On 13 September 1843, governor responded to a letter from JS regarding a possible vigilante attack by Missourians on , Illinois. Ford dismissed the likelihood of any such attack. In August 1843, , one of JS’s attorneys, had forwarded a letter to JS from attorney Jacob Hall, in which Hall threatened that Missourians would send a force of volunteers “to raze the city of Nauvoo to the ground” if Illinois officials did not bring JS to justice. JS forwarded Hall’s and Patrick’s letters to Ford along with a cover letter stating that while the Saints doubted the threat, the citizens of Nauvoo were ready to defend themselves and the state should Ford require their military service.

While dismissed the threat of an armed incursion, he admitted it was possible that Missourians or his political enemies would try “some other mode of annoyance.” JS received the letter on 18 September and responded around two days later with further concerns.