| 615 reached the city this afternoon that the sheriff was on his way to Nauvoo with an armed force.
"Saturday, 3d. In the morning at home, in company with John Boynton.-Millennial Star, vol. 19, p. 791.
On September 5, 1842, "The Nauvoo Relief Society wrote the Governor an appeal, praying him to exert his official privilege in behalf of the innocent.
On September 7, 1842, Governor Carlin replied to Mrs. Emma Smith's letter of the 27th ultimo. 4
County, Missouri, for the purpose of taking Mr. Smith out of the hands of the officers who might have him in custody. Also those two men from Missouri that were here with Messrs. King and Pitman, divulged the most illegal and infernal calculations concerning taking Mr. Smith into Missouri, the evidence of which we can furnish you at any time, if required. And, dear sir, our good feelings revolt at the suggestion that your Excellency is acquainted with the unlawful measures taken by those engaged in the prosecution-measures which, if justice was done to others, as it would be done to us, were we to commit as great errors in our proceedings, would subject all concerned in the prosecution to the penalty of the law, and that without mercy. I admit, sir, that it is next to an impossibility for anyone to know the extent of the tyranny, treachery, and knavery of a great portion of the leading characters of the State of Missouri: yet it only requires a knowledge of the Constitution of the United States, and statutes of the State of Missouri, and a knowledge of the outrages committed by some of the inhabitants of that State, upon the people called Mormons, and that passed unpunished by the administrators of the law, to know that there is not the least confidence to be placed in any of those men that were engaged in those disgraceful transactions.
If the law was made for the lawless and disobedient, and punishment instituted for the guilty, why not execute the law upon those that have transgressed it, and punish those who have committed crime, and grant encouragement to the innocent, and liberality to the industrious and peaceable?
And now I entreat your honor to bear with me patiently while I ask, What good can accrue to this State or the United States, or any part of this State or the United States, or to yourself, or any other individual, to continue this persecution upon this people, or upon Mr. Smith-a persecution that you are well aware is entirely without any just foundation or excuse?
With sentiments of due respect, I am, your most obedient servant,
EMMA SMITH.
To his Excellency, Thomas Carlin
Governor of the State of Illinois.
P. S.-Sir, you will please tender my best respects and considerations to your wife and family, and tell them I greatly desire to see them with yourself in our place as soon as can be convenient.
EMMA SMITH.
-From copy of original letter in our possession
4 QUINCY September 7,1842.
Dear Madam:-Your letter of the 27th ultimo was delivered to me on
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