<​August 27​> measures which, if justice was done to others, as it would be done to us; were we to commit as great errors in our proceedings, would subject all concerned in the prosecution to the penalty of the law, and that without mercy. I admit Sir, that it is next to an impossibility, for any one to know the extent of the tyranny, treachery, and knavery of a great portion of the leading characters of the State of : yet it only requires a knowledge of the Constitution of the , and Statute of the State of ; and a knowledge of the outrages committed by some of the Inhabitants of that upon the people called Mormons, and that passed unpunished by the administrators of the law; to know, that there is not the least confidence to be placed in any of those men that were engaged in those disgraceful transactions. If the law was made for the lawless and disobedient, and punishment instituted for the guilty, why not execute the law upon those that have transgressed it, and punish those who have committed crime, and grant encouragement to the innocent, and liberality to the industrious and peaceable. And now I entreat your honor to bear with me patiently while I ask, what good can accrue to this or the , or any part of this , or the , or to yourself, or to any other individual, to continue this persecution upon this people, or upon Mr. Smith a persecution that you are well aware, is entirely without any just—— foundation or excuse— With sentiments of due respect I am your most obedient servant— .[”]