Letter Redress Petition to U.S. Congress for Losses Suffered in Missouri on 13 Jan 1840 in Madison County, Illinois.2
[James makes a claim for losses he suffered in Missouri; he is referring to the Gallatin election fight, which took place in his store, causing him the losses described; also for the loss of his home and property when he was driven from Missouri. The petition is also signed by his wife, Evaline Walker (appears as Evaline Bollin on the petition) and her mother, Nancy Walker]
January 13, 1840
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled at the City of Washington in the district of Columbia--
I the undersignd do by these presents represent To Your Honorable body my Losses Sufferings and Troubles which I sustained and underwent by the hands of a Ruthless mob in the State of Missouri upheld and sustained by L. W. Boggs acting Governor of that state in the Year 1838. And this may Certify that on the 6th day of August, 1838. while at an Election held in daviess County Missouri, while we the people Called Mormons were Voting As the Law of our Country dictates and Guarantees unto us that we were hindred from this our privilege By a mob of the people of that County Raising against us and driving us from the polls with Clubs [p.531] Raw Hydes &C. [---] Also drove us from the Town and Threatened me If I did not Leave the Town They would Pull down my House over my Head. and which House Contained heavy stones &C &C, and which I was obliged To Leave, and which was mostly distroyed, Also [-----] Another Establishment of the same in same County was Broken Open and Liquor & C. Taken Out By the Milita as they Called Themselves under Brgd. Genl. Parks of that Division To a Large amt. and which they Took and made use of &C. Many other Losses To which I suffered which were very grievious To bear of Being driven from Land which I Had Entd. Town Lots &C. And the Loss of which Property Amounting To not less than 3000 Dollars which Loss I sustained By being driven from my Home under The Exterminatig Orders of his Excellency Lilbern W. Boggs. And By this I appeal To Your Honorable Body for redress of the sore Grievances which I And my Brethren have suffered for the Belief of the scriptures of Truth or in other words for our Religion.----And By this I importune at Your feet for Redress &C of My Wrongs And Your Servant will Ever pray----
James H. Rollins
P. S. I The undersigned Certify in addition That We the people Called Mormons after a Conference was held by The principal men of the Mo. Militia, was forced by the Point of the sword To sign a deed of Trust signing away our Lands. The principal man Engaged in this business was Thomas Birch Acting as States Attorney for that district, also Genl. Clark Commander in Chief of the Militia or [-----] also Genl. Saml. D. Lucas of Independence Jackson County Mo.
James H. Rollins
[Sworn to before J. H. Randle, N.P., Madison Co., IL, 13 Jan 1840.]