Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-02-18
LETTER FROM GEN. BENNETT.
PEoRlA, Jan. 7, l843.
Editor Of The Chicago EzpreSS:

Editor Of The Chicago EzpreSS:
RESPECTFUL Sin: Permit ME to address
you few lines on the subject OF the MIS-
souri, controversy. In the case Of the
Estate of Missouri against Joseph Smith
and others who were charged with the
several crimes of high treason against tie
state. murder, burglary, arson, obbery, and
arceny,' true bills were found by the Grand
Jury OF the Circuit Court Of the Fifth Judi
clai Circuit, before the Hon. Austin A.
King, and the defendants committed on the
indictments. Subsequently, they effected
their escape from prison, and fled to the
State OF Illinois. A demand was made BY
the then Executive Of Missouri, Lilburn
W. Boggs, on the Executive Of Illinois,
Thomas Carlin, Tor the delivery Of the crl.
minals as iugilives from Justice from the
State of Missouri. Governor CarlIn issued
his writ and placed it in the hands OF NJ.
Alternately the sheriff OF Hancock. who. at.
ter examination, returned the urIt, ''thr
parties not found ~ Hancock county"
Governor Ca,lin re-Issupd the same VIII,
and placed it IN he hands vi MeSsrs. KIM
and plman, who succeeded IN arIesing
Smith. A habeas corpus WIS then sued
ont before Calvin A. Warren, E,q.. Master
IN Chancerv, retuInabe before the Hon.
Stephen A. Douglas. On Tins writ Smith
was discharged, on the ground OF The insult
| ficipncv ot the executive warrant, service
having been once made on the same writ.
The District Attorney in Missouri boconi-
ing weared IN this vexed case, entered a
nolIe prusequi. Smith, considering himself
out OF danger. determined on the assassina-
ton OF CIV. Buggs, and paid TWO individu
ais specific sum in dollars and GEMS 10
consUmma,e the murder. One of these
! belonging TO the Mormon Destroying An
gel, and the other to the Mormon DaughteI
OF ZIon. They proceeded to independence
and attempted the execution OF their plans,
! in obedience 10 The instructions Of theIi
| Prophet. by shooting the Governor with
| tour huckshot in the back of his head, aud
returned to Nauvoo. the BOlany BAY OF A.
rnerIca. surprising the wounds 10 be mortal.
/ Gov. BnggS made oath that be believed
! :; Nth 10 be accessory before the fact IN The
| feonious shooting, and on his atfi iavit, lie
! Executive OF Missouri, Gov. Reynolds,
made a demand tor Smtn, and Gov. Ctr-
! I'm issued his warrant, and placed 1t in tile
! hands "l King and Pitman. who succeeded
in arresting nm. Smith was then released
| by an Illegal habeas corpus, issued by Nor
mon Justices OF the Peace composing the
Nauvoo Municipal Court. The Governors
OF both States otier ed reward iur the ap.
prehenslon of Smith. He was arrested
and brough, before Judge Pope, of the U
States District Court, on haDeas corpus,
] ,h,
from Justice from the State of Missouri II
the case OF Gov. Boggs, he being N Illinois
at the time OF the preparation OF The ielo
ny. Thus the case now stands, but thus i
will no, stand long. The case is now ;
plain one. A new Grand Jury must retino
the bills Of indictment for high treason a
glinsi the State OF Missouri, murder, &c.
On the original evidence, and Smith can and
will, then be demanded and secured as 1
fugitive from Justice from the the State .!
Missouri, case clearly contemplated by
The law Of Congress; and when he is once
in the State, he can and vii. be tried toI
he attempt On the lie Of Gov. BoggS, as
well rs the other leionies. Murder ant
treason cannot be barred by the statute Q
limitations, and when the trials come OF
before the appropriate legal authorities
the evidence will be as clear as the sun il
the armament at MONDAY. In the case o
Gov. Boggs and others shall be fully pre-
pared. and we DO not intend tn be '.headet
off," There can be no possible excuse OF
the next demand from Missouri. Smith
must be trled--there is no avoiding ii. bu
ne shall have a fair and impartial trial
There is no other design. He is, however
t a murderer, and must expect the same pun
Shment that is awarded 10 other criminals
Tor the same offence.
Yours, Respectfully,
} JOHN 6. BENNETT.