Saint Louis Brother W. Woodruff The foregoing in a copy of a letter sent to England by Brother Levi Richards and have taken the opportunity of presenting the same to you that you might understand the arrangement made there. Brother Philo Dibble's Sceneries Museum &c Beloved brethren Orson Pratt and Osrson Spencer. Levi Richards to England affords me an opportunity of addressing you upon a subject the interest of which I know lies very near your hearts. Inasmuch as your name Bro Spencer was given ^1st^ to sanction and influence my feeble efforts in support of the noble cause of illustrating by painting the history of the Church. Others in common with yourself gave the helping hand, until the pencil of the Artist yielded to the inspiration of mind and the mighty passing events, the changing scences, the Vicissitudes of the Saints under the direct persecutions, and the travails of the Church, contending against the oppressions, errors, and superstitions of ungodly men. Which will stand forever as a "way mark" of the rise and progress of the Church of the last days. As the importance of the work grew, upon me and I needed a more extensive patronage. The 1st Presidency and the leading authorities of the Church were the willing supporters and the hearty co-operaters, in placing these high objects before the saints, scattered throughout all the world and their magnitude. The importance of uniting their Interests, with my labors in this Department of of the building up the Kingdom of God To you also Bro Pratt I am indebted, for your whole soul engagedness as a living witness of the Truthfulness of my humble efforts to make a Joseph and a Hyram appear and speak to the Eye and heart of the thousands of Saints assembled at nauvoo, Winter Quarters, and Council Bluffs, and may I not say, shall yet speak to the millions of this generation. Permit me therefore dear brethren to lay before the the Saints in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and wherever your infulence can be extended. The nature, design, history, and importance of this work. I have already nearly completed two scenes of a series, one illustrating Joseph addressing the Nauvoo Legion three Days prior to his imprisionment in Carthage Jail The other the murder of Joseph and Hyrum, while under arrest each scene comprising 128 feet of canvass. The designs are by Bro Robert Campbell who is engaged in visiting places taking sketches, and making himself acquainted with all the essential matters and facts, as they may connect themselves with historical paintings The execution of the designs of the above sceneries, established the reputation of Bro Campbell among as for faithful portraiture Bro Major of many years experience, has also devoted his labors in this work Many painters have made a sacrifice of time in responding to my calls upon their labors. Bro Campbell has many sketches of the sceneries mentioned in my "preface" These will appear as soon as means can be obtained to carry on the work in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake Eschition [Exhibition] of the Sceneries are given from time to time, as wisdom shall dictate