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Primary sourceDocument6 April 1858

Proclamation on the Utah Territory Rebellion

James Buchanan · 6 April 1858

Buchanan's 1858 proclamation declaring Utah Territory in rebellion and offering pardon to the Mormon settlers, documenting his handling of the Utah War.

Buchanan personally signed this proclamation as president, documenting his direct handling of the Utah War.

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Handwritten manuscript proclamation signed 'By James Buchanan, President of the United States of America: A Proclamation', beginning 'Whereas, the Territory of Utah was settled by certain emigrants...'. A pink ribbon runs down the left edge. Faint pencil note at top right reads 'Proclamation 6th April 1858'.
James Buchanan, Proclamation on the Utah Territory, 6 April 1858.

About this source

What it is

This is a handwritten proclamation signed by President James Buchanan, dated April 1858, declaring the Utah Territory in a state of rebellion and offering a pardon to its settlers. It relates to the Utah War (1857–1858), an armed standoff between federal troops and Mormon settlers.

Why it matters

The Utah War was widely viewed as a failure of Buchanan's leadership, later nicknamed "Buchanan's Blunder." Although no major battles occurred between the two sides, the conflict's tensions contributed to violent events, including the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The eventual pardon ended the standoff, but the episode damaged Buchanan's reputation and foreshadowed the greater crisis of the Civil War.

Look closer

  • Why might a president choose pardon rather than punishment to end a conflict?
  • What does the formal, legal language of a proclamation reveal about how such decisions were presented to the public?
  • What does this document leave out about the human cost of the Utah War?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Buchanan on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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