ecuniary transactions of the Mormons since they have
been in Illinois, Smith still uses his power for his own benefit. His
present arrangements are to purchase land at a low rate, lay it off into
town lots, which he sells to his followers at a high price; thus lots
that scarcely cost him a dollar, are frequently sold for a thousand. He
has raised several towns in this manner, both in Illinois and in Ioway.

During the last year, he has made two proclamations to his followers
abroad, to come and settle in the county of Hancock. These
proclamations have been obeyed to a great extent, and, strange to say,
hundreds have been flocking in from the great manufacturing cities of
England. What is to be the result of all this, it is impossible to
tell; but one thing is certain, that, in a political point of view, the
Mormons are already powerful, and that the object of Smith is evidently
to collect all his followers into one focus, and thus concentrate all
his power and wealth.

The designs of Smith and his coadjutors, at the time of the first
publication of the Book of Mormon, was, doubtlessly, nothing more than
pecuniary aggrandisement. We do not believe they expected at that time
that so many could ever be duped to be converted; when, however, the
delusion began to spread, the publishers saw the door opened not only
for wealth, but also for extensive power, and their history throughout
shews that they have not been remiss in their efforts to acquire both.
The extent of their desires is now by no means limited, for their
writings and actions shew a design to pursue the same path, and attain
the same end by the same means, as did Mahomet. The idea of a second
Mahomet arising in the nineteenth century may excite a smile, but when
we consider the steps now taken by the Mormons to concentrate their
numbers, and their ultimate design to unite themselves with the Indians,
it will not be at all surprising, if scenes unheard of since the days of
feudalism should soon be re-enacted.

I will here submit to my readers a letter directed to Mr Courtenay in
1842 by a superior officer of the United States artillery.

"Yesterday (July the 10th) was a great day among the Mormons; their
legion, to the number of three thousand men, was reviewed by Generals
Smith, Bennet, and others, and certainly made a very noble and
imposing appearance; the evolutions of the troops commanded by Joe
would do honour to any body of regular soldi