Excerpt of a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 1786: ¹

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

From the History of the Church, Volume 6: ²

“To the Marshal of said City, greeting.

You are here commanded to destroy the printing press from whence issues the Nauvoo Expositor, and pi the type of said printing establishment in the street, and burn all the Expositors and libelous handbills found in said establishment; and if resistance be offered to your execution of this order by the owners or others, demolish the house; and if anyone threatens you or the Mayor or the officers of the city, arrest those who threaten you, and fail not to execute this order without delay, and make due return hereon.

By order of the City Council,

Joseph Smith, Mayor.”