"Yes, my eyes have beheld the blood-stained traces of innocent women and children, in the dreary winter, who had traveled hundreds of miles barefoot, through frost and snow, to seek a refuge from their savage pursuers. 'Twas a scene of horror sufficient to enlist sympathy from an adamantine heart. And shall this unfortunate man, whom their fury has seen proper to select for sacrifice, be driven into such a savage land and none dare to enlist in the cause of justice? If there was no other voice under heaven ever to be heard in this cause, gladly would I stand alone, and proudly spend my last breath in defense of an oppressed American citizen." The Decision of Judge Douglas Judge Douglas gave the following decision: That the writ, being once returned to the executive by the sheriff of Hancock County, was dead, and stood in the same relationship as any other writ which might issue from the circuit court, and consequently the defendant could not be held in custody on that writ. On the question whether or not evidence was admissible, he would not pass, but would take under advisement, but on the other point, the defendant must be dismissed. Once again the Prophet Joseph had been freed from the clutches of the inhuman officials of Missouri. Notes 1. Doc. and Cov. 101:76-89. 2. _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 3:332. 3. The Saints' petition to Congress is found on pages 24-38 of the _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 4. The affidavits are also found in the same volume, pages 52-73. These should be carefully considered. 4. For the reason why the Saints did not accept the advice of the committee and appeal to the Federal Courts, see article by Elder B. H. Roberts, in the introduction to the _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 4, under the caption "The Appeal of the Church to the National Government for Redress of Wrongs Suffered in Missouri." 5. The day of retribution came, at least in part, during the Civil War. For this account see the introduction of _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 3, under the caption "Retribution," by B. H. Roberts. Chapter 30 The Nauvoo Temple and Ordinances Therein--Important Events 1840-1842 The House of the Lord