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Letter to Thomas Ford, 21 August 1843

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
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
,
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...

More Info
, Sangamon Co., IL, 21 Aug. 1843. Featured version copied 21 Aug. 1843; 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...

View Full Bio
; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, dockets, redactions, and archival markings.
Bifolium measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The letter was written on the first three pages and the top of the fourth page. The document was trifolded twice in letter style and addressed. It was later refolded for filing.
The letter was docketed by
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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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
1

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) from 1853 to 1859, docketed the letter a second time.
2

“Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

The letter may be one of three letters to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
listed in an inventory produced by the Church Historian’s Office circa 1904.
3

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early dockets and later inclusion in the JS Collection suggest continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  4. [4]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 21 August 1843, 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
, Illinois,
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...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter on behalf of JS to
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
governor
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
, in
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...

More Info
, Illinois, conveying intelligence about a possible incursion of
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
mobs into Illinois. The letter served as a cover letter for two documents JS had recently received and wished to transmit to Ford. On 11 August,
Shepherd Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
, one of JS’s attorneys, wrote a letter to JS from
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
, Illinois, informing him of the political backlash Patrick and fellow attorney
Cyrus Walker

6 May 1791–Dec. 1875. Lawyer. Born in Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Son of Alexander Walker and Mary Magdalene Hammond. Presbyterian. Moved to Adair Co., Kentucky, ca. 1794. Lived in Columbia, Adair Co., by 1810. Married Flora Montgomery, 30 Jan. 1817, in Adair...

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faced for their legal defense of JS during a June 1843 extradition attempt. When he sent his letter to JS, Patrick also forwarded a letter he had received from Jacob Hall, an attorney living in
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

More Info
, Missouri, that specifically criticized Patrick for his role in defending JS and warned that Missourians would require little inducement to attack Nauvoo if JS was not brought to Missouri to face justice. Hall also reported on the ongoing attempts to prosecute
Orrin Porter Rockwell

June 1814–9 June 1878. Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer. Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt. Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817. Neighbor to JS. Baptized into Church of...

View Full Bio
in Missouri. At the time, Rockwell was imprisoned at Independence, having been accused of attempting to assassinate former Missouri governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

View Full Bio
.
1

JS History, vol. E-1, 1827–1829; “Part 1: March 1843.”


William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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obtained
Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
’s letter, with Hall’s letter enclosed, from 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
post office on the morning of 21 August. After Clayton delivered the letters, JS instructed
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...

View Full Bio
“to have them copied with some additional remarks” addressed to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
.
2

Clayton, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843; JS, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Richards copied the two letters into the featured draft of the brief cover letter, which informed Ford that while JS did not believe the threats from
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
, he felt it best to forward them to keep Ford abreast of a potential threat to
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
sovereignty. JS also assured Ford of his loyalty and patriotism should Ford call on the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
to defend Nauvoo and Illinois.
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...

View Full Bio
presumably finished copying the letters and drafting JS’s letter on 21 August, the date mentioned in JS’s journal and the date of the letter draft. However, Richards’s journal recorded that he “wrote” to
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
on both 21 and 22 August.
3

Richards, Journal, 21–22 Aug. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

This second date may refer to the date Richards made a fair copy of the extant draft. Richards sent the cover letter along with
Patrick

28 Mar. 1815–2 Oct. 1877. Lawyer, farmer. Born in Wysox, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Shepard Patrick and Catherine Goodwin. Admitted to bar, 1841, in Bradford Co. Practiced law in Dixon, Lee Co., Illinois, by early 1840s. Served as legal counsel for...

View Full Bio
’s and Hall’s letters to Ford on 22 August. Although most of Richards’s cover letter to Ford appears last in the extant draft, the final iteration sent to Ford was presumably separate from and in addition to the forwarded letters. None of the three original letters have been located.
4

JS, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843; Richards, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843. Richards later informed Brigham Young that he had forwarded the original letter from Hall to Ford after it was copied for publication. Patrick’s original letter presumably was included as well. (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Brigham Young, New York City, NY, 28 Aug. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Richards’s copies of Patrick’s and Hall’s letters, together with his draft cover letter, are featured here. Ford responded to JS’s letter and the enclosures on 13 September 1843.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS History, vol. E-1, 1827–1829; “Part 1: March 1843.”

  2. [2]

    Clayton, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843; JS, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Richards, Journal, 21–22 Aug. 1843.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843; Richards, Journal, 22 Aug. 1843. Richards later informed Brigham Young that he had forwarded the original letter from Hall to Ford after it was copied for publication. Patrick’s original letter presumably was included as well. (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Brigham Young, New York City, NY, 28 Aug. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Shepherd Patrick, 11 August 1843

Page [1]

The following communications are forwarded for the consideration of his Excellency, the
Governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
.—
(Copy)
Dixon

Post village in northwestern Illinois, located on Rock River. Area settled and ferry established, spring 1828. Post office established, 1829. John Dixon settled in area with family, 11 Apr. 1830, and purchased ferry. Fort built in area during Black Hawk War...

More Info
August 11th 1843
President Smith,
Dr. Sir,
I send you enclosed a letter which I have received a day or two since from
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

More Info
, Mo, & which being from an authentic source, will serve to shew something of the state of public feeling there, as well as in what manner the matter of your arrest has affected private, individual feelings, and invaded the relations of private life.— The other half of the sheet has been torn off and mutilated by accident, but it contained nothing important, or which would tend to qualify or explain the sense of what is herewith enclosed. The letter was signed “J[acob] Hall,” who is an old acquaintance and has heretofore been a very intimate and dear friend of mine, and who is now a Lawyer at
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

More Info
, and has, I beleive, considerable standing and influence in
Mo.

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
—
1

Both Shepherd Patrick and Jacob Hall were attorneys from Pennsylvania who later moved to western states. Their friendship presumably originated in Pennsylvania, though the details are unknown. (Heverly, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 2:146; 1850 U.S. Census, Blue Township, Jackson Co., MO, 293[A].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Heverly, Clement F. Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 1800–1825. . . 2 vols. Towanda, PA: Bradford Star, 1915.

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

I have answered the letter, and barely told my correspondent that he was deceived as to both law and facts, and that any further correspondence with him would be unpleasant.—
The popular excitement in this vicinity which was caused by your arrest has in a measure died away;
2

JS was arrested near Dixon, Illinois, on 23 June 1843. (See “Part 4: June–July 1843.”)


but there is an anti-Mormon party springing up in this
county

Located in north-central Illinois, with part of northern county boundary formed by Rock River. Fertile agricultural area. French trappers frequented area, by 1780. Second Black Hawk campaign fought in area, 1832. Illinois Central Railroad construction began...

More Info
, [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Thomas Ford, 21 August 1843
ID #
3553
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:64–70
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Both Shepherd Patrick and Jacob Hall were attorneys from Pennsylvania who later moved to western states. Their friendship presumably originated in Pennsylvania, though the details are unknown. (Heverly, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 2:146; 1850 U.S. Census, Blue Township, Jackson Co., MO, 293[A].)

    Heverly, Clement F. Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 1800–1825. . . 2 vols. Towanda, PA: Bradford Star, 1915.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

  2. [2]

    JS was arrested near Dixon, Illinois, on 23 June 1843. (See “Part 4: June–July 1843.”)

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