The  Mormons.

In the Warsaw World of the 7th we find a brief notice of the ceremonies at the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple at Nauvoo, the city of the Mormons on the 6th. The number assembled was estimated at from 7000 to 8000 and some said 12,000. The Nauvoo Legion, consisting of 600 men, was in attendance, and made a very respectable appearance. Mr. Rigdon officiated at the laying of the chief comer stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour's length. On the whole the exercises passed off with the utmost order, without accident or the slightest disturbance. Gen. Bennett commanded the Legion, under the direction of the Prophet, and acquitted himself in a truly officer-like manner.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Mormons.

The steamer Marmion, arrived day before yesterday, and brought a large number of Mormons on their way to Nauvoo. We learn that this fanatic tribe are growing to an unparalleled extent, and that they are sending out missionaries and establishing Jo Smith Bible Societies. The credulity and gullibility of human nature are enough to turn the heart sick, and lead an intelligent man to inquire of himself whether it be possible that he really belongs to the same race of beings as these wretched creatures.


Note: The matching of the date and content of the above report is uncertain. The text comes from a reprint in the Times & Seasons of May 15, 1841, where the editor adds: " The above is from the St. Louis 'Pennant and Native American,' edited by G. G. Foster. The illiberal spirit manifest in it, and other articles which have lately graced his paper, respecting the Mormons, call for a passing remark." On the other hand, the date is derived from a paraphrase in the Apr. 28, 1841 issue of the Peoria Democratic Press, which says: "The St. Louis Pennant of Thursday [22nd] notices the arrival at that port of 237 English Mormons on their way to Nauvoo, the Mormon city in this state. That paper does not speak of them in the most complimentary terms." Quite possibly the Pennant published two or more notices of arriving Mormons during April and May of 1841.

The  Mormons.

An intelligent friend, who called upon this morning, has just returned from a visit to Nauvoo and the Mormons. He has a whole skin -- showing not a single lesion of the cuticle -- neither scratch nor bite, nor any other mark of tooth or nail. He believes the Mormons are not anthropophagi, whose 'heads grow beneath their shoulders,' but men like other men -- with the exception that the folly incident to human nature, runs in one vein through them, instead of in several, as through most of us. He believes -- just as we do -- that they have been rrossly misunderstood and shamefully libelled, of late perhaps as much by a correspondent of the Journal of Commerce (whom the respectable editors of that paper ought to look after) as from any other source.

The present population is between eight and nine thousand, and of course the largest town in Illinois. The people are very enterprizing, industrious and thrifty. They are at least quite as honest as the rest of us in this part of the world and probably in any other. Some peculiarities they have no doubt. Their religion is a peculiar one; that is, it is neither Bhoodism nor Mahometanism nor Judaism, nor Christianity -- but it is a faith which they say encourages no vice, nor immorality, nor departure from established laws and usages; neither polygamy, nor promiscous intercourse, nor community of property. One peculiarity of life is observable among them, and whether traceable to their religion or to some other cause, will not, we suppose, be quarreled with very generally. Ardent spirits as a drink are not in use among them; and the sale of spirits except as a medicine id forbidden by law. Any member of the church who presumes in any place to vend spirituous liquor is expelled from the church. Tobacco, also, is a weed which they seem almost universally to despise. We don't know but that the Mormons ought to be extirpated for refusing to drink whiskey and chew tobacco; but we hope the question will not be decided against them hastily; nor until their judges have slept off the fumes of their own liquor and cigars.

Among the public buildings, projected and in a state of forwardness at Nauvoo, is an immense temple to be constructed of hewn stone and to have an elevation of seventy feet. Its other dimensions may be inferred from its height. A splendid hotel, one hundred feet long, built also of stone, is going up. -- Scores of mechanics and laborers are busy as bees about them; and as they are all influenced by a public spirit unknown to the most of our community, they do more work and bring more to pass than people do elsewhere.

How long the Mormons will hold together and exhibit their present aspect, is not for us to say. At this moment, they present the appearance of an enterprising, industrious, sober and thrifty population -- such a population indeed as, in the respects just mentioned, have no rivals east, and, we rather guess not even west of the Mississippi,


Note: This laudatory (and largely vacuous) article was reprinted in the St. Louis Western Atlas on Sept. 4, 1841.

THE  MORMONS.

The people of Nauvoo 'have been grossly misunderstood and shamefully libelled...

The present population between eight and nine thousand, and of course the largest town in Illinois. The people are very enterprizing [enterprising], industrious and thrifty. They are at least quite as honest as the rest of us in this part of the world and probably in any other. Some peculiarities they have no doubt. Their religion is a peculiar one; that is neither Bhoodism nor Mahometanism nor Judaism, nor Christianity -- but it is a faith which they say encourages no vice, nor immorality, nor departure from established laws and usages; neither polygamy, nor promiscuous intercourse, nor community of property. One peculiarity of life is observable among them, and whether traceable to their religion or to some other cause, will not, we suppose, be quarreled with very generally. Ardent spirits as a drink are not in use among them; and the sale of spirits except as a medicine is forbidden by law. Any member of the church who presumes in any place to vend spirituous liquor is first admonished: and upon persistency in his offence expelled from the church. Tobacco also, is a weed which they seem almost universally to despise. We don't know but that the Mormons ought to be extirpated for refusing to drink whisky and chew tobacco; but we hope the question will not be decided against them hastily; nor until their judges have slept off the fumes of their own liquor and cigars.

[additional paragraph -- see note below]

Among the public buildings, projected and in a state of forwardness at Nauvoo, is an immense temple to be constructed of hewn stone and to have an elevation of seventy feet. Its other dimensions may be inferred from its height. A splendid hotel, one hundred feet long, built also of stone is going up, -- Scores of mechanics and laborers are busy as bees about them; and as they are all influenced by a public spirit unknown to the most of our communities, they do more work and bring more to pass than people do elsewhere.

How long the mormons will hold together and exhibit their present aspect, it is not for us to say. At this moment, they present the appearance of an enterprising, industrious, sober and thrifty population -- such a population indeed as, in the respects just mentioned, have no rivals east, and, we rather guess not even west of the Mississippi.


Note: The original report, from which the above article was derived, appeared in the St. Louis Daily Evening Gazette of Aug. 31st. The exact date and full content of the Atlas version of the article is unknown, The above text is taken from an excerpt published in Samuel M. Smucker's History of the Mormons and a reprint in the Oct. 15, 1841 issue of the Times & Seasons. The latter paper reproduces the following paragraph, which is not in the Gazette: "They have enclosed large farms on the prairie ground, on which they have raised corn, wheat, hemp, etc., and all this they have accomplished within the short space of four years. I do not believe there is another people in existence who could have made such improvements in the same length of time under the same circumstances. And here allow me to remark, that there are some here who have lately emigrated to this place, who have built themselves large and convenient homes in the town; others on their farms on the prairie, who, if they had remained at home, might have continued to live in rented houses all their days, and never once have entertained the idea of building one for themselves at their own expense."

Another accession of Mormons. -- The steamboat Gen. Pratt, brought up Friday last, 250 Mormons, all of them are from England, and are bound for Nauvoo, Illinois, the "Promised Land" and city of the "Latter Day Saints.


Note: The above text is taken from a reprint in the Dec. 4, 1841 issue of the Fort Madison Courier. See also a similar report in the Missouri Republican of Nov. 20, 1841. The Times and Seasons of Jan. 1, 1842 adds this information: "As the Steam Boat General Pratt, was on her way from New Orleans to St. Louis, on the 15th of Nov. last, while about half way on her passage Mary, the eldest daughter of William and Mary Butterworth, of Macclesfield, Eng. 11 years of age, accidentally fell over board."

"One of the Mormon Boys" who writes for the Missouri Whig, wishes to know what has become of the Paymaster General, and the funds for the payment of the Militia, which were provided and placed in his hands by the Governor, early in the summer. A writer in the Hannibal paper wants the same information.


Note: In using the term "Mormon Boys," the Editor of the New Era refers to the Missouri Militia who defeated the Mormons at Far West in 1839.

MORMONS. -- Eighty-five more of these deluded persons came up last night on the steamer Telegraph from New Orleans. If we are not mistaken, they will soon wish themselves back again to their country and homes. -- [Era.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Gov. Boggs. -- We learn from a gentleman who arrived in this city on Thursday evening from Warsaw, that there was a report current at the latter place that Gov. Boggs was dead. It was supposed that the assassin was one of Joe Smith's followers, and that he would be caught before he could reach Nauvoo. Letters, it was said, had been written from Jefferson City, To Gov. B. before his assassination, putting him upon his guard against assault threatened against his life by some Mormon fanatics. The information was sent to Jefferson City by several respectable persons, who had learned from a Mormon belonging to Nauvoo, that Joe Smith had been endeavoring to persuade some of his followers to murder Gov. B. for the course he took against them a few years ago. We give this rumor for what it is worth.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Gov. Boggs' health, as we learn from his physicians, is steadily improving. The contusions on his head are healing as fast as desirable. and he is now considered as being nearly out of danger. -- [Western Missourian.

Notes: (forthcoming)

TROUBLE AMONG THE MORMONS -- From the following letter addressed to the editor of the Burlington Hawkeye, it appears that Gen. Bennett, the confidential advisor of the Mormon Prophet, and the Prophet himself have got into a sort of snarl. Joe Smith a short time ago, formally excommunicated Bennett, and now we suppose Bennett is about to excommunicate Joe. So they go -- the world will be satisfied if they make a "Kilkenny cat fight" of it.

NAUVOO, ILL., June 27, 1842.                 

MR. EDWARDS: -- In your paper of the 23d you alluded to the "Trouble among the Mormons," and expressed a desire or hope that "the schism is incurable," and I assure you it is really so. The holy Joe fears the consequences of my disclosures, and has threatened to take my life, and has ordered some of his Danite band to affect the murder clandestinely -- but he shall be exposed. If he murders me others will avenge my blood, and expose him; if I live, I will do it to the entire satisfaction of all. Just suspend your judgment for a few days until you see my expose in the "Sangamo Journal" of next week, or the week following, over my own name. In haste,

Yours, respectfully,                         
                         JOHN C. BENNETT.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, and his two aids, Rigdon and Bennet, have got into a furious quarrel. Can't they get up a triangular duel?

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- The disclosures made by Gen. Bennett in relation to this sect, are far from being void of interest. We publish to-day some matters from Bennett in relation to the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs, which are at least of sufficient importance to be inquired into. One of their own papers, the Nauvoo Wasp, while defending Smith from any participation in the matter, gloried in the act, for he says "it remains to be known who did the noble deed." Apart from the act of which he is accessory, there are now pending against him in this State indictments for crimes sufficient not only to predicate a demand upon but to induce the Governor of Illinois to give him up.

FOR  THE  BULLETIN.

MESSRS. EDITORS: -- In accordance with your request I now proceed to give you some account of the attempt on the life of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri.

Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, in a public congregation in Nauvoo, last season, (1841,) prophecied that Lilburn W. Boggs, Ex-Governor of Missouri, should die by violent hands within a year. Mr. C. S. Hamilton, of Carthage, Ill., stated in my presence, and in the presence of several other gentlemen, at the tavern house of Mr. Robinson, in Warsaw, Illinois, on Sunday, the 10th inst., that he was present and heard this prophecy; I was likewise present, as were many thousand people, and heard the prediction. The faithful, however, will deny this, in order to save "THE LORD'S ANNOINTED." as Joe Smith is called, from merited punishment.

In the Spring of 1842, Smith offered a reward of five hundred dollars to any man that would kill Boggs. I heard the offer made to some of the Danites, and told Smith that if he persisted in such a course, it would result in his ruin. Mr. Jonathan Clark, of Hancock county, Ill., stated in Carthage on the 6th inst., in the presence of Dr. Thomas L. Barnes, Jonas Hobart, myself and others, that Mr. Taylor, an English emigrant, told him that he heard Smith make the same offer and that he (Taylor) had, in consequence thereof apostatized and written home to his friends in Europe detailing the horrible facts.

Mr. O. P. Rockwell left Nauvoo from one to two months prior to the attempted assassination of Governor Boggs -- told Orson Pratt and wife that he (Rockwell) had been in Boggs' neighborhood, in Missouri, and had had the honor of standing on the corner of Temple lot in Independence, -- and returned to Nauvoo the day before the report of the attempted assassination reached there -- said he came down the Missouri river to the Mississippi, then down to St. Louis, then up to Nauvoo, etc., etc. At that time the "Nauvoo Wasp" declared, "It remains to be known who did the NOBLE DEED." The Wasp was, and is yet, edited by Wm. Smith, brother to the Prophet.

Some weeks after Rockwell left Nauvoo I asked Smith where he had gone. "Gone," said he, "gone to fulfil PROPHECY,"with a significant nod, giving me to understand that he had gone to fulfil his prediction in relation to the violent death of Boggs.

On the evening of the 29th ultimo, twelve of the Danites, dressed in female apparel, approached my boarding house, (Gen. Robinson's,) in Nauvoo, with their carriage wheels wrapped with blankets, and their horses' feet covered with cloths, to prevent noise, about 10 o'clock, for the purpose of conveying me off and assassinating me, and thus prevent disclosures -- but I was so admirably prepared with arms, as were also my friends, that after prowling around the house for some time, they retired.

On Friday, the 1st. inst., I went to Carthage; and on the 5th I had a call from Mr. O. P. Rockwell, the result of which is detailed in the following affidavits, to wit:

STATE OF ILLINOIS,
HANCOCK COUNTY, ] ss.

Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, John C. Bennett, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that on the 5th of July, 1842, at the house of Mr. Hamilton, in Carthage, Mr. O. P. Rockwell came to him and desired a private interview, to which deponent replied that if he (Rockwell) had any thing to say, he could speak it out before the gentlemen present. Rockwell said it was a private matter which interested them only -- deponent then went out with him. Rockwell said, "Doctor you do not know your friends, -- I am not your enemy -- and I do not wish you to make of my name in your publications;" deponent replied that he recognized Joe Smith and all his friends, as his personal enemies; to which Rockwell replied "I have been informed by Warner and Davis that you said Smith gave me fifty dollars and a wagon for shooting Boggs and I can and will whip any man that will tell such a cursed lie -- did you say so or not?" After looking at him for a moment or two the deponent said, "I never said so, sir, but I did say, and I now say it to your face, that you left Nauvoo about two months before the attempted assassination of ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and returned the day before the report of his assassination reached there; and that two persons, in Nauvoo, told me that you told them that you had been over the upper part of Missouri, and in Boggs' neighborhood,"  to which Rockwell replied, "well I was there; and if I shot Boggs they have got to prove it -- I never done an act in my life that I was ashamed of, and I do not fear to go any where that I have ever been, for I have done nothing criminal." Deponent replied, "certainly they have got to prove it on you if you did shoot him; I know nothing of what you did, as I was not there, I only know the circumstances, and from them I draw my own inferences, and the public will theirs -- and now, sir, if either you, or Joe Smith think you can intimidate me by your threats, you are mistaken in your man, and I wish you to understand distinctly that I am opposed to Joe and his holy host -- I shall tell the truth fearlessly, and regardless of consequences." Rockwell replied, "If you say that Joe Smith gave me fifty dollars and a wagon to shoot Boggs, I can whip you, and will do it in a crowd." Deponent then said -- "why are you harping on what I have not said, I have told you what I have said to your face and in presence of these gentlemen, and you have acknowledged the truth of all I have said, and I shall say it again, and if you wish to fight I am ready for you." The conversation then ceased on that subject. Rockwell told deponent that he had been accused wrongfully of wishing to assassinate him, or of being ordered by Smith to do so; but deponent said, "I believe that Joe ordered you to do it -- I know that orders were sent from him to the Danites for that purpose." Rockwell said that Smith had never given him any such orders, neither was it his intention; and further the deponent saith not.

JOHN C. BENNETT.

Sworn to, and subscribed, this 7th day of July, 1842, before me, at my office in Carthage.

                        SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}

---

STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.

Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a justice of the peace in and for said county, Clayton Tweed, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, That on the 5th day of July, 1842, at the house of Mr. Hamilton, in Carthage, Mr. O. P. Rockwell came up to Gen. John C. Bennett, and said to him, "I wish to have some private conversation with you, will you come out of doors with me?" To which Bennett replied, "No, sir, if you have any thing to say to me, speak it out before these gentlemen." Rockwell then observed, "It is a matter which interests you and myself alone, and I should like much to see you a few minutes by ourselves." They then went out, and were some time in conversation, when loud words ensued, and deponent came up much agitated, fearing there would be a fight, and heard Bennett say, "I now say to your face what I said behind your back, that you left Nauvoo about two months before the attempted assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and returned the day before the report of his assassination reached there, and that two persons in Nauvoo told me that you told them that you had been over to the upper part of Missouri, and in Boggs' neighborhood," to which Rockwell replied, "If I shot Boggs, they have to prove it." Bennett said "Certainly, they have got to prove it on you, if you did shoot him. I know nothing of what you did, as I was not there. I only know the circumstances, and from them I draw my own inferences, and the public will theirs. And now, sir, if either you or Joe Smith think you can intimidate me by your threats, you are mistaken in your man; and I wish you to understand distinctly, that I am opposed to Joe and his holy host -- I shall tell the truth fearlessly, and regardless of consequences." Bennett further remarked, "why are you harping about what I have not said? I have told you what I have said, to your face, and you have acknowledged the truth of it, and I will say it again; and if you wish to fight I am now ready for you -- you will never have a better time." This conversation then ceased, and the parties separated -- and further this deponent saith not.

                    CLAYTON TWEED.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 7th day of July, 1842 at my office in Carthage.

                        SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}

---

STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.

Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a justice of the peace in and for said county, Jonas Hobart, who being duly sworn accordingly to law, deposeth and saith, That, on the 5th day of July, 1842, at the tavern house of Mr. Hamilton, in Carthage, he came up to where Gen. John C. Bennett and Mr. O. P. Rockwell were in angry conversation, when he heard Rockwell say, that if any man said that Joe Smith hired him to shoot Boggs, he stated what was false. There was then some warm talk about fighting, and Bennett said, "I tell you sir, to your face what I have said behind your back, and if you are for fight now is as good a time as you will have." Rockwell said he had been up into Boggs' neighborhood, in Missouri; and said he, "if I shot Boggs they have got to prove it." Bennett said "certainly they have -- I do not know what you did, I only know the circumstances -- I have told them, and I have now told them to your face, and you have acknowledged them -- and I shall tell them again fearless of consequences," -- and further deponent saith not.

                    JONAS HOBART.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 9th day of July, 1842, before me, at my office in Carthage.

                        SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}

---

STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.

Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall Justice of the Peace in and for said County, John H. Lawton, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that on the 5th day of July, 1842, he came up to where Gen. John C. Bennett and O. P. Rockwell were in conversation, at the house of Mr. Hamilton in Carthage, and heard Rockwell say that he had been up in Boggs' neighborhood, in Missouri, and that if he had shot Boggs they had to prove it; and then began to talk of whipping Bennett, whereupon Bennett replied, "I have said nothing behind your back but what I now said to your face, and if you wish to fight now I am ready for you;" the conversation then ceased and the parties separated; and further this deponent saith not.

                    JOHN H. LAWTON.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 6th day of July, 1842, before me, at my office in Carthage.

                        SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}


I would say further, that, before Rockwell left Nauvoo, he was abjectly poor. Since his return, he has left his family in the lower part of the city, taken up his residence at the tavern of Capt. Amos Davis -- has an elegant carriage and horses at his disposal, and his pockets filled with gold. Capt. Davis can, and will, if called upon, tell more about his former poverty, and present apparent affluence, at all events so far as gold is concerned. This is said to be the same carriage and horses that were muffled on the evening of the 29th of June.

If Smith is demanded, I will show by Col. F. M. Higbee and others, that he murdered a certain prisoner in Missouri.

These are some of the facts of this outrage upon civilized society. Now let the demand be made, and the truth shall appear. As Smith was an accessory before the fact in this case, he should be demanded on the old indictments for murder, treason, burglary, and arson and secured -- then the facts shall appear in this case. Rockwell can be demanded on affidavit. I expect Higbee on Tuesday next, if Smith does not have him murdered to prevent his developments.

I am aware that Smith now seeks my life, and is fortifying his Mormon witnesses by revelation; but if the demand is made as I have suggested, no earthly force can save him.
                              JOHN C. BENNETT.
ST. LOUIS, July 13th, 1842.


Note: John C. Bennett's July 13, 1842 statement, alleging that Joseph Smith, Jr. had sent Elder Rockwell to Missouri to murder ex-Governor Boggs (and that Smith had subsequently said that Rockwell had "gone to fulfil prophecy") is an expansion of disclosures made in his "Second Letter," as published in the Sangamo Journal on July 15, 1842. Bennett's detailing of this allegation in the pages of the Native American Bulletin was quickly reprinted in the pages of the Warsaw Signal in mid-July 1842 and in the Sangamo Journal on July 22nd. Bennett supplies essentially the same information on pp. 281-285 of his 1842 book, History of the Saints.

FOR  THE  BULLETIN.

Missrs. Editors: -- I am about to repair to the East for the purpose of publishing a "HISTORY OF THE SAINTS," or important disclosures in relation to Joe Smith and the Mormons; I shall, however, be in readiness to substantiate my statements relative to the participation of Joe Smith in the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs, whenever he is demanded and secured by the Executive of Missouri.

I am blamed by some for not [making disclosures] at an earlier day, as I must have been apprised of Smith's enormities for a long time -- this I anticipated; but if gentlemen will hold on a short time, until I publish the aforesaid history, I will show to the entire satisfaction of of all candid men, that had an expose been attempted at an earlier period it would have proved abortive; but I am now enabled to show such a system of deliberate swindling, corruption, and base depravity, as the world has never seen. The following letter from Miss Brotherton, details a case of black-hearted villainy precisely similar to those of Mrs. Sarah Pratt, wife of Prof. Orson Pratt, and Miss Nancy Rigdon, daughter of Sidney Rigdon, Esq., as noticed in the "Sangamo Journal," and hundreds of others that might be named -- it speaks for itself.

Yours, respectfully,
                              JOHN C. BENNETT.

ST, LOUIS, July 15th 1842.

---

                              ST. LOUIS, July 13th, A. D. 1842.
Gen. John C. Bennett.
    DEAR SIR: -- I left Warsaw a short time since for this city, and having been called upon by you, through the "Sangamo Journal," to come out and disclose to the world the facts of the case in relation to certain propositions made to me at Nauvoo, by some of the Mormon leaders, I now proceed to respond to the call, and discharge what I consider to be a duty devolving upon me as an innocent, but insulted and abused female. I had been at Nauvoo near three weeks, during which time my father's family received frequent visits from elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, two of the Mormon apostles; when early one morning they both came to my brother-in-law's (John McIlwrick's) house, at which place I then was on a visit, and particularly requested me to go and spend a few days with them. I told them I could not at that time, as my brother-in-law was not at home; however, they urged me to go the next day, and spend one day with them -- the day being fine I accordingly went. When I arrived at the foot of the hill Young and Kimball were standing conversing together. They both came to me, and, after several flattering compliments, Kimball wished me to go to his house first. I said it was immaterial to me, and accordingly went. We had not, however, gone many steps when Young suddenly stopped, and said he would go to that brother's, (pointing to a little log hut a few yards distant) and tell him that you (speaking to Kimball,) and brother Glover, or Grover, (I do not remember which,) will value his land. When he had gone, Kimball turned to me and said, "Martha, I want you to say to my wife, when you go to my house, that you want to buy some things at Joseph's store, (Joseph Smith's) and I will say, I am going with you to show you the way. You know you want to see the Prophet, and you will then have an opportunity." I made no reply. Young again made his appearance, and the subject was dropped. We soon reached Kimball's house, where Young took his leave, saying, "I shall see you again, Martha." I remained at Kimball's near an hour, when Kimball seeing that I would not tell the lies he wished me to, told them to his wife himself. He then went and whispered in her ear, and asked if that would please her. "Yes," said she, "or I can go along with you and Martha." "No,' said he, "I have some business to do, and I will call for you afterwards to go with me to the debate,"  meaning the debate between yourself and Joseph. To this she consented. So Kimball and I went to the store together. As we were going along, he said, "Sister Martha, are you willing to do all that the Prophet requires you to do?" I said I believed I was, thinking of course he would require nothing wrong. "Then," said he, "are you ready to take counsel?" I answered in the affirmative, thinking of the great and glorious blessings that had been pronounced upon my head, if I adhered to the counsel of those placed over me in the Lord. "Well," said he, "there are many things revealed in these last days that the world would laugh and scoff at; but unto us is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom." He further observed, "Martha, you must learn to hold your tongue, and it will be well with you. -- You will see Joseph, and very likely have some conversation with him, and he will tell you what you shall do." When we reached the building he led me up some stairs to a small room, the door of which was locked, and on it the following inscription: -- "Positively no admittance." He observed, "Ah! brother Joseph must be sick, for, strange to say, he is not here. Come down into the tithing-office, Martha." He then left me in the tithing-office and went out, I know not where. In this office were two men writing, one of whom, William Clayton, I had seen in England; the other I did not know. Young came in and seated himself before me, and asked where Kimball was. I said he had gone out. He said it was all right. Soon after Joseph came in and spoke to one of the clerks, and then went up stairs followed by Young. Immediately after Kimball came in. "Now, Martha," said he, "the Prophet has come; come up stairs." I went, and we found Young and the Prophet alone. I was introduced to the Prophet by Young. Joseph offered me his seat, and, to my astonishment, the moment I was seated Joseph and Kimball walked out of the room, and left me with Young, who arose, locked the door, closed the window, and drew the curtain. He then came and sat before me and said, "This is our private room, Martha." "Indeed, sir," said I, "I must be highly honored to be permitted to enter it." He smiled, and then proceeded -- "Sister Martha, I want to ask you a few questions; will you answer them?" "Yes, sir," said I. "And will you promise not to mention them to any one?" "If it is your desire, sir," said I, "I will not." "And you will not think any the worse of me for it, will you, Martha?" said he. "No sir," I replied. "Well," said he, "what are your feelings towards me?" -- I replied, "My feelings are just the same towards you that they ever were, sir.." "But, to come to the point more closely," said he, "have not you an affection for me, that, were it lawful and right, you could accept of me for your husband and companion?" My feelings at that moment were indescribable. God only knows them. What, thought I, are these men that I thought almost perfection itself, deceivers. and is all my fancied happiness but a dream? 'Twas even so; but my next thought was, which is the best way for me to act at this time? If I say no, they may do as they think proper; and to say yes, I never would. So I considered it best to ask for time to think and pray about it. I therefore said, "If it was lawful and right perhaps I might; but you know, sir, it is not." "Well, but," said he, "brother Joseph has had a revelation from God that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for as it was in the days of Abraham, so it shall be in these last days and whoever is the first that is willing to take up the cross will receive the greatest blessings; and if you will accept of me I will take you straight to the celestial kingdom; and if you will have me in this world, I will have you in that which is to come, and brother Joseph will marry us here to-day, and you can go home this evening, and your parents will not know any thing about it." "Sir," said I, "I should not like to do any thing of the kind without the permission of my parents." "Well, but," said he, "you are of age, are you not?" "No, sir," said I, "I shall not be until the 24th of May." "Well," said he, "that does not make any difference. You will be of age before they know, and you need not fear. If you will take my counsel it will be well with you, for I know it to be right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it. But brother Joseph wishes to have some talk with you on the subject -- he will explain things -- will you hear him?" "I do not mind," said I. "Well, but I want you to say something," said he. "I want time to think about it," said I. "Well," said he, "I will have a kiss, any how," and then rose and said he would bring Joseph. -- He then unlocked the door, and took the key and locked me up alone. He was absent about ten minutes and then returned with Joseph. "Well," said Young, "sister Martha would be willing if she knew if was lawful and right before God." "Well, Martha," said Joseph, "it is lawful and right before God -- I know it is. Look here, sis; don't you believe in me?" I did not answer. -- "Well Martha," said Joseph, "just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to -- he is the best man in the world except me." "Oh!" said Brigham, "then you are as good." "Yes," said Joseph. "Well," said Young, "we believe Joseph to be a Prophet. -- I have known him near eight years, and always found him the same." "Yes," said Joseph, "and I know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven; and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed -- God shall bless you, and my blessing shall rest upon you, and if you will be led by him, you will do well; for I know Brigham will take care of you, and if he don't do his duty to you, come to me and I will make him; and if you do not like it in a month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you off, I will take you on." -- "Sir," said I, rather warmly, "it will be too late to think in a month or two after. I want time to think first." "Well, but," said he, "the old proverb is, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained;' and it would be the greatest blessing that was ever bestowed upon you." -- "Yes," said Young, "and you will never have reason to repent it -- that is, if I do not turn from righteousness, and that I trust I never shall, for I believe God, who has kept me so long, will continue to keep me faithful. Did you ever see me act in any way wrong in England, Martha?" "No, sir," said I. "No," said he; "neither can any one else lay any thing to my charge." "Well, then," said Joseph, "what are you afraid of, sis? -- come, let me do the business for you." "Sir," said I, "do let me have a little time to think about it, and I will promise not to mention it to any one." "Well, but look here," said he, "you know a fellow will never be damned for doing the best he knows how." "Well, then," said I, "the best way I know of, is to go home and think and pray about it." -- "Well," said Young, "I shall leave it with brother Joseph, whether it would be best for you to have time or not." "Well," said Joseph, "I see no harm in her having time to think, if she will not fall into temptation." "O, sir," said I, "there is no fear of my falling into temptation." "Well, but," said Brigham, "you must promise me you will never mention it to any one." "I do promise it," said I. "Well," said Joseph, "you must promise me the same." I promised him the same. "Upon your honor," said he, "you will not tell." "No, sir, I will lose my life first," said I. "Well, that will do," said he; "that is the principle we go upon. I think I can trust you, Martha," said he. -- "Yes," said I, "I think you ought." Joseph said, "she looks as if she could keep a secret." I then rose to go, when Joseph commenced to beg of me again -- he said it was the best opportunity they might have for months, for the room was often engaged. I, however, had determined what to do. -- "Well," said Young, "I will see you to-morrow. I am going to preach at the school-house, opposite your house. I have never preached there yet; you will be there, I suppose." "Yes," said I. The next day being Sunday, I sat down, instead of going to meeting, and wrote the conversation, and gave it to my sister, who was not a little surprised, but she said it would be best to go to meeting in the afternoon. We went, and Young administered the sacrament. After it was over, I was passing out, and Young stopped me, saying, "Wait, Martha, I am coming." I said, "I cannot; my sister is waiting for me." He then threw his coat over his shoulders, and followed me out, and whispered, "have you made up your mind, Martha?" "Not exactly, sir," said I; and we parted. I shall proceed to a justice of the peace, and make oath to the truth of these statements, and you are at liberty to make what use of them you may think best.
              Yours, respectfully,
                   MARTHA H. BROTHERTON.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 13th day of July, A. D. 1842.

              Du. BOUFFAY FREMON,
    Justice of the Peace for St. Louis county.


Note 1: Martha H. Brotherton (1824- c.1870) was raised in Manchester, England, and came to America early in 1842 with several other Mormon converts. After Martha's death Brigham Young had her sealed to him "for eternity," in a proxy marriage carried out in Utah. Martha's sister, Elizabeth Brotherton (1816-1897) married Parley P. Pratt at Nauvoo in 1843, becoming that LDS Apostle's second polygamous wife. On Apr. 20, 1842 Elizabeth Brotherton made out a statement in which she said: "I suppose, by this time, you will have heard that my parents and sister have apostatized... my sister has told some of the greatest lies that ever were circulated." This statement was published with her signature in the LDS Church's pamphlet, Affidavits and Certificates Disproving the Statements and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett's Letter. In these statements Martha Brotherton was branded a liar and a prostitute. The Nauvoo Wasp, of Aug. 27, 1842 spoke of "mean harlots as Martha H. Brotherton," and it quickly became the policy of the elders of the Church not to respond to Martha's allegations, since statements such as hers had come from "prostitutes" (see, for example, comments attributed to Elder William Small and Thomas Smethurst's indignant response, in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of July 27, 1842). Nearly a decade later, LDS Elder Thomas Smith continued to refute claims of polygamy among the Mormons, writing in the Church's official newspaper: "12th LIE: Joseph Smith taught a system of polygamy... 13th LIE: That Joseph Smith tried to seduce Martha Brotherton... Martha Brotherton's sister sent a letter, stating that Martha was a liar; William Clayton did the same. Both are published in the Millennial Star, Vol. 3, pages 73, 74." (LDS Millennial Star, XII -- Jan. 15, 1850 -- pp. 29-31).

Note 2: John C. Bennett solicited the statement of Miss Martha Brotherton during the second week of July, while he was visiting St. Louis. Miss Brotherton's statement was originally intended for publication in the prestigious, high-circulation Missouri Republican. In its issue of July 15, 1842 the Republican stated that Bennett's expose materials were not printed, due to lack of space. They were instead published in the July 14 and 16, 1842 issues of the Native American Bulletin. The Brotherton statement was widely reprinted in many other U. S. newspapers; see, for example, the Warsaw Signal of July 23, 1842. the Louisville Journal of July, 25, 1842; the New York Herald of July 25, 1842; the Alton Telegraph of July 30, 1842, and the Quincy Whig of Aug. 6, 1842. It was through the wide circulation of this statement that the secret Mormon polygamy at Nauvoo first received nation-wide attention. Bennett supplies essentially the same information from Brotherton on pp. 236-240 of his 1842 book, History of the Saints.

We perceive by a letter to the editor of the Bulletin, that Gen. Bennett, the great seceder, is about to visit the east for the purpose of publishing a "HISTORY OF THE SAINTS." As he does not state to what part of the east he is going, we suppose he intends visiting Jerusalem, as that is the most likely place to obtain information concerning these "Saints." What a precious set of saints they are from his showing up. He says:

'The letter from Miss Brotherton, details a case of black-hearted villainy precisely similar to these of Mrs. Sarah M. Pratt, wife of Prof. Orson Pratt, and Miss Nancey Rigdon, daughter of Sidney Rigdon, as noticed in the Sangamo Journal, and hundreds of others that might be named -- it speaks for itself."

We think it does. Oh, the villains! 'and a hundred others,' only think of it. A great deal of money has been made by the sale of documents and papers, pretending to give accounts of the Latter Day Saints. Now unless Gen. B. can give some information to the proper authorities, whereby the deeds of these men can be exposed, we are entirely opposed to the publication of any books on this subject. Our country is flooded with enough of such humbugs. We want no more of them. You can scarcely pass an auction stand or pedler's case without seeing in staring colors- "Awful Disclosures," &c. Now we say again, if they have been guilty of any crimes, and Gen. B. must have been privy to the facts, he can bring them to justice by turning State's evidence.


Note: The full content of the above article is unknown -- the text is taken from a reprint published in the Aug. 1, 1842 issue of the Times & Seasons.

THE MORMONS. -- We understand that General Bennett, formerly of the Nauvoo Legion, is now in this city, with the intention of making such disclosures as will show what part Jo Smith, the Mormon Prophet, took in the recent attempt to assassinate ex-Governor Boggs, of this State. Gen. Bennett, Sidney Rigdon, and Gen. Robinson have lately quarreled with Jo Smith, and have since publicly charged him with the perpetration of the grossest frauds and crimes. If the Mormon Prophet has really been guilty of the offences now imputed to him, we sincerely trust that he will meet with condign punishment. We must confess, however, that we place no great confidence in the statements of Bennett, Rigdon & Co. They have been active and prominent men at Nauvoo, and must have been aware of any villainies which may have been practised by the Prophet for a number of years. They have remained silent during all that period, and suffered their leader to impose upon his deluded followers without making known to them how grossly they were deceived. If Bennett had appeared before the public under more favorable circumstances, we might have been induced to give some credit to his pretended disclosures. He has been ruled out of the Church of the Saints, and stripped of his power and office, and it may be that he is now endeavoring to glut his revenge upon the Prophet.


Notes: The exact date of the above Missouri Reporter article is unknown. The text is taken from the Times & Seasons of Aug. 1, 1842.

The Warsaw Signal, of the 16th, says:--

We understand by the Stage Driver from Nauvoo last evening, that O. Pratt had suddenly disappeared from the city. He left a paper containing his reasons for leaving -- which were, the treatment his wife had received from Jo. Smith, and some other matter concerning the policy of the Church. It was supposed in Nauvoo, that he had committed suicide, and about 500 persons were out on the search for him.

Much more likely that he has fallen a victim to the tender mercies of some of Smith's murderous Danite band.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(COMMUNICATED.)

A gentleman just from the upper Mississippi, has arrived in town, and will deliver a lecture on "Mormonism Exposed," at the Methodist Church, this evening [at] 8 o'clock, showing the fallaciesm absurdities, impositions, and bare-faced villainy, of those vile and corrupted people. The facts that he has in his possession, are from the fountain head.

We will forbear, at present, to give the name of the above individual, on account of Danites of the Mormon band, being in the city for the purpose of seeking his life. It is also rumored, that that most notorious villain, Lyman Wyght an apostle of the Mormon Prophet. is here, and no doubt will use every possible means to prevent the coming expose.

We would advise all who have not been made acquainted with their impious designs, to go to-night and hear for themselves. The admission is only 25 cents. Tickets to be had at the door.

The lecture will be of a strict moral nature, and nothing will be said as to shock the modest feelings of ladies.


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the N. Y. Sun.

THE  MORMON  REVELATIONS. -- We watch the further movements of the Mormons expounded, and the anti-Mormon expounder, with some degree of anxiety, as affording a thorough explanation to the philosophy of fanaticism, whose [vices?] we so frequently find recorded in the history of civilization. This [pretty ----ly] quarrel between the Mormon chiefs, whether it originated in motives of purity or in pitiable incentives to gain, will carry its salutory effects throughout the controversy. We dount not that Joe Smith is a shrewd and cunning man, but John C. Bennett is more than a match for him even in these qualities of modern science. There was an almost inconceivable moral courage in a man of our age, who, uneducated in political sciences, could call together a mighty host of uncivilized human beings, and finally to adopt the holy privileges of the ancient prophetic race.

The rule of our male Cassandra, our modern Jacob -- a combined prophet and patriarch -- could not last forever. He has degenerated from the religious moralist and priest into the lowest grade of chicanery and vice; he stands before us a swindler of his community, an impious dictator over free will, and now in his most glaring and even hideous, aspect -- a libertine, unequalled in civilized life, a Giovanni of some dozens of mistresses, and those acquired under the garb of prophetic zeal. How ever unworthy may be the instrument of this exposition, he is deserving of thanks, and may be absolved from some taints of immorality by becoming an evidence for the moral commonwealth. -- The state of these revelations, although not contained in the "Book of Mormon." or viewed as the divine inspiration of Joe's stone spectacles, will soon assume the settled principles of truth, and must bear conviction to the misled and ill-treated sect.

Bennett has now blasted the spiritual and temporal Joseph Smith with a charge of horrivle crimes; and Joe, in return for these favors, will attempt to blast the temporal and mortal John C. Bennett with a charge of still more horrid gun powder. -- Both explosions will make a noise in the world; the moral one from the mouth of fame, the [igneous?] one from the mouth of a pistol. At all events, both combatants appear booked on the calendar of fate -- one for punishment in the next world, the other for a still less agreeable infliction in this small sphere. Up to this time, however, the only murder committed is that of the "King's English."

We firmly trust that the punishment of Smith will be heavy in the extreme, his fate should be a warning to those itinerant mongers of religion, who in every guise and form, infest the community; who steal away the fearest gifts of God, and render desolate firesides by their obscenity and lust.

We have now an exponent of the modern philosophy of religious fanaticism" the rise of Mahomet is nolonger a problem, his effigy of the nineteenth century has been destroyed. We have long expected this discovery, and now it comes; the wires are withdrawn from the animated puppet, and the excited Fantoceini twist and turn, without harmony or concord. The ruler and the sceptre have passed away: hypocrisy and error can no longer bear the powerful test of sincerity, truth and morality.

"Error," observed a scholiast, "begets a legion of followers," and the Mormon fanaticism has fulfilled this prediction. It has conquered the Nauvoo legion, but soon it will exist in name alone; its numbers are fast diminishing. Combination of societies, founded on religious and social basis, will be henceforth regarded with distrust, as weapons of misrule -- instruments placed in the hands of designing oligarchs. Charity, benevolence, sympathy and true religion, require no assiociations to forward their plans, they are the ingredients of every well formed, cultivated mnd.


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the N. Y. Herald.

ARRIVAL  EXTRAORDINARY. -- The celebrated General John C. Bennett, arrived in this city on Thursday. He is preparing to publish a book, which is to be a full and complete history of the Mormons, public and private -- the secrets of their religion, their mode of life at Nauvoo -- the celebrated prophet Joseph Smith's secret system of wives -- their mode of warfare -- tactics -- civil and religious government -- with various other curious and perfectly original matters. It will be one of the richest that ever emanated from the press of any country.


Note: This item was reprinted from the New York Herald, issue of Aug. 12, 1842.

SMITH AND ROCKWELL. -- The last Quincy Herald represents that Gov. Carlin had been fairly whipped out of his attempt to arrest Smith and Rockwell; and adds that the Mormons will not give them up, but fight to the last.

Notes: (forthcoming).

The Sangamo Journal states that Joe Smith and O. P. Rockwell aere now outlaws, they having escaped the officers of justice.

Note: Editor Vespasian Ellis discontinued his St. Louis Native American Bulletin in about mid-November, 1842. He replaced the defunct paper with a new journal, titled: Old School Democrat & St. Louis Weekly Herald.

JOE SMITH has arrived at Springfield, Ill., accompanied by a number of his followers, and surrendered himself to the Sheriff of Sangamo county, on a warrant issued by the Governor of Illinois, upon the requisition of the Governor of Missouri, upon a charge of being accessory before the fact of an attempted assassination of ex-Gov. Boggs. After his arrest by the Sheriff. a writ of habeas corpus was sued out by his council, and he was brought before the Circuit Court of the United States, for the District of Illinois. The cause is set down for hearing on Monday next. and Joe Smith entered into recognizance in open court in the sum of two thousand dollars, with approved securities, for his appearance from day to day, when he was discharged from custody. The fround upon which this application is based by his council is, the act of Congress as well as the Constitution of the United States, authorizing the surrender of a person in one State to the authorities of another State, charged with crime, is predicated upon the supposition that the individual sought to be given up has fled from the State where the crime is alleged to have been committed, and is then a fugitive from justice in the State where he is arrested. That such is not the fact in the case of Smith. That at the time Gov. Boggs was shot, Smith was in the State of Illinois, and had been for months previous, without once being without its limits; consequently he could not have fled from the State of Missouri, where the crime was committed, -- and that he is without the provisions both of the act of Congress and the Constitution of the United States, authorizing the surrender of a citizen of one State to the Executive of another for trial of an alleged crime. The correspondent of the Republican thinks the objection will be sustained, and Joe discharged. The Attorney General of the State was to appear against Joe Smith. -- [Era.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, has been discharged from custody, by Judge Pope, of the Illinois U. S. District Court.

Notes: (forthcoming)

A gentleman from Peoria reports, that Joe Smith passed through that place on Wednesday last, for Springfield. He was in a carriage, in the custody of officers, and they crossed the ferry without stopping in town. The steamboat Maid of Iowa passed Peoria on Tuesday, and could not have reached Ottawa until after Joe Smith had started for Springfield.

We are told, and it is stated on the authority of a leading Mormon preacher now in this city, that half a dozen citizens of Missouri participated in the arrest of Joe Smith; that when this was accomplished, Joe procured writs to be issued against them, which were executed, and not being able to give bail, they were put in prison; that the Missourians sent an express, and secured the person of Joe Smith; and that it was to meet this body of men that large numbers of the Nauvoo Legion were despatched for Ottawa, by land and water.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Jo  Smith  the  Mormon  Prophet.

We have almost determined not to give publicity to any of the rumors in circulation in regard to the whereabouts of this individual, and the proceedings of his friends and enemies. Each day brings a new series of reports, and all of them of a very contradictory and confused character. On Saturday, there was ground to believe a report that Jo Smith had passed through Peoria, on his way to Springfield, escorted by the officers of the law. To-day this report is discredited, by news from Nauvoo, that the Prophet was at that place on Saturday last, having been rescued by his followers from the hands of the persons who had seized him. The place of capture has not been ascertained, but we are told, that the persons having the requisition in their possession, two of whom were citizens of Missouri, were taken in charge by the Mormons, carried to Nauvoo, and were there to undergo an examination on Saturday last. This proceeding will involve Smith and his friends in new difficulties, inasmuch as they have placed themselves in an attitude of direct hostility to the legitimate authority of the State. It is admitted, that the requisition was made by the Governor of Missouri, and that Gov. Ford of Illinois, so far complied with it as to issue the necessary warrant for his apprehension. At first, we were under the impression that this new movement against Jo Smith grew out of disclosures made by Rockwell, in regard to the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs, but this seems not to have been the case. The occurences which led to the expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri, and which were signalized by a savage and brutal vindictiveness on the part of a portion [of] our citizens, are said to have formed the groundwork of this charge. If so, there can be little doubt that Jo Smith will escape from this new attack upon him, and thereby obtain still greater popularity with his followers. In that affair, the Mormons were more sinned against than sinners, and regard for the character of the State should lead us to say as little about it as possible. The indictment is a decent one, procured, it is said, sometime last month, and this circumstance induces us to believe that there are other motives than a desire to see justice administered upon Jo Smith, at the bottom of a proceeding which, if instituted at all, should have been commenced years ago.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. --We learn by a gentleman from Warsaw, that a meeting of the people of Hancock county, to be held at Carthage, was called for to-day, to take into consideration their relation with the Mormons. It is said that a good deal of excitement exists against them, and apprehensions of a serious riot and outbreak were entertained. The people of that section of the state are as heartily tired of the Mormons as ever the citizens of Missouri were, but they have suffered them to obtain so strong a foothold that no power can exist which can deprive them of their positions, or induce them to abandon their present residence.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The last Independence Expositor says: Orin Porter Rockwell, the Mormon confined in our county jail some time since for the attempted assassination of ex-Governor Boggs, was indicted by our last grand jury for escaping from the county jail some weeks since, and sent to Clay county for trial. Owing, however, to some informality in the proceedings, he was remanded to this county again for trial. There was not sufficient proof adduced against him to justify an indictment for shooting ex-Governor Boggs; and the grand jury, therefore, did not indict him for that offense.


Notes: (forthcoming)