While the President was penning his proclamation of pardon, the Mormons were leaving their property and homes, and taking up their line of march for the South. Governor Cumming was unable to control the movements of Col. Johnson, who was acting under instructions from the Secretary of War. Hence Cumming could not save to Brigham, however much he might feel disposed to do so, the humiliation of seeing the streets of the city filled with the federal soldiers, against whom he had been hurling his anathemas. Finding this catastrophe could not possibly be averted, he promulgated an order, purporting to emanate from the Almighty, commanding the people to leave their homes and start for the South. This order was prompted partly by the fact that the "President of the Church" was committed to this course by his repeated declarations, and partly by the wish on his part to test his power over "this people." It was readily and implicitly obeyed by his deluded followers. They knew not where they were going. Many believed they were destined for Sonora. They only knew the Prophet of the Lord had spoken, and they must obey. On the 6th of April, 1858, their long trains moved southward, taking with them their household goods, and provisions for the journey. Brigham, Heber, and the principal men, also removed their families from their comfortable homes, again to encounter the toils and privations incident to life on the Plains. They went to Provo, 50 miles from the city, and there halted. The snow was still on the ground, and the pilgrims suffered much from the inclemency of the weather. On the 12th of April, Mr. Buchanan appointed L. W. Powell, of Kentucky, and Ben McCulloch, of Texas, Commissioners to Utah, and by them sent on his proclamation of pardon. They reached Salt Lake on the 7th of June, and immediately made known their business to the Mormon authorities. They were instructed to say to the Mormons, in the language of the proclamation, "If you obey the laws, keep the peace, and respect the just rights of others, you will be perfectly secure, and may live in your present faith, or change it for another at your pleasure. Every intelligent man among you knows very well that the Government has never, directly or indirectly, sought to molest you in your worship, to control you in your ecclesiastical affairs, or even to influence you in your religious opinions." The following extracts from the report of the Commissioners will serve to show the result of their mission:--