“ To constitute an extreme emergency; so as to justify a call for the militia there ought, in my opinion, to be something more than a mere illegal act; something more than a design to resist the law in a single instance. The design ought to general as in treason, rebellion or inserrection; in which cases an universality of design is essential constitute of the offence. If a person resists a constable or sheriff, or other officer charged with the execution of process, with an intention to resist the law in that particular instance, such an act is a misdemeanor at most ”

“ That we pledge ourselves in the most determined manner, that, if the authorities of the State of Missouri, shall make another demand for the body of Joseph Smith, and our Governor shall issue another warrant to stand ready at all times to serve the officer, into whose hands such warrant may come, as a Posse in order, that it may not be said of us, in the future, that the most outrageous culprits have been suffered "to go unwhipped of justice." ”

“ That provided we must necessarily, for the well-being of this community; the protection of our dearest rights, and the preservation of our excellent institutions, adopt measures to humble the pride and arrogance of that audacious despot; we therefore call upon all good and honest men, without distinction of party or place, to come to the rescue. ”

“ That as it has been too common for several years past for politicians of both political parties, not only, of those county, but likewise of the State, to go to Nauvoo and truckle to the heads of the Mormon clan, for their influence, we pledge ourselves, that we will not support any man, of either party, in future, who shall thus debase himself.
Resolved, 9th. That if the Mormons carry out the threats they have made in regard to the lives of several of our citizens, we will, if failing to obtain speedy redress from the laws of the land, take summary and signal vengeance upon them as a people. ”

“ After arriving at Nauvoo, a writ of habeas corpus was issued by the municipal court of that city, and Mr. Reynolds was compelled by authority of the court to produce Mr. Smith before that tribunal. After hearing the case, the court discharged Smith from arrest.
There is much other evidence submitted; but the foregoing is the material part of it to be considered on the present occasion.
Now, Sir, I might safely rest my refusal to order a detachment of militia to assist in retaking Smith upon the ground that the laws of this State have been fully executed in the matter. ”

“ The increase of population, and the consequent improvement and settlement of the country, have been even greater than the increase of newspapers.
In 1832--only eleven years ago--that tract of country, since known as the Iowa District, and the Black Hawk Purchase, was obtained by Treaty from the Indians; and so late as 1837, a large portion of it remained unsurveyed--the inhabitants being only what are denominated squatters upon Government Lands. The population in 1837, of that part of Wiskonsan west of the river, was computed at about 14,000. ”

“ The population of Lee county cannot be far short of 10,000.
In 1837, the villages of Burlington and Du Buque, did not contain probably over 500 or 600 inhabitants each--now their population cannot be much (if any) short of 2000, while several other places, say Fort Madison; Bloomington, Iowa City, Davenport, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk, Fairfield, Farmington and Keosauqua, are all flourishing villages, and contain from 400 to 1000 or 1500 people each. ”

“ Smith was apprehended, and was duly delivered by the officer of this State, to the agent of the State of Missouri, appointed
to receive him. No process, officer, or authority of this State has been resisted or interferred with. I have fully executed the duty which the laws impose upon me, and have not been resisted either in the writ issued for the arrest of Smith, or in the person of the officer appointed to apprehend him. If there has been any resistance to any one, it has been to the officer of Missouri, after Smith came to his custody ”

“ The undisputed facts of the case are that Smith was arrested near Dixon, in Lee county; he was immediately delivered over to Mr. Reynolds; Smith immediately brought an action against Mr. Reynolds for false imprisonment, and held him to bail to the sum of four hundred dollars.--Mr. Reynolds being in a strange country, and unable to give bail, was taken into custody by the sheriff of Lee county, and held as a prisoner; whilst Reynolds held Smith as his prisoner. ”

“ Reynolds himself being in the custody of the sheriff of Lee county. On the road during their progress, they were met by parties of the citizens of Nauvoo; some or most of whom are said to have been members of the Nauvoo legion; though there is no evidence that they appeared in a military capacity. There was no exhibition of arms of any description, nor was there any military or warlike array; nor was there any actual force used; though Mr. Reynolds testifies that he felt under constraint, and that Smith, soon after meeting the first parties of Mormons enlarged himself from his custody. Mr. ”

“ The advantages of its location are so great, as to force it forward against difficulties, which, with other points, would be insurmountable--and, that Keokuk must continue to "go ahead," is manifest to the most casual observer. Although not much of a prophet ourself, we can find those who predict for Keokuk, in ten years from this date, a population and importance, second to no town between St. ”

“ That when that govern ment ceases to afford protection, the citizens of course fall back upon their original and inherent right of self defence.
In pursuance of the 7th resolution the following gentlemen were appointed to act as a central corresponding committee, at Carthage. Namely--Capt. R. F. Smith, Maj. ”