Peoples Temple would not have been able to establish the community of Jonestown in Guyana – its FreedomLand, its Promised Land – without the support of that country’s prime minister, Forbes Burnham. Nor would the Temple been able to win various concessions from the Guyanese government – the accreditation of the Jonestown school and the suspension of medical residency requirements for Jonestown doctor Larry Schacht are two examples – without the blessing of Forbes Burnham. For those reasons, Jim Jones’ priorities included maintaining a good relationship with Burnham, keeping his political benefactor informed of the progress made by the new community in the country’s Northwest District jungles, and coming to the prime minister with the political problems the Temple increasingly faced, especially in the last year of Jonestown’s existence.
The table below is primarily a collection of the contacts the Temple made with Burnham – there are a very few that Burnham made with Jones, especially on paper – arranged in chronological order. The exceptions are those petitions and letters submitted to Burnham in Spring 1978 by members of the Concerned Relatives oppositional group, documents which were rebutted by the Temple.
A companion page lists the endorsements made by third parties – principally congressional representatives and community leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area – that were so crucial in the early years of Jonestown’s development.
Both pages were developed by Kiana Parker, a 2026 graduate of Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY). The editors are immensely grateful for her painstaking research on this project.
The chart lists each contact by hotlinked RYMUR citations – all of which begin with “RYMUR 89-4286” – followed by date of contact, the person making the contact, and a brief note on the topic of discussion. Contextual notes appear in the last column.
| Citation | Date | Person making contact | Topic of discussion | Contextual Notes |
| D-3-A-25a – 25e | 20 Jan 75 | Letter from Tim Stoen | Peoples Temple loyalty and possible Guyanese citizenship. | Direct recipient. Stoen congratulates Burnham on Guyana’s anniversary, presents Peoples Temple as loyal to the PNC government, and raises citizenship possibilities for members. Includes handwritten additions and footnotes. |
| D-3-A-21a – 21c | Late June 1976 | Letter from Paula Adams | U.S. rallies against destabilization efforts in Guyana. | Direct recipient. Handwritten “Prime Minister” notation appears. Copy also sent to Ptolemy Reid. Adams describes Jones’ U.S. ministry, offers help promoting Guyana, and discusses destabilization concerns. |
| D-3-A-19a – 19f, D-3-A-20a – 20f, D-3-A-22a – 22f (draft) | 18 Oct 76 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Jones’ proposed visit and public reception by Burnham | Direct recipient. Handwritten notation indicates Paula Adams copy. Prokes asks that Jones be publicly received during a planned Guyana visit, contrasts Peoples Temple’s support for Burnham with Wallace Muhammad’s meeting with both Burnham and Guyana opposition leader Cheddi Jagan. |
| D-3-A-10 | 15 Nov 76 | Unsigned note regarding Burnham’s schedule | Proposed Burnham audience with Jones and Lt. Gov. Mervyn Dymally | Appears to be a scheduling/routing note. Mentions secretary Comrade Arno and a call from Ruby Harry. Records Burnham’s secretary relaying a tentative December 29 appointment with Jones and Calif. Lt. Gov. Mervyn Dymally, after declining luncheon or dinner, and mentions a letter from Assemblyman Willie Brown. |
| D-2-C-34A – 34C | 5 Aug 77 | Letter from Larry Schacht and Eugene Chaikin | Forwards support letters and U.S. press-attack materials after Peoples Temple’s Guyana move. | Direct recipient. Schacht and Chaikin send U.S. support letters and press materials after media attacks related to Peoples Temple’s move to Guyana. CC list includes several Guyanese ministers (Reid, Green, Hope, Hoyte, Jack, King, and Mingo). |
| D-2-C-32, D-2-C-33 (copy omits P.S.) | 6 Aug 77 | Letter from Larry Schacht | Schacht discusses medical internship and service in Guyana. | Direct recipient. Schacht thanks Burnham for the chance to finish his medical internship in Guyana and offers future service in Matthews Ridge. Copied to several ministers (Reid, Green, Hope, Hoyte, Jack, King, and Mingo). |
| D-1-L-6 (5) – 6 (6), BB-5-S-1 – S-2 | 9 Aug 77 | Letter from Jean F. Brown | Conservative attacks on Jones and socialist organizing. | Direct recipient. Support letter from Peoples Temple member. Brown frames the U.S. press campaign against Jones as McCarthyism, civil-rights repression, and reaction to Peoples Temple’s socialist work and support for Guyana. |
| D-1-L-6 (13) – (14), D-2-C-24a – 24b, D-2-C-26A – 26b (duplicate) | 17 Aug 77 | Letter from Joyce Parks | U.S. reactionaries, affidavits, and Guyana support letters. | Direct recipient. Parks sends additional support letters and an article while emphasizing Peoples Temple’s loyalty to Guyana during U.S. criticism. Two versions of text are dated August 17 and August 18. |
| D-2-C-35 | Likely 18 Aug 77 | Handwritten note from Joyce Parks | Documentation of support during anti-Temple press campaign. | Recipient status: Uncertain. Note says it was added to an August 18, 1977 letter to Cabinet and State ministers but sent only to those who did not get the Schacht/Chaikin letter, but unclear whether Burnham received this exact note. Parks adds background on U.S. press attacks against Jones and Peoples Temple’s claim that its support for Guyana prompted criticism. |
| D-2-C-23 | 30 Aug 77 | Letter from Joyce Parks | Describes Angela Davis rally and support letters. | Direct recipient. Parks sends additional support letters and describes a large California support rally involving Angela Davis, the Black Legislative Caucus, the Black Teachers Caucus, and Cesar Chavez. |
| D-2-C-21, D-2-C-22 (duplicate) | 13 Sept 77 | Letter from Paula Adams and Sarah Tropp | Dennis Banks statement and conspiracy materials. | Direct recipient. Handwritten note says “Sarah wrote this.” Letter encloses materials on alleged U.S. efforts to discredit Peoples Temple, including Dennis Banks’ statement about the campaign. |
| D-2-C-20a – 20f, BB-17-hh – hh-5 | 26 Sept 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Local rumors, Gaskin, and Stoen custody pressures. | Direct recipient. Likely composed by Georgetown staff for Jones’ review. Discusses rumors that Temple buries or kills children, Fitz Carmichael, Gregory Gaskin, attorney bills, Radio Demerara/GBS, Jeffrey Haas, Stoen custody, and Steven Katsaris. Copies sent to Reid, Wills, and Mingo, with postscript material directed separately to Reid, Wills, and Burnham in second copy. |
| D-2-C-18a – 18i, BB-17-ii – ii-8 | Uncertain, likely fall 1977 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Alleged agents, Jonestown security, and custody cases. | Direct recipient. Discusses David Conn, Grace Stoen, John Victor Stoen, alleged kidnapping and assassination threats, guns, local officials, pig poisoning, rumors about drugs and marriage practices, and the need for jurisdictional protection. Signature does not match Jones’. |
| D-2-C-19 | Undated, likely late September 1977 | Memorandum from “Jim Jones” | Background on conspiracy. | Direct recipient. Short memorandum says enclosed material should have been included with earlier Burnham letter. |
| D-2-C-17A – 17B | 27 Sept 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Tractor accident rumor and Benjamin investigation. | Direct recipient. Likely composed by Georgetown staff, probably Sharon Amos. Copies sent to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. Disputes a rumored tractor accident accusation and asks that any inquiry come through trusted Cabinet-level officials. |
| D-2-C-16A – 16C | 30 Sept 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Airport customs searches and Jim Clancy allegations. | Direct recipient. Likely composed by Georgetown staff, probably Sharon Amos. Copies sent to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. Says Peoples Temple members are being singled out by customs and immigration and links this to reporter Jim Clancy, private investigator Joseph Mazor, and alleged U.S. harassment. |
| D-2-C-13 | 3 Oct 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Agricultural self-sufficiency and recent population influx. | Direct recipient. Likely composed by Sharon Amos for Jones’ review. Explains that Jonestown has not reached self-sufficiency because of the rapid influx of members after the U.S. campaign of harassment against the church. |
| D-2-C-14 | 3 Oct 77 | Note to above letter signed by “JJ” | Amateur radio relay assists Caracas medical emergency. | Direct recipient or attachment to Burnham letter. Marked “Paula’s copy.” Note says an omitted part of the October 3 letter was being supplied. Describes Temple use of amateur radio to locate heart medication intropin for a Caracas medical emergency. |
| D-2-C-12 | 8 Oct 77 | Unsigned attachment list | School curriculum and CIA media articles for Burnham’s review. | Direct recipient. Lists a letter to the Ministry of Education, school curriculum outline, New York Times News Service article on Jones, and Chicago Daily News article on CIA involvement in media. |
| D-2-C-10 – 11 | 11 Oct 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Joseph Mazor visit and amateur-radio goodwill. | Direct recipient. Likely staff-composed, probably by Sharon Amos. Discusses Mazor allegedly coming to Guyana with relatives, John Stoen custody, Cabinet handling of allegations, amateur-radio goodwill with Venezuela, and need for assurances. Copies to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. |
| BB-17-ee – ee-3 | 15 Oct 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” to Ptolemy Reid, with Burnham continuation note | Customs searches and Mazaharally lumber dispute. | Recipient status: Uncertain. Primary addressee is Reid, but handwritten note says “The Burnham letter is a continuation, but not as a carbon copy.” Discusses the Stoen custody case, airport customs searches, the failed regional meeting, lumber dispute with forester Yacoob Mazaharally, and Peoples Temple’s work in agriculture and medical care. |
| D-2-C-9a – 9e, BB-17-ff – ff-4, D-1-M-11 (5) – 11(9) | 19 Oct 77 | Unsigned letter | Jonestown school demands and Joseph Mazor. | Direct recipient. Letter disputes demands from Regional Minister Fitz Carmichael involving Jonestown’s school, live-in Kaituma residents, Joseph Mazor, alien registration, and customs. |
| D-1-M-8 (8), D-1-M-8 (2) – (7) | 26 Oct 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Stoen case, arrest orders, Oliver matter, and school pressure. | Direct recipient. Asks where Peoples Temple stands on the Stoen custody case, arrest order, Jonestown security, school requirements, and the project’s future in Guyana. |
| BB-17-ooo-1 – ooo-4 | 15 Nov 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | Jonestown school structure and kidnapping threats. | Direct recipient. Editor note says this Burnham version corresponds to the Wills version at BB-17-jj-1 – jj-4 and a Reid draft at BB-17-qqq-1 – qqq-4. Discusses visiting delegations, Jonestown’s school structure, anti-Temple materials, regional cooperation, kidnapping threats, and assimilation in Guyana. Site page |
| D-3-A-23a – 23e, BB-17-ss-1 – 4, D-2-C-7a – 7d (directed to Fred wills) | 29 Nov 77 | Letter signed by “Jim Jones” | LAPD harassment and Matthews Ridge PNC conference participation. | Direct recipient. Marked as sent to Reid, Mingo, Wills, and Burnham. Describes past LAPD harassment, warns about risks to Guyanese officials in Los Angeles, and reports Peoples Temple’s role at the Matthews Ridge PNC conference. Likely composed by Georgetown staff, probably Sharon Amos. |
| D-2-C-4a – 4f, BB-29-zzz-1 – zzz-6, BB-29-cccc-1 – cccc-6,BB-15-a-1 – a-6 | 20 Dec 77 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Burnham security guard remarks and Stoen visit. | Direct recipient. Reports Burnham security guard’s pro-capitalist remarks, Burnham’s Port Kaituma speech, concerns about Tim Stoen’s January visit, and questions from a regional official about Temple life. Copies to Reid and Mingo. |
| D-2-C-5 | 20 Dec 77, uncertain | Newspaper article enclosure | Stoen’s detention in East Berlin and Prokes’ criticism of Stoen. | Direct recipient as enclosure. Appears immediately after the December 20 Prokes letter and likely enclosed with it. Article recounts Tim Stoen’s detention in East Berlin and appears to support Prokes’ criticism of Stoen. |
| D-2-C-6, D-2-d-3, N-1-c-7, BB-15-b, BB-17-cccc, BB-29-d | 20 Dec 77, uncertain | Anonymous letter | Warning of Guyana’s betrayal of Peoples Temple. | Direct recipient as likely enclosure. Anonymous letter warns that Peoples Temple would be “sold out” in Guyana. Letter appears in half dozen files. |
| BB-29-qqq-1 – qqq-3 | 30 Dec 77 | Letter from Michael Prokes | Warning about Mazor and Interpol. | Direct recipient. Discusses Joseph Mazor as alleged Interpol agent, Oliver custody matter, Temple protest demonstration, media coverage, and claimed conspiracy links to Temple support for Guyana. |
| BB-2-ss-1 – ss-5 | 4 Jan 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Custody cases involving Stoen, Oliver, and Griffith. | Direct recipient. Amos asks Burnham to stop custody-related legal actions involving John Stoen, the Oliver brothers, and Dana Griffith/Truss. Copies to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. |
| BB-29-rrr-1 – rrr-3 | 11 Jan 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Request for intervention on custody and customs. | Direct recipient. Focuses on the Stoen custody case, judge concerns, Jones’ arrest orders, and crates held in customs. Site page ID = 125541 |
| D-2-C-2A – 2E | 17 Jan 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Stoen custody case and customs duty problems. | Direct recipient. Amos gives a detailed account of the Stoen custody case, Tim Stoen’s actions in Guyana, customs delays, and the need for written guidelines. Copy sent to Reid. |
| D-2-C-3A – 3B | 17 Jan 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Clothing crates, medical staff, and school assurances. | Direct recipient. Copies sent to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. Amos asks Burnham to release Temple clothing and equipment from customs and provide assurances about Jonestown’s medical staff and school. Mentions Soviet consulate visitors. |
| Wirth/Miller letter to Burnham | 24 Jan 78 | Letter from Timothy E. Wirth and George Miller | Congressmen urge Burnham to return John Victor Stoen. | Direct recipient. Outside congressional pressure letter asking Burnham to cooperate in securing John Victor Stoen’s return to Tim and Grace Stoen. Enclosed appeal to Secretary of State Vance is referenced but not reproduced here. |
| BB-2-ww | 2 Feb 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Murdoch article and Temple’s counter-investigation. | Direct recipient. Enclosures described as an article on Rupert Murdoch and Peoples Temple’s investigation of its critics as background on U.S. attacks against the organization. Handwriting says “copies to all ministers.” |
| BB-2-iii-1 – iii-3 | 3 Feb 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Stoen paternity documents and custody conspiracy claims. | Direct recipient. Enclosures reportedly included Tim Stoen’s letter about Grace and Grace’s handwritten statement. Amos argues that Grace and Tim Stoen are being used in the custody case and encloses materials about Tim Stoen’s earlier statements. CC to all ministers. |
| BB-2-bbb-1 – bbb-2 | 28 Feb 78 | Internal summary of letters to Burnham, Reid, and Mingo | Stoen, press division, and ministerial reassurance. | Recipient status: Uncertain. Drafting/summary note headed to Burnham, Reid, Mingo, and possibly Rodgers. Rough text discusses Tim Stoen, Guyanese press division, IMF concerns, petitions, and need for assurance from government. |
| BB-8-i-1 – i-6 | Uncertain, after 16 Feb 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | Hoyte letter, Stoen publicity, and Mann remarks. | Direct recipient. “To Prime Minister Only” version of letter at BB-8-g, with confidential postscript to Burnham. Discusses Hoyte’s press letter, Tim Stoen’s use of Guyanese media signals, John Victor, IMF/nonalignment, and Ambassador Laurence Mann’s remarks about Burnham. |
| BB-2-kkk-1 – kkk-10 | Uncertain, likely March 1978 | Draft letter by Sharon Amos | Assurances on Stoen, customs and school. | Intended direct recipient. Likely early 1978 based on references to John Blacken/Frank Tumminia visit and March 1978 concerns. Consolidates concerns about the Stoen case, Jones’ health, customs delays, business disputes, medical licensing, school status, and claims that Jonestown was a “government within a government.” Site page ID = 124039 |
| BB-2-xx-1 – xx-4 | 3 Mar 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | GDF emergency flights and Schacht’s medical work. | Direct recipient. Amos objects to charges for emergency GDF medical flights and explains how they affect Jonestown’s medical service to neighboring communities. Discusses Dr. Schacht’s license, customs-held medical equipment, and emergency care in the Northwest. |
| BB-2-yy | 3 Mar 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Port Kaituma school desk repairs. | Direct recipient. Amos offers Peoples Temple labor in repairing Port Kaituma School desks and chairs and asks for suggestions on useful service to Guyana. |
| BB-2-aaa-1 – aaa-2 | 5 Mar 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | IRS harassment over Guyana donations and Venezuela remark. | Direct recipient. Amos reports alleged IRS attention to Peoples Temple’s funds in Guyana. P.S. reports an official’s alleged comment that Venezuela would “take care” of Jonestown. |
| BB-23-b-1 – b-2 | Uncertain, likely Spring 1978 | Letter from Carolyn Layton | U.S. repression and Guyana’s nonalignment posture. | Direct recipient. Date absent. Layton warns Burnham about U.S. political repression and cites recent events including Charles Diggs’ indictment, coal-miner strike issues, and Senate Bill 1437. Copies to Reid, Mingo, and “Mrs. Santiago,” an unknown coded reference. |
| D-3-A-7 – A-8, BB-29-m-1 – m-3 | 18 Mar 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Wills’ resignation and amateur-radio equipment. | Direct recipient. Prokes asks about whether Fred Wills’ resignation signals a rightward shift, discusses competing interpretations of Burnham’s attitude toward Temple, loaned sugar-cane equipment, and asks help clearing amateur radios from customs. |
| D-3-A-9 | Uncertain, likely March 1978 | Notes for Prokes letter | Rumors about Burnham wealth claims. | Uncertain. Labeled “Notes for Prokes Letter to Burnham.” Treated as drafting material rather than a finished contact. Date is inferred from placement near March 18 Prokes material. |
| D-3-A-24a – 24d | 23 Mar 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | GDF flights, amateur-radio concerns, a sick child, and arrest orders. | Direct recipient. Carter reports rumors about GDF emergency flights, amateur radios, Gene Chaikin, medical consultations, morale, the removal of sugar-cane equipment, and arrest orders affecting Jones’ possible travel to Georgetown. Copies to Reid and Mingo. |
| BB-29-n-1 – n-6 | 23 Mar 78 | Draft version of above letter from Tim Carter | ^ | Related drafting version of D-3-A-24a – 24d. The draft overlaps substantially with the final Burnham letter’s sections but lacks some opening and contextual material present in the final letter. |
| BB-8-m-1 – m-5 | 31 Mar 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | Stoen provocateurs and Guyana media hesitancy. | Direct recipient. Warns that Tim Stoen is allegedly trying to bring right-wing provocateurs into Guyana and complains of a “stand-off policy” in Guyanese media, including discomfort with radio discussion of socialism. |
| BB-29-f-1 – f-5 | 3 Apr 78 | Letter from Michael Prokes | McCoy comments and custody assurances. | Direct recipient. Discusses Jones traveling incognito for the Cultural Centre performance, arrest orders, U.S. Embassy comments, John Stoen, alleged kidnapping calls to the State Department, congressional inquiries, an official bodyguard contacting Bruce Oliver, and firearms applications. |
| BB-8-k-1 – k-5, BB-29-sss-1 – sss-5 | 9 Apr 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Stoen custody decision and Temple morale. | Direct recipient. Discusses the expected Stoen custody decision, alleged harassment of judge’s wife, Jones’ unresolved arrest orders, lack of press on the April 1 cultural show, Hoyte, letters allegedly unread, Isaac’s medical care, free-clinic sign, bricks and soap production, and Youth Division investigation. Includes separate note for Reid. Site page IDs = 130532, 125541 |
| Concerned Relatives Petition to Guyana Prime Minister | 10 May 78 | Petition from Concerned Relatives | Concerned Relatives ask Burnham to investigate Jonestown abuses. | Direct recipient. External anti-Temple contact, not a Peoples Temple communication. Petition asks Burnham to order investigations, require Jones to return passports and permit contact, allow home visits, enforce custody orders, or expel Jones if he refuses. Attachments included the Accusation (of Human Rights Violations prepared by the Concerned Relatives), Katsaris polygraph report, and summarized petitioner list. |
| BB-29-i-1 | 22 May 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Chronicle feature on Jonestown. | Direct recipient. Prokes argues that coverage of Jonestown and visitors such as Rev. John Moore, Dr. Walter Thain, Charles Garry, and State Department officials would counter “slave camp” accusations. |
| D-3-A-6a | 23 May 78, year obscured | Letter from Deborah Touchette forwarding letter to Burnham | Forwarded endorsement of Jim Jones. | Direct recipient. Year is obscured, likely 1978. Forwarding note says the letter was sent in care of Peoples Temple Agricultural Project and invites Burnham to visit Jonestown. |
| BB-29-h | 25 May 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Material linking Burnham to “concentration camp” claims. | Direct recipient. Prokes says enclosed photograph/letter material shows detractors trying to make Peoples Temple and Guyana look bad, especially by associating Burnham with “concentration camp” accusations. |
| BB-29-j-1 – j-2, BB-31-a-38 a-39, BB-29-l-1 – l-2, BB-29-q-1 – q-2 | 25 May 78 | Circular background letter enclosure | Tim Stoen and Concerned Relatives attacks. | Recipient status: Likely enclosure to BB-29-h. Addressed to “Ministers of Government,” not Burnham individually, but appears to be the “letter giving some updated background on the campaign against Peoples Temple and this country.” Summarizes Temple claims about Tim Stoen, Concerned Relatives, Rupert Murdoch, press smears, and support petitions. |
| BB-29-o, BB-31-a-36 | 4 June 78 | Letter from Mike Prokes | Invitation to Jonestown and anti-apartheid petition. | Direct recipient. Prokes invites Burnham to visit Jonestown and asks permission to send a petition opposing white South African resettlement plans in Latin America. |
| D-3-A-3b | 20 June 78 | Letter from Clare Bouquet (Concerned Relatives) | Brian and Claudia Bouquet safety concerns in Jonestown. | Direct recipient. Concerned Relatives letter. Not a Peoples Temple communication, but direct Burnham correspondence. Bouquet asks Burnham to investigate Jonestown and protect residents she believes may not be free to leave. Copy recipients include President Carter, Secretary Vance, Reps. Ryan and McCloskey, and Amb. Mann. |
| Grim Report; also at D-3-A-3c | 20 June 78, uncertain | Newspaper article enclosure | Deborah Layton’s allegations about Jonestown abuses. | Direct recipient as enclosure. Article dated June 15, 1978, and appears enclosed with Clare Bouquet’s June 20 letter. Enclosed San Francisco Chronicle article reports Deborah Layton’s allegations about armed guards, discipline, and mass-suicide rehearsals in Jonestown. |
| BB-8-l-1 – l-5 | 25 June 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | Blakey, armed-camp allegations, and Guyana loyalty. | Direct recipient. Carter discusses Debbie Blakey, Kathy Hunter, Wesley Kirton, Venezuela, armed-camp allegations, Lionel Luckhoo, the referendum context, and Temple pledges to defend Guyana. Encloses fact sheets at BB-8-l-6and BB-8-l-7. |
| BB-8-l-6 | 25 June 7, uncertain | Fact sheet enclosure | Racist and reactionary U.S. political climate. | Direct recipient as enclosure to BB-8-l-1 – l-5. Lists U.S. examples involving Black elected officials, Mark Lane, Frank Snepp, Larry Flynt, Nazis, the Klan, tax revolt, and school racial violence to support argument that Peoples Temple and Guyana were being attacked within a broader racist and anti-socialist climate. |
| BB-8-l-7 | 25 June 7, uncertain | Negative press enclosure | KCBS coverage linking Temple to Guyana. | Direct recipient as enclosure to BB-8-l-1 – l-5. Collects KCBS excerpts linking Peoples Temple, Guyana, Burnham, Castro, U.S.-Guyana relations, and alleged government tolerance of Jonestown. |
| BB-8-h-1 – h-2 | 15 July 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | Venezuela, PPP, Stoen, and racist press tactics. | Direct recipient. Warns of alleged plans to portray Jonestown as an armed garrison near Venezuela and to create trouble between the government and People’s Progressive Party over Peoples Temple. Mentions Clarence Hughes, Tim Stoen, racist press tactics, and a missing-sentence notation. |
| D-2-K-15A – 15B | Undated, likely Summer 1978 | Letter from William Oliver | Racist and anti-socialist films in Guyana. | Direct recipient. Date uncertain. Discusses American films intended to exacerbate racist feelings, asks for suggestions of alternative selections. |
| D-2-K-16A – 16D | 29 July 78 | Letter from William Oliver | National Enquirer overflight and press attacks. | Direct recipient. Oliver discusses National Enquirer overflight of Jonestown, U.S. press pressure, anti-Temple materials sent to Guyanese officials, and a proposed Guyana media visit. Copy sent to Reid and Mingo. |
| D-2-K-8, BB-2-ggg | 3 Aug 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Eye surgery for Amerindian boy. | Direct recipient. Amos requests help arranging treatment for a 12-year-old Amerindian boy with glaucoma who needs a cornea transplant outside Guyana and mentions Temple’s boat service from Port Kaituma to Mabaruma. Copy sent to Reid and Mingo. |
| D-2-K-10A – 10C | 7 Aug 78 | Letter from Paula Adams | Ambassador Laurence Mann’s remarks about Guyana officials. | Direct recipient. Adams reports Laurence Mann’s remarks about Burnham, Fred Wills, government fraud matters, and several Guyanese ministers. Adams says she discussed the confidential matter only with one minister and Jones. |
| BB-2-fff | 17 Aug 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Local press handling of Jonestown smears. | Direct recipient. Asks Burnham to prevent Guyanese newspapers from repeating U.S. press allegations against Peoples Temple and should instead cover Jonestown objectively. Copy sent to Reid and Mingo. |
| D-3-A-2a – 2b | 1 Sept 78 | Letter from Tim Carter | Regional Minister Duvant’s Jonestown visit. | Direct recipient. Praises new Regional Minister Duvant’s visit to Jonestown and contrasts him with Gregory Gaskin who made offensive comments. Discusses medical-supply needs, Gaskin’s children’s political awareness, and language study in Jonestown. |
| D-3-A-1b – 1e | 7 Sept 78 | Unsigned letter | Goodlett and Freed visits to Jonestown. | Direct recipient. Letter reports visits by Carlton Goodlett and Donald Freed to Jonestown and their expected public support for Peoples Temple and Guyana. Also mentions Walter Thain, Kathy Hunter, National Enquirer surveillance flight, and efforts to counter anti-Temple and anti-Guyana accusations. |
| Serial 1894-4, FD-302, pages 21–22 | 22 Oct 78 | Letter from Sharon Amos | Expulsion rumors and U.S. Embassy pressure. | Direct recipient. Amos reports journalists’ claims of a “hands-off policy” toward Peoples Temple and U.S. Embassy pressure to expel the group. Also discusses Donald Freed, Carlton Goodlett, U.S. Customs harassment of crates, and willingness to defend Guyana against Venezuela. |
Originally posted on July 2nd, 2026.
Last modified on July 4th, 2026.