Report of the Committee of Clinton county.
The undersigned committee were appointed at a public meeting, by the citizens of Chariton county, on the 3d day of October, inst., for the purpose of repairing to De Witt, in Carroll county, to inquire into the nature of the difficulties between the citizens of Carroll and the Mormons. We arrived at the place of difficulties on the 4th of October inst., and found a large portion of the citizens of Carroll and the adjoining counties, assembled near De Witt well armed. We inquired into the nature of the difficulties. They said that there was a large portion of the people called Mormons, embodied in De Witt from different parts of the world. They are unwilling for them to remain there, which is the cause of their waging war against them. To use the gentleman’s language, they are waging a war of extermination, or to remove them from the said county. We also went into De Witt, to see the situation of the Mormons. We found them in the act of defense, begging for peace, and wishing for the civil authorities to repair there as early as possible, to settle the difficulties between the parties.
Hostilities have commenced, and will continue until they are stopped by the civil authorities. This we believe to be a correct statement of both parties.
This the 5th day of October, 1838.
JOHN W. PRICE,
WM. K. LOGAN.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned, one of the justices of the peace, within and for Chariton county, and Stale of Missouri, this 5th day of October, 1838.
JOHN MORSE, J. P.
General Atchison to the Governor.
Boonville, Oct. 16, 1838.
To His Excellency, L. W. Boggs.
SIR:—From a communication received from Gen. Parks, I learn that the Mormons in Carroll county have sold out and left, consequently every tiling is quiet there, but Parks reports that a portion of the men from Carroll county, with one piece of artillery, are on their march for Daviess county, where it is thought the same lawless game is to be played over, and the Mormons to be driven from that county and probably from Caldwell county. Nothing, in my opinion, but the strongest measures within the power of the executive, will put down the spirit of monocracy.
The troops ordered into the field, from Parks’ report, partake, in a, great degree, of the mob spirit, so that no reliance can be placed upon them, however, in this I believe Parks to be mistaken. I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency the propriety of a visit to the scene of excitement in person, or at all events, a strong proclamation. The stale of things which have existed in the counties of Daviess and Carroll for the last two months, has been, in a high degree, ruinous to the public, and disgraceful to the State. 1 would again respectfully suggest strong measures to put down this spirit of mob and misrule, or permit them to fight it out. If your Excellency should conclude the latter expedient best calculated to produce quiet and restore order, issue an order to the Major General, 3d Division, to discharge the troops now engaged in that service.
I have the honor, &c.,
DAVID R. ATCHISON.