The History of Salt Lake City and its Founders, Volume 1. Edward William Tullidge

in history that the Pioneers who founded Salt Lake City, were as the crest of that tidal wave of colonization which peopled these Pacific States and Territories. And the colonies which this wonderful state-founding community has sent to the West, since that tidal wave rose in the exodus from Nauvoo, will stand as the most marked example of organic colonization which has occurred in the growth and spread of the American nation. Other States and cities, which have been founded since the first colonization of America by the Pilgrims of New England, have grown up and increased in their population upon the ordinary laws of national growth, to which has been superadded the promiscuous emigration of Europeans to this country; but not even in the extraordinary case of the growth of the Western States and Territories, excepting that shown by the Mormon people, has there been a spectacle of colonization proper, to mark the history of America in the present century. Thus considered, it is a most unique fact of the age that Salt Lake City was founded by a colony of the strictest type. In most of its leading features, the founding and growth of Utah resembles the founding of the American nation by the Pilgrim colonies, which sailed from England and Holland to establish religious liberty on a virgin continent, driven by the cruel force of persecution, yet whose every exile from the dear mother land became big with the genius of colonization, until the little companies of emigrants who left their native shores, very much in the character of religious outlaws, grew into a galaxy of States. Persecution undoubtedly at the onset drove the Mormons hitherward, as it drove the Puritans to this continent—drove them in fact into the very path of their destiny—but as they came westward from Ohio, where their Zion first rose, they so fast imbibed the genius of colonization, that extermination brought forth in the mind of the Mormon Prophet the grand scheme to colonize the Pacific Slope with his people, and with them form in the West the nucleus of a new galaxy of American States.

      The first recorded note of the grand design of the Mormon Prophet to colonize the Pacific Slope with his people, will be seen in the following entry from his diary: "Saturday, 6th [August, 1842]. Passed over the river to Montrose, Iowa, in company with General Adams, Colonel Brewer, and others, and witnessed the installation of the officers of the Rising Sun Lodge of Ancient York Masons, at Montrose, by Gen. James Adams, Deputy Grand Master of Illinois. While the Deputy Grand Master was engaged in giving the requisite instructions to the Master elect, I had a conversation with a number of brethren, in the shade of the building, on the subject of our persecutions in Missouri, and the constant annoyance which has followed us since we were driven from that State. I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains. Many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some would live to go and assist in making settlements and building cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains."

      A year and a half later his design was matured, and his people ready to execute it. Here is a diary note of that date: "Tuesday, Feb. 20th [1844]. I instructed the Twelve Apostles to send out a delegation and investigate the locations of California and Oregon and hunt out a good location where we can remove to after the Temple is completed, and where we can build a city in a day and have a government of our own." * * On the evening of the following day the Twelve met at the Mayor's office, and, according to the above instructions, appointed the following committee: Jonathan Dunham, Phineas H. Young, David D. Yearsley, David Fullmer, Alphonso Young, James Emmett, George D. Watt, Daniel Spencer. Subsequent action was also taken on the same subject, and volunteers were added to the committee.

      It was at this date that the Elders undertook a political campaign through the States to nominate Joseph Smith for the Presidential chair of the nation, but it is very evident that the removal of the Saints to the Rocky Mountains, or to California, was the real action contemplated by the Prophet, and not a successful campaign for the presidency of the United States. The event, however, did afford a rare opportunity for sending out the Apostles and a company of the ablest Elders, to make another missionary effort in the States before the contemplated exodus.

      A few days later we find Joseph Smith alluding to himself in connection with the presidential chair, but he at once branches off to a subject which more particularly attracted his thoughts, namely, the annexation of Texas and the possession of the Pacific Coast by the United States. Said he: "As to politics, I care but little about the Presidential chair. I would not give half as much for the office of President of the United States as I would for the one I now hold as Lieutenant-General of the Nauvoo Legion. * * * "What I have said in my views in relation to the annexation of Texas is, with some, unpopular. The people are opposed to it. Some of the Anti-Mormons are good fellows. I say it, however, in anticipation that they will repent.* * * We should grasp all the territory we can. * * The government will not receive any advice or counsel from me: they are self-sufficient. * * "The South holds the balance of power. By annexing Texas I can do away with this evil. As soon as Texas was annexed I would liberate the slaves in two or three Stales, indemnifying their owners, and send the negroes to Texas, and from Texas to Mexico, where all colors are alike. And if that was not sufficient, I would call upon Canada and annex it."

      Mark next his bold empire-founding move, in petitioning Congress to raise a volunteer force of a hundred thousand in the service of the United States, to possess the Pacific Coast. Says he, under date of March 30th: "I had prepared a memorial to his Excellency, John Tyler, the President of the United States, embodying in it the same sentiments as are in my petition to the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, dated March 26th, 1844, asking the privilege of raising 100,000 men to extend protection to persons wishing to settle Oregon and other portions of the Territory of the United States, and extend protection to the people in Texas. * * * "Also signed an introductory letter for Elder Orson Hyde, who is going to carry the memorials to Washington."

      To found empire for America was just in the line of his character. Destiny was pushing the Saints westward and had Joseph Smith reached California at the head of an army of 20,000 pioneers, backed by the remainder of the 100,000 as emigrants, he would have given quite a Napoleonic account of himself, and opened the war with Mexico. This was clearly his intention, and it may be observed that he did not overrate his forces.

      And what makes the Prophet's bold national design so deserving of attention is the fact that the United States Government and the British Government were at that moment in an attitude of rivalry for the possession of the Pacific Coast, and that the United States barely escaped being worsted. , Thus prefaced, let us listen to the report of Elder Hyde to the Prophet from the capital: "* * Judge Douglas has been quite ill, but is just recovered. He will help all he can; Mr. Hardin likewise. But Major Semple says that he does not believe anything will be done about Texas or Oregon this session, for it might have a very important effect upon the Presidential election; and politicians are slow to move when such doubtful and important matters are likely to be affected by it. * * * "I will now give you my opinion in relation to this matter. It is made up from the spirit of the times in a hasty manner, nevertheless I think time will prove it to be correct:—That Congress will pass no act in relation to Texas or Oregon at present. She is afraid of England, afraid of Mexico, afraid the Presidential election will be twisted by it. The members all appear like unskillful players at checkers—afraid to move, for they see not which way to move advantageously. * *"

      "The most of the settlers in Oregon and Texas are our old enemies, the mobocrats of Missouri. If, however, the settlement of Oregon and Texas be determined upon, the sooner the move is made the better; and I would not advise any delay for the action of our Government, for there is such a jealousy of our rising power that Government will do nothing to favor us.

      * * Your superior wisdom must determine whether to go to Oregon, to Texas, or to remain within these United States and send forth the most efficient men to build up churches, and let them remain for the time being; and in the meantime send some wise men among the Indians and teach them civilization and religion, to cultivate the soil, to live in peace with one another and with all men." * * In a subsequent letter Elder Hyde said: "We have this day [April 26th] had a long conversation with Judge Douglas. He is ripe for Oregon and California. He said he would resign his seat in Congress if he could command the force that Mr. Smith could, and would be on the march to that country in a month. 'In five years,' said he, '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.'"