| 548 perfect government in the last days, to purify the hearts of the people and hasten the welcome day.
With the highest consideration,
for virtue and unadulterated freedom,
I have the honor to be, your ob't s'v't.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Hon. H. CLAY, Ashland, Ky.
For the Times and Seasons.
Mr. Editor, Dear Sir:- Having spent a few days very agreeably in your beautiful city, I take the liberty of informing the numerous readers of your wide-spread journal, concerning some facts which came under my notice, during my short so-journ among you; and which have been the means in the hands of the Almighty, of accomplishing a great change in my sentiments with regard to Gen. Joseph Smith and the people among who he resides.
I am not about to relate any thing wonderful in itself, or even new to you; or any thing but what every individual may see, would he but take the trouble to come here and open his eyes. It was however new to me, and not only so, but totally unexpected, inasmuch as I came here with my ears and my heart filled with such stories, hearsays, and exagerations [exaggerations] against you, as, if they were one-tenth part true, would stamp you as the basest villains and the greatest fanatics, ever existent on God's footstool-only to be compared to the Malays, the Caribs, the Buccaneers, or, to use a more modern comparison, the mob of Philadelphia.
It is needless to say, when such were the stories believed by me, how bitter and hostile were the feelings with which I stopped here; indeed so inimical were they, that had not business compelled me, I never could have made this 'City of the Saints' a 'resting place' for my feet, but being unavoidably detained a few days, I determined to make good use of my time, and see if I should not be confirmed in my belief.
It has become so degrading in the eyes of modern degeneracy to alter a persons opinions, or change his views, that I am almost afraid to acknowledge my feelings changed, and my belief altered with regard to your people; yet, knowing that, in the opinion of wise and candid persons, it is much more honorable to acknowledge a fault and repair it, than to persist in an error; I trust that your readers will sympathize with me, and instead of pronouncing me 'turncoat,' &c., listen calmly to my reasons for thinking differently of the Mormons now, than I did a few days ago. That my feelings have met with an entire, complete and radical change, I beg leave distinctly to state; and since I think I have good reason for such a revolution in my feelings, I cannot charge myself with any blame in the affair, unless it be for ever entertaining such feelings.
Since my sentiments were such as I have expressed, it must be expected, as was the case, that I should be very much prejudiced against you, and would view everything with a judicial eye. I came here expecting to see an idle, indolent, brawling, intemperate and licentious people:-I found them on the contrary, industrious, enterprizing [enterprising], orderly, temperate and chaste. I expected to see them superstitious, bigoted, and blind followers of a blinded prophet:-I found them free from superstition, liberal, enthusiastic only in their desires to ameliorate the condition of mankind and convert them to the truth, and venerating their prophet to be sure, but no more than intelligent men should do, who was acquainted with his enlightened views, comprehensive knowledge and extended benevolence. I expected to find them illiterate, ignorant, illiberal, the offscourings of the earth:-I found them intelligent, enlightened, liberal; and as smart and well dressed an assemblage as I ever saw for the number in my life.
When I was told that this place was five years ago a wilderness, with only about a dozen log cabins, scattered over the whole extent, I could scarce believe my senses. On every side I saw extended around me the beautiful cottages, the smiling flowers, and the well cultivated gardens of the enterprizing [enterprising] inhabitants.-Here and there I saw the lofty mansions of the more wealthy, towering like the oaks of the forest, above their more humble rivals; and giving a beautiful variegated appearance to the entire place, over the whole of the vast city of four miles square, I saw the beautiful mansions (mostly composed of brick) of its twenty thousand inhabitants: It is indeed a beautiful place and viewed from the river makes a most splendid appearance. The prairie also, for many miles back, is cultivated almost like the Garden of Eden, by its industrious inhabitants-and all this the work of five years! I could scarce believe it; and yet my eyes could not deceive me. History records no parallel; a few despised, persecuted, banished people, flying from the terrors of religious intolerance, manifested by some of the citizens of this boasted republic, to commence, carry on, increase, and build up such a city as this in so short a space of time almost exceeds belief. In reflecting upon it, we hardly know which to admire most, their untiring zeal in the cause of their religion, or their determined perseverance in making the 'wilderness a fruitful field,' and
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