ESTEEMED SIR:--Your favor of the 27th instant per Brevet Major-General Wilson Law is before me. I cannot let this opportunity pass without tendering to you my warmest thanks for the friendly treatment my lady as well as those with her received at your hands during the late visit, and also for the friendly feelings breathed forth in your letter. Your Excellency may be assured that they are duly appreciated by me, and shall be reciprocated. I am perfectly satisfied with regard to the subject under consideration, and with your remarks. I shall consider myself and our citizens secure from harm under the broad canopy of the law under your administration. We look to you for protection in the event of any violence being used towards us, knowing that our innocence with regard to all the accusations in circulation will be duly evidenced before an enlightened public. Any service we can do the state at any time will be cheerfully done, for our ambition is to be serviceable to our country. With sentiments of respect and esteem, I remain your humble servant, JOSEPH SMITH. My wife's nephew, L. D. Wasson, who had gone out on {84} a preaching mission, wrote us this day from Philadelphia--(see _Times and Seasons_, Vol. III, pages 891 and 892.) [Sidenote: Death of Bishop Vinson Knight.] _Sunday, 31_.--In council with Bishops Miller and Whitney, Brigham Young, John Taylor, &c., concerning Bishop Vinson Knight's sickness. Brother Knight has been sick about a week, and this morning he began to sink very fast until twelve o'clock when death put a period to his sufferings. [Sidenote: Requirements of High Priests.] The High Priests' Quorum met in council, and instructed their clerk to publish in the _Times and Seasons_ that it is the duty of the High Priests to have their names enrolled on the records of the quorums when they arrive at Nauvoo. The members, when they spoke in turns, were required to state whether they had any hardness with the brethren, kept the Word of Wisdom, had family prayers, &c. An earthquake was recently felt in Dublane Cathedral, near Comrie Scotland. _Monday, August 1, 1842_.--A most disgraceful riot is reported to have commenced in Philadelphia, between the colored and white people, which continued three or four days. _Wednesday, 3_.--In the city transacting a variety of business in company with General James Adams, and others. Brigadier-General Wilson Law elected Major-General of the Nauvoo Legion (by a small majority over Lyman Wight) in place of John C. Bennett, cashiered. _Thursday, 4_.--In company with fifteen others learning sword exercise with Colonel Brewer, and attending to a variety of business.