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Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 3 May 1844

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Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 3 May 1844

Source Note

, Letter, , Berkshire Co., MA, to , JS, and , , Hancock Co., IL, 3 May 1844; handwriting and signature of ; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal notations, dockets, and use marks.
Single leaf measuring 9¾ × 7⅝ inches (25 × 19 cm). The leaf was formerly part of a ruled bifolium on which two letters were inscribed: the first leaf contained a letter addressed to and the second leaf contained the letter featured here. The bifolium was trifolded twice in letter style for mailing, addressed, and sealed with an adhesive wafer. The second leaf tore when the letter was opened, resulting in the loss of some text. The two letters were separated from one another with an uneven cut. The featured letter was later refolded for filing. The verso contains address information for Mary Ann Frost Pratt.
The letter was docketed by , who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865. The document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early docket, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  2. [2]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [4], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 3 May 1844, finished writing a letter from , Massachusetts, to his wife in , Illinois, with instructions for her to separate the bifolium and deliver the second half of it to JS, , and other unspecified men to whom he had written an independent message. At the time that he wrote this letter, Pratt was proselytizing as well as electioneering for JS’s presidential campaign. In the portion of this letter addressed to his wife, Pratt wrote several updates over the course of eight days (26 April–3 May), including details about his uncomfortable journey to , New York, via steamboat and his arrival in Canaan, New York. Pratt expressed how much he missed his friends and family and stated that he planned to return as quickly as possible after taking care of personal business in and relaying the “political and doctrinal message” he was sent to preach.
In the portion of his letter addressed to JS, , and others, shared his concerns about , the oldest brother of Orson, Hiram, and . According to Pratt, Augustine had written a letter from to some of his associates in western accusing JS of committing various immoral acts and keeping several young women as wives. Pratt warned JS that Augustine had created a network to disseminate slander about him and other leaders. Pratt then encouraged church leaders to shun Augustine in some way that would cut off his access to JS, which he had boasted about to people in Massachusetts. Continuing the sentiments he had shared with his wife, Pratt expressed his love for his brethren and wished that he could rejoin their company.
Because of his absence from , was unaware that ’s conflict with his family and with church leaders had already escalated to violence. Sometime in late April 1844, Augustine and had a verbal altercation that resulted in Orson claiming that Augustine had assaulted him “in his own home.” On 26 April 1844—the day Pratt arrived in —Nauvoo marshal arrested Augustine Spencer for the alleged assault. The Nauvoo Neighbor reported that after his arrest Augustine was not compliant and resisted going to JS’s mayoral office. Greene called for assistance from , , and , but the three men refused, saying “they would see the mayor and the city d——d.” JS ordered that Higbee and the Fosters be arrested “for refusing to assist the officer when called upon.” When Higbee and the Fosters resisted arrest, JS came to the arresting officers’ aid; at that point, Charles Foster drew a double-barreled pistol on JS, and the gun was quickly wrested from Foster’s grasp. The mayor’s court subsequently fined each of the men $100 for refusing to assist in the arrest of Augustine Spencer, a fine they individually appealed through the Nauvoo Municipal Court.
Postal markings on ’s letter indicate it was mailed from on 4 May 1844. was the intended recipient; it is unclear whether she or someone else delivered JS’s half of the letter to him. incorrectly dated the document 30 May 1844 when docketing it. A response from JS has not been located.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Pratt, Autobiography, 367. Pratt left Nauvoo sometime after the 11 March 1844 meeting of the Council of Fifty (the last time his attendance was noted at the council) and before the council’s 4 April 1844 meeting, the minutes of which mention that “E[lde]r P[arley] P. Pratt was gone away.” By 19 April, he was in Chicago waiting for steamboat passage. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. and 4 Apr. 1844; Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 19 Apr. 1844.)

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  2. [2]

    Parley P. Pratt, Richmond, MA, to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Nauvoo, IL, 26 Apr. 1844, Parley P. Pratt, Papers, CHL.

    Pratt, Parley P. Papers, 1837–1844. CHL.

  3. [3]

    West Stockbridge, MA, Town Records, ca. 1770–1840, vol. 1, pp. 242–243, microfilm 250,299, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, CHL. The Spencer brothers were born in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to Daniel and Chloe Wilson Spencer. Daniel Spencer Jr. was baptized into the church in 1840, and a year later he baptized his brother Orson. By late 1843, several members of the Spencer family had relocated to Nauvoo, including Augustine, who came to Nauvoo after his father’s death in November 1843 to administer his estate. Augustine Spencer did not join the church, though he was seemingly sympathetic to the Latter-day Saints because of their expulsion from Missouri; shortly after arriving in Nauvoo he signed a memorial to Congress seeking redress for the losses sustained by the Saints. By the time Pratt wrote this letter, Augustine’s relationship with his family had soured over issues related to the estate. (Rogers, Life Sketches of Orson Spencer and Others, 15–17; Nauvoo Fifth Ward High Priests Quorum, Minutes, 141; “Deaths,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 29 Nov. 1843, [3]; “Spencer, Orson,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:338; Johnson, Mormon Redress Petitions, 580; Sadler and Sadler, “Augustine Spencer,” 33–35.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Rogers, Aurelia Spencer. Life Sketches of Orson Spencer and Others, and History of Primary Work. Salt Lake City: Geo. Q. Cannon and Sons, 1898.

    Nauvoo Fifth Ward High Priests Quorum. Minutes, Dec. 1844–Apr. 1845. CHL. LR 3278 21.

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

    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.

    Johnson, Clark V., ed. Mormon Redress Petitions: Documents of the 1833–1838 Missouri Conflict. Religious Studies Center Monograph Series 16. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.

    Sadler, Richard W., and Claudia S. Sadler. “Augustine Spencer: Nauvoo Gentile, Joseph Smith Antagonist.” Mormon Historical Studies 12, no. 2 (Fall 2011): 27–46.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 26 Apr. 1844.

  5. [5]

    Parley P. Pratt, Richmond, MA, to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Nauvoo, IL, 26 Apr. 1844, Parley P. Pratt, Papers, CHL.

    Pratt, Parley P. Papers, 1837–1844. CHL.

  6. [6]

    “Outrages,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 1 May 1844, [2]; John P. Greene, Affidavit, Nauvoo, IL, 25 May 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 29 May 1844, [2].

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  7. [7]

    Nauvoo Municipal Court Docket Book, 103–106; “Outrages,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 1 May 1844, [2]. The municipal court called for Augustine Spencer’s, Higbee’s, and the Fosters’ appeals to be heard at its 3 June 1844 session. None of the four men attended the session, however, and the court dismissed the appeals “for want of prosecution.” (JS, Journal, 3 June 1844.)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 3 May 1844
History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

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Dear the subject I am about to write upon this page I wish you to Show to Br Joseph Smith and afterwards to Br without Delay. you Can tear off this half of the Sheet and hand it to them
Dear Br Joseph, and , Or whom it may Concern.
This is to forewarn you that you have a snake in the grass, a base traitor and hipocrite in your midst, of whom prehaps you may not be fully aware. you may think these harsh term but I speak from good evidence and speak the truth Mr , Br to Br has written a Letter from , which is now going the rounds in this nabourhood and is fraught with the most Infamous Slander and Lies concerning Joseph Smith and others, and which is Calculated to embitter the minds of the people who read or hear of it. It affirms that Joseph Smith is in the habit of Drinking, Swearing, Corousing, Dancing all night etc, etc, and that he keeps Six or Seven young females as wives etc and many others such Like insinuations.— at the same time he Cautions the people to whom he writes to keep the Letter in Such a way that a Knowledge of its Contense [contents] may not reach . as he Said he is on Intimate terms and confidencial friendship with the “prophet Jo” and the mormons, and that he hopes to get into office by their means. this is his owne acknowledgement of his own Baseness, imposition and hipocracy. I have not Seen the Letter myself but have carefully examined the testimony of those who have. and I have allso seen and witnessed its baneful effects upon the people here.
Now I say to the Let such a man alone Severely. Shun him as they would the pestilence, be not decieved by a smo[o]th nor flattering words, Neither accept of any excuse nor Apology un[less] he Boldly contradicts and counteracts his Lieing words abroad, but rather expose and unmask him in your midst, that he may be Known and Consequently become powerless, if he is not already so.
Dear Br Joseph, and Dear , and Dear Brethren one and All I remember with deep sensations our sweet Communion while together in the peaceful and beloved , and I long for the time when it may be again renewed. To be abroad is to be Banished from that which is most precious and Dear to my heart, and I long for the time when I may again, and forever enjoy the Society of those of those of whom the world is not worthy. Do not, Dear Brethren, Doom me forever to the Service of the Base and Corrupt Gentiles, But Grant me the privaledge of enjoying the society of those I love Lest I Die of a Gloomy and Sorrowlful heart.— I will Do the best I can now while a broad, but I purpose if the Lord will to return as soon as I Can fulfill my Duties here. Lies, Bitterness and prejudice are increasing and the veil of Darkness is thickening in every Direction, as If the Last Cheering Ray of Light, was and Love was receeding from the heart of man. I shuder while in their midst and I long to be away, where the wicked Cease from troubleing and the weary are at Rest; or at least where the righteous rule, and where Inteligence and affection swells the Bosom of man. To be elsewhere is hell enough for me, and I believe it is punishment sufficient for all my sins.
Please accept my very best Respects and present them to All my friends who may enquire after me.
I am well and expect to be in tomorrow
I remain as ever Your friend and Br in the Love of the truth
, Mass, May 3d
Gen, Joseph Smith and Others. [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 3 May 1844
ID #
1662
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • Parley P. Pratt

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Eliza Ann Pierson, a niece of Willard Richards, addressed rumors circulating in western Massachusetts in a letter she wrote from Richmond to her relatives in Nauvoo: “You cannot imagine how many stories are in circulation about Jo Smith and his followers, sometimes one thing and then another, any thing to keep the people awake to the subject.” Pierson’s letter also mentioned that members in her community discussed the “spiritual wife system” and that she wondered if JS hosted and participated in balls at his home. (Eliza Ann Pierson, Richmond, MA, to Rhoda Richards, Nauvoo, IL, 3 Apr. 1844, typescript, Richards Family Papers, CHL.)

    “Richards Family Letters 1840–1849.” Typescript. Richards Family Papers, 1965. CHL.

  2. [2]

    TEXT: Page torn. Possibly “talker”.

  3. [3]

    TEXT: “un[page torn]”. The missing text is supplied from context.

  4. [4]

    See Hebrews 11:38.

  5. [5]

    Pratt shared similar sentiments in the portion of this letter that he addressed to his wife. (See Parley P. Pratt, Richmond, MA, to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Nauvoo, IL, 26 Apr. 1844, Parley P. Pratt, Papers, CHL.)

    Pratt, Parley P. Papers, 1837–1844. CHL.

  6. [6]

    See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:8].

  7. [7]

    See Job 3:17.

  8. [8]

    In his autobiography, Pratt wrote that he “proclaimed the gospel, as usual, while on this journey, on steamers on the lakes and rivers; in the cities of the Atlantic” before beginning his journey back to Nauvoo “a day or two” before JS was killed on 27 June 1844. (Pratt, Autobiography, 367–368.)

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

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