, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 23 Mar. 1842; handwriting presumably of ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, dockets, and notation.
Bifolium measuring 12½ × 7½ inches (32 × 19 cm). Fidler inscribed the letter on all four pages; on the last page, he left space in the middle for an address panel. The bifolium was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. When the letter was opened, the wafer tore two holes in the second leaf; wafer residue appears on both sides of the leaf. The letter was refolded for filing.
The document was docketed by , who served as scribe to JS from 1842 to 1844 and as temple recorder from 1842 to 1846. Another docket was inscribed by , who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859. The document was listed in an inventory produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904. A graphite notation of unknown significance and in unidentified handwriting appears above the address block: “Clarrissa Marvel”. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early dockets as well as its inclusion in the circa 1904 inventory and in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.
JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718; Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 18, 30–31.
Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.
Clayton, William. History of the Nauvoo Temple, ca. 1845. CHL. MS 3365.
See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.
Historical Introduction
On 23 March 1842 member wrote a letter to JS from , Illinois, about concerns that he had lost JS’s confidence because he had failed to repay a debt. JS had hired Fidler, a recent immigrant from , as a clerk. Although Fidler’s specific assignment is unknown, JS apparently dismissed him before he finished his work. Fidler suspected that , a in Nauvoo, had encouraged JS to take that action.
left JS’s employ believing that JS was satisfied with his work. Sometime later JS made comments to Fidler’s mother suggesting he no longer held him in high esteem, and Fidler became troubled. Fidler believed he had upset JS because he had taken out a debt that exceeded his salary. He wrote JS a private letter to explain why he was unable to repay the debt, stating that all of his money had gone toward providing his family with necessities.
The lack of postal markings, together with the fact that wrote the letter in , indicates that the letter was hand carried rather than mailed. JS evidently received this letter, as indicated by a docket by . If JS responded, the response is no longer extant.
Maughan, Mary Ann Weston. Autobiography, 1894–1898. CHL. MS 6402.
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I wish is to again enjoy that confidence and respect I once was honour’d with by you. when I can again know that, I shall be comparatively happy even in my present difficulties— this is my motive and to— vindicate myself for what you condemn’d that I have now troubled you, Never by any means have I injur’d you direct or indirect but still held fast. my opinions which was formed at our first acquaintance that of. respect and veneration for one who deserves such, and beleive me. that no one.who the hand that now writes this this will ever be willing to defend the cause you have espoused and yourself till it shall drop a<n> useless apendage to the body and be no more, such is my feelings towards, the man I now adress, and may the almighty God. guard you and yours from all. dangers is the fervant prayer of