I hope that both of your kind and amiable families are well, and you will please to give them _all_ my best respects. I hope to see you all _soon_. When the officer arrives, I shall be near at hand. I shall see you all again. Please to write me at Independence _immediately_. Yours respectfully, JOHN C. BENNETT. P.S. Will Mr. Rigdon please to hand this letter to Mr. Pratt, after reading? J. C. B. This is his letter _verbatim et literatim_. In the foregoing the designs of Bennett are very plainly manifest; and, to see his rascality, you have only to read some articles from his pen, published in the _Times and Seasons_ about two years ago, on the subject of the Missouri affair. I shall be happy to hear from you on this subject as soon as convenient; also if you have received any communication from Washington. We are ready to execute the mortgage at any time. Yours very respectfully, JOSEPH SMITH. By WILLIAM CLAYTON, Agent. P.S. I would just remark, that I am not at all indebted to Sidney Rigdon for this letter, but to Orson Pratt, who, after he had read it, immediately brought it to me. J. S. {252} The ship _Swanton_ sailed from Liverpool with a company of Saints for New Orleans, led by Elder Lorenzo Snow. [Sidenote: A Day of Fasting and Prayer.] _Tuesday, 17_.--This being the time appointed by the Twelve as a day of humiliation, fasting, praise, prayer, and thanksgiving before the great Eloheim, I attended a public meeting in my own house, filled to overflowing. Many other meetings were held in various parts of the city, which were well attended, and there was great joy among the people, that I had once more been delivered from the grasp of my enemies. In the evening I attended a referee case, with six others, on a land case of Dr. Robert D. Foster's. _Wednesday, 18_.--At ten o'clock in the morning, the party invited began to assemble at my house, and before twelve they were all present, except Levi Moffatt and wife, and Brother Hyrum's wife, who was sick. I distributed cards among them, printed for the occasion, containing the Jubilee Song of Brothers Law and Richards; also one by Sister Eliza R. Snow, as printed on the 96th page, 4th volume of _Times and Seasons_, which were sung by the company with the warmest feelings.