History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 1465
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<​February 9​> .
Dear Sir. I have this day received your favor of the 17th. ult covering one from John C. Walsh, and barely state in this, that I shall despatch a Messenger immediately to to deposit the $500— in the hands of Genl. [Samuel] Leach, according to your instructions; but seeing that I had little time to lose, I concluded to send this by the first Mail to inform you of my intentions. My next in which I shall enclose Gen Leach’s receipt, together with my obligations will be mailed at and may be expected three days after you receive this. I shall not be able to obtain ’s name as Security, he being at this time several hundred miles north of , and is not expected back until Spring. I can however obtain the Signature of Mr. late from Penn: who owns about 20 thousand dollars worth of—— property in this vicinity, and probably as much more in the East, which I presume will be entirely satisfactory to Mr. Walsh, instead of Mr. Miller. ’s name will be on the obligations. When you receive this, you may expect the other, three days later. All the difference will be the time required to go from here to and do the business.
Some time ago a Petition signed by the principal Inhabitants of this , praying the Post Master General to remove the present Post Master and appoint another in his stead, was put into the hands of Esqre. of , with a request that he would hand it to you about the time you left for . We have not yet heard anything whether handed it to you or neglected so to do, but we feel extremely anxious to learn something on the subject, as the Citizens generally are suffering severely from the impositions and dis[HC 5:266]honest conduct of the Postmaster and those connected with the Post Office in this — The Petition was accompanied by some affidavits proving that letters had frequently been broken open, money detained, and letters charged twice over &c, &c, at this office, the repeated occurrence of which circumstances caused the people to be anxious for an immediate change. It will be seen by the Petition that I was nominated for the office, I can only say that if I receive the appointment, I shall do my utmost to give general satisfaction. Whoever may be appointed, it is necessary in my estimation to have it done as soon as circumstances will possibly admit. Accept Sir of my sincere acknowledgments for past favors, which are not forgotten, and accept of the best wishes and sincere thanks of Yours respy. Joseph Smith by his Agent.
Spent most of the day in conversation with and others.
There are two kinds of beings in heaven, viz; Angels who are resurrected personages having bodies of flesh and bones, for instance Jesus said “handle me and see, for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have”. 2nd. The Spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory. When a Messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand, and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an Angel, he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be the Spirit of a just man made perfect, he will come in his glory, for that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of Heaven for a just man to deceive, but he will still deliver his Message— If it be the Devil as an Angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands, he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel any thing, you may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any Administration is from God. A man came to see me in and told me he had seen an Angel, and described his dress. I told him he had seen no Angel, and that there was no such dress in heaven, he grew mad and went into the Street, and commanded fire to come [HC 5:267] down out of heaven to consume me— I laughed at him and said, you are [p. 1465]
February 9 .
Dear Sir. I have this day received your favor of the 17th. ult covering one from John C. Walsh, and barely state in this, that I shall despatch a Messenger immediately to to deposit the $500— in the hands of Genl. [Samuel] Leach, according to your instructions; but seeing that I had little time to lose, I concluded to send this by the first Mail to inform you of my intentions. My next in which I shall enclose Gen Leach’s receipt, together with my obligations will be mailed at and may be expected three days after you receive this. I shall not be able to obtain ’s name as Security, he being at this time several hundred miles north of , and is not expected back until Spring. I can however obtain the Signature of Mr. late from Penn: who owns about 20 thousand dollars worth of—— property in this vicinity, and probably as much more in the East, which I presume will be entirely satisfactory to Mr. Walsh, instead of Mr. Miller. ’s name will be on the obligations. When you receive this, you may expect the other, three days later. All the difference will be the time required to go from here to and do the business.
Some time ago a Petition signed by the principal Inhabitants of this , praying the Post Master General to remove the present Post Master and appoint another in his stead, was put into the hands of Esqre. of , with a request that he would hand it to you about the time you left for . We have not yet heard anything whether handed it to you or neglected so to do, but we feel extremely anxious to learn something on the subject, as the Citizens generally are suffering severely from the impositions and dis[HC 5:266]honest conduct of the Postmaster and those connected with the Post Office in this — The Petition was accompanied by some affidavits proving that letters had frequently been broken open, money detained, and letters charged twice over &c, &c, at this office, the repeated occurrence of which circumstances caused the people to be anxious for an immediate change. It will be seen by the Petition that I was nominated for the office, I can only say that if I receive the appointment, I shall do my utmost to give general satisfaction. Whoever may be appointed, it is necessary in my estimation to have it done as soon as circumstances will possibly admit. Accept Sir of my sincere acknowledgments for past favors, which are not forgotten, and accept of the best wishes and sincere thanks of Yours respy. Joseph Smith by his Agent.
Spent most of the day in conversation with and others.
There are two kinds of beings in heaven, viz; Angels who are resurrected personages having bodies of flesh and bones, for instance Jesus said “handle me and see, for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have”. 2nd. The Spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory. When a Messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand, and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an Angel, he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be the Spirit of a just man made perfect, he will come in his glory, for that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of Heaven for a just man to deceive, but he will still deliver his Message— If it be the Devil as an Angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands, he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel any thing, you may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any Administration is from God. A man came to see me in and told me he had seen an Angel, and described his dress. I told him he had seen no Angel, and that there was no such dress in heaven, he grew mad and went into the Street, and commanded fire to come [HC 5:267] down out of heaven to consume me— I laughed at him and said, you are [p. 1465]
Page 1465