, Letter, , to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 9 June 1844; handwriting and signatures of ; dockets in handwriting of and unidentified scribe; seven pages; JS Collection, CHL.
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that is done. I know not what more I can do. I cannot recall the memorials that have been laid before Congress, and been acted upon and rejected: But I do repeat it again, that no measure can pass Congress unless it is a popular one, for the people are the Rulers, and if a measure is not popular with them, they will not pass it right or not right. If our former experience has not proven this declaration to be true to our satisfaction, we shall find it to be so hereafter, if the present government shall be permitted to stand.
That my exertions to save Bro. Joseph from the charge of ignorance in the estimation of Congress should be interpreted into a disposition to let his honor perish through fear or cowardice, grieves me much. The West is not farther from the East than my heart is from acting upon a principle of that kind; and that my course should meet the “decided disapprobation and indignation of the council” grieves me more. When I received the memorials and left home, it was in good faith that Congress would do something for us, and I asked bro. Joseph something about responsibility &c. His own words to me were, “go and do the best you can, act like a king and get the very best things done for us that you can.” Also my letter of commendation over his signature as Mayor authorizes me to transact such business as I may deem necessary expedient and beneficial for the party I represent. These are not direct authority to do as I have done, yet I considered them a shadow of authority, and where I could see no injury or loss to be sustained in the operation, but a little prospect of saving something, I ran the venture to make the alteration [p. 5]