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Show CHAP. V. "LEMUEL."-SLAVERY. 243 been sent; and they naturally grudge discomfort, hardship, and expatriation, whose only effect has been to benefit their enemies. After the few first words of greeting, I interpreted the Prophet's look to mean that he would not dislike to know my object in the City of the Saints. I told him that, having read and heard much about Utah as it is said to be, I was anxious to see Utah as it is. He then entered briefly upon the subjects of stock and agriculture, and described the several varieties of soil. One delicate topic was touched upon: he alluded to the " Indian wars," as they are here called: he declared that when twenty are reported killed and wounded, that two or three would be nearer the -truth, and that he could do more with a few pounds of flour and yards of cloth than all the sabres of the camp could effect. The sentiment was cordially seconded by all present. The Israelitic origin of "Lemuel," and perhaps the prophecy that " many generations shall not pass away among them save they shall be a white and delightsome people,"* though untenable as an ethnologic theory, has in practice worked at least this much of good, that the Mormons treat their step-brethren with far more humanity than other Western men: they feed, clothe, and lodge them, and attach them by good works to their interests. Slavery has been legalized in Utah, but solely for the purpose of inducing the Saints to buy , children, who otherwise would be abandoned or destroyed by their starving parents.f During my stay in the city I did not see more * Second Book of Nephi, chap, xii., par. 12. Lemuel was the brother of Nephi; and the word is used by autonomasia for the Lamanites or Indians. t The wording of the following act shows the spirit in which slavery was proposed : A PREAMBLE AND AN ACT TOE THE FARTHER RELIEF OF INDIAN SLAVES AND PRISONERS. "Whereas, by reason of the acquisition of Upper California and New Mexico, and the subsequent organization of the Territorial Governments of New Mexico and Utah by the acts of the Congress of the United States, these territories have organized governments within and upon what would otherwise be considered Indian territory, and which really is Indian territory so far as the right of soil is involved, thereby presenting the novel feature of a white legalized government on Indian lands; and " Whereas the laws of the United States in relation to intercourse with Indians are designed for, and only applicable to, territories and countries under the sole and •exclusive jurisdiction of the United States; and " Whereas, from time immemorial, the practice of purchasing Indian women and children of the Utah tribe of Indians by Mexican traders has been indulged in and carried on by those respective people until the Indians consider it an allowable traffic, and frequently offer their prisoners or children for sale; and " Whereas it is a common practice among these Indians to gamble away their own children and women; and it is a well-established fact that women and children thus obtained, or obtained by war, or theft, or in any other manner, are by them frequently carried from place to place, packed upon horses or mules, larieted out to subsist upon grass, roots, or starve, and are frequently bound with thongs made of raw-hide until their hands and feet become swollen, mutilated, inflamed with pain, and wounded ; and when with suffering, cold, hunger, and abuse they fall sick, so as to become troublesome, are frequently slain by their masters to get rid of them; and "Whereas they do frequently kill their women and children taken prisoners, either in revenge, or for amusement, or through the influence of tradition, unless they |
