{"id":138243,"date":"2026-07-02T16:53:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T23:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=138243"},"modified":"2026-07-04T14:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T21:27:27","slug":"peoples-temple-contacts-with-forbes-burnham","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=138243","title":{"rendered":"Peoples Temple Contacts with Forbes Burnham"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Peoples Temple would not have been able to establish the community of Jonestown in Guyana \u2013 its FreedomLand, its Promised Land \u2013 without the support of that country\u2019s prime minister, Forbes Burnham. Nor would the Temple been able to win various concessions from the Guyanese government \u2013 the accreditation of the Jonestown school and the suspension of medical residency requirements for Jonestown doctor Larry Schacht are two examples \u2013 without the blessing of Forbes Burnham. For those reasons, Jim Jones\u2019 priorities included maintaining a good relationship with Burnham, keeping his political benefactor informed of the progress made by the new community in the country\u2019s Northwest District jungles, and coming to the prime minister with the political problems the Temple increasingly faced, especially in the last year of Jonestown\u2019s existence.<\/p>\n

The table below is primarily a collection of the contacts the Temple made with Burnham \u2013 there are a very few that Burnham made with Jones, especially on paper \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

A companion page<\/a> lists the endorsements made by third parties \u2013 principally congressional representatives and community leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area \u2013 that were so crucial in the early years of Jonestown\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The chart lists each contact by hotlinked RYMUR citations \u2013 all of which begin with \u201cRYMUR 89-4286\u201d \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Citation<\/strong><\/td>\nDate<\/strong><\/td>\nPerson making contact<\/strong><\/td>\nTopic of discussion<\/strong><\/td>\nContextual Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-25a \u2013 25e<\/a><\/td>\n20 Jan 75<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Stoen<\/td>\nPeoples Temple loyalty and possible Guyanese citizenship.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Stoen congratulates Burnham on Guyana\u2019s anniversary, presents Peoples Temple as loyal to the PNC government, and raises citizenship possibilities for members. Includes handwritten additions and footnotes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-21a \u2013 21c<\/a><\/td>\nLate June 1976<\/td>\nLetter from Paula Adams<\/td>\nU.S. rallies against destabilization efforts in Guyana.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Handwritten \u201cPrime Minister\u201d notation appears. Copy also sent to Ptolemy Reid. Adams describes Jones\u2019 U.S. ministry, offers help promoting Guyana, and discusses destabilization concerns.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-19a \u2013 19f<\/a>, D-3-A-20a \u2013 20f, D-3-A-22a \u2013 22f (draft)<\/td>\n18 Oct 76<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nJones\u2019 proposed visit and public reception by Burnham<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Handwritten notation indicates Paula Adams copy. Prokes asks that Jones be publicly received during a planned Guyana visit, contrasts Peoples Temple\u2019s support for Burnham with Wallace Muhammad\u2019s meeting with both Burnham and Guyana opposition leader Cheddi Jagan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-10<\/a><\/td>\n15 Nov 76<\/td>\nUnsigned note regarding Burnham\u2019s schedule<\/td>\nProposed Burnham audience with Jones and Lt. Gov. Mervyn Dymally<\/td>\nAppears to be a scheduling\/routing note. Mentions secretary Comrade Arno and a call from Ruby Harry. Records Burnham\u2019s 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-34A \u2013 34C<\/a><\/td>\n5 Aug 77<\/td>\nLetter from Larry Schacht and Eugene Chaikin<\/td>\nForwards support letters and U.S. press-attack materials after Peoples Temple\u2019s Guyana move.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Schacht and Chaikin send U.S. support letters and press materials after media attacks related to Peoples Temple\u2019s move to Guyana. CC list includes several Guyanese ministers (Reid, Green, Hope, Hoyte, Jack, King, and Mingo).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-32<\/a>, D-2-C-33 (copy omits P.S.)<\/td>\n6 Aug 77<\/td>\nLetter from Larry Schacht<\/td>\nSchacht discusses medical internship and service in Guyana.<\/td>\nDirect 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).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-1-L-6 (5) \u2013 6 (6)<\/a>, BB-5-S-1 \u2013 S-2<\/a><\/td>\n9 Aug 77<\/td>\nLetter from Jean F. Brown<\/td>\nConservative attacks on Jones and socialist organizing.<\/td>\nDirect 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\u2019s socialist work and support for Guyana.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-1-L-6 (13) \u2013 (14)<\/a>, D-2-C-24a \u2013 24b<\/a>, D-2-C-26A \u2013 26b (duplicate)<\/td>\n17 Aug 77<\/td>\nLetter from Joyce Parks<\/td>\nU.S. reactionaries, affidavits, and Guyana support letters.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Parks sends additional support letters and an article while emphasizing Peoples Temple\u2019s loyalty to Guyana during U.S. criticism. Two versions of text are dated August 17 and August 18.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-35<\/a><\/td>\nLikely 18 Aug 77<\/td>\nHandwritten note from Joyce Parks<\/td>\nDocumentation of support during anti-Temple press campaign.<\/td>\nRecipient 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<\/a>, but unclear whether Burnham received this exact note. Parks adds background on U.S. press attacks against Jones and Peoples Temple\u2019s claim that its support for Guyana prompted criticism.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-23<\/a><\/td>\n30 Aug 77<\/td>\nLetter from Joyce Parks<\/td>\nDescribes Angela Davis rally and support letters.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-21<\/a>, D-2-C-22 (duplicate)<\/td>\n13 Sept 77<\/td>\nLetter from Paula Adams and Sarah Tropp<\/td>\nDennis Banks statement and conspiracy materials.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Handwritten note says \u201cSarah wrote this.\u201d Letter encloses materials on alleged U.S. efforts to discredit Peoples Temple, including Dennis Banks\u2019 statement about the campaign.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-20a \u2013 20f<\/a>, BB-17-hh \u2013 hh-5<\/a><\/td>\n26 Sept 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nLocal rumors, Gaskin, and Stoen custody pressures.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Likely composed by Georgetown staff for Jones\u2019 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-18a \u2013 18i<\/a>, BB-17-ii \u2013 ii-8<\/a><\/td>\nUncertain, likely fall 1977<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nAlleged agents, Jonestown security, and custody cases.<\/td>\nDirect 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\u2019.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-19<\/a><\/td>\nUndated, likely late September 1977<\/td>\nMemorandum from \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nBackground on conspiracy.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Short memorandum says enclosed material should have been included with earlier Burnham letter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-17A \u2013 17B<\/a><\/td>\n27 Sept 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nTractor accident rumor and Benjamin investigation.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-16A \u2013 16C<\/a><\/td>\n30 Sept 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nAirport customs searches and Jim Clancy allegations.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-13<\/a><\/td>\n3 Oct 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nAgricultural self-sufficiency and recent population influx.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Likely composed by Sharon Amos for Jones\u2019 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-14<\/a><\/td>\n3 Oct 77<\/td>\nNote to above letter signed by \u201cJJ\u201d<\/td>\nAmateur radio relay assists Caracas medical emergency.<\/td>\nDirect recipient or attachment to Burnham letter. Marked \u201cPaula\u2019s copy.\u201d 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-12<\/a><\/td>\n8 Oct 77<\/td>\nUnsigned attachment list<\/td>\nSchool curriculum and CIA media articles for Burnham\u2019s review.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-10 \u2013 11<\/a><\/td>\n11 Oct 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nJoseph Mazor visit and amateur-radio goodwill.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-17-ee \u2013 ee-3<\/a><\/td>\n15 Oct 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d to Ptolemy Reid, with Burnham continuation note<\/td>\nCustoms searches and Mazaharally lumber dispute.<\/td>\nRecipient status: Uncertain. Primary addressee is Reid, but handwritten note says \u201cThe Burnham letter is a continuation, but not as a carbon copy.\u201d Discusses the Stoen custody case, airport customs searches, the failed regional meeting, lumber dispute with forester Yacoob Mazaharally, and Peoples Temple\u2019s work in agriculture and medical care.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-9a \u2013 9e<\/a>, BB-17-ff \u2013 ff-4<\/a>, D-1-M-11 (5) \u2013 11(9)<\/a><\/td>\n19 Oct 77<\/td>\nUnsigned letter<\/td>\nJonestown school demands and Joseph Mazor.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Letter disputes demands from Regional Minister Fitz Carmichael involving Jonestown\u2019s school, live-in Kaituma residents, Joseph Mazor, alien registration, and customs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-1-M-8 (8), D-1-M-8 (2) \u2013 (7)<\/a><\/td>\n26 Oct 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nStoen case, arrest orders, Oliver matter, and school pressure.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Asks where Peoples Temple stands on the Stoen custody case, arrest order, Jonestown security, school requirements, and the project\u2019s future in Guyana.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-17-ooo-1 \u2013 ooo-4<\/a><\/td>\n15 Nov 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nJonestown school structure and kidnapping threats.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Editor note says this Burnham version corresponds to the Wills version at BB-17-jj-1 \u2013 jj-4<\/a> and a Reid draft at BB-17-qqq-1 \u2013 qqq-4<\/a>. Discusses visiting delegations, Jonestown\u2019s school structure, anti-Temple materials, regional cooperation, kidnapping threats, and assimilation in Guyana. Site page<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-23a \u2013 23e<\/a>, BB-17-ss-1 \u2013 4<\/a>, D-2-C-7a \u2013 7d<\/a> (directed to Fred wills)<\/td>\n29 Nov 77<\/td>\nLetter signed by \u201cJim Jones\u201d<\/td>\nLAPD harassment and Matthews Ridge PNC conference participation.<\/td>\nDirect 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\u2019s role at the Matthews Ridge PNC conference. Likely composed by Georgetown staff, probably Sharon Amos.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-4a \u2013 4f<\/a>, BB-29-zzz-1 \u2013 zzz-6<\/a>, BB-29-cccc-1 \u2013 cccc-6,<\/a>BB-15-a-1 \u2013 a-6<\/a><\/td>\n20 Dec 77<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nBurnham security guard remarks and Stoen visit.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Reports Burnham security guard\u2019s pro-capitalist remarks, Burnham\u2019s Port Kaituma speech, concerns about Tim Stoen\u2019s January visit, and questions from a regional official about Temple life. Copies to Reid and Mingo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-5<\/a><\/td>\n20 Dec 77, uncertain<\/td>\nNewspaper article enclosure<\/td>\nStoen\u2019s detention in East Berlin and Prokes\u2019 criticism of Stoen.<\/td>\nDirect recipient as enclosure. Appears immediately after the December 20 Prokes letter and likely enclosed with it. Article recounts Tim Stoen\u2019s detention in East Berlin and appears to support Prokes\u2019 criticism of Stoen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-6<\/a>, D-2-d-3<\/a>, N-1-c-7<\/a>, BB-15-b<\/a>, BB-17-cccc<\/a>, BB-29-d<\/a><\/td>\n20 Dec 77, uncertain<\/td>\nAnonymous letter<\/td>\nWarning of Guyana\u2019s betrayal of Peoples Temple.<\/td>\nDirect recipient as likely enclosure. Anonymous letter warns that Peoples Temple would be \u201csold out\u201d in Guyana. Letter appears in half dozen files.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-qqq-1 \u2013 qqq-3<\/a><\/td>\n30 Dec 77<\/td>\nLetter from Michael Prokes<\/td>\nWarning about Mazor and Interpol.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-ss-1 \u2013 ss-5<\/a><\/td>\n4 Jan 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nCustody cases involving Stoen, Oliver, and Griffith.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-rrr-1 \u2013 rrr-3<\/a><\/td>\n11 Jan 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nRequest for intervention on custody and customs.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Focuses on the Stoen custody case, judge concerns, Jones\u2019 arrest orders, and crates held in customs. Site page ID = 125541<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-2A \u2013 2E<\/a><\/td>\n17 Jan 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nStoen custody case and customs duty problems.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Amos gives a detailed account of the Stoen custody case, Tim Stoen\u2019s actions in Guyana, customs delays, and the need for written guidelines. Copy sent to Reid.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-C-3A \u2013 3B<\/a><\/td>\n17 Jan 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nClothing crates, medical staff, and school assurances.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Copies sent to Reid, Wills, and Mingo. Amos asks Burnham to release Temple clothing and equipment from customs and provide assurances about Jonestown\u2019s medical staff and school. Mentions Soviet consulate visitors.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wirth\/Miller letter to Burnham<\/a><\/td>\n24 Jan 78<\/td>\nLetter from Timothy E. Wirth and George Miller<\/td>\nCongressmen urge Burnham to return John Victor Stoen.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Outside congressional pressure letter asking Burnham to cooperate in securing John Victor Stoen\u2019s return to Tim and Grace Stoen. Enclosed appeal to Secretary of State Vance is referenced but not reproduced here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-ww<\/a><\/td>\n2 Feb 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nMurdoch article and Temple\u2019s counter-investigation.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Enclosures described as an article on Rupert Murdoch and Peoples Temple\u2019s investigation of its critics as background on U.S. attacks against the organization. Handwriting says \u201ccopies to all ministers.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-iii-1 \u2013 iii-3<\/a><\/td>\n3 Feb 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nStoen paternity documents and custody conspiracy claims.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Enclosures reportedly included Tim Stoen\u2019s letter about Grace and Grace\u2019s handwritten statement. Amos argues that Grace and Tim Stoen are being used in the custody case and encloses materials about Tim Stoen\u2019s earlier statements. CC to all ministers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-bbb-1 \u2013 bbb-2<\/a><\/td>\n28 Feb 78<\/td>\nInternal summary of letters to Burnham, Reid, and Mingo<\/td>\nStoen, press division, and ministerial reassurance.<\/td>\nRecipient 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-i-1 \u2013 i-6<\/a><\/td>\nUncertain, after 16 Feb 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nHoyte letter, Stoen publicity, and Mann remarks.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. \u201cTo Prime Minister Only\u201d version of letter at BB-8-g<\/a>, with confidential postscript to Burnham. Discusses Hoyte\u2019s press letter, Tim Stoen\u2019s use of Guyanese media signals, John Victor, IMF\/nonalignment, and Ambassador Laurence Mann\u2019s remarks about Burnham.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-kkk-1 \u2013 kkk-10<\/a><\/td>\nUncertain, likely March 1978<\/td>\nDraft letter by Sharon Amos<\/td>\nAssurances on Stoen, customs and school.<\/td>\nIntended 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\u2019 health, customs delays, business disputes, medical licensing, school status, and claims that Jonestown was a \u201cgovernment within a government.\u201d Site page ID = 124039<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-xx-1 \u2013 xx-4<\/a><\/td>\n3 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nGDF emergency flights and Schacht\u2019s medical work.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Amos objects to charges for emergency GDF medical flights and explains how they affect Jonestown\u2019s medical service to neighboring communities. Discusses Dr. Schacht\u2019s license, customs-held medical equipment, and emergency care in the Northwest.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-yy<\/a><\/td>\n3 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nPort Kaituma school desk repairs.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Amos offers Peoples Temple labor in repairing Port Kaituma School desks and chairs and asks for suggestions on useful service to Guyana.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-aaa-1 \u2013 aaa-2<\/a><\/td>\n5 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nIRS harassment over Guyana donations and Venezuela remark.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Amos reports alleged IRS attention to Peoples Temple\u2019s funds in Guyana. P.S. reports an official\u2019s alleged comment that Venezuela would \u201ctake care\u201d of Jonestown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-23-b-1 \u2013 b-2<\/a><\/td>\nUncertain, likely Spring 1978<\/td>\nLetter from Carolyn Layton<\/td>\nU.S. repression and Guyana\u2019s nonalignment posture.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Date absent. Layton warns Burnham about U.S. political repression and cites recent events including Charles Diggs\u2019 indictment, coal-miner strike issues, and Senate Bill 1437. Copies to Reid, Mingo, and \u201cMrs. Santiago,\u201d an unknown coded reference.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-7 \u2013 A-8<\/a>, BB-29-m-1 \u2013 m-3<\/a><\/td>\n18 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nWills\u2019 resignation and amateur-radio equipment.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Prokes asks about whether Fred Wills\u2019 resignation signals a rightward shift, discusses competing interpretations of Burnham\u2019s attitude toward Temple, loaned sugar-cane equipment, and asks help clearing amateur radios from customs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-9<\/a><\/td>\nUncertain, likely March 1978<\/td>\nNotes for Prokes letter<\/td>\nRumors about Burnham wealth claims.<\/td>\nUncertain. Labeled \u201cNotes for Prokes Letter to Burnham.\u201d Treated as drafting material rather than a finished contact. Date is inferred from placement near March 18 Prokes material.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-24a \u2013 24d<\/a><\/td>\n23 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nGDF flights, amateur-radio concerns, a sick child, and arrest orders.<\/td>\nDirect 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\u2019 possible travel to Georgetown. Copies to Reid and Mingo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-n-1 \u2013 n-6<\/a><\/td>\n23 Mar 78<\/td>\nDraft version of above letter from Tim Carter<\/td>\n^<\/td>\nRelated drafting version of D-3-A-24a \u2013 24d<\/a>. The draft overlaps substantially with the final Burnham letter\u2019s sections but lacks some opening and contextual material present in the final letter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-m-1 \u2013 m-5<\/a><\/td>\n31 Mar 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nStoen provocateurs and Guyana media hesitancy.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Warns that Tim Stoen is allegedly trying to bring right-wing provocateurs into Guyana and complains of a \u201cstand-off policy\u201d in Guyanese media, including discomfort with radio discussion of socialism.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-f-1 \u2013 f-5<\/a><\/td>\n3 Apr 78<\/td>\nLetter from Michael Prokes<\/td>\nMcCoy comments and custody assurances.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-k-1 \u2013 k-5<\/a>, BB-29-sss-1 \u2013 sss-5<\/a><\/td>\n9 Apr 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nStoen custody decision and Temple morale.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Discusses the expected Stoen custody decision, alleged harassment of judge\u2019s wife, Jones\u2019 unresolved arrest orders, lack of press on the April 1 cultural show, Hoyte, letters allegedly unread, Isaac\u2019s medical care, free-clinic sign, bricks and soap production, and Youth Division investigation. Includes separate note for Reid. Site page IDs = 130532, 125541<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Concerned Relatives Petition to Guyana Prime Minister<\/a><\/td>\n10 May 78<\/td>\nPetition from Concerned Relatives<\/td>\nConcerned Relatives ask Burnham to investigate Jonestown abuses.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-i-1<\/a><\/td>\n22 May 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nChronicle feature on Jonestown.<\/td>\nDirect 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 \u201cslave camp\u201d accusations.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-6a<\/a><\/td>\n23 May 78, year obscured<\/td>\nLetter from Deborah Touchette forwarding letter to Burnham<\/td>\nForwarded endorsement of Jim Jones.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-h<\/a><\/td>\n25 May 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nMaterial linking Burnham to \u201cconcentration camp\u201d claims.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Prokes says enclosed photograph\/letter material shows detractors trying to make Peoples Temple and Guyana look bad, especially by associating Burnham with \u201cconcentration camp\u201d accusations.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-j-1 \u2013 j-2<\/a>, BB-31-a-38 \u00ad a-39<\/a>, BB-29-l-1 \u2013 l-2, BB-29-q-1 \u2013 q-2<\/td>\n25 May 78<\/td>\nCircular background letter enclosure<\/td>\nTim Stoen and Concerned Relatives attacks.<\/td>\nRecipient status: Likely enclosure to BB-29-h<\/a>. Addressed to \u201cMinisters of Government,\u201d not Burnham individually, but appears to be the \u201cletter giving some updated background on the campaign against Peoples Temple and this country.\u201d Summarizes Temple claims about Tim Stoen, Concerned Relatives, Rupert Murdoch, press smears, and support petitions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-29-o<\/a>, BB-31-a-36<\/a><\/td>\n4 June 78<\/td>\nLetter from Mike Prokes<\/td>\nInvitation to Jonestown and anti-apartheid petition.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Prokes invites Burnham to visit Jonestown and asks permission to send a petition opposing white South African resettlement plans in Latin America.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-3b<\/a><\/td>\n20 June 78<\/td>\nLetter from Clare Bouquet (Concerned Relatives)<\/td>\nBrian and Claudia Bouquet safety concerns in Jonestown.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grim Report<\/a>; also at D-3-A-3c<\/a><\/td>\n20 June 78, uncertain<\/td>\nNewspaper article enclosure<\/td>\nDeborah Layton\u2019s allegations about Jonestown abuses.<\/td>\nDirect recipient as enclosure. Article dated June 15, 1978, and appears enclosed with Clare Bouquet\u2019s June 20 letter<\/a>. Enclosed San Francisco Chronicle article reports Deborah Layton\u2019s allegations about armed guards, discipline, and mass-suicide rehearsals in Jonestown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-l-1 \u2013 l-5<\/a><\/td>\n25 June 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nBlakey, armed-camp allegations, and Guyana loyalty.<\/td>\nDirect 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-6<\/a>and BB-8-l-7<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-l-6<\/a><\/td>\n25 June 7, uncertain<\/td>\nFact sheet enclosure<\/td>\nRacist and reactionary U.S. political climate.<\/td>\nDirect recipient as enclosure to BB-8-l-1 \u2013 l-5<\/a>. 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-l-7<\/a><\/td>\n25 June 7, uncertain<\/td>\nNegative press enclosure<\/td>\nKCBS coverage linking Temple to Guyana.<\/td>\nDirect recipient as enclosure to BB-8-l-1 \u2013 l-5<\/a>. Collects KCBS excerpts linking Peoples Temple, Guyana, Burnham, Castro, U.S.-Guyana relations, and alleged government tolerance of Jonestown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-8-h-1 \u2013 h-2<\/a><\/td>\n15 July 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nVenezuela, PPP, Stoen, and racist press tactics.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Warns of alleged plans to portray Jonestown as an armed garrison near Venezuela and to create trouble between the government and People\u2019s Progressive Party over Peoples Temple. Mentions Clarence Hughes, Tim Stoen, racist press tactics, and a missing-sentence notation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-K-15A \u2013 15B<\/a><\/td>\nUndated, likely Summer 1978<\/td>\nLetter from William Oliver<\/td>\nRacist and anti-socialist films in Guyana.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Date uncertain. Discusses American films intended to exacerbate racist feelings, asks for suggestions of alternative selections.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-K-16A \u2013 16D<\/a><\/td>\n29 July 78<\/td>\nLetter from William Oliver<\/td>\nNational Enquirer overflight and press attacks.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-K-8<\/a>, BB-2-ggg<\/a><\/td>\n3 Aug 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nEye surgery for Amerindian boy.<\/td>\nDirect 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\u2019s boat service from Port Kaituma to Mabaruma. Copy sent to Reid and Mingo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-2-K-10A \u2013 10C<\/a><\/td>\n7 Aug 78<\/td>\nLetter from Paula Adams<\/td>\nAmbassador Laurence Mann\u2019s remarks about Guyana officials.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Adams reports Laurence Mann\u2019s 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BB-2-fff<\/a><\/td>\n17 Aug 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nLocal press handling of Jonestown smears.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-2a \u2013 2b<\/a><\/td>\n1 Sept 78<\/td>\nLetter from Tim Carter<\/td>\nRegional Minister Duvant\u2019s Jonestown visit.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Praises new Regional Minister Duvant\u2019s visit to Jonestown and contrasts him with Gregory Gaskin who made offensive comments. Discusses medical-supply needs, Gaskin\u2019s children\u2019s political awareness, and language study in Jonestown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-3-A-1b \u2013 1e<\/a><\/td>\n7 Sept 78<\/td>\nUnsigned letter<\/td>\nGoodlett and Freed visits to Jonestown.<\/td>\nDirect 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Serial 1894-4, FD-302, pages 21\u201322<\/a><\/td>\n22 Oct 78<\/td>\nLetter from Sharon Amos<\/td>\nExpulsion rumors and U.S. Embassy pressure.<\/td>\nDirect recipient. Amos reports journalists\u2019 claims of a \u201chands-off policy\u201d 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Peoples Temple would not have been able to establish the community of Jonestown in Guyana \u2013 its FreedomLand, its Promised Land \u2013 without the support of that country\u2019s prime minister, Forbes Burnham. Nor would the Temple been able to win various concessions from the Guyanese government \u2013 the accreditation of the Jonestown school and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":47,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-138243","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/138243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=138243"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/138243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138290,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/138243\/revisions\/138290"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=138243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}