FOUNDING OF NAUVOO. 141
called Commerce, where were some twenty liotises. This was purchased by the saints, with the lands sur- rounding, and a town laid out which was named Nauvoo, "from the Hebrew, which signifies fair, very beautiful, and it actually fills the definition of the word; for nature has not formed a parallel on the banks of the Mississippi from New Orleans to Ga- lena." The post-oflfice there was first called Com- merce, after the Mormons had purchased the village, but the name was changed to that of Nauvoo in May, 1840.*^ The place was started by a company from New York, but it was so sickly that when the agent for the Mormons came they were glad to sell. The Mormons drained it and made the place comparatively healthy. On his escape from prison. Smith visited Commerce among other places, and seeing at once the advan- tages of its site, determined to establish there the headquarters of the church. For so great had his power now become, so extensive his following, that he might choose any spot whereon to call into existence a city, had but to point his finger and say the word to transform a wilderness into a garden. During the winter of 1840 the church leaders applied to the leg- islature of Illinois for several charters, one for the city of Nauvoo, one for agricultural and manufactur- ing purposes, one for a university, and one for a mili- tary body called the Nauvoo Legion. The privileges asked were very extensive, but were readily granted; for the two great political parties were pretty equal in numbers in Illinois at this time, and the leaders of the party in office, perceiving what a political power these people were, determined to secure them.
- ^ ' Nauvoo was one of the names of one of the numerous petty chiefs in
British India.' Ferris' The Mor., 97. 'Nauvoo is a Hebrew word, and sig- nifies a beautiful habitation for man, carrying with it the idea of rest; it is not, however, considered by the Mormons their final home, but a resting place only; for they only intend to remain there until they have gathered force sufficient to enable them to conquer Independence in Jackson co., Mis- souri, which is one of the most fertile, pleasant, and desirable countries on the face of the earth, possessing a soil unsurpassed in any region. Indepen- dence they consider their Zion, and there they intend to rear their great tem- ple, the comer-stone of which is already laid. There is to be the great gath-
