JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , [, Hancock Co., IL], 22–23 June 1844; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
for by the cou[r]t, as your honor promis[e]s, <to do,>” they were thrust into prison— and we [were?] left without witnesses.— Sir you must not blame us for a burnt child dreads the fire.— and although your might be well disposed in the matter. the appernc [appearance] of the mob forbids our comig we dare not do it.
We have been advised by— legal & high minded Gentlemn from abroad, <who came on the boat last eve> to lay our grievances before the federal goverment.— as the appernc [appearance] of things is not only treasonabl ag[ai]nst us, but <againt> this on the part of <unless the same has been requsted of — of the govt> for and we suppose your honor is well aware, by this time, that the mass meetings of the dclard utter extermination to the mormns and that the was not calld out until complants were made, to the Mayers, & the citiz[en]s ware afraid of their limbs lives <&> & loosing their confidence in the authorities of the ,— and that nothing on the part of the city authoritis has been wanting legally, & judiciusly to allay excitements & restore peace.— as before stated. We shall leave the forthwith— to lay the facts before the <Gneral> govermnt, and as before stated the is left open & unproticted and by every thing that is sacred we implore your to cause our helpless women & childrn to protected from Mob violence And let not the blood of Innocence cry to the god <heavns> agnst you.— we agnst again say— If any thing wrong has been done on our part, and we know of nothing. we will make all things right. if the governmnt will give us the oppor[tu]nity, disperse the mob and secure to us our constitinal [constitutional] privileges— that are lives may not be endangerd— when on trial.—
I remain Most Respfuly [Respectfully] Your s Humble svt