TO AMOS KEELER
1841 MARCH 16

Ls. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Amos Keeler, New York City, 16 March 1841, 1 p., in hand of Robert B. Thompson, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

After Joseph Smith's Missouri imprisonment he was once again able to turn his attention to the matter of unpaid Kirtland debts, one of which involved the dry goods firm of Amos Keeler in New York City.619 Early in March 1841, Mr. Keeler wrote Joseph on the subject and on the 16th received the following reply.

City of Nauvoo March 16, 1841

Sir,

Yours of the 2nd Ultimo was duly received but having been mislaid I have not been able to answer it until the present. It would have afforded me much pleasure could I have assisted you in your present circumstances, but having no means excepting those which I put into the hands of Mr Oliver Granger of Kirtland to apply on what debts were owing in New York &c I am not able [to] promise you any assistance.

From a communication I lately received from Mr Granger I was informed that he had effected a settlement with the merchants in New York, and I hoped that your firm was one of the number.

I suppose you are aware of the great loss of property I sustained while in Missouri, and my imprisonment &c for which I have not received any remuneration, and in consequence I was reduced to poverty & from which I have not been able to extricate myself

I am very respectfully Yours &c

Joseph Smith

Amos Keeler Esqr