Dear Sir:—

I have just received your very cosoling letter, dated August 16th, 1842, which I think is the first letter you ever addressed to me, in which you speak of the arrival of Dr. , and of his person very respectfully. In this I rejoice, for I am as warm a friend to as he possibly can be to me. And in relation to his almost making a Mormon of yourself, it puts me in mind of the saying of Paul in his reply to Agrippa, Acts ch. 26 v. 29— “ I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such I am, except these bonds.” And I will here remark, my dear sir, that Mormonism is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, of which I myself are not ashamed.

You speak also of , President of the in , in high terms, and of of . These men I am acquained with by information, and it warms my heart to know that you speak well of them, and as you say, could be willing to associate with them forever, if you never joined their church or acknowledged their faith. This is a good principle. For when we see virtuous qualities in men, we should always acknowledge them, let their understanding be what it may in relation to creeds and doctrine, for all men are or ought to be free; possessing inalienable rights, and the high and noble qualifications ,of the laws of nature and of self preservation, to think, and act, and say as they please, while they maintain a due respect to the rights and privileges of all other creatures, infringing upon none. This doctrine I do most heartily subscribe to and practice, the testimony of mean men to the contrary notwithstanding. But sir, I will assure you, that my soul soars far above all the mean and grovelling dispositions of men that are disposed to abuse me and my character. I therefore shall not dwell upon that subject.

In relation to those men you speak of, referred to above, I will only say, that there are thousands of such men in this church, who, if a man is found worthy to associate with, will call down the envy of a mean world, because of their high and noble demeanor; and it is with unspeakable delight that I contemplate them as my friends and brethren. I love them with a perfect love, and I hope they love me, and have no reason to doubt but they do.

The next in consideration is . I was his friend. I am yet his friend, as I feel myself bound to be a friend to all the sons of Adam. Whether they are just or unjust, they have a degree of my compassion and sympathy. If he is my enemy, it is his own fault, and the responsibility rests upon his own head; and instead of arraigning his character before you, suffice it to say, that his own conduct, wherever he goes, will be sufficient to recommend him to an enlightened public, whether for a bad man or a good one. Therefore, whoever will associate themselves with him, may be assured that I will not persecute them, but I do not wish their association. And what I have said may suffice on that subject, so far as his character is concerned.

Now in relation to his book that he may write, I will venture a prophecy, that whoever has any hand in the matter, will find themselves in a poor fix in relation to the money matters. And as to my having any fears of the influence that he may have against me, or any other man or set of men may have, is the most foreign from my heart, for I never knew what it was as yet, to fear the face of clay or the influence of man. My fear, sir, is before God. I fear to offend him, and strive to keep his commandments. I am really glad that you did not join in relation to his book, from the assurances which I have that it will prove a curse to all those who touch it.

I feel to tender you my most hearty and sincere thanks, for every expression of kindness you have tendered toward me or my brethren; and would beg the privilege of obtruding myself a little while upon your patience, in offering a short relation of my circumstances. I am at this time persecuted the worst of any man on the earth, as well as this people here in this place; and all our sacred rights are trampled under the feet of the mob. I am now hunted as an hart by the mob, under the pretence or shadow of law, to cover their abominable deeds. An unhallowed demand has been made from the Governor of on oath of that I made an attempt to assassinate him in the night of the 6th of May, when on that day I was attending the officer drill, and answered to my name when the roll was called. And on the seventh, it is well known by the thousands that assembled here in , that I was at my post in reviewing the in the presence of twelve thousand people; and the of the State of , notwithstanding his being known to all these facts, yet he immediately granted a a writ, and by an unhallowed usurpation, has taken away our chartered rights, and denied the right of habeas corpus; and has now about thirty of the most blood-thirsty kind of men in this place in search for me, threatening death and destruction, and extermination upon all the Mormons, and searching my house almost continually from day to day, menacing and threatening, and intimidating an innocent wife and children, and insulting them in a most diabolical manner, threatening their lives, &c. if I am not to be found, with a gang of Missourians with them, saying they will have me dead or alive, and if alive, they will carry me to in chains, and when there they will kill me at all hazards. And all this is backed up and urged on by the of this , with all the rage of a demon, putting at defiance the constitution of this , our chartered rights, and the constitution of the ; for not as yet have they done one thing that was in accordance to them. While all the citizens of this , en masse, have petitioned the with remonstrances and overtures that would have melted the heart of an adamantine to no effect. And at the same time, if any of us open our mouths to plead our own cause, in the defiance of law and justice we are instantly threatened with militia and extermination. Great God! when shall the oppressor cease to prey and glut itself upon innocent blood. Where is patriotism? Where is liberty? Where is the boast of this proud and haughty nation? Oh, humanity! where hast thou fled? Hast thou fled for ever?

I now appeal to you, Sir, inasmuch as you have subscribed yourself our friend; will you lift your voice and your arm with indignation against such unhallowed oppression? I must say, Sir, that my bosom swells with unutterable anguish when I contemplate the scenes of horror that we have passed through in the State of ; and then look, and behold and see the storm and cloud gathering ten times blacker, ready to burst upon the heads of this innocent people. Shall we bow down and be slaves? Is there no friends of humanity, in a nation that boasts itself so much? Will not the nation rise up and defend us—if they will not defend us, will they not grant to lend a voice of indignation against such unhallowed oppression ?— Must the tens of thousands bow down to slavery and degradation? Let the pride of the nation arise, and wrench these shackles from the feet of their fellow citizens, and their quiet, and peaceable, and innocent, and loyal subjects. But I must forbear, for I cannot express my feelings. The Legion would all willingly die in the defence of their rights; but what would this accomplish? I have kept down their indignation, and kept a quiet submission on all hands; and am determined to do so at all hazards. Our enemies shall not have it to say that we rebel against government, or commit treason, however much they may lift their hands in oppression and tyranny, when it comes in the form of government. We tamely submit, although it lead us to the slaughter and to beggary ; but our blood be upon their garments. And those who look tamely on and boast of patriotism, shall not be without their condemnation. And if men are such fools as to let once the precedent be established, and through their prejudices give assent to such abomination, then let the oppressor’s hand lie heavily throughout the world, until all flesh shall feel it together, and until they may know that the Almighty takes cognizance of such things; and then shall church rise up against church, and party against party, mob against mob, oppressor against oppressor, army against army, and kingdom against kingdom, and people against people, and kindred against kindred. And where, sir, will be your safety, or the safety of your children ; if my children can be led to the slaughter with impunity by the hands of murderous rebels, will they not lead yours to the slaughter with the same impunity? Ought not then this oppression, sir, be checked in the bud, and be looked down with just indignation by an enlightened world, before the flame becomes unextinguishable, and the fire devour the stubble?

But again, I say, I must forbear, and leave this painful subject. I wish you would write to me in answer to this, and let me know your views. On my part, I am ready to be offered up a sacrifice in that way that can bring to pass the greatest benefit and good to those who must necessarily be interested in this Important matter. I would to God that you could know all my feelings on this subject, and the real facts in relation to this people and their unrelenting persecutions; and if any man feels an interest in the welfare of his fellow-beings, and would think of saying, or doing any thing in this matter, I would suggest the propriety of a committee of wise men being sent to ascertain the justice or injustice of our cause, to get in possession of all the facts, and then make report to an enlightened world whether we individually, or collectively, are deserving such high-handed treatment.

I now subscribe myself your friend, and a patriot and lover of my country, pleading at their feet for protection and deliverance, by the justice of their constitutions.

I add no more. Your most obedient servant,