[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from M. Arthur Esquire to the Representatives from Clay County, Liberty, MO ]
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Respected Friends,
Humanity to an injured people
prompts me at present to address you thus. You
were aware of the treatment (to some extent before
you left home) received by that unfortunate race
of beings called the Mormons, from Devils in the
form of human beings inhabiting Davis,
and a part of
with the relinquishment of all their rights as citizens,
and human beings, in the Treaty forced upon
them by Genl. Lucas, by giving up their arms
and throwing themselves upon the mercy of the
State, and their fellow Citizens generally, hoping
thereby protection of their lives and property, are
now receiving treatment from those demons
that makes humanity shudder, and the cold chills
run over any man not entirely destitute of
any feeling of humanity.
Those demons are now constantly
Strolling up and down
Companies armed, insulting the women in
any and every way; and plundering the poor
devils of all the means of substance (scanty
as it was) left them; and driving off their
Horses, Cattle, Hogs, &c and rifleing their houses
and farms of every thing therein, taking beds
bedding wardrobe, and all such things as they
see they want, leaving the poor mormons in a
starving and naked condition.
These are facts I have from authority
that cannot be questioned, and can be mantained
and Substantiated at any time; there is now
a Petition afloat in our Town Signed by the
Citizens of all parties and grade, which will be
sent you in a few days, praying the Legislature
to make some speedy enactment applicable to their
Case, they are entirely willing to leave our State, so
soon as this inclement Season is over, and a number
have already left and leaving daily; scattering
themselves to the four winds of the earth.
Now Sirs, I do not want by any
means to dictate to you the course to be pursued,
but one fact I will merely suggest. I this
day was conversing with Mr. George M. Pryer who
is just from
committed daily, I Suggested to him the propriety
of the Legislature’s placing a guard to patroll on
the lines of
And give them say [$1: or 1 for $] per day each
man and find their provision &c until say the
first day of June next those men rendering that
protection necessary to the Mormons, and
allowing them to follow and bring to Justice
any individual who has heretofore, or will
hereafter be guilty of plundering, or any violation
of the laws;
I would suggest that George M. Pryer
be appointed Captain of Said guard, and that
he be allowed to raise his own men; he is
willing thus to act: He is a man of Correct
habits and will do justice to all sides, and
render due Satisfaction.
Should this course not be
approved of, I would recommend the restoration
of their arms for their own protection, one
or the other of these Suggestions is certainly
due the Mormons from the State; she has now
their leaders prisoners to the number of
50. or 60, and I apprehend no danger from the
remainder in any way, until they will
leave the State.
Copy of Mr.
Arthur’s letter
except what related to
the chartering of some
company in
Addressed to members of
Gen’l Assembly from Clay Cty