President Buchanan had not only not investigated the charges against the Saints before sending his army to Utah but he had not even told Governor Young that he was being relieved of his office as governor. Thus when Brigham was notified that the army had entered Utah Territory, he sent a message to “The Officer now commanding the forces invading Utah Territory.” Noting he had not been relieved as governor of the territory, he enclosed his proclamation forbidding all armed forces from entering Utah and ordering the invaders to retire out of it. If they could not do this before spring they must turn over their arms to the territorial quartermaster. He just wanted to be on record for demonstrating proper authority.
Coakley, p. 203.
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