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Letter from John W. Latson, 7 January 1842

Source Note

John W. Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
, 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....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 7 Jan. 1842; handwriting presumably of
John W. Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
; three pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal stamps, postal notations, and dockets.
Bifolium measuring 10 × 8¼ inches (25 × 21 cm). The letter was inscribed on the recto and verso of the first leaf and the recto of the second leaf. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, sealed with a red adhesive wafer, and postmarked. A remnant of the wafer obscures one word on the recto of the second leaf.
The document 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–.

Another docket was inscribed by
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...

View Full Bio
, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859.
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 document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
3

“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).
4

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


The document’s early dockets as well as its inclusion in the circa 1904 inventory and in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate 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, [2], 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 7 January 1842
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
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
member
John W. Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter to JS concerning a trip Latson had recently taken to
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
to purchase goods—presumably for JS’s mercantile
store

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. Completed 1841. Opened for business, 5 Jan. 1842. Owned by JS, but managed mostly by others, after 1842. First floor housed JS’s general store and counting room, where tithing...

More Info
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

JS received the first supply of goods for his store on 22 December 1841; the establishment officially opened for business during the first week of January 1842. (JS, Journal, 22 Dec. 1841; 1 and 5 Jan. 1842; Letter to Edward Hunter, 5 Jan. 1842.)


Latson joined 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
sometime before spring 1841 and was reportedly a “preacher” at the church’s branch then meeting in Lower Manhattan.
2

The branch met at 245 Spring Street. (“Arrest for Violating a Statute,” New-York Tribune [New York City], 16 Apr. 1841, [2]; Foster, History of the New York City Branch, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

Foster, Lucian R. History of the New York City Branch, 1837–1840. High Priests Quorum Record, 1841–1845. CHL.

In May 1841 members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
attended a wedding and preached at least one sermon in Latson’s Manhattan home.
3

Woodruff, Journal, 22 and 25 May 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Latson was an established merchant and had been partial owner and master of a steamboat, which may explain why he was involved in acquiring goods for JS during this period.
4

1840 U.S. Census, New York 13th Ward, New York City, NY, 267; Longworth’s American Almanac [1841], 424; Longworth’s American Almanac [1842], 369; The Fanny, 8 Federal Cases 992 (S.D.N.Y. 1841) (case no. 4,637); “Arrest for Violating a Statute,” New-York Tribune (New York City), 16 Apr. 1841, [2]. Edward Hunter, a church member from Pennsylvania, was also involved in purchasing goods for JS’s store around this same period. (Letter to Edward Hunter, 5 Jan. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, for the Sixty-Sixth Year of American Independence. . . . New York: Thomas Longworth, 1841.

Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, for the Sixty-Seventh Year of American Independence. . . . New York: T. Longworth and Son, 1842.

The Federal Cases Comprising Cases Argued and Determined in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Federal Reporter. Arranged Alphabetically by the Titles of the Cases, and Numbered Consecutively. Vol. 8. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing, 1895.

New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

In his letter to JS,
Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
reported that he was unable to obtain goods in
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
and had returned to
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
but that he would procure goods there and 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
by late February or early March 1842. He also described a chance encounter he had with
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
Supreme Court justice John Catron on his journey home, informing JS that Catron was interested in nominating Latson to lead a government mission to “civilize” the Osage Indians, most of whom lived west 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
. The letter was mailed from New York City on 12 January 1842. Latson requested that JS write back with further direction.
As correspondence mailed 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
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
took approximately three weeks for delivery,
5

See, for example, Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841; and Letter to John M. Bernhisel, 3 Aug. 1841.


Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
’s letter probably arrived in Nauvoo in early February. A docket in the 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...

View Full Bio
indicates that JS received it in Nauvoo. No reply is known to exist.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS received the first supply of goods for his store on 22 December 1841; the establishment officially opened for business during the first week of January 1842. (JS, Journal, 22 Dec. 1841; 1 and 5 Jan. 1842; Letter to Edward Hunter, 5 Jan. 1842.)

  2. [2]

    The branch met at 245 Spring Street. (“Arrest for Violating a Statute,” New-York Tribune [New York City], 16 Apr. 1841, [2]; Foster, History of the New York City Branch, [2].)

    New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

    Foster, Lucian R. History of the New York City Branch, 1837–1840. High Priests Quorum Record, 1841–1845. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Woodruff, Journal, 22 and 25 May 1841.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  4. [4]

    1840 U.S. Census, New York 13th Ward, New York City, NY, 267; Longworth’s American Almanac [1841], 424; Longworth’s American Almanac [1842], 369; The Fanny, 8 Federal Cases 992 (S.D.N.Y. 1841) (case no. 4,637); “Arrest for Violating a Statute,” New-York Tribune (New York City), 16 Apr. 1841, [2]. Edward Hunter, a church member from Pennsylvania, was also involved in purchasing goods for JS’s store around this same period. (Letter to Edward Hunter, 5 Jan. 1842.)

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

    Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, for the Sixty-Sixth Year of American Independence. . . . New York: Thomas Longworth, 1841.

    Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, for the Sixty-Seventh Year of American Independence. . . . New York: T. Longworth and Son, 1842.

    The Federal Cases Comprising Cases Argued and Determined in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Federal Reporter. Arranged Alphabetically by the Titles of the Cases, and Numbered Consecutively. Vol. 8. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing, 1895.

    New-York Tribune. New York City. 1841–1842.

  5. [5]

    See, for example, Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841; and Letter to John M. Bernhisel, 3 Aug. 1841.

Page [3]

or of any other denomanation
7

Latson’s reluctance to identify himself as a Latter-day Saint may be connected to ongoing perceptions that the church sought to convert western Indian tribes in order to incite them to commit violence against and take land from frontier settlers. (Isaac McCoy, “The Disturbances in Jackson County,” Missouri Republican [St. Louis], 20 Dec. 1833, [2]; “Public Meeting,” Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:354; Henry King, Keokuk, Iowa Territory, to John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, 14 July 1843, in Territorial Papers of the United States, the Territory of Iowa, reel 56.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1919.

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Territorial Papers of the United States, the Territory of Iowa, 1838–1846. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy M325. 102 reels. Washington DC: National Archives and Records Service, 1979.

one grate Object being to prevent the selling of Liquor to the natives
8

In 1832 Congress approved a statute creating the position of commissioner of Indian affairs. The commissioner was tasked with, among other things, prohibiting the introduction of alcohol to Indian tribes. In 1834 Congress passed another act that fined any person who attempted to “sell, exchange, or give, barter, or dispose of, any spirituous liquor or wine to an Indian.” Though contemporaries observed that the Osage Indians largely avoided consuming alcohol during the 1820s and 1830s, practices apparently began to change during the early 1840s. In 1843 Osage Indian subagent Robert Calloway reported to his superiors, “I am told, and I confidently believe it true, that the Osages have, within the last twelve or fifteen months, drank more whiskey than they had ever done since they were a people.” (An Act to Provide for the Appointment of a Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and for Other Purposes [9 July 1832], Public Statutes at Large, 22nd Cong., 1st Sess., vol. 4, chap. 174, p. 564; An Act to Regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers [30 June 1834], Public Statutes at Large, 23rd Cong., 1st Sess., vol. 4, chap. 161, p. 732, sec. 20; R. A. Calloway, Osage Subagency, to D. D. Mitchell, St. Louis, MO, 1 Sept. 1843, in Message from the President of the United States, 5 Dec. 1843, Senate doc. no. 1, 28th Cong., 1st Sess. [1843], pp. 388–389; Rollings, Unaffected by the Gospel, 126–128.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

Message from the President of the United States, to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the First Session of the Twenty-Sixth Congress. December 24, 1839. Senate Doc. no. 1, 26th Cong., 1st Sess. (1839).

Rollings, Willard Hughes. Unaffected by the Gospel: Osage Resistance to the Christian Invasion, 1673–1906: A Cultural Victory. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2004.

I informed them of my stay 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
&c they though[t] me purty well Mormonired— do not publish any part of this but simply write me what you want me to do under the curcumstances
my health has ben very poor since my return, home, but I am now much bet[t]er so as to be able to attend to buisness
I am making preparations to return to your city by the last of Febuary or the first [of]
9

TEXT: Word concealed by remnant of wafer.


march
give my kindest regards to
Mrs Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
and your aimable Famley
With the highest considerations I remain your Most Obt Svt
J[ohn] W Latson

?–? Grocer, steamboat captain. Lived in New York City, 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Apr. 1841. Attended New York City branch of church. Attempted to purchase goods for JS’s store, before Jan. 1842. Apparently affiliated...

View Full Bio
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
Jany 7th 1842 [1/4 page blank] [p. [3]]
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Source Note

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Page [3]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from John W. Latson, 7 January 1842
ID #
741
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:88–92
Handwriting on This Page
  • John W. Latson

Footnotes

  1. [7]

    Latson’s reluctance to identify himself as a Latter-day Saint may be connected to ongoing perceptions that the church sought to convert western Indian tribes in order to incite them to commit violence against and take land from frontier settlers. (Isaac McCoy, “The Disturbances in Jackson County,” Missouri Republican [St. Louis], 20 Dec. 1833, [2]; “Public Meeting,” Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:354; Henry King, Keokuk, Iowa Territory, to John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, 14 July 1843, in Territorial Papers of the United States, the Territory of Iowa, reel 56.)

    Missouri Republican. St. Louis. 1822–1919.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

    Territorial Papers of the United States, the Territory of Iowa, 1838–1846. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy M325. 102 reels. Washington DC: National Archives and Records Service, 1979.

  2. [8]

    In 1832 Congress approved a statute creating the position of commissioner of Indian affairs. The commissioner was tasked with, among other things, prohibiting the introduction of alcohol to Indian tribes. In 1834 Congress passed another act that fined any person who attempted to “sell, exchange, or give, barter, or dispose of, any spirituous liquor or wine to an Indian.” Though contemporaries observed that the Osage Indians largely avoided consuming alcohol during the 1820s and 1830s, practices apparently began to change during the early 1840s. In 1843 Osage Indian subagent Robert Calloway reported to his superiors, “I am told, and I confidently believe it true, that the Osages have, within the last twelve or fifteen months, drank more whiskey than they had ever done since they were a people.” (An Act to Provide for the Appointment of a Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and for Other Purposes [9 July 1832], Public Statutes at Large, 22nd Cong., 1st Sess., vol. 4, chap. 174, p. 564; An Act to Regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers [30 June 1834], Public Statutes at Large, 23rd Cong., 1st Sess., vol. 4, chap. 161, p. 732, sec. 20; R. A. Calloway, Osage Subagency, to D. D. Mitchell, St. Louis, MO, 1 Sept. 1843, in Message from the President of the United States, 5 Dec. 1843, Senate doc. no. 1, 28th Cong., 1st Sess. [1843], pp. 388–389; Rollings, Unaffected by the Gospel, 126–128.)

    The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

    Message from the President of the United States, to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the First Session of the Twenty-Sixth Congress. December 24, 1839. Senate Doc. no. 1, 26th Cong., 1st Sess. (1839).

    Rollings, Willard Hughes. Unaffected by the Gospel: Osage Resistance to the Christian Invasion, 1673–1906: A Cultural Victory. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2004.

  3. [9]

    TEXT: Word concealed by remnant of wafer.

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