rouse a strong
feeling against them, and at last, in the early part of the summer of
1841, the citizens of Illinois organized a strong force in opposition;
the Mormons were beaten in the contest. The disposition now manifested
by the citizens appears to be to act upon the defensive, but at all
hazards to maintain their rights.

As regards the pecuniary transactions of the Mormons since they have
been in Illinois, Smith still uses his power for his own benefit. His
present arrangements are to purchase land at a low rate, lay it off into
town lots, which he sells to his followers at a high price; thus lots
that scarcely cost him a dollar, are frequently sold for a thousand. He
has raised several towns in this manner, both in Illinois and in Iowa.

During the last year, he has made two proclamations to his followers
abroad, to come and settle in the county of Hancock. These proclamations
have been obeyed to a great extent, and, strange to say, hundreds have
been flocking in from the great manufacturing cities of England. What
Is to be the result of all this, it is impossible to tell; but one thing
Is certain, that, in a political point of view, the Mormons are already
powerful, and that the object of Smith Is evidently to collect all his
followers Into one focus, and thus concentrate all his power and wealth.

The designs of Smith and his coadjutors, at the time of the first
publication of the Book of Mormon, was, doubtlessly, nothing more than
pecuniary aggrandizement. We do not believe they expected at that time
that so many could ever be duped to be converted; when, however, the
delusion began to spread, the publishers saw the door opened not only
for wealth, but also for extensive power, and their history throughout
shows that they have not been remiss in their efforts to acquire both.
The extent of their desires is now by no means limited, for their
writings and actions show a design to pursue the same path, and attain
the same end by the same means, as did Mahomet. The idea of a second
Mahomet arising in the nineteenth century may excite a smile, but when
we consider the steps now taken by the Mormons to concentrate their
numbers, and their ultimate design to unite themselves with the Indians,
it will not be at all surprising, if scenes unheard of since the days of
feudalism should soon be re-enacted.

I will here submit to my readers a letter directed to Mr. Courtenay in
1842, by a superior officer of the United