Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-03-06

sided in Cherry Valley, n. Y. From
this place we removed to New Salem,
Ashtabula county, Ohio; sometimes
called Conneaut creek. Shortly after
our removal to this place his health sunk
and he was laid aside from active la
bours. In the town of New Salem.
there are numerous mounds and forts,
supposed by many to be the dilapidated
dwelling and Notifications of a race now
extinct. These ancient relics arrcstth the
attention of the new settlers, and be-
come objects of research for the Gus
rlous. Numerous implements were
found, and other articles evincing great
skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding being
an educated man, and passionately y fond
of history, took a lively interest, in
these developements of antiquity; and
in order to beguile the hours of retire
ment, and furnish employment for his
lively imagination, he conceived the
idea of giving an historical sketch ofthis
long lost race. Their extreme antiqu-
ty 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 initiated its style as nearly
as possible. His sole object in writing
this historical romance was to amusc
himself and his neighbors. This was
about the year 1912. 1IulI's surrender
at Detroit occurred near the same
time, as rccollect the date well from
that circumstance. AS he progressed
in his narrative, the neighbors would
come in from time to time 10 hear por-
tons read, and a great interest in the
work was excited among them. Ii
claimed to have been written bv one of
the lost nation, and TO have been rcco-
vered from the earth, and assumed the
title of "Manuscript Found" The
neighbors would often inquire how Mr..
5. progressed in decipherng ''lhe man
uscript," and when he had a sufficient
portion prepared he would inform them,
and they would assemble to hear ii
read. He was enabled from his ac-
qualntance with the classic and ancient
history, to introduce many singular
names, which were particularly noticed
by the people. and could be easily re-
cogniSed by them. Mr.. S. Spaulding
had a brother, Mr.. John Spauldug, re-
siding in the place at the time, who was
perfectly familiar with the work, and
repeatedly heard the whole of it read.
From New Salem we removed 10
! PittSburg, Pa. Here S. found an ac-
quaintance and friend, in the person Of
| Mr.. Patterson, an editor of a ncWspa-
per. He exhibited his manuscript TO
Mr. p, who was very much pleased
with it, and borrowed it for perusal
He retained it a long time, and imfor-
med Mr.. S. that if he would make out
a tille-pagc and preface, he would pub
lish il, and it might be source ofprofit
This Mr.. 5. refused to do, for reasons
which cannot now state. Sidney Rig
don, who has figured so largely in the
history of the Mormons, was at this
time connected with the printing office
of Mr. Patterson, as is well known in
that region, and as Rigdon himself has
frequently stated. Here he had ample
opportunity to become acquainted with
Mr.. Spauding's manuscript, and TO
copy it ifhe chose. 1t was q matter of
notoricty and interest to all who were
connected with the printing establish
ment. At length the manuscript was
returned to its author, and soon after
we removed to Amity, Washington co.,
Pa, where Mr.. :. deceased in 1916.
The manuscript then fell into my hands,
and was carefully preserved. 1t has
frequently been examined by my daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mkenstry, of Monson, Mass,
with whom now reside, and by other
friends. After the Book of Mormon
came out, a copy of it was taken to
New Salem, the place of Mr.. Spaul>
dng's former residence, and the very
place where the "Manuscript Found
was written. A woman preacher app
pointed a meeting there, and in the
meeting read and repeated copious cX-
tracts from the Book of Mormon.
The historical part was Immediately
!, recognised by all the older inhabitants,
; as the identical work of S., in which
they had been so deeply interested years
before. John Spaulding was present
who is an eminently pious man, and re,
cognised perfectly the work of his bro
thcr, He was amazed and afflicted
, that it should have been perverted to Sc
S wicked a purpose. His grief found
vent in flood of tears, and he arose or
| the spot and expressed in the meeting
+, his deep sorrow and regret, that the