Richmond Palladium

From the Missouri Republican.

CIVIL WAR.

We lament to say that the following account, in its most essential features, confirmed by other passengers in the steam boat Charleston.

On Board Steam Boat Charleston

ST. Louis, 6th Nov. 1833.

Messrs Editors-

I take this opportunity to give you and my readers a brief sketch of the most flagrant and outrageous violation of the Constitution of our country, that has taken place since it was framed.

I am a member of the church of Christ, (reproachfully called Mormons or Mormonites) and am directly from Independence, the seat of war and bloodshed in the United States.

On Thursday night, Oct. 31, some forty or fifty of the citizens of Jackson county, Mo. assembled above the Blue, (a river about eight or ten miles west of Independence,) and, in part, demolished twelve of the dwelling houses of our people who occupied them at the time. The inmates were obliged to escape to the woods, women and children running in every direction, hallooing and screaming; and the men, being taken at surprise in the dead hour of the night, were unprepared to defend themselves if they had been disposed. They took two of our men, and beat them with stones and clubs, leaving only a breath of life in them. After this the mob dispersed, it being about 3 o'clock in the morning.

[They] the store of Gilbert & Whitney and scattered their goods through the streets. They demolished Mr. Gilbert's brick dwelling house, and broke in the doors and windows of all the dwellings in Independence belonging to our people. Saturday our people left their dwellings, and took their most valuable articles of furniture, clothing, &c. and gathered together that they might be better prepared for self defence. Night came on. and the mob came along with it, and commenced their ravages again above the Blue; and after they had fired five or six guns upon our people without effect, our people fired upon them, and one of their number exclaimed, "O my God! I am shot!" The mob then dispersed, taking their wounded companion along with them, who was shot through the thigh. On Monday last, the mob collected again, in the town of Independence, to the number of two or three hundred, well armed; they called it, "calling out the Militia." They undoubtedly thought that the above appellation would sound better than its real and legitimate name, which is Mob; and if they could lessen the magnitude of their crime in the eyes of the community by so doing, they, no doubt, would be highly gratified. But this cunning plot to deceive, cover their iniquity no more than the fig leaves covered our first parents in the garden from the piercing eye of Jehovah. At night a part of the number that they collected in town, went above Blue, to drive our people away, and destroy our property; but they were met by a party of our people, and being prepared, they poured a deadly fire upon them. Two or three of their number fell dead on the ground and a number mortally wounded. Among the former, was Hugh L. Brazeale, Att'y. at Law. Tuesday morning, there was a number of the mob missing. and could not be accounted for, I was told. I left Independence, and came down the river to Liberty; landing where we stopped to take in freight; and while we were there (Wednesday, 11 o'clock, A.M.) a messenger rode up saying that he had just come from the seat of war and that the night before, another battle was fought, in which Mr. Hick's Att'y at Law, fell, having three balls and some buck shot through his body; and about twenty more of the mob, shared a similar fate. Mr. H. was one of the heads of the mob. Reports said also that one or two of our men were killed and as many wounded. The cannonading in the last engagement, was heard on board the boat very distinctly.

I was an eye witness of a part of the above statements; but things were in a state of great commotion & agitation at the time, and should there be an error in the above, I hope to find pardon in the eyes of a candid people. One more item I will notice. At the time Messrs. G. & W's store was broken open, Mr. G. with a number of others, succeeded in taking the one who broke open the door. and brought him forthwith before a magistrate to see if something could not be done with him; but the magistrate refused to do any thing about it. This was an unwise move of Mr. G. but on seeing his property destroyed in that barbarous manner, and the gratification of mind which he was necessarily labouring under, he was led to do as he did: After they liberated the man, he took the G. with a warrant immediately for false imprisonment and put them in prison, viz: Mr. Gilbert, Phelps, the printer, and one more ; and as near as I can learn, the mob are determined never to let them escape from prison alive.

I am one, who went to the Governor with a petition for assistance to obtain our rights, or redress of wrongs and grievances received from the citizens of Jackson county, in July last. But as the circumstances then were, the Governor said he could do nothing. but advised us to take the regular steps of the law, which, at that time was our only course, and this we attempted to do; but instead of peace being promoted by it, it increased their rage and led them to commit the horrid crimes named above.

I am satisfied that it is useless to undertake to enforce the laws in that county under the present circumstances, because there is no one to enforce them. Every officer, civil and military, with one or two exceptions, is either directly or indirectly engaged in the mob.

Under these painful circumstances, what remains to be done? Must we leave the soil for which we paid our money? Must our women and children be turned out of doors with nothing but the clouded canopy to cover them, and the perpetrators of the above escape unpunished? Or must we fight our enemies three to one. or lie down and die and our names be blotted out from among men?

Let the Executive of our State and Nation consider these questions; and if they will answer them in the negative, let them signify it by raising the helping hand. Again, I ask in the behalf of my brethren:

Will not the Governor or the President lend a helping hand in this deadly extremity? Shall the cries of the innocent and distressed, salute the ears of the Executive in vain? God forbid! For while the constitution of the United States, which was given by inspiration of Almighty God through the instrumentality of our fathers, shall stand, I trust that those who are honored with the Executive, will see that the laws are managed and made honorable. Perhaps some of my friends. on reading this letter, will be ready to ask me what I think of my religion now : I have no reply. other than this: Paul said, He that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Editors through the United States, are requested to publish this letter, if they are willing to confer this favor upon those who are journeying through much tribulation.

I am, sirs, though a stranger, your friend and humble servant.

ORSAN HYDE.