Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 2, 1 March–6 May 1845

Source Note

See source note under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.
Historical Introduction

See historical introduction under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.

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defenceless servants of God, our Prophet and our Patriarch, before the senate of that rescued one of the indicted actors in that mournful tragedy, from the of and gave him an honorable seat in her hall of legislation.

172

And all others who were indicted by the grand jury of for the murder of Generals Joseph and , are suffered to roam at large watching for further prey.

173

To crown the climax of those bloody deeds, the has repealed all those chartered rights by which we might have defended ourselves against aggressors. If we defend ourselves hereafter against violence, whether it comes under the shadow of law or otherwise, (for we have reason to expect it both ways,) we shall then be charged with treason, and suffer the [p. [115]]

172

And all others who were indicted by the grand jury of for the murder of Generals Joseph and , are suffered to roam at large watching for further prey.

173

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Document Information
Editorial Title
Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 2, 1 March–6 May 1845
ID #
11602
Total Pages
385
Handwriting on This Page
- William Clayton
Footnotes
1. 172
  Following his indictment for participating in the murder of JS, Jacob C. Davis, the state senator for Hancock County, was arrested by Sheriff Miner R. Deming in Springfield, Illinois, while the legislature was in session in December 1844. In response, the senate created a committee to investigate Davis’s arrest. Following a brief examination, the senate ordered Deming to immediately discharge Davis. (Journal of the Senate . . . of Illinois, 2 and 26 Dec. 1844, 3, 117–118, 121–122; “Arrest of the Hon. Jacob C. Davis,” Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, 157–158.)
  
  Journal of the Senate of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.
  Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, at Their Session Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Vol. 1. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.
2. 173
  In September 1844 Aaron Johnson, a justice of the peace in Nauvoo, Illinois, issued a warrant for the arrest of Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp for their alleged roles in the murders of JS and Hyrum Smith based on an affidavit sworn by John Taylor. However, through a deal brokered by Governor Thomas Ford, both men were released on a recognizance to appear before the Hancock County Circuit Court at the May term. Shortly thereafter, a Hancock County grand jury indicted Williams, Sharp, John Wills, William Vorees, William H. Grover, Jacob C. Davis, Mark Aldrich, and two men known only by their last names—Gallaher and Allen—for the murders. Though a writ was later issued to arrest these men, only Davis was detained—albeit temporarily—prior to the trial. (John Taylor, Affidavit, 21 Sept. 1844; Warrant for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 21 Sept. 1844; Recognizance Bond for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 2 Oct. 1844; Indictment, 26 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Thomas Ford, Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844, CHL; “Arrest of the Hon. Jacob C. Davis,” Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, 157–158.)
  
  U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.
  Ford, Thomas. Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844. CHL.
  Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, at Their Session Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Vol. 1. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.

Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 2, 1 March–6 May 1845

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