| 100 and your church, by the executive, and people of the State of Missouri, recently renewed by Gov. Reynolds, and ex-Governor Carlin, is an open violation to their own oaths: not only so, but is in direct opposition to the constitution of either of the States, as well as of the U. States, and is derogatory to the character, genius, or policy of any people, nation, or government. This same course which has been pursued against you, as free born citizens of these United States, is the same which has, in many respects, proven the downfall of other nations, which were once great and mighty, but have dwindled away, and their original character can only be traced by searching the pages of Ancient history. The Jew crucified the Savior-killed the apostles and prophets, because of their religion; but the result which immediately followed, was severely felt, and is to this day.-Now if the Jews were scourged for their iniquities, we may expect this nation to be scourged also. Although neither they nor their rulers have personally crucified the Savior; yet they have suffered the same acts of violence, and regardless of all consequences, and without the least particle of Law, have injudicially, and contrary to all laws, forced your church by the edge of the sword, point of the bayonet, and mouth of the cannon, to flee from one state to another, to seek safety among strangers; without a place to lay their heads, while others were slain, and their bones left to bleach upon the plains, a scene which is almost without paralell [parallel] in the history of Nations. Never have I seen or read of such tyranny, and oppression in modern times, as I witnessed during a short stay of a few weeks, while in Far West; where your troubles arose like mountains, and descended upon you like torrents. Surrounded with the most wicked and savage, whose very looks and unconstiutional [unconstitutional] acts surpassed in malignity and cruelty the acts of the demons of darkness; his darkest deeds would sink into insignificance before them and his satanic majesty would blush by reason of being out-generald by his liege subjects the inhabitants of Missouri. One of your last public persecutors of any note, seems to be that great (little) man General Bennett, of whom Lucifer can boast, because he executeth his will far beyond his expectations, while the balance of his servants fear and tremble, as they see the day approaching.
Bennett will be called home to receive his reward, then the last struggle will be made and "gathering hosts will be seen around Nauvoo," or some other place, (this is the same time I suppose Bennett refers to in the N. Y. Herald, whom Mr. Smith together with his associates will tremble at the sight of such an innumerable company all arrayed in martial order;) then Bennett will no doubt expect to gain the victory, and exalt his kingdom above the stars, and bear universal sway; but alas his imaginary happiness is already blasted! his influence gone! his heart is sick! his soul is faint! and he is nigh unto cursing and burning when he like Jonah's goard [gourd] will wither away-his name be forgotten and blotted out from the generations to come, together with his associates who have been accessory to the shedding of blood.
In conclusion, I can safely say I never have seen anything derogatory to the Character or conduct of Mr. Smith, as a christian, or prophet; but he has every where proclaimed against wickedness and abominations, for which his life has been sought; but I think he will at last come off victorious, together with his afflicted people, (if you are what you profess to be,) and your enemies will call for the rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.
I am your friend, sir, in your rights and liberties, in honesty and virtue,
J. C. S.
Nauvoo, Ill. Feb. 19, 1843.
Mr. Alfred Ed. Stokes-
Dear Sir,-In obedience to your request, I send you one number of each of the papers published in this place. I am well aware, that designing men, for sinister purposes, have put in circulation reports concerning the people here, which are so monstrous, that it is a matter of surprise how any rational being could profess to believe them at all. If I were to even profess to believe such incredible and ridiculous nonsense about any people, I should consider the public would have sufficient cause to scorn me, as the mere tool of corrupt and foul slanderers; but any thing to stop the progress of that, which cannot be done by fact and scripture truth. That man must have a large stock of moral courage, who dare, in any wise profess belief in such outlandish representations as are made in the public papers concerning the people of Nauvoo, and circulated orally by wicked and designing men. The old stale story about common stock, in defiance of fact and truth, it would appear by your letter, and that of your friend Evans, is professedly believed by the people in the vicinity of Waynesville, Ohio. This falsehood was invented by an ignorant blockhead, by the name of Matthew Clapp, who for want of any other means to stop the progress of truth, in its more incipient states,
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