &c.” (“Great Parade at Nauvoo,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 7 July 1841, [2].)