Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated 17 July 1845 and addressed to "Gen. Ewing." Deming admits that the hope of expelling the Mormons from Hancock County had been abandoned and indicates that he had been accused of the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

Handwritten and signed letter dated 4 May 1842 and addressed to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Mormon Church. Gurley writes that he was unable to attend a meeting with the Nauvoo Legion militia organization and describes the founding of a branch of the Mormon Church in Wisconsin.

Photocopy and photostat copy of a handwritten letter. Smith writes in his capacity as the leader of the "Nauvoo Legion" of the Illinois state militia. He informs Wilson Law to keep the militia in readiness "as may be necessary to compel obedience to the ordinances of said city (i.e. Nauvoo) and secure the peace of the citizens." The item was notarized by W. W. Phelps.