“This is to forewarn you that you have a snake in the grass— a base traitor and hypocrite in your midst— of whom perhaps you may not be <​fully​> aware. You may <​think​> these harsh terms, but I speak from good evidence, and speak the truth. Mr. , brother to Elder , has written a letter from , which is now going the rounds in this neighborhood, and is fraught with the most infamous slander and lies concerning Joseph Smith and others, and which is calculated to imbitter the minds of the people who read or hear of it. It affirms that Joseph Smith is in the habit of drinking, swearing, carousing, dancing all night &c, &c; [HC 6:354] and that he keeps six or seven young females as wives &c; and many other such like insinuations. At the same time he cautions the people to whom he writes, to keep the letter in such a way that a knowledge of its contents may not reach , as he says he is on intimate terms and confidential friendship with the ‘prophet Jo’ and the Mormons, and that he hopes to get into office by their means: this is his own acknowledgement of his own baseness, imposition, and hypocrisy. I have not seen the letter myself, but have carefully examined the testimony of those who have, and I have also seen and witnessed its baneful effects upon the people here.

“Now I say to the saints, let such a man alone severely; shun him as they would the pestilence; be not deceived by a smooth tongue nor flattering words. Neither accept of any excuse nor apology until he boldly contradicts and counteracts his lying words abroad, but rather expose and unmask him in your midst, that he may be known and consequently become powerless, if he is not already so. I am well and expect to be in tomorrow.

“I remain as ever your friend and brother in the love of the truth.

, Mass., May 3rd. 1844.”

, Sergeant Major, 2nd. Cohort, Nauvoo Legion,

“You are <​hereby​> forthwith commanded to notify the following named officers of the Nauvoo Legion to assemble at the of Lieut. General Joseph Smith on Friday the 10th inst, at 9 o’clock A. M., as members of a court martial detailed for the trial of , Surgeon in chief, and Brevet Brigadier General of the Nauvoo Legion, on the complaint of Lieut. , for unofficer-like and unbecoming conduct; and hereof fail not and make returns of your proceeding to the President of the Court on the first day of its sitting, viz:

Brigadier General as President,

Prevet Brigadier General ,

" " " ,

" " " ,

Colonel ,

" ,

" , [p. 5]