marauders, from twelve to fifteen thousand souls men, women, and
children were driven from their own fire sides, and from lands that
they had warrantee deeds of, houseless, friendless, and homeless (in
the depth of winter,) to wander as exiles on the earth or to seek an
asylum in a more genial clime, and among a less barbarous people.

Many sickened and died, in consequence of the cold, and hardships
they had to endure; many wives were left widows, and children
orphans, and destitute. It would take more time than is allotted me
here to describe the injustice, the wrongs, the murders, the
bloodshed, the theft, misery, and woe that have been caused by the
barbarous, inhuman, and lawless, proceedings of the state of Missouri.

In the situation before alluded to we arrived in the state of
Illinois in 1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly
home; a people who were willing to be governed by the principles of
law and humanity. We have commenced to build a city called "Nauvoo"
in Hancock co., we number from six to eight thousand here besides
vast numbers in the county around and in almost every county of the
state. We have a city charter granted us and a charter for a legion
the troops of which now number 1500. We have also a charter for a
university, for an agricultural and manufacturing society, have our
own laws and administrators, and possess all the privileges that
other free and enlightened citizens enjoy.

Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only
added fuel to the flame, it has spread with increasing rapidity,
proud of the cause which they have espoused and conscious of our'
innocence and of the truth of their system amidst calumny and
reproach have the elders of this Church gone forth, and planted