On 26 March 1844, an unknown resident of , Pennsylvania, wrote a letter to JS requesting a copy of his published political views. General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States was published as a pamphlet in , Illinois, on 24 February. Three days later, JS distributed it by mail to newspapers and high-profile government officials throughout the country.

The correspondent’s use of “Reverend” in the letter’s salutation suggests that he or she was not a member of the , as church members did not typically use that title in addressing JS. The author explained that he or she had heard of the publication of JS’s political views and requested a copy of the pamphlet. The author also relayed that he or she had heard that JS was running for president and requested that JS confirm his candidacy. The correspondent encouraged JS in his campaign, lamenting the histories of political intrigue that surrounded the other candidates then seeking the office.

The unidentified writer likely addressed the letter to JS in and presumably transmitted it by post. The letter likely arrived in Nauvoo in early April. The original letter is not extant. However, , editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, printed the contents of the letter in the newspaper’s 5 June 1844 issue without commentary. It is possible that the correspondent signed the letter with his or her name but that the editors of the Nauvoo Neighbor did not include it in the printed version.