|
Name |
John Spalding |
Martha Spalding |
Oliver Smith |
Nahum Howard |
Aron Wright |
Henry Lake |
John Miller |
Artemus Cunningham |
Matilda Davison |
Matilda McKinstry |
Josiah Spalding |
Joseph Miller |
Redick McKee |
John McKinstry |
Daniel Tyler |
Erastus Rudd |
Joseph Miller |
James Briggs |
Matilda McKinstry |
Hiram Lake |
Lorin Gould |
Abner Jackson |
Joseph Miller |
Joseph Miller |
Matilda McKinstry |
Rachel Derby |
J.C. Dowen |
Jacob Sherman |
Charles Grover |
William Hine |
William Leffingwell |
Redick McKee |
James Briggs |
James Briggs |
James Briggs |
|
Date of statement |
Jul/Aug 1833 |
Jul/Aug 1833 |
Aug 183 |
Aug 1833 |
Aug 1833 |
Sep 1833 |
Sep 1833 |
Sep 1833? |
April 1839 |
1843 |
Jan 1855 |
Mar 1869 |
Apr 1869 |
Aug 1877 |
Jan 1878 |
Jan 1878 |
Feb 1879 |
Mar 1875 |
Apr 1880 |
Dec 1880 |
Dec 1880 |
Dec 1880 |
Jan 1882 |
Feb 1882 |
Oct 1882 |
Dec 1884 |
Jan 1885 |
Feb 1885 |
Mar 1885 |
Mar 1885 |
Jun 1885 |
Jan 1886 |
Jan 1886 |
Mar 1886 |
Oct 1886 |
|
Relation to S.S.? |
Brother |
Sister-in-law |
Boarder/neighbor |
Neighbor |
Neighbor |
Bus. Partner |
Employee/Tenet/close neighbor and friend with John
Spalding |
Lender |
Wife |
Daughter |
Brother |
Neighbor in Amity, PA |
Boarded at Spalding tavern in Amity for almost 2 years,
and friend of Joseph Miller |
Grandson |
Neighbor |
Neighbor's house where the romance was formerly written |
Neighbor in Amity |
Lawyer for Hurlbut |
Daughter |
Son of Henry Lake |
Acquaintence of Lake, Wright, Miller, and Howard |
Neighbor |
Neighbor in Amity |
Neighbor in Amity |
Daughter |
Daughter of John Miller and her family was intimate
friends with John Spalding family |
Attended Hurlbut lecture, and Hurlbut stayed at his house |
Attended Hurlbut lecture |
Attended Hurlbut lecture |
. |
teacher in Conneaut who claims to have corrected the
manuscript of the Mormon Bible alleged to have been written by Rev.
Solomon Spaulding |
Boarded at Spalding tavern in Amity for almost 2 years,
and friend of Joseph Miller |
Lawyer for Hurlbut |
Lawyer for Hurlbut |
Lawyer for Hurlbut |
|
When? |
I made a visit in about three years after (1812 or 1813?) |
I was at his house a short time before he left Conneaut
(1812 or 1813?) |
While engaged in this business (land sells) he boarded at
my house, in all nearly six months. All his leisure hours were occupied
writing an historical novel |
first . .acquanted with Solomon Spalding in December,
1810. After that time I frequently saw him at his house, and also at my
house. |
first acquinted with Solomon Spalding in 1808 or '9. .
.When I was at home one day. (?) |
I arrived at this place [Conneaut] about the first of
January [1811]. Soon after my arrival, I formed a copartnership with
Solomon Spalding |
In the year 1811, I was in the employ of Henry Lake and
Solomon Spalding. While ther I boarded and lodged in the family of said
Spalding for several months. I was soon introduced to the manuscripts |
In the month of October, 1811. . .I tarried with him
nearly two days. |
This was about the year 1812 |
How old were you when your father wrote the manuscript?
Ans: About five years of age [1812?] |
The war that broke out with England [1812]. . .I went to
see my brother and staid with him some time. |
fall of 1814 to fall of 1816? |
[fall] 1814. . .for eighteen or twenty months |
? |
I think Spauldin removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, prior
to my information of his tale on the mounds. |
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frequented his house |
1833-34 |
During the war of 1812 |
1834 |
1834-35 |
about the beginning of the year 1812, commenced to write
his famous romance. . .This romance, Mr. Spaulding brought with him on a
visit to my father, a short time before he moved from Conneaut to
Pittsburgh [winter 1812?] |
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[1814?] |
1811? |
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1833? |
1833 or 1834 |
? |
Long ago in the past, I have forgotten the year |
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winter 1833-34 |
In the winter of 1833-34, or in the early spring of 1834 |
1833-'34 |
|
Writing? |
Writing a book |
he was then writing |
All his leisure hours were occupied writing an historical
novel . . .I (Spalding) have been writing the history of the first
Settlement of America, and I intend to go to Pittsburg, and there live a
retired life, till I have completed the work |
He told me he was writing a history |
he was writing |
from a manuscript he was writing |
He soon after failed in business, and told me he would
retire from the din of his creditors, finish the book and have it
published. |
a book, which he had been writing |
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. |
He began to compose his novel. . . .There [at the point in
the story where the main character meets a civilized nation at war with
savages] I left him and never saw him nor his writings any more. . . .She
informed me, if I recollect right, that my brother continued his history
of the civilized nation and the progress of the war until the triumph of
the savages to the destruction of the civilized government. |
after it was written |
Mr. Spalding spending much time in writing |
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She said that my father loaned this "Manuscript
Found" to Mr. Patterson, of Pittsburgh, and that when he returned it
to my father, he said: "Polish it up, finish it, and you will make
money out of it." |
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He told me he lived in Ohio when he wrote his manuscript |
Patterson said he, Patterson would publish it, if he,
Spaulding, would write a title page. |
He suggested, however, that Mr. Spaulding should write a
brief preface, and perhaps a chapter or two in concluding the romance,
giving a little more elaborate description of the Indian mounds in Ohio.
Her mother thought he was engaged in doing that at the time I was living
with the family at Amity |
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Title? |
Manuscript Found |
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Manuscript Found |
Manuscript Found |
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Manuscript Found |
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The title of his novel, I think, was "Historical
Novel," or "Manuscript Found." |
He called it The Manuscript Found, or The Lost Manuscript
Found |
He called it Lost History Found, -- Lost Manuscript, or
some such name |
Manuscript Found |
"Manuscript Found" |
. |
Manuscript Found |
It was entitled, "The [Lost Tribes?]: or, The
Manuscript Found." |
On the outside of this manuscript were written the words,
"Manuscript Found." |
called 'Manuscript Found; or, the Lost Tribes.' |
called 'Manuscript Found; or, the Lost Tribes.' |
called by him "The Manuscript Found." |
. |
he called it the lost manuscript found |
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Manuscript Found' |
"Manuscript Found" |
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"Manuscript Found" |
"Manuscript Found" |
called 'The Book of Mormon |
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"manuscript found" |
Manuscript Story and "Manuscript Found" |
"Manuscript Found" and "manuscript' |
|
Read How Much? |
he (Spalding) read to me many passages |
I read and heard read |
During this time he was at my house, I read and heard read
one hundred pages or more. |
frequently showed me his writing, which I read. |
one day, he showed and read to me . . .Upon the subject we
had frequent conversations. . .as I read and heard read in the writings of
Spalding |
He very frequently read to me from a manuscript. . .I
spent many hours in reading said writing, and became well acquainted with
its contents. |
I was soon introduced to the manuscripts of Spalding, and
perused them as often as I had leisure. . . .From this [Manuscript Found]
he would frequently read some humorous passages to the company present. |
Before showing me his manuscript, he went into a verbal
relation of its outlines. . .He then presented the manuscriot, when we sat
down, and spent a good share of the night in reading them, and conversing
upon them. |
As he progressed in his narrative, the neighbors would
come in from time to time to hear portions read, and a great interest in
the work was excited among them. . . .and when he had sufficient portion
prepared he would inform them, and they would assemble to hear it read |
When I was about twelve years old, I used to read it for
diversion [1819?] |
. |
He used to read select portions of these papers to amuse
us [of] evenings. . . .I remember to have heard Mr. Spalding read from his
Manuscript |
I read, or hear[d] him read, many wonderful and amusing
passages from different parts of his professed historical records |
Rev. Mr. Spaulding was prevailed upon to read his
production to his neighbors as it progressed |
. |
. |
Mr. S. seemed to take delight in reading from his
manuscript (written on foolscap) for the entertainment of his frequent
visitors, heard him read most, if not all of it, and had frequent
conversations with him about it. |
At one of the meetings we had before us the original
manuscript of the Rev. Solomon Spaulding |
Afterward he read the manuscript which I had seen him
writing, to the neighbors and to a clergyman, a friend of his, who came to
see him. . . .I did not read it, but looked through it and had it in my
hands many times. . . .My mother. . .stated to me that she had heard the
manuscript alluded to read by my father, was familiar with its contents,
and she deeply regretted that her husband, as she believed, had innocently
been the means of furnishing matter for a religious delusion. |
. |
. |
Spaulding read much of his manuscript to my father. . . .I
. . .heard Spaulding read much of his Romance to my father and explain his
views and reasons for writing it |
we all assembled at his house in the evenings (as he kept
tavern), and he frequently would read from his manuscript |
often hoard him read from what he called his MS., he came
to our house and wanted me to go with him and bail him for 50 Dollars as
he needed the money and while on the road he told some of his history. . .
.it used to be very common at that day for to gather in at the Public
house in the evenings and often Mr. Spaulding would read from his MS, to
entertain us. |
heard a conversation in relation to the publication of the
'Manuscript.' There were two Mr. Pattersons present, one an elderly
gentleman, with a remarkably mild, pleasant countenance, and much more
robust than the other. The more slender Mr. Patterson told Mr. Spaulding
that he had read several chapters of the 'Manuscript' |
While they were at their meals Spalding would lie on the
bed and read to them his manuscripts. Father also frequently read them
himself. . . .I often heard him [her father] tell about the Nephists and
Zerahemlites before the 'Book of Mormon' was published. |
I heard Dr. P. Hurlbut, who had been a Mormon preacher,
preach a good sermon, and then deliver his first lecture in the Methodist
Church in Kirtland, Ohio, on the origin of the Book of Mormon….Hurlbut
staid at my house every three or four days for as many months. I read all
of his manuscript, including Spaulding's "Manuscript Found," and
compared it with the Book of Mormon |
. |
At the close of his lecture he invited the audience to
examine it. I took and read from it a little; it was plainly written on
letter-sized paper and nearly two inches thick. Soon after I was witness
at a lawsuit in Painesville and again heard Hurlbut lecture. At the close
Squire Holbrook read to the audience from Spaulding's "Manuscript
Found," |
I was often in Hurlbut's company, and once while fishing
with him on Lake Erie, after he had left the Mormons, he told me he was
going to ferret out Mormonism and break it up….I heard Hurlbut lecture
in the Presbyterian Church in Kirtland….I heard Hurlbut lecture before,
and after he saw Spaulding's widow. |
. |
. |
We compared it, chapter by chapter with the Mormon Bible. |
we had before us in that investigation, the original
"Manuscript Found" written by Rev. Solomon Spaulding. . . .I
have no doubt we had the "Manuscript Found" before us, that we
compared it with the Mormon Bible. . . .Third, that Hurlbut obtained
possession of the original "Manuscript Found," that we had [it]
to compare with the Mormon Bible before the committee at Mentor. |
we had the manuscript of the Rev. Solomon Spaulding before
us, that we compared with the Mormon Bible...At the meeting at Mr. J.
Corning's in Mentor, in 1834, I have no doubt we had this very identical
"manuscript" now published among the papers submitted by Dr.
Hurlburt. We also had a copy of the "Manuscript Found," that was
compared with the Mormon Bible |
|
Introduction? |
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Manuscript Found', and which he represented a being found
in this town |
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Purported to have been a record found buried in the earth,
or in a cave |
It claimed to have been written by one of the lost nation,
and to have been recovered from the earth |
. |
My brother told me that a young man told him that he had a
wonderful dream. He dreamed that he himself (if I recollect right) opened
a great mound, where there were human bones. There he found a written
history that would answer the inquiry respecting the civilized people that
once inhabited that country until they were destroyed by the savages. This
story suggested the idea of writing a novel merely for amusement. . . . They
both [the Spalding MS and the Book of Mormon] claimed that the manuscripts
from which they pretend they copied were of very ancient date and written
by men that came here from the old world. |
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the idea being that the romance woven by the ex-preacher
was dug up out of one of the mounds in the region |
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Spaulding's romance professed to find the Record where the
Recorder concealed it, in one of those mounds, one of which was but a few
rods from Spaulding's residence. |
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Romance? |
historical romance |
historical novel |
historical novel |
a history |
a history |
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a historic novel |
fabulous or romantic history |
historical sketch. . .historical romance |
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historical novel |
novel |
veritable history |
romance |
romance |
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romantic history |
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[her mother said] was a romance |
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romance |
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drama |
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About? |
first settlers of America |
founded upon the first settlers of America |
founded upon the first settlers of this country. . .first
settlers of America |
account of the inhabitants once in this country |
first settlers of America |
. |
It purported to be a history of the first settlement of
America, before discovered by Columbus. |
of the first settlers of this country. . . .account of the
first inhabitants of America |
long lost race |
Did the manuscript describe an idolatrous or a religious
people? Ans: An idolatrous people. |
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nations or tribes who inhabited Canaan |
history of ancient America |
a few mounds at the above named village. . . .The novel,
as I was told by those who heard it read, referred to them as idolaters
and not otherwise religious. |
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lost races or tribes |
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purporting to be a history of the lost tribes of Israel |
and he commenced writing a history of the mounds near
where he lived, or of the people who built them |
where he lived he discovered some mounds, they appeared to
be the work of an ancient race of people and he concluded he would write
their history or a fictitious novel of the people that built the mounds |
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Now I am very sure he had the identical story [Manuscript
Story] that you have printed with him. I remember about the ancient fort
at Conneaut Creek, the mound, and the statement of finding the manuscript
about the Indians. |
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Race? |
show that American Indians are descendants of Jews or lost
tribes |
He had for many years contended that the aborigines of
America were the descendants of some of the lost tribes of Israel, and his
idea is carried out in the book in question |
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lost tribes of Isreal. . .and that the Indians were there
descendents |
This book represented the American Indians as the
descendants of the lost tribes |
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long lost race. . .race now extinct |
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I think not a Jew |
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nations or tribes who inhabited Canaan when, or before,
that country was invaded by the Israelites, under Joshua |
forgotten race |
ten tribes |
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lost races or tribes |
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lost tribes of Isreal |
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[regarding the Manuscript Story] I remember . . .about the
Indians. |
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Journey? |
It gave a detailed account of their journey |
He gave a particular account of their journey |
He intended to trace their journey |
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He traced their journey |
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detailing their travels |
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The author of it he brings from the Old World, but from
what nation I do not recollect; I think not a Jew; nor do I recollect how
long since, but I think before the Christian Era. |
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pretending that the ten tribes crossed from the eastern
hemisphere via the Behring Straits to this continent |
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Why? |
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There main objective was to escape the judgement which
they supposed were coming upon the old world. |
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From where? |
from Jerusalem |
first came off from Jerusalem |
from Jerusalem |
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from Jerusalem |
gave an account of their leaving Jerusalem |
He brought them off from Jerusalem |
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the Old World, but from what nation I do not recollect; I
think not a Jew |
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eastern hemisphere |
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He begins with their departure from Palestine or Judea |
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To where? |
till they arrived in America |
till they arrived in America |
till their arrival in America |
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to America |
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landing at the Straits of Darien. . .they were marched
about the country for a length of time. . .he brought them across North
America in a northeast direction. |
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finally landed on the American shore; I think near the
mouth of the Mississippi River. . . .He then started and traveled a great
distance through a wilderness country inhabited by savages, until he came
to a country where the inhabitants were civilized, cultivated their land,
and had a regular form of government, which was at war with the savages. |
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to this continent |
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then up through Asia, points out their exposures,
hardships, and sufferings, also their craft for passing over the Straits |
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By? |
land and sea |
land and sea |
by land and sea |
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land and sea |
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He went to sea, lost his point of compass |
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via the Behring Straits |
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Leaders named? |
under the command of Nephi and Lehi |
Nephi and Lehi are yet fresh in my memory as the principle
heroes of this tale. They were officers… |
Nephi and Lehi were by him represented as leading
characters |
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Nephi, which appeared to be the principle hero of the
story. |
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He was a man of superior learning suited to that day. |
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Disputations? |
quarrels and contentions |
disputes arose between the chiefs |
gave an account of their . . .contentions |
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gave account of their. . .contentions. . .which were many
and great |
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Then after their landing he gave an account of their
divisions and subdivisions under different leaders, but two parties
controlled the balance. |
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Resulting in? |
separated into two distinct nations |
caused them to separate into two different bands |
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Nations named? |
denominated Nephites, and the other Lamanites |
one of which was called Lamanites, and the other Nephites |
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One of them was called the Righteous, worshipers and
servants of God. These organized with prophets, priests, and teachers, for
the education of their children, and settled down to cultivate the soil,
and to a life of civilization. The others were Idolaters. They contended
for a life of idleness; in short, a wild, wicked, savage life. |
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Wars? |
Cruel and bloody wars ensued |
Between these two were recounted tremendous battles |
gave and account of their. . .wars |
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gave account of their. . .wars. . .which were many and
great |
they were marched about the country for a length of time,
in which wars and great bloodshed ensued. |
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he came to a country where the inhabitants were civilized,
cultivated their land, and had a regular form of government, which was at
war with the savages. |
He speaks of a battle |
He described. . .their wars, stratagems, victories, and
defeats &c |
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They soon quarreled, and then commenced war anew, and
continued to fight, except at very short intervals. Sometimes one party
was successful and sometimes the other, until finally a terrible battle
was fought, which was conclusive. |
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Dead? |
great multitudes were slain |
which covered the ground with the slain |
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All the Righteous were slain, except one, and he was Chief
Prophet and Recorder. |
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Buried? |
They buried their dead in large heaps |
their being buried in large heaps |
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Mounds? |
which caused the mounds so common in this country |
was the cause of the numerous mounds in the country |
In this way, he would give a satisfactory account of all
the old mounds so common to this country |
erected. . .mounds, etc. |
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In Salem. . .numerous mounds |
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said mounds were built by a portion of them, to bury the
dead after some hard fighting. |
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[regarding the Manuscript Story] I remember about . . .the
mound |
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Fortifications? |
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who erected old forts |
account for all the fortifications |
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In Salem. . .numerous. . .forts |
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[regarding the Manuscript Story] I remember about the
ancient fort at Conneaut Creek |
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Description of people? |
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some of these people he represented as being very large |
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Specific accounts? |
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One time, when he was reading to me the tragic account of
laban, |
From this [Manuscript Found] he would frequently read some
humorous passages to the company present. |
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One passage, on page 148 (the copy I have is published by
J. O. Wright & Co., New York) I remember distinctly. He speaks of a
battle, and says the Amalekites had marked themselves with red on their
foreheads to distinguish them from the Nephites. The thought of being
marked on the forehead was so strange, it fixed itself in my memory. This,
together with other passages, I remember to have heard Mr. Spalding read
from his Manuscript. |
He described, with great particularity, their numbers,
customs, modes of life |
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Then on hearing read the account from the book of the
battle between the Amalekites and the Nephites, in which the soldiers of
one army had placed a red mark on their foreheads to distinguish them from
their enemies, it seemed to reproduce in my mind not only the narrative,
but the very words, as they had been impressed on my mind by the reading
of Spaulding's manuscript |
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All the Righteous were slain, except one, and he was Chief
Prophet and Recorder. He was notified of the defeat in time by Divine
authority; told where, when and how to conceal the record, and He would
take care that it should be preserved, and brought to light again at the
proper time, for the benefit of mankind. So the Recorder professed to do,
and then submitted to his fate. I do not remember what that fate was. He
was left alone of his party. I do not remember that anything more was said
of him. |
The passage you refer to, on page 148, as Cooper has it,
in his reference to being marked with red in their foreheads |
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Art,Science,etc. |
Their arts, sciences and civilizations were brought into
view |
enlightened and warlike people |
gave an account of their arts, sciences, civilizations |
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detailing. . .their manners, customs, laws |
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Numerous implements were found and other articles evincing
great skill in the arts. Mr. Spaulding being an educated man and
passionately fond of history, took a lively interest in these developments
of antiquity |
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There he reflects most feelingly on what he suffered, his
present condition and future prospects; he likewise makes some lengthy
remarks on astronomy and philosophy, which I should think would agree in
sentiment and style with very ancient writings. |
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Why stated? |
in order to account for all the curious antiquities found
in the various parts of North and South America |
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He attempted to account for the numorous antiquities which
are found upon this continent |
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Writing style? |
he wrote in the old style |
the old, obsolete style |
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he had adopted the ancient scripture style of writing |
Their extreme antiquity of course would lead him to write
in the most ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient
book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. |
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which I should think would agree in sentiment and style
with very ancient writings |
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His style was flowing and grammatical, though gaunt and
abrupt -- very like the stories of the "Maccabees" and other
apocryphal books, in the old bibles. |
It was written in Bible phraseology, and made as quaintly
olden as possible, so as to carry out the conceit of its alleged mound
origin |
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the quaint style and peculiar language that had made such
a deep impression on my mind |
The style of composition. . .etc., were the same [i.e
Spalding MS and the Book of Mormon]. |
{her mother said] written in biblical style |
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The work was very odd |
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struck favorably with its curious descriptions and its
likeness to the ancient style of the Old Testament Scriptures |
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It was full of Bible expressions, and as I had read the
Bible from lid to lid I knew the proper phraseology to use |
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It [the Book of Mormon] was written in the same style [as
the Spalding MS] |
that the style in which the "Manuscript Found"
was written was the same as that of the Mormon Bible….Fifth, that the
testimony of numerous reliable witnesses states that when they heard read
and read it themselves, the Mormon Bible, they at once recognized the
peculiar phraseology and the names as those in the "Manuscript
Found," |
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Example of style? |
commenced about every sentence with 'And it came to pass'
or Now it came to pass" |
the phrases of "and it came to pass' &c. are the
same |
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I well recollect telling Mr. Spaulding that the so
freuquent use of the words 'And it came to pass,' and 'Now it came to
pass,' rendered it ridiculous |
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The frequent repetition of the phrase, 'I Nephi,' I
recollect as distinctly as though it was but yesterday. |
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the very frequent repetition of the phrase, "and it
came to pass." |
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When it was brought to Conneaut and read there in public,
old Esq. Wright heard it, and exclaimed, "Old come to pass has come
to life again." |
The words "Moreover," "And it came to
pass," occurred so often that the boys about the village called him
"Old Came to Pass." |
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and the expression "and it came to pass" often
repeated. |
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Read BoM? |
I recently read the Book of Mormon |
I have read the Book of Mormon |
When I heard the historical part of it [the Book of
Mormon] related. . .Soon after, I obtained the book, and on reading it. .
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I have lately read the Book of Mormon |
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Some months ago, I borrowed the Golden Bible. . .About a
week after, my wife. . .commenced reading it aloud as I lay upon the bed. |
I have recently examined the Book of Mormon |
The Mormon Bible I have partially examined |
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Have you ever read any in the Book of Mormon? Ans: I have
not. |
I never saw the Mormon bible but once, and then only for a
minute, no time to examine it. |
Some time since, a copy of The Book of Mormon came into my
hands. My son read it for me, as I have a nervous shaking of the head that
prevents me from reading. |
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Some time ago I had in my possession, for about six
months, the book of Mormon, and heard most of it read during the time |
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My father read the 'Book of Mormon', or heard it read, and
was familiar with its contents |
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I also have seen and read the Book of Mormon |
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I had the Book of Mormon in my house for about six months
for the purpose of comparing it with my recollection of the 'Lost
Manuscript found,' |
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hearing him [Hurlbut] read from the 'Book of Mormon'. |
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Same historical? |
I find it nearly the same historic matter |
I have no manner of doubt that the historical parts are
the same |
When I heard the historical part related, I at once said
it was the writings of Solomon Spalding. . .found much of it the same as
Spalding had written |
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He traced their journey. . .as it is given in the Book of
Mormon.The historical parts of the Book of Mormon I know to be the same .
. .as the writtings of Spalding. . .the historical part of the Book of
Mormon , were as familiar to me before I read it, as most modern history. |
One time, when he was reading to me the tragic account of
laban, I pointed out to him what I considered an inconsistency, which he
promised ot correct: but. . .referring to the Book of Mormon. . .I find. .
.it stands there just as he read it to me then. . . .I was astonished to
find the same passages in it [the Book of Mormon] that Spalding had read
to me. . . .I. . .have no hesitation in saying that the historical part of
it is principally, if not wholly, taken from the manuscript Found |
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The historical part was immediately recognized by all the
older inhabitants, as the identical work of Mr. S., in which they had been
so deeply interested years before. Mr. John Spaulding was present, who is
an eminently pious man, and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. |
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the historical part of which is the same as Spaulding's
"Manuscript Found" |
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The "Manuscript Found," written by the Rev.
Solomon Spaulding in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, O., in 1809-'12 was the
basis of the historical portions of the Mormon Bible, if any credibility
is to be given to positive human testimony….Now there is no doubt that
the Rev. Solomon Spaulding wrote the "Manuscript Found": that
the historical part of the Book of Mormon was taken from that manuscript,
if human testimony is to be relied on as of any validity |
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Same names? |
nearly the same. . .names |
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the names, especially, are the same without any
alteration. . .I will observe the names. . .were as familiar to me before
I read it [the Book of Mormon] |
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The names of Nephi, Lehi, and Moroni, and in fact all the
principal names, are brought fresh to my recollection by the Golden Bible. |
I well remember the name of Nephi |
He was enabled from his acquaintance with the classics and
ancient history, to introduce many singular names, which were particularly
noticed by the people [she specifically mentions John Spalding] and could
be easily recognized by them |
Does the manuscript and the Book of Mormon agree? Ans: I
think some of the names agree. Ques.Are you certain that some of the names
agree? Ans: I am not. |
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the Amalekites. . .the Nephites |
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the Amalekites and the Nephites |
the names, etc., were the same [i.e Spalding MS and the
Book of Mormon]. |
Some of the names that he mentioned while reading to these
people I have never forgotten. They are as fresh to me to-day as though I
heard them yesterday. They were "Mormon," "Maroni,"
"Lamenite," "Nephi." . . .looked through it and had it
in my hands many times, and saw the names I had heard at Conneaut, when my
father read it to his friends. . .while we had no personal knowledge that
the Mormon Bible was taken from the "Manuscript Found," there
were many evidences to us that it was . . .A convincing proof to us of
this belief was that my uncle, William H. Sabine, had undoubtedly read the
manuscript while it was in his house, and his faith that its production
would show to the world that the Mormon Bible had been taken from it, or
was the same with slight alterations. |
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In both, many having the same name; as Maroni, Mormon,
Nephites, Moroni, Lama[n], Neph[i], and others. |
Nephites, I recollect distinctly, as occurring very often;
as to "Lamanites" it is not so distinct, -- and a great many
other names that were very odd. |
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I often heard him [her father] tell about the Nephists and
Zerahemlites |
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The Mormon Bible was published in 1830 or '31 and had a
wide circulation in northeastern Ohio. After reading it, John Spaulding,
John R. Miller, Henry Lake and others at Conneaut unanimously agreed that
it was a fraud and imposture, and publicly denounced it as such, finding
in it whole chapters but little altered from what they had heard Mr.
Spaulding read from his story of the ten tribes some twenty years before.
In short, that it was really founded upon Mr. Spaulding's romance. Many
striking passages had so impressed them that they could not be mistaken.
Their exposure and the reasons that justified them in making it, were
considered truthful and satisfactory by all who knew them. |
many of the names were the same |
The names -- peculiar -- were the same, not to be
forgotten. The names Lehi, Nephi, Maroni, etc….Fifth, that the testimony
of numerous reliable witnesses states that when they heard read and read
it themselves, the Mormon Bible, they at once recognized....the names as
those in the "Manuscript Found," |
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Same in general |
it is the same as my Brother Solomon wrote |
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I. . .found much of it the same as Spalding had written |
believe it to be the same as Spalding had written |
If it is not Spaldings writing, it is the same as he wrote |
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I. . .find in it [the Book of Mormon] the writings of
Solomon Spalding, from beginning to end. . .Many of the passages in the
Mormon book are verbatim from Splading, and other in part. |
I. . .am fully of the opinion that Solomon Spalding had
written its [the Mormon Bible] its outline before he left Conneaut. |
Thus an historical romance, with the addition of a few
pious expressions and extracts from the sacred Scriptures, has been
construed into a new Bible and palmed off upon a company of poor deluded
fanatics, as divine |
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although there was nothing in it of Mormonism or that
favored error in any way, yet I am apprehensive that they took pattern
from it in forming their delusion. . . .but if I have been rightly
informed, there is a striking resemblance between the first start and
introduction of the Mormon bible and my brother's novel. They both claimed
that the manuscripts from which they pretend they copied were of very
ancient date and written by men that came here from the old world. |
I noticed several passages which I recollect having heard
Mr. Spalding read from his Manuscript. . . .From what I know of Mr.
Spalding's Manuscript and The Book of Mormon, I firmly believe that Joseph
Smith, by some means, got possession of Mr. Spalding's Manuscript, and
possibly made some changes in it and called it The Book of Mormon. |
It is quite probable therefore, that, with some
alterations, The Book of Mormon was, in fact, The Lost Book, or Lost
History Found, of my old landlord, Solomon Spalding, of Amity, Washington
County, Pennsylvania. |
the widow of Mr. Spaulding and her daughter, Mrs. Dr.
McKinstry of Monson, compared the Smith Bible with the parson's romance,
and they were essentially the same. The similarity was so overwhelming as
to leave no doubt that Smith copied in full Rev. Mr. Spaulding's writing,
and made out of it bodily his divine "revelation." |
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The longer I live the more firmly I am convinced that
Spaulding's MS was appropriated and largely used in getting up the Book of
Mormon. |
From this work of the Rev. Mr. Spaulding the Mormon Bible
was constructed. I do not think there can be any doubt of this. It was the
opinion of the committee after comparing the Mormon Bible with the
manuscript. The style of composition, the names, etc., were the same. |
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My Father. . .told me it was unquestionably derived from a
manuscript written by. . .Solomon Spalding. . . .Since 1834 I have
conversed with Aaron Wright, John N. Miller, and Nathan Howard . . .they
told me they believed the 'Book of Mormon' was derived from Spalding's
'Manuscript Found.' |
I heard them [Lake, Wright, Miller, and Howard] all say
that the 'Book of Mormon' was undoubtedlly taken from a manuscript written
by Solomon Spalding, which they had heard Spalding read in 1811 or 1812,
called 'Manuscript Found; or, the Lost Tribes' |
It is a fact well established that the book called the
Book of Mormon, had its origin from a romance that was written by Solomon
Spaulding. . . .It begins with them just where the romance did, and it
follows the romance very closely. It is true there are some verbal
alterations and additions, enlarging the production somewhat, without
changing its main features. The Book of Mormon follows the romance too
closely to be a stranger. . . .Here then we are presented with Romance,
second, called the Book of Mormon, telling the same story of the same
people, traveling from the same plain, in the same way, having the same
difficulties and destination, with the same wars, same battles, and same
results, with thousands upon thousands slain. Then see the Mormon account
of the last battle, at Cumorah, where all the righteous were slain. . .
.How much this resembles the closing scene in the "Manuscript
Found." The most singular part of the whole matter is that it follows
the romance so closely, with this difference: the f |
The MS that I saw, would not, I think, make as large a
book as the Book of Mormon. |
I unhesitatingly say that a great part of the historical
part of the Book of Mormon is identical with the MS. and I fully believe
that the MS. is the foundation of the whole concern. |
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Frequently father would would request Hurlbut stop reading
and he would state what followed and hurlbut would say that it was so in
the 'Book of Mormon'. . . .Father said he had no doubt the historical
parts of the 'Book of Mormon' was Spalding's 'Manuscript Found.' |
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The Mormon Bible was published in 1830 or '31 and had a
wide circulation in northeastern Ohio. After reading it, John Spaulding,
John R. Miller, Henry Lake and others at Conneaut unanimously agreed that
it was a fraud and imposture, and publicly denounced it as such, finding
in it whole chapters but little altered from what they had heard Mr.
Spaulding read from his story of the ten tribes some twenty years before.
In short, that it was really founded upon Mr. Spaulding's romance. Many
striking passages had so impressed them that they could not be mistaken.
Their exposure and the reasons that justified them in making it, were
considered truthful and satisfactory by all who knew them. |
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It was written in the same style; many of the names were
the same, and we came to the conclusion, from all the testimony before us,
that the Rev. Sidney Rigdon, the eloquent Mormon preacher, made the Mormon
Bible from this manuscript. Of this the committee had no doubt whatever. |
I have said and believed for more than fifty years that I
have seen and had in my hands the original "Manuscript Found"
from which the Mormon Bible was made |
we had no doubt that from Spaulding's writings the Rev.
Sidney Rigdon got up the Mormon Bible. I am convinced of it now. Here are
some of the reasons:. . .We also had a copy of the "Manuscript
Found," that was compared with the Mormon Bible and satisfied the
committee that it was the basis of the Mormon Bible. I have said and
believed since 1834 that I had seen and examined the original
"Manuscript Found" of Solomon Spaulding, out of which Sidney
Rigdon got up the Mormon Bible. |
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Exceptions? |
it is the same. . .with the exception of the religious
matter |
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But no religious matter was introduced as I now recollect. |
I. . .believe it to be the same as Spalding wrote, except
the religious part. |
except the religious matter |
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but mixed up with Scripture and other religious matter,
which I did not meet with in the Manuscript Found. |
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additions of a few pious expression and extracts from the
sacred Scriptures |
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I believe, that leaving out of the book the portion that
may be easily recognised as the work of Joe Smith and his accomplices,
that Solomon Spaulding may be truly said to be its author. I have not a
doubt of it. |
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How long ago? |
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more than twenty years ago |
more than twenty years before |
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more than twenty years ago |
more than twenty years before |
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the lapse of twenty-two years. |
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How did Joseph get it? |
By what means it has fallen into the hands of Joseph
Smith, Jr., I am unable to determine |
more than twenty years ago |
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Publish? |
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I intend to go to Pittsburg. . .and when it is printed. .
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he intended to get his writing published in Pittsburg |
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He wished me to assist him in getting his production
printed, alleging that a book of that kind would meet with a rapid sale. .
. .but. . .we failed in business, when I declined to have anything to do
with publication of the book. |
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My recollection is that Mr. S. had left a transcript of
the manuscript with Mr. Patterson, of Pittsburgh, Pa., for publication,
that its publication was delayed until Mr. S. would write a preface, and
in the meantime the transcript was spirited away and could not be found. |
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Spaulding moved to Pittsburgh, and took his manuscript to
the Pittsburgh Gazette office, intending to have it printed, but in this
he failed. |
Mr. Patterson told him if he would write a title page he
would publish it. |
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He thought it would be well to publish it, as it would
attract attention and meet with a ready sale. |
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Intent of publishing |
the avails of which he though would enable him to pay all
debt |
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when it is printed, it will bring me a fine sum of money,
which will enable me to return and pay off all my debts |
in one centuries time, it [the history] would be believed
as any other history |
in time it would fully believed by all, except learned men
and historians. . . .I think it was by the same spirit that Spalding was,
which he confessed to be the love of money. |
Spalding left here in 1812 and I furnished him the means
to carry him to Pittsburg, where he said he would get the book printed and
pay me. |
that in after years it would be believed by many people as
much as the history of England. . . .He soon after failed in business, and
told me he would retire from the din of his creditors, finish the book and
have it published, which would enable him to pay his debts and support his
family. |
his only hope of ever paying his debts, appeared to be
upon the sale of the book, which he had been writing. He endeavored to
convince me from the nature and character of the work, that it would meet
with a ready sale. . . .He. . .remarked that, after this generation had
passed away, his account of the first inhabitants of America would be
considered as authentic as any other history. |
in order to beguile the hours of retirement and furnish
employment for his lively imagination, he conceived the idea of giving an
historical sketch of this long lost race. . . .His sole object in writing
this historical romance was to amuse himself and his neighbors |
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He said he wrote it to pass away the time when he was
unwell; and, after it was written, he thought he would publish it as a
novel, as a means to support his family. |
written to amuse himself, and without any immediate view
to publication. |
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was to employ an invalid's lonely imagination. . . .Its
publication seemed to be an afterthought, most likely suggested by
pecuniary embarrassment |
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he moved to Pittsburg and while there he applied to Mr.
Patterson to have his novel printed for the purpose as he stated to help
him take care of his family. |
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He said he wanted to make some money, and wrote the drama |
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Qualifiers? |
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The lase of time which has intervened, prevents my
recollecting but a few of the leading incidents of his writing |
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. . .although the general features of the story have
passed from my memory through the lapse of twenty-two years. |
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I should be pleased to oblige you satisfactorily, but my
recollection and faculty of mind is so much impaired with age and
infirmity, being within two months of ninety years of age, I can give but
a broken narrative. . . .He began to compose his novel, which it is
conjectured that the Mormons made use of in forming their bible. . . .yet
I am apprehensive that they took pattern from it in forming their
delusion. . . .but from what nation I do not recollect; I think not a Jew;
nor do I recollect how long since. . . .She informed me, if I recollect
right. . . .I do not recollect his name. . . .I think she told me. . . .I
have but little knowledge of the Mormons. . . .but if I have been rightly
informed |
From what I know of Mr. Spalding's Manuscript and The Book
of Mormon |
I have an indistinct recollection of the passages referred
to by Mr. Miller |
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The longer I live the more firmly I am convinced |
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my memory, in common with elderly people, is clearer in
regard to the events of my earlier years, rather than those of my maturer
life. . . .So far I have stated facts within my own knowledge |
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This is confirmatory of my [Redick McKee] own
recollections. (Matilda's statement was taken by McKee) |
He [Hurlbut] expressed great surprise that father
remembered so much of it [the manuscript] |
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Other manuscripts? |
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Spalding had many other manuscripts |
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I was soon introduced to the manuscripts of Spalding. .
.He had written two or three books or pamphlets on different subjects |
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He frequently wrote little stories, which he read to me. .
.one of these was an old trunk, in which my mother had placed all my
father's writings which had been preserved. . . .I perfectly remember the
appearance of this trunk, and of looking at its contents. There were
sermons and other papers, and I saw a manuscript, about an inch thick,
closely written, tied with some of the stories my father had written for
me, one of which he called, "The Frogs of Wyndham." |
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manuscripts. . . .Father told him [Hurlbut] that the
'Manuscript Found' was not near all of Spaldings writings |
I read all of his manuscript, including Spaulding's
"Manuscript Found," |
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But I believe he had also with him, and we had before us
in that investigation, the original "Manuscript Found" written
by Rev. Solomon Spaulding. I have said and believed for more than fifty
years that I have seen and had in my hands the original "Manuscript
Found" from which the Mormon Bible was made. . . .Second, that
Spaulding wrote more than one story, as we have positive knowledge of two. |
The "manuscript" published at Lamoni is another
one of Spauldlng's, and has no more to do with the authorship of the Book
of Mormon than it has with the authorship of that most wonderful of all
poems, the Book of Job, or the authorship of Junius' Letters. It proves
nothing....This fact should not be lost sight of -- that Solomon Spaulding
wrote two or more pamphlets on different subjects. |