"GREEN RIVER COUNTY, near Fort Bridger, } UTAH TERRITORY, 21st November, 1857. } "_To the People of Utah Territory_:-- "On the 11th day of July, 1857, the President appointed me to preside over the executive department of the government of this Territory. I arrived at this point on the 17th of this month, and shall probably be detained some time, in consequence of the loss of animals during the recent snow-storm. I will proceed at this point to make the preliminary arrangements for the temporary organization of the territorial government. Many treasonable acts of violence have recently been committed by lawless individuals, supposed to have been commanded by the late executive. Such persons are in a state of rebellion. "Proceedings will be instituted against them in a court organized by Chief Justice Eckels, held in this county, which court will supersede the necessity of appointing military commissions for the trial of such offenders. "It is my duty to enforce unconditional obedience to the Constitution, and the organic law of this Territory, and to all the other laws of Congress applicable to you. "To enable me to effect this object, I will, in the event of resistance, rely first upon a _posse comitatus_ of the well-disposed portion of the inhabitants of this Territory, and will only resort to a military _posse_ in case of necessity. I trust this necessity will not occur. I have come among you with no prejudices or enmities; and by the exercise of a just and firm administration I hope to command your confidence. "Freedom of conscience, and the use of your own peculiar mode of serving God, are sacred rights, the exercise of which is guaranteed by the Constitution, and with which it is not the province of the Government or the disposition of its representatives in this Territory to interfere. In virtue of my authority as commander-in-chief of the military of this Territory, I hereby command all armed bodies of individuals, by whomsoever organized, to disband, and return to their respective homes. "The penalty of disobedience to this command will subject the offenders to the punishment due to traitors. "A. CUMMING, "_Governor of Utah Territory_." During this time the Mormon troops were busy stealing stock, burning supply-trains, and in every way weakening and embarrassing the United States forces. Being familiar with the country, they had greatly the advantage; and could break suddenly upon a herding party, from some side canyon, capture their stock, and before the alarm could be given, be safely ensconced in their own quarters. Much valuable stock was acquired in this way.