| 544 TIMES AND SEASONS.
"Truth will prevail."
Vol. V. No. 11.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. JUNE 1, 1844 [Whole No. 95.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JOSEPH SMITH AND THE HON. HENRY CLAY,
Nauvoo, Ill., Nov. 4th, 1843.
Hon. H. Clay-Dear Sir:-As we understand you are a candidate for the presidency at the next election; and as the Latter Day Saints, (sometimes called Mormons, who now constitute a numerous class in the school politic of this vast republic,) have been robbed of an immense amount of property, and endured nameless sufferings by the state of Missouri, and from her borders have been driven by force of arms, contrary to our national covenants; and as in vain we have sought redress by all constitutional, legal and honorable means, in her courts, her executive councils, and her legislative halls; and as we have petitioned congress to take cognizance of our sufferings without effect; we have judged it wisdom to address you this communication, and solicit an immediate, specific and candid reply to What will be your role of action relative to us as a people, should fortune favor your ascension to the chief magistracy?
Most respectfully, sir, your friend,
and the friend of peace, good order,
And constitutional rights,
JOSEPH SMITH,
In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Hon. H. Clay, Ashland, Ky.
Ashland, Nov. 15, 1843.
Dear sir:-I have received your letter in behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, stating that you understand that I am a candidate for the Presidency, and enquiring [inquiring] what would be my rule of action relative to you as a people, should I be elected.
I am profoundly grateful for the numerous and strong expressions of the people in my behalf, as a candidate for President of the United States; but I do not so consider myself. That much depends upon future events, and upon my sense of duty.
Should I be a candidate, I can enter into no engagements, make no promises, give no pledges, to any portion of the people of the United States. If I ever enter into that high office, I must go into it free and unfettered, with no guarantees but such as are to be drawn from my whole life, character and conduct.
It is not inconsistent with this declaration to say, that I have viewed with a lively interest, the progress of the Latter Day Saints; that I have sympathized in their sufferings under injustice, as it appeared to me, which has been inflicted upon them; and that I think, in common with all other religious communities, they ought to enjoy the security and protection of the constitution and the laws.
I am, with great respect, your
friend and obedient servant,
H. CLAY.
Joseph Smith, Esq.
GEN. SMITH'S REJOINDER.
Nauvoo, Ill., May 13th, 1844.
Sir:-Your answer to my inquiry, "what would be your rule of action towards Latter Day Saints, should you be elected president of the United States," has been under consideration since last November, in the fond expectation, that you would give (for every honest citizen has a right to demand it,) to the country, a manifesto of your views of the best method and means which would secure to the people, the whole people, the most freedom, the most happiness, the most union, the most wealth, the most fame, the most glory at home, and the most honor abroad, at the least expense; but I have waited in vain. So far as you have made public declarations, they have been made, like your answer of the above, soft to flatter, rather than solid to feed the people. You seem to abandon all former policy which may have actuated you in the discharge of a statesman's duty, when the vigor of intellect and the force of virtue, should have sought out an everlasting habitation for liberty; when, as a wise man, a true patriot, and a friend to mankind, you should have resolved, to ameliorate the awful condition of our bleeding country by a mighty plan of wisdom, righteousness, justice, goodness and mercy, that would have brought back the golden days of our nation's youth, vigor and vivacity; when prosperity crowned the offorts [efforts] of a youthful Republic, when the gentle aspirations of the sons of liberty were, "we are one."
In your answer to my questions, last fall, that peculiar tact of modern politicians, declaring, "if you ever enter into that high office, you must go into it free and unfettered, with no guarantee but such as are to be drawn from your whole life, character and conduct," so much resembles a lottery vendor's sign, with the goddess of good luck sitting on the ear of fortune, a-straddle of the horn of plenty,
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