History draft; handwriting of , John L. Smith, Jonathan Grimshaw, Robert L. Campbell, , , and ; 101 numbered pages plus several inserted pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 1 March 1843 to 31 December 1843.
<Tuesday April 18> Signed an appointment to Esqre. of , as one of my Aides de camp, as Lieutt. Genl. of the — & conversing with him.
Rode out on the Prairie, sold 130 acres of land to the English Brethren, & took a bond from for two lots.
Signed a transcript of the <Mayor’s> Docket v. Dixon.
In the evening had a talk with three Indian Chiefs, who had come as a delegation from the Pottawatomies tribe, who complained of having their cattle, horses &c stolen; they were much troubled, & wanted to know what they should do they have borne their grievances patiently.
<19> Went to the at 9 oclock to open <attend> Municipal Court <in case of on appeal of <from> Mayors Docket <decision> of 10 March,> at 1/2 past 9, called to order, & issued an against , , , , , , & Associate Justices, to bring them before the Court forthwith, to answer for contempt. Aldermen , , <> & appeared, & were excused upon condition of their paying the costs of attachment & Marshalls fees. Associate Justice, was excused by reason <on account> of his absence from home the .
12½ <p.m.> Court opened, original papers being called for; the Clerk () enquired if the would issue from this court? Sit down, (said the Mayor) & attend to your own business, if any thing is wanted I will tell you <you will be told> time enough. for plead <moved>, that the case be dismissed for want of jurisdiction, in the Court below, <much law was read <quoted> on both sides.> The Court decided that the Mayor had jurisdiction, but this <the municipal> Court has not <being authorized only by the Charter to try appeals <in cases> arising under the ordinances of the — this case arose under the Statute of , &, should have been appealed directly to the Circuit Court>; & dismissed the Appeal, & then stated that a legal bond <for appeal> was not presented till after the 20 days had expired. <& therefore it could not now be <legally> appealed to the circuit court.>
After adjournment while conversing with & Esqre. , I told them I had been called to thousands of cases in sickness, & I have never failed of administering comfort where the patient has thrown himself unreservedly on me; & the reason is, that I never prescribed any thing that would injure the patient, if it did him no good. I have lost a Father, brother & child, because in my anxiety I depended more on the judgment of others men than my own; while I have raised up others, who were lower than they were. I will here remark (& by the bye I will say that that man who stands there, (pointing to ) is the best physician I have ever been acquainted with) people will seldom die from disease, provided we know it seasonably, & treat it mildly, patiently, & perseveringly & do not use harsh means. It is like the Irishman’s digging down the Mountains, he does not put his shoulder to it, to push it over, but puts it in his wheelbarrow & carries it away day after day, & perseveres in it, until the whole mountain is removed; so we should persevere in the use of simple medicines remedies (& not push against the Constitution of the patient) day after day & the disease will be removed & the patient saved. It is better to save the life of a man, than to raise one from the dead
At 3 pm I met with <, , , , , , & of > the in my , & told the Twelve to go in the name of the Lord God of Israel, & tell to put the hands on to the , & begin the work, & be patient till means can be provided. [p. 24]