Bifolium measuring 12¾ × 8 inches (32 × 20 cm). Each page is ruled with approximately thirty-seven lines (now faded). The letter is written on the recto of the first leaf; the verso of the first leaf and the recto of the second leaf are blank. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with red wax. A hole was torn on the outer edge of the second leaf, apparently from opening the letter. At some point, the hole was backed with paper to prevent further tearing. Some discoloration of the paper has occurred in the address block and on both pages. Sometime, probably in the early twentieth century, the verso of the second leaf was stamped with the notation “The American Agency, | Parkville, Brooklyn, N. Y.”

received the letter, and it was apparently passed down in his family. In the early twentieth century, the letter was in the possession of Henry D. Bennet, a grandson of James Arlington Bennet who was associated with the American Agency business. At some point thereafter, the letter was up for sale at auction, as evidenced by an auction catalog entry glued to the recto of the second leaf, containing the lot number (307) and a description of the letter. The recto of the first leaf also contains penciled notations, presumably from auction sale: “5000 | rdvd. | 49” and “37/50”. Charles W. Olsen, a physician and documents collector in , obtained the letter sometime in the early or mid-twentieth century, although it is not clear whether he purchased it at the auction. In 1962, Olsen gave the letter to Belle Spafford, general president of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spafford then gave it to David O. McKay, president of the church. It has been in continuous institutional custody since that time.