Discourse, 1 March 1840

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Discourse, 1 March 1840
Source Note

JS, Discourse,
Commerce
Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...
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, Hancock Co., IL, 1 Mar. 1840. Featured version published in “Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce, 27 Mar. 1840, [2]. Transcription from a digital color image obtained from the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, MA, in 2015.

The 27 March 1840 issue of the New York Journal of Commerce contains four leaves measuring 28 × 22½ inches (71 × 57 cm). Each page is composed of nine columns. The copy used for transcription is bound in a large volume of issues of the newspaper.

In 1827 Arthur Tappan and his brother Lewis, along with Samuel F. B. Morse, founded the New York Journal of Commerce, with William Maxwell as editor. In 1829 David Hale and Gerard Hallock began publishing and editing the paper and continued to do so until 1849. Excepting Sundays, the paper was published daily.
1
“About the New York Journal of Commerce.”
Comprehensive Works Cited
“About the New York Journal of Commerce. (New York, N.Y.) 1827–1893.” Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017. http://chronicling america.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030542/.
Footnotes
[1]
“About the New York Journal of Commerce.”
“About the New York Journal of Commerce. (New York, N.Y.) 1827–1893.” Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017. http://chronicling america.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030542/.
Historical Introduction
On 1 March 1840, JS preached a discourse in
Commerce
Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...
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, Illinois, in which he recounted the events of his recent trip to the eastern
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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. According to a letter summarizing the sermon, JS had returned from
Washington DC
Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...
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one or two days before this 1 March discourse.
1
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2]. According to John Smith’s journal, JS returned to Commerce by 29 February 1840. (John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 29 Feb. 1840, [58].)
New York Journal of Commerce. New York City. 1827–1893.
Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1, fd. 1.
JS gave the discourse at a Sunday meeting that “the ‘
Saints,
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
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’ and not a few of the ‘
Gentiles
Those who were not members of the House of Israel. More specifically, members of the church identified gentiles as those whose lineage was not of the Jews or Lamanites (understood to be the American Indians in JS’s day). Certain prophecies indicated that ...
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’” attended in a grove of trees near a ferry landing on the
Mississippi River
Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...
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. Prior to speaking, JS was seated on a stage “with
Bishops
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...
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,
Elders
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
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, &c.”
2
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2], italics in original.
JS’s uncle
John Smith
16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...
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was present at the meeting and recorded in his journal that the congregation exhibited great interest in JS’s remarks.
3
John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 1 Mar. 1840, [58]–[59].

The version of the discourse featured here was written by an unidentified correspondent for the New York Journal of Commerce. According to the correspondent’s summary of the sermon, JS explained the reasons for his trip to
Washington
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and described his meeting with President
Martin Van Buren
5 Dec. 1782–24 July 1862. Lawyer, politician, diplomat, farmer. Born in Kinderhook, Columbia Co., New York. Son of Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes Van Alen. Member of Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. Worked as law clerk, 1800, in New York City. Returned...
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. The description of the meeting in this discourse differs slightly from an earlier report of JS’s meeting with Van Buren that JS and
Elias Higbee
23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...
View Full Bio
made to
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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and the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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high council
A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...
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.
4
Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839. In an April 1840 discourse, JS described his meeting with Van Buren at the President’s House as occurring over two successive days, while this account of the meeting and the aforementioned account JS gave to Hyrum Smith and the Nauvoo high council do not mention a second meeting with the president. (Discourse, 7 Apr. 1840.)
In this discourse, JS also discussed his preaching while in the eastern
United States
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.

As an aside in another part of the letter, the correspondent noted JS remarking that the
United States
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would incur divine displeasure and punishment if the nation continued to deny the petitions of the Saints for redress and reparations for losses sustained in
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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.
5
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2]. An 1833 revelation contained similar sentiments. (Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:85–91].)
The correspondent mocked JS’s message, writing that this “impending danger” to the nation and the presence of “the ‘Prophet’” on the
Iowa
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...
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-
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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border helped explain the “unparalleled emigration to Iowa from all parts of the United States” because these migrants might have believed that living near JS would protect them from potential calamity.
6
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2].

The letter summarizing the discourse was printed in the 27 March 1840 issue of the New York Journal of Commerce. No other summaries of the discourse are apparently extant.
Footnotes
[1]
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2]. According to John Smith’s journal, JS returned to Commerce by 29 February 1840. (John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 29 Feb. 1840, [58].)
[2]
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2], italics in original.
[3]
John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 1 Mar. 1840, [58]–[59].
[4]
Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839. In an April 1840 discourse, JS described his meeting with Van Buren at the President’s House as occurring over two successive days, while this account of the meeting and the aforementioned account JS gave to Hyrum Smith and the Nauvoo high council do not mention a second meeting with the president. (Discourse, 7 Apr. 1840.)
[5]
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2]. An 1833 revelation contained similar sentiments. (Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:85–91].)
[6]
“Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,” New York Journal of Commerce (New York City), 27 Mar. 1840, [2].
Page [2]
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After engaging in prayer to the Most High, and reading a chapter of sacred writ, he commenced his discourse. He told his people he was their servant; that they had a right to know all the incidents of his journey; he would therefore endeavor to give them a minute account. He did not like to preach politics on the Sabbath; but he must free his mind,—must tell the whole story.

The object of his visit at
Washington
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, you well know, was to make application to Congress for relief, touching their troubles in
Missouri
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.
1
See Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.
But to the discourse. He said, on his arrival in
Washington
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, he, with two of his
Elders
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
View Glossary
, (
[Sidney] Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and
[Elias] Higbee
23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...
View Full Bio
,)
2
Rigdon was not present when JS and Higbee met with President Van Buren. In a letter they wrote a week after the meeting, JS and Higbee commented that Rigdon, Robert D. Foster, and Orrin Porter Rockwell were still making their way to the capital. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)
called on
Mr. [Martin] Van Buren
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at the “White House”
3
The president’s residence in Washington DC was officially called the “Executive Mansion” until Theodore Roosevelt used the “White House” as its formal name in 1901. Prior to that date, however, it was unofficially referred to as the “White House,” the “Presidential Mansion,” the “President’s Palace,” or the “President’s House.” (Seale, President’s House, 24, 160, 626; “Signs of the Times,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:352.)
Seale, William. The President’s House: A History. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
with a letter of introduction,
4
JS carried at least four letters of recommendation or introduction with him to Washington. (Recommendation from Quincy, IL, Branch, between 20 Oct. and 1 Nov. 1839; Recommendation from Nauvoo High Council, 27 Oct. 1839; Letter of Introduction from James Adams, 9 Nov. 1839; Letter of Introduction from Sidney Rigdon, 9 Nov. 1839.)
and after making known to him the object of their visit, and soliciting him to help them,
Mr. Van Buren
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replied; “Help you! how can I help you? All
Missouri
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would turn against me.” But they demanded of
Mr. Van Buren
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a hearing, and he, after listening a few moments to their tale of injured innocence, abruptly left the room. After waiting some time for his return, they were under the necessity of departing, disappointed, and chagrined.
5
In the account JS and Higbee gave to Hyrum Smith and the Nauvoo high council, the men reported that Van Buren rejected their request for his support but that before their discussion ended he stated he would reconsider their case. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)

He thought
Mr. Van Buren
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treated them with great disrespect and neglect. He said while they were with
Mr. Van Buren
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, a member of Congress waited upon him,
6
The meeting with Van Buren took place in the president’s parlor, where several other visitors sought his attention. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, bk. 17, [12].)
and in conversation, among other things, told the
President
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that he (the
President
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) was getting fat. The
President
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replied that he was aware of the fact; that he had to go every few days to the tailor’s to get his clothes let out, or purchase a new coat. The “Prophet” here added, at the top of his voice,— he hoped he would continue to grow fat, and swell, and, before the next election, burst!

He felt at home in the White House, and, while there, thought he began to swell a little himself. He felt that he had a perfect right there, as much right as
Van Buren
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, because it belonged to the people, and he was one of the people.

He spoke of the success attending his preaching in the Eastern cities; that the people en masse in many places were converted to the Mormon faith.
7
JS and other church leaders had recently reported on the membership growth in various branches of the church in the eastern United States. For instance, Parley P. Pratt stated that the membership of the church in New York City and Brooklyn had grown to nearly three hundred, with several people joining the church each week. Similarly, JS informed Robert D. Foster that the church in Philadelphia then consisted of forty-five members and was experiencing steady growth. (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Letter to Robert D. Foster, 30 Dec. 1839.)
That the striplings which they had sent from this wilderness to preach to the wise men and priests of the great cities, were accomplishing mighty things for the
church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
View Glossary
, by confounding the learned priests.
8
See 1 Corinthians 1:27.

On one occasion, he said, six ministers attended a meeting where a little Mormon fellow was preaching, and undertook to put him down by ridicule: but he stood his ground, and whipped them all out, by fair argument; and the congergation acknowledged en masse that he whipped them all.
9
It is unclear what specific event JS was referring to here. Robert D. Foster used similar language to describe his general desire to debate clergymen in the capital as well as a particular debate he had with Methodist clergyman George G. Cookman. (Letter from Robert D. Foster, 24 Dec. 1839.)

Here this spiritual discourse was brought to a close, by a violent shower of rain. After making an appointment to deliver the conclusion,
10
If JS finished his discourse on a later date, there is no extant account of it.
the Prophet dismissed the meeting. [p. [2]]
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Source Note
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Page [2]
Document Information
Footnotes
[1]
See Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.
[2]
Rigdon was not present when JS and Higbee met with President Van Buren. In a letter they wrote a week after the meeting, JS and Higbee commented that Rigdon, Robert D. Foster, and Orrin Porter Rockwell were still making their way to the capital. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)
[3]
The president’s residence in Washington DC was officially called the “Executive Mansion” until Theodore Roosevelt used the “White House” as its formal name in 1901. Prior to that date, however, it was unofficially referred to as the “White House,” the “Presidential Mansion,” the “President’s Palace,” or the “President’s House.” (Seale, President’s House, 24, 160, 626; “Signs of the Times,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:352.)
Seale, William. The President’s House: A History. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
[4]
JS carried at least four letters of recommendation or introduction with him to Washington. (Recommendation from Quincy, IL, Branch, between 20 Oct. and 1 Nov. 1839; Recommendation from Nauvoo High Council, 27 Oct. 1839; Letter of Introduction from James Adams, 9 Nov. 1839; Letter of Introduction from Sidney Rigdon, 9 Nov. 1839.)
[5]
In the account JS and Higbee gave to Hyrum Smith and the Nauvoo high council, the men reported that Van Buren rejected their request for his support but that before their discussion ended he stated he would reconsider their case. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)
[6]
The meeting with Van Buren took place in the president’s parlor, where several other visitors sought his attention. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, bk. 17, [12].)
[7]
JS and other church leaders had recently reported on the membership growth in various branches of the church in the eastern United States. For instance, Parley P. Pratt stated that the membership of the church in New York City and Brooklyn had grown to nearly three hundred, with several people joining the church each week. Similarly, JS informed Robert D. Foster that the church in Philadelphia then consisted of forty-five members and was experiencing steady growth. (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Letter to Robert D. Foster, 30 Dec. 1839.)
[8]
See 1 Corinthians 1:27.
[9]
It is unclear what specific event JS was referring to here. Robert D. Foster used similar language to describe his general desire to debate clergymen in the capital as well as a particular debate he had with Methodist clergyman George G. Cookman. (Letter from Robert D. Foster, 24 Dec. 1839.)
[10]
If JS finished his discourse on a later date, there is no extant account of it.