The Rise and Fall of NauvooRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
History
The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saints -- Illinois -- Nauvoo; Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History
Therefore, on that line of reasoning, the judge concluded the court had
jurisdiction. As to the second objection--the right of the court to
inquire into facts behind the writ--the judge held it unnecessary to
decide that point, as Smith was entitled to his discharge, for defect
in the affidavit on which the demand for his surrender to Missouri was
made. To justify the demand for his arrest the affidavit should have
shown, "First, that Smith committed a crime; second, that he committed
it in Missouri. And it must also appear 'that Smith had fled from
Missouri.'" None of these things the affidavit of Boggs did, and the
judge held that it was defective for those reasons, and added:
The court can alone regard the facts set forth in the affidavit
of Boggs as having any legal existence. The mis-recitals and
over-statements in the requisition and warrant are not supported by
oath and cannot be received as evidence to deprive a citizen of his
liberty, and transport him to a foreign State for trial. For these
reasons, Smith must be discharged.
And Joseph had scored another victory over his old enemies in Missouri.
CHAPTER XXV.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL.
DURING the trial, excitement at times ran high and threatened to break
out into acts of violence. When Joseph first made his way through the
throng about the court-house, some one in the crowd recognized him,
and exclaimed: "There goes Smith now!" "Yes," said another, "and a
fine looking man he is, too." "And as damned a rascal as ever lived!"
put in a third. Hyrum Smith, overhearing the last remark said: "And
a good many ditto!" "Yes," said the person addressed, "ditto, ditto,
G--d d--n you, and every one that takes his part is as d--d a rascal
as he is." "I am that man;" shouted Wilson Law, "and I'll take his
part!" Whereupon both parties prepared for a fight; but Mr. Prentice,
the marshal, interfered and quelled the disturbance; and the excitement
soon quieted down.
During the progress of the trial the Prophet had good opportunity of
associating with some of the leading men of the State, among them the
judges of the supreme court, and Governor Ford, who ventured to caution
the Prophet to have nothing to do with electioneering in political
contests; a thing, the Prophet said in reply, he had never done.
Governor Ford also told him that he had a requisition from the governor
of Missouri for the arrest of himself and others on the old charge of
treason, arson, etc., but he happened to know that the charges were
dead. The State legislature was also in session and consequently there
was a general gathering of the principal men of Illinois, and the
Prophet extended largely his circle of acquaintances among them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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