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Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 10 March 1842

Source Note

JS, 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....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], to
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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, [
Fair Haven

Village in south-central Connecticut, located on Quinnipiac River. Population in 1853 about 3,000.

More Info
, New Haven Co., CT], 10 Mar. 1842. Featured version copied [ca. 10 Mar. 1842] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 230–231; 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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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 10 March 1842 JS wrote to
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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in
Connecticut

Originally inhabited by native Algonquin tribes. Among first thirteen colonies that formed U.S., southernmost state in New England. First permanent European settlements established by members of Massachusetts Bay Colony, ca. 1635. Population in 1820 about...

More Info
regarding various land transaction proposals. In August 1839 JS,
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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, 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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, informally acting on behalf 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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, agreed to purchase approximately four hundred acres of land 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
, Illinois, from Hotchkiss and his business partners,
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...

View Full Bio
.
1

Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.


The land comprised much of the north half of what subsequently became the city 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
. While the principal owed for this large purchase was not due for nearly two more decades, interest payments of $3,000 per year had begun accruing. To pay the first year’s interest two weeks earlier, the church—through
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

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James Ivins

22 Mar. 1797–3 Apr. 1877. Farmer. Born in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Son of Israel Ivins and Margaret Woodward. Married Mary Schenk. Presumably baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co....

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—transferred some property in
New Jersey

Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...

More Info
to Hotchkiss, Tuttle, and Gillet.
2

Receipt from Horace Hotchkiss et al., 28 Feb. 1842.


As
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
had notified JS of the
Connecticut

Originally inhabited by native Algonquin tribes. Among first thirteen colonies that formed U.S., southernmost state in New England. First permanent European settlements established by members of Massachusetts Bay Colony, ca. 1635. Population in 1820 about...

More Info
partnership’s willingness to accept land in lieu of cash, JS wrote to Hotchkiss in early March with additional proposals of land transfers. One of these involved a sizeable property near
Terre Haute

Situated high on east bank of Wabash River. French settlement, 1720–1763; name is French for “high land.” Founded as Fort Harrison, 1811. Laid out and incorporated, 1816. Vigo Co. seat. Population in 1830 about 600; in 1837 about 1,100; and in 1840 about ...

More Info
, Indiana, owned by Dr.
Charles Modesitt

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

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. The value of this property and similar properties that could be made available in short order, JS reported, was enough to cover the $50,000 principal of the
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
purchase, concluding the 1839 sale if Hotchkiss and his colleagues agreed to take it.
3

Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.


JS closed his letter by describing the plight of the State Bank of Illinois, suggesting that without reliable paper money in circulation, land transfers would be the most efficient and profitable way for
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
and his partners to receive payment for the
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
property. Though Hotchkiss responded to JS’s letter the following month, he did not directly address the significant offer of
Modesitt

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

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’s land.
4

Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Apr. 1842.


The original letter is apparently not extant.
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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inscribed the original and later copied it into JS Letterbook 2, probably around the time the letter was written.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.

  2. [2]

    Receipt from Horace Hotchkiss et al., 28 Feb. 1842.

  3. [3]

    Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A.

  4. [4]

    Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Apr. 1842.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 10 March 1842 Letterbook 2

Page 231

<​2nd.​> I have also received a communication from Dr Barton Robinson who has property in the neighbourhood of
Mr [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...

View Full Bio
3

Gillet lived in Lake Fork, Logan County, Illinois. (John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 10 June 1841, Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

to the amount of $5,000. and proposes an exchange for property 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
, and I understand
Mr 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...

View Full Bio
is willing to take the property. If it meet your approbation, please let me know.
<​3rd.​> I would also make mention of
Dr. Modiset [Charles Modesitt]

Aug. 1784–22 Jan. 1848. Physician. Born in Prince William Co., Virginia. Son of Charles Modesitt and Francis Byrnes. Graduated from Prince William College, in Virginia. Married first Rebeccah Welton, 15 Nov. 1812, in Hardy Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia...

View Full Bio
of
Terre Haute

Situated high on east bank of Wabash River. French settlement, 1720–1763; name is French for “high land.” Founded as Fort Harrison, 1811. Laid out and incorporated, 1816. Vigo Co. seat. Population in 1830 about 600; in 1837 about 1,100; and in 1840 about ...

More Info
, Ia, who proposes to pay over to you property to the amount of $20,000 or $50,000 real Estate, in & around
Terre Haute

Situated high on east bank of Wabash River. French settlement, 1720–1763; name is French for “high land.” Founded as Fort Harrison, 1811. Laid out and incorporated, 1816. Vigo Co. seat. Population in 1830 about 600; in 1837 about 1,100; and in 1840 about ...

More Info
& now Sir, if this and such like property will answer your purpose I shall be able to satisfy all your demands immediately or as soon as the transfers can be effected.—
If you are agreed to
Mr 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...

View Full Bio
s taking any or all of the property specified as above & will please inform him of the same and he will receipt the property to the individual of whom he receives it, that receipt together with your letter of approval will be a sufficient voucher for me to settle with those who shall thus help to liquidate your claim on me
This Sir, is the most encouraging communication I am able to make to you, for the State Bank of
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
is down, or rather the public have ceased to take her notes & there is no money in circulation & all business is transacted by barter;
4

In his History of Illinois, former governor Thomas Ford wrote, “In February, 1842, the State Bank, with a circulation of three millions of dollars, finally exploded with a great crash, carrying wide-spread ruin all over the State, and into the neighboring States and territories.” Ford attributed the failure of the bank to the federal government’s refusal to accept state bank specie for public lands, the bank’s excessive lending to the state legislature (to the amount of $294,000 by the time Ford came to office), and the bank’s printing of small denominations of paper money (one-, two-, and three-dollar notes). These factors combined to catastrophically devalue the banknotes in circulation. (Ford, History of Illinois, 223–227; see also “State Bank of Illinois,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 3:728–729.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

and I see no prospect of any better <​times​> or any prospect of our being able to render you any better compensation than that above stated, if I could I would gladly do so.— But for your interest, as an honest man I must recommend you to get your pay the first chance that offers.—
I assure you Sir— that the very kind feelings manifested in your letter are reciprocated on my part and that nothing that I can do shall be wanting to accomplish every thing to your satisfaction
5

In addition to containing friendly closing remarks, Hotchkiss’s 7 February letter included the following note: “I see by the public prints that you are progressing in population wealth and improvements beyond any precident and this state of things aside from any pecuniary consideration can give no person greater pleasure than myself.” (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 7 Feb. 1842.)


I remain Sir your friend Most Respectffully
Jos. Smith
W[illard] 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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clerk [5 lines blank] [p. 231]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 231

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 10 March 1842
ID #
785
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:233–236
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [3]

    Gillet lived in Lake Fork, Logan County, Illinois. (John Gillet, Lake Fork, IL, to Smith Tuttle, Fair Haven, CT, 10 June 1841, Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.)

    Gillett Family Papers, 1736–1904. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

  2. [4]

    In his History of Illinois, former governor Thomas Ford wrote, “In February, 1842, the State Bank, with a circulation of three millions of dollars, finally exploded with a great crash, carrying wide-spread ruin all over the State, and into the neighboring States and territories.” Ford attributed the failure of the bank to the federal government’s refusal to accept state bank specie for public lands, the bank’s excessive lending to the state legislature (to the amount of $294,000 by the time Ford came to office), and the bank’s printing of small denominations of paper money (one-, two-, and three-dollar notes). These factors combined to catastrophically devalue the banknotes in circulation. (Ford, History of Illinois, 223–227; see also “State Bank of Illinois,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 3:728–729.)

    Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

  3. [5]

    In addition to containing friendly closing remarks, Hotchkiss’s 7 February letter included the following note: “I see by the public prints that you are progressing in population wealth and improvements beyond any precident and this state of things aside from any pecuniary consideration can give no person greater pleasure than myself.” (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 7 Feb. 1842.)

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