While the Sable shades of night is drawn has drawn its dark curtains over the Earth, I seat myself by the side of Brother Phelps table in the City of Boston to spread some of the Cogitations of my mind before you, and it is amid peculiar feelings I do it, May the God of Israel direct my pen in Wisdom that I may communicate to my Beloved Brother what I ought + no more. After a long tegious journey, <of a month> I have made my appearance in the City of Boston, I was on the Chairs of Lakes 16 days amind wind storm + fire when out it was different to make Haslowns + when is difficult to get out, our boat took fire 3 times Besides Having a dreadful rough time however I have no complaint to make, I with my wife and Children are all well, I have these subjects, I have other matters to talk about But if I could see president Young one hour I could tell better with my tongue what I wish than with my pen, It is so frequent for Elders to write home to Nauvoo what they see, learn, feel or some complaint against somebody that I dislike to follow suit, yet I do feel it to be my duty to give your own account of the State of things in the Eastern Churches <as> as <far> I can see, hear, + feel, I should have waited until I could have had more of an opportunity of visiting the Churchs, ownly as I have an opportunity of sending by private conveyance. Now Br Young I am going to give you a single statement of facts + learnings + my own feelings + eons of persuit just as it is as near as I can without any intention of Bringing any accusation against any man, not even wishing to name my communication seen by any but our own quorum unless absolutely necessary, On my arrival at the New York Branch of the Church, An Elder informed me that he attended the New York Conference, + their appear much difficulty arising in that quarter upon a variety of subjects, But kissing woman spiritual wife being of the most prominent one, one was turned out of the Church for calling Adams or Mrs Smith a raskall; much difficulty appear to be brewing in New York + Philadelphia; I visited a sick woman in the West Side Branch, For some reason the subject of marriage for Eternity rested with wait upon my mind, I did not know the cause as it was the most foreign from my mind introduce the subject I enquired of Br Sparks if their had been any thing said upon the Subject, he informed me she had been seale[d] to her husband I asked who by, He said Elder Brannan Elder of the prophet [p. 2] I was a little surprised at this, <one> He informed me that Elder Brannan had Been through the Churchs, calling collections for the prophet got considerable in the small branch, M<Pres> Smith was with him gathering funds at the same time for the Temple, this Brother paid him $20 or $25 dollars for the Temple as he was one of the Twelve, the tale to me is that Elders Smith Adams + Brannan are legal together in all things visit the Churchs constantly + beg together one for the prophet, one for the Temple + Adams to a pay a debt that he said Brannan in Nauvoo <or he had lent so much to the saints> And preaching the spiritual wife doctrine (as they call it) to perfection, After getting through with their Branch I took care for Boston amid last night at Sadak stoped at Br Phelpeses & hits Phelps told me their was arresting of the Church I immediately repair to the place, + in the midst of business wealth to the stand, + took a seat some men seen to be summoned sunbunend at my presence, Elder Adams asked if I came by the way of New York + Philadelphia, Elder Smith asked what the feelings of the Twelve was towards him in Nauvoo, spoke of the Office of Patriarch said it was his right, should contend for it through death + the grave &c, the first blessing I saw was John Hardy resign His Office as president, And another appointed in His stead, which was Joseph Ball who was contende for shenously by Brannan + Wm Smith I will confess some feeling came upon me that made made squirm all over, I saw their was wrong spirits, conflicting spirits Elder Phelps was the ownly man that oppose openly, Elder Balls appointment, + he was instantly lomin down, but I knew others felt opposed to the move, I saw trouble in the hearts of men I had just came in knew not what is going on, during this movement I sat by the side of Wm Smith, who said to me “Phelps is an influence using against Br Adams, But all is right with his being a good man he upholds the Temple I will stand by him until death,” “Windster And some are against us + I have cut him off.” I asked how Br Brannan came to be marrying people for Eternity, He says I appointed him to do it His Administrations one not legal “yes they are any Elder can do it that has power to marry at all” “It it is a right Exclusively belonging to the quorum of the Twelve or the president of the Quorum not legal with those who are not endowed, “That has reference to exclusive privileges, + not <perferance> to sealing a man to his wife for Eternity for any Elder can do that” Here the contestations ended meeting closed + I went home to with Br Phelps, I lonecen game and an appointment for a Church meeting on Saturday night. The whole week is to be taken up [p.3] with another long discussion Between Adams and Bachellon. I soon discover from various sources that the conduct of Wm Smith Adams Brannan Ball &c had been such in crowding their spiritual Wife claims, visiting the Churches, visiting together in Begging money, serving even all rights of presiding Elders, an the Claim that Wm Smith was one of the Twelve, the prophets Brother, + Adams was the great Apostle to the gentiles as Paul Even the 13th Apostle (which claim Wm Held up to me) untill some of the strongest pillars were shaking, + if any opposed them in their deeds they would trample then down until presiding Elders were leaving their post, + some ready to come out in Battle any openly against the Church G I teach of New York about to leave John Hardy resigned + about to write the pen against the Church, Phelps, I am best for the Apostles malace + this good man feeling that they each learn such thing, no longer with a feeling that Adams Smith Brenann was combined with the Phelps to do any thing to earn and their designs, preach poloticks + voting for Polk for a letter against + was using an influence to <remove> remoue all presiding Elders that would not favour their designs + put in another would, It looks like in Boston, for Elder Ball has taught as usual as Wm Smith the lowell girls that is not wrong to have intercourse with to men wold they please + Elder Ball his to sleep with them when he can They have tried to remove a good presiding Elder in Lowell to put in Br Rolins who is in their company, But they would not send their the Lowell church is shaking And is fine to speak just as I feel, it seems as through if I need not come or Been something to some taken a different course that all these Eastern Churches would speedily go to the devil I can say my spirit is not congenial with Adams William + Brennan I shall take a different course from what they are taking, I have been with them a little while today our spirits don’t gibe they keep together in a cluster they don't visit the afflicted ones much as soon as I arose this morning I felt it my duty to visit Bro Handy + the tired ones, I have done so + done much good. I tell Bro Hardy <Handy> all to hold still + not write against the Church. He said he is wont do it unless they understand to crush him , + perhaps not them, The difficulty with many is they think the quorum of the Twelve know these things, in Adams + Wm[?] + wrick as it +sustains them in it And my candid opinion ooinion is that if this loose principle which they are presenting or whose prophet says they are the the church will at this time with our having to deal with such cursed nonsense, for it seem as though some Elders thought this whole situation depends upon accommodating their tail, some in this country thought that Windster was not fairly dealt with but that I do not know so much about. But some good man are heslasing[?] an inquiry in these things I Bilieve, [p.4] I inquired today why they were pressing the cause they are on the subject political affairs, "Because the Polk party are supporting the paper some united after the election. I told them if they would fill my hat with gold I would not do it I asked what they was going to do the with the money collected for the Temple, "Send it up by Elders Adams who is going to Nauvoo in few days, I hope a <game> of speculation will not be carried on in the East upon the subject but what is donated may rearch the Temple, Elder Lyne is much opposed to the carriage offering[?] on + wrote a next peace in the prophet last week warning the woman to leave but Brannan said it should not have gone in if he had seen it, they dont like to publish anything that will check these people. Now Elder Young I have poured out a part of my beggot[?] before you you may think I am discouraged or weak in faith myself. But I am not acquainted with either of them, I am in the best of spirits, Elder P P Pratt wrote upon letters last year to Nauvoo upon the same people, perhaps he did not understand it then, perhaps I do not now. But what I have written I have given as it came to me, some report some [???] testimony some I see, learn + some I feel, I am not an accuser of my Brothers I dont pretend to present it as an accusation, ownly to let you have a note of things that do apparently exist, their seems to be a desire that Elders Adams + Hamill + Brennan may keep away from the Churchs + let them alone + not continually be racing through among them + keeping them all in a foam. Holding debats to make money + Bragging all the while of each otters appealing through the Prophet, again may write these things, + have them for what they would fetch, But you may not and I shall take a different course in my ministry. The following is a synopsis of my intentions. To sustain Elder Young as the President of the Church in connection with the quorum of the twelve, to set before them the cause persuied[?] of the conference in Nauvoo, to elect men that are able to imigrate[?] to Nauvoo camp money + arms, Appoint an agent to receive the subscriptions for the Temple that will appropriate it while it is applyod[?] + to do what they can. And to require the written authority of any man that came to called many on any church matters signed by President Young or the Trustees or both that old papers will not ausuogs[?]. To oppose the claims of Elder Hayden to lead the Church according to the circular he is spreading in the Eastern Churches. To warn all against iniquity + improper conduct, + of they see things wrong in others not to make their wreak of their own faith but stand still and all shall be right in time, That the Church will not support iniquity, Would advise not to mingle with politics or the election this fall. Shall try to save those who are tried + temple as far as they have a disposition do right + might in the security of all the Saints [p.5] As my mission is not in America I shall not take the responsibility of regulating things myself but will try to give good advise as I pass along, requesting all to maintain their integrity until the Districts one appointed + Churches set in order I have a meeting tomorrow night in Salem. Thursday night in New Bedford, Saturday night in Boston + Sunday, Tuesday night next week in Sowell, + Thursday night in Peterborough then off to Main get my family return to New York, + sail to Liverpool. Nowe if you see anything wrong in any of my intentions say that it may be taken from me. for God knows I want to be right for I feel more than a usual Deep interest in the welfare of the Church at the present time. I have written this letter [???] in the night it may be a trouble to read it But I think Br Richards will make it out please give my regrets to all the quorum + all who inquire after me remember me to Br + Sister Webster. Tell them I visited Fathers House + all was well. By way of conclusion I wish to say that in all my remarks about things here I have given them as they came to me [?] up perhaps much allowance out to be made things may be much exagerated by report to Wm Sarp Now Adams is a good man doing what he can for the [?] &c. But I leave anything as it is going with you, I would not wish to have this letter go to Adams or Wm Smith as I design it for your self for I asked we shall have to handle things carefully until they are nighlad[?] up,

From your servant in the Kingdom of God

W Woodruff