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Letter to Editor, 1 April 1843, Initial Draft

Source Note

[
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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, (Viator, pseud.)], Letter,
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, to the Editor of Boston Daily Bee,
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

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, Suffolk Co., MA, 1 Apr. 1843, draft; 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...

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; two pages; “Truthiana No. 3,” Truthiana, 1843, drafts, CHL.

Historical Introduction

See Historical Introduction to Letter to Editor, 22–ca. 27 Apr. 1843.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Letter to Editor, 1 April 1843, Initial Draft Letter to Editor, 1 April 1843, Second Draft Letter to Editor, 1 April 1843

Page [2]

but I must not enter in detail on such le[n]gthy accounts to the exclusion of passing events.— On Saturdy week Peter partem was brought up on complaint, before the mayor, for you must know. The prophet is that Jo is Mayor as well as propht, in of getting <​taking​> too much of the good creture, & abusing his “better half” <​for a breach of “thea ordinances”​> which he had found only about a month before,— Peter apperd drunk, & his honor rema[n]ded to prison till he was sober.— Says Pet I’m as sober as yer honor— then I imprisn you 2 days for contempt of court,— so he came up on Mundy quite sober— when it apperd he had at divers time, taken to much of the good creture— & abusd his bitter half— who thot it very bad conduct in a saint, to whom she had ben unitd only one Moon.— but you must know that Peter is not a fair specimen 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
.— the city ordnance pohibit drunkeness in evry form bothe by fine & imprisonmett, and no man is allowed to sell less than a Gallon of whisked [whiskey] at any one time, under a severe penalty. this article is used in the west <​place​>, mostly for making vineger, & the law is rather sever[e] to the lover of the pure article, If the the best way they can fix it the Mormon drunkerds, if such there are are obliged to keep out of Sight,— while they operate— Before comig to this place,— & Since too from abroad, I have often heard it reported that the propht gets drunk.— but if I may Judge of Jo’s exterior— I would as quick think the angel Gabriel a tipler, as his honor. and if he were as guilty as is reported I think somebody might have proved it before now——
The credit of the Mormons is good for almost evry thing but Righteousess <​& of​> that th[e]y porefess much less than many of their neighbors,— they credit for have credit for steali[n]g to an infinite amo[u]nt. so if any one wishes to Make a big game at slight hand he has only to say mormon & he can be introduced to the whole my[s]tery.— [p. [2]]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Editor, 1 April 1843, Initial Draft
ID #
12044
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
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  • Willard Richards

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