Nauvoo Mansion, March, 1844

Mr. Editor:-Before I take my departure, permit me to express my views relative to the leading men of your city, where I have been these few days.

I have been conversant with the great men of the age, and last of all, I feel that I have met with the greatest, in the presence of your esteemed prophet, Gen. Joseph Smith. From many reports, I had reason to believe him a bigoted religionist, as ignorant of politics as the savages; but to my utter astonishment, on a short acquaintance, I have found him as familiar in the cabinet of nations, as with the bible; and in the knowledge of that book, I have not met with his equal in Europe or America. Although, if I should beg leave to differ with him in some items of faith; his nobleness of soul will not permit him to take offence [offense] at me. No Sir, I find him open, frank and generous, as willing others should enjoy their opinions, as to enjoy his own.

The General appears perfectly at home on every subject; and his familiarity with many languages affords his ample means to become informed concerning all nations and principles, which his familiar and dignified deportment towards all, must secure to his interest the affections of every intelligent and virtuous man that may chance to fall in his way; and I am astonished that so little is known abroad concerning him.

Van Buren was my favorite, and I was astonished to see Gen. Smith's name as a competitor; but since my late acquaintance, Mr. Van Buren can never re-seat himself in the presidential chair on my vote, while Gen. Smith is in the field; forming my opinions alone on the talents of the two; and from what I have seen, I have no reason to doubt, but Gen. Smith's integrity is equal to any other individual; and I am satisfied he cannot easily be made the pliant tool of any political party. I take him to be a man who stands far aloof from little caucus quiblings [quibbling] and squablings [squabbling], while nations, governments and realms, are wielded in his hand as familiarly as the top of a hoop in the hands of their little masters.

Free from all bigotry and superstition, he dives into every subject, and it seems as though the world was not large enough to satisfy his capacious soul, and from his conversation, one might suppose him as well acquainted with other worlds as this.

So far as I can discover, Gen. Smith is the nation's man, and the man who will exalt the nation, if the people will give him the opportunity:

all the parties will find a friend in him, so far as right is concerned.

Gen. Smith's movements are perfectly anomalous, in the estimation of the public. All other great men have been considered wise in drawing around them wise men; but I have frequently heard the General called a fool because he has gathered the wisest of men to his cabinet, who direct his movements: but this subject is too ridiculous to dwell upon; suffice it to say, so far as I have seen, he has wise men at his side; superlatively wise, and more capable of managing the affairs of state, than most men now engaged therein; which I consider much to his credit, though I would by no means speak dimunutively of my old friends.

From my brief acquaintance, I consider Gen. Smith, independent of his peculiar religious views, (in which. by the by, I have discovered neither vanity nor folly,) the sine-qua-non of the age, to our nations' prosperity. He has learned the all important lesson, "to profit by the experience of those who have gone before," so that, in short, Gen. Smith begins where other men leave off. I am aware this will appear a bold assertion to some, but I would say to such, call and form your acquaintance; as I have done, then judge.

Thus, Sir, you have a few leading items of my view of Gen. Smith, formed from personal acquaintance, which you are at liberty to dispose of as you think proper. I anticipate the pleasure of renewing my acquaintance with your citizens at a future day.

Yours, Respectfully,

A TRAVELER.