Sir,

At the last June term of the Circuit court for this Dist a Judgment was rendered in favour of the against Joseph Smith and upon a note given by them on the 1st of Sept 1840 for $4866.38 and interest. The Defts [defendants] in this Suit are Mormons, residing at in this , the defendant Joseph Smith is the prophet and leader of the Sect and unless the Judg[men]t can be collected of him and his brother it will be lost as the other defendants are all insolvent. Joseph Smith and are now both applicants for the Bankrupt Act and the day for their final discharge is on the first day of October next as you will perceive by their notices published on the last page of the “Sangamo Journal” of the 15th July 1842 which is inclosed It appears that the Mormons have had difficulty <​difficulties​> among their <​them​> leaders selves, and one of their principal Leaders is publishing a series of letters. In his third letter which is contained on the 2d page of the inclosed paper, he charges Joseph Smith with the most gross fraud in disposing of cloaking and secreting property to a large amount for the benefit of himself and family in order to obtain the benefit of the Bankrupt act. You will perceive in s Communication he describes the fraudulent conveyances and gives such specifications of fraud as can hardly admit of any doubt [p. [1]]