erty and leave the country.^^ The meeting at Quincy, notice of which with a copy of the resolutions was sent to Nauvoo, named six months as the time within which the Mormons must depart. In answer, the council of the church replied, on the 24th of Septem- ber, that they could not set forth so early in the spring, when there would be neither food for man or beast, nor even running water, but that it was their full in- tention to depart as soon as possible, and that they would go far enough, God helping them, forever there- after to be free from their enemies. Meanwhile all they asked was that they should not be further mo- lested by armed bands or suits at law, but rather assisted in selling their property and collecting their effects.2^
To this the men of Quincy gave assent; at the same time pledging themselves to prompt action in case of failure on the part of the saints to keep their promise, and taking measures to secure a military organization of the people of Adams county.^
It was not to be expected that Carthage would remain idle while other towns were acting. A con- vention of delegates from nine surrounding counties was held there about the end of September, and four commissioners, among whom were Hardin, com- mander of the state militia, and Douglas, senator,*^ were sent to Nauvoo to demand the departure of the Mormons. The deputation was met by the council of the twelve with the president at their head, and answer was promptly made that *the removal would
'^One thousand families, including 5,000 or 6,000 souls, would remove in the spring. Jlist. B. Yoking, MS., 184.3, 134. Hundreds of farms and some 2,000 houses were offered for sale in Nauvoo city and county. 'There was grain enough growing within 10 miles of Nauvoo, raised hy the Mormons, to feed the whole population for two years, if they were to do nothing but gather it in and feast upon it.' Id., MS., 35.
- ^ A lengthy communication to this effect was drawn up and signed by Brig-
ham Young, president, and Willard Richards, clerk. Printed in full in Full- mer^ s Expulsion, 20-1.
- " Answer in full in /(/., 22.
" The other two were W. B. Warren and J.. A. McDougal. TuUidge^$ Life of Young, 8.
