The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-21

ne again recovered; but he very much resisted when
an attempt was made 10 save HIM. The public I'M
preston was, that he was so much ashamed oil MS
base and wicked conduct, that he had recourse TO
the above deed TO escape the censures OF an lndlg
nant community
II might have been supposed that these circum
Stances transplrlng in the manner they did, would
nave produced thorough reformation in his con,
duct; but, alas like being totally destitute oil
common decency, and without any government
over his passions, he was soon busily engaged IN
the same wicked career, and continued until
knowledge OF the same reached my ears. imIne,
mediately charged him with II, and he admitteS
that II was true; but in order to put stop TO ell such
proceedings for the future, publicly proclaimed
against it, and had those females notified 10 appear
before the proper officers, that the whole subject
| might be Investigated and thoroughly exposed.
During the course OF investigation, the foregoing
facts were proved by credible witnesses, and were
sworn and subscribed to before an alderman OF the
| city, on the 18th ut. The documents containing the
evidence are now IN my Poss,essl aSc s.,;a.oD
that others had been edby his conduct to pursue the
same aduterous practice, and in order to accomplish
| their deesable designs made use OF the same IAN
guage lnsinuated by Bennett, with this difference,
that they did not hear me say any thing OF the KIND
but Bennett was OF the heads OF the church,an
| he had informed them that such was the fact, and
| they credited his testimony.
The public will perceive the aggravatng nature
of this CASE and will the propney OF this expo
sure Had he onlybeen guilty of adultery that was
sufcientto stamp disgrace upon him, because ne IS
man of better information, and has been held high
| in the estimation of many. But when It Is consl
dered that his mind was so intent upon his cruel,
| and abomlnable deeds, and his own reputation not
| being sufficient to enable him to do It, he must
make use Of my name in order to effect his Pur,,
poses. enlightened public will not be astonished
| at the course have pursued.
In order that it may be distinctly understood that
he wi,fuly and knowingly lied, IN the above lnsl-
nua,lons, viii lay before my readers an AFFIDAVIT
aiken before alderman of the city, after had
charged him with these things
STATE OF ILLINOIS, City of Internationally ap.
peared before me Daniel H. Wells Alderman OF said
city of Nauvoo John C. Bennett who being duly sworn
according to law deposeth and saith that he never
taught thing in the least contrary to the rctes prin
cpes of Gospel Of virtue of the laws of God or
man. under any circumstances, upon any OCCASION Ell
Their directly indirectly, in word deed by Joseph
smith and that he never knew the said Smith to coun-
tenance improper conduct whatever either in public
private and that he did teach TO in priv ate
that illegal illicit intercourse with females under
any circumstances justidabe and that never knew
Sworn to- and subscribed before me- this 18th day May
| A. d. 1872. DANIEL II. WELLS,
| Alderman.
| The following conversation took place in the City
Council and elected in consequence OF its being
ported that the Doctor had stated that had acted an in
dccorous manner and given countenancc to vices prac
| tsed by the Doctor and others
Dr. John c. Bennett. ex.Mayor, was then called upon
by the Mayor state if he knew aught against him. when
| Mr. Bennett replied &c know what about. and the
heads Of the church know whot they are expect
have difficulty with the heads Of the church. pub
ciy avow that any one who has said that have stated
na General Joseph smith has given me authority to hold
those who have said it damned liars they infer
nal liars. lie never, eiths! in public or private
| gave me any such authority or license, and any
person who states it is scoundrel and liar
| have heard it said that should become a second
Award by Withdrawing from the church. and that
varience with the heads and should influence
against them because resigned the Office of Mayor; this
false have difficulty with the heads Of the church
and intend to continue with you and hope the time may
come when may be restored to full confidence and fellow
ship and my former standing in the church, and that my
conduct may be such as to warrant my restoraon-and
should the time come that may have the opportun.
~ to test my fatn, il will then be known whether am
| traitor true man."
Joseph Smith then asked: "will you please state def.
ntey whether you know any thing against my character
Gen Bennett answered. "a do not in all my intercourse
with Gen. Smith, in public and in private he has been
Strtctly virtuous
| WILSON LAW, ~ X. WHITNEY,
| HIRAM KIMBAIt, ORsoN SPENCER,
! Brigham YouSG, john TAYLOR
| WILLARD RICHARDS, JOHN p GREEN
| REBER c. KiMBALL, Gusr. HILLS
w. WOODRUFF, G. w. HARRIS,
JAMES SLOAN, City Recorder
May 10Th, 1912.
After had done all in my power TO persuade him
10 amend Misconduct, and these facts we've fully es-
tabllshed (not only by testimony, but by his own
concessions), he having acknowledged that they
weretrue, and seeing no prospects OF any satisfaction
! from his future life, the hand Of fellowship
| withdrawn from him as amember ofthe church, by
4
ing that we would not publish him TO the world,
concluded not to do so at that time, but would lie,
| the matter rest until we the effect of what
had already done.
1t appears evident, that as soon as he perceived
| that he could no longer maintain his standing
member of the church, nor his responsibility as CT
tizen, he came to the conclusion to leave the place,
which he has done, and that very abruptly; and had
he done quietly, and not attempted to deceive the
| people around him, his would not have excited
the Indignation of the citizens. SO much as his rea
conduct has done. In order to make his case look
plausible, he has reported, that he had Withdrawn
from the church because we we were not worthy OF
his society,"" thus instead of manifestng spirit OF
repentance, he has to the last proved himself to b,
unworthy the confidence or regard of any upright
person, by lying, to deceive the innocent, and com
hitting adultery in the most abomnable and de
graded manner.
We are crediby informed that he has coleagucd
with some of our former wicked Prosecutors Nilsson
rans and has threatened destruction upon u.s. but
should naturally suppose, that he would be so much
ashamed of himself, the injury he has already done
to those who never injured, but befrended him in
every possible manner that he could never dare to
hit up his head before an enlightened public, with
the design either to mlsrepresen or prosecute but
ne that as II may neither dread him his In
auence but this much we believe that unless he is
determined to I'LL mp the measure OF his niquty and
bring sudden destruction upon himself from the hano
| OF the Almighty, he will be SILENT and never
attempt to nlure those concerning whom he has tes
| tfled upon oath he knows nothing but that which is
| good and viriuous.
thus have laid before the Church of Latter Day
saints, and before the public the character and con-
iuct of man who has stood high in the estimation
| OF many: but from the foregoing facts 1t will be
seen that he is not entitled any credit but rather
to be stamped with ndgnlty and disgrace so far as
| he may be known. What have stated | am pre-
| pared TO prove, having all the documents concern
| ing the matter in my possession. but think that to
say further ls unnecessary. the subject s so plain
that no one can mistake the true nature of the case
| remain yours, respectfully,
| JosEPH SMITH.
| Nauvoo, June %, 1872