The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. Documents, Volume 12, Part 1 Introduction: March 1843

Part 1: March 1843

In March 1843, JS balanced ecclesiastical, civic, and family responsibilities while continuing to respond to continual fallout from attacks on the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
by former Latter-day Saint
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
. During the first week of March 1843, JS—acting as a justice of the peace for
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
, Illinois—presided in a medical malpractice suit, Charles Dana v. William Brink. JS’s decision, delivered on 10 March, was subsequently printed in the Wasp, the church’s community newspaper published 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.
1

Trial Report, 4–22 Mar. 1843.


Sometime during the first half of March, JS also addressed a group of Latter-day Saint youth in Nauvoo, encouraging them to organize and perform charitable service.
2

Discourse, between ca. 1 and ca. 15 Mar. 1843.


From 11 to 14 March, JS visited the
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
of the church in
Macedonia

Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...

More Info
, Illinois, and regulated a leadership dispute.
3

Minutes, 13 Mar. 1843.


Upon his return to
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
, JS learned that
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
had been arrested 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
for allegedly shooting 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
the previous year.
4

Boggs was shot in Independence, Missouri, on 6 May 1842. Rockwell was arrested in St. Louis on 5 March 1843. Word of Rockwell’s arrest reached Nauvoo on 13 March. (“Assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 21 May 1842, [3]; “Orrin Porter Rockwell,” Daily Missouri Republican [St. Louis], 6 Mar. 1843, [3]; JS, Journal, 13 Mar. 1843; see also Historical Introduction to Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 Mar. 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

After
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
accused Rockwell of the crime, Boggs made two affidavits on 20 July 1842, the first claiming that Rockwell was the shooter and the second alleging that JS was an “accessary before the fact.” Based on the affidavits, Missouri officials initiated extradition proceedings for Rockwell and JS as fugitives from justice.
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 Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

View Full Bio
complied by issuing arrest warrants for them.
5

“Bennett’s Second and Third Letters,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 July 1842, [2]; “Gen. Bennett’s 4th Letter,” Sangamo Journal, 22 July 1842, [2]; Lilburn W. Boggs, Affidavit, 20 July 1842; Thomas Reynolds, Requisition, 22 July 1842; Thomas Carlin, Warrant, 2 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; see also Historical Introduction to Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842. The affidavit and requisition for Rockwell are apparently not extant; however, the two documents were referenced in Carlin’s warrant for Rockwell, which was copied into Rockwell’s petition for habeas corpus. (Orrin Porter Rockwell, Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

When the arresting officers tried to take JS and Rockwell into custody on 8 August 1842, the Nauvoo Municipal Court granted the two men writs 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
, a common law remedy that permitted an authorized court to review the legality of a prisoner’s detention. Unsure how to proceed, the officers left the city to consult with the governor. Meanwhile, JS went into hiding in and around Nauvoo, and Rockwell departed for the
Philadelphia

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

More Info
area.
6

JS, Journal, 8 and 11 Aug. 1842; Historical Introduction to Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong and Orrin Porter Rockwell, 1 Dec. 1842; see also “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454–456; Historical Introduction to Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843; and Historical Introduction to Discourse, 30 June 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

In early 1843,
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
decided to return to
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
. In January 1843, 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
Circuit Court for the District 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
discharged JS from custody on the grounds that
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
’s affidavit—the foundation of the extradition attempt—did not claim that JS had committed a crime 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
or that he had fled from the justice of that state, meaning Missouri had no authority under the United States Constitution to extradite him.
7

Court Ruling, 5 Jan. 1843.


The charge against Rockwell, however, was still outstanding. On 5 March, when he attempted to pass through
St. Louis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

More Info
under an assumed name, he was apprehended and incarcerated.
8

“Orrin Porter Rockwell,” Daily Missouri Republican (St. Louis), 6 Mar. 1843, [3]; “The Attempted Assassination of Gov. Boggs,” New-York Commercial Advertiser (New York City), 18 Mar. 1843, [1]. Rockwell was apprehended by a “Mr Fox,” who presumably made the arrest based on Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds’s September 1842 proclamation offering a $600 reward for the capture of JS and Rockwell. Several sources provide different dates for Rockwell’s arrest; however, the Daily Missouri Republican report, which gave the date as 5 March, was closest to the situation. (JS History, vol. E-1, 1827; Leopard and Shoemaker, Messages and Proclamations, 1:524–525.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

Commercial Advertiser. New York City. 1820–1863.

Leopard, Buel, and Floyd C. Shoemaker, comps. The Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of the State of Missouri. Vol. 1. Columbia, MO: State Historical Society of Missouri, 1922.

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
’s arrest prompted the creation of several JS documents during March 1843. While in the
St. Louis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

More Info
County jail, Rockwell received a visit from prominent attorney
Richard Blennerhassett

9 May 1811–25 Dec. 1857. Teacher, lawyer. Born at Conway Castle, Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. Son of Edward Blennerhassett and Alicia Spotswood. Member of Church of England. Married Theresa M. Byron. Migrated to Upper Canada, May 1831. Moved to Attica...

View Full Bio
, who wrote to Latter-day Saint
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
on 7 March, offering to defend Rockwell. On 17 March, Whitney passed Blennerhassett’s letter to JS, prompting him to send instructions regarding Rockwell to the
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
lawyer.
9

Richard Blennerhassett, St. Louis, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Nauvoo, IL, 7 Mar. 1843, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Letter to Richard Blennerhassett, 17 Mar. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

Two former church members,
Isaac Galland

15 May 1791–27 Sept. 1858. Merchant, postmaster, land speculator, doctor. Born at Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Matthew Galland and Hannah Fenno. Married first Nancy Harris, 22 Mar. 1811, in Madison Co., Ohio. Married second Margaret Knight, by 1816....

View Full Bio
and Joseph Wood, likewise learned of Rockwell’s situation and sent letters to JS relaying information; they also reported that
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
had been lecturing against the church in St. Louis.
10

Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 Mar. 1843; Letter from Joseph Wood, 14 Mar. 1843.


JS also corresponded about Rockwell’s plight with
Justin Butterfield

1790–Oct. 1855. Teacher, lawyer. Born in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York, ca. 1810, where he taught school and studied law. Admitted to bar, 1812, at Watertown. Practiced law in Adams, Jefferson Co., and Sackets...

View Full Bio
, 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
attorney for the district 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
, who had represented JS in the January 1843 hearing before the federal court.
11

Letter to Justin Butterfield, 18 Mar. 1843; Letter from Justin Butterfield, 27 Mar. 1843; see also Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 10 Apr. 1843.


During March 1843, Latter-day Saints and others wrote letters to JS on a variety of other subjects. Church members reported on conditions of
branches

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
outside 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
and explained events affecting the church in such places as
New York City

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
,
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

More Info
, and
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
, the capital 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
.
12

Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 8 Mar. 1843; Resolutions of the Boston Conference, 12 Mar. 1843; Letter from Austin Cowles, 13 Mar. 1843; Letter from James Adams, 14 Mar. 1843; Letter from John P. Greene, 18 Mar. 1843; Letter from Hannah Root and James M. Adams, 10 Mar. 1843.


They also asked for guidance on regulating immigration to Nauvoo.
13

Letter from Thomas Ward and Hiram Clark, 16 Mar. 1843.


Other letter writers requested information about the Latter-day Saint city and the church, offered to sell guns to church members, asked to borrow a cannon, and advised JS about the land situation in Nauvoo.
14

Letter from John McKee, 7 Mar. 1843; Letter from Halsey Cook, 20 Mar. 1843; Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843; Letter from Garret Bias, 7 Mar. 1843; Letter to Garret Bias, 28 Mar. 1843; Letter from Abraham Jonas, 21 Mar. 1843; Letter to Abraham Jonas, 25 Mar. 1843; Letter from Chauncey Robison, 8 Mar. 1843.


On 23 March, JS gave a blessing to
Joseph Kingsbury

2 May 1812–15 Oct. 1898. Mining superintendent, store clerk, teacher, farmer, ferry operator, tithing storehouse supervisor, Temple Square guide. Born at Enfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Solomon Kingsbury and Bathsheba Amanda Pease. Moved from Enfield...

View Full Bio
promising that he and his recently deceased wife,
Caroline Whitney Kingsbury

10 Mar. 1816–10 Oct. 1842. Born in Jay, Essex Co., New York. Daughter of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 31 Oct. 1835. Married Joseph C. Kingsbury, 3 Feb. 1836, in Geauga Co., Ohio. Moved...

View Full Bio
, would “be crowned and enthrowned to dwell together in a Kingdom in the
Celestial Glory

Highest kingdom of glory in the afterlife; symbolically represented by the sun. According to a vision dated 16 February 1832, inheritors of the celestial kingdom “are they who received the testimony of Jesus, & believed on his name, & were baptized,” “receive...

View Glossary
in the presents of God, And you Shall Enjoy each other Society & Embraces.” The blessing gave Caroline the same promise “as though She was present herself.” On the same day, JS composed a handwritten blessing for
Sarah Ann Whitney

22 Mar. 1825–4 Sept. 1873. Born in Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Daughter of Newel K. Whitney and Elizabeth Ann Smith. Located at Carrollton, Greene Co., Illinois, winter 1838–1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, winter 1839–1840, and then to Commerce...

View Full Bio
—Caroline’s niece and JS’s plural wife—promising her eternal blessings if she remained faithful to her covenant with JS.
15

Blessing to Joseph Kingsbury, 23 Mar. 1843; Blessing to Sarah Ann Whitney, 23 Mar. 1843; see also Revelation, 27 July 1842.


Toward the end of March, JS corresponded with
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
, his counselor in the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
. JS accused Rigdon of conspiring with
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
to undermine JS and the church, and he threatened to withdraw fellowship from Rigdon at the upcoming April
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
of the church. Rigdon denied that he maintained contact with Bennett and affirmed his loyalty to the church.
16

Letter to Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843; Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843.


On the last day of March, an unidentified individual purporting to be
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
attorney general Hugh Legaré forged a letter to JS alleging that JS had been indicted for treason. JS and his scribes
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...

View Full Bio
and
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...

View Full Bio
determined that the letter was a hoax, in part because Rigdon had received a similar letter claiming falsely that 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 had been closed.
17

Letter from Hugh Legaré, 31 Mar. 1843 [Forgery].


Part 1 includes thirty JS documents from March 1843, including correspondence, blessings, and other documents.
  1. 1

    Trial Report, 4–22 Mar. 1843.

  2. 2

    Discourse, between ca. 1 and ca. 15 Mar. 1843.

  3. 3

    Minutes, 13 Mar. 1843.

  4. 4

    Boggs was shot in Independence, Missouri, on 6 May 1842. Rockwell was arrested in St. Louis on 5 March 1843. Word of Rockwell’s arrest reached Nauvoo on 13 March. (“Assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 21 May 1842, [3]; “Orrin Porter Rockwell,” Daily Missouri Republican [St. Louis], 6 Mar. 1843, [3]; JS, Journal, 13 Mar. 1843; see also Historical Introduction to Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 Mar. 1843.)

    Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

    Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

  5. 5

    “Bennett’s Second and Third Letters,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 July 1842, [2]; “Gen. Bennett’s 4th Letter,” Sangamo Journal, 22 July 1842, [2]; Lilburn W. Boggs, Affidavit, 20 July 1842; Thomas Reynolds, Requisition, 22 July 1842; Thomas Carlin, Warrant, 2 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; see also Historical Introduction to Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842. The affidavit and requisition for Rockwell are apparently not extant; however, the two documents were referenced in Carlin’s warrant for Rockwell, which was copied into Rockwell’s petition for habeas corpus. (Orrin Porter Rockwell, Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.)

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

  6. 6

    JS, Journal, 8 and 11 Aug. 1842; Historical Introduction to Letter from Sybella McMinn Armstrong and Orrin Porter Rockwell, 1 Dec. 1842; see also “Habeas Corpus,” in Bouvier, Law Dictionary, 1:454–456; Historical Introduction to Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 30 June 1843; and Historical Introduction to Discourse, 30 June 1843.

    Bouvier, John. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the Several States of the American Union; With References to the Civil and Other Systems of Foreign Law. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, 1854.

  7. 7

    Court Ruling, 5 Jan. 1843.

  8. 8

    “Orrin Porter Rockwell,” Daily Missouri Republican (St. Louis), 6 Mar. 1843, [3]; “The Attempted Assassination of Gov. Boggs,” New-York Commercial Advertiser (New York City), 18 Mar. 1843, [1]. Rockwell was apprehended by a “Mr Fox,” who presumably made the arrest based on Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds’s September 1842 proclamation offering a $600 reward for the capture of JS and Rockwell. Several sources provide different dates for Rockwell’s arrest; however, the Daily Missouri Republican report, which gave the date as 5 March, was closest to the situation. (JS History, vol. E-1, 1827; Leopard and Shoemaker, Messages and Proclamations, 1:524–525.)

    Daily Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1869.

    Commercial Advertiser. New York City. 1820–1863.

    Leopard, Buel, and Floyd C. Shoemaker, comps. The Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of the State of Missouri. Vol. 1. Columbia, MO: State Historical Society of Missouri, 1922.

  9. 9

    Richard Blennerhassett, St. Louis, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Nauvoo, IL, 7 Mar. 1843, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Letter to Richard Blennerhassett, 17 Mar. 1843.

    Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

  10. 10

    Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 Mar. 1843; Letter from Joseph Wood, 14 Mar. 1843.

  11. 11

    Letter to Justin Butterfield, 18 Mar. 1843; Letter from Justin Butterfield, 27 Mar. 1843; see also Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 10 Apr. 1843.

  12. 12

    Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 8 Mar. 1843; Resolutions of the Boston Conference, 12 Mar. 1843; Letter from Austin Cowles, 13 Mar. 1843; Letter from James Adams, 14 Mar. 1843; Letter from John P. Greene, 18 Mar. 1843; Letter from Hannah Root and James M. Adams, 10 Mar. 1843.

  13. 13

    Letter from Thomas Ward and Hiram Clark, 16 Mar. 1843.

  14. 14

    Letter from John McKee, 7 Mar. 1843; Letter from Halsey Cook, 20 Mar. 1843; Letter to John McKee, 28 Mar. 1843; Letter from Garret Bias, 7 Mar. 1843; Letter to Garret Bias, 28 Mar. 1843; Letter from Abraham Jonas, 21 Mar. 1843; Letter to Abraham Jonas, 25 Mar. 1843; Letter from Chauncey Robison, 8 Mar. 1843.

  15. 15

    Blessing to Joseph Kingsbury, 23 Mar. 1843; Blessing to Sarah Ann Whitney, 23 Mar. 1843; see also Revelation, 27 July 1842.

  16. 16

    Letter to Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843; Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 27 Mar. 1843.

  17. 17

    Letter from Hugh Legaré, 31 Mar. 1843 [Forgery].

Contact UsFAQFollow Us on Facebook

Request for Documents

Do you know of any Joseph Smith documents that we might not have heard about? Tell us

The Church Historian’s Press is an imprint of the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, and a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06