Gen. Smith <​wishes me to assure you that he​> is anxious that you should appear on the trial, conjointly with . (if he can be obtained, & if not as principal, without denial,) and wishes me to inform you of the fact, believing your testimony in the case to be of the utmost importance; which, together with your united energies will be sufficent to break down all prejudice.— destroy all intrigue, & insure an honorable acquittal <​discharge​>,— I fully coincide with Gen Smith’s <​views​> in relation to yourself as well as all in this matter,— & sincerely hope that nothing will hinder your convenience. in being present at ’s trial. but should your absence be necessary & certain, we anticipate that you will be able to furnish us with a deposition relating to , that will be of the greatest moment. to the cause at issue. <​of​> the form & nature of which <​it​> would be quite useless for me to <​attempt to​> advise you.—— Please write on receipt of this, and give us at least the general facts in your possession,— the probability of your attendance, and any suggestions you may <​think proper to​> make will be duly appreciated.— On <​Of​> return of the messenger from — & on receipt of any thing new— on the case— as also of the day of trial, you shall receive the earliest notice. We all feel a warm interest in Mr <​Friend​> ’s welfare & none more so then Gen Smith. and we are very desirous that he should be rescued from, the hand of our . murderers,— and when we write you on such a topic we feel that we are addressing one whose bosom burns with the same spirit of philanthropy & patriotism as our own.— therefore we speak freely.— is innocent & must be saved.

There has long existed an implacable enmity between the abolitionist of Quincy Institute & slave holders, & last week the Institute was burned to the ground. 3 or 4 tracks were followed in the morning to the middle of the .— if wages war with perhaps she will not be quite so anxious to destroy the Mormon .— there are about 1000 <​English​> Mormons on the banks of the between this & — awating the breaking of the ice, & ◊◊◊ll we expect frequent arrivals, from for 3 months to come if Sir Robert, does not succeed in breaking up a road between and — if he does may it not disturb the peace helth, happiness, & [illegible] of . I understand that Gen Smith has recently armed a lite committee for [2 words illegible] & with— [2 words illegible] [illegible] the [2 words illegible] less than water.— [p. [2]]