Letter to Justin Butterfield, 18 March 1843

Joseph Smith To , March 19 1843

Dr Sir.—

Your letter of the 3d ultimo twas received after the rapid Journey of one month, I. E. It it has just arrived. So The information it has containd was is satisfactory but a new subject having recently arisen. I purpose to dispat[c]h a messenger to you on the morrow, with this, the mails are so tardy.— , (whom you well know, has been reported as the author of <​of the outrage on​> — last year, & myself as instigator) has been <​was​> taken <​on the 6th inst​> and lodged in jail at Missisour— and on the next day— took his departure for , according to the letter of R. S. Blennenhassett [Richard S. Blennerhassett]. Esqr of — Dated; March 7. Just receved, <​in this place —​> stating that had called on him for council, & he had advised according to the nature of the case & the information in his possession, that he had written to the , demanding protection of the Laws for , agist [against] personal violence &c.— & proposing in his letter to promise a change of venue to from to some adjoining county, & waiting for instruction from his friends &c.— Mr Blennerhasset has been informed that the it is wished by s friend that he should take such measures as will secure the personal safety of the prisoner and defer trial until such time as preperation can be made by the collection of affidavits & the presence of the attorney— for the Discrt [District] of , an or of <​Gen​> , of — (one or both.) are prese[n]t, of is in possession of some important testimony <​sufficient, he said says said, to destroy s testimony in relation to [4 or 5 illegible words] will be important in Rockwells <​in defense of ​>​> necessary to be joined with what can be obtained here—to destroy the testimony of who will [be] the principel witness against & if possible— shall endeavre to have him attend the trial with yourself— for I wish you to defend friend , & I will be responsible for your compensation.— is innocent, & must be defended.—

Having the facts before you in my case, you [p. [1]]