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Letter from Elias Higbee, 26 February 1840

Source Note

, Letter, , to JS, [, Hancock Co., IL?], 26 Feb. 1840. Featured version copied [between Apr. and June 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, p. 103; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 26 February 1840, wrote a letter to JS from , the fifth in a series of seven extant letters apprising JS of the actions of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. In this letter, Higbee reported that the chairman of the committee, Senator Garret D. Wall of , had informed him that the committee believed the proper venue for the Saints to seek redress was the courts and legislature of and not the Congress. Higbee also stated that he intended to depart for home as soon as he could make all the necessary arrangements to do so.
presumably sent this letter by post to , Illinois. JS likely received the letter sometime after he returned to the area on or before 29 February 1840. A 7 March 1840 letter wrote to Higbee indicated that this 26 February letter had not arrived in Commerce by 7 March. The original letter is not extant. copied the version featured here into JS Letterbook 2 sometime between April and June 1840.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Historical Introduction to Letter from Elias Higbee, 20 Feb. 1840–A.

  2. [2]

    John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 29 Feb. 1840, [58].

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

  3. [3]

    Letter to Elias Higbee, 7 Mar. 1840.

  4. [4]

    Coray, Autobiographical Sketch, 17, 19.

    Coray, Howard. Autobiographical Sketch, after 1883. Howard Coray, Papers, ca. 1840–1941. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2043, fd. 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter from Elias Higbee, 26 February 1840
Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 103

Feb 26th 1840
Dr. Brother
I am just informed by Gen. [Garret D.] Wall, (the chairman of the committee) before whom, or to whom our business is referred, that the decision is against us or in other words unfavorable; that they believe redress can only be had in , the Courts & Legislature— He says they will report this week— I desire to get a copy of it, and also the papers— I feel a conscience void of offence towards God & man in this matter; that I have discharged my duty here— and as I wish not to be on expence, as soon as I can write to ; get my papers; and draw some money to bear my expences I shall bid adieu to this , for, to return to my family and friends— I feell now, as though that we have made our last appeald to all earthly tribunals; that we we should no[w] put our whole trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob— We have a right now which we could not heretofore so fully claim— That is of asking God for redress & redemption; as it they have been refused us by man— Those who have been ordained to do this business—
Jos. Smith Jr. [p. 103]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 103

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Elias Higbee, 26 February 1840
ID #
518
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:199–200
Handwriting on This Page
  • Howard Coray

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The Senate did not consider the committee’s report until 23 March 1840. (Journal of the Senate of the United States, 26th Cong., 1st Sess., 23 Mar. 1840, 259–260; Letter from Elias Higbee, 24 Mar. 1840; Historical Introduction to Report of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 4 Mar. 1840.)

    Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, Being the First Session of the Twenty-Sixth Congress, Begun and Held at the City of Washington, December 2, 1839, and in the Sixty-Fourth Year of the Independence of the Said United States. Washington DC: Blair and Rives, 1839.

  2. [2]

    The church’s delegation to Congress had submitted several documents in support of the memorial, including pamphlets and affidavits. (Journal of the Senate of the United States, 26th Cong., 1st Sess., 17 Feb. 1840, 179; Letter from Elias Higbee, 24 Mar. 1840; Report of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 4 Mar. 1840.)

    Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, Being the First Session of the Twenty-Sixth Congress, Begun and Held at the City of Washington, December 2, 1839, and in the Sixty-Fourth Year of the Independence of the Said United States. Washington DC: Blair and Rives, 1839.

  3. [3]

    See Acts 24:16.

  4. [4]

    Higbee made several attempts to correspond with Rigdon, who was in Philadelphia. Higbee ultimately heard back from Rigdon by 9 March through a letter from Philadelphia church member Samuel Bennett. (Letter from Elias Higbee, 9 Mar. 1840.)

  5. [5]

    Higbee probably intended to draw money from an account of Senator Richard M. Young, who had helped finance the church delegation’s trip to Washington DC. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)

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