Mormon History, Jun 26, 1844

-- Jun 26, 1844
John Smith (uncle) visits Joseph and Hyrum. Tidd

Joseph Smith, in Carthage Jail, sends a note to Governor Thomas Ford. Ford comes to the jail to meet with Joseph. Joseph tells him " the origin of the difficulty, the facts relating to the Expositor press, the course pursued by the City Council; the legality, as they thought, of their legislation; the pledges that he had made by letter and sent by expresses to his Excellency, that he was willing to satisfy all legal claims in case it should be shown that the City Council had transcended their legal bounds, etc., and that the Legion had been called out for the protection of the city, while it was threatened with immediate hostilities by an infuriated mob, until his Excellency could afford relief, and not for the purpose of invasion." William Clayton writes to Joseph " to inform you that Mr. Marsh, who lives down the river, and of whom you have had corn, pork, etc., has sent word if you want any bail he is ready for one to any amount; . . ." tdy

Joseph and Hyrum Smith and friends are moved to the jailor's bedroom on the second floor of the Carthage Jail and spend much of the day in conversation with attorneys, visitors to the jail, and Illinois Governor Thomas Ford. woodland

Carthage, Illinois. Joseph Smith sat in an interview with Thomas Ford, governor of Illinois, who promised him and the other prisoners protection. jsresource

Joseph Smith is denied a change of venue. He tells Governor Ford: "If it is deemed that we did a wrong in destroying that press, we refuse not to pay for it. Ford promises to protect the Prophet. hales

[Prophecy] Dan Jones to visit Wales - "Soon after Dr. Richards retired to the bed ... and when all were apparently fast asleep, Joseph whispered to Dan Jones, "are you afraid to die?" Dan said, "Has that time come, think you? Engaged in such a cause I do not think that death would have many terrors." Joseph replied, "You will yet see Wales, and fulfill the mission appointed you before you die" HC 6:601 -- Jones did visit Wales. jsproph

-- Jun 26, 1844 (Wednesday)
Gov. Thos. Ford had a long interview with the prisoners in Carthage jail. He renewed his promises of protection and said, if he went to Nauvoo, he would take them with him. jenson

-- Jun 26, 1844, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] On Wednesday, June 26, Clayton had his last chance to perform a service for Joseph Smith. In Carthage jail, about noon, the prophet wrote a letter to Jesse B. Thomas, presiding judge of the circuit court. Thomas was friendly to the Mormons and Joseph thought of him as ``a great man and a gentleman.'' Ten days earlier Thomas had advised Joseph with regard to the Expositor affair, telling him that he should go before some justice in the county and have an examination of the charges specified in the writ against him. Joseph had followed that advice and was dismissed from custody in a habeas corpus hearing in Nauvoo. In his letter Joseph briefly explained his circumstances and asked the judge to go to Nauvoo, make himself comfortable at the Smith home, and be ready to hear another habeas corpus case. Joseph, who expected to go to Nauvoo with the governor the next day, sent the letter to William Clayton with instructions that he should get a messenger to
take it to Judge Thomas. Clayton received the message that afternoon, did as he was instructed, then sat down and wrote his final letter to Joseph Smith. It contained several short messages. One was that a Mr. Marsh, with whom Joseph had done business, was ready to put up bail for him in any amount. He also reported that he had sent the message to Judge Thomas and ended his letter with these words: ``All is peace in Nauvoo. Many threats keep coming that the mob are determined to attack the city in your absence, but we have no fears. With fervency and true friendship, I remain yours eternally, William Clayton.'' The letter arrived at Carthage jail at 6:15. clay1

-- June 26, 1844
[Joseph Smith] 7:00 A.M. The prisoners eat breakfast.

7:30 A.M. Joseph sends several messages to Gov. Ford, requesting a change of venue to Quincy, Adams County.

8:00 A.M. The jailor tells Joseph that Carthage citizens expected 9,000 people to attack Nauvoo, but only 200 show up.

8:10 A.M. Joseph again sends a messenger to Ford requesting an interview.

8:30 A.M. Messengers return to Joseph stating that Gov. Ford has apologized and will come for an interview very soon.

8:50 A.M. Mr. Reid arrives, gives Joseph some legal advice, and lists the witnesses he plans to call in the trial.

9:27 A.M. Gov. Ford arrives at the jail. For over an hour Joseph and Ford discuss the recent problems, each giving his point of view. Joseph says, "If it is deemed that we did a wrong in destroying that press, we refuse not to pay for it. We are desirous to fulfill the law in every particular, and are responsible for our acts." He says he had not wanted to come to Carthage, the most dangerous of all places, for trial. Gov. Ford doubts if Joseph is in any danger in Carthage or anywhere else, but promises that if he goes to Nauvoo tomorrow, he will take Joseph with him. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:576-85. For the actual legality of Joseph's action against the Nauvoo Expositor, see Utah Law Review 9:4 (Winter 1965) 862-903.)

10:15 A.M. Gov. Ford leaves, after again promising the protection of Joseph. conklin


Footnotes:
1 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
4 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
5 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
6 - Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
7 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
8 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
9 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology


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