PROCLAMATION
1844 JUNE 11

Proclamation, Nauvoo, Illinois, 11 June 1844, Nauvoo Neighbor, 22 June 1844.

When Mormon dissenters (some of whom had been prominent in Church and civic affairs in Nauvoo) published a slanderous newspaper, the Nauvoo Expositor, on 7 June 1844, a situation developed that culminated in the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith less than a month later. Perceiving the Expositor as a threat to the peace of the community, the Nauvoo City Council, after lengthy deliberations on 8 and 10 June, declared the paper a public nuisance and instructed the mayor to remove the establishment and its contents "without delay, in such a manner as he shall direct." Whereupon Joseph Smith, mayor, ordered the marshal to destroy the press, scatter the type, and burn all copies of the paper. This order was executed about 8 P.M. on 10 June. No sooner was this done than the proprietors of the Expositor brought legal action against Joseph Smith and other members of the Nauvoo City Council on a charge of riot. On 12 June Joseph was arrested by Constable David Bettisworth on a writ that ordered him to be brought before the Hancock County justice of the peace, Thomas Morrison, at Carthage "or some other justice of the peace." Later that day, the Prophet was released on a writ of habeas corpus before the Nauvoo Municipal Court, and the other members of the city council were freed the next day.671

As news spread of the destruction of the Expositor and the seemingly flagrant ease with which Joseph Smith and the members of the city council avoided legal consequences, indignant county residents held meetings and adopted resolutions, and the Hancock County countryside took on the appearance of an armed camp as determined men prepared to take the law into their own hands. On 11 June, amidst threats of open violence, the mayor issued a proclamation, which was published the next day in the local newspaper. On 14 June he summarized for Governor Ford the decision to destroy the Expositor.

Proclamation.

By virtue of my office as Mayor of the city of Nauvoo, I do hereby strictly enjoin it upon the Municipal Officers, and Citizens of said city, to use all honorable and lawful means in their power, to assist me in maintaining the public peace and common quiet of said city. As attempts have already been made to excite the jealousy and prejudice of the people of the surrounding country, by libels, and slanderous articles upon the citizens and City Council, for the purpose of destroying the "Charter" of said city, and for the purpose of raising suspicion, wrath, and indignation among a certain class of the less honorable portion of mankind, to commit acts of violence upon the innocent and unsuspecting, in a certain newspaper called the "Nauvoo Expositor," recently established for such purposes in said city, and which has been destroyed as a nuisance according to the provisions of the Charter, I further call upon every Officer, authority and citizen to be vigilant in preventing by wisdom, the promulgation of false statements, libels, slanders, of any other malicious designed concern that may be put in operation to excite and foment the passions of men to rebel against the rights and privileges of the city, citizens or laws of the land, to be ready to suppress the gathering of mobs; to repel by gentle means and noble exertion, every foul scheme of unprincipled men, to disgrace and dishonor the city, or State, or any of their legally constituted authorities; and finally to keep the peace, by being cool, considerate, virtuous, unoffending, manly and patriotic as the free sons of liberty ever have been and honorably maintain the precious boon our illustrious fathers won.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the [L.S] seal of said Corporation at the City of Nauvoo, this 11th day of June, 1844.

JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.