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Letter to Wilson Law, 14 August 1842

Source Note

JS, Letter, [near
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
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
,
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, 14 Aug. 1842. Featured version copied [between 14 and 20 Aug. 1842] in JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842, in Book of the Law of the Lord, pp. 131–133; handwriting of
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...

View Full Bio
; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction

On 14 August 1842, while in hiding at
Edward Sayers

9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...

View Full Bio
’s house just outside 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
, Illinois, JS wrote to
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
, major general of 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
, instructing him to defend the Saints against violence, if necessary.
Thomas C. King

25 July 1806–17 Apr. 1854. Merchant. Born in Virginia. Lived at Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by Jan. 1832. Served as constable, beginning Aug. 1835. Married Juliett Ann McDade, 9 June 1836, in Adams Co. Served as Adams Co. coroner, by Aug. 1836. Served as...

View Full Bio
, undersheriff of
Adams County

Situated in western Illinois; bounded on west by Mississippi River. Organized from Pike Co., 1825. Quincy established as county seat, 1825. Population in 1830 about 2,200. Population in 1840 about 14,500. Latter-day Saint exiles from Missouri found refuge...

More Info
;
James Pitman

5 Nov. 1813–24 Feb. 1879. Lumber dealer, real estate broker, housing contractor, railroad director, prison warden. Born at St. Charles Co., Missouri. Son of Richard Berry Pittman and Lucinda Hutchings. Adhered to Quaker faith. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., ...

View Full Bio
, constable of Adams County; and another officer (possibly
Edward Ford

1774–after 1850. Law enforcement officer. Born in South Carolina. Married Susanna. Moved to Lewiston (near present-day New Florence), Montgomery Co., Missouri, by 1830. Moved to Lindsey, Benton Co., Missouri, by 1840. Missouri state agent commissioned to ...

View Full Bio
) had arrived in Nauvoo on 8 August and arrested JS and
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
for their alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of former
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
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, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842; “The Arrest,” Wasp, 13 Aug. 1842, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

Faced with the threat of extradition to Missouri, JS and Rockwell immediately petitioned Nauvoo’s municipal court for a writ of
habeas corpus

“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...

View Glossary
, which the court granted.
2

Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; Orrin Porter Rockwell, Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842, copy; Writ of habeas corpus for JS, 8 Aug. 1842, copy; Writ of habeas corpus for Orrin Porter Rockwell, 8 Aug. 1842, copy, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.


Unsure about how to proceed, the arresting officers returned to
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, to receive further instructions from
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 Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

View Full Bio
. Meanwhile, JS and Rockwell crossed the
river

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
to
Zarahemla

Located about one mile west of Mississippi River; area settled, by May 1839. Site for town selected by JS, 2 July 1839, and later confirmed by revelation, Mar. 1841. Iowa stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized by JS, by Oct. 1839. ...

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, Iowa Territory, where they hid at the homes of
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...

View Glossary
members
Thomas R. King

9 Mar. 1813–3 Feb. 1879. Farmer, politician, probate judge. Born in Marcellus, Onondaga Co., New York. Son of Thomas King and Ruth Hyde. Married Matilda Robison, 25 Dec. 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 19 July 1840, in Palermo...

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and
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

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, JS’s uncle.
3

Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

Perhaps at Carlin’s bidding, on 10 August the
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 ...

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Circuit Court issued a writ of habeas corpus of its own, directing Thomas C. King to bring JS before Justice
Stephen A. Douglas

23 Apr. 1813–3 June 1861. Lawyer, politician. Born at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Stephen Arnold Douglass and Sarah Fisk. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, 1830. Moved to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois, 1833. Served as attorney general of Illinois...

View Full Bio
.
4

Writ of habeas corpus for JS, 10 Aug. 1842, copy, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL. Illinois state law granted circuit courts the power to issue writs of habeas corpus. In 1841, when JS was brought before Stephen A. Douglas in a similar extradition attempt, Douglas dismissed the arresting writ as obsolete. An editorial published in the 15 August 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons opined that if JS and Rockwell had “appealed to the district court it might have availed them nothing,” as the judge could not decide on the “guilt, or innocence of the persons charged,” but could only “test the validity of the writ; which if proved to be issued in due form of law, however innocent the parties might be, would subject them to be transported to Missouri—to be murdered.” (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois [1834–1837], pp. 327–328, sec. 20; “The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Statement of Expenses to Thomas King, 30 Sept. 1841; “Persucution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:889.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

When Sheriff King returned to Nauvoo later that day to arrest JS, he could not find him.
5

JS, Journal, 10 Aug. 1842. In 1868, Latter-day Saint Thomas R. King remembered that one night, probably on 10 August, he took JS and Rockwell in a skiff across the river to Nauvoo and that JS then traveled to his “home by some back way.” At two o’clock the next morning, King took JS back to Zarahemla, but “Rockwell did not come with us.” By 1 December 1842, Rockwell was hiding in Philadelphia. JS remained in the area of Zarahemla until the night of 11 August, when he met others on an island in the Mississippi. (Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL; Sybella Armstrong and Orrin Porter Rockwell, Philadelphia, PA, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Dec. 1842, JS Collection, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

The next night, on 11 August, JS met with
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
,
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...

View Full Bio
, and others on an
island

Two tree-covered islands located in Mississippi River between Nauvoo, Illinois, and Montrose, Iowa Territory. Important source of wood for Saints. JS hid on islands, Aug. 1842, while Missouri authorities sought to extradite him. Emma Smith, accompanied by...

More Info
in the
Mississippi River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
and discussed the extradition efforts, including rumors that
John Chambers

6 Oct. 1780–21 Sept. 1852. Lawyer, politician. Born at Bromley Bridge (later Burnt Mills), Somerset Co., New Jersey. Son of Rowland Chambers and Phoebe Mullican. Lived at Mason Co., Kentucky, 1794–1841. Married first Margaret Taylor, 16 June 1803, at Mason...

View Full Bio
, the territorial governor of
Iowa

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
, had also issued a warrant for JS’s arrest and extradition to
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
. After the meeting, a few friends escorted JS to the home of
Edward Sayers

9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...

View Full Bio
to hide.
6

JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842.


Sayers lived about two and a half miles northeast of the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
block.
7

Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, pp. 309–310, 19 May 1841, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

While JS was at
Sayers

9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...

View Full Bio
’s house, associates sent news of efforts to find and arrest him, and he took steps to evade the authorities.
8

On 12 August, William Walker took JS’s horse across the river “to draw the attention of the Sheriffs and public.” On 13 August, JS received a report that “several small companies of men” had seen his horse and were looking for him on the Iowa side of the Mississippi. (JS, Journal, 12 and 13 Aug. 1842.)


As recorded in JS’s journal, on 13 August,
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...

View Full Bio
received a letter from
David Hollister

4 June 1808–after 3 Oct. 1851. Merchant, steamboat owner, ship captain, speculator. Born in Middleburgh, Schoharie Co., New York. Son of Stephen Hollister and Anna Sprague. Moved to Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, ca. 1829. Married Mary Ann Wilson, Oct. 1831, ...

View Full Bio
, a member of the church living in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
. Hollister reported that
Edward Ford

1774–after 1850. Law enforcement officer. Born in South Carolina. Married Susanna. Moved to Lewiston (near present-day New Florence), Montgomery Co., Missouri, by 1830. Moved to Lindsey, Benton Co., Missouri, by 1840. Missouri state agent commissioned to ...

View Full Bio
, who had been assigned by
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
governor
Thomas Reynolds

12 Mar. 1796–9 Feb. 1844. Attorney, politician, judge. Born at Mason Co. (later Bracken Co.), Kentucky. Son of Nathaniel Reynolds and Catherine Vernon. Admitted to Kentucky bar, 1817. Moved to Illinois, by 1818. Served as clerk of Illinois House of Representatives...

View Full Bio
to receive JS as a prisoner, was leaving
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
“to bring a force from Mo.” Hollister suggested, however, that this might be a ruse to get JS to momentarily let his guard down.
9

David Hollister, Quincy, IL, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Aug. 1842, JS Office Papers, CHL; JS, Journal, 13 Aug. 1842.


JS also learned that local authorities, probably
King

25 July 1806–17 Apr. 1854. Merchant. Born in Virginia. Lived at Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, by Jan. 1832. Served as constable, beginning Aug. 1835. Married Juliett Ann McDade, 9 June 1836, in Adams Co. Served as Adams Co. coroner, by Aug. 1836. Served as...

View Full Bio
and
Pitman

5 Nov. 1813–24 Feb. 1879. Lumber dealer, real estate broker, housing contractor, railroad director, prison warden. Born at St. Charles Co., Missouri. Son of Richard Berry Pittman and Lucinda Hutchings. Adhered to Quaker faith. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., ...

View Full Bio
, threatened to “lay 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
] in ashes” if they did not find him.
10

JS, Journal, 13 Aug. 1842.


In light of these developments, on the morning of 14 August JS met again with
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
and wrote the letter featured here.
11

JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842.


In his confidential instructions to Law, JS appealed to the
nation

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
’s martial heritage, including the American Revolutionary War. Writing as the mayor 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
and lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion, JS ordered
Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
, as the legion’s recently elected major general, to rescue him if he should be captured.
12

Law replaced John C. Bennett as major general on 13 August. Bennett appears to have been cashiered from the legion on 30 June 1842. (General Orders for Nauvoo Legion, 2 Aug. 1842; Nauvoo Legion, Proceedings, 13 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL; Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, [13] Aug. 1842, 29; JS, Journal, 30 June 1842; see also Letter from Thomas Carlin, 27 July 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.

He also ordered Law to maintain the peace of the city, if possible, and to meet mob violence with force, if necessary. In late June, when JS had written
Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

View Full Bio
and asked for advice on how to act in the case of a mob attack, Carlin had instructed him to take a defensive stance.
13

Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; Letter from Thomas Carlin, 30 June 1842.


A few days after that, during a 4 July parade in Nauvoo, JS emphasized the legion’s role “to defend ourselves and families from mobs.”
14

JS, Journal, 4 July 1842.


A few weeks later, JS had again written Carlin, asking him to issue orders to have the legion in readiness in the event of a mob attack. Carlin refused to do so but promised to protect the city from violence.
15

Letter from Thomas Carlin, 27 July 1842.


In response, JS expressed his trust in Carlin’s promise.
16

Letter to Thomas Carlin, 30 July 1842.


After Carlin issued a warrant for JS’s arrest and extradition on 2 August, JS apparently lost confidence in the state executive and instead looked to the legion to protect the Saints.
17

JS’s 8 August petition reproduced Carlin’s warrant. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842.)


Although the letter bears the date of 15 August, it was composed on 14 August. JS may have postdated the original letter to 15 August, or
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...

View Full Bio
may have misdated it when he copied it. When JS gave the letter to
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
on 14 August, he instructed her to “deliver it to Gen. Law tomorrow.” On the evening of the fourteenth, Emma took the letter to
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
, arriving at about six o’clock. That evening, she and the Saints learned that, contrary to rumors,
Governor Chambers

6 Oct. 1780–21 Sept. 1852. Lawyer, politician. Born at Bromley Bridge (later Burnt Mills), Somerset Co., New Jersey. Son of Rowland Chambers and Phoebe Mullican. Lived at Mason Co., Kentucky, 1794–1841. Married first Margaret Taylor, 16 June 1803, at Mason...

View Full Bio
had not yet issued a writ for JS’s arrest.
18

JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842. On 20 August, Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds issued a requisition for JS’s arrest, and Chambers later issued a writ based on this requisition. (State of Missouri, Office of the Secretary of State, Commissions Division, Register of Civil Proceedings, vol. A, p. 175; John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, to John Cowan, 10 Mar. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

JS Office Papers / Joseph Smith Office Papers, ca. 1835–1845. CHL. MS 21600.

On the morning of 15 August, soon after reports arrived that a militia was traveling to Nauvoo, Emma personally delivered the letter to
Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
.
19

JS, Journal, 15 Aug. 1842.


Law responded in a letter he wrote that afternoon, affirming that he was ready to command the legion in the defense of the Saints.
20

Letter from Wilson Law, 15 Aug. 1842.


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...

View Full Bio
, who had been with JS at
Sayers

9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...

View Full Bio
’s house on 13 August before returning to
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
on 14 August, probably copied the original letter, which is not extant, onto a loose leaf, or he may have later obtained the original letter.
21

JS, Journal, 13 and 14 Aug. 1842.


He subsequently copied the letter into JS’s journal in the Book of the Law of the Lord, probably between 14 and 20 August, and that copy is featured here.
22

Clayton may have copied the letter on 14 August, as suggested by the page break on page 133 of the Book of the Law of the Lord, or on a later date. Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and probably did not have the Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He likely returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and seems to have copied the letter into the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and by the changes in the ink Clayton used. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 133–135, 164–167.)


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842; “The Arrest,” Wasp, 13 Aug. 1842, [2].

    The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

  2. [2]

    Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; Orrin Porter Rockwell, Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842, copy; Writ of habeas corpus for JS, 8 Aug. 1842, copy; Writ of habeas corpus for Orrin Porter Rockwell, 8 Aug. 1842, copy, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.

  3. [3]

    Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.

    Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

  4. [4]

    Writ of habeas corpus for JS, 10 Aug. 1842, copy, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL. Illinois state law granted circuit courts the power to issue writs of habeas corpus. In 1841, when JS was brought before Stephen A. Douglas in a similar extradition attempt, Douglas dismissed the arresting writ as obsolete. An editorial published in the 15 August 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons opined that if JS and Rockwell had “appealed to the district court it might have availed them nothing,” as the judge could not decide on the “guilt, or innocence of the persons charged,” but could only “test the validity of the writ; which if proved to be issued in due form of law, however innocent the parties might be, would subject them to be transported to Missouri—to be murdered.” (An Act Regulating the Proceeding on Writs of Habeas Corpus [22 Jan. 1827], Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois [1834–1837], pp. 327–328, sec. 20; “The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Statement of Expenses to Thomas King, 30 Sept. 1841; “Persucution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:889.)

    The Public and General Statute Laws of the State of Illinois: Containing All the Laws . . . Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835; and at Their Second Session, Commencing December 7, 1835, and Ending January 18, 1836; and Those Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at Their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and Ending March 6, 1837; and at Their Special Session, Commencing July 10, and Ending July 22, 1837. . . . Compiled by Jonathan Young Scammon. Chicago: Stephen F. Gale, 1839.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 10 Aug. 1842. In 1868, Latter-day Saint Thomas R. King remembered that one night, probably on 10 August, he took JS and Rockwell in a skiff across the river to Nauvoo and that JS then traveled to his “home by some back way.” At two o’clock the next morning, King took JS back to Zarahemla, but “Rockwell did not come with us.” By 1 December 1842, Rockwell was hiding in Philadelphia. JS remained in the area of Zarahemla until the night of 11 August, when he met others on an island in the Mississippi. (Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL; Sybella Armstrong and Orrin Porter Rockwell, Philadelphia, PA, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Dec. 1842, JS Collection, CHL.)

    Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842.

  7. [7]

    Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, pp. 309–310, 19 May 1841, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  8. [8]

    On 12 August, William Walker took JS’s horse across the river “to draw the attention of the Sheriffs and public.” On 13 August, JS received a report that “several small companies of men” had seen his horse and were looking for him on the Iowa side of the Mississippi. (JS, Journal, 12 and 13 Aug. 1842.)

  9. [9]

    David Hollister, Quincy, IL, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Aug. 1842, JS Office Papers, CHL; JS, Journal, 13 Aug. 1842.

  10. [10]

    JS, Journal, 13 Aug. 1842.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842.

  12. [12]

    Law replaced John C. Bennett as major general on 13 August. Bennett appears to have been cashiered from the legion on 30 June 1842. (General Orders for Nauvoo Legion, 2 Aug. 1842; Nauvoo Legion, Proceedings, 13 Aug. 1842, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL; Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, [13] Aug. 1842, 29; JS, Journal, 30 June 1842; see also Letter from Thomas Carlin, 27 July 1842.)

    Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

    Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.

  13. [13]

    Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; Letter from Thomas Carlin, 30 June 1842.

  14. [14]

    JS, Journal, 4 July 1842.

  15. [15]

    Letter from Thomas Carlin, 27 July 1842.

  16. [16]

    Letter to Thomas Carlin, 30 July 1842.

  17. [17]

    JS’s 8 August petition reproduced Carlin’s warrant. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842.)

  18. [18]

    JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842. On 20 August, Missouri governor Thomas Reynolds issued a requisition for JS’s arrest, and Chambers later issued a writ based on this requisition. (State of Missouri, Office of the Secretary of State, Commissions Division, Register of Civil Proceedings, vol. A, p. 175; John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, to John Cowan, 10 Mar. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL.)

    JS Office Papers / Joseph Smith Office Papers, ca. 1835–1845. CHL. MS 21600.

  19. [19]

    JS, Journal, 15 Aug. 1842.

  20. [20]

    Letter from Wilson Law, 15 Aug. 1842.

  21. [21]

    JS, Journal, 13 and 14 Aug. 1842.

  22. [22]

    Clayton may have copied the letter on 14 August, as suggested by the page break on page 133 of the Book of the Law of the Lord, or on a later date. Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and probably did not have the Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He likely returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and seems to have copied the letter into the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and by the changes in the ink Clayton used. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 133–135, 164–167.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter to Wilson Law, 14 August 1842
Journal, December 1841–December 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 131

Head Quarters of
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...

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1

The usual headquarters for the Nauvoo Legion was likely the office of JS, as his office had served as the meeting place of the legion’s first court-martial. However, at this time JS was in hiding at the home of Edward Sayers, outside the city limits of Nauvoo. As lieutenant general of the city’s militia, JS apparently considered his current place of residence to be a temporary headquarters. (Minutes, 4 Feb. 1841.)


Augt. 15 [14]— 1842
2

This letter was composed on 14 August 1842. JS may have postdated the letter, or Clayton may have misdated it when he copied it onto a loose leaf or into the Book of the Law of the Lord. (JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842.)


Major Gen. [Wilson] Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

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Dr General—
I take this opportunity to give you some instructions how I wish you to act in case our persecutors should carry their pursuits so far as to tread upon our rights as free-born American Citizens. The orders which I am about to give you is the result of a long series of contemplation since I saw you.—
3

JS and Law may have seen each other on 8 August before JS went into hiding. They also might have seen each other on 10 or 11 August, when JS met with friends in secret, though extant records do not specify that Law was present on that occasion. (See JS, Journal, 8–11 Aug. 1842; and Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

I have come fully to the conclusion both since this last difficulty commenced, as before, that I never would suffer myself to go into the hands of the Missourians alive;
4

In June 1841, JS was arrested in the first attempt to extradite him to Missouri, but he was released when the judge ruled that the arresting writ was invalid. By June 1842, JS began to fear a second extradition attempt. (“The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Mayor’s Order to City Watch, 20 May 1842; Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; JS, Journal, 26 June 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

and to go into the hands of the Officers of this
state

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...

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is nothing more nor less, than to go into the hands of the Missourians; for the whole farce has been gotten up, unlawfully and unconstitutionally, as well on the part of 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...

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as others;
5

In June and July 1842, JS corresponded with and sent emissaries to Thomas Carlin to confer with him on the matter of a possible extradition attempt. Carlin told JS he would receive the same protections as other citizens but also indicated that he, Carlin, would have to comply with any extradition requests. According to JS’s journal, on 11 August William Law conversed with Thomas C. King, who stated that “Carlins course which he had pursued was unjustifiable and illegal.” On 13 August, Hyrum Smith received a letter from David Hollister, a Latter-day Saint living in Quincy, who reported that Quincy lawyers James H. Ralston and Calvin A. Warren had met with the governor, and Carlin had told them he did not feel authorized to pursue extradition further. (Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; Letter from Thomas Carlin, 30 June 1842; Letter from Calvin A. Warren, 13 July 1842; JS, Journal, 12 July 1842; 11 and 13 Aug. 1842; David Hollister, Quincy, IL, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Aug. 1842, JS Office Papers, CHL.)


by a mob spirit for the purpose of carrying out mob violence, to carry on mob tolerance in a religious persecution. I am determined therefore, to keep out of their hands, and thwart their designs if possible, that perhaps they may not urge the necessity of force and blood against their own fellow-citizens and loyal subjects; and become ashamed and withdraw their pursuits. But if they [p. 131]
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Page 131

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Wilson Law, 14 August 1842
ID #
906
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:372–379
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The usual headquarters for the Nauvoo Legion was likely the office of JS, as his office had served as the meeting place of the legion’s first court-martial. However, at this time JS was in hiding at the home of Edward Sayers, outside the city limits of Nauvoo. As lieutenant general of the city’s militia, JS apparently considered his current place of residence to be a temporary headquarters. (Minutes, 4 Feb. 1841.)

  2. [2]

    This letter was composed on 14 August 1842. JS may have postdated the letter, or Clayton may have misdated it when he copied it onto a loose leaf or into the Book of the Law of the Lord. (JS, Journal, 14 Aug. 1842.)

  3. [3]

    JS and Law may have seen each other on 8 August before JS went into hiding. They also might have seen each other on 10 or 11 August, when JS met with friends in secret, though extant records do not specify that Law was present on that occasion. (See JS, Journal, 8–11 Aug. 1842; and Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.)

    Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL.

  4. [4]

    In June 1841, JS was arrested in the first attempt to extradite him to Missouri, but he was released when the judge ruled that the arresting writ was invalid. By June 1842, JS began to fear a second extradition attempt. (“The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447–449; Mayor’s Order to City Watch, 20 May 1842; Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; JS, Journal, 26 June 1842.)

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  5. [5]

    In June and July 1842, JS corresponded with and sent emissaries to Thomas Carlin to confer with him on the matter of a possible extradition attempt. Carlin told JS he would receive the same protections as other citizens but also indicated that he, Carlin, would have to comply with any extradition requests. According to JS’s journal, on 11 August William Law conversed with Thomas C. King, who stated that “Carlins course which he had pursued was unjustifiable and illegal.” On 13 August, Hyrum Smith received a letter from David Hollister, a Latter-day Saint living in Quincy, who reported that Quincy lawyers James H. Ralston and Calvin A. Warren had met with the governor, and Carlin had told them he did not feel authorized to pursue extradition further. (Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842; Letter from Thomas Carlin, 30 June 1842; Letter from Calvin A. Warren, 13 July 1842; JS, Journal, 12 July 1842; 11 and 13 Aug. 1842; David Hollister, Quincy, IL, to Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Aug. 1842, JS Office Papers, CHL.)

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