The Reports of Committees of the Senate of The United States, Third Session of the Thirty-Seventh Congress. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1863)
In Four Volumes.
Volume 1 No. 70 to No. 107.
Volume 2 Part I, No. 108.
Volume 3 Part 2, No. 108.
Volume 4 1 Part 3, No. 108.
(Can be located at Google's "Read Online" at page 648 out of 881)
37th Congress, 3d Session, ) SENATE. ( Rep. Com.. No. 87.)
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
February 13, 1863.--Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Wade, from the Committee on Territories, submitted the following
REPORT.
The Committee on Territories, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate on the 16th of January in regard to the suppression of the publication of the message of the governor of the Territory of Utah, have had the same under consideration and beg leave to report:
On the 16th of January the Senate of the United States adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Territories be instructed to inquire and report whether the publication of the message of the governor of the Territory of Utah to the territorial legislature has been suppressed, and if so, by what causes, and what was the message.
In pursuance of the instruction contained in this resolution, your committee have the honor to report that they have collected all the facts, and taken all the testimony within their reach, the substance of which, together with a copy of the message, is herewith presented.
These sources of information disclose the fact that the customs which have prevailed in all our other Territories in the government of public affairs have had but little toleration in the Territory of Utah; but in their stead there appears to be, overriding all other influences, a sort of Jewish theocracy, graduated to the condition of that Territory.
This theocracy, having a supreme head who governs and guides every affair of importance in the church, and practically in the Territory, is the only real power acknowledged here, and to the extension of whose interests every person in the Territory must directly or indirectly conduce.
Contrary to the usages of the whole country, the affairs of this Territory are managed through church instrumentalities, and no measure is permitted to succeed in the Territory which will, for one moment, conflict with the interests of the church; in other words, we have here the first exhibition within the limits of the United States of a church ruling the State.
2 PUBLICATION OF THE MESSAGE
Information of the most reliable character convinces your committee that it is not only not popular to express any views antagonistic to either the laws or practices of the church in this Territory, but that such expression very soon places the maker of it in the embarrassing position of being considered a heretic, with a strong probability of being treated accordingly.
It is one of the commonly received and commonly taught dogmas of the Mormon church that every one who does not belong to that church is a gentile, and all gentiles are enemies, and of course, under church rule, should be treated as such.
Another opinion — the subject of both public and private teaching — is that the government of the United States will not and ought not to stand. They make a difference between the Constitution and the government of the United States; to the Constitution they claim to be very loyal, but to the government they owe no particular allegiance.
Although claiming to have population enough to entitle them to be admitted as a State into the Union, they have but one paper published in the Territory, thus plainly showing an inexplicable desire to know nothing of what is going on in the world, or else a desire to avoid free discussion. It is the first instance in the history of our country in which so large a population has been satisfied with one paper.
This paper is the organ of the church, for, in the opinion of the leaders in that church, it is necessary that the church should have a mouth-piece, even if there should be no free discussion; and to suppose that anything will be published in this church organ reflecting in the most remote degree on any custom or law of the place is nonsense. Because the governor, in his message, has animadverted upon some of the customs of the Mormons, and has recommended that steps be taken to Americanize the same, he has given offence, and has had his message suppressed.
Polygamy of the most unlimited character, sanctioning the cohabitation of a man with the mother and her daughters indiscriminately, is not the only un-American thing among them.
Their system of voting, to which the governor has called attention in his message, is directly subversive of that freedom which ought to be the pride of every citizen of the United States when he casts his vote. Why is it that in this Territory alone a man cannot deposit his ballot without first having his ballot numbered and his name written on it ?
This custom is unknown to any other Territory in the United States, and is almost as un-American as polygamy itself.
If the minds who control the movements of the "Latter Day Saints,'' as the Mormons call themselves, wish to have everything their own way; if they wish to keep down discussion, and to make men vote just as they please; if they wish to make all men Mormons and force them to remain as such, or else leave the Territory they need not alter one custom or law among them to realize these wishes.
The governor, in part of his message, calls the attention of the
OF THE GOVERNOR OF UTAH. 3
legislature to the fact that there is not one statute on their statute books protecting or regulating the marriage relation. There must be so little value attached to that bond of civilization that it is not considered worth a statutory enactment, or else the people in that Territory have so far departed from the usual short-comings of human nature, that they need no protection to that condition of life.
If the men in this Territory wish to keep the women there from having any legal redress at the hands of their so-called husbands, they can do so just as long as they have no statutes directing and protecting the interests growing out of the marriage relation. In other Territories the responsibilities of marriage are well defined; why are they not so in this?
The message, on examination, is found to contain nothing that should give offence to any legislature willing to be governed by the laws of morality.
It is the opinion of your committee that the message is an able exposition of the manners and customs of the people in that Territory, and, as such, brought down the censure of the leaders of the Mormon church, and, were it not for the animadversions therein contained, it would not have been suppressed.
Your committee can see no reason why it should not be distributed among the people there, and they recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved; That one thousand copies of the message of the governor of Utah to the territorial legislature be printed and sent to the governor for distribution.
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More Congressional Action Viz: "Mormons"
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Senate Journal --TUESDAY, January 28, 1840.
Page 138 | Page image
Mr. Young presented the memorial of Joseph Smith, junior, Sidney Rigdon, and Elias Higbee, in behalf of the "Latter-day Saints," commonly called Mormons, representing a series of wrongs alleged to have been committed against them by citizens and officers of the State of Missouri, and praying redress;
On motion by Mr. Norvell,
Ordered, That it lie on the table.
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February 5, 1840, The North-Carolina Standard, page 3, Congress. Senate,
Mr. Young presented the memorial of Joseph Smith, jr. Sidney Rigdon. and Elias Higbee, in behalf of ''The Latter Day Saints," commonly called Mormons, praying for a redress of grievances, inflicted on them by the people of the State of Missouri. Mr. Y. moved that it be printed, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. After some remarks from Mr. Linn, Mr. Norvell moved to lay the whole subject on the table. Mr. Young called for the reading of the memorial, and it was accordingly read. After some further remarks from Messrs. Benton, Preston, and Clay, of Kentucky, the motion to lay on the table was agreed to, with the understanding that it would be called up at an early day.
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Senate Journal --WEDNESDAY, February 12, 1840.
Page 173 | Page image
Ordered, That the memorial of the delegation of the Latter Day Saints, commonly called Mormons, presented the 28th of January, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Journal --WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1840.
Page 215 | Page image
Mr. Wall, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the memorial of a delegation of the Latter-day-Saints, commonly called Mormons; submitted a report, accompanied by the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial, in this case, and that the memorialists have leave to withdraw the papers which accompany their memorial.
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Senate Journal --MONDAY, March 23, 1840.
Page 259 | Page image
The Senate proceeded to consider the report of the Committee on the Judiciary on the memorial of the delegation of the Latter-day Saints, commonly called Mormons; and, in concurrence therewith:
Page 260 | Page image
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial in this case; and that the memorialists have leave to withdraw the papers which accompany their memorial.
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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, From 1789 TO 1856. Vol. XIV, (New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1860)
page 252,
In Senate, Monday, February 15, 1841,
The Mormons and Their Expulsion From Missouri
Mr. Linn said at the last and present sessions of Congress, memorials had been presented from persons who termed themselves Mormons or Latter Day Saints, complaining of the State of Missouri and extracts from these memorials had been published and widely circulated to injure the character of the State which he had the honor in part to represent, in the minds of those who were not acquainted with the facts. He held in his hand a transcript of all the legal proceedings which had been had in this case, and in order that the Senate and the country might be acquainted with the facts, he would present them to the Senate, and move for their printing. The document was accordingly ordered to be printed
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House Journal --SATURDAY, May 21, 1842.
Page 845 | Page image
Under the order of the House of the 29th of March last, petitions were laid on the Clerk's table as follows, to wit:
By Mr. Stuart, of Illinois: Documents relating to the claim of the religious sect called Mormons, for property plundered from them in Missouri; which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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Senate Journal --MONDAY, December 20, 1847.
Page 58 | Page image
The Vice President laid before the Senate the proceedings of a meeting of citizens in Philadelphia, approving the act of the government in allowing the emigrant Mormons to remain on certain unoccupied public lands.
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Senate Journal --THURSDAY, March 14, 1850.
Page 210 | Page image
Mr. Underwood presented the petition of Isaac Sheen, praying the adoption of measures for preventing the violation of the post office regulations on the part of certain Mormons residing at Kanesville, Iowa; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
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House Journal --FRIDAY, March 15, 1850.
Page 676 | Page image
By Mr. Richard H. Stanton: The petition of citizens of Covington, in the State of Kentucky, praying for relief on account of the mail depredations committed by the Salt Lake Mormons.
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House Journal --TUESDAY, July 6, 1852.
Page 863 | Page image
By Mr. Giddings: The petition of the inhabitants of Beaver island, in the State of Michigan, praying for protection against the depredations of the Mormons; which was laid on the table.
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House Journal --THURSDAY, February 11, 1858.
Page 369 | Page image
By Mr. James Craig: The memorial of George P. Stiles and Thomas S. Williams, asking an appropriation to pay them for property destroyed by the Mormons; which was referred to the Committee on the Territories.
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Senate Journal --THURSDAY, February 25, 1858.
Page 216 | Page image
On motion by Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, to amend the same, by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting--
That the President, for the purpose of enforcing the laws of the United States and protecting the citizens on the routes of emigration in the Territory of Utah, and to be employed in said Territory, be, and he is hereby, authorized to call for and accept the services of any number of volunteers, not exceeding in all three thousand officers and men, who may offer their services as infantry, to serve for and during the pending difficulties with the Mormons in said Territory, and no longer; and that the sum of dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying the provisions of this act into effect.
- Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the volunteers so offering their services shall be accepted by the President in companies, battalions, or regiments, and that each company shall consist of the same number of officers and men as now prescribed by law for the infantry arm of the army; and that the companies, battalions, and regiments shall be each respectively authorized to elect their own officers; and when so elected, shall be appointed and commissioned by the President of the United States.
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- Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That said volunteers, when mustered into the service, shall be armed and equipped at the expense of the United States, and, until discharged therefrom, be subject to the rules. and articles of war; and shall be organized in the same manner, and shall receive the same pay and allowances as the infantry arm of the army of the United States.
- Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the volunteers who may be received into the service of the United States by virtue of this act, and who shall be wounded or otherwise disabled in the service, shall be entitled to all the benefits which may be conferred upon persons wounded or disabled in the service of the United States.
- Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said officers, musicians, and privates authorized by this act shall immediately be disbanded from the service of the United States at the termination of the pending difficulties with the Mormons in the Territory of Utah, and in no case shall the force created by this act continue in service more than two years.
- It was determined in the negative,
- Yeas ... 23
- Nays ... 26
The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the senators present
Those who voted in the affirmative are,
Messrs. Bell, Broderick, Cameron, Chandler, Clark, Dixon, Doolittle, Douglas, Durkee, Fessenden, Foot, Foster, Hale, Hamlin, Harlan, Houston, Johnson, of Tennessee, King, Seward, Simmons, Sumner, Toombs, Wilson.
Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Benjamin, Biggs, Bigler, Brown, Clay, Crittenden, Evans, Fitch, Green, Hammond, Hunter, Iverson, Johnson, of Arkansas, Mallory, Mason, Pearce, Polk, Pugh, Sebastian, Slidell, Stuart, Thomson, of New Jersey, Wright, Yulee.
On motion by Mr. Hunter to amend the bill by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the following:
That, in addition to the military establishment of the United States, there shall be raised and organized, under the direction of the President, one regiment of dragoons and two regiments of infantry, each to be composed of the same number and rank of commissioned and noncommissioned officers, buglers, musicians, and privates, and so forth, as are provided for a regiment of dragoons and infantry, respectively, under existing laws, and who shall receive the same pay, rations, and allowances, according to their respective grades, and be subject to the same regulations and to the rules and articles of war: Provided, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States alone to appoint such of the commissioned officers, authorized by this act, below the grade of field officers as may not be appointed during the present session.
- Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said officers, musicians, and privates, authorized by this act, shall immediately be discharged fresh the service of the United States at the expiration of two years from and after the passage of this act.
- Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That regular promotions to vacancies occurring in the grades of commissioned officers, in the regiments
House Journal --MONDAY, May 17, 1858.
Page 830 | Page image
- By Mr. Scott: The petition of Nicholas Turner and others, asking for indemnity for losses sustained for property which was stolen from them by the Mormons and Indians in the year 1857.
- By Mr. McKibbin: The petition of William C. Rhode and others, praying for an appropriation to indemnify them for losses sustained for property which was stolen from them by the Mormons and Indians.
Senate Journal --MONDAY, December 6, 1858.
Page 13 | Page image
The present condition of the Territory of Utah, when contrasted with what it was one year ago, is a subject for congratulation. It was then in a state of open rebellion, and, cost what it might, the character of the government required that this rebellion should be suppressed and the Mormons compelled to yield obedience to the Constitution and the laws. In order to accomplish this object, as I informed you in my last annual message, I appointed a new governor instead of Brigham Young, and other federal officers to take the place of those who, consulting their personal safety, had found it necessary to withdraw from the Territory. To protect these civil officers, and to aid them, as a posse comitatus, in the execution of the laws in case of need, I ordered a detachment of the army to accompany them to Utah. The necessity for adopting these measures is now demonstrated.
On the 15th of September, 1857, Governor Young issued his proclamation, in the style of an independent sovereign, announcing his purpose to resist by force of arms the entry of the United States troops into our own Territory of Utah. By this he required all the forces in the Territory to "hold themselves in readiness to march
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at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion," and established martial law from its date throughout the Territory. These proved to be no idle threats. Forts Bridger and Supply were vacated and burnt down by the Mormons, to deprive our troops of a shelter after their long and fatiguing march. Orders were issued by Daniel H. Wells, styling himself "Lieutenant General, Nauvoo Legion," to stampede the animals of the United States troops on their march, to set fire to their trains, to burn the grass and the whole country before them and on their flanks, to keep them from sleeping by night surprises, and to blockade the road by telling trees, and destroying the fords of rivers, &c, &c., &c.
These orders were promptly and effectually obeyed. On the 4th of October, 1857, the Mormons captured and burned, on Green river, three of our supply trains, consisting of seventy-five wagons loaded with provisions and tents for the army, and carried away several hundred animals. This diminished the supply of provisions so materially that General Johnston was obliged to reduce the ration, and even with this precaution there was only sufficient left to subsist the troops until the first of June.
Our little army behaved admirably in their encampment at Fort Bridger under these trying privations. In the midst of the mountains, in a dreary, unsettled, and inhospitable region, more than a thousand miles from home, they passed the severe and inclement winter without a murmur. They looked forward with confidence for relief from their country in due season, and in this they were not disappointed.
The Secretary of War employed all his energies to forward them the necessary supplies, and to muster and send such a military force to Utah as would render resistance on the part of the Mormons hopeless, and thus terminate the war without the effusion of blood. In his efforts he was efficiently sustained by Congress. They granted appropriations sufficient to cover the deficiency thus necessarily created, and also provided for raising two regiments of volunteers "for the purpose of quelling disturbances in the Territory of Utah, for the protection of supply and emigrant trains, and the suppression of Indian hostilities on the frontiers." Happily, there was no occasion to call these regiments into service. If there had been, I should have felt serious embarrassment in selecting them, so great was the number of our brave and patriotic citizens anxious to serve their country in this distant and apparently dangerous expedition. Thus it has ever been, and thus may it ever be!
The wisdom and economy of sending sufficient reinforcements to Utah are established not only by the event, but in the opinion of those who, from their position and opportunities, are the most capable of forming a correct judgment. General Johnston, the commander of the forces, in addressing the Secretary of War from Fort Bridger, under date of October 18, 1857, expresses the opinion that "unless a large force is sent here, from the nature of the country, a protracted war on their [the Mormons] part is inevitable." This he considered necessary, to terminate the war "speedily and more economically than if attempted by insufficient means."
Page 15 | Page image
In the meantime it was my anxious desire that the Mormons should yield obedience to the Constitution and the laws, without rendering it necessary to resort to military force. To aid in accomplishing this object I deemed it advisable, in April last, to despatch two distinguished citizens of the United States, Messrs. Powell and McCulloch, to Utah. They bore with them a proclamation addressed by myself to the inhabitants of Utah, dated on the 6th day of that month, warning them of their true condition, and how hopeless it was on their part to persist in rebellion against the United States, and offering all those who should submit to the laws a full pardon for their past seditions and treasons. At the same time I assured those who should persist in rebellion against the United States that they must expect no further lenity, but look to be rigorously dealt with, according to their deserts. The instructions to these agents, as well as a copy of the proclamation and their reports, are herewith submitted. It will be seen by their report of the 3d of July last that they have fully confirmed the opinion expressed by General Johnston in the previous October as to the necessity of sending reinforcements to Utah. In this they state that they "are firmly impressed with the belief that the presence of the army here, and the large additional force that had been ordered to this Territory, were the chief inducements that caused the Mormons to abandon the idea of resisting the authority of the United States. A less decisive policy would probably have resulted in a long, bloody, and expensive war."
These gentlemen conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction, and rendered useful services in executing the humane intentions of the government.
It also affords me great satisfaction to state that Governor Cumming has performed his duty in an able and conciliatory manner, and with the happiest effect. I cannot, in this connexion, refrain from mentioning the valuable services of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, who, from motives of pure benevolence, and without any official character or pecuniary compensation, visited Utah during the last inclement winter for the purpose of contributing to the pacification of the Territory.
I am happy to inform you that the governor and other civil officers. of Utah are now performing their appropriate functions without resistance. The authority of the Constitution and the laws has been fully restored, and peace prevails throughout the Territory.
A portion of the troops sent to Utah are now encamped in Cedar valley, forty-four miles southwest of Salt Lake city, and the remainder have been ordered to Oregon to suppress Indian hostilities.
The march of the army to Salt Lake city, through the Indian Territory, has had a powerful effect in restraining the hostile feelings against the United States which existed among the Indians in that region, and in securing emigrants to the Far West against their depredations. This will also be the means of establishing military posts and promoting settlements along the route.
I recommend that the benefits of our land laws and preemption system be extended to the people of Utah, by the establishment of a land office in that Territory.
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House Journal --THURSDAY, December 16, 1858.
Page 73 | Page image
The following petitions and memorials were laid upon the Clerk's table, under the 23d rule of the House, to wit:
- By Mr. James Craig: The petition of George P. Stiles, praying indemnity for property destroyed by the Mormons.
Senate Journal --TUESDAY, February 18, 1868.
Page 196 | Page image
Mr. Pomeroy presented the petition of Mrs. J. M. Hockaday, praying compensation for property destroyed by the Mormons in 1856; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
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Senate Journal --FRIDAY, January 14, 1870.
Page 97 | Page image
Mr. Nye presented the petition of residents of Utah Territory, praying that that portion of the Territory occupied by them may be annexed to and be made a part of the Territory of Colorado, that they may be free from the persecutions of the Mormons; which was referred to the Committee on Territories.
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Senate Journal --WEDNESDAY, December 14, 1870.
Page 53 | Page image
Mr. Stewart submitted the following resolution for consideration:
Resolved, That the President be requested to furnish the Senate with the entire cost of transportation of mails and freights of every description to the Pacific coast, and also to all intermediate points west of the Missouri River, from the annexation of California to July 1, 1864; and also the expenses of the War Department and Indian Bureau during the same period in guarding the overland route from the Missouri River to California against Indians and Mormons, and the cost of the Indian service on the same line, including, in all cases, freights and all other expenditures.
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Congressional Globe, House of Representatives, 37th Congress, 3rd Session, Pages 119 through 124, Utah and the Mormons--Mr. Cradlebaugh
View page 119
February 23, 1863 ~ February 7, 1863
View page 120
February 7, 1863
View page 121
February 7, 1863
View page 122
February 7, 1863
View page 123
February 7, 1863
View page 124
February 7, 1863
________________________________________________________________________________
House Journal --CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
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For these reasons, I earnestly recommend the passage of a general act, which shall provide that, upon the application of a territorial legislature, declaring their belief that the Territory contains a number of inhabitants which, if in a State, would entitle them to elect a member of Congress, it shall be the duty of the President to cause a census of the inhabitants to be taken, and if found sufficient, then by the terms of this act to authorize them to proceed "in their own way" to frame a State constitution preparatory to admission into the Union. I also recommend that an appropriation may be made, to enable the President to take a census of the people of Kansas.
The present condition of the Territory of Utah, when contrasted with what it was one year ago, is a subject for congratulation. It was then in a state of open rebellion, and, cost what it might, the character of the government required that this rebellion should be suppressed and the Mormons compelled to yield obedience to the Constitution and the laws. In order to accomplish this object, as I informed you in my last annual message, I appointed a new governor instead of Brigham Young, and other federal officers to take the place of those who, consulting their personal safety, had found it necessary to withdraw from the Territory. To protect these civil officers, and to aid them, as posse comitatus, in the execution of the laws in case of need, I ordered a detachment of the army to accompany them to Utah. The necessity for adopting these measures is now demonstrated.
On the 15th of September, 1857, Governor Young issued his proclamation, in the style of an independent sovereign, announcing his purpose to resist by force of arms the entry of the United States troops into our own Territory of Utah. By this he required all the forces in the Territory to "hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion," and established martial law from its date throughout the Territory. These proved to be no idle threats. Forts Bridger and Supply were vacated and burnt down by the Mormons, to deprive our troops of a shelter after their long and fatiguing march. Orders were issued by Daniel H. Wells, styling himself "Lieutenant General, Nauvoo Legion," to stampede the animals of the United States troops on their march, to set fire to their trains, to burn the grass and the whole country before them and on their flanks, to keep them from sleeping by night surprises, and to blockade the road by felling trees, and destroying the fords of rivers, &c., &c., &c.
These orders were promptly and effectually obeyed. On the 4th of October, 1857, the Mormons captured and burned, on Green river, three of our supply trains, consisting of seventy-five wagons loaded with provisions and tents for the army, and carried away several hundred animals. This diminished the supply of provisions so materially that General Johnston was obliged to reduce the ration, and even with this precaution there was only sufficient left to subsist the troops until the first of June.Our little army behaved admirably in their encampment at Fort Bridger under these trying privations. In the midst of the mountains, in a dreary, unsettled, and inhospitable region, more than a thousand miles from home, they passed the severe and inclement
Page 17 | Page image
winter without a murmur. They looked forward with confidence for relief from their country in due season, and in this they were not disappointed.
The Secretary of War employed all his energies to forward them the necessary supplies, and to muster and send such a military force to Utah as would render resistance on the part of the Mormons hopeless, and thus terminate the war without the effusion of blood. In his efforts he was efficiently sustained by Congress. They granted appropriations sufficient to cover the deficiency thus necessarily created, and also provided for raising two regiments of volunteers "for the purpose of quelling disturbances in the Territory of Utah, for the protection of supply and emigrant trains, and the suppression of Indian hostilities on the frontiers." Happily, there was no occasion to call these regiments into service. If there had been, I should have felt serious embarrassment in selecting them, so great was the number of our brave and patriotic citizens anxious to serve their country in this distant and apparently dangerous expedition. Thus it has ever been, and thus may it ever be!
The wisdom and economy of sending sufficient reinforcements to Utah are established not only by the event, but in the opinion of those who, from their position and opportunities, are the most capable of forming a correct judgment. General Johnston, the commander of the forces, in addressing the Secretary of War from Fort Bridger, under date of October 18, 1857, expresses the opinion that "unless a large three is sent here, from the nature of the country, a protracted war on their [the Mormons] part is inevitable." This he considered necessary, to terminate the war "speedily and more economically than if attempted by insufficient means."
In the meantime it was my anxious desire that the Mormons should yield obedience to the Constitution and the laws, without rendering it necessary to resort to military force. To aid in accomplishing this object I deemed it advisable, in April last, to despatch two distinguished citizens of the United States, Messrs. Powell and McCulloch, to Utah. They bore with them a proclamation addressed by myself to the inhabitants of Utah, dated on the 6th day of that month, warning them of their true condition, and how hopeless it was on their part to persist in rebellion against the United States, and offering all those who should submit to the laws a full pardon for their past seditions and treasons. At the same time I assured those who should persist in rebellion against the United States that they must expect no further lenity, but look to be rigorously dealt with, according to their deserts. The instructions to these agents, as well as a copy of the proclamation and their reports, are herewith submitted, it will be seen by their report of the 3d of July last that they have fully confirmed the opinion expressed by General Johnston in the previous October as to the necessity of sending reinforcements to Utah. In this they state that they "are firmly impressed with the belief that the presence of the army here, and the large additional force that had been ordered to this Territory, were the chief inducements that caused the Mormons to abandon the idea of resisting the authority of the
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United States. A less decisive policy would probably have resulted in a long, bloody, and expensive war."
These gentlemen conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction, and rendered useful services in executing the humane intentions of the government.
It also affords me great satisfaction to state that Governor Cumming has performed his duty in an able and conciliatory manner, and with the happiest effect. I cannot, in this connexion, refrain from mentioning the valuable services of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, who, from motives of pure benevolence, and without any official character or pecuniary compensation, visited Utah during the last inclement winter for the purpose of contributing to the pacification of the Territory.
I am happy to inform you that the governor and other civil officers of Utah are now performing their appropriate functions without resistance. The authority of the Constitution and the laws has been fully restored, and peace prevails throughout the Territory.
A portion of the troops sent to Utah are now encamped in Cedar valley, forty-four miles southwest of Salt Lake city, and the remainder have been ordered to Oregon to suppress Indian hostilities.
The march of the army to Salt Lake city, through the Indian Territory, has had a powerful effect in restraining the hostile feelings against the United States which existed among the Indians in that region, and in securing emigrants to the Far West against their depredations. This will also be the means of establishing military posts and promoting settlements along the route.
I recommend that the benefits of our land laws and pre-emption system be extended to the people of Utah, by the establishment of a land office in that Territory.
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U.S. Serial Set --INDEX TO THE REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
From No. 70 to No. 108, inclusive.
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Mormons in Utah. On the practices and customs of the ... 87
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Utah. On the practices and customs of the Mormons in ... 87
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