Mormon History
Arrest Warrant for Joe Smith by Outgoing Governor - 1842
Sangamo Journal – September 30, 1842
FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD!
STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Executive Department,
Sept. 20, 1842.
WHEREAS, a requisition has
been made upon me, as the Executive of this State, by the apprehension and
surrender of O. P. ROCKWELL, who is charged with the crime of shooting Lilburn
W. Boggs, with intent to kill, in the county of Jackson, and State of Missouri,
on the night of the sixth day of may, A. D. 1842;
And whereas a demand has also been made by the Governor of Missouri, upon me,
for the apprehension and surrender of JOSEPH SMITH (commonly called the Mormon
Prophet,) who is charged with the crime of being accessory to the shooting of
said Boggs, at the time and place aforesaid, with intent to kill:
And whereas, in obedience to the Constitution and laws of the United States,
executive warrants have been issued, and the said Rockwell and Smith arrested as
fugitives from justice from the State of Missouri:
And whereas, the said Rockwell and Smith resisted the laws, by refusing to go
with the officers who had them in custody, as fugitives from justice, and
escaped from the custody of the officers:
Now, therefore, I THOMAS CARLIN, Governor of the State of Illinois, in
conformity to an act entitled "an act concerning fugitives from justice,"
approved January 6th, 1827, do offer a reward of TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS, to any
person or persons, for the apprehension and delivery of each, or either of the
above named fugitives from justice, viz. O. P. ROCKWELL and JOSEPH SMITH, to the
custody of James M. Pitman, and Thomas C. King, or to the Sheriff of Adams
county at the city of Quincy.
( L. S. )
In testimony whereof, I have here
unto set my hand and caused the
great seal of the State to be
affixed, the day and date above
written.
By the Governor:
THOMAS CARLIN.
Lyman Trumbull, Sec'y of State.
Joe Smith, it is again stated, has left
the country. It is supposed he aims to reach Canada. The occurrences connected
with the attempts to arrest Smith and Rockwell show that the Mormons are not
under the control of the laws of the State; but that they can and do set them at
defiance when they please. And yet one of their number has the hardihood to
claim a seat in our Legislature, and assist in enacting laws for the government
of this State!