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LETTER FROM EDWARD PARTRIDGE

[19] November 1833

Letter, Edward Partridge, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri to JS, Kirtland, Ohio, [19] Nov 1833, RC, JS Collection, Church History Library.

Liberty Clay Co, Mo, [19] Nov. 1833

Beloved Brother Joseph

I set myself down this evening to write you a few lines, I shall not attempt to give you a full history of what has happened unto us within a few days <past,> for I suppose that br. [William W.] Phelps has given you the particulars, simply <Suffice it to> say that br. [John] Corrill & myself are now living within 3 miles of Liberty Clay Co. & about 10 from Independence most of our brn. have left Jackson Co, many have come to this Co, Some have gone south & some east. When it was concluded that we would go, there appeared to be a spirit almost universal for leaving the land forthwith, our move has been speedy & we have had many inconveniences to encounter, yet the Lord for the most part as yet has given us very favorable weather, many are living as yet in tents & shanties not being able to procure houses, <as yet.> We are in hopes that we shall be able to return to our houses & lands before a great while but how this is to be accomplished is all in the dark to us as yet, br. Parley [Pratt] has prophesied that we shall be enabled to return to our houses by the first of next Jany & enjoy the fruit of our labor & none to molest or make afraid, he says he was constrained to prophesy & if he ever spoke by the spirit of God he then did & if it does not come to pass we may call him a false prophet. the next night after this prophecy was delivered from 1 or 2 oclock till day light <on the morning of the 13th Nov.> there appeared an extraordinary ph[enomenon] the heavens were literally filled with meteors or shooting stars as they are called, I was encamped on the N. side of Missouri opposite Independence & it appeared to us that they shot off every way from us none comeing <directly> down very near us that came very near the ground though it is said that they struck the ground in Independence & in other places round about, I viewed them for more than an hour before daylight & probably saw thousands, at one time in the N.E. there appeared probably 50 or 100 at one time they streamed down almost as thick as rain you have seen <that appears> at a distance when the sun shone upon it. during this sight our people rejoiced but the worlds people were much frightened. there has some other signs appeared of late, & rumor says many but I put no confidence in the reports of our enemies

If we are delivered & permitted to return to our homes it must be by the interposition of God, for we can see no prospect of help from government & it appears to me that nought but the judgements of God will open the way for our return, some of our brs. have their fears that we shall be driven from city to city & from sinagouge to sinagouge & few be left to receive an inheritance in the land, & this probably will be the case unless we are soon restored back, for notwithstanding that many are kind to us in this Co. yet we have every reason to believe that they will shortly be stired up against us & want to drive [p. 1]

further, The worlds people are very desirous to have us sell the lands & since you advised <us> not to, I do not want to, but if we are to be driven about for years I can see no use in keeping our possessions here, some of our brn. that have given me money to buy lands with are desirous to receive a deed of some land & <I> have thought it best to give somee deeds to such as are anxious to have them I want your advice upon the subject of the lands & also I want wisdom & light on many subjects, <in this time of trial> We <have> made two attempts to get a peace worrent; the first before a justice one of the mob he at first refused but after consulting with some others of the mob he consented, we however sent to Lexington 40 miles east to the circuit Judge & after quite a struggle made out to obtain one but when the brn, came back with it we had agreed to go away & the mob or militia as they were called were raging with great fury & we have done nothing with it, neither do we believe it would be of any use to try to enforce it, <now,> our lawyers say it can do us no good in their opinion, as to our civil suits or suits for damage we were expecting to start a number between this & the next term which is in Feb. next there has no writ been taken out as yet, since our removal we have not been able to get toge[torn] as to have a council of high priests & advise with one another what we shall <is best to do> do, It would seem that the prospect is bad respecting our having justice done us by any course we may pursue, justice would give us the Co. of Jackson almost, we believe but this would take years to accomplish unless our damages could be settled by arbitrating that is leaving the case to judicious disinterested men, There is an other way we might obtain the land by natural means, that is this could we obtain money by loan or from brn. that were able we might buy out the most of the inhabitants in all probability & let them leave the Co, but this would take many thousand dollars, after looking at the whole I am of opinion that unless God works for his people & displays his power in some way or an other we cannot return to the land again, my mind is to have the disciples all leave the land & see if God will not pour out his judgments in some way or an other upon that wicked people, many rumors are afloat that it is with difficulty that the Indians are restrained from coming upon the people as to this I know <nothing> about it & I place no great confidence in rumors, I hope ere this there may have been a comfort[torn] word from the Lord through you but be this as it may I am anxious to hear from you In haste your brother in Christ