---
title: Times and Seasons
description: Issues of 1844 to 1845.
authors:
  - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
editors:
  - Ebenezer Robinson
  - Don Carlos Smith
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
  - Taylor, John
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - newspaper
  - times-and-seasons
  - nauvoo
  - nineteenth-century
periodical: Times and Seasons
volume: 5
number: 11
published: 1844-06-01
publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor
publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois
language: en
type: article
reference: "“CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JOSEPH SMITH AND THE HON. HENRY CLAY,” *Times and Seasons* 5, no. 11 (June 1, 1844): 544."
printed_title: CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JOSEPH SMITH AND THE HON. HENRY CLAY,
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-06-01_5_11
  transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n11.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair)
  identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-06-01_5_11
start_page: 544
end_page: 544
curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1844 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States
  source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-06-01_5_11
  publication_year: 1844
---

# CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JOSEPH SMITH AND THE HON. HENRY CLAY

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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.