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Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 30 June 1842

Source Note

JS, Letter,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, to
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

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,
Arlington House

Long Island residence of James Arlington Bennet, who corresponded with JS, 1842–1843. Bennet purchased a hundred acres of land in New Utrecht, New York, in 1825 and there built the residence known as “Arlington House.” He deeded it to his son, James H. A....

More Info
, New Utrecht, Kings Co., NY, 30 June 1842; handwriting of
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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; one page; CHL. Includes address, endorsement, and notation.
Bifolium measuring 12¾ × 8 inches (32 × 20 cm). Each page is ruled with approximately thirty-seven lines (now faded). The letter is written on the recto of the first leaf; the verso of the first leaf and the recto of the second leaf are blank. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with red wax. A hole was torn on the outer edge of the second leaf, apparently from opening the letter. At some point, the hole was backed with paper to prevent further tearing. Some discoloration of the paper has occurred in the address block and on both pages. Sometime, probably in the early twentieth century, the verso of the second leaf was stamped with the notation “The American Agency, | Parkville, Brooklyn, N. Y.”
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
received the letter, and it was apparently passed down in his family. In the early twentieth century, the letter was in the possession of Henry D. Bennet, a grandson of James Arlington Bennet who was associated with the American Agency business.
1

“Fraud Order Issued against Bennett Co.,” Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle, 11 Dec. 1907, 18; Kings Co., NY, Letters of Administration, 1787–1923, vol. 15, p. 286, 28 Nov. 1865, microfilm 864,985; 1865 New York State Census, Gravesend, Kings Co., NY, 19, microfilm 1,930,211, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York City. 1849–1938.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

At some point thereafter, the letter was up for sale at auction, as evidenced by an auction catalog entry glued to the recto of the second leaf, containing the lot number (307) and a description of the letter. The recto of the first leaf also contains penciled notations, presumably from auction sale: “5000 | rdvd. | 49” and “37/50”. Charles W. Olsen, a physician and documents collector in
Chicago

Settled by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, 1779. U.S. Fort Dearborn established, 1804. Town organized, 10 Aug. 1832. Incorporated as city, May 1837. Population in 1837 about 4,200; in 1840 about 4,500; and in 1844 about 11,000. Twenty-six members of Church ...

More Info
, obtained the letter sometime in the early or mid-twentieth century, although it is not clear whether he purchased it at the auction.
2

“Doctor Soothes Patients with His Collection,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 17 May 1942, part 3, p. 5; “Doctor Prizes Copy of Paper Freeing Slaves,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 5 May 1946, part 3, p. 10. In 1961, Olsen donated another JS letter to the church, this one dated 21 March 1839 and addressed to Emma Smith. (Letter to Emma Smith, 21 Mar. 1839.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago. 1872–1963.

In 1962, Olsen gave the letter to Belle Spafford, general president of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spafford then gave it to David O. McKay, president of the church.
3

Belle S. Spafford, Salt Lake City, UT, to David O. McKay, Salt Lake City, UT, 19 Oct. 1962, photocopy, David O. McKay Correspondence, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

McKay, David O. Correspondence, 1962. Photocopy. CHL.

It has been in continuous institutional custody since that time.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Fraud Order Issued against Bennett Co.,” Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle, 11 Dec. 1907, 18; Kings Co., NY, Letters of Administration, 1787–1923, vol. 15, p. 286, 28 Nov. 1865, microfilm 864,985; 1865 New York State Census, Gravesend, Kings Co., NY, 19, microfilm 1,930,211, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York City. 1849–1938.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  2. [2]

    “Doctor Soothes Patients with His Collection,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 17 May 1942, part 3, p. 5; “Doctor Prizes Copy of Paper Freeing Slaves,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 5 May 1946, part 3, p. 10. In 1961, Olsen donated another JS letter to the church, this one dated 21 March 1839 and addressed to Emma Smith. (Letter to Emma Smith, 21 Mar. 1839.)

    Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago. 1872–1963.

  3. [3]

    Belle S. Spafford, Salt Lake City, UT, to David O. McKay, Salt Lake City, UT, 19 Oct. 1962, photocopy, David O. McKay Correspondence, CHL.

    McKay, David O. Correspondence, 1962. Photocopy. CHL.

Historical Introduction

On 30 June 1842, JS’s scribe
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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wrote a letter, dictated by JS, to
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
, a prominent educator and journalist in
Long Island

Island off mainland New York state; located on east coast of United States and separated from mainland by Long Island Sound and East River. One hundred twenty miles long and average of about ten miles wide. Settled 1636. Population in 1835 about 71,000. Branch...

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, New York. The letter introduced
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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, JS’s scribe and financial
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

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and one of the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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’s
Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

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, who was departing on a mission to the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
.
1

A notice in the 1 June 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons stated that the purpose of Richards’s mission was to obtain donations for the construction of the Nauvoo temple and to transact general business for the church. (“To the Eastern Churches,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, 3:814.)


It also informed Bennet about pronouncements JS had made against
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

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’s character and conduct in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois. JS did not provide the same extensive details as he did in other June letters sent to church members, the general public, and
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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governor
Thomas Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

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,
2

See Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; and Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842.


but he did tell Bennet that Richards would inform him of the steps JS had taken in dealing with the Bennett scandal.
Although
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
, who was not a church member, had never been to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
and had never met JS in person, he had already been extensively involved with the Saints. Under different pseudonyms, he had written complimentary letters about JS and the church that were published in the New York Herald.
3

See Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 16 Aug. 1842; and James Arlington Bennet [Cincinnatus, pseud.], “The Mormons,” New York Herald, 16 May 1842, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

In April 1842, Bennet was made an inspector general in the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

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and was given an honorary degree from the University of Nauvoo.
4

“Military Appointment” and “Honorary Degree,” Wasp, 30 Apr. 1842, [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
appears to have been instrumental in conveying such honors on Bennet, which may have been one reason why JS wanted
Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
to provide a personal update about the falling out between JS and Bennett.
5

For example, Bennet stated in a letter to the New York Herald that he received the Nauvoo Legion commission after being nominated by John C. Bennett. (James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, to James Gordon Bennett, 17 June 1842, in New York Herald, 21 June 1842, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

When
Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
departed
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
on 1 July 1842, he carried this letter with him. He delivered it to
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
when he visited him from 5 to 7 August. Bennet replied to the letter on 16 August 1842.
6

Richards, Journal, 1 July; 4 and 7 Aug. 1842; Letter from Willard Richards, 9 Aug. 1842; Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 16 Aug. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    A notice in the 1 June 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons stated that the purpose of Richards’s mission was to obtain donations for the construction of the Nauvoo temple and to transact general business for the church. (“To the Eastern Churches,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, 3:814.)

  2. [2]

    See Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; and Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842.

  3. [3]

    See Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 16 Aug. 1842; and James Arlington Bennet [Cincinnatus, pseud.], “The Mormons,” New York Herald, 16 May 1842, [2].

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  4. [4]

    “Military Appointment” and “Honorary Degree,” Wasp, 30 Apr. 1842, [3].

    The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

  5. [5]

    For example, Bennet stated in a letter to the New York Herald that he received the Nauvoo Legion commission after being nominated by John C. Bennett. (James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, to James Gordon Bennett, 17 June 1842, in New York Herald, 21 June 1842, [2].)

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  6. [6]

    Richards, Journal, 1 July; 4 and 7 Aug. 1842; Letter from Willard Richards, 9 Aug. 1842; Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 16 Aug. 1842.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 30 June 1842
ID #
1579
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:205–209
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