"In perusing your letter I find that you were mistaken in the instructions that I gave you while at Nauvoo, and I know of no course for you to pursue to answer the requirements of the law, but to suffer yourself to be taken by the officer holding the writ and go before the justice of the peace who issued the same and have an investigation of the matter. It is the officer's duty to protect you; this the law requires, and I cannot as an officer of the law give you any different instructions." CHAPTER IV. JUDGE THOMAS' WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE THE PROPHET--VAIN EFFORTS TO SEE AND REPORT TO THE PROPHET--PERFIDY OF REYNOLDS CAHOON AND ALPHEUS CUTLER--PROPHET'S LAST SPEECH--NEWS OF THE MARTYRDOM--ITS EFFECT--ATROCITIES OF MOB. The brethren protested strongly against the Prophet surrendering himself to be taken to Carthage, as they believed the officers would rather take his life than protect it. In vain they urged Judge Thomas to set a date when the Prophet could be brought before his court for the investigation of any charges that might be brought against him. He said he did not wish to interfere in any legal matters; neither did he consider the matter under his jurisdiction. In answer to what the brethren had said about the danger of his going to Carthage, the judge said "this is nothing but your imagination, and that will be better understood when tried." And then he offered a suggestion that convinced the brethren that he had already decided in his own mind that the Prophet should be sacrificed. He said "would it not be better for one or two men to be killed than for a whole community to be destroyed?" The response to this traitorous suggestion was, "No; we would all prefer to die in defense of innocent citizens rather than for one of our number to be massacred by a ruthless mob; and we will show you and all other men that we will protect one another in our rights." The interview closed by the judge remarking that his visitors were very zealous, and they declaring that they were not more zealous than determined. They received the letter and made all possible haste to Nauvoo, arriving there at 10 o'clock on June 20, 1844. On entering the Mansion House they were met by Alpheus Cutler and Reynolds Cahoon, who inquired as soon as they greeted them if they had a letter from Judge Thomas. When told that they had, they requested that it be given to them. To this the brethren demurred, and insisted upon seeing the Prophet personally.