Appendix 3: Willard Richards, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844

Possibly Michael Crane, who accompanied JS and others on a short trip to Shokokon, Illinois, in February 1843. Alternatively, this may have been the person who earlier in the month had reported that several boxes of arms had arrived in Warsaw. (JS, Journal, 16 Feb. 1843; JS, Journal, 15 June 1844.)  

In his letter, which is in Richards’s handwriting, JS told Emma Smith that he and his companions had heard that Thomas Ford would not visit Nauvoo with his troops “as was anticipated last Evening” but that if Ford did visit, she would be protected. JS also told her to tell Jonathan Dunham, acting major general of the Nauvoo Legion, to “instruct the people to stay at home and attend to their own business and let there be no groups or gathering together unless by permission of the Gov. . . . Bro Dunham of course, will obey the orders of the Government officers, and render them the assistance they require.” JS assured his wife that there was “no dander [danger] of any ‘exterminating order’” and that he did not anticipate a mutiny among Ford’s troops. “There is one principle which is Eternal,” JS closed. “It is the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of their household . . . should the last extreme arrive,— but I anticipate no such extreme,— but caution is the parent of safety.” In a postscript in his own hand, JS wrote, “I am very much resigned to my lot knowing I am justified and have done the best that could be done give my love to the children and all my Friends . . . as for treason I know that I have not commited any and they cannot prove one apearance of any thing of the kind So you need not have any fears that any harme can happen to us on that score may God bless you all Amen.” (JS, Carthage, IL, to Emma Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1844, JS Materials, CCLA, underlining in original.)  

Governor Thomas Ford’s decision to discharge the troops rather than march with a show of force on Nauvoo as originally planned was based on his learning “that there was a plan to get the troops into Nauvoo, and there to begin the war, probably by some of our own party, or some of the seceding Mormons, taking advantage of the night, to fire on our own force, and then laying it on the Mormons.” Ford opposed the plan on both moral and practical grounds and met with a “council of officers” on the morning of 27 June to discuss the situation. “Many of the officers admitted that there might be danger of collision,” he wrote. “But such was the blind fury prevailing at the time . . . that a small majority of the council adhered to the first resolution of marching into Nauvoo.” Refusing to “be governed by the advice of this majority,” Ford ordered most of the troops assembled at both Carthage and Warsaw to be discharged. The Carthage Greys remained on duty in Carthage to guard JS and Hyrum, and James Dunn’s company of dragoons accompanied Ford to Nauvoo. (Ford, History of Illinois, 340–345.)  

Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

Militia officers, Thomas Ford later wrote, had insisted that a large number of troops march to Nauvoo to “terrify the Mormons from attempting any open or secret measures of vengeance against the citizens of the county, who had taken a part against them or their leaders.” To “ease their terrors on this head,” in light of his decision to discharge the troops, Ford suggested to the officers that he go to Nauvoo with a small force “and deliver an address to the Mormons, and tell them plainly what degree of excitement and hatred prevailed against them in the minds of the whole people, and that if any open or secret violence should be committed on the persons or property of those who had taken part against them, that no one would doubt but that it had been perpetrated by them, and that it would be the sure and certain means of the destruction of their city and the extermination of their people.” (Ford, History of Illinois, 342.)  

Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

In this postscript, written in Richards’s hand and added to the letter and postscript to Emma Smith written earlier in the day, JS told his wife that he had just learned that Thomas Ford was about to discharge all the militia troops (except for a small guard) and go to Nauvoo to deliver a speech. “This is right as I suppose,” he closed. (JS, Carthage, IL, to Emma Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1844, JS Materials, CCLA.)  

According to his own later account, Wheelock also carried several verbal messages, including the “wish of bro. Joseph, also of Governor Ford, that there should be no display of military parade, or any excitement whatever,” when Ford addressed them. (Cyrus Wheelock, London, England, to George A. Smith, 29 Dec. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)  

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

Fullmer “left for Nauvoo with instructions from Joseph and Hiram to aid in hunting up and forwarding witnesses to Carthage.” (John S. Fullmer, Preston, England, to George A. Smith, 27 Nov. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)  

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

Ford later wrote that he “immediately departed for Nauvoo” after discharging the militia. (Ford, History of Illinois, 345.)  

Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

As indicated here, Thomas Ford was still in Carthage at ten thirty in the morning. Richards’s pass, signed by “Thomas Ford Commander in Chief,” instructed the guard to “permit Doct Richards the private secretary of Joseph Smith to be with him if he disires it and to pass and repass the guard.” (Thomas Ford, Permit for Willard Richards, 27 June 1844, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL.)  

Richards, Willard. Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490.

In a reminiscent account, Jones reported that he had met Babbitt “in the street” and “informed him that Mr. Smith wished to see him.” (Jones, Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, 13.)  

Jones, Dan. The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, 1855. CHL. MS 153.

This letter has not been located.  

In the letter, written by Richards, JS told Browning that he and Hyrum Smith were in jail on the charge of treason and requested his services for their defense at the “examination” scheduled for 29 June. “There is no cause of action,” JS wrote, “for we have not been guilty of any crime; neither is there any just cause of suspicion agai[n]st us,— but certain circumstances make your attendance very necessary.” (JS, Carthage, IL, to Orville Browning, Quincy, IL, 27 June 1844, JS Materials, CCLA.)  

Possibly Wall Southwick. (JS, Journal, 20 June 1844; Richards, Journal, 26 June 1844.)  

TEXT: Possibly “James”.  

Dan Jones later recalled that he “was handed a letter from Mr. Smith, with a request to take it to Mr. Browning of Quincy forthwith.” Believing that the letter contained orders for the Nauvoo Legion to come and rescue JS, several men demanded the letter from Jones, who was able to escape on a horse. Jones rode to Nauvoo and boarded a steamer for Quincy late that night. (Jones, Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, 13–15.)  

Jones, Dan. The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, 1855. CHL. MS 153.

According to Markham’s reminiscent account, JS sent Markham, who had a pass from Ford, to get “a Pipe & Tobacco” to settle the stomach of Richards, who was ill. (Stephen Markham, Fort Supply, Utah Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 20 June 1856, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.)  

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.