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Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 April 1840

Fair Haven 1st. April 1840

Rev. Joseph Smith Junr.

My Dear Sir— After writing you at, and then going to Phild.

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

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and not finding you, I add ressed a letter to Washington City

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

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, and recived a reply from Judge [Elias] Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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by which I first [learned?] of your return 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...

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and at the same time I got the commit tees report upon your application to Congress for redress of the outrages perpetrated upon your people by the Missourians. I am not, I must confess, much disappointed in the result; as [you] know the vaccilating, fawni[n]g character of many, in both Houses of Con gress; and these are not their worst traits either, for they not only lack the moral courage, to do rig ht, but will know do what they know to be pos itively wrong, if they can make political capital by it, and will abandon you, me, or any one else, with perfect indifference, and heartless treachery, if by doing it they can obtain governmental favour, or political preferment— If we should not put our faith in Princes, it appears most emphatically true, that we should repose no confidence in politici ans— The idea conveyed in the report, that exact justice will <be> meted to you by the judicial tribunals 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. Mormon missionaries...

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, is too preposterous to require comment—

It is indeed a new doctrine, that we should ap ply to robbers or their supporters to condem them selves— to restore the valuables they have stolen— & to betray each other for the murders they have comm itted. I do not believe, (tho, I am Sorry to say it) that you will ever receive a just or honorable remu neration for your losses of property; or any repar ation for the personal indignities, privations and sufferings, which your people have sustained in Missouri

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— The greatest reliance which your peo ple have for regaining your wealth is the in the hon orable conduct of your people; their pure morals— their correct habits— their indefatigable industry— their untiring perseverance, and their well directed [p. 123]

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Facts

Editorial Title: Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 1 April 1840
ID #: 531