Letter from George W. Robinson, 6 November 1842

Home >
The Papers >

Letter from George W. Robinson, 6 November 1842
Source Note

George W. Robinson
14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...
View Full Bio
, Letter,
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....
More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, to JS, [
Nauvoo
More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 6 Nov. 1842. Featured version published in Sangamo Journal (Springfield, Sangamon Co., IL), 18 Nov. 1842, vol. 11/12, no. 13, [2]. Transcription from a digital color image obtained from the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in 2017. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.

Historical Introduction
On 6 November 1842,
George W. Robinson
View Full Bio
responded to a letter of the same date in which JS accused him of tampering with his mail. JS had first levied accusations of corruption against Robinson and postmaster
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...
View Full Bio
, Robinson’s father-in-law, at least two months earlier, following several tense months of conflict between the men.
1
See Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 8 Sept. 1842; and Historical Introduction to Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.
JS repeated the accusations in his 6 November letter, which Robinson received while visiting
Nauvoo
More Info
, Illinois, from his home in
La Harpe
Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...
More Info
, Illinois.
2
Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842; George W. Robinson, Nauvoo, IL, to John C. Bennett, 16 Sept. 1842, in Bennett, History of the Saints, 248–249.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.
In his response, Robinson defended his reputation and character and expressed his contempt for JS, accusing him of conspiring to replace Rigdon as the postmaster of Nauvoo. Robinson concluded his letter by dismissing JS’s allegations against him and Rigdon and challenging JS to “bring forth your testimony.” On 8 November, JS and others collected affidavits against Robinson and Rigdon and drew up a petition requesting that the postmaster general of the
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 ...
More Info
replace Rigdon with JS as Nauvoo’s postmaster.
3
JS, Journal, 8 Nov. 1842. In addition to resolving JS’s ongoing frustration with the problems in the post office, being appointed as postmaster would have given JS considerable advantages. Postmasters in the 1840s were able to send and receive mail free of postage—a fact that would have been particularly attractive to JS as he managed a growing church. In fact, paying for postage was an ongoing concern for JS a year earlier when he published a notice in the Times and Seasons announcing that he would not accept any letters unless the sender paid the postage. (An Act to Reduce into One the Several Acts Establishing and Regulating the Post-Office Department [3 Mar. 1825], Public Statutes at Large, 18th Cong., 2nd Sess., chap. 64, p. 110, sec. 27; Notice, ca. 1 June 1841.)
The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

On 7 November, after he returned home to
La Harpe
Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...
More Info
,
Robinson
View Full Bio
sent to the Sangamo Journal JS’s letter (or a copy of it) and a copy of his response within a letter explaining the background of this correspondence. The newspaper published the letters on 18 November 1842. The published version of Robinson’s letter includes several words italicized for emphasis. It is unknown whether these are representations of underlining by Robinson in the manuscript copy he sent to the editor or editorial embellishments made in the newspaper office.

Because the original copy of
Robinson
View Full Bio
’s 6 November letter to JS is apparently not extant, the version printed by the Sangamo Journal is featured here.
Footnotes
[1]
See Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 8 Sept. 1842; and Historical Introduction to Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.
[2]
Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842; George W. Robinson, Nauvoo, IL, to John C. Bennett, 16 Sept. 1842, in Bennett, History of the Saints, 248–249.
[3]
JS, Journal, 8 Nov. 1842. In addition to resolving JS’s ongoing frustration with the problems in the post office, being appointed as postmaster would have given JS considerable advantages. Postmasters in the 1840s were able to send and receive mail free of postage—a fact that would have been particularly attractive to JS as he managed a growing church. In fact, paying for postage was an ongoing concern for JS a year earlier when he published a notice in the Times and Seasons announcing that he would not accept any letters unless the sender paid the postage. (An Act to Reduce into One the Several Acts Establishing and Regulating the Post-Office Department [3 Mar. 1825], Public Statutes at Large, 18th Cong., 2nd Sess., chap. 64, p. 110, sec. 27; Notice, ca. 1 June 1841.)
The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.
Page [2]
Hide editing marks

Nauvoo
More Info
, Nov. 6, 1842.

Mr Joseph Smith:

Sir—I condescend to reply to your compliments of this morning not however because I think you worthy of such condescension, but that I may perhaps through you make known my own faith concerning yourself.

Sir, do you imagine that an idiot could not see your baseness in this attempt to injure my feelings as well as my reputation? Is it not notorious that you have for nearly three years, used your power to the utmost to obtain the
post office
First post office located in area known as Venus, near west end of present-day Parley Street, 1830–1834. Name changed to Commerce post office, 11 Oct. 1834. Renamed Nauvoo post office, 21 Apr. 1840, with George W. Robinson appointed postmaster. Robinson operated...
More Info
, and do you think, sir, that this attempt of which you speak, and of what you say you will do, will not be looked upon as tending to the same object?
1
According to later correspondence between JS and Sidney Rigdon, it appears that shortly after John C. Bennett came to Nauvoo in 1840, there was an attempt to transfer responsibility for the post office from George W. Robinson to JS. Rigdon, apparently unaware of the design, put his name forward to replace Robinson before JS could make the attempt. The issue was clearly one that concerned JS, as he repeated the effort to get himself appointed postmaster in May 1844. (JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, 27 Mar. 1843; Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, to JS, [Nauvoo, IL], 27 Mar. 1843, JS Collection, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 25 May 1844.)
You say you will do the utmost in your power to expose me to the public.
2
JS’s letter stated his intentions to bring George W. Robinson “to justice openly and boldly and publicly, &c.” (Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.)
But sir, would you not first do well to remove the stigma on your own character, or employ some kind friend of yours, who can bear a scrutinizing eye without the crimson blush of shame? My conscience is void of offence against the laws of my
country
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 ...
More Info
, or the insinuations of which you speak, notwithstanding your ‘believe so’s, your [‘]think so’s, or your [‘]guess so’s I fear not your power, my dear sir; neither shall I shrink or be intimidated by you,—nought of personal violence, save the assassin’s steel, will harm a hair of my head, and for this I am duly prepared.
3
John C. Bennett claimed that George W. Robinson had helped defend him against an assassination attempt by Latter-day Saint vigilantes on 29 June 1842. (John C. Bennett, Affidavit, 7 July 1842, in Wasp, 23 July 1842, [2]; Bennett, History of the Saints, 290–291.)
The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

With regard to my privately injuring you, I say bring forth your testimony, all I have said or done has been public, and you yourself have, or can, see it, as well as others
4
George W. Robinson had written two public letters—one to the Quincy Whig and another to the Sangamo Journal—defending his character and announcing his intention to withdraw from the church. His first public letter claimed he was not associated with John C. Bennett, but Robinson had apparently played a major role in encouraging and assisting Bennett to obtain documents and affidavits attacking JS. (George W. Robinson, “Letter from Nauvoo,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 23 July 1842, [2]; “Letter from Col. Robinson,” Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 26 Aug. 1842, [2]; Bennett, History of the Saints, 44–45, 245, 247–249.)
Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.
Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.
—and with regard to the balance of your calumny I have only to say, Bah! how can others believe that which you yourself do not believe?

Your’s, with contempt,

GEO. W. ROBINSON
View Full Bio
. [p. [2]]
View entire transcript
|
Cite this page
Source Note
Document Transcript
Page [2]
Document Information
Footnotes
[1]
According to later correspondence between JS and Sidney Rigdon, it appears that shortly after John C. Bennett came to Nauvoo in 1840, there was an attempt to transfer responsibility for the post office from George W. Robinson to JS. Rigdon, apparently unaware of the design, put his name forward to replace Robinson before JS could make the attempt. The issue was clearly one that concerned JS, as he repeated the effort to get himself appointed postmaster in May 1844. (JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, 27 Mar. 1843; Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, to JS, [Nauvoo, IL], 27 Mar. 1843, JS Collection, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 25 May 1844.)
[2]
JS’s letter stated his intentions to bring George W. Robinson “to justice openly and boldly and publicly, &c.” (Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842.)
[3]
John C. Bennett claimed that George W. Robinson had helped defend him against an assassination attempt by Latter-day Saint vigilantes on 29 June 1842. (John C. Bennett, Affidavit, 7 July 1842, in Wasp, 23 July 1842, [2]; Bennett, History of the Saints, 290–291.)
The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.
[4]
George W. Robinson had written two public letters—one to the Quincy Whig and another to the Sangamo Journal—defending his character and announcing his intention to withdraw from the church. His first public letter claimed he was not associated with John C. Bennett, but Robinson had apparently played a major role in encouraging and assisting Bennett to obtain documents and affidavits attacking JS. (George W. Robinson, “Letter from Nauvoo,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 23 July 1842, [2]; “Letter from Col. Robinson,” Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 26 Aug. 1842, [2]; Bennett, History of the Saints, 44–45, 245, 247–249.)
Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.
Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.