History draft; handwriting of , John L. Smith, Jonathan Grimshaw, Robert L. Campbell, , Richard Bentley, and ; 101 numbered pages plus several inserted pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 1 March 1843 to 31 December 1843.
<May 2> Rode out in the forenoon; about 3 p m the “Maid of Iowa” arrived from <I was on the bank of the awaiting the arrival of my> <who> returned with ,
I wrote To the of the Times & Season (page 194) <(copy)> Smith
Received a letter from , <wrote me a letter> wanting to dispose of Property, & buy <establish> a Printing Press in — on which I directed the to send him to Liberia, or some other place <in order> to save him
<About 1 pm The mate of the <Ship> Yorkshire pres opened the Testament to 27 <ch.> Acts, & asked how <the passengers how> we should feel to be shipwrecked <like Paul>; replied, <instantly> it is very likely we shall be shipwrecked, but the hull of this vessell has got to carry us safe into — the mate was then called away <to> hoist the fore top royal sail— about between 1 & 2 next morning <when off Cape Sn. Antonio. Cuba.> <vivid lightning when> a white squall arose caught the foretop royal sail, which careened the vessel, when the foremost, mainmast, & mizenmast snapped asunder <with an awful crash> the whole of the masts above, with [illegible] <the Jib> & 16 sails & studding poles, were carried overboard, with a tremendous splash & surge, when the vessel righted; leaving literally nothing but the hull to go into X> <X at day break found the deck all in confusion, & a complete wreck; <during the day hoisted a sail from the stump of the main post, to the bow of the vessel—> thus literally nothing but the hull of the vessel had to carry us <the Saints> into >
<3> Called at the & drank a glass of wine of her mo wine with Sister , of <made by> her Mothers in , & reviewed <a portion> the of minutes. of 1st half day
at 2 p m held Mayors Court, “City vs. A. Gay” on complaint of for unbecoming language, & refusing to leave store when told to leave. fined $5 and costs.
Directed a letter to be written to Gen: of , to have him meet the Maid of Iowa on her return from , & arrange with the proprietors to turn her into a Nauvoo Ferry Boat. which was done same hour.
The first number of “Nauvoo Neighbor” issued by & , in place of the “Wasp” which ceased & <*> <* I here insert their first Editorial (see Neighbor— <pa> 2—) sustain>
<4> at 4 p m heard read a letter from , shewing that he was sick & could not attend the inspection of the , as had been expected, according to his appointment.
Having received a letter from in relation to his land difficulties, I went to & procured a deed for ’s of his farm, & settled that business.
<5> Told the that I had a right to take away any property I choose from the Temple <office or store,> & they had not right to stand in the way. It is the people that are to dictate me, & not the Committee. All the property I have belongs to the , & what I do is for the benefit of the . & you have no authority only as you receive from me.
Received the following “New York [blank] Copy [blank] which I caused to berecorded in the <City> Recorders <of Land> <of Deeds> (see over) [blank] Clerk
<6> In the morning had an interview with a lecturer on Mesmerism & Phrenology. objected to his performing in the city. also an interiew with a Methodist Preacher, & conversed about his God without body or parts.
at 9½ a m I mounted with my staff, & with the band & about a dozen ladies led by , & proceeded to the General Parade Ground of the , east of my on the Prairie, The (see Neighbor 6 page) evolutions. <county> In the course of my remarks <on the Prairie> I told the Legion when we have petitioned those in power for assistance, they have always told us they had no power to help us, damn such power <Traitors>— when they give me power to protect the innocent, I will never say I can do nothing for their good, I will exercise that power. So help me God. at the close of the Parade the address the Legion marched to the & disbanded in Main Street about 2 p m, being windy & very cold.
<There were 2 officers, & of , were present, & ex who expressed great satisfaction at our appearance. & evolutions.>
in the evening, attended Mr. Vickers performance of wire dancing Legerdemain Dancing <Magic> &c &c
was held at Toulon, Stark Co. Ill. 5 , 129 members 17 , 3 , 4 , 2 , & 129 members. were represented. a branch has been recently organized at Lyons, Wayne Co. N. Y. consisting of 2 Elders, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher & 22 members.
TEXT: This “X” symbol corresponds to a similar symbol at the end of the 3 May 1843 entry, indicating that the text following the second symbol should be inserted here.
TEXT: This “X” symbol corresponds to another “X” symbol at the end of the 2 May 1843 entry, indicating that the following text should be inserted after the first symbol.