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Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 27 September 1843

Source Note

Horace Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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, Letter,
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
, New York Co., NY, to JS,
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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, Hancock Co., IL, 27 Sept. 1843; handwriting of
Horace Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, wafer seal, postal stamp, postal notation, docket, and endorsement.
Bifolium measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). Each leaf is ruled with twenty-nine blue horizontal lines. The letter was written on the first page only; the second and third pages are blank. It was then trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, sealed with a red adhesive wafer, and postmarked. The letter was torn when opened, and the second leaf bears wafer residue. The letter has undergone conservation.
The document was docketed and endorsed 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–.

It may be listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904.
2

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [2], 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). The document’s early endorsement and docket and its later inclusion in the JS Collection suggest continual institutional custody.
3

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


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]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [2], 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 27 September 1843,
Horace Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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wrote a letter from
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
to JS 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, asking about antagonistic resolutions that the Anti-Mormon Party passed three weeks earlier. Hotchkiss was one of 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...

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’s primary creditors because
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...

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, JS, and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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had purchased large tracts of real estate from the land syndicate of Hotchkiss,
Smith Tuttle

12 Mar. 1795–7 Mar. 1865. Shipping merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Christopher Tuttle and Abigail Luddington. Moved to Wallingford, New Haven Co., by 1810. Married first Rachel Gillett. Married second Amarilla...

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, and
John Gillet

2 Aug. 1796–17 July 1848. Likely born in Connecticut. Son of Benoni Gillett and Phoebe Dean. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, by May 1837. In Aug. 1839, with land-speculating partners Horace Hotchkiss and Smith Tuttle, sold land in...

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in 1839.
1

See Historical Introduction to Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.


Hotchkiss and JS had corresponded occasionally to negotiate payment of the interest on this debt. Though land and payment renegotiations took place earlier in 1843,
2

See Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 26 Nov. 1842; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 19 Dec. 1842; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 7 Apr. 1843; Bond from Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, 7 July 1843; and JS et al. to Smith Tuttle et al., Quitclaim Deed, Nauvoo, IL, 7 July 1843, in Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. 12 G, p. 299, microfilm 954,195, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Hotchkiss continued to have an economic interest in the church’s well-being, and he was concerned about rumors of meetings of the Anti-Mormon Party, which had assembled in
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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to oppose the political influence and power of Latter-day Saints in
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
.
3

For more information on the events leading up to and the resolutions of the meeting of the Anti-Mormon political party, see “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

In August and early September 1843, approximately two hundred
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
citizens met and adopted resolutions of the “strongest kind” charging JS with “a most shameless disregard for all the forms and restraints of Law.”
4

“The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Thomas Ford, ca. 20 Sept. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

News of these resolutions reached
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 mid-September, when a local newspaper in
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

More Info
, Illinois, published an account of the meeting.
5

JS, Journal, 15 Sept. 1843; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Thomas Ford, ca. 20 Sept. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

The Hancock County citizens also formed a committee to persuade newspaper editors in
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
,
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
, and
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
to publish the proceedings of their meetings.
6

“Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

Many newspapers responded, including the Burlington Hawk-Eye, St. Louis Ariel, and St. Louis New Era. Reports printed in those newspapers reached newspapers farther east, including the New York Herald, Philadelphia North American and Daily Advertiser, and Cleveland Herald.
7

“The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; “Joe Smith in Danger,” New York Herald, 27 Sept. 1843, [2]; Notice, North American and Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 27 Sept. 1843, [2]; “Mormon War Brewing,” Cleveland Herald, 23 Sept. 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

North American and Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia. 1839–1845.

Cleveland Herald. Cleveland. 1843–1853.

On 23 September, the New York Herald reprinted an article about the
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
resolutions.
8

“The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]. The article states that it originally appeared in the St. Louis New Era.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

On 27 September 1843, the Herald published another article, headlined “Joe Smith in Danger,” that stated, “Critical indeed is the position of the Mormon prophet becoming, and it is just possible that some fine morning we may receive intelligence of an attack on the holy city” of Nauvoo.
9

“Joe Smith in Danger,” New York Herald (New York City), 27 Sept. 1843, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Hotchkiss may have read either of these articles, or he may have found the news in another paper.
Concerned by the Anti-Mormon Party’s resolutions,
Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

View Full Bio
wrote to JS seeking accurate information on the state of affairs 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
. Hotchkiss wrote his letter on 27 September 1843 and mailed it from
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
the following day. JS received the letter, likely within two weeks’ time, and wrote a response on 12 and 13 October.
10

See Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 12–13 Oct. 1843.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Historical Introduction to Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.

  2. [2]

    See Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 26 Nov. 1842; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 19 Dec. 1842; Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 7 Apr. 1843; Bond from Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, 7 July 1843; and JS et al. to Smith Tuttle et al., Quitclaim Deed, Nauvoo, IL, 7 July 1843, in Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. 12 G, p. 299, microfilm 954,195, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

  3. [3]

    For more information on the events leading up to and the resolutions of the meeting of the Anti-Mormon political party, see “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2].

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  4. [4]

    “The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Thomas Ford, ca. 20 Sept. 1843.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 15 Sept. 1843; “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2]; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from August through December 1843”; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Thomas Ford, ca. 20 Sept. 1843.

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  6. [6]

    “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [2].

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

  7. [7]

    “The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; “Joe Smith in Danger,” New York Herald, 27 Sept. 1843, [2]; Notice, North American and Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 27 Sept. 1843, [2]; “Mormon War Brewing,” Cleveland Herald, 23 Sept. 1843, [2].

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

    North American and Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia. 1839–1845.

    Cleveland Herald. Cleveland. 1843–1853.

  8. [8]

    “The Mormons,” New York Herald (New York City), 23 Sept. 1843, [1]. The article states that it originally appeared in the St. Louis New Era.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  9. [9]

    “Joe Smith in Danger,” New York Herald (New York City), 27 Sept. 1843, [2].

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  10. [10]

    See Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 12–13 Oct. 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 27 September 1843
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [1]

New York

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
27th Sept. 1843
Rev Jos. Smith
Dear Sir— I see by the News Papers that there has been a meeting of citizens at
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
relative to the Mormons and that several severe resolutions have been passed condemning the conduct of the mormons—
1

According to a summary of the resolutions in the New York Herald, the Hancock County citizens declared, “if Governor Ford would not surrender Joe Smith on the requisition of the Governor of Missouri—which he had refused to do from political considerations—that they would call in aid from other counties and other States to assist them in delivering him up.” Furthermore, the Hancock County citizens resolved that because they believed Latter-day Saints threatened their lives, the committee would “avenge any blood that might be shed” by inflicting violence upon the religious community. Finally, the committee and gathered citizens “agreed not to obey the mandates of the Mormon officers of the county.” (“The Mormons,” New York Herald [New York City], 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; see also “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw [IL] Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

knowing how little I can rely upon public rumor upon such subjects I have taken the liberty of applying directly to you for correct information and solicit as a particular favour that you will communicate at your earliest convenience the facts in the case—
Of course I feel an interest in the prosperity 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 an interest also in the success of the mormon enterpise and a deep interest in the wellfare of your people and the more so certainly as their pecuniary interest is identified with my own— I make this frank acknowledgement because it is always best for men of sense to talk as they mean— I should however be solicitous for a successful termination of your great enterprise had I not one dollar invested 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
because the complete triumph of energetic exertions is always gratifying to all business men
Your Obt Svt
Horace R Hotchkiss

15 Apr. 1799–21 Apr. 1849. Merchant, land speculator. Born in East Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Heman Hotchkiss and Elizabeth Rowe. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., by 1815. Married Charlotte Austin Street, 22 Feb. 1824, in East Haven. Purchased...

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 27 September 1843
ID #
1169
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:129–131
Handwriting on This Page
  • Horace Hotchkiss

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    According to a summary of the resolutions in the New York Herald, the Hancock County citizens declared, “if Governor Ford would not surrender Joe Smith on the requisition of the Governor of Missouri—which he had refused to do from political considerations—that they would call in aid from other counties and other States to assist them in delivering him up.” Furthermore, the Hancock County citizens resolved that because they believed Latter-day Saints threatened their lives, the committee would “avenge any blood that might be shed” by inflicting violence upon the religious community. Finally, the committee and gathered citizens “agreed not to obey the mandates of the Mormon officers of the county.” (“The Mormons,” New York Herald [New York City], 23 Sept. 1843, [1]; see also “Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!,” Warsaw [IL] Message, 13 Sept. 1843, [1]–[2].)

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

    Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.

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