, on behalf of JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , , Sangamon Co., IL, 21 Aug. 1843; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
particular[l]y about Inlet & Palestine Groves, from whom we who have shewn ourselves your friends, encounter no small share of odium and reproach. But, be this as it may, I for one, shall never shrink from any responsibility I have incurred & shall always be ready to vindicate the proceedings of your case, and, when occasion requires, my own as well as your conduct towards the Ruffian .— I have lately been a candidate for Judge of Probate in this , & have been defeated principally for the reason that a story was circulated by my political enemies that I had joined the “Mormons” and had actually preached the mormon doctrine while in , How ridiculous! I care not for my defeat; that is a trifling matter— but I am at a loss whether to laugh at or mourn for the Gullibility of the people— also lost strength in this for a similar reason.
I am yours Respty
(signed)
The fo[llo]wing is a copy of the letter of “J. Hall” referred to above.
, Mo, July 23d 1843,
My Dear Old Friend,
Your letter dated on the 12th and mailed on the 14th inst, is just at hand, and not being able to answer your questions correctly, or advise you judiceously, in relation to the case, until after I see him, and some others of my friends, I will postpone that part of my <this> letter <un>till tomorrow, and in the mean time will say such things as I can write about without much reflection. , upon his return, gave me his compliments, from you, and for the first time I learned that you resided in . He also gave a narrative of his adventures in your state, which was any think thing but favorable, either to the reputations of your people, or yourself, as a law-abiding people, or a profound or honest lawyer, certainly there can be but little virtue in the community, and little honesty in [p. 2]