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Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842

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Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation *Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 233
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June 24th. 1842
Governor of the State of ,
Dr. Sir,
It becomes my duty to lay before you some facts relative to the conduct of our Major, General ; which have been proven beyond the possibility of dispute, and which he himself has admitted to be true, in my presence.
It is evident that his general character is that of an adulterer of the worst kind, and although he has a wife and Children living, circumstances which have transpired in , have proven to a demonstration that he cares not whose character is disgraced whose honor is destroyed nor who suffers so that his lustful appetite may be gratified and further he cares not how many, nor how abominable the falsehood he has to make use of to accomplish his wicked purposes, even should it be that he brings disgrace upon a whole community.
Some time ago, it having been reported to me that some of the most aggravating cases of adultery had been committed upon some previously respectable females in our , I took proper measures to ascertain the truth of the report, and was soon enabled to bring sufficient witnesses before proper Authority to establish the following facts, More than twelve months ago went to a Lady in the and began to teach her that promiscuous intercourse between the sexes was lawful and no harm in it, and requested the privilege of gratifying his passions but she refused in the strongest terms saying that it was very wrong to do so, and it would bring a disgrace on the Finding this argument ineffectual he told her that men in higher standing in the church than himself not only sanctioned but practised the same deeds, and in order to finish the controversy said and affirmed that I both taught and acted in [p. 233]
June 24th. 1842
Governor of the State of ,
Dr. Sir,
It becomes my duty to lay before you some facts relative to the conduct of our Major, General ; which have been proven beyond the possibility of dispute, and which he himself has admitted to be true, in my presence.
It is evident that his general character is that of an adulterer of the worst kind, and although he has a wife and Children living, circumstances which have transpired in , have proven to a demonstration that he cares not whose character is disgraced whose honor is destroyed nor who suffers so that his lustful appetite may be gratified and further he cares not how many, nor how abominable the falsehood he has to make use of to accomplish his wicked purposes, even should it be that he brings disgrace upon a whole community.
Some time ago, it having been reported to me that some of the most aggravating cases of adultery had been committed upon some previously respectable females in our , I took proper measures to ascertain the truth of the report, and was soon enabled to bring sufficient witnesses before proper Authority to establish the following facts, More than twelve months ago went to a Lady in the and began to teach her that promiscuous intercourse between the sexes was lawful and no harm in it, and requested the privilege of gratifying his passions but she refused in the strongest terms saying that it was very wrong to do so, and it would bring a disgrace on the Finding this argument ineffectual he told her that men in higher standing in the church than himself not only sanctioned but practised the same deeds, and in order to finish the controversy said and affirmed that I both taught and acted in [p. 233]
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