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Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 28 July 1840

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...

View Full Bio
[
New Haven

Significant port city in Connecticut, four miles from Long Island Sound. Settled by company from London, 1638. United with Connecticut Colony, 1662. Population in 1830 about 10,000. Population in 1840 about 13,000. JS corresponded with Horace Hotchkiss and...

More Info
, New Haven Co., CT], 28 July 1840. Featured version copied [ca. 28 July 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 162–163; handwriting of
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 28 July 1840, 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...

View Full Bio
regarding land purchases in 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
, Illinois, area. Hotchkiss was a land speculator from
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...

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and one of the men from whom 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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had purchased extensive tracts 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, in summer 1839.
1

See Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B.


Hotchkiss wrote to JS on 1 April 1840 and again sometime during June, suggesting in both letters the possibility of selling to the Latter-day Saints additional land in the
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

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area (southeast of Nauvoo), in the
Rock River

Consists of three branches that rise in Washington and Fond du Lac counties in southeastern Wisconsin. Branches conjoin in Dodge Co., Wisconsin, and river then flows southwestward about three hundred miles to confluence with Mississippi River near Rock Island...

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area (northeast of Nauvoo), or in both areas.
2

Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.


In this response to Hotchkiss’s June letter, JS briefly discussed the Rock River land offer and outlined the difficulty church leaders would have in punctually making the initial payments on a separate property of about four hundred acres they had purchased from Hotchkiss the previous year. Nevertheless, JS promised Hotchkiss that the church would make the payments as soon as possible. JS also informed Hotchkiss that he had recently paid the full amount due to
William White

25 Apr. 1813–22 Sept. 1872. River pilot. Born in St. Charles, St. Charles Co., Missouri Territory. Son of James White and Lurana Barber. Married first Achsa Golden, 25 Sept. 1838, in Hancock Co., Illinois. Sold property in and around what became Commerce ...

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for another parcel of land that the church had purchased from Hotchkiss and White.
The original letter is apparently not extant. This version, which
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
copied into JS Letterbook 2 probably around the time the letter was sent, does not include an address 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
, but the letter was likely mailed to Hotchkiss’s residence in
New Haven

Significant port city in Connecticut, four miles from Long Island Sound. Settled by company from London, 1638. United with Connecticut Colony, 1662. Population in 1830 about 10,000. Population in 1840 about 13,000. JS corresponded with Horace Hotchkiss and...

More Info
, Connecticut. If Hotchkiss sent a response to this letter, it has not been located.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B.

  2. [2]

    Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 28 July 1840
Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 162

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
July 28th. 1840
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...

View Full Bio
Esqr.
Dear Sir. I acknowledge the receipt of yours last month giving me the numbers of the land on
Rock river

Consists of three branches that rise in Washington and Fond du Lac counties in southeastern Wisconsin. Branches conjoin in Dodge Co., Wisconsin, and river then flows southwestward about three hundred miles to confluence with Mississippi River near Rock Island...

More Info
, which you felt disposed to sell.
1

No letter from Hotchkiss to JS dated June 1840 has been located. In a 1 April 1840 letter, Hotchkiss briefly offered to sell to JS and the Saints land in the Rock River area in Henry and Mercer counties as well as land in Sangamon and Morgan counties for two potential colonies. It is unknown whether JS expressed interest in a letter in the interim, to which Hotchkiss replied in June, or if Hotchkiss was merely volunteering more detail about his proposal. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)


In reply to which I have to say that we have not yet examined the land and consequently have not arrived at any conclusions respecting it, but it is probable that some of my friends will visit it this fall and if we should think it wisdom to locate there or on the other tract
2

In his 1 April 1840 letter, Hotchkiss informed JS of approximately twelve thousand acres of land northeast of Springfield, Illinois, in which he, John Gillet, and Smith Tuttle had an investment interest. Hotchkiss expressed his willingness to negotiate with JS about selling land to the Saints both in this area and north of Nauvoo, in the Rock River region. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)


you will be informed of the same and arrangement entered into. I
I am sorry that your health has been so poor but hope ere this you are perfectly recovered.
3

In his 1 April letter to JS, Hotchkiss wrote, “My health has been so very infirm, that it has prevented me form [from] executing nearly all the arrangements, I had proposed for myself, for the last eight months.” (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)


It would afford me great pleasure indeed could I hold out any prospect of the two notes due next month being met at maturity or even this fall.
4

On 12 August 1839, JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith purchased approximately four hundred acres in the Commerce, Illinois, area from Hotchkiss, Smith Tuttle, and John Gillet for $110,000. The terms of the purchase agreement specified that two principal payments of $25,000 each were to be due in twenty years, with another forty interest payments of $1,500 each being paid over the same twenty years (two due each year). In the postscript to this letter, however, JS referred to a verbal agreement that the two annual interest payments would not start to come due for five years. JS’s reference to the two notes being due “at maturity” probably refers to the due dates for these first two notes, on 12 August 1840, rather than maturity of the total purchase in twenty years. (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A; Promissory Note to John Gillet and Smith Tuttle, 12 Aug. 1839; Promissory Note to Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839; Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841.)


Having had considerable difficulty (necessarily consequent on a new Settlement) to contend with, as well as poverty and considerable sickness,
5

In early 1841, church agents reported on land purchases and sales in the Nauvoo area, noting that “there have been sales made to widdows and other poor of the Church from which we cannot expect to receive any pay.” The agents estimated these land sales were worth $45,000. The low, marshy “flats” along the Mississippi River in the Nauvoo area were vulnerable to malaria, particularly during the first years of the Saints’ settlement before the land could be drained. (Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841; Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 11 June 1839, 58–59.)


our first payment will probably be somewhat delayed until we again get a good start in the world—
6

Half a year later, the first two payments of interest had not yet been made. (Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841.)


which I am happy to say, that the prospect is indeed favorable. under these circumstances we shall have to claim your indulgence which I have no doubt will be extended. How ever every exertion on our part shall be made to meet the demands against us. so that if we cannot accomplish all we wish to it will it will “be our misfortune and not our fault”
7

“Be our misfortune, and not our fault” is a paraphrase of a line from Joseph Addison’s translation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses: “And yet consider why the Change was wrought, / You’ll find it his Misfortune, not his Fault.” (Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books, 79.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. Translated by the Most Eminent Hands. Translated by Samuel Garth, John Dryden, Joseph Addison, et al. London: Jacob Tonson, 1717.

Notwithstanding the impoverished condition of our people and the adverse circumstances under which we have had to labor. I hope we shall eventually rise above them and again enjoy the blessings of health, peace and plenty.
You are informed in a former letter that we had paid Mr
William White

25 Apr. 1813–22 Sept. 1872. River pilot. Born in St. Charles, St. Charles Co., Missouri Territory. Son of James White and Lurana Barber. Married first Achsa Golden, 25 Sept. 1838, in Hancock Co., Illinois. Sold property in and around what became Commerce ...

View Full Bio
the one thousand dollars specified in your bond,
8

The “former letter” to which JS referred is apparently not extant. In the smaller of two land transactions on 12 August 1839, JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith purchased from Hotchkiss ninety acres in the Commerce area, excluding half an acre for the old burying ground. The terms of the purchase were two notes of $1,250 each, plus interest, to Hotchkiss. One note was due in five years and one in ten years, along with $1,000 to be paid to William White “in such manner as shall be satisfactory to said White.” (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–B.)


a few days ago he called at this place and agreed to give us a deed for the ninety acres (less one half acre) provided I would give him an indemnifying bond and pay the interest due from you to him on the one thousand dollars which I agreed to do.
9

Hotchkiss had earlier agreed to purchase the same 89½ acres from White but still owed White $1,000, plus interest. (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–B; Receipt from William White, 23 Apr. 1840.)


I have therefore got the deed for the land and paid him the interest.
10

On 23 April 1840, White, who was in Nauvoo at the time, signed a receipt stating that JS had paid him $1,041.67½, “being the amount of money due me . . . for eighty nine and one half acres of land— which the said Horace Hotchkiss purchased from me.” (Receipt from William White, 23 Apr. 1840.)


My reasons for doing so were these, there were are some who wish to purchase lots provided they can get a [p. 162]
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Source Note

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Page 162

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 28 July 1840
ID #
559
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:353–357
Handwriting on This Page
  • Robert B. Thompson

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    No letter from Hotchkiss to JS dated June 1840 has been located. In a 1 April 1840 letter, Hotchkiss briefly offered to sell to JS and the Saints land in the Rock River area in Henry and Mercer counties as well as land in Sangamon and Morgan counties for two potential colonies. It is unknown whether JS expressed interest in a letter in the interim, to which Hotchkiss replied in June, or if Hotchkiss was merely volunteering more detail about his proposal. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)

  2. [2]

    In his 1 April 1840 letter, Hotchkiss informed JS of approximately twelve thousand acres of land northeast of Springfield, Illinois, in which he, John Gillet, and Smith Tuttle had an investment interest. Hotchkiss expressed his willingness to negotiate with JS about selling land to the Saints both in this area and north of Nauvoo, in the Rock River region. (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)

  3. [3]

    In his 1 April letter to JS, Hotchkiss wrote, “My health has been so very infirm, that it has prevented me form [from] executing nearly all the arrangements, I had proposed for myself, for the last eight months.” (Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 Apr. 1840.)

  4. [4]

    On 12 August 1839, JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith purchased approximately four hundred acres in the Commerce, Illinois, area from Hotchkiss, Smith Tuttle, and John Gillet for $110,000. The terms of the purchase agreement specified that two principal payments of $25,000 each were to be due in twenty years, with another forty interest payments of $1,500 each being paid over the same twenty years (two due each year). In the postscript to this letter, however, JS referred to a verbal agreement that the two annual interest payments would not start to come due for five years. JS’s reference to the two notes being due “at maturity” probably refers to the due dates for these first two notes, on 12 August 1840, rather than maturity of the total purchase in twenty years. (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A; Promissory Note to John Gillet and Smith Tuttle, 12 Aug. 1839; Promissory Note to Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839; Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841.)

  5. [5]

    In early 1841, church agents reported on land purchases and sales in the Nauvoo area, noting that “there have been sales made to widdows and other poor of the Church from which we cannot expect to receive any pay.” The agents estimated these land sales were worth $45,000. The low, marshy “flats” along the Mississippi River in the Nauvoo area were vulnerable to malaria, particularly during the first years of the Saints’ settlement before the land could be drained. (Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841; Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 11 June 1839, 58–59.)

  6. [6]

    Half a year later, the first two payments of interest had not yet been made. (Report of Agents, ca. 30 Jan. 1841.)

  7. [7]

    “Be our misfortune, and not our fault” is a paraphrase of a line from Joseph Addison’s translation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses: “And yet consider why the Change was wrought, / You’ll find it his Misfortune, not his Fault.” (Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books, 79.)

    Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. Translated by the Most Eminent Hands. Translated by Samuel Garth, John Dryden, Joseph Addison, et al. London: Jacob Tonson, 1717.

  8. [8]

    The “former letter” to which JS referred is apparently not extant. In the smaller of two land transactions on 12 August 1839, JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith purchased from Hotchkiss ninety acres in the Commerce area, excluding half an acre for the old burying ground. The terms of the purchase were two notes of $1,250 each, plus interest, to Hotchkiss. One note was due in five years and one in ten years, along with $1,000 to be paid to William White “in such manner as shall be satisfactory to said White.” (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–B.)

  9. [9]

    Hotchkiss had earlier agreed to purchase the same 89½ acres from White but still owed White $1,000, plus interest. (Bond from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–B; Receipt from William White, 23 Apr. 1840.)

  10. [10]

    On 23 April 1840, White, who was in Nauvoo at the time, signed a receipt stating that JS had paid him $1,041.67½, “being the amount of money due me . . . for eighty nine and one half acres of land— which the said Horace Hotchkiss purchased from me.” (Receipt from William White, 23 Apr. 1840.)

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