“Executive Department July 6th. 1843. Esqr.. Sir, I have received your Petition for a detachment of Illinois Militia to assist you in retaking, Joseph Smith Jr representing him to have escaped from your custody after having been arrested on a warrant granted for his apprehension. I have also received a , and some affidavits adverse to the prayer of your Petition. I have also to inform you that I had heard before your arrival in this city of the escape of Smith, and rumors that he had been rescued by a military force. Deeming these rumors of sufficient importance to justify me in so doing, I did, on the 4th. day of this present month, dispatch a trusty and competent person, as my Agent to collect information of the various matters contained in your Petition; and you will I hope at once see the propriety of all action being suspended on my part, until I can receive the most authentic and unquestionable information, as to the movements complained of.

“. The annexed letter to , is all the answer which I can at present make to either of the parties touch[HC 5:492]ing his application for a detachment of Militia to assist him in retaking Joseph Smith said to be a fugitive from justice. I have the honor to be very Respectfully your obedient Servant.

Personally appeared before me , a Notary Public within and for said , Joseph Smith Senr. who being duly sworn, says that in the year 1838 he removed with his family to the State of — that he purchased land and became a resident of , that he was an Elder and teacher of the church of Latter day Saints, that the religious Society of which he was an Elder, numbered several thousand people, who were remarkably industrious in their habits , quiet in their manners and conscientious observors of the laws, that they had been for some years prior to his removal thither purchasing and improving lands, and were possessed of a vast amount of property, probably to the value of $3–500,000 of real and personal estate— that prejudices had for a long time existed in the minds of the rough and uncultivated people, by whom his people were surrounded on account of their [p. 1662]