Cambria, Luzerne Co. Penn.

February 10th 1843

Josiah Stowell Jr. Esq.

Elmyra N.Y.

Dear Sir,

I hope you will pardon pardon me for the liberty I am taking in addressing you this letter, which is intended, not as an obtrusion, but to elicit a statement of facts which came under your own personal observation, or such as you know to be facts from circumstance with which you are well acquainted, relative to the youthful, and also more matured character of Joseph Smith Jun.<,> your play mate and school fellow, but now leader of the "Latter day Saints."

I have been laboring now for some weeks in this section of the Country, by way of preaching the gospe[l] as understood by the said Smith and others, and find here a great deal of opposition & persecution, in consequence of the reputed bad character of Mr. Smith in his youth, and the consequent deception <it is said> he is practising upon the public.

Being convinced of the great injustice done him everywhere in alleging charges of the most haineus ch[ar]=acter against him, which are verily believed by the people here, and greatly to the prejudice of the spread of the gospel in this section; and having recently had an opportunity of conversing with you, (while at your house together with Mr. Bird) on the subject and learned that you were his youthful companion, and had, on many occasions, defended his character from the fulsome abuse of the slanderer; I cannot forbear to solicit from <you> a statement of such things as you feel warranted in making in his defence and in defence of the truth, & more especially as you are not a member of the <church.>

It is here stated and verily believed, that he, Smith, was a gambler, a Black leg, a notorious horse jockey, an adept at the slight offhand or juggling, and was notorious for frequenting grogships, and intemperance, and that he was also exceedingly profane, & c. &c. Now <,> if this matter can be answered to the satisfaction of some half a Dozen persons in this neighborhood, it would have quite a beneficial effect here; besides, it would be a vindication of the character and reputation of one who is receiving more than his fair share of misrepresentation and abuse. I have openly and boldy denied these char=ges, and although not required to prove a negative, have <still> agreed to do so in several instances, which if I can do, through you, will set this matter at rest in this place.

I hope you will take the trouble, (if you think me reasonable in requesting it,) to answer in reply to those charges as soon as circumstances will posibly admit of your doing so; and <I should be pleased to have you> make also such general remarks as the occasion seems to require. I should be pleased also to have the old gentleman, your father, subscribe to as much of your reply as he is knowing to.

Address to Cambria &c. as above.

Give my compliments to all that I had the pleasure of seeing as y[ou]r. house. & to Mr. Bird, should you see him.

Very Respectfully

Jno: S. Fullmer

P.S. I would gladly pay the postage on this letter, but I tell the truth I have not got it. am laboring with<out> purse or scrip, & without compensation, only such good as I may be the means of doing while on my Mission. <& may God bless you and yours.> Send yours without paying postage.

J.S.F.