Governor Spencer J. Cox,

We, as a coalition of people residing in or impacted by Utah history and politics, are writing in concern of the Special Order number 1 and 2, instituted on January 31, 1850, by Daniel H. Wells, who at the time was the Attorney General of the State of Deseret. In 1866, he was elected as the mayor of Salt Lake City. These orders call for the extermination of the Indigenous people of this land in which we currently reside. The orders read as follows:

“You are herby ordered to raise forthwith a company of 50 efficient men; and see they are provided with horses, arms, and ammunition and rations sufficient for twenty days, and proceed with said company to Fort Utah in Utah valley with as little delay as possible, There to Co-operate with the inhabitants of said Valley, in quelling and staying the operations of all hostile Indians and otherwise act, as the circumstances may require, exterminating such as do not separate themselves from their hostile plans, and sue for peace.”

It should be noted, two letters went out making the total number of troops from Salt Lake City 100, in addition to the men at Fort Utah, making the total force around 170 men who fought against the Timpanogos village. 

Descendants of the Timpanogos People of Utah Valley have previously requested its rescission and we stand with them in this first step towards repair. They are due an acknowledgement, apology and a statement that we no longer uphold this order as a state. This is a small but significant gesture for a people denied recognition, land, and even the right to live.

We request a public reading of the below statement and to have it documented in public records. 

WHEREAS, on January 31, 1850, the Attorney General of the State of Deseret, Daniel H. Wells, signed an order calling for the extermination or expulsion of the Indigenous people from the Utah Valley; and
WHEREAS, Daniel H. Wells' order was inhumane and detrimental to the human rights of the Indigenous people of this land 
Now, THEREFORE, I, Spencer Cox, Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Utah, do hereby order as follows:
Expressing on behalf of all Indigenous people in Utah our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering which was caused by the 1850 order, I hereby rescind Special Orders Number 1 and 2, dated January 31, 1850, issued by Attorney General Daniel H. Wells.
In witness I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the great seal of the State of Utah, in the city of Salt Lake, on this day (of public reading).
(Signed) Spencer Cox, Governor.
This proclamation/ declaration shall negate or make null any previous statements or orders made previously to the contrary.

Signed,
Your constituents, those connected to Utah Valley and all those who stand in solidarity,

*If you are not a Utah Resident, please comment on your connection or reason for supporting this petition. Thank you.

**A note of context: OutLoud BookClub has been meeting since January 2025. In September 2025 we spoke with Cheif Executive Mary Murdock Meyer to see what support the Timpanogos People needed at this time. She said they have been trying to get the extermination orders removed. In response to this ask, OutLoud BookClub decided to launch this petition. While these special orders were specifically targeted to clear out Utah Valley, these extermination orders are all connected to the same forces that oppress us all today. This should be something everyone should stand behind in solidarity. Thank you for your support and please share widely.

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