TO EMMA SMITH
1840 JANUARY 20

ALS. Joseph Smith, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Emma Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, 20 January 1840, 1 p., Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Illinois. A 12 June 1885, letter of Joseph Smith III at Lamoni, Iowa, to Albert Hager of the Chicago Historical Society states that in a recent visit to his old home in Nauvoo he had found letters of his father to his mother and that he was enclosing one dated 1840 "which if of any value to the archives of your society, please accept" (Joseph Smith III to Albert Hager, 12 June 1885, MS, Chicago Historical Society).

Continuing their journey toward Washington, D.C., the Mormon committee on redress arrived in Columbus, Ohio, on 18 November 1839. Due to poor traveling conditions, Sidney Rigdon's ill health, and the need for haste in reaching Washington, Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee proceeded on their way, leaving Porter Rockwell, Rigdon, and Robert Foster (Rigdon's doctor, who joined the company at Springfield, Illinois) to come as the sick man's health would permit.

The Prophet and Higbee arrived in Washington, D.C., on 28 November found lodging at the corner of Missouri and Third Street, and the next day were received at the White House by President Martin Van Buren. The meeting with the President and ensuing contacts with other government officials were less than satisfactory to Joseph Smith. Prejudice against the Mormon people, strong states rights sentiment, and political aspiration seemed to militate against any hope for redress. Finally, convinced that nothing would come from prolonging his stay in Washington, Joseph started for home.595

Prior to his departure, while awaiting developments at Washington, the Prophet spent several weeks visiting the Saints in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Two letters written from Chester County, Pennsylvania, reflect this phase of his eastern experience, one dated 20 January 1840, to Emma, and another from Brandywine on 22 January to the editor of the Chester County Register and Examiner.

Pheadelpha <Chester Co Pa> 20th 1840

My Dear and beloved Wife

I recieved a letter from Hyram which cheared my heart to learn that my Family was all alive yet my heart mourns for those who have been taken from us596 but not without hope for I shall see them again and be with them therefore we can be more reconciled to the dealings of God I am now makeing all hast[e] to arange my business to start for home I feel very ancious to see you all once more in this world the time seems long that I am deprived of your sosiety but the <lord> being my helper I will not be mue much longer I am determined to st[art] for home in a few days our business I expect is before the house of Congress now <and> I shall shall start for Washington in a few day[s] and from there home as soon as posible I am filled with constant anxiety and shall be until I git home I pray God to spare you all untill I git home my dear Emma my heart is intwined arround you and those little ones I want <you> to remember me tell all the chi[1]dren ha that I love them and will come home as soon as I can yours in the bonds of love your Husband u[n]till Death &c

Joseph Smith Jr

Emma Smith [p. 1]

Emma Smith
Commerce
Hancock Co County Ill. [p. 2]