Mormon History
John C. Bennett's First Disclosure - 1842
Sangamo Journal – July 8, 1842
ASTOUNDING DISCLOSURES!
Letters from GEN. BENNETT
Bankruptcy of Joe Smith --
Threatened murder of Gen. Bennett to prevent disclosures; Gen. Bennett defied
the impostor -- pledges himself to deliver up Joe Smith to the Governor of
Missouri upon receiving legal authority for the purpose -- declares that Joe
Smith is a disbeliever in the God of Heaven -- says that the State Arms at
Nauvoo are suffering injury, and that they will be delivered upon the
requisition of Gov. Carlin -- says that the office of Lieut. General which Joe
Smith says places him on an equal authority with Washington and above Gen.
Scott, is unconstitutional -- shows that the excommunication of Gen. Bennett was
done sometime after he had withdrawn from the Mormons, "the best feelings
subsisting between all parties," appeals to documents for proof -- denounces Joe
Smith as the seducer of single and married females -- instances of his attempts
on the virtue of Miss Nancy Rigdon, eldest daughter of Sidney Rigdon, Esq., who
he approached "in the name of the Lord and by his authority and permission" --
refers to George W. Robinson and F. M. Higbee for information on this subject --
speaks of Joe Smith's attacks upon individuals to destroy their influence and to
prevent an exposition of his conduct -- refers to Miss Martha Brotherton of
Warsaw, for the history of an attempt of Joe Smith upon her honor -- Gen.
Bennett asserts that hundreds of such cases can be given, if the Danites do not
murder him -- that he has "the evidence, and it shall come" -- he promises to
expose frauds, which will save the creditors of Joe Smith hundreds of thousands
of dollars -- asserts that Joe Smith has violated his obligations as a mason,
and has established "a new order" himself -- states that an affidavit made by
himself, which Smith was using against him, was made while he was in duress,
and he had the choice of being murdered or of making the affidavit -- he further
states that Joe Smith has recently directed the people to give up "all
their property to the Lord, and lay it at the apostle's (Joe Smith's) feet" --
uproar and confusion at Nauvoo -- the life of Capt. Amos Davis threatened, &c.
&c.
The public will be astounded at the statements made by Gen. Bennett in the
article which follows from under his own hand. -- That in this day of light and
intelligence such a man as Joe Smith should be able to collect around him a mass
of people, and make them believe in his shallow and miserable scheme of
imposture, is matter of astonishment now, and will be more so in after times.
We presume that the Journal has been made the medium through which Gen.
Bennett's publication has been given to the people, on the ground that the
political papers of his own party, (General Bennett belongs to the "democratic"
party) are at this time making common cause with Joe Smith, for the purpose of
securing his influence in opposition to Gov. Duncan and in favor of Thomas Ford.
Gen. Bennett has judged correctly, that in a case like this, where the interests
of morality and of civil and religious liberty are so deeply concerned, the use
of the columns of our widely circulating paper is free to a political opponent.
Gen. Bennett is the individual appointed by Judge Douglass, Master in Chancery
for Hancock County -- a most important and responsible office, from the fact
that the Master in Chancery, in many cases, performs the duty of a Judge of the
Supreme Court. We have, therefore, the official endorsement of Judge Douglass,
(which, however, is not needed,) in support of the character of General Bennett
for truth, and all those qualities required of one who fills an office of high
responsibility.
We state these facts, that the public may duly appreciate the attacks of those
men upon Gen. Bennett, who are acting with Joe Smith, to decry and to destroy
him -- and which attacks, so far, are made invariably by the friends of Thomas
Ford and John Moore.
From the remarks of Gen. Bennett in the article below, we are induced to believe
that the people will hear further from him through the medium of the journal.
For the Sangamo Journal.
NAUVOO, ILLS., June 27, 1842.
To the Editor of the Journal:
I was in your city a few days since for the purpose of taking legal advice in
relation to the contemplated Bankruptcy of Joseph Smith, the notorious Mormon
Prophet and swindler; -- and procuring the commissions for the officers of the
line and the new appointees to brevets in the staff of the Nauvoo Legion, for
distribution prior to the general parade on the 4th of July next; but had no
time to prepare an article for the press, as I was bound to be in Nauvoo on the
36th instant. But I now write you from the Mormon Zion, the city of the Saints,
where I am threatened with death by the holy Joe, and his Danite band of
murderers, in case I dare make my disclosures in relation to the conduct of that
polluted mass of corruption, iniquity and fraud, -- that King of Impostors, --
the holy and immaculate Joe Smith. I shall however, expose him, and if I fall by
the ruthless hands of such foul assassins, let my blood be avenged by the
friends of God and my country. Remember he has threatened me with DEATH in
propria persona, and if I should be immolated to satiate his hellish malice,
let his blood atone for it -- put his "head in a charger," But I fear him not --
he is the most consummate blackguard, and dastardly coward. He is ready at all
times to assassinate a man of equal corporeal strength, or to inflict corporal
punishment on a man of feeble frame; but he fears his equals, and dreads his
superiors. Joe Smith stands indicted for murder, treason, burglary, and arson in
Missouri, and he defies the laws and the legally constituted authorities to
deliver him over for trial. -- What a horrible state of society when men fear to
execute the laws! -- especially in relation to the most foul impostor that ever
disgraced the earth! If Governor Reynolds, of Missouri, will make another demand
for Joe Smith alone, disconnected with any other person, -- (for there
are thousands of innocent, unoffending, good and holy people among the Mormons,
who never ought to suffer, and never shall by my hands, or through my
instrumentality -- men, women and children who have suffered more than death for
the infamous prophet -- and if Governor Carlin will place the writ in my
hands, I will deliver him up to justice, or die in the attempt, unless
restrained by the constituted civil authority. Thousands and tens of thousands
are ready to obey the call, and enforce the laws, and the holy Joe shall tremble
at the sight of the gathering hosts. Let the watchword pass with the celerity of
lightning, and let the citizen-soldier be ready, -- I will lead you on to
victory, and lay the rebels low. The Constitution and the laws shall triumph,
and misrule , violence, and oppression wither like a blighted flower. :et not an
Executive whom he has vilified and abused, as he has Governor Carlin, both in
the private circle and public congregation, fear or neglect to do his duty in
this case, and deliver up this noted refugee, charged with the blackest crimes
known to the laws, who now boldly stalks abroad in our public ways. If Joe is
innocent, let him be acquitted; but if he is guilty, let his life atone for it.
I regard him as a foul and polluted murderer, and on the forthcoming of his
State writ, Joe shall be delivered up.
Now, remember, that if I should be missing, Joe Smith either by himself or his
Danite band, will be the murderer. Illinoisians, then let my blood be avenged!
They seek my life by day and by night -- look well to the issue! I am in the
infamous impostor's city; but I fear him not, neither do I regard his idolatrous
god. He believes not in the God of Heaven, and I fear no other.
I now defy him, and all his holy hosts. I dare him to personal violence. There
are eyes that see that he knows not of, and ears to hear that he understands
not.
Now, Governor, do your duty. And citizens of Illinois, be in readiness to
sustain your laws. I furnished the State arms to the Nauvoo Legion on a legal
requisition, and on a legal requisition they shall be delivered up. The public
arms are in a bad situation, and suffering material injury, and they had better
be placed in the hands of more deserving men, for the State is sustaining a
great loss. If the Governor wishes them for other troops, they are at his
service. I derived the command of the Nauvoo Legion, and as Major General I have
it, and am liable to trial only on an order from the Governor, detailing a
general Court Martial of General officers from the other divisions of the State
-- no brevet officer can affect me.
It is true that I had Joe appointed, or elected Lieutenant General, as a mere
play thing, knowing that there was no such officer contemplated by the
Constitution, but, it answers Joe well enough, as he does not know enough of
military matters to tell the difference between a Corporal, and a
General, -- so, Lieutenant General is as good as any otherral to Joe.
In his public speeches he says -- "hear your Lieutenant General! the greatest
military commander that ever lived since the days of Washington. -- General
Scott is a mere pigmy compared to me! I command all the armies of the United
States! -- and the Nauvoo Legion was formed to avenge blood in Missouri!!"
Joe is a great man of the kind -- but God will damn the kind -- for, if the
devil don't get Joe Smith, there is no use for any devil. But to the damnable
iniquity of this base impostor, and to copy, to wit:
May 17, 1842.
"Bro. JAMES SLOAN, -- You will be so good as to permit Gen. Bennett to withdraw
his name from the Church Record, if he desires to do so, and this with the best
of feelings towards you and General Bennett.
JOSEPH SMITH."
"In accordance with the above I have permitted General Bennett to withdraw his
membership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this 17th day
of May, 1842, -- the best of feelings subsisting between all parties,
JAMES SLOAN,
General Church Clerk and Recorder."
From the (Nauvoo) "Wasp," of May 21, 1842.
"New election of Mayor, and Vice Mayor, of the
City of Nauvoo, on the resignation of General Bennett.
On the 17th instant, General John C. Bennett, resigned the office of Mayor of
the city of Nauvoo, and on the 19th, General Joseph Smith, the former Vice Mayor
was duly elected to fill the vacancy; and on the same day General Hyrum Smith
was elected Vice Mayor, in place of General Joseph Smith, elected Mayor.
The following vote of thanks was then unanimously voted to the Ex-Mayor, General
Bennett, by the city Council, to wit:
Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo,
That this Council tender a vote of thanks for General John C. Bennett, for his
great zeal in having good and wholesome laws adopted for the government of the
city, and for the faithful discharge of his duty while Mayor of the same.
Passed May 19th, 1842.
JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.
JAMES SLOAN, Recorder."
From the "Times and Seasons" of June 15th, 1842:
NOTICE.
The subscribers, members of the first Presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, withdraw the hand of fellowship from Gen. John C. Bennett, as a Christian; he having been labored with from time to time, to persuade him to amend his conduct, apparently to no good effect.
JOSEPH SMITH,
HYRUM SMITH,
WM. LAW.
The following members of the Quorum of the Twelve concur in the above sentiments:
Brigham Young, Willard Richards.
Lyman Wight, Heber C. Kimball,
John E. Page, William Smith,,
Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor
George A. Smith,
We concur in the above sentiments:
W. K. WHITNEY,
V. KNIGHT,
GEORGE MILLER.
Bishops of the above mentioned Church.
Nauvoo, May 11th, 1842
Now it
happens that John E. Page was in Pittsburgh, William Smith in Pennsylvania, and
Lyman Wight in Tennessee, at the above date; -- this is the way Holy Joe
does business. On Saturday, the 18th of June, I was excommunicated from this
holy sect. Now look at the dates; -- on the 18th day of June I was
excommunicated, and on the 17th of May previous I withdrew from this
noble band of brothers. The withdrawal of fellowship was DATED BACK in
order to have a pretext for my expulsion, and to destroy my influence
before I could do any injury to the GREAT PROPHET, and was presented to Orson
Pratt, one of the twelve, for his signature some days after I showed him my
official withdrawal, and Mr. Pratt refused to sign it. Mr. Pratt is a
gentleman of undoubted veracity and I am willing to abide his testimony. Call
upon him. Mr. Editor, what think you of these extraordinary papers? -- What was
all this for? I will tell you -- it was to destroy my influence, before I should
expose Joe's attempt at seduction. -- Many of his followers will swear to any
thing he desires them to, and think they are doing God's service, even when they
KNOW it to be false.
And to begin.
2d. Joseph Smith, the great Mormon seducer, one who has seduced not only
hundreds of single and married females, but more than the great Solomon,
attempted to seduce Miss Nancy Rigdon, the eldest single daughter of Sidney
Rigdon, to submit to his hellish purposes, and become one of his clandestine
wives under the new dispensation. Call upon Miss Rigdon, who repulsed him with
commendable firmness, and I will abide her testimony -- call, likewise, upon
Gen. George W. Robinson, and Col. F. M. Higbee, to state what they know upon
this subject. Gen. Robinson and Col. Higbee, can tell some astounding facts in
relation to this matter. Joe approached Miss Rigdon "in the name of the Lord,
and by his authority and permission," as he said. Joe attacked Mr. Rigdon,
Gen. Robinson, Col. Higbee and myself, In order to destroy the influence of all
of us to prevent the exposition of this case. -- But it is all true, and the
legal evidence shall be forthcoming. Call upon Miss Martha Brotherton, of
Warsaw, and see what she will say as to the base attempt at seduction in her own
case. She can tell a tale of woe that would make humanity shudder. Call upon
Miss Mitchell, of this city, one of the most chaste and spotless females in the
west, and see what she knows as to the PROPHET'S SECRET WIVES. Hundreds of cases
can be instanced, and if the Danites do not murder me, you shall hear a tale of
pollution and sorrow. Joe's licentiousness is unparalleled in the annals of
time. I have the evidence, and it shall come; and no attacks on me to divert the
public mind from himself, and his iniquity shall avail him. My purpose is fixed,
and the world shall know who the great impostor is. -- Time will not permit my
going into further detail in this letter; but an abused and insulted public
shall know all about it.
3d. Joe's extensive land frauds in Iowa and Illinois will soon come to light. I
will save his Eastern creditors some hundreds of thousands of dollars, by
exposing these frauds in the face of open day -- by the legal records of the
country, and oral testimony. All is in readiness.
4th. I will expose his actings and doings in Nauvoo Lodge, U. D. when none but
the Mormon brethren were present; -- that he (Joe Smith) and five others,
were entered, passed, and raised, before the Lodge was installed by the Grand
Master; and that they all passed through a second time afterwards, with the
exception of one, who is now abroad; and many other like irregularities, and
departures from the ancient land-marks. He has, likewise, established a new
lodge of his own, by inspiration. entitled "ORDER," in which there many
curious things, and relative to which I have much to say hereafter. The
following is a part of the obligation -- "I furthermore promise and swear
that I will never touch a daughter of Adam UNLESS SHE IS GIVEN ME OF THE
LORD," so as to accord with the NEW DISPENSATION and the "ancient order of
things."
5th. The attacks on me in the "Wasp" are all for public effect, and to divert
the public eye from Joe's infamous conduct. My affidavit as taken before Esq.
Wells, and my statements before the City Council, in relation to the holy Joe,
were made under DURESSE -- my life was threatened unless I submitted to the
requisition of Joe. I then preferred the course I took to DEATH, as I knew the
public were not apprized of the facts, and I could have been murdered and no
person would have been the wiser; but the public are now apprised of the matter,
and I am ready and willing to die in exposing this impious man, and the people
will avenge my blood. I never feared death, but I chose not to die before I
rendered God and the people signal service in bringing to light the hidden
things of darkness. But more of this hereafter.
6th. The whole city is now in an uproar in relation to the doctrine of
consecration as taught on yesterday -- The people are
ALL required to come forward and consecrate ALL
their property to the LORD by placing it at the
APOSTLE'S FEET, or in the hands of JOE SMITH!!!!!! There is much
flouncing on this subject, and what will be the issue God only knows. I will
give you some important facts in my next.
7th. The life of Captain Amos Davis, with some others, has been threatened as
well as my own; and I hereby put the public on the look-out. I will write you as
time permits. In haste,
Yours respectfully,
JOHN C. BENNETT.