Another calamity has befallen us. Our post office in this place is exceedingly corrupt. It is with great difficulty that we can get our letters to or from our friends. Our papers that we send to our subscribers are embezzled and burned, or wasted. We get no money from our subscribers, and very little information from abroad; and what little we do get, we get by private means, in consequence of these things: and I am sorry to say, that this robbing of the post office of money was carried on by John C. Bennett; and since he left here, it is carried on by the means of his confederates. I now subscribe myself your friend, and a patriot and lover of my country, pleading at their feet for protection and deliverance, by the justice of their Constitution. I add no more. Your most obedient servant, JOSEPH SMITH. {160} CHAPTER IX. LETTER OF JAMES ARLINGTON BENNETT TO THE PROPHET AND THE N. Y. "HERALD"--EMMA'S ILLNESS--PLOTS TO ENTRAP THE PROPHET--LEGAL OPINION OF JUSTIN BUTTERFIELD ON THE MISSOURI PROCEDURE. _Friday, September 9, 1842_.--At 10 p. m. I received a very interesting visit from Emma, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith and Wilson Law. [Sidenote: Movements of the Prophet in Nauvoo.] I counseled George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman to stay in Illinois and preach in the principal cities against mobocracy, and to notify the Twelve that it was my wish that they should also labor in Illinois. After a conversation of two hours, I accompanied the brethren and Emma to my house, remaining there a few minutes to offer a blessing upon the heads of my sleeping children; then called a few minutes at the house of my cousin George A. Smith, on my way to my retreat at Edward Hunter's. John D. Parker accompanied me as guard. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith, and Charles C. Rich declared to the city council their intention of absence for three months or more, and others were appointed to fill their places during their absence. John P. Greene, Lyman Wight, and William Law were absent, and their places were filled. The object of the absence of these brethren was to preach the gospel in different states, and show up the wickedness and falsehood of the apostate John C. Bennett. An ordinance relative to the returns of writs of habeas corpus was passed by the city council as follows: {161} _An ordinance relative to the return of wits of Habeas Corpus_. Sec. 1. Be it, and it is hereby ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that the Municipal Court, in issuing writs of Habeas Corpus, may make the same returnable forthwith. Sec. 2. This ordinance to take effect, and be in force from, and after its passage, passed September 9th, 1842. GEO. W. HARRIS, President pro tem. JAMES SLOAN, Recorder. President Young started on his mission.