History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

BRIGHAM AND VAN VLIET. 507
"I deny that any books of the United States have
been burned," said Brigham. " I have broken no law ;
and under the present state of affairs, I will not suffer
myself to be taken by any United States officer to be
killed as they killed Joseph Smith."
"I do not think it is the intention of the government
to arrest you," said Van Vliet, "but to install a
new governor in the territory."
" 1 believe you tell the truth," returned Brigham,
" that you believe this—but you do not know their
intentions as well as I do. If they dare to force the
issue, I shall not hold the Indians by the wrist any
longer for white men to shoot at them; they shall go
ahead and do as they please. If the issue conies, you
may tell the government to stop all emigration across
the continent, for the Indians will kill all who attempt
it. And if an army succeeds in penetrating this valley,
tell the government to see that it has forage and
provisions in store, for they will find here only a
charred and barren waste. We have plenty here of
what you want, but we will sell you nothing. Further
than this, your army shall not enter this valley."* 3
In vain Van Vliet remonstrated, stating that though
the mountain passes might be defended against the
small army then approaching Utah, a force would
surely be sent, during the following year, that would
overcome all opposition. To this warning, several
times repeated, but one answer was returned: "We
are aware that such will be the case; but when these
troops arrive they will find Utah a desert; every house
will be burned to the ground, every tree cut down,
and every field laid waste. We have three years' provisions
on hand, which we will cache, and then take
48 ]Yoodrvff ,
s Journal, MS., in which were originally noted the words
spoken a few hours after the interview took place. There is little doubt that,
so far as I have quoted them, they are substantially true. In his report, ut
supra, Van Vliet says that at this and other interviews Brigham declared that
'the Mormons had been persecuted, murdered, and robbed in Missouri and
Illinois, both by the mob and state authorities, and that now the U. S. were
about to pursue the same course; and that, therefore, he and tlie people of
Utah had determined to resist all persecution at the commencement.'