Dear Sir

I take my pen for the first time to write a few lines to you, in compliance with the wishes of the bretheren in this as manifested by their vote, at a meeting of the held at on Friday the sixth inst, at which Joseph Smith Jr. was present, and communicated to us some things relative to the proceedings of Congress, on the subject of our persecutions in the State of , and final expulsion therefrom by the Executive authority thereof.

We are fully sensible, that you will as the Representative of the , do every thing [in] your power to have our case fairly presented in all its bearings to Congress. And be assured, that you have the prayers, and the faith of the Saints here. who seem determined that nothing shall be withheld that they are in possession of or can procure; that will be of use to you in discharging the duties of your appointment. Exertions are making to furnish you with every needful testimony, to prove every item of the memorial, presented to the Senate by , which will be forwarded soon by Prst Smith. I am instructed by the unanimous voice of the Church here to request you not to give an inch in any position that has been taken; [p. 109]