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Letter to Thomas Ford, 21 August 1843

Source Note

JS, 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
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
,
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

More Info
, Sangamon Co., IL, 21 Aug. 1843. Featured version copied 21 Aug. 1843; handwriting of
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, dockets, redactions, and archival markings.
Bifolium measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The letter was written on the first three pages and the top of the fourth page. The document was trifolded twice in letter style and addressed. It was later refolded for filing.
The letter was docketed by
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
1

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859, docketed the letter a second time.
2

“Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

The letter may be one of three letters to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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listed in an inventory produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
3

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

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


The document’s early dockets and later inclusion in the JS Collection suggest continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  4. [4]

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

Historical Introduction

On 21 August 1843, in
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
, Illinois,
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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wrote a letter on behalf of JS to
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
governor
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
, in
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

More Info
, Illinois, conveying intelligence about a possible incursion of
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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mobs into Illinois. The letter served as a cover letter for two documents JS had recently received and wished to transmit to Ford. On 11 August,
Shepherd Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

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, one of JS’s attorneys, wrote a letter to JS from
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

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, Illinois, informing him of the political backlash Patrick and fellow attorney
Cyrus Walker

6 May 1791–Dec. 1875. Lawyer. Born in Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Son of Alexander Walker and Mary Magdalene Hammond. Presbyterian. Moved to Adair Co., Kentucky, ca. 1794. Lived in Columbia, Adair Co., by 1810. Married Flora Montgomery, 30 Jan. 1817, in Adair...

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faced for their legal defense of JS during a June 1843 extradition attempt. When he sent his letter to JS, Patrick also forwarded a letter he had received from Jacob Hall, an attorney living in
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

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, Missouri, that specifically criticized Patrick for his role in defending JS and warned that Missourians would require little inducement to attack Nauvoo if JS was not brought to Missouri to face justice. Hall also reported on the ongoing attempts to prosecute
Orrin Porter Rockwell

June 1814–9 June 1878. Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer. Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt. Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817. Neighbor to JS. Baptized into Church of...

View Full Bio
in Missouri. At the time, Rockwell was imprisoned at Independence, having been accused of attempting to assassinate former Missouri governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

View Full Bio
.
1

JS History, vol. E-1, 1827–1829; “Part 1: March 1843.”


William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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obtained
Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
’s letter, with Hall’s letter enclosed, from the
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
post office on the morning of 21 August. After Clayton delivered the letters, JS instructed
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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“to have them copied with some additional remarks” addressed to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
.
2

Clayton, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843; JS, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Richards copied the two letters into the featured draft of the brief cover letter, which informed Ford that while JS did not believe the threats from
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
, he felt it best to forward them to keep Ford abreast of a potential threat to
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
sovereignty. JS also assured Ford of his loyalty and patriotism should Ford call on the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
to defend Nauvoo and Illinois.
Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
presumably finished copying the letters and drafting JS’s letter on 21 August, the date mentioned in JS’s journal and the date of the letter draft. However, Richards’s journal recorded that he “wrote” to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
on both 21 and 22 August.
3

Richards, Journal, 21–22 Aug. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

This second date may refer to the date Richards made a fair copy of the extant draft. Richards sent the cover letter along with
Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
’s and Hall’s letters to Ford on 22 August. Although most of Richards’s cover letter to Ford appears last in the extant draft, the final iteration sent to Ford was presumably separate from and in addition to the forwarded letters. None of the three original letters have been located.
4

JS, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843; Richards, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843. Richards later informed Brigham Young that he had forwarded the original letter from Hall to Ford after it was copied for publication. Patrick’s original letter presumably was included as well. (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Brigham Young, New York City, NY, 28 Aug. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Richards’s copies of Patrick’s and Hall’s letters, together with his draft cover letter, are featured here. Ford responded to JS’s letter and the enclosures on 13 September 1843.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS History, vol. E-1, 1827–1829; “Part 1: March 1843.”

  2. [2]

    Clayton, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843; JS, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Richards, Journal, 21–22 Aug. 1843.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843; Richards, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843. Richards later informed Brigham Young that he had forwarded the original letter from Hall to Ford after it was copied for publication. Patrick’s original letter presumably was included as well. (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Brigham Young, New York City, NY, 28 Aug. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Shepherd Patrick, 11 August 1843

Page 3

the officers of law, who will trample upon the form of Justice, the laws of the country, and bid open defiance to both, in the manner that
Sheriff R.

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

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informs us that you acted with him after his arrest of the Mormon Prophet. That the State courts have a right, upon a writ of
Habeas Corpus

“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...

View Glossary
, to investigate the legality of all imprison[ment] within their respective chartered limits, whether such imprisonment is by the authority of the
U. S.

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 of a State, no sound lawyer perhaps will doubt, but it is equally certain that no court upon such writ, has any right to go beyond the forms, & the “prima facie” evidence of the case—
7

The habeas corpus hearing for Missouri’s third attempt to extradite JS, at which Shepherd Patrick served as one of JS’s attorneys, was heard in Nauvoo, and the court gathered considerable evidence regarding the actions and motivations behind the writ. This was technically a violation of English common law, which forbade courts from looking behind the indictment or arrest warrant to inquire into the evidence leading to the arrest in habeas corpus hearings. Illinois’s statute governing habeas corpus also forbade courts from inquiring “into the legality or justice of a judgment or decree of a court legally constituted” beyond accusations of fraud or bribery. In crafting its habeas corpus city ordinances, the Nauvoo City Council was clearly concerned with negating this provision, and one ordinance explicitly ordered the municipal court to examine “the origin, validity, & legality of the Writ or Process, under which such arrest was made” and directed the court to “fully hear the merits of the case, upon which such arrest was made, upon such evidence as may be produced and sworn before said Court.” (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, pp. 323–324, sec. 3; Walker, “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism,” 14–21; “The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 8 Aug. 1842, 98; Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Walker, Jeffrey N. “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism: Joseph Smith’s Legal Bulwark for Personal Freedom.” BYU Studies 52, no. 1 (2013): 4–97.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

If the officers of courts and the community are so corrupt as to disregard their own laws and trample them under their feet & liberate their criminals in defiance of law, then it appears to me that the power of self government is extinct. If
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
by her own authority cannot capture the prophet, it will be but a small matter to raise volunteers enough here to raze the city of
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
to the ground— If
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
fails to deliver up Jo Smith, there will be something serious between the two states.
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
will have Jo Smith for trial or impose as powerful restrictions as the constitution will allow upon the intercourse of the citizens of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
. If the
governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
is so imbecile as to allow his warrant to be disregarded by the Mormons &. permit the Prophet. to go at large, then let him be impeached and a more honorable & energetic man
8

Hall’s letter was published in the Nauvoo Neighbor in August 1843. That version read “a new, honorable, energetic man.” (Jacob Hall, Independence, MO, to Shepherd Patrick, Dixon, IL, 23 July 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 23 Aug. 1843, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

be placed in his stead. I have it from a high source that
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
will hold the whole
State

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
responsible for the treatment of our messenger
9

That is, Joseph H. Reynolds.


and for the delivery of the prophet.
10

After his arrest, JS and his attorneys sued Reynolds and Hancock County constable Harmon T. Wilson for threatening, harming, and falsely imprisoning JS and initiated legal proceedings that led to the sheriff of Lee County, Illinois, arresting and disarming Reynolds and Wilson. (Affidavit, 24 June 1843; Declaration, [ca. 24 June 1843], photocopy, JS Collection, CHL; Discourse, 6 Aug. 1843.)


Had you liberated the prophet by a regular writ of the “
Habeas corpus

“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...

View Glossary
” without mistreating our
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

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, I should have gloried in my acquaintance with you, but to have done it it in the manner it was done, reflects no honor either on yourself, your people or your government, The Mormons are only a lawless bandittie & I fear the pestilence has contaminated the whole community, & if
Reynold’s

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

View Full Bio
opinion be correct, yourself amongst the rest, Holy Jo was not afraid of the “injustice of our people.” It is the just punishment and their violated laws that he fears, I will now give you an impartial opinion of the prejudices again[s]t
Rockwell

June 1814–9 June 1878. Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer. Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt. Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817. Neighbor to JS. Baptized into Church of...

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, here, and my opinion of his guilt,— There is not a man in this community but believes him guilty, There is a chain of circumstances against him so strong that no rational man can doubt his guilt.— I was at
Boggs [Lilburn W. Boggs’s]

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

View Full Bio
house two minutes after the deed it is in sight of mine, & &, the insidiousness of the offence renders it difficult to restrain the citizens from hanging him up without Judge or jury.
11

Rockwell later claimed that during his imprisonment some officers of the court “feared the Mob would kill” him and that when Rockwell was quickly recaptured after escaping from jail, Sheriff Joseph H. Reynolds attempted to hand him over to a lynch mob that wanted to hang Rockwell “on the spot.” (JS History, vol. E-1, 1828–1829.)


So far however we have succeeded in quelling it. But should he be discharged upon trial the power of man cannot save him, (more tomorrow)
By the foregoing copy <​enclosed letter of—​> of Mr Hall’s (forwarded me by
Mr Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
whose letter I also enclose) letter, your
Excellency

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
is apprized of the feelings of a part of
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
; How far such is the case in all the
state

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
, I know not, and care not, for the “mormons” are not very apprehensive that a company of
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
“volunteers” will come to “raze
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
to the ground” for some time; But as this letter comes from a high source, and refers to a still higher source, that the state of
missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
will hold the State of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
responsible for their treatment of
Reynolds

1813–29 Mar. 1884. Grocer, government official. Born in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1834. Elected county coroner, Aug. 1836, and justice of the peace, 1837. Served in Seminole War. Married first, by June 1840. Served...

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and the delivery of the prophet,— It was thought adviseable to give your
Excellency

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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the privilege of seeing and knowing for himself. Our people are <​as​> patriots, feel bound to maintain your honor and reputation, as well as that of the
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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, in company with that of their own; and when any danger actually threatens, if your
Excellency

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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send the necessary order, we will endeavor to defend the honor of the
governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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, of the
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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, as and of
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....

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, [p. 3]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Thomas Ford, 21 August 1843
ID #
3553
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:64–70
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [7]

    The habeas corpus hearing for Missouri’s third attempt to extradite JS, at which Shepherd Patrick served as one of JS’s attorneys, was heard in Nauvoo, and the court gathered considerable evidence regarding the actions and motivations behind the writ. This was technically a violation of English common law, which forbade courts from looking behind the indictment or arrest warrant to inquire into the evidence leading to the arrest in habeas corpus hearings. Illinois’s statute governing habeas corpus also forbade courts from inquiring “into the legality or justice of a judgment or decree of a court legally constituted” beyond accusations of fraud or bribery. In crafting its habeas corpus city ordinances, the Nauvoo City Council was clearly concerned with negating this provision, and one ordinance explicitly ordered the municipal court to examine “the origin, validity, & legality of the Writ or Process, under which such arrest was made” and directed the court to “fully hear the merits of the case, upon which such arrest was made, upon such evidence as may be produced and sworn before said Court.” (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois, pp. 323–324, sec. 3; Walker, “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism,” 14–21; “The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 8 Aug. 1842, 98; Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843.)

    The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    Walker, Jeffrey N. “Habeas Corpus in Early Nineteenth-Century Mormonism: Joseph Smith’s Legal Bulwark for Personal Freedom.” BYU Studies 52, no. 1 (2013): 4–97.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  2. [8]

    Hall’s letter was published in the Nauvoo Neighbor in August 1843. That version read “a new, honorable, energetic man.” (Jacob Hall, Independence, MO, to Shepherd Patrick, Dixon, IL, 23 July 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 23 Aug. 1843, [2].)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  3. [9]

    That is, Joseph H. Reynolds.

  4. [10]

    After his arrest, JS and his attorneys sued Reynolds and Hancock County constable Harmon T. Wilson for threatening, harming, and falsely imprisoning JS and initiated legal proceedings that led to the sheriff of Lee County, Illinois, arresting and disarming Reynolds and Wilson. (Affidavit, 24 June 1843; Declaration, [ca. 24 June 1843], photocopy, JS Collection, CHL; Discourse, 6 Aug. 1843.)

  5. [11]

    Rockwell later claimed that during his imprisonment some officers of the court “feared the Mob would kill” him and that when Rockwell was quickly recaptured after escaping from jail, Sheriff Joseph H. Reynolds attempted to hand him over to a lynch mob that wanted to hang Rockwell “on the spot.” (JS History, vol. E-1, 1828–1829.)

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