Wednesday, 3.—Called at the office and drank a glass of wine with Sister Jenetta Richards, made by her mother in England, and reviewed a portion of the conference minutes.
Two p.m., mayor's court, "City versus A. Gay," on complaint of William Law, for unbecoming language and refusing to leave the store when told to. Fined $5 and costs.
Directed a letter to be written to Gen. James Adams, of Springfield, to have him meet the Maid of Iowa on her return from St. Louis, and arrange with the proprietors to turn her into a Nauvoo ferry boat, which letter was written the same hour.
This day the first number of the Nauvoo Neighbor was issued by John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, in place of the Wasp, which ceased; and I here insert the first editorial:—
Editorial from the Nauvoo Neighbor.
We now, according to promise, present our young friend before the world in his new dress and with his new name. As the last week has been one of the warm weeks in the spring, when vegetation springs forth and life and animation are given to the vegetable world, so our efforts to cultivate the plant of Intelligence, having been watered by industry, enlivened by perseverance, and warmed by the genial rays of patronage, have not been unsuccessful; for the young gentleman has grown in one short week to double his former size.
Relative to his dress, we have to apologize a little. As we did not live near a store, we could not get all the trimmings which we could have desired, to have made him pass so well with the elite in the fashionable world. However, among plain folks, he will now pass very well; and we soon expect to see him in a form that will suit the taste of the most fastidious.
Relative to the course that we shall pursue, we shall endeavor to cultivate a friendly feeling towards all, and not interfere with the rights of others, either politically or religiously. We shall advocate the cause of the innocent and oppressed, uphold the cause of right, sustain the principles of republicanism, and fly to the succor of the helpless and forlorn, pouring in oil and wine to their wounds, and acting in every way to all the human family in the capacity that our name imports—viz., that of a Neighbor.
We have had and may have to defend ourselves against the oppressions, persecutions, and innovations of men. And if this should be the case, we shall not shrink from the task, but shall fearlessly and unflinchingly defend our rights, sustaining that liberty which our glorious constitution guarantees to every American citizen, for which our fathers jeopardized their liberty, their lives, and their sacred honor.
Amidst the warring elements that are disturbing the world, we are glad to find so amiable and friendly a spirit manifested to us at the present time by the press; and we can assure them that, so long as they let us alone, we shall not interfere with them.
It has been our study to avoid contention, and we have never interfered with others until they have thrown down the gauntlet; and as we have not been up to the present the aggressors so we are determined for the future not to be the aggressors.
We have always endeavored to cultivate a spirit of friendship, amity, and peace with mankind. If we have not succeeded, the fault has not been with us. Rumor, with her ten thousand tongues, has always been busy circulating falsehood and misrepresentation concerning us; and men have frequently, in the absence of correct information, entertained unfavorable opinions concerning us, and have spoken as they thought: but when they have been better informed, they have regretted their course, and have seen that calumny has been like a viper in our path and has stung like an adder.
In regard to our political rights, our religion has frequently been made use of by political demagogues as a bugbear to deprive us of the free untrammelled rights of American citizens. This is a thing that we have always protested against, and we always shall, so long as that blood that fired the bosoms of our ancestors who fought, bled, and died, in defense of equal rights, flows through our veins.
Concerning religion we consider that all men have a right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. And while we allow all men freely to enjoy this privilege untrammeled by us, we look upon all men that would abridge us or others in their religious rights as enemies to the constitution, recreant to the principles of republicanism; and whilst they render themselves despicable, they are striking a secret but deadly blow at the freedom of this great republic; and their withering influence, though unseen and unobserved by the many, is like a worm gnawing the very vitals of the tree of liberty. We shall always contend for our religious rights. In short, the liberty of the press, liberty of conscience and of worship, free discussion, sailors' rights, we shall always sustain.
Thursday, 4.—At four p.m., heard read a letter from James Arlington Bennett, showing that he was sick and could not attend the inspection of the Nauvoo Legion, according to his appointment.
Having received a letter from George W. Robinson in relation to his land difficulties, I went to Sidney Rigdon and procured a deed for Carlos Granger's farm, and settled that business.
Friday, 5.—Told the Temple committee that I had a right to take away any property I chose from the Temple office or store, and they had no right to stand in the way. It is the people that are to dictate me, and not the committee. All the property I have belongs to the Temple, and what I do is for the benefit of the Temple; and you have no authority only as you receive it from me.
Received the following:—
Letter of H. R. Hotchkiss to Joseph Smith—Property Titles.
NEW YORK, 7th April, 1843.
Joseph Smith, Esq.
DEAR SIR:—I received on Saturday last a letter from Mr. Catlin, notifying me that the equity of redemption in my Nauvoo property would be sold on the 12th instant, and asking me whether I wished it to be purchased for me. I suppose it is quite immaterial whether I or you hold the right of redeeming; for if it should again come into my possession, I wish it understood distinctly by them who have built upon it that I shall not attempt to take their buildings from them, but shall be ready at any time to give them a lease of their lots for a very long period, at a reasonable rent. My wish, as well as my interest, leads me to conciliate and make them my friends, instead of making them my enemies.
Your obedient servant, H. R. HOTCHKISS.