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Related Documents Introduction to Part VI

Part VI is comprised of miscellaneous documents which are found among the petitions in the National Archives or the LDS Historical Department.

Item one is a letter that was printed in the Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate Extra. It was addressed to nine men in Clay County, Missouri, thanking them for their help in trying to mediate the differences between the Saints and the citizens of Clay County. The article also attempts to discount many of the accusations that had been made against the Mormons who were then living in Missouri.

The second document is an incomplete letter written to Colonel Price. Presumably, this is Colonel Sterling Price, who opposed the Mormons and served in the state militia that effected the surrender of Far West in 1838. This document tries to give perspective to the events at the Gallatin election by describing the political tension tension that led to the riot on election day.

The third document, written by Sidney Rigdon, is a letter to Felix Grundy, Attorney General for President Martin Van Buren. Rigdon wrote for advice on how the Saints might obtain recourse for the wrongs they had suffered. He must have written the letter while confined to prison in Liberty, Missouri, since it is dated 23 February 1839.

The next document is a letter Anson Call wrote to Sidney Rigdon. It is essentially a petition and even includes a bill of damages. However, it has been placed in this chapter since it is in letter format and was not sworn to before a county official.

Items five and six are endorsements signed by Church leaders recommending Joseph Smith. The first sustains him as presiding elder of the Church, and the second authorizes him to manage and transact all business for the Church before Congress and the President of the United States.

Next is a letter from Edward Partridge to Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee, who were then in Washington, D.C., detailing the land that Partridge lost in Jackson County.