June 1844 LETTER to EDITOR
WARSAW SIGNAL, June 5, 1844
NS No. 17. Warsaw, Illinois, June 5, 1844. Whole 134.
STARTLING DISCLOSURES.
Carthage, June 1, 1844.
Mr. Editor: --
Having been a short time since a rather conspicuous character in this
community, on account of my connection with Joseph, I am anxious to
convey to the public through your columns, the motives that actuate my
conduct, and thus clear away false impressions which my former conduct
has tended to produce. In hopes that the following plain statement of
facts, which can be substantiated by unquestionable testimony will
produce this effect, I submit it for the information of your readers.
In the fall of 1842, I visited Nauvoo and although I have no knowledge of
having done any thing which should have aroused suspicion, I was informed
that I was regarded with distrust by his holiness and marked down
accordingly as a spy. A short time after this, I had proof that this
information was authentic; for incontestable evidence was given of the
hostile designs of Joe towards me.
One evening after dark, as I was riding in a wagon with a friend, we met
another wagon coming from an opposite direction. A voice from the latter
cried out as we passed, "Jackson is that you," I answered in the
affirmative. "I wish to see you," said the stranger. I got out of the
wagon, and walked to meet the individual who accosted me, who had also
left the wagon in which he road. The wagons passed on and we neared each
other, when suddenly the stranger fired a pistol -- the ball whizzed by
my head, and the assassin fled. I saw no more of him; but the effect of
this incident was to make me resolve to be avenged, if the cunning of man
could accomplish what I so much desired. I saw plainly from what I had
heard, that Joe Smith was the instigator of the villain who attempted to
take my life without provocation, and I thought to myself that it should
not be my fault, if he were not made to smart for his villainy.
Shortly after this I quit Nauvoo, and spent the winter in Carthage. In
the spring of 1843 I told Harmon T. Wilson, that I was determined to head
Joe and in order to do so that I would go to Nauvoo, insinuate myself
into his favor, win his affection and confidence, and that if he really
was a villain I would find it out, and at a proper season I would
disclose all to him, that as an officer of the law, he might have an
opportunity to bring the scamp to justice. Accordingly I returned to
Nauvoo I sought Joe's favor -- he protested he was a man of God: I told
him I knew his heart, that his religion was a humbug and I wanted to hear
none of it. I represented myself as an outlaw and fugitive from justice
-- ready to do whatever he commanded. For a long time, he persisted in
his professions of holiness, but finally seeing that I was not gullible
enough to believe his [sanctified] professions, and having succeeded in
making him believe that I was a proper tool for his uses, he gave in, and
acknowledged to me his proper character and principles. He admitted
himself an atheist, and the. Book of Mormon a humbug;- and that the
original was written by Lyman Spalding, whose heirs now have it in their
possession.
By degrees, I entwine, myself completely into his confidence. I seemed
ready to perform whatever I was commanded, and to the world kept up the
appearance that I was in reality what I seemed to be. I succeeded in my
object -- every plot, every plan, every secret movement of the villainous
system by which Joe deludes and strips his followers, was made known to
me; and before God I say, that a more detestable miscreant treads not the
earth. Steeped in blood and crime, guilty by his own admissions, of
almost every act of wickedness, that the machinations of hell can suggest
to mortal man, he stands before the Devil, but even as the rival of his
Satanic Majesty.
But the limits of this communication will not allow me to particularize;
suffice it to say, that Joe disclosed to me while in his confidence, that
he did send O. P. Rockwell to Missouri: to assassinate Gov. Boggs. He
stated too the particulars. I was sent on the mission to liberate him
after he had been taken. I know all the facts in relation to this affair,
and will soon disclose them to the world. After Rockwell had returned,
Joe offered me $3000; if I would do what Rockwell had failed to do, to
wit: take the life of Boggs. I consented; -- I visited Missouri, for the
purpose of keeping up appearances with him, and on my return excused
myself for not having done, what I would have shrunk with horror from
doing; by telling him that Boggs was not at home.
This alone brands Joe as an assassin but this is not all I know of his
murderous purposes. He attempted to hire myself and others, to take the
life of some of our most valuable citizens. I will not at present name
them; but I will say from what I know, that his enemies are not safe. He
has a ruffian band around him ready to execute whatever he commands and
who are only deterred by the fear of detection. The fact that Joe is
engaged in counterfeiting, also came to my knowledge while in his
confidence; besides this, a baser and more unscrupulous seducer lives not
-- I could name his victims, but regard for their feelings deter me.
The limits I have prescribed for this communication, compels me to desist
from further remarks at this time. I know that my life is sought by Joe;
but I also know, that should I be suddenly cut off, my death will be
attributed to the proper source, and amply revenged. I have said enough
already, to convince the world that while in Nauvoo my motive was not
that which was then attributed to me. -- The fact that I made known to H.
T. Wilson my object in going there will unfold the mystery of my conduct.
Yours Respectfully, J. H. JACKSON.