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Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 December 1841

Source Note

, Letter, , Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 11 Dec. 1841; handwriting of ; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address and dockets.
Bifolium measuring 9⅞ × 7⅞ inches (25 × 20 cm). The first page is inscribed, whereas the second and third pages are blank. The bifolium was trifolded twice in letter style and addressed on the fourth page. It was later refolded for filing.
The document was docketed by , who served in a clerical capacity for JS in 1841. A second docket was inscribed by , who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865. The document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early dockets as well as its inclusion in the circa 1904 inventory and in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See John S. Fullmer, [Nauvoo, IL], to George D. Fullmer, Nashville, TN, 28 Mar. 1841, in Fullmer, Letterbook, 124; and Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841.

    Fullmer, John S. Letterbook, 1836–1881. John S. Fullmer Journal and Letterbook, 1836–1881. CHL.

  2. [2]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [1], 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 11 December 1841 wrote to JS regarding his intention to visit JS in . During the previous spring, Galland traveled to the eastern with to settle church debts to , , and . Hyrum Smith and Galland apparently met with Hotchkiss, but Smith returned to Nauvoo before payment was made, leaving Galland to complete the task.
In July 1841 wrote a letter informing JS that had not attempted to pay off the debt after the meeting with the creditors and expressing concern regarding Galland’s efforts to settle the church’s debts. JS responded to Hotchkiss by assuring him that Galland had sufficient means to pay the debt. At the time, JS was not aware that Galland had already left on his journey back to , and he probably was uncertain of how to reach him until shortly before writing him in , Iowa Territory, on 10 December 1841. Though JS’s letter is not extant, Galland’s response on the following day suggests JS asked him to travel to , probably to report on his work as a church agent. Galland promised to come to Nauvoo as soon as possible.
A notation on the letter suggests that it was hand carried to JS by a “Mr Backinstos,” probably or , brothers living in the area. JS responded to the letter on 17 January 1842, again urging to visit him in .

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Authorization for Hyrum Smith and Isaac Galland, 15 Feb. 1841; Erastus Snow, Journal, 29 Mar. 1841, 105.

    Snow, Erastus. Journals, 1835–1851; 1856–1857. CHL. MS 1329, box 1, fds. 1–3.

  2. [2]

    Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841.

  3. [3]

    Letter from Horace Hotchkiss, 24 July 1841.

  4. [4]

    Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841.

  5. [5]

    Letter to Isaac Galland, 17 Jan. 1842.

Page [1]

Dec 11th 1841
J. Smith
Dear Sir
I received with great pleasure your favour of yesterday, and am I am happy to say to you, that I injoy a moderate degree of health, and shall certainly give myself the pleasure in a few days of visiting my bretheren and friends at . I am now awaiting the arrival of a Gentleman from whom I have promised to meet at this place on very important business,— I have this morning received a letter from him informing me that he will be here next week, and as soon as I have met him and made my arrangements, I shall proceed to an immediate interview with you and my friends at — untill then accept assurances of the respect and esteeme of yours truly
[9 lines blank] [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Isaac Galland, 11 December 1841
ID #
723
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:23–26
Handwriting on This Page
  • Isaac Galland

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS’s letter of 10 December 1841 is not extant.

  2. [2]

    In an August 1841 letter, Horace Hotchkiss informed JS that Isaac Galland had become “partially blind.” In October, JS stated that Galland’s “strange neglect” regarding paying Hotchkiss, John Gillet, and Smith Tuttle was possibly the result of “sickness or disaster.” (Letter to Horace Hotchkiss, 25 Aug. 1841; Letter to Smith Tuttle, 9 Oct. 1841.)

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