TO BUSHNELL AND BROWNING
1841 DECEMBER 7

FC. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Nehemiah Bushnell and Orville Browning, in Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, p. 217, in hand of John S. Fullmer, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

Among the unpaid debts of the Kirtland era were two notes with the New York City mercantile firm of Halsted, Haines, and Company totaling $4,719.23, and containing 32 cosigners, including Joseph Smith.628 In fall 1841, Halsted and Haines gave the bill to Quincy, Illinois, law partners Nehemiah Bushnell and Orville H. Browning for collection. Joseph responded to their solicitation on 7 December 1841.

Decr. 7th 1841

Esqrs. Browning & Bushnell,

Gentlemen,

Your letter of [the] 23rd Ultimo, concerning two notes placed in your hands by Messrs. Halsted Haines & Co against myself and thirty one others for collection, was duly received.

In reply I must inform you, that I am not in the possession of means, belonging to me individually to liquidate those notes at present. The reason is apparent to every one: I need not relate to you the persecution I have suffered and the loss & confiscation of all my effects at various times, as a reason of my inability; you know it all, and so do the gentlemen whose notes you hold for collection. But I wish you to say to them, that if they will give me my time, (and no more than I must necessarily have,) they shall have their pay in some way or other; that I have the means at command in the east, which, with a sufficient indulgence, will enable me to pay them every whit, but unless this is granted me it will be impossible for me to do so. All I ask of those gentlemen and of this generation is, that they should not tie up my hands, nor thwart me in my opperations; if this is granted me, I pledge my word, yea my sacred honor that all that can in fairness be demanded at my hands, either now or at any time, shall ultimately be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. This is all that I can say at this time, or do, hoping that you will communicate to Mers. Halsted Haines & Co the contents or at all events the purport of this letter, together with my sincere regard for their welfare, and as regards you, Gentlemen, I remain Very Respectfully yr. Obt. servt,

Joseph Smith