Although these letters have not been located, the written responses from both Ford and Hoge indicate that Babbitt’s letters expressed the fears of the council that a mob would prevent a fair trial of the accused murderers of JS and Hyrum Smith, requested that state troops be sent to Hancock County to protect the integrity of the trial as well as the residents of Nauvoo, and petitioned both men to travel to Hancock County to attend the trial and use their influence to keep the peace. Both men declined to travel to the county and insisted that local militia would be sufficient to counter any threat that might arise. (Joseph P. Hoge, Galena, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 9 May 1845; Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Almon Babbitt, Nauvoo, IL, 13 May 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.