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Source: Church History Vol. 1 Chapter 15 Page: 405 (~1834)

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405 expected to have received the evidence brought out on the inquiry ordered into the military conduct of Colonel Pitcher, in a short time after I received your petition, I should have replied to it long since.

"Last evening I was informed that the further inquiry of the court was postponed until the 20th instant. Then, before I could hear anything from this court, the court of civil jurisdiction will hold its session in Jackson County, consequently I cannot receive anything from one preparatory to arrangements for the other.

"I am very sensible indeed of the injuries your people complain of, and should consider myself very remiss in the discharge of my duties were I not to do everything in my power consistent with the legal exercise of them to afford your society the redress to which they seem entitled. One of your requests needs no evidence to support the right to have it granted; it is that your people be put in possession of their homes from which they have been expelled. But what may be the duty of the Executive after that, will depend upon contingencies.

"If upon inquiry it is found that your people were wrongfully dispossessed of their arms, by Colonel Pitcher, then an order will be issued to have them returned; and should your men organize according to law, which they have a right to do, (indeed it is their duty to do so, unless exempted by religious scruples,) and apply for public arms, the Executive Could not distinguish between their right to have them, and the right of every other description of people similarly situated.

"As to the request for keeping up a military force to protect your people and prevent the commission of crimes and injuries, were I to comply, it would transcend the power with which the Executive of this State is clothed. The Federal Constitution has given to Congress the power to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, or repel invasion; and for these purposes the President of the United States is authorized to make the call upon the executives of the respective States; and the laws of this State empower the 'commander

(page 405)

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