, Letter, , Lee Co., IL, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 29 July 1843; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and ; three pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Page [1]
July 29th 1843.
Friend
My Dear Sir— You will have the affidavits of which the enclosed are copies published without delay in the Warsaw Message and such other papers as you may deem proper— The original affidavit I have sent to the Editor of the Warsaw Message but for fear that it may not be published I send you a copy which I wish you see is published in said paper— The falsehood and vilianous conduct by will by these affidavits fully appear. He has charged <me> with falsehoods in the Warsaw Message of the date of the 15th of July and it will be seen that his charge thus made is proven by the evidence of men of character (not men like himself) to be untrue.— I would not have had these affidavits published were <it> not for the fact that some person who is unacquainted with may believe his statement to be true, but I am not fearful, <of> that when he and I are know[n] of any evil results from it—
The following is are the affidavits refered to— ’s statement reflects upon my reputation and I therefore want what is below pub[l]ished. You will not of course publish the above I will write you again in a few days—
Your’s Truly—
<Please send a me a copy of the Warsaw Message which contains the enclosed affidavits.>
State of Illinois
ss;
We the undersigned citizens of the Town of County of State of being duly sworn according to Law depose and say that we have seen the article entitled “Statement of facts connected with the arrest of Joseph Smith and his discharge there from” published in the Warsaw Message of the date of 15th of July A. D. 1843. and have also seen an editorial article in the same number of said paper in which it is stated that said statement of fact was furnished by one of Mr Smiths attornies in said case and that we know the fact stated in said statement to wit that for a considerable length of time immediately after his arrival [p. [1]]