Dr. Bennett has been the means of bringing me before your people, you will therefore see, for _this act_, I am in honor bound to say, "_Peace to his manes_." To act otherwise would be ungrateful and dishonorable, both of which qualities are strangers to my nature: nevertheless, by leaving him as he is, I can still be your friend; for be assured that nothing I have seen yet from his pen has in the least altered my opinion of you. I well know what allowances to make in such cases. Dr. Bennett and Bachelor are now delivering lectures in New York against you and your doctrines and asserted practices at Nauvoo. Elder Foster told me, this forenoon, that the seats have been torn to pieces out of his church in Canal-street, and that the congregation had to move to another place. I intimated to you, in my last, that Bennett of the _Herald_ was about to publish, conjointly with the Doctor, his Book of Exposures; but since, have learned that it is about to come out in Boston. He expects to {164} make a fortune out of it, and I presume he needs it; but I feel sure that it will make converts to the Mormon faith. He has borrowed largely from Com. Morris' lascivious poems. A general order, signed by Hugh McFall, Adjutant-General, and authorized by you, has appeared in the _Herald_, ordering me to repair to Nauvoo, to take command of the Legion, and to bring with me Brig.-Gen. J. G. Bennett, which states that, if the requisition be persisted in, blood must be shed. I have assured Bennett of the _Herald_ that I deem it a _hoax_, but he insists upon it that it is genuine. My reply to it has appeared to day in that paper. I have there stated that I have written to Gov. Carlin for instructions. This is not so: it is only a _rub_. On the whole, you will only be made a greater prophet and a greater man--a great _Emperor_, by the affliction and consideration of your good friends. My respects, with those of Mrs. B., to your lady. I am, dear sir, your sincere friend, JAMES ARLINGTON BENNETT. This letter was placed in the hands of General Hugh McFall, who immediately wrote a refutation of the clause concerning himself to Governor Carlin, and also one for the _Wasp_. The general order was not written by McFall, neither had he a knowledge of its existence until shown to him in the letter. It was evidently got up by our enemies to increase excitement and anger, and is barely another addition to the many slanderous reports put in circulation by evil and designing men. _Thursday, 15_.--In council with C. A. Warren, Esq. Also counseled Uncle John Smith and Brother Daniel C. Davis to move immediately to Keokuk, and help to build up a city. _Friday, 16_.--At home with Brother Rogers, who was painting my likeness.