History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

212 BRIGHAM YOUNG SUCCEEDS JOSEPH.
take place as speedily as possible. " What guarantee
will you give us?" asked Hardin. "You have our
all as guarantee," answered Brigham. "Young is
right," said Douglas. But this reply would not sat-
isfy all the commissioners, and the twelve were requested
to submit their intentions in writing, in order
that they might be laid before the governor and
people of the state. This was done. 42
The commissioners then returned home; but not
even yet were the men of Carthage content. To the
resolutions passed at Quincy were added others of
similar nature, and the whole adopted. A plan of
organization was agreed upon, and arrangements were
made for calling meetings and securing volunteers,
who were to select their own officers and report to the
Quincy military committee. The judge of Hancock
county was requested by this convention not to hold
42 In answer to the letter of the commissioners, the saints on the same
day said, after referring to their communication of the 24th to the Quincy
committee: ' In addition to this, we would say that we had commenced
making arrangements to remove from the country previous to the recent disturbances;
that we have four companies of 100 families each, and six more
companies now organizing, of the same number each, preparatory to a removal.
That 1,000 families, including the twelve, the high council, the trustees, and
general authorities of the church, are fully determined to remove in the
spring, independent of the contingencies of selling our property; and this
company will comprise from 5,000 to 0,000 souls. That the church, as a
body, desire to remove with us, and will if sales can be effected so as to raise
the necessary means. That the organization of the church we represent is
such that there never can exist but one head or presidency at any one time.
And all good members wisli to be with the organization; and all are determined
to remove to some distant point, where we shall neither infringe nor be
infringed upon, so soon as time and means will permit. That we have some
hundreds of farms and some 2,000 houses for sale in this city and county,
and we request all good citizens to assist in the disposal of our property.
That we do not expect to find purchasers for our temple and other public
buildings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable community who
may inhabit the city. That we wish it distinctly understood that although
we may not find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice it, nor
give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us. That we do not
intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we all sell, we shall not put in
any more crops of any description. That as soon as practicable we will
appoint committees from the city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek, and
all necessary places in the country, to give information to purchasers. That
if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any people that we are in
earnest, we will soon give them a sign that cannot be mistaken—we will
leave them.' In Hist. B. Youwj, MS., Nov. 1S45, it is stated that there
were families organized 3,285: wagons on hand 1,508; wagons commenced
1.892.