BOSTON QUARTO NOTION, Or, Roberts' Weekly Journal of American and Foreign Literature, Fine Arts, and General News (newspaper format) for Saturday, October 29, 1842.
Folio, 15¾ X 12 inches. Paged [49]-62 (fourteen pages; probably lacking the final leaf). Occasional small dark stains (not affecting the Mormon-related article, which is in fine condition). Very small articles have been cut out of the second and final leaves of this newspaper.
postpaid: $85
Fascinating reading, with many entertaining articles of the day! Page 60 of this seldom-seen paper includes 1¾ column inches of small type which will interest Latter-day Saints of the present day:
"In July 1842," explain Allen & Leonard,
former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs appeared before a justice of the peace in Independence to charge Orrin Porter Rockwell, one of Joseph Smith's bodyguards, with attempted murder. Under an assumed name, Rockwell had been living in Independence with his in-laws while his wife awaited the birth of a child. On the rainy evening of May 6, an unknown assailant fired a pistol loaded with buckshot through the window of Bogg's home, severely injuring him. Shortly thereafter a bedraggled Rockwell arrived in Nauvoo. Rumors placed responsibility for the crime on the Mormons. The Quincy Whig reported that Joseph Smith had prophesied a year earlier that Boggs would meet a violent death. The Prophet quickly denied responsibility for the crime, but John C. Bennett urged Boggs to file a complaint. On August 8, on a warrant issued by Governor Carlin in response to a requisition from Governor Thomas Reynolds of Missouri, Joseph Smith was arrested as an accessory before the fact.
The extradition request contended erroneously that Joseph Smith had fled from Missouri following the shooting. Because the Prophet could readily establish his whereabouts in Illinois on the day of the shooting, he and Rockwell sought writs of habeas corpus through the Nauvoo municipal court. When Adams County officers challenged the court's jurisdiction, the city council enacted an ordinance broadening the court's powers. The arresting officers return to Quincy disgruntled. Because the council's action was legally suspect, the Prophet secured a release from the master in chancery to be certain proper legal action had been taken. Then the two accused men went into hiding, the Prophet in the Nauvoo area, Rockwell in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
It was during these uncertain months of 1842 that the Prophet apparently first looked seriously toward the Rocky Mountains as a place of refuge. [James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints (SLC, 1976/86), pp. 178-180]
"Sunday, 2. [October 1842]," according to Joseph Smith's History of the Church,
—About ten o'clock in the forenoon, a messenger arrived from Quincy, stating that the governor had offered a reward of $200 for Joseph Smith, Jun., and also $200 for Orrin P. Rockwell. This report was fully established on receipt of the mail papers. The Quincy Whig also stated that Governor Reynolds has offered a reward, and published the governor's proclamation offering a reward of $300 for Joseph Smith, Jun., and $300 for Orrin P. Rockwell. It is not expected that much will be effected by the rewards.
. . . . .
Wednesday, 5 . . . Elder Rigdon called Elder William Clayton into his office, and said he had some matters to make known. He had been at Carthage and had conversation with Judge Douglas concerning Governor Carlin's proceedings, &c., and had ascertained that Carlin had intentionally issued an illegal writ, expecting thereby to draw President Joseph to Carthage to get acquitted by habeas corpus before Douglas, and having men there waiting with a legal writ to serve on Joseph as soon as he was released under the other one, and bear him away to Missouri, without further ceremony. Elder Rigdon asked what power the governor's proclamation gave to any man or set of men who might be disposed to take President Joseph. He was answered, "Just the same power and authority which a legal warrant gave to an officer."It is more and more evident that Carlin is determined to have me taken to Missouri, if he can. But may the Almighty Jehovah shield and defend me from all their power, and prolong my days in peace, that I may guide His people in righteousness, until my head is white with old age. Amen.
. . . . .
Friday, 7.—This morning Elder Elias Higbee states about the same things as were stated by Elder Rigdon two days ago, and also that he had been informed that many of the Missourians are coming to unite with the militia of this state voluntarily, and at their own expense; so that after the court rises at Carthage, if they don't take me there, they will come and search the city, &c. It is likely that this is only report. [HC 5:167-9]
Joseph Smith was ultimately hauled to Springfield for trial. For that colorful event - not without some amusing details - see Chapter 12 of Smith's History of the Church, Volume 5, and other standard historical sources.
