, Letter, , to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 11 June 1844; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and unidentified scribe; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Page [3]
He was very frank and open and condescending, but seemed to feel that I should be satisfied with a few words because of the press of business. He spent a good deal more time with me than with any others who were there at the same hour— So I came away, and took my pen immediately to acquaint you with the result.
Now I will tell you how I feel about our govt.. If you were to issue an order and direct it to me to go and demand the keys of the treasury, and remove the deposits and funds to , I should undertake it with just as much faith as I should to ask them to do any thing else under God’s heavens for the Latter Day S[ain]ts.
We are now thrown back upon our own resources. We have tried every department of Government to obtain our rights, but th[page torn] we cannot find them. If we will look for them any longer, [we?] must look to our swords. Diplomatic intercourse has ceased, and the ministers of Heaven have called for their pasports. Two left this morning with anger and disgust. Elders and , and if God permit, I shall leave tomorrow morning for and said he got the word of the Lord before he left, that government had it in their hearts to do nothing for us, and that the sooner they left the better. On Sunday, the 9th. Inst I wrote you a lengthy letter, and you may get this at the same time.
Now fare-well for the present. May God open some door of deliverence through you, and save his people from dissenting power.