Aaron Wright Statement on Solomon Spalding
Conneaut, August, 1833.
I first became acquainted with Solomon Spalding in 1808 or 9,
when he commenced building a forge on Conneaut creek. When at his house, one
day, he showed and read to me a history he was writing, of the lost tribes of
Israel, purporting that they were the first settlers of America, and that the
Indians were their decendants. Upon this subject we had
frequent conversations. He traced their journey from Jerusalem to America, as it
is given in the Book of Mormon, excepting the religious matter. The historical
part of the Book of Mormon, I know to be the same as I read and heard read from
the writings of Spalding, more than twenty years ago; the names more especially
are the same without any alteration. He told me his object was to account for
all the fortifications, &c. to be found in this country, and said that in time
it would be fully believed by all, except learned men and historians.
I once anticipated reading his writings in print, but little expected to see
them in a new Bible. Spalding had many other manuscripts, which I expect to see
when Smith translates his other plate. In conclusion, I will observe, that the
names of, and most of the historical part of the Book of Mormon, were as
familiar to me before I read it, as most modern history. If it is not Spalding's
writing, it is the same as he wrote; and if Smith was inspired, I think it was
by the same spirit that Spalding was, which he confessed to be the love of
money.
AARON WRIGHT.