We are very sorry that our old and long esteemed friend<​,​> , should be holding correspondence with such a notorious scoundrel as ; and more especially that he<​,​> of all others, should not acquaint Joseph Smith with a circumstance of this kind, which threatened (in his opinion) to destroy him and other innocent men.

Are we indeed forced from evidence to believe that who was charged with an<​d​> imprisoned for the same crimes, that those gentlemen mentioned in the letter ostensibley were, can countenance cloak over, and virtually leave his companions in tribulation exposed to destruction, when he had it in his power to prevent it<​;​> and that he did believe that this was the case is evident from some remarks that he made to Mr. Smith “that he would not take upon himself the responsibility of making it known”<​,​> fearful of the consequences of exposing villiany; and hiding himself under the iniquitous shade of their unhallowed protection. “How is the gold become dim? and the fine gold<​,​> how is it changed!”

We are, however, happy to inform our readers that this letter is all vain glorying and empty boast; it is a tissue of falsehoods intended to intimidate. informed Mr. Smith, when at <​,​> that such a requisition had been made from ; but that he knew that a had been entered and refused to issue a write.

How long shall the feelings of innocent men be goaded with repeated attempts at cruelty and injustice? “When the wicked rule the people mourn”. We are pleased<​,​> however, that we now have a whose bosom burns with pure patriotic principles.

“Who understands the people’s rights, and <​-[And​> will protect them too”. [p. [2]]