As to the other matters, I am perfectly certain that Col. Buckmaster never made any such statement as is contained in your letter. He could not have done so, with truth. And I am equally certain that I made no such statements to , as he represents. It ought not to surprise you, that he should endeavor to excuse his part in a disgraceful murder, by pretending some authority for his conduct. At a proper time, a fair narrative of this whole business will be laid before the public. I will content myself at present by simply stating that made a speech to the troops of , to induce them to murder the Smiths. In that speech he expressly stated that the was opposed to them, in their measures and had refused to do them justice. He further stated, that the murder must be perpetrated, whilst the was at ; that the Mormons would suppose that the had planned it; and would murder him, by way of retaliation; that this last murder would create a great excitement in the , and cause a great many people to turn out to arrest them, in driving off the Mormons. On this important occasion, when he was endeavoring to persuade men to do a desperate deed and when the sanction of high authority would have been so much to his purpose, he never intimated any knowledge or consent on my part either express or implied; but expressly stated that I was opposed to their measures; and had refused to do them justice. And when it was further urged, that they ought to be in a hurry to commit the act, for fear I would get back from , and prevent it, the leader of the band said “damn the , if he attempts to interfere we will kill him also; and all the band said “amen.” [p. 27]