History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION. 531
his amnesty the Mormon leaders, this result might
have been accomplished without bloodshed, and the
proclamation would at least have been deemed an act
of judicious clemency; but by purging their leaders
of offence, he had rendered nugatory the purpose of
the expedition, save to imprison the troops, during
'King' Buchanan's pleasure, in this western Siberia.
The document w r as intrusted to two peace commissioners—L.
W. Powell, ex-governor and senator elect
for Kentucky, and Major B. McCulloch, a soldier of
the Mexican war. They were ordered to set out at
once for Utah, circulate the proclamation throughout
the territory, and point out to the Mormons their
unfortunate relations with the government, and how
greatly it would be to their interest to submit promptly
and peacefully to its laws. They were to assure them
that the despatch of the expedition had no reference
to their religious tenets, and that if they resumed
their allegiance no power in the United States had
either the right or the will to interfere with their religion.
" To restore peace in this manner," writes the
secretar}^ of war in his instructions, "is the single
purpose of your mission." 28
On the 29th of May the commissioners arrived at
Camp Scott, where they remained four days, gathering
information as to the condition of affairs. On the 7th
of June they reached Salt Lake City, where Governor
Cumming arrived the next day. On the evening
of the 10th they held an informal interview with
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Daniel H.
Wells, who constituted the first presidency of the
church. During the two following days conferences
were held, some in private, and some in public at the
council-house, the apostles and many leading citizens
being present at the latter. The result was that the
Mormon authorities admitted the burning of the army
trains and the stampeding of cattle, and for those acts
accepted the president's pardon. All other charges
K Sen. Doc, 35th Cong. 2d Sess., ii. p. 161.