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TIMES AND SEASONS | ||
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL" | ||
Volume VI. No. 21.] | CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. JAN. 15, 1846, | [Whole No. 129. |
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH
(CONTINUED)
The same day June 6th, we resumed our journey, and at evening of the 7th encamped in a piece of woods, near a spring of water, at Salt river, where was a branch of the church. Sunday the 8th we had preaching, and in the course of the day were joined by my brother Hyrum Smith, and Lyman Wight, with a company of volunteers which they had gathered in Michigan &c. The whole company now consisted of two hundred and five men, and twenty five baggage wagons with two or three horses each. We remained at Salt River until the 12th refreshing and re-organizing, which was done by electing Lyman Wight General of the camp. I chose twenty men for my life guards, of whom my brother Hyrum was chosen Captain: and George A. Smith was my armor bearer. The remainder of the company was organized according to the pattern at New Portage. While at Salt River General Wight marched the camp on the prairie, inspected our firelocks, ordered a discharge of the same at target by platoons, drilled us about half a day and returned to the bank of the river.
June 4th Governor Dunklin wrote to W. W. Phelps and others as follows: mailed at
"City of Jefferson, June 9th, 1834.
"Herewith you have a second order for the delivery of your arms now in the possession of the militia of Jackson county. Col. Lucas has resigned his command, he informs me if Lt. Co. Pitcher shall be arrested before you receive this, you will please hold up the order until I am informed who may be appointed to the command of the regiment.
Respectfully,
(Signed) DANIEL DUNKLIN.
The foregoing letter enclosed the following orders:
Thomas Pitcher, Lieut. Colonel commandant of the 33rd Regiment.
Sir, On the 2nd day of last May I issued an order to Col. Lucas to deliver the fifty-two guns and one pistol which you received from the Mormons on the 5th day of November last, and reported to him on the third day of the succeeding December to W. W. Phelps, E. Partridge, John Carrill [Corrill], John Whitmer, and A. S. Gilbert, or their order. On the 24th ult. Col. Lucas wrote and informed me that he had resigned his commission and left the county of Jackson; you as commandant of said Regiment are therefore commanded to collect the said arms, if they are not already in your possession, and deliver them to the aforesaid Gentlemen or their order.
Respectfully,
DANIEL DUNKLIN
Commander-in-Chief.
The day following Judge Ryland wrote the following:
"Richmond, 10th June, 1834.
Mr. A. S. Gilbert:
Sir, Deeply impressed with a desire to do all in my power to settle or allay the disturbances between the 'Mormons' and the citizens of Jackson county, I have concluded that it might have some tendency to effectuate this object by having the Mormons called together at Liberty next Monday, and there explaining to them my notions and views of their present situation, and the circumstances attendant. I therefore request you, Sir, to use all your influence with your brethren, to get them to meet me next Monday in Liberty. I much fear and dread the consequences that are yet to ensue, unless I should succeed in my wishes to restore peace. It is the duty of all good men to use all proper and laudable means to resore [restore] peace. I expect a deputation of some of the most respectable citizens of Jackson county will meet me on Monday next at Liberty. I call upon you in the name of humanity, therefore, to leave no efforts untried to collect your brethren at Liberty as requested.-Should my efforts to make peace fail of success, there can at least be no wrong, or, Sir, in the attempt, and I shall enjoy the consolation of having done my duty as a man, as well as a christian.
I hope Sir, you will duly appreciate the motive which prompts me to address this letter to you, and will aid me with all your influence with your brethren, in the prosecution of an object so much to be desired by all good men and citizens.
Yours very Respectfully,
JOHN F. RYLAND.
June 12th we left Salt River and travelled [traveled] about fourteen miles, encamping that night on the prairie. The inhabitants of Salt River manifested a great respect for us, and many of them accompanied us some distance on our journey. We continued our march daily until the 18th when we pitched our tents one mile from Richmond, Ray county.
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In answer to Judge Ryland's the Elders wrote
"Near Liberty, 14th June, 1834.
Hon. J. F. Ryland,
Dear Sir, Your communication of the 9th inst. from Richmond, was duly received, and at a public meeting of our society this day its contents made known. Our brethren unanimously tender their thanks for the laudable disposition manifested on your part to effect peace between our society and the inhabitants of Jackson county, and as many as conveniently can will be present on Monday next, entertaining some fears that your honor in his zeal for peace, might unwarily recommend a sale of our lands in Jackson county, we have thought it expedient to give seasonable notice that no such proposition could possibly be acceded to by our society.
We have not heard that it was the intention of your honor to urge any such measure, but our enemies in Jackson county have long been trying to effect this object. In a letter from the Governor to us, he says 'I have been requested to advise the Mormons to sell out and move away, but believing that it could have no good effect I have withheld my advice.' We give this quotation from the Governor's letter to disprove the statement made in the "Upper Missouri Enguirer [Inquirer?]" of last Wednesday, and conclude by adding that 'home is home' and that we want possession of our homes, from which we have been wickedly expelled, and those rights which belong to us as native free born citizens of the United States.
We are respectfully,
Your friends and serv'ts
JOHN CARRILL, Chairman.
A. S. Gilbert, Secretary.
The foregoing was enclosed in the following letter to their lawyers:
Gentlemen, Will you be so good as to read the enclosed, then seal and hand to the Judge. We have given him an early hint fearing that he might be induced by the solicitations of our enemies to propose a sale of our hands, which you well know would be like selling our children into slavery, and the urging of such a measure would avail nothing, unless to produce an excitement against us in this county. As requested last Thursday, we hope you will be present on Monday.
Your friends and serv'ts
JOHN CARRILL,
A. S. GILBERT.
To Messrs. Doniphan & Atchison.
Monday, June 16th, The citizens of Clay county (to the number of eight hundred or a thousand, among whom were the brethren,) assembled at the Court House in Liberty agreeably to the request of Judge Ryland, and a deputation from Jackson who presented the following:
"PROPOSITIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF JACKSON COUNTY TO THE MORMONS."
"The undersigned committee, being fully authorised [authorized] by the people of Jackson county, hereby propose to the Mormons, that they will buy all the land that the said Mermons [Mormons] own in the county of Jackson; and also, all the improvements which the said Mormons had on any of the public lands in said county of Jackson, as they existed before the first disturbance between the people of Jackson and the Mormons, and for such as they have made since. They further propose that the valuation of said land and improvements shall be ascertained by three disinterested arbitrators to be chosen and agreed to by both parties. They further propose, that should the parties disagree in the choice of arbitrators, then - - -is to choose them. They further propose, that twelve of the Mormons shall be permitted to go along with the arbitrators to shew [show] them their land and improvements while valuing the same, and such other of the Mormons as the arbitrators shall wish to do so, to give them information; and the people of Jackson hereby guarantee their entire safety while doing so. They further propose, that when the arbitrators report the value of the land and improvements, as aforesaid, the people of Jackson will pay the valuation, with one hundred per cent added thereon, to the Mormons, within thirty days thereafter. They further propose, that the Mormons are not to make any effort, ever after, to settle, either collectively or individually, within the limits of Jackson county. The Mormons are to enter into bonds to insure the conveyance of their land in Jackson county, according to the above terms, when the payment shall be made; and the committee will enter into a like bond, with such security as may be deemed sufficient, for the payment of the money, according to the above proposition. While the arbitrators are investigating and deciding upon the matters referred to them, the Mormons are not to attempt to enter into Jackson county, or to settle there, except such as are by the foregoing propositions permitted to go there. They further propose, that the people of Jackson will sell all their lands, and improvements on public lands, in Jackson county, to the Mormons,-the valuation to be obtained in the same manner,-the same per cent in addition to be paid, and the time the
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money is to be paid is the same, as the above set forth in our propositions to buy, the Mormons to give good security for the payment of the money, and the undersigned will give security that the land will be conveyed to the Mormons. They further propose, that all parties are to remain as they are till the payment is made, at which time the people of Jackson will give permission.
(Signed) SAMUEL C. OWENS,
RICHARD FRISTOE,
THOS. HAYTON Sen..
THOS. CAMPBELL,
JOHN DAVIS,
THOS. JEFFREYS,
SMALLWOOD NOLAND,
ROBERT RICKMAN,
ABRAHAM M. CLELLAN,
S. K. NOLAND."
On presentation of the foregoing, Samuel C. Owens made a flaming war-speech, and Gen. Doniphan relied on the side of peace. The Rev. M. Riley, a Baptist Priest, made a hot speech against the Mormons, and said "the Mormons have lived long enough in Clay county; and they must either clear out, or be cleared out." Turnham, the moderator of the meeting, answered in a masterly manner; saying, "let us be republicans; let us honor our country, and not disgrace it like Jackson county. For God's sake dont [don't] disfranchise or drive away the Mormons. They are better citizens than many of the old inhabitants."
Gen. Doniphan exclaimed, "that's a fact, and as the Mormons have armed themselves, if they don't fight they are cowards. I love to hear that they have brethren coming to their assistance. Greater love can no man show, than he who lays down his life for his brethren."
At this critical instant, the cocking of pistols, and jingle of implements of death, denoted desperation. One motioned 'adjourn" another, "go on," and in the midst of this awful crisis a person bawled into the door "a man stabbed." The mass instantly rushed out to the spot, in hopes, as some said, that "one damn'd Mormon had got killed," but as good luck would have it, only one Missourian had dirk'd another: (one Calbert a blacksmith, had stabbed one Wales, who had previously whipped one Mormon nearly to death, and boasted of having whipped many more.) The wound was dangerous, and as if the Lord was there, it seemed as though the occurrence was necessary to break up the meeting without further bloodshed, and give the saints a chance to consult what would be most advisable in such a critical instant, and they immediately penned the following answer to the propositions from Jackson county, presented by Owens, &c.
"Gentlemen;-Your propositions for an adjustment of the difficulties between the citizens of Jackson county and the Mormons, is before us; and as explained to you in the court house this day, we are not authorised [authorized] to say to you that our brethren will submit to your proposals; but we agree to spread general notice, and call a meeting of our people in all, the present week, and lay before you an answer as soon as Saturday or Monday next. We can say for ourselves, and in behalf of our brethren, that peace is what we desire and what we are disposed to cultivate with all men: and to effect peace, we feel disposed to use all our influence, as far as would be required at our hands, as free born citizens of these United States, and as fears have been expressed, that we designed hostilities against the inhabitants of Jackson county, we hereby pledge ourselves to them, and to the hospitable citizens of Clay county, that we will not, and neither have designed, as a people, to commence hostilities against the aforesaid citizens of Jackson county or any other people.
Our answer shall be handed to Judge Turnham, the chairman of the meeting, even earlier than the time before stated, if possible.
(Signed) W. W. PHELPS,
WM. E. McCLELLAN,
A. S. GILBERT,
JOHN CORRILL,
ISAAC MORLEY.
N. B. As we are informed that a large number of our people are on their way to Jackson county, we agree to use our influence immediately to prevent said company from entering into Jackson county, until you shall receive an answer to the propositions afore named."
It may be thought, at first view, that the mob committee made a fair proposition to the saints, in offering to buy their lands at one hundred per cent, in thirty days; and offering theirs on the same terms; but when it is understood that the mob held possession of a much larger quantity of land than the saints, and that they only offered thirty days for the payment, having previously robbed them of nearly every thing, it will be readily seen that they were only making a sham to cover their previous unlawful conduct; but the tempest of an immediate conflict seemed to be checked, and the Jackson mob to the number of about fifteen, with Samuel C. Owens and James Campbell at their head, started for Independence, Jackson county, to raise an army sufficient to meet me, before I could get into Clay
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county. Campbell swore, as he adjusted his pistols in his holsters, "The Eagles and Turkey Buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Joe. Smith and his army so that their skins will not hold shucks, before two days are passed."
They went to the ferry and undertook to cross the Missouri river, after dusk, and the angel of God saw fit to sink the boat, about the middle of the river, and seven out of twelve that attempted to cross, were drowned. Thus suddenly, and justly went they to their own place by water. Campbell was among the missing. He floated down the river some four or five miles, and lodged upon a pile of drift wood, where the Eagles, Buzzards, Ravans [Ravens], Crows and wild animals ate his flesh from his bones, to fullfil [fulfill] his own words, and left him a horrible looking skeleton of God's vengeance: which was discovered, about three weeks after by one Mr. Purtle.
Owens saved his life only, after floating four miles down the stream, where he lodged upon an island, "swam off naked about day light, borrowed a mantle to hide his shame, and slipped home rather shy of the vengeance of God."
We were threatened that we should not pass through Richmond, and it was reported that an army lay in wait there to intercept us.
Thursday 19th; we passed through the town as soon as it was light and before the inhabitants were arisen from their slumbers, meeting with no opposition, but we had not proceeded many miles before one wagon broke down, and by the time that was repaired wheels run off from others and such like incidents continued through the day to impede our progress. When we started in the morning we intended to arrive in Clay county that day, but in vain, at a seasonable hour we encamped on an elevated piece of ground between two branches of Fishing River, having travelled [traveled] about fifteen miles. Fishing River, at this point, was composed of seven small streams, and those betwixt which we encamped were two of them.
As we halted and were making preparations for the night, five men armed with guns rode into our camp and told us we should see hell before morning, and their accompanying oaths partook of all the malice of demons. They told us that sixty men were coming from Richmond, Ray county; and seventy more from Clay county, sworn to our utter destruction. The weather was pleasant at this time.
During this day the Jackson county mob, to the number of about two hundred, made arrangements to cross the Missouri river, about the mouth of Fishing River, at William's ferry, into Clay county, and be ready to meet the Richmond mob near Fishing River Ford, for our utter destruction; but after the first scow load of about forty had been set over the river, the scow in returning was met by a squall, and had great difficulty in reaching the Jackson side by dare,.
Soon after the five men left the camp swearing vengeance, we discovered a small black cloud rising in the West, and in twenty minutes, or thereabouts, it began to rain and hail, and this was the squall that trouble the Jackson boat.
The storm was tremendous; wind and rain, hail and thunder met them in great wrath, and soon softened their direful courage, and frustrated all their designs to "kill Joe Smith and his army." Instead of continuing a cannonading, which they commenced the sun about one hour high, they crawled under wagons, into hollow trees, filled one old shanty, &c. till the storm was over, when their ammunition was soaked, and the forty in Clay county were extremely anxious in the morning, to return to Jackson, having experienced the pitiless peltings of the storm all night, and as soon as arrangements could be made, this "forlorn hope" took the "back track" for Independence, to join the main body of the mob, fully satisfied, as were those survivors of the company who were drowned, that when Jehovah fights, they would rather be absent. The gratification is too terrible.
Very little hail fell in our camp, but from half to a mile around, the stones or lumps of ice cut down the crops of corn and vegetation generally, even cutting limbs from trees, themselves were twisted into withs by the wind. The lightning flashed incessantly, which caused it to be so light in our camp through the night, that we could discern the most minute object; and the roaring of the thunder was tremendous. The earth trembled and quaked; the rain fell in torrents, and , united, it seemed as if the mandate of vengeance had gone forth from the God of battles to protect his servants from the destruction of their enemies, for the hail fell on them, and not on us, and we suffered no harm except the blowing down of some of our tents and getting some wet, while our enemies had holes made in their hats and otherwise received damage, even the breaking of their rifle stocks, and the fleeing of their horses through fear and pain.
Many of my little band sheltered in an old meeting house through this night, and in the morning the water in Big Fishing River, was about forty feet deep, where, the previous evening it was no more than to our ancles [ankles], and our enemies swore that the water rose thirty
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feet in thirty minutes in the Little Fishing River.
Friday the 20th, we went five miles on the prairie to procure food for ourselves and horses, and establish ourselves for the moment, in some secure place where we could defend ourselves from the rage of our enemies, and while in this situation, on Saturday the 21st, Col. Sconce, with two other leading men from Ray county, come to see us, desiring to know what our intentions were; for, said he, "I see that there is an almighty power that protects this people, for I started from Richmond, Ray county, with a company of armed men, having a full determination to destroy you, but was kept back by the storm, and was not able to reach you." When he entered our camp he was seized with such a trembling that he was obliged to sit down to compose himself; and when he had made known his object of their visit; I arose, and addressing them, gave a relation of the sufferings of the Saints in Jackson county, and also of our persecution generally, and what we had suffered by our enemies for our religion; and that we had come one thousand miles to assist our brethren, to bring them clothing, &c. and to reinstate them upon their own lands: and that we had no intention to molest or injure any people, but only to administer to the wants of our afflicted friends; and that the evil reports circulated about us were false, and got up by our enemies to procure our destruction. When I had closed a lengthy speech, the spirit of which melted them into compassion, they would use their influence to allay the excitement which every where prevailed against us, and they wept when they heard of our afflictions and persecutions, and that our intentions were good. Accordingly they went forth and rode among the people, and made unwearied exertions to allay the excitement.
The brethren in Clay county wrote the committee of the Jackson mob the same day:
"Clay county, 21st June, 1834.
Gentlemen:-Your propositions of Monday last have been generally made known to our people, and we are instructed to inform you that they cannot be acceded to.
Honorable propositions to you are now making on our part and we think we shall be enabled to deliver the same to you the early part of next week. We are happy to have it in our power to give you assurances that our brethren here, together with those who have arrived from the East, are unanimously disposed to make every sacrifice for an honorable adjustment of our differences that could be required of free citizens of the United States.
Negotiations at the camp are now going on between some gentlemen of this county and our brethren which are calculated to allay the great excitement in your county. We are informed that the citizens of Jackson entertain fears that our people intend to invade their territory in a hostile manner. We assure you that their fears are groundless; such is not and never was our intentions.
(Signed) W W. PHELPS,
A. S. GILBERT,
W. E. McCLELLAN,
JOHN CORRILL,
ISAAC MORLEY.
To S. C. Owens, and others of the Jackson committee."
From the Millennial Star.
UNION.
One of the most important subjects with which the Saints ought to be acquainted is that of Union. Casting a glance at the rise, progress, decline and fall of various kingdoms that have been established on the earth, we find that their success or overthrow has depended upon their adherence to, or neglect of, this principle. Through this the whole universe of God has been, and is still sustained in its order, beauty, and glory. It is not confined to the Great Presidency of the Celestial world, but serves as a chain by which the whole of the heavenly host are bound together in concert of action, sustaining the laws by which they are governed and preserved. The effects of deviation from this have been manifested, even in heaven, as in the case of the Son of the Morning, whose rebellion and departure from the principle spread their influence so far as to cause the dissension of the third part of the hosts of heaven, but the majority overruling, the order of heaven was preserved and the rebellious cast out. The history of the house of Israel present more striking examples of the power and influence of this principle than that of any other nation. While groaning under Egyptian bondage, the united prayers of this people were successful in causing the power of God to be shown forth in the raising up for them a deliverer in the person of Moses, whereby a deliverance was wrought out for them from the cruel and increasing tyranny of the Egyptian monarch. While they were careful unitedly to attend to the instructions given them through their leader-the power of God was more and more manifest in their own salvation and the overthrow of their enemies; but when they permitted dissensions to arise among them, the blessings of God were stayed and their way became dark and beclouded before them. Thus when
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they had escaped the pursuit of their oppressors and passed through the Red sea, some murmured at their condition and longed to be again yoked in their former slavery, whereby they were detained forty years in the wilderness, and with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, none of them were permitted to enter the promised land.
When the generation who had thus proved themselves unworthy of the favor of heaven had passed away, and their successors had gained an entrance into the land which was to be theirs for ever, the influence of union, and the baneful effects of its opposite, were miraculously manifested in the wars they had to wage with the former possessors of the country, who through transgression, had entailed upon themselves the curse of heaven; as for instance, in illustration of the former, at the universal shout of the people, the walls of Jericho were levelled [leveled] and a way prepared for their entrance.
When the long continuation of warfare through the reign of the judges, and kings Saul and David had subsided, peace was restored to the land in the reign of Solomon, and with it the people had put aside their own internal broils, the effects of which were an abundant supply of the bounties of the earth, with the approval and blessings of heaven. With Solomon however this seemed to decay, for when his son, Rehoboam, had succeeded him in the government of Israel, dissensions were again introduced, causing the revolting of the ten tribes, the consequences of which were a revival of the wars from which they had rest; and eventually, in the captivity of the house of Israel, as well as the overthrow of Jerusalem and dispersion of Judah. We will, however, without dwelling further on the history of past generations, give our attention to the work which we have to perform in our times.
The history of the church of Christ, in the present age, shows that while disunion and disorganizations have been the most prominent features of the kingdoms of the world, it has continued moving steadily along, through observance of the principle of union, dispelling with its influence, the clouds of darkness which have so long curtained the minds of men while, those who have departed from the principle have not in any was affected its progress, but wrought out their own destruction. As the church becomes more numerous, and the kingdom of God is becoming more fully established, the importance of union among its members is still more manifest. It is absolutely necessary that not only a professed union, but a cementing of heart and soul should dwell with all presidents, councils, and branches of the church of Christ, in order to accomplish the designs of God in the building up of Zion, or in obtaining those blessings which it is their privilege to enjoy; for, be assured, ye saints of the Most High, that the heavens will be stayed over the heads of any presidency, quorum, council, or branch who are divided in heart, sentiment and feeling, and so will they remain, and the blessings be withheld until the evil is removed; for the Lord will never pour out the richest blessings of heaven, and the priesthood and gifts of the gospel, only upon the principle of that union which the celestial law of God requires. Will not the saints learn wisdom in this late age of the world by precept and example, without being obliged to learn it by sad experience, as did the children of Israel in their forty years wandering through the wilderness without entering the promised land which they might have accomplished in forty days, as did the spies that went before them? Or will they live up to their privileges, and unite together according to the law of God, in faith and works, and gather and build up Zion, and behold her arise in that majesty, strength, beauty, and glory, of which the prophets have spoken? else must they suffer their traditions or disunion to deprive them of these blessings, until they lay their bodies in the grave, without the sight, and their children, or another generation, have the work to perform. The signs of the times indicate good concerning Israel in the city of Joseph since the martyrdom of the prophets. It must be a source of rejoicing to every saint of God, to behold the determined spirit of perseverance and union of the thousands of saints assembled there in doing the will of God and hearkening to the counsel and sustaining the hands of those chosen of God as shepherds and counsellors [counselors] in the midst of his house, while the fruits and blessings of this union have been clearly manifest in the rearing of the Nauvoo House and the Temple of the Lord, whose tower points toward heaven, in honor of the united efforts of the Saints, reared in troublous times, almost as Jerusalem once was, with the trowel in one hand of the laborer and the sword in the other. While the saints in Nauvoo are thus straining every nerve to accomplish the designs of God, those scattered abroad ought not to leave the whole burthen [burden] with them, but unite with them in their faith and means in establishing the kingdom of God, on the earth, not forgetting to let their prayers ascend up before God, day and night, upon this subject. By the united efforts, alone, of the saints of God, in this last dispensation, the building up of Zion will be effected, and the kingdom of God on earth, be
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prepared for a union with the kingdom of God in heaven; and thus shall the chain which has bound together in one the hosts of heaven, extend and grasp in its circumference all who have been obedient to the mandates of God.
W. WOODRUFF.
GREAT FIRE IN TURKEY.
One half of the town of the Dardanelles has been destroyed by fire. At half-past eleven A. M. of the 25th of October the fire commenced in the Greek quarter, a gale of wind blowing from the north east at the time. Although it was so early in the day, and two thousand Turkish troops, with twelve fire engines were on the spot the ravages of the all consuming element, and twenty houses were destroyed before any efficacious aid was given. Much might have been done had the engines been in good order; but owing to the gross neglect of Ibrahim Pacha, the Governor of the town, not one of them could be made to work. Had it not been for the assistance of two Turkish soldiers, and the European residents, who occupied themselves in pulling down houses, and regulating the scanty supply of water, the fire would never have been arrested in its progress. The presence of the Pacha was of little use, as his commands being enforced by the whip, no one would work with good will. This terrible fire was not subdued until half-past two A. M. of the 27th, having lasted thirty-nine hours.-The whole of the Greek and Jewish quarters, with the exception of about forty houses, one-half of the Armenian quarter, about one hundred Turkish houses, three mosques, a synagogue, one hundred shops, and a large bath, have fallen a prey to the flames. At least six hundred houses have been destroyed, and, as in many of four to five families lived together, there are about twelve hundred families without a home. Of this number, one-half have taken refuge in the barracks and two adjoining villages, three hundred have found an asylum in the remaining part of the town, and the rest exposed to the inclemency of the weather, or sheltered for the time being in tents. The misery is very great, and the winter approaching. A subscription was immediately set on foot by those who were fortunate in escaping, but will afford only temporary relief, as most of the families have been rendered completely destitute. It is to be hoped that the Sultan will send succor before long, and the charitably disposed persons will be induced to raise contributions in Constantinople, and in different parts of Europe, for the relief of the poor people.
These evil consequences might have been avoided had Ibrahim Pacha paid attention in time to the earnest and often repeated requests of the Consuls and the fire-engines in his charge should be kept in good order and frequently exercised. All classes of people regretted the unavoidable absence at the capital of the military commandant, Thuessein Pach; there is but little doubt that, had he been present, under his able management, added to their veneration for his estimable qualities, his commands would have been obeyed with alacrity, and the fire would never have made such awful ravages.
From the Messenger.
TO EMIGRANTS.
We have now on our books the names of about three hundred saints who wish to go by water, and it grieves us to say that only about sixty out of that number will have means sufficient to carry them through. If some of our wealthy brethren who are now dwelling at ease in the world, would but step forward, and plant this company of poor saints, (that have not the means, nor likely to have,) upon the western soil, how soon would it be before they would have it in their power to return four fold? And how sweet would be the reflections of that mind capable of performing such a noble act. Where is the magnanimity of God's people? Alas, it is in the poor and meek of the earth.
The passage for each person will be fifty dollars, children over five and under fourteen, half price. Each one will need from twenty to twenty-five dollars worth of provisions; the whole amount, seventy five dollars. If we obtain two hundred passengers, in all probability there will be a deduction.
We have been looking for some assistance from another source. A merchant of this city who is now engaged in the Pacific trade, has made us the following propositions; that if he can obtain the government freight consisting of naval stores, to be carried into the Pacific, he will take two hundred of us at sixteen dollars per ton for the room we occupy and fifty more for nothing. As yet this arrangement has not been made, and it remains uncertain whether it will be.
We do not feel to place much dependence on it, lest we are unhappily disappointed. If the arrangement is affected the saints will receive timely notice.
We do not wish any person to give us their names to go by water, and when the time comes for departure to be found missing; by doing so they will bring us into difficulty, and we shall have to be responsible and pay their passage (page1094)
as much as though they went. We have selected out all the names of those who have subscribed sufficient (at the rate of seventy five dollars) to take them through, and we shall depend on their going. And all who wish to join the company will send in their names as soon as possible, so that we may know the exact number going and provide them with births two or three weeks previous to the day of sailing, we wish all to hold themselves in rediness [readiness] to send in a part of their means to furnish all the outlays necessary to be made before sailing.
We have placed the names of some who fell short in subscription on the list of those going. And the amount short will be made up by others who have more than they have need for. The following are their names, Wm. Stout, J. Joyce, J. Hairbaird, Wm. Mack, Wm. Atherton.
For the Times and Seasons.