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
There are many powerful checks upon our government, preventing her
from moving in any of these important matters; and for aught I
know, these checks are permitted, to prevent our government from
extending her jurisdiction over that territory which God designs to
give to His Saints. Judge Douglass says he would equally as soon go
to that country without an act of Congress as with; 'and that in
five years a noble State might be formed; and then, if they would
not receive us into the Union, we would have a government of our
own.' He is decidedly of the opinion that congress will pass no act
in favor of any particular man going there; but he says if any man
will go, and desires that privilege, and has confidence in his own
ability to perform it he already has the right, and the sooner he
is off the better for his scheme.
It is the opinion here among politicians that it will be extremely
difficult to have any bill pass in relation to the encouragement of
emigration to Oregon; but much more difficult to get a bill passed
designating any particular man to go. But all concur in the opinion
that we are authorized already.
In case of a removal to that country, Nauvoo is the place of
general rendezvous. Our course from thence would be westward
through Iowa, bearing a little north until we came to the Missouri
river, leaving the State of Missouri on the left, thence onward
till we come to the Platte, thence up the north fork of the Platte
to the mouth of Sweetwater river in longitude 107 45' W., and
thence up said Sweetwater river to the South Pass of the Rocky
Mountains, about eleven hundred miles from Nauvoo; and from said
South Pass in latitude 42 28' north to the Umpaque and Klamet
valleys in Oregon, bordering on California, is about 600 miles,
making the distance from Nauvoo to the best portions of Oregon
1,700 miles.
There is no government established there; and it is so near
California that when a government shall be established there, it
may readily embrace that country likewise. There is much barren
country, rocks, and mountains, in Oregon; but the valleys are very
fertile. I am persuaded that Congress will pass no act in relation
to that country, from the fact that the resolution requesting
the President to give notice to the British government for the
discontinuance of the treaty of joint occupation of Oregon was
voted down with a rush; and this notice must be given before any
action can be had, unless Congress violates the treaty; at least so
say the politicians here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account