_Mr. John Whitmer, Sir_: We are desirous of honoring you by giving publicity to your notes on the history of the Church of Latter-day Saints, after making such corrections as we thought would be necessary, knowing your incompetency as a historian, and that writings coming from your pen, could not be put to press without our correcting them, or else the Church must suffer reproach. Indeed, sir, we never supposed you capable of writing a history, but were willing to let it come out under your name, notwithstanding it would really not be yours but ours. We are still willing to honor you, if you can be made to know your own interest, and give up your notes, so that they {16} can be corrected and made fit for the press: but if not, we have all the materials for another, which we shall commence this week to write. Your humble servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Presidents of the whole Church of Latter-day Saints. Attest: Ebenezer Robinson, Clerk. [Sidenote: Charges Against Oliver Cowdery.] _Wednesday, April 11_,--Elder Seymour Brunson preferred the following charges against Oliver Cowdery, to the High Council at Far West: [1] To the Bishop and Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I prefer the following charges against President Oliver Cowdery: "First--For persecuting the brethren by urging on vexatious law suits against them, and thus distressing the innocent. "Second--For seeking to destroy the character of President Joseph Smith, Jun., by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of adultery. "Third--For treating the Church with contempt by not attending meetings. "Fourth--For virtually denying the faith by declaring that he would not be governed by any ecclesiastical authority or revelations whatever, in his temporal affairs. "Fifth--For selling his lands in Jackson county, contrary to the revelations. "Sixth--For writing and sending an insulting letter to President Thomas B. Marsh, while the latter was on the High Council, attending to the duties of his office as President of the Council, and by insulting the High Council with the contents of said letter. "Seventh--For leaving his calling to which God had appointed him by revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and turning to the practice of law. "Eighth--For disgracing the Church by being connected in the bogus business, as common report says. "Ninth--For dishonestly retaining notes after they had been paid; and finally, for leaving and forsaking the cause of God, and returning to the beggarly elements of the world, and neglecting his high and holy calling, according to his profession." [Sidenote: Trial of Oliver Cowdery.]