TO ROBERT D. FOSTER
1840 MARCH 11

Ls. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois to Robert Foster, Beverly, Adams County, Illinois, 11 March 1840, 2 pp., in hand of Orson Hyde. Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

When Sidney Rigdon became ill at the outset of the 1839 trip to Washington, D.C., he was cared for by Robert D. Foster, a physician the party had met when they arrived at Springfield, Illinois, on 4 November. An Englishman by birth and a convert to the Church, Dr. Foster attended Rigdon until 27 January 1840, when Rigdon was left to recuperate at Philadelphia. During the remainder of the eastern trip, Dr. Foster was with Joseph Smith as he concluded his business in the nation's capitol and returned to Illinois. Leaving Elias Higbee in Washington, D.C. and Orrin Porter Rockwell in Dayton, Ohio, the Prophet and Foster continued the last leg of the "wearisome" return journey together, arriving home in the first week of March.599 On 11 March Joseph wrote to Dr. Foster at Beverly, Adams County, Illinois.

Nauvoo March 11, 1840.

Sir,

After I left you, I came to my bro's house in Plymouth the same day; and there I learned that my father was sick, and that he was not expected to live had called his children together &c. My Bro. William had left home for this place the day before I arrived there. But when I arrived here I found him a little better, but was quite low yet. Since that time, he has been much afflicted with the ague, but is now recovering. With that exception we are all well at present; and it is a general time of health here now.

I have delivered two discourses in this place since my return giveing a brief history of our journey the reception we met with by the president &c. and the general feeling towards us in Washington and other places. The effect has been to turn the entire mass of the people, even to an individual, so far as I have learned on the ocher side of the great political question

I find that we have lost nothing by our change; but have gained friends and influence. The fact is, we were compelled to change in consequence of seeing a disposition manifest to turn a deaf ear to the cries of suffering innocence. When we can see a disposition in our chief magistrate to sacrifice the rights of the poor at the shrine of popularity, it is high time to cast off such an individual.

After haveing formed an acquaintance with you, and a very intimate one too, for the last 4 months, and I need not say an agreeable one too, I feel quite anxious to see you after a short separation, I hope you can make it convenient to come up and see us soon. I want to get hold of your journal very much.

Our Church here is prospering, and many are comeing into it. Our Town is improveing very fast. It is almost incredible to see what amt. of labor has been performed here during the winter [p. 1] past. There is now every prospect of our haveing a good society, a peaceable habitation and a desirable residence here.

May the Lord prosper our righteous cause, and save us in the day of his comeing! As ever, I am your friend and Brother in the New and everlasting cov't.

Joseph Smith Jun.

Robt. D Foster M. D.

Beverley Adams Co Illinois

P. S. Our Business in Washington has gone before <a> the committee on <the> judiciary without a dissenting voice. We have recently received two letters from Judge Higbee to this effect.600 He is well, But pres't. Rigdon yet has the chills and fever.

Our best respects to Bro. Wilbur & family; and to all other friends in that section As before

J.S. Jun. [p. 2]