On 9 November 1841, in , Connecticut, wrote a letter to JS in , Illinois, to report on member ’s efforts to settle debts that JS and other church leaders owed Hotchkiss. The letter also discussed transferring property to Hotchkiss to cover an interest payment owed him. According to the terms of an 1839 land purchase from Hotchkiss and his business partners and , JS and church leaders owed $3,000 in interest annually for twenty years. In an 11 October 1841 letter to JS, Hotchkiss agreed to accept church property near , New Jersey, from Ivins as payment toward the accrued interest. In that same letter, Hotchkiss proposed that the New Jersey property, which included a tavern stand and 137 acres of timber land, be valued at $3,000, which would cover the annual interest owed him in 1841.

Before receiving a response from JS, wrote the letter featured here on 9 November, to follow up and repeat his offer. Hotchkiss also reiterated that had paid another debt from a previous note JS had given Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss mailed the letter from on 10 November. JS received the letter, likely within two weeks, and responded on 10 December 1841.