THE MORMON DIFFICULTIES.
When the accounts first reached us of the death of the Mormon Prophet, they conveyed the impres-sion that he had been killed in a general melee, or fight between the Mormons and the people. But later intelligence renders it evident that he and his brother have fallen victims to that lawless spirit which has brought so much disgrace upon, our coun-try. They have been murdered, after they had given themselves up to the constituted authorities. The enormity of this transaction cannot be palliated by the atrocities committed by Smith and his arch-impostures, because he was then in the hands of the constituted authorities, and had a right to protection.
On the 2d instant the Mormons still remained quiet, and did not appear disposed to ommit any acts of aggression; while, on the other hand, it is said that their enemies were desirous of pushing them to extremities.
Since the outrage at Carthage, Governor FORD has established his headquarters at Quincy, and ex-presses a determination to maintain the peace. The following is his account of the affair, as contained in an address from him to the people of Illinois:
TO THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS.
I desire to make a brief but true statement of the recent disgraceful affair at Carthage, in regard to the Smiths, so far as circumstances have come to my knowledge. The Smiths, Joseph and Hyram, have been assassinated in jail, by whom it is not known, but will be ascertained. I pledged myself for their safety, and upon the assurance of that pledge they surrendered as prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public arms in their possession, and the Nauvoo legion sub-mitted to the command of Captain Singleton, of Brown coun-ty, deputed for that purpose by me. All these things were required to satisfy the old citizens of Hancock that the Mor-mons were peaceably disposed, and to allay jealousy and ex-citement in their minds. It appears, however, that the com-pliance of the Mormons with every requisition made upon them, failed of that purpose. The pledge of security to the Smiths was not given upon my individual responsibility. Before I gave it, I obtained a pledge of honor by a unanimous vote from the officers and men under my command to sustain me in performing it. If the assassination of the Smiths was committed by any portion of these, they have added treachery to murder, and have done all they could do to disgrace the State, and sully the public honor.
On the morning of the day the deed was committed, we had proposed to march the army under my command to Nauvoo. I however discovered on the evening before that nothing but utter destruction of the city would satisfy a por-tion of the troops; and that if we marched into the city pre-texts would not be wanting for commencing hostilities. The Mormons had done every thing required, or which ought to have been required of them. Offensive operations on our part would have been impolitic, in the present critical season of the year, the harvest, and the crops. For these reasons I decided, in a council of officers, to disband the army, except three companies, two of which were retained as a guard for the jail. With the other company I marched into Nauvoo, to address the inhabitants there, and tell them what they might expect in case they designedly or imprudently pro-voked a war. I performed this duty, as I think, plainly and emphatically, and then set out to return to Carthage. When I had marched about three miles, a messenger informed me of the occurrences at Carthage. I hastened on to that place. The guard, it is said, did their duty, but were overpowered. Many of the inhabitants of Carthage had fled with their fami-lies. Others were preparing to go. I apprehended danger to the settlements from the sudden fury and passion of the Mormons, and sanctioned their movements in this respect.
General Deming volunteered to remain with a few troops, to observe the progress of events, to defend property against small numbers, and with orders to retreat if menaced by a superior force. I decided to proceed immediately to Quincy, to prepare a force sufficient to suppress disorders, in case it should ensue from the foregoing transactions, or from any other cause. I have hopes that the Mormons will make no further difficulties. In this I may be mistaken. The other party may not be satisfied. They may recommence aggres-sion. I am determined to preserve the peace against all breakers of the same, at all hazards. I think present circum-stances warrant the precaution of having a competent force at my disposal, in readiness to march at a moment's warning. My position at Quincy will enable me to get the earliest in-telligence and to communicate orders with greater celerity. I have decided to issue the following general orders:
HEADQUARTERS, QUINCY, JUNE 29, 1844.
It is ordered that the commandants of regiments in the counties of Adams, Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton, and McDonough, and the regiments comprising General Stapp's brigade, will call their respective regiments and battalions together immediately upon the receipt of this order, and proceed, by voluntary enlistment, to enrol as many men as can be armed in their respective regiments. They will make arrange-ments for a campaign of twelve days, and will provide themselves with arms, ammunition, and provisions accordingly, and hold themselves in readiness immediately to march upon the receipt of further orders.
The independent companies of riflemen, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, in the above named counties, and in the county of San-gamon, will hold themselves in readiness in like manner.
THOMAS FORD,
Governor and Commander in Chief.
