TO WILLIAM CLAYTON
1843 DECEMBER 9

ADS. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to William Clayton, Nauvoo, 9 December 1843, 1 p., Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

Having been freed early in 1843 from a harassing legal encounter with Missouri authorities, Joseph Smith was faced with another threat from that quarter following the unexpected triumph of the Democratic ticket in the Hancock County election that year. Violence was threatened on 2 August when newly elected Mormon officials arrived in Carthage to take their oath of office. Twice within a month, irate citizens met and drafted a lengthy anti-Mormon statement, one resolution of which urged the Missouri governor "to make another demand" upon Illinois "for the body of Joseph Smith." They committed themselves to serve as a posse if their services should be needed.658

In November and early December 1843, two Mormons living near Warsaw, Illinois, (Daniel and Philander Avery) were kidnapped from Illinois and imprisoned in Missouri. Rumors circulated that others would be taken and that a legal process was being initiated against Joseph Smith. After deliberating upon the situation with the Nauvoo City Council on 8 December, Joseph Smith, as mayor, ordered Nauvoo Legion commander Wilson Law to hold some of his men in readiness for any emergency. The next day Law wrote to Joseph Smith that to carry out his order it would be necessary to supply the men with "munitions of war" at the expense of the city, concluding, "You will therefore please to give orders to the commandants of cohort on their application to you on the city treasury for whatever amount you may think proper on the present occasion."659 On 9 December Joseph wrote this note to city treasurer William Clayton.

Nauvoo City Dec 9th 1843

Mr. Clayton

Treasury for the City of Nauvoo

you will Please pay out of the City funds in your hands Sixty dollers to be paid to the commandants of Cohorts to be used in case of defence

Joseph Smith

Mayor of said City