ere were
but six votes against the candidates he supported. Of the Mormons, I
believe the majority to be ignorant, deluded men, really and earnestly
devoted to their new religion. But their leaders are men of intellect,
who profess Mormonism because of the wealth, titles [see note 1], rank,
and power which it procures them.

As a military position, Nauvoo, garrisoned by twenty or thirty thousand
fanatics, well armed and well supplied with provisions, would be most
formidable. It is unapproachable upon any side but the east, and there
the nature of the ground (boggy) offers great obstacles to any besieging
operations. It is Smith's intention, to congregate his followers there,
until he accumulates a force that can defy anything that can be brought
against him.

Nauvoo is a Hebrew word, and signifies a beautiful habitation for a man,
carrying with it the idea of rest. It is not, however, considered by
the Mormons as their final home, but as a resting-place; they only
intend to remain there till they have gathered a force sufficient to
enable them to conquer Independence (Missouri), which, according to
them, _is one of the most fertile, pleasant, and desirable countries on
the face of the earth, possessing a soil unsurpassed by any region_.
Independence they consider their Zion, and they there intend to rear
their great temple, the corner stone of which is already laid. There is
to be the great gathering-place for all the saints, and, in that
delightful and healthy country, they expect to find their Eden and build
their New Jerusalem.

What passed between Joe Smith and myself I feel not at liberty to
disclose; in fact, publicity would interfere with any future plans. I
will only say, that the prophet received me with the greatest
cordiality, and confirmed the offers which his agents had made to me
when I was among the Comanches. When, however, I came to the point, and
wished to ascertain whether the Mormons would act up to the promises of
their leaders, I perceived, to my great disappointment, that the means
at least, for the present--the operative means--were not yet ready to be
put in motion. According to him, the Foxes, Osages, Winnebegoes, Sioux,
and Mennomonie Indians would act for him at a moment's notice; and, on
my visiting the Foxes to ascertain the truth of these assertions, I
discovered that they had indeed promised to do so, provided that,
previously, the Mormons should have fulfilled certain promis