SPALDING STUDIES LIBRARY -- SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
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Thomas Gregg (1808-1892) The Prophet of Palmyra (NYC: J. B. Alden, 1890) |
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Chps. 1-9 | Chps. 10-21 | Chps. 22-33 | Chps. 46-49 & Appendix | Comments
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Return to page 333
AS on former occasions, these excesses called for executive interference. Accordingly, Governor Ford again sent a force of volunteers into the county, and again under command of that brave and sagacious officer and statesman, Colonel John J. Hardin. He was accompanied by Attorney-General John A. McDougal, Judge Stephen A. Douglas, and Major Wm. B. Warren, as advisers. On the arrival of these with a strong body of troops, everything became quiet. On the 27th of September, General Hardin issued a proclamation to the people of the county, enjoining them to keep the peace and obey the laws and constituted authorities. In conjunction with his advisers, he visited Nauvoo and entered into a correspondence with the authorities of the Mormon people, which resulted in their agreeing to leave. the county and State in the following spring; after NINE COUNTIES INTERFERE. 335 which he withdrew the main body of his forces, leaving Major Warren in the county to maintain the peace, with a detachment of about one hundred men, to remain until withdrawn by the Governor. To the discreet action and gentlemanly behavior of Major Warren and his officers and men, during the winter, the county was much indebted for the good order that reigned. * Previous to General Hardin's arrival, the people of the surrounding counties, in view of the disturbed condition of the county of Hancock, and becoming alarmed for their own safety, determined to hold a convention to take the subject into consideration. That convention may be regarded as a turning point in the affairs of the county. It was held at Carthage on the first and second days of October, and was composed of representative and earnest men of high standing in the nine counties of Adams, Brown, Pike, Schuyler, Marquette, McDonough, Warren, Knox, and Henderson -- Hancock being purposely excluded. Fifty delegates were reported: Hon. Orville H. Browning, of Adams, moved for a committee of three from each county to prepare and report resolutions; ____________ * These troops belonged principally to the Quincy Riflemen, an independent company composed of young men of the highest character in that city -- two of whose officers, Captain James D. Morgan and Lieutenant Benjamin M. Prentiss, did conspicuous service later as Generals in the war for the Union. 336 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. and afterwards, as chairman, presented a series, of which we introduce only two, as embracing the sense of the convention on the points mentioned: "Resolved, That it is the settled and deliberate conviction of this convention, that it is now too late to attempt the settlement of the difficulties in Hancock County upon any other basis than that of the removal of the Mormons from the State; and we therefore accept, and respectfully recommend to the people of the surrounding counties to accept, the proposition made by the Mormons to remove from the State next spring, and to wait with patience the time for removal. "Resolved, That we utterly repudiate the impudent assertion, so often and so constantly put forth by the Mormons, that they are persecuted for righteousness' sake. We do not believe them to be a persecuted people. We KNOW that they are not; but that whatever grievances they may suffer are the necessary and legitimate consequences of their illegal, wicked, and dishonest acts." At the distance of more than forty years from the date when the sentiment, as contained in the first of these resolutions, was uttered, it reads strangely that such a body of men could be induced to sanction the entire expulsion of ten or twelve thousand people from a State where they were making their homes. And yet that resolution passed unanimously, and was applauded and accepted by nine-tenths of the fifty or sixty thousand people of NINE COUNTIES INTERFERE. 337 the nine counties that convention represented. Every reader of these pages must agree that there is something radically wrong in the laws or their administration or in the state of society that renders such a thing possible. The writer of this was a spectator at that convention, and he testifies to the high character of its members, and knows with what prudence and earnestness its deliberations were conducted; but whether the circumstances at the time existing were sufficient to justify such action, or whether THEY CAN EXIST, is a problem he prefers to leave with the reader. The other resolution, however, met with his entire assent. And here attention is called to the fact, that when the Mormons first made their appearance in Illinois, six years before, all these people sympathized with them, and believed their Story of persecution. Mr. Browning * was especially eloquent in denouncing the "Border Ruffians" of Missouri, for their treatment of these so-called persecuted and inoffensive people. And what could have produced the change? It is preposterous to say that a whole community would -- or could -- in the short space of six years, from being warm sympathizers with, and aiders and helpers of, an innocent people, turn around and ____________ * Hon. O. H. Browning was a resident of Quincy, a leading and able member of the Bar -- and afterwards held the position of United States Senator and Secretary of the Interior, 338 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. become themselves their persecutors. The fact exists, as clear as sunlight, that every word of this second resolution is true. It has been true ever since the feeble cry of "persecution" was uttered by the embryo-prophet at Palmyra down to this convention; and since, through the dreadful scenes in the wilderness, till it was stifled in the shrieks and cries of defenceless women and children at Mountain Meadows and Springville. Yet the cry of "Persecution!" and "Let us alone!" is still heard on every hand, and echoed through the press of the country. The action of this convention had a quieting effect. On the public, and no doubt satisfied many wavering minds that the conclusion to which it arrived, was the only one that would give peace. And the Mormons also accepted it as inevitable, and earnestly prepared to act accordingly. As a basis for the subsequent action of both parties, the correspondence heretofore mentioned is here reproduced: NAUVOO, Oct. 1, 1845. "To the first President and Council of the Church at Nauvoo: "Having had a free and full conversation with you this day, in reference to your proposed removal from this county, together with the members of your church, we have to request you to submit the facts and intentions stated to us in said conversation NINE COUNTIES INTERFERE. 339 to writing, in order that we may lay them before the Governor and People of the State. We hope that by so doing it will have a tendency to allay the excitement at present existing in the public mind. We have the honor to subscribe ourselves, "Respectfully yours, etc., A. DOUGLAS, W. B. WARREN, J. A. MCDOUGAL." "NAUVOO, Oct. 1, 1845. "To Gen. John J. Hardin, S. A. Douglas, W. B. Warren and J. A. McDougal: "MESSRS: In reply to your letter of this date requesting, us to 'submit the facts and intentions stated by us to writing, in order that you may lay them before the Governor and People of the State,' we would refer you to a communication of the 24th ultimo, to the 'Quincy Committee,' a copy of which is herewith enclosed. "In addition to this we would say, that we had commenced making arrangements to remove from this county previous to the recent disturbances; that we now have four companies organized of one hundred families each, and six more companies now organizing of the same number each, preparatory to removal. That one thousand families, including the Twelve, the High Council, the Trustees and general authorities of the Church, are fully determined to remove in the spring, independent of the contingency of selling our property, -- and that this company will comprise from five to six thousand souls. "That the Church, as a body, desires to remove 340 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. with us, and will, if sales can be effected, so as to raise the necessary means. "That the organization of the Church we represent is such, that there never can exist but one head or Presidency at any one time, and all good members wish to be with the organization; and all are determined to remove to some distant point where we shall neither infringe or be infringed upon, so soon as time and means will permit. "That we have some hundreds of farms and some two thousand or more houses for sale in this city and county, and we request all good citizens to assist in the disposal of our property. "That we do not expect to find purchasers for our Temple and other public buildings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable community who may inhabit the city. "That we wish it distinctly understood, that, although we may not find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice or give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us. "That we do not intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we all sell we shall not put in any more crops of any description. "That as soon as practicable we will appoint committees for this city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek, and all necessary places in the county, to give information to purchasers. "That if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any people that we are in earnest, we will soon give them a sign that cannot be mistaken -- we will leave them! "In behalf of the Council, "Respectfully yours, etc., "BRIGHAM YOUNG, "President. "WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk." NINE COUNTIES INTERFERE. 341 The communication to the Quincy Committee was of similar import, but referred particularly and in eloquent terms to their sufferings and grievances, here and elsewhere, and begged to be let alone. |
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408
THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA.
IT has been charged that the Book of Mormon, instead of being a translation from golden plates, bearing a valuable message from heaven, as claimed by Joseph Smith, was really based on a romance known as Manuscript Found, written by a certain Presbyterian clergyman, as long ago as 1814. This charge is, and always has been, stoutly denied by Mormon writers, and the proof demanded. They, some of them at least, doubtless know why it is the document cannot be produced to substantiate the charge. But it so happens that there are other ways of establishing the fact. There are not, probably, now living, any persons outside of the Mormon connection, who are in possession of the secret, as to where, and when, and how it was effected, and by whom; but that the Spalding work did got into the hands of Smith and his co-laborers in deception, and was made the basis of the miserable structure known as the Book of Mormon, is THE SPALDING ROMANCE. 409 now as clear as human testimony can make it, The history of that romance is a curious one; and the proofs of its being the ground work on which the Mormon fraud was built, are so many and so various, that we shall be pardoned for devoting so much space to their consideration. The reader will remember that the Smith family resided, from 1825 to 1830, during the incubation period of the fraud, at the village of Palmyra, New York, and at Manchester, near by. The Book of Mormon was printed in 1829-30, at Palmyra, and published to the world in the last named year. About the time of its publication a church was formed, and soon afterwards it was decided to emigrate to, and settle and build a Zion in, North-eastern Ohio, At this place, Kirtland, a large settlement was made, a temple begun, and many converts made. Among these converts, was a certain Dr. Philastus Hurlbut. This doctor soon quarreled with the leaders, and was expelled or withdrew from the church; and going to Painesville, induced Mr. E. D. Howe, of the Painesville Telegraph, to get up an expose of Mormonism. This was in 1833 or '34, and the book was published in 1834, only four years after the Book of Mormon had been printed. When the Book of Mormon appeared in Ohio, during the year of its publication or year after, some 410 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. of the old residents in the region recognized in it an old acquaintance. This old acquaintance was a manuscript work written by Rev. Solomon Spalding, who, sixteen years before, had resided at Conneaut Creek, in the vicinity -- a book which he had denominated The Manuscript Found. Mr. Spalding was a retired clergyman, poor and in debt, and in bad health. He had become interested in some mounds in the vicinity, and his thoughts dwelt much upon the pre-historic inhabitants of this country; so much so, that he resolved to write a pretended history of such a people, and in "Scripture style." It cannot be denied that the Reverend gentleman, though honest and well-meaning, was something of a "crank," and possessed of an ill-balanced mind. While his romance was in progress, he took frequent occasion to read portions of it to his neighbors and friends; and by reason of its peculiarity of style, and the names he introduced, as well as the incidents narrated, it made an impression on their memories. This manuscript, with some others, was written in 1812 to 1814. In the latter year he removed to Pittsburgh, and thence to Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1816. Such was the reception of the Book of Mormon in the vicinity of Spalding's old home, when it first made its appearance among them. THE SPALDING ROMANCE. 411 Aware of this charge of plagiarism Mr. Howe dispatched Dr. Hurlbut to Massachusetts, where the widow Spalding (then Mrs. Davison, having remarried), resided, for the purpose of procuring the Manuscript Found, with which to confront Mormonism. He also went among Spalding's old neighbors at Conneaut, and brought to Mr. Howe a large number of testimonials from them; and he likewise visited the region around Palmyra, Smith's former residence, and procured much testimony showing the character of the Smith family, and the folly and falsity of the prophet's pretensions. In due time, Howe's Mormonism Unveiled -- (Hurlbut's name not appearing on its title page); was issued; but it contained no citations from the Manuscript Found. A copy of this work -- a later edition, printed in 1840, with its title changed to History of Mormonism -- now lies before us. We copy below what its author says about Spalding's romance, which will explain why no extracts were made from it: "But our inquiries did not terminate here. Our next object was to ascertain, if possible, the disposition Spalding made of his manuscripts. For this purpose a messenger was dispatched to look up the widow of Spalding, who was found residing in Massachusetts. From her we learned that Spalding resided in Pittsburgh about two years, when be removed to Amity, Washington County, Pa., where he lived about two years, and died in 1816. 412 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. His widow then removed to Onondaga, County, N. Y., married again, and lived in Otsego County, and subsequently removed to Massachusetts. She states that Spalding had a great variety of manuscripts, and recollects that one was entitled the Manuscript Found, but of its contents she has now no distinct knowledge. While they lived in Pittsburgh, she thinks it was once taken to the printing office of Patterson & Lambdin; but whether it was ever brought back to the house again, she is quite uncertain; if it was, however, it was then with his other writings, in a trunk which she had left in Otsego County, N. Y. This is all the information that could be obtained from her, except that Mr. Spalding while living, entertained a strong antipathy to the Masonic Institution, which may account for its being so frequently mentioned in the Book of Mormon. The fact also, that Spalding, in the latter part of his life, inclined to infidelity, is established by a letter in his hand-writing, now in our possession. *__________ * The reader will have occasion to remember this letter hereafter, as establishing an important point in this history. † The reader will have occasion to refer to this description, given by Howe in 1834, when perusing what follows in a chapter further on. THE SPALDING ROMANCE. 413 shown to several of the foregoing witnesses, who recognize it as Spalding's, he having told them that he had altered his first plan of writing, by going further back with dates, and writing in the old scripture style, in order that it might appear more ancient. They say that it bears no resemblance to the Manuscript Found." -- Howe's History of Mormonism, p. 287. The reader will have need to remember the foregoing description of the MS. brought to Mr. Howe by Hurlbut. It was evidently not the work sought for, and, of course, could not be used, and, as Spalding's friends stated, bore no resemblance to the Manuscript Found. Hurlbut has frequently stated that the MS. was obtained from the Spalding family under a promise to return it. The reason this was not done, has never been satisfactorily explained by him or Howe. That it was not so returned is to be regretted; as its return to the family might have been the means of turning their attention to the other, which had disappeared, and led to its recovery, or some more positive knowledge concerning it, than is now attainable. The surviving members of the Spalding family have always blamed Hurlbut (not knowing anything of Howe until latterly) for refusing or neglecting to return the MS., or to respond when addressed. Both of these gentlemen have frequently been addressed on the subject, and their explanation 414 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. sought, by writers on Mormonism; and it cannot be denied that their explanations are somewhat contradictory and unsatisfactory. Some of these later replies we quote. In one instance, Dr. Hurlbut says, under date of May 7, 1881: "I never had it (Manuscript Found) in my possession. I had some of his writings, but nothing pertaining to Mormonism." To Mrs. Ellen E. Dickinson, a friend and relative of the Spaldings, he made a sworn statement of similar purport. (See Scribner's Magazine, October, 1881.) But she states that he subsequently admitted to her, that he just peeped into the MS. and saw the names of "Moroni," "Mormon," "Nephi," and "Lamanite." Here is some error, certainly, of fact or memory; for the MS. he brought to Howe contained no one of those names, as will be shown hereafter; and of all Spalding's writings, they are to be found only in the Manuscript Found, and this the doctor says he never had. Another statement of his we give in his own words, in a letter to an inquirer:
THE SPALDING ROMANCE. 415 from Mrs. Davison, was Spalding's Manuscript Found, as I never read it; but, whatever it was, Mr. Howe received it under the condition on which I took it from Mrs. Davison -- to compare it with the Book of Mormon, and then return it to her. I have never received any other MS. of Spalding's from Mrs. Davison or any one else. Of that manuscript I made no other use, than to give it, with all my other documents connected with Mormonism, to Mr. Howe. I did not destroy the MS. or dispose of it to Joe Smith, or any other person. No promise was made by me to Mrs. Davison that she should receive any portion of profits arising from the publication of the manuscript, if it should be published. All the affidavits procured by me for Mr. Howe's book, including all those from. Palmyra, N. Y., were certainly genuine. The latter portion of the foregoing has reference to suspicions that had been hinted at, that Hurlbut had really obtained the Manuscript Found, and instead of delivering it to Howe, had sold it to the Mormon prophet. There did seem to be ground for suspicion against one or both of these men. They failed to return the work as promised, or to give satisfaction concerning it; and their disagreeing statements as to how and of whom it was obtained, led the Spaldings and the public to doubt their integrity. It is extremely remarkable, too, that Dr. Hurlbut should go all the way to Massachusetts, in order to obtain a certain manuscript, that was expected to be the most important thing of all, in the proposed publication, and return without knowing 416 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. whether the thing obtained was what was wanted. A slight reading of half-a-dozen pages, or even of its title page, would have shown him whether it was the "confounding of language" contained in the Book of Mormon. In a late letter to the writer of these pages, Mr. Howe says: "I know the descendants of Spalding are making a great blow about that old MS.; but I am as well satisfied now as I was then, that Hurlbut never had any thing at all similar to what was called the Manuscript Found. All he got of Spalding's was fully described in my book, and was in my possession for several years, and I suppose was destroyed by fire."What the Spaldings say of the matter is reserved for another chapter. |
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SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS.
417
THE first publication in reference to the Spalding Romance, made by any of the family, was in 1839. It was written for the Boston Recorder, and published in that paper -- purporting to emanate from Mrs. Matilda Davison, the widow of Rev. Solomon Spalding. As an important link in the chain of evidence, we give it entire: MRS. (SPALDING) DAVISON'S STATEMENT. "Learning recently that Mormonism had found its way into a Church in Massachusetts, and has impregnated some of its members with its gross delusions, so that excommunication has been necessary, I am determined to delay no longer doing what I can to strip the mask from this monster of sin, and to lay open this pit of abominations. Rev. Solomon Spalding, to whom I was united in marriage in early life, was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and was distinguished for a lively imagination, and a great fondness for history. At the time of our marriage he resided in Cherry Valley, N. Y. From this place we removed to New Salem, Ashtabula County -- Ohio; sometimes called Conneaut, as it is situated upon Conneaut Creek. Shortly 418 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. after our removal to this place, his health sunk, and he was laid aside from active labors. In the town of New Salem there were numerous mounds and forts supposed by many to be the dilapidated dwellings and fortifications of a race now extinct. These ancient relics arrest the attention of the new settlers, and become objects of research for the curious. Numerous implements were found, and other articles evincing great skill in the arts. Mr. Spalding being an educated man, and passionately fond of history, took a lively interest in these developments of antiquity; and in order to beguile the hours of retirement and furnish employment for his lively imagination, conceived the idea of giving an historical sketch of this long lost race. Their extreme antiquity would of course lead him to write in the most ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 419 Spalding had a brother, Mr. John Spalding, residing in the place at the time, who was perfectly familiar with the work, and repeatedly heard the whole of it read. From New Salem we removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. Here Mr. Spalding found an acquaintance and friend in the person of Mr. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, who was very much pleased with it, and borrowed it for perusal. He retained it for a long time, and informed Mr. S. that if he would make out a title page and preface, he would publish it, and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. S. refused to do for reasons which I cannot now state. 420 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. Spalding, in which they had all been so deeply interested years before. Mr. John Spalding was present, who is an eminently pious man, and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. He was amazed and afflicted, that it should have been perverted to so wicked a purpose. His grief found vent in a flood of tears, and he expressed in the meeting his deep sorrow and regret that the writings of his sainted brother should be used for a purpose so vile and shocking. SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 421 The foregoing was accompanied by a certificate of good character, etc., from Rev. A. Ely, D. D., Pastor of the Congregational Church, and D. R. Austin, Principal of Monson Academy, Monson, Mass., under date of April 1, 1839. The Mormons met this by a statement, that, on being interviewed two or three years later, Mrs. Davison denied having written such a letter; stating that it was the work of Professor Austin himself, after a conversation with her on the subject; though she affirmed that what was written "was in the main true." -- Times and Seasons, vol. i. p. 47. This statement of Mrs. Davison's was made five years after the interview with Dr. Hurlbut, and but nine years after the events she mentions as occurring at New Salem. While portions of her story are based upon her own knowledge, other portions depend, of course, upon the statements of others. It is just such a narrative as a wife might be expected to make, who retained a reverence and affection for a deceased husband and a partiality for his writings. Some of her statements may have been, however, founded in error, as they are not all borne out by subsequent developments. The Mormons contradict her statement, concerning the "woman preacher" reading from the Book of Mormon in a public meeting, by the declaration that they never had a woman preacher among them. True; but 422 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. she does not say it was a Mormon preacher. New Salem is in the midst of Quaker settlements, and they have women preachers among them; and it may have been one of these, who in the meeting, was exposing the wickedness of the fraud. In corroboration of Mrs. Davison's statements, Mrs. Ellen E. Dickinson, a relative of the Spalding family, published in Scribner's Magazine for August, 1880, a paper on the Book of Mormon, which is reproduced below:
SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 423 of them was a thousand years old. He set some of his men to work digging into one of these mounds, and I vividly remember how excited he became when he heard that they had exhumed some human bones, portions of gigantic skeletons, and various relics. He talked with my mother of these discoveries in the mound, and was writing every day as the work progressed. Afterward he read the manuscript which I had seen him writing, to the neighbors, and to a clergyman, a friend of his who came to see him. Some of the names that he mentioned while reading to these people I have never forgotten. They are as fresh to me to-day as though I heard them yesterday. They were 'Mormon,' 'Maroni,' 'Lamenite,' 'Nephi.' 424 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. read it, but looked through it and had it in my hands many times, and saw the names I had heard at Conneaut, when my father read it to his friends. I was about eleven years of age at this time. SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 425 requested her to loan this manuscript to Hurlburt, as he (my uncle) was desirous to 'uproot' (as he expressed it) 'this Mormon fraud.' Hurlburt represented that he had been a convert to Mormonism, but had given it up, and through the Manuscript Found, wished to expose its wickedness. My mother was careful to have me with her in all the conversations she had with Hurlburt, who spent a day at my house. She did not like his appearance and mistrusted his motives, but having great respect for her brother's wishes and opinions, she reluctantly consented to his request. The old trunk, containing the desired Manuscript Found, she had placed in the care of Mr. Jerome Clark of Hartwicks, when she came to Monson, intending to send for it. On the repeated promise of Hurlburt to return the manuscript to us, she gave him a letter to Mr. Clark to open the trunk and deliver it to him. We afterwards heard that he had received it from Mr. Clark, at Hartwicks, but from that time we have never had it in our possession, and I have no present knowledge of its existence, Hurlburt never returning it or answering letters requesting him to do so. Two years ago, I heard he was still living in Ohio, and with my consent he was asked for the Manuscript Found. He made no response although we have evidence that he received the letter containing the request. So far I have stated facts within my own knowledge. My mother mentioned many other circumstances to me in connection with this subject which are interesting, of my father's literary tastes, his fine education and peculiar temperament. She stated to me that she had heard the manuscript alluded to read by my father, was familiar with its contents, and she deeply regretted that her husband, as she believed, had innocently been the means of furnishing matter for a religious delusion. She said that my father loaned this Manuscript Found 426 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. to Mr. Patterson, of Pittsburg, and that when he returned it to my father, he said: 'Polish it up, finish it, and you will make money out of it.' My mother confirmed my remembrances of my father's fondness for history, and told me of his frequent conversations regarding a theory which he had of a prehistoric race which had inhabited this continent, etc., all showing that his mind dwelt on this subject. The Manuscript Found, she said, was a romance written in Biblical style, and that while she heard it read, she had no special admiration for it more than other romances he wrote and read to her. We never, either of us, ever saw, or in any way communicated with the Mormons, save Hurlburt, as above described; and while we have no personal knowledge that the Mormon Bible was taken from the Manuscript Found, there were many evidences to us that it was, and that Hurlburt and the others at the time thought so. A convincing proof to us of this belief was that my uncle, William H. Sabine, had undoubtedly read the manuscript while it was in his house, and his faith that its production would show to the world that the Mormon Bible had been taken from it, or was the same with slight alterations. I have frequently answered questions which have been asked by different persons regarding the Manuscript Found, but until now have never made a statement at length for publication.This statement by Mrs. McKinstry was communicated to the Salt Lake Deseret News, in December, SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 427 1880, in a letter of which the following is a copy:
428 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. Hurlburt's book is still extant in many libraries, and doubtless a copy may he found in Salt Lake City. In A.D. 1834, I was 17 years old, and well remember Dr. Hurlburt from the time he first came to Kirtland and was fully acquainted with him till after his book was published. SPALDING FAMILY. STATEMENTS. 429 affidavits from persons who claimed to have heard Solomon Spaulding read his Manuscript Found in 1812, and believed as well as they could remember that the matter and story was the same as printed in the Book of Mormon. And these were published in his book of Mormonism Exposed, in that or the subsequent year, but not a sentence from the Manuscript Found, which it appears by the above that he did really obtain, but finding no similarity between the two, suppressed the Spaulding manuscript, while he publicly announced in his book that he had entirely failed to obtain it. Hurlburt proved himself to be a man of gross immorality, untruthful and unreliable. And to Mr. Johnson's communication the Salt Lake editor adds the following comment: "The affidavit of Mrs. McKinstry is valuable because it establishes several points. First, that Spaulding's manuscript was but a small affair compared with the book that is said to have been written from it -- it was but an inch thick of written, not printed, matter. Second, that it was only out of the author's hands a short time, and that as far back as 1812. Third, that afterwards it was in Mrs. Spaulding's possession until Hurlburt obtained it, and therefore could not have been used by Joseph Smith. Fourth, that Hurlburt never produced 430 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. it, which he would have done if there had been any similarity between it and the Book of Mormon. Fifth, that the supposed identity of a few names in the two works depends on the memory of an old lady of 74, of what took place when she was six years old.It will be observed that there is a disagreement between the statements made by the Spaldings, and those made by Howe and Hurlbut. We are inclined to the opinion that the former were mistaken, and that the facts, as related by the latter, are substantially correct. Recent developments go to show this. Though whether Hurlbut did or did not obtain the Manuscript Found, and bring it to Ohio, has but little bearing on the main question -- which the next chapter will show. |
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THE SPALDING WITNESSES.
431
HOWE'S book, Mormonism Unveiled, is the work referred to by Johnson. Hurlbut had, in addition to his labor of procuring Spalding's manuscript, also gone among his old friends and neighbors about Conneaut, and procured a number of testimonials from them. These were published in Howe's book. As they relate to the main features of the controversy, and as that valuable work is long since out of print, there can be no apology needed for their introduction here. It will be remembered that they were obtained in 1833, about seventeen years after Solomon Spalding's death, three years only after the publication of the Book of Mormon, and about twenty years after Manuscript Found had been written. The brother of Solomon Spalding, says, after detailing incidents of his brother's youth, etc.: "... In a few years he failed in business, and in the year 1809 removed to Conneaut, in 432 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. Ohio. The year following, I removed to Ohio, and found him engaged in building a forge. I made him a visit in about three years after; and found that he had failed, and considerably involved in debt. He then told me had he been writing a book, which he intended to have printed, the avails of which he thought would enable him to pay all his debts. The book was entitled the Manuscript Found, of which he read to me many passages. It was an historical romance of the first settlers of America, endeavoring to show that the American Indians are the descendants of the Jews, or the lost tribes. It gave a detailed account of their journey from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till they arrived in America, under the command of NEPHI and LEHI. They afterwards had quarrels and contentions, and separated into two distinct nations, one of which he denominated Nephites and the other Lamanites. Cruel and bloody wars ensued, in which great multitudes were slain. They buried their dead in large heaps, which caused the mounds so common in this country. Their arts, sciences and civilization were brought into view, in order to account for all the curious antiquities, found in various parts of North and South America. I have recently read the Book of Mormon, and to my great surprize I find nearly the same historical matter, names, &c. as they were in my brother's writings. I well remember that he wrote in the old style, and commenced about every sentence with 'and it came to pass,' or 'now it came to pass,' the same as in the Book of Mormon, and according to the best of my recollection and belief, it is the same as my brother Solomon wrote, with the exception of the religious matter. By what means it has fallen into the hands of Joseph Smith, Jr., I am unable to determine. THE SPALDING WITNESSES. 433 The wife of John Spalding, says: "I was personally acquainted with Solomon Spalding, about twenty years ago. I was at his house a short time before he left Conneaut; he was then writing a historical novel founded upon the first settlers of America. He represented them as an enlightened and war-like people. He had for many years contended that the aborigines of America were the descendants of some of the lost tribes of Israel, and this idea he carried out in the book in question. The lapse of time which has intervened, prevents my recollecting but few of the leading incidents of his writings; but the names of Nephi and Lehi are yet fresh in my memory, as being the principal heroes of his tale. They were officers of the company which first came off from Jerusalem. He gave a particular account of their journey by land and sea, till they arrived in America, after which, disputes arose between the chiefs, which caused them to separate into different bands, one of which was called Lamanites and the other Nephites. Between these were recounted tremendous battles, which frequently covered the ground with the slain; and their being buried in large heaps was the cause of the numerous mounds in the country. Some of these people he represented as being very large. I have read the Book of Mormon, which has brought fresh to my recollection the writings of Solomon Spalding; and I have no manner of doubt that the historical part of it is the same that I read and heard read, more than twenty years ago. The old, obsolete style, and the phrases of 'and it came to pass,' &c. are the same. 434 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA.
THE SPALDING WITNESSES. 435 Found. Since that, I have more fully examined the said Golden Bible, and have no hesitation in saying that the historical part of it is principally, if not wholly taken from the Manuscript Found. I well recollect telling Mr. Spalding, that the so frequent use of the words 'And it came to pass,' 'Now it came to pass,' rendered it ridiculous. Spalding left here in 1812, and I furnished him the means to carry him to Pittsburgh, where he said he would get the book printed, and pay me. But I never heard any more from him or his writings, till I saw them in the Book of Mormon.
JOHN N. MILLER.
436 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. din of his creditors, finish his book and have it published, which would enable him to pay his debts and support his family. He soon after removed to Pittsburgh, as I understood.
AARON WRIGHT'S STATEMENT.
THE SPALDING WITNESSES. 437 read from the writings of Spalding, more than twenty years ago; the names more especially are the same without any alteration. He told me his object was to account for all the fortifications, etc., to be found in this country, and said that in time it would be fully believed by all, except learned men and historians. I once anticipated reading his writings in print, but little expected to see them in a new Bible. Spalding had many other manuscripts, which I expect to see when Smith translates his other plates. In conclusion, I will observe, that the names of, and most of the historical part of the Book of Mormon, were as familiar to me before I read it, as most modern history. If it is not Spalding's writing, it is the same as he wrote; and if Smith was inspired, I think it was by the same spirit that Spalding was, which he confessed to be the love of money.
OLIVER SMITH.
438 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. characters, when they first started for America. Their main object was to escape the judgments which they supposed were coming upon the old world. But no religious matter was introduced, as I now recollect. Just before he left this place, Spalding sent for me to call on him, which I did. He then said, that although he was in my debt, he intended to leave the country, and hoped I would not prevent him, for, says he, you know I have been writing the history of the first settlement of America, and I intend to go to Pittsburgh, and there live a retired life, till I have completed the work, and when it is printed, it will bring me a fine sum of money, which will enable me to return and pay off all my debts -- the book, you know will sell, as every one is anxious to learn something upon that subject. This was the last I heard of Spalding or his book, until the Book of Mormon came into the neighborhood. When I heard the historical part of it related, I at once said it was the writings of old Solomon Spalding. Soon after, I obtained the book, and on reading it, found much of it the same as Spalding had written, more than twenty years before.
NAHUM HOWARD.
"I first became acquainted with Solomon Spalding, in December, 1810. After that time I frequently saw him at his house, and also at my house. I once in conversation with him expressed a surprise at not having any account of the inhabitants once in this country, who erected the old forts, mounds, etc. He then told me that he was writing a history of that race of people; and afterwards frequently showed me his writings, which I THE SPALDING WITNESSES. 439 read. I have lately read the Book of Mormon, and believe it to be the same as Spalding wrote, except the religious part. He told me that he intended to get his writings published in Pittsburgh, and he thought that in one century from that time, it would be believed as much as any other history." Of Perry, Geauga County, also made a statement, as follows: "In the month of October, 1811, I went from the township of Madison to Conneaut, for the purpose of securing a debt due me from Solomon Spalding. I tarried with him nearly two days, for the purpose of accomplishing my object, which I was finally unable to do. I found him destitute of the means of paying his debts. His only hope of ever paying his debts, appeared to be upon the sale of a book, which he had been writing. He endeavored to convince me from the nature and character of the work, that it would meet with a ready sale. Before showing me his manuscripts, he went into a verbal relation of its outlines, saying that it was a fabulous or romantic history of the first settlement of this country, and as it purported to have been a record found buried in the earth, or in a cave, he had adopted the ancient or Scripture style of writing. He then presented his manuscripts, when we sat down and spent a good share of the night in reading them, and conversing upon them. I well remember the name of Nephi, which appeared to be the principal hero of the story. The frequent repetition of the phrase, 'I Nephi,' I recollect as distinctly as though it was but yesterday, although the general features of the story have 440 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. passed from my memory, through the lapse of twenty-two years. He attempted to account for the numerous antiquities which are found upon this continent, and remarked that, after this generation had passed away, his account of the first inhabitants of America would be considered as authentic as any other history. The Mormon Bible I have partially examined, and am fully of the opinion that Solomon Spalding had written its outlines before he left Conneaut. |
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LATER TESTIMONY.
441
THE Cincinnati Gazette recently contained a letter from Mr. M. A, Cooper, of Steubenville, Ohio, under date of December 9, 1881, which that journal prints under the heading of, "The Book of Mormon -- One Man in the United States Who Can Give its Origin!" This letter refers to Mr. Joseph Miller, of Pennsylvania, as this "one man," and gives report of an interview with him. Deeming Mr. Miller's statement concerning Mr. Spalding and his romance to be important, the writer dispatched to him a note of inquiry, and promptly received the following in reply:
442 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. very odd. The words 'Moreover,' 'And it came to pass,' occurred so often that the boys about the village called him 'Old Came to Pass.' He told me he lived in Ohio when he wrote his manuscript. He said he lost his health, and he commenced writing a history of the mounds near where he lived, or of the people who built them. He afterwards removed to Pittsburgh, and kept a little store to support his family, and while there he took his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, then engaged in a publishing house. Mr. Patterson told him if he would write a title page he would publish it. He left the copy and moved to Amity. He afterwards went back to have his MS. published, but it could not be found. He said there was a man named Sidney Rigdon about the office, and they thought he had stolen it. The passage you refer to, on page 148, as Cooper has it, in his reference to being marked with red in their foreheads.Mr. Miller's statement is mainly corroborated by the following paper, communicated to the Washington County (Pa.) Historical Society, by Mr. Abner Jackson, of Canton, Ohio -- forwarded to us under date of March 27, 1882, in the Washington LATER TESTIMONY. 443 Reporter, by Rev. L. Axtell, of Pike Run, in that county. This venerable writer's contribution gives particulars of the life of Spalding not to be found elsewhere,, and confirms most of the material points mentioned by others. Evidently written with care, and with a view to the truth of history, we deem it worthy of a place entire in these pages:
444 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. it to me as soon as convenient. Please inform me if you receive this. I am not anxious for myself at all, but if you can do anything for those entangled by the delusion, it cannot be published too quickly. I hope your Historical Society may prosper and do much good.ABNER JACKSON'S STATEMENT. It is a fact well established that the book called the Book of Mormon, had its origin from a romance that was written by Solomon Spaulding, in Conneaut, a small village in Ashtabula County, Ohio, about A.D. 1812. Spaulding was a highly educated man about six feet high, of rather slender build, with a dark complexion, black eyes, black hair, rather slow of speech, never trifling, pleasant in conversation, but seldom laughing aloud. His deportment was grave and dignified in society, and he was much respected by those of his acquaintance. He was a clergyman of the Presbyterian order, and for a time a settled pastor in the city of New York. So said his brother John Spaulding and others in the neighborhood, who heard him preach. It was said that failing health caused him to resign the pastorate. He then came to Richfield, Otsego County, New York, and started a store, near where my father lived, about the beginning of the present century. "Spaulding contracted for large tracts of land along the shore of Lake Erie, on each side of the State line, in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. My father exchanged with him, the farm on which he lived in Otsego County, New York, for land in Erie County, Pa. where the town of Albion now stands, and moved on it A.D. 1805. It was then a dense forest. Shortly after my father moved, Spaulding sold his store in Richfield, and moved to LATER TESTIMONY. 445 Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and built a forge on Conneaut Creek, two miles from Conneaut Harbor and two miles from the State line. In building this he failed, sold out, and about the beginning of the year 1812, commenced to write his famous romance called by him the Manuscript Found. 446 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. subdivisions under different leaders, but two parties controlled the balance. One of them was called the Righteous, worshipers and servants of God. These organized with prophets, priests, and teachers, for the education of their children, and settled down to cultivate the soil, and to a life of civilization. The others were Idolaters. They contended for a life of idleness; in short, a wild, wicked, savage life. LATER TESTIMONY. 447 The next we heard of them was by report. Spaulding moved to Amity, Washington County, Pa., and soon after died and was buried there. His wife and daughter went to her brother, Lawyer Sabine, Onondaga Valley, Onondaga, Co., N.Y. When I was returning from Clarksburg, W.Va., to my home in New Brighten, Beaver Co., Pa., A. D. 1840, I passed through Amity, hunted the grave of Spaulding and copied from the headstone the following inscription:* 448 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. N. Y., and he would find a gold-leaf Bible. Smith was incredulous and did not go until the second or third time he dreamed the same dream. Then he said he went and, to his surprise, he found the golden Bible, according to his dreams. But it was written in a language so ancient that none could be found able either to read it or tell in what language it was written. Some time after another statement appeared, that an angel had consented to read and interpret it to Joseph Smith, and he should report it to a third person, who should write it in plain English, so that all might read the new Bible and understand its import. Some time after, in 1830, the book was published at Palmyra, N. Y., called a New Revelation: the Book of Mormon. This purports to be a history of the lost tribes of the Children of Israel. It begins with them just where the romance did, and it follows the romance very closely. It is true there are some verbal alterations and additions, enlarging the production somewhat, without changing its main features. The Book of Mormon follows the romance too closely to be a stranger. In both, many having the same name; as Maroni, Mormon, Nephites, Moroni, Lama [sic], Lamanite, Nephe [sic], and others. LATER TESTIMONY. 449 'I will write and hide up the Record in the earth, and whither I go it mattereth not." -- Book of Mormon, page 344, third American edition. How much this resembles the closing scene in the Manuscript Found. The most singular part of the whole matter is that it follows the romance so closely, with this difference: the first claims to be a romance; the second claims to be a revelation of God, a new Bible! When it was brought to Conneaut and read there in public, old Esq. Wright heard it, and exclaimed, '"Old come to pass" has come to life again.' Here was the place where Spaulding wrote and read his manuscript to the neighbors for their amusement and 'Squire Wright had often heard him read from his Romance. This was in 1832, sixteen years after Spaulding's death. This 'Squire Wright lived on a farm just outside of the little village. I was acquainted with him for twenty-five years. I lived on his farm when I was a boy and attended school in the village. I am particular to notice these things to show that I had an opportunity of knowing what I am writing about. 450 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. County, Pa., and shortly after this he died and his wife went to her brother's. His daughter's account of the deceitful method by which Hurlburt gained possession of and retained Spaulding's manuscript, is, I think, important and should not be lost sight of. She was no child then. I think she has done her part well in the vindication of the truth by her unvarnished statement of what she remembered of her father's romance. I have not seen her since she was a little girl, but I have seen both of these productions, heard Spaulding read much of his romance to my father and explain his views and reasons for writing it. I also have seen and read the Book of Mormon, and it follows Spaulding's romance too closely to be anything else than a borrowed production from that romance. I think that, Mrs. McKinstry's statement fills a gap in my account from Spalding's removal to Pittsburgh, to the death of his wife in 1844. I wish, if my statement is published that hers also be published with it, that the truth may be vindicated by the truth beyond any reasonable doubt. The foregoing array of evidence in support of the theory that the Book of Mormon was based on Spalding's romance, is about all that we care to introduce, though more is at hand. And this is what the Salt Lake editor calls a "mere supposition" of some "mysterious connection between the manuscript and Joseph Smith." That there was a mysterious connection is not doubted; indeed, it is directly and very pointedly affirmed by these people. LATER TESTIMONY. 451 What that connection was may yet be shown. These people do not bolster up their story by an array of "angels" and "heavenly messengers," but by plain, honest, common-sense averment; and hence will not be so readily believed by some; but their story will carry conviction to every well-balanced human intellect. But the Salt Lake editor further assures us that there is an additional "God-given testimony" of thousands in support of Smith's claim; which testimony, when interpreted, means simply the mental ability to believe Smith's absurd and impossible story. Just such "God-given testimony" has been marshaled in support of every silly and ridiculous delusion since the world began. Reader, let us bring together the points of the foregoing narrations, and examine their bearing. That Rev. Solomon Spalding did reside at Conneaut, Ohio, between the years 1808 and 1814, is made as clear as human testimony can make it. That while there he wrote several manuscript books, is also fully established. That he died in Pennsylvania in 1816, leaving these manuscripts behind him, cannot be disputed. That one of these manuscripts was entitled Manuscript Found, while the titles of the others were not known, is also clearly established. The Mormons themselves do not deny it. No writer anywhere, or of any class, that we are aware 452 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. of, has ever denied any of these propositions. The facts are palpable and would not be more clearly evident, were the manuscripts themselves brought to light. If, then, Mr. Spalding wrote a work so entitled, it must have been about something -- it must have had some specific characteristics. What were they? All his friends and neighbors agree that he had a lively imagination; that he was much interested in the discoveries that had been made near his residence, indicating the existence of a pre-historic race of people in America; that he thought, talked, and wrote much upon that theme, and read portions of his writings to his neighbors and friends. And now -- no, not now -- but more than fifty years ago, and only seventeen years after his death -- come a number of these neighbors and friends, and say that this book -- this Manuscript Found, the existence of which no one has ever denied -- contained the names of "Nephi," "Lehi," "Moroni," "Laban," "Nephites," "Lamanites," "Zarahemla," and others; that its theme was the history of a supposed race of Jewish emigrants and their descendants in America; that it was ridiculously full of such phrases as "And it came to pass," "I, Nephi," "Lo, and behold," etc.; that it was written in Biblical style, and that it abounded in descriptions of great wars and battles between the LATER TESTIMONY. 453 contending tribes. These statements are made with great unanimity, and no apparent attempt at collusion, by men and women who could have had no object but truth and justice in view. Reader, take up the Book of Mormon -- "Wherefore it is an abridgement of the Record of the People of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites" -- and see if you can find in it any emanations from Rev. Spalding's imaginative mind. See if you can recognize any of the names these friends of his remember so well -- and which were never before found in any other book. See if you can recall any of the themes, the historical allusions, the phrases, they so minutely particularize. In the language of the Salt Lake editor, "What more need be said?" " Lo, and behold," "verily," its title, instead of the "confusion of language" used by Smith, Rigdon, Cowdery & Co., should have read:
"THE MANUSCRIPT FOUND,"
LATER TESTIMONY. 454 It can make little difference, therefore, if it should be never fully ascertained how, or in what manner, or by whom, that Manuscript Found came into those men's hands. The fact stands out boldly, clearly, that it was there; that it was this Spalding romance, or a, fraudulent copy of it, and not golden plates, from which the embryo prophet was pretending to translate during the years 1827-8-9. Whether it came to him through Rigdon's hands, as believed by the Spalding family, or through Cowdery's, or Parley P. Pratt's, is of little consequence, except as to gratify curiosity, and need not, perhaps, be further inquired into. There were five men who bore conspicuous parts in bringing this Book of Mormon, before the public; any one of whom may have obtained the manuscript. Its application and working up was evidently the labor of Sidney Rigdon chiefly. Two of these men, Smith and Harris, may never have been in Northern Ohio, previous to 1827; Cowdery, Pratt, and Rigdon had all been there, in the vicinity of where Spalding had resided. The Spalding family all believed that Rigdon had obtained the MS. and copied it, while it remained in the office of Patterson & Lambdin at Pittsburgh. From Joseph Miller's latest letter it would seem, that even in Rev. Spalding's life-time the impression prevailed that Rigdon had obtained the manuscript. LATER TESTIMONY. 455 The Mormons vehemently deny that Rigdon was ever a printer, or about said Patterson's office. Robert Patterson, Esq., the capable editor of the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner, and son of the Rev. Robert Patterson alluded to, has lately given the subject much attention. In a very lucid and searching paper from his pen, communicated to the Washington County Historical Society, we find the following, bearing on Patterson's possession of the manuscript: "On being applied to in 1842, by Rev. Samuel Williams, who was preparing for publication a pamphlet entitled Mormonism Exposed, Mr. Patterson wrote the following brief certificate, which we copy in full from Mr. Williams' pamphlet: "'R. Patterson had in his employment Silas Engles at the time, a foreman printer, and general superintendent of the printing business. As he (S.E.) was an excellent scholar, as well as a good printer, to him was entrusted the entire concerns of the office. He even decided on the propriety or otherwise of publishing manuscripts when offered, -- as to their morality, scholarship, etc. In this character he informed R. P. that a gentleman from the East originally, had put into his hands a manuscript of a singular work, chiefly in the style of our English translation of the Bible, and handed the copy to R. P., who read only a few pages, and finding nothing apparently exceptionable, he (R. P.) said to Engles he might publish it, if the author furnished the funds or good security. He (the author) failing to comply with the terms, Mr. Engles returned the manuscript, as I supposed at that time, LATER TESTIMONY. 456 after it had been some weeks in his possession with other manuscripts in the office. From Mr. Patterson's pamphlet, we also quote the following" "Rev. John Winter, M. D., was one of the early ministers of the Baptist Church, laboring in Western Pennsylvania, and Eastern Ohio. During a portion of the time when Sidney Rigdon was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Dr. Winter was teaching a school in the same city, and was well acquainted with Rigdon. Upon one occasion during this period, 1822-23, Dr. Winter was in Rigdon's study, when the latter took from his desk a large manuscript and said in substance, 'A Presbyterian minister, Spalding, whose health had failed, brought this to the printer to see if it would pay to publish it. It is a romance of the Bible.' Dr. Winter did not read any part of it, and paid no more attention to it until after the Book of Mormon appeared, when he heard that Mr. Spalding's widow recognized in it the writings of her husband . . . Mrs. Mary W. Irvine, a daughter of Dr. Winter, writes from Sharon, Pa., April 5, 1881, as follows: 'I have frequently heard my father speak of Rigdon having Spalding's MS. and that he had gotten it from the printers to read it as a curiosity; as such he showed it to father; and that at that time Rigdon had no intention of making the use of it that he afterwards did; for father always said Rigdon helped Smith in his scheme by revising and making the Mormon Bible out of Rev. Spaulding's manuscript.'" The foregoing citations would seem conclusive in LATER TESTIMONY. 457 fixing the fraud upon Sidney Rigdon; and notwithstanding his and all other Mormon denials, and the apparent want of agreement among Spalding's friends, we feel sure that an intelligent and discerning public, will forever hold it. And here we let the matter rest. |
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458
THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA.
A STRANGE DISCOVERY -- A SPALDING MS. FOUND IN HONOLULU -- A GOD-SEND TO THE MORMONS -- A FALSE IMPRESSION -- NOT THE "MANUSCRIPT FOUND" -- OF NO HISTORIC VALUE -- MR. PATTERSON'S CLOSING TRIBUTE. AND now comes one of the most remarkable features of this much discussed and remarkable story. A short time ago President Fairchild of Oberlin College, Ohio, was on a visit with friends residing at Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands. While at the home of Mr. L. L. Rice, an American citizen there, he became interested in some documents which had many years before accumulated in the latter's possession, and which had been brought with him from Ohio, his former residence. One of those old and long-neglected manuscripts on examination proved to be one of Rev. Spalding's romances -- to the great astonishment of both those gentlemen. The fact was soon made public here in the States, and was seized upon and heralded to the world by the newspapers, as a discovery of the long lost Manuscript Found of Rev. Solomon Spalding, and the original of the Book of Mormon. The manuscript (after discussion as to the proper disposition AFTER FIFTY YEARS. 459 to be made of it), was deposited by Mr. Rice in the college library at Oberlin. Various extracts from its pages, bearing no resemblance to the matter of the Book of Mormon, have been published; and the conclusion has been quite general that the Spalding story was a fallacy. The Mormons themselves have regarded the discovery as a God-send, and have lost no time in announcing to their readers this marvelous refutation of their enemies' falsehoods. Both the Salt Lake and the Reconstructed branches, it is stated, have procured copies of the work for publication. The former we have not seen; but the latter, issued with much apparent satisfaction, and neatly printed in pamphlet form at Lamoni, Iowa, under authority of the church -- now lies before us. It professes to be a true and exact copy of the original, and certified to as such; yet its very first line is a FALSEHOOD! It entitles the book The Manuscript Found of Solomon Spalding, when no such title is found anywhere on or in the work. The nearest approach to it is the attestation of Dr. Hurlbut on the fly-leaf, as follows: "The writings of Solomon Spalding, as proved by Henry Lake, John N. Miller, Aaron Wright and others.Thus showing conclusively that it is the manuscript 460 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. obtained by the doctor and brought to Howe in 1834. Besides, it can be traced directly from Howe to Rice -- the latter having purchased the Painesville Telegraph a year or two after Howe's book was printed, with the printing office and all its contents. Howe lost track of the manuscript, and supposed it might have been destroyed in a fire in his office, when, in fact, it had been delivered with other waste matter to his successor, and by him, very strangely, instead of being destroyed, carried to Honolulu. That it is the same manuscript is also shown by another circumstance. It will be remembered that Howe, in his book, refers to a letter obtained with the manuscript indicating that Spalding had imbibed "infidel" opinions. Strange enough, that same letter is still with the MS., as found in Honolulu. Again, the contents of this newly-found manuscript, as described by those having access to it, are identical with those ascribed to it by Howe. So that the evidence is clear: "1. That this newly-discovered work is really one of Spalding's romances. "2. That it is the identical one referred to by Howe in his Mormonism Unveiled, and which he received from Hurlbut, and Hurlbut from the Spaldings, in 1833. "3. That it is NOT the romance known as Manuscript Found, and bears no resemblance to it. "4. And consequently -- that it can bring no AFTER FIFTY YEARS. 461 comfort to the Mormons, in disproof of the "Spalding Story." Mr. Patterson, in closing his valuable little book on the subject, thus eloquently refers to Mr. Spalding and his work: "It is scarcely necessary to say that Spalding himself must be acquitted of all intention to deceive, even though four of the hearers of his romance as read by him have attested his singular presentiment -- was it prescience? -- that in after years his romance would be accepted by thousands as veritable history. But even he could not have foreseen that this coinage of his brain would ever pass current as having been enstamped by the authority of heaven. The unconscious prophet of a new Islam, in all his imaginings he did not dream that his hand was outlining the Koran of a dark delusion; that the fables which beguiled his restless hours would be accepted by hundreds of thousands of his fellow-men as the oracles of God; and that in inglorious yet heroic martyrdom some of them would even seal with their blood their faith in the inspiration of his phantasies. Journeying to Pittsburgh in 1812, with the sanguine hope of soon seeing his romance in print, it never entered his mind that in three-score years and ten thereafter, the shades of Laman and Nephi, of Mormon and Moroni, evoked by his magic wand from the sepulchral mounds of Conneaut, -- the graves of a long-forgotten race, -- would be stalking over two hemispheres, and would be leading through the very city of his sojourn their myriad victims of deception to distant homes of wretchedness and shame. Struggling to escape the burden of his debts, he little imagined how vast the burden he was about unwittingly to lay upon his country, 462 THE PROPHET OF PALMYRA. "Sleep on, humble dreamer, in thy lowly bed! Thy fond desire to win a public hearing for thy wondrous story was denied thee in thy toilsome life. Thou knewest not that a strange immortality awaited it and thee. Rest peacefully, for from thine eye, which sought to penetrate the past alone, this saddest of future visions was mercifully withheld. Surely never hitherto have passed such sorrowful processions near the grave of so innocent an author of their woe." With this we conclude the review of the senseless gold-laden story. No one really believes it. Even its originators, its eleven witnesses, and their immediate followers, had no abiding faith in it, else Cumorah Hill would ere this have been prospected from base to crown, in search of those other precious relics said to have been hid away by the angel. Yet its influence has been far-reaching. It has continued to grow, agitating and disturbing every community into which it has made its way, until it now curses half a continent. But it is on the wane; and ere the twentieth century ends, the Story of the Golden Message will have faded from men's memories. continue reading on: p. 463 |
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