“Esqres. and — Gentlemen— your letter of 23. ult: concerning two notes placed in your hands by Messrs. & Co. against myself and thirty one others for collection, was duly received. In reply I must inform you, that I am not in the possession of means, belonging to me individually to liquidate those notes at present. The reason is apparent to every one: I need not relate to you the persecution I have suffered and the loss and confiscation of all my effects at various times, as a reason of my inability; you know it all, and so do the Gentlemen whose notes you hold for collection. But I wish you to say to them, that if they will give me my time (and no more than that I must necessarily have) they shall have their pay in some way or other; that I have the means at command in the east; which, with a sufficient indulgence, will enable me to pay them every whit; but unless this is granted me, it will be impossible for me to do so. All I ask of those Gentlemen and this generation is, that they should not tie up my hands, nor thwart me in my operations; if this is granted me, I pledge my word. yea my sacred honor, that all that can in fairness be demanded at my hands, either now or at any time, shall ultimately be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. This is all that I can say at this time, or do, [HC 4:468] hoping that you will communicate to Messrs. and Co. the Contents, or at all events the purport of this letter, together with my sincere regard for their welfare, and as regards you, Gentlemen, I remain, very respectfully your obt. servt.. Joseph Smith.”

Esqre. Dear Sir. your letters dated October 11th. and November 9th. 1841 have both been received, and that of the 9th. November is now before me. I am glad that you are pleased with the proceedings of our last Conference, relative to “ purchase,” concerning which, together with some unpleasant feelings, which had originated, partly from a misunderstanding between us, and partly through the inefficiency, neglect or sickness of , I wrote to your friend and partner , some time since, which no doubt you have seen before now, and with which I hope you [p. 1259]