open force and avowed resistance to them; they had undertaken, without the aid of the civil authority, to redress their real or fancied grievances; they had instituted among themselves a government of their own, independent and in opposition to the government of this state, that had, at an inclement season of the year, driven the inhabitants of an entire county from their homes, ravaged their crops, and destroyed their dwellings. Under these circumstances, it became the imperious duty of the executive to interfere, and exercise the powers with which he was invested to protect the lives and property of our citizens, to restore order and tranquillity to the county, and maintain the supremacy of the laws."
This accumulation of evidence furnishes abundant proof that the prophet had, at this early period, infused into his followers a fanatical belief in his pretensions, and the most extravagant notions of their future greatness. In all likelihood, the unexpected success of the scheme induced Smith to believe that he could play the part of the Arabian impostor; and he might have done so had he possessed equal resources, and found a field of popular ignorance and delusion sufficiently extensive for his operations.
He was thrown into prison, where he remained until the spring of 1839, when he managed to make his escape and join his followers-in Illinois.
