62                                   THE TRUE ORIGIN OF                                 





CHAPTER IV.

The Life of Solomon Spaulding -- Spaulding's Roman Story --The Fairchild-Rice-Smith Correspondence -- A Mormon Lie Nailed.

SPAULDING'S  ROMAN  STORY.

THE  FAIRCHILD -- RICE -- SMITH  CORRESPONDENCE.

A  MORMON  LIE  NAILED.

As the Book of Mormon, or Golden Bible (as it was originally called), has excited much attention, and is deemed by a certain new sect of equal authority with the Sacred Scriptures, I think it is a duty which I owe to the public, to state what I know touching its origin.

That its claims to a divine origin are wholly unfounded

needs no proof to a mind unperverted by the grossest delusions. That any sane person should rank it higher than any other merely human composition is a matter of the greatest astonishment; yet it is received as divine by some who dwell in enlightened New England, and even by those who have sustained the character of devoted Christians. Learning recently that Mormonism had found its way into a church in Massachusetts, and has impregnated some with its gross delusions, so that excommunication has been necessary, I am determined to delay no longer in doing what I can to strip the mask from this mother of sin, and to lay open this pit of abominations.

Rev. Solomon Spaulding, to whom I was united in marriage in early life, was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and was distinguished for a lively imagination, and a great fondness for history. At the time of our marriage he resided in Cherry Valley, New York. From this place we removed to New Salem, Ashtabula County, Ohio; sometimes called Conneaut, as it is situated upon Conneaut Creek. Shortly after our removal to this place, his health sunk, and he was laid aside from active labors. In the town of New Salem there are numerous mounds and forts supposed by many to be the dilapidated dwellings and fortifications of a race now extinct. These ancient relics arrest the attention of the new settlers, and become objects of research for the curious. Numerous implements were found, and other articles evincing great skill in the arts. Mr. Spaulding being an educated man, and passionately fond of history, took a lively interest in these developments of antiquity; and in order to beguile the hours of retirement and furnish employment for his lively imagination, he conceived the idea of giving an historical sketch of this long lost race. Their extreme antiquity led him to write in the most ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. His sole object in writing this imaginary history was to amuse himself and his neighbors. This was about the year 1812. Hull's surrender at Detroit occurred near the same time, and I recollect the date well from that circumstance. As he progressed in his narrative the neighbors would come in from time to time to hear portions read, and a great interest in the work was excited among them. It claimed to have been written by one of the lost nation, and to have been recovered

from the earth, and assumed the title of "Manuscript Found." The neighbors would often inquire how Mr. Spaulding progressed in deciphering the manuscript, and when he had sufficient portion prepared, he would inform them, and they would assemble to hear it read. He was enabled, from his acquaintance with the classics and ancient history, to introduce many singular names, which were particularly noticed by the people, and could be easily recognized by them. Mr. Solomon Spaulding had a brother, Mr. John Spaulding, residing in the place at the time, who was perfectly familiar with the work, and repeatedly heard the whole of it read. From New Salem we removed to Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania. Here Mr. Spaulding found a friend and acquaintance in the person of Mr. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, who was very much pleased with it, and borrowed it for perusal. He retained it for a long time, and informed Mr. Spaulding that if he would make out a title page and preface, he would publish it, and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. Spaulding refused to do. Sidney Rigdon, who has figured so largely in the history of the Mormons, was at that time connected with the printing office of Mr. Patterson, as is well known in that region, and as Rigdon himself has frequently stated, became acquainted with Mr. Spaulding's manuscript, and copied it. It was a matter of notoriety and interest to all connected with the printing establishment. At length the manuscript was returned to its author, and soon after we removed to Amity, Washington county, etc., where Mr. Spaulding deceased in 1816. The manuscript then fell into my hands, and was carefully preserved. It has frequently been examined by my daughter, Mrs. M'Kenstry, of Monson, Mass., with whom I now reside, and by other friends.

After the Book of Mormon came out, a copy of it was taken to New Salem, the place of Mr. Spaulding's former residence, and the very place where the "Manuscript Found" was written. A woman ¹ preacher appointed a meeting there; and in

the meeting read and repeated copious extracts from the Book of Mormon. The historical part was immediately recognized by all the older inhabitants, as the identical work of Mr. Spaulding, in which they had all been so deeply interested years before. Mr. John Spaulding was present and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. He was amazed and afflicted, that it should have been perverted to so wicked a purpose. His grief found vent in [a flood] of tears, and he arose on the spot, and expressed to the meeting his sorrow and regret that the writings of his deceased brother should be used for a purpose so vile and shocking. The excitement in New Salem became so great that the inhabitants had a meeting and deputed Dr. Philastus Hurlbut, one of their number, to repair to this place and to obtain from me the original manuscript of Mr. Spaulding, for the purpose of comparing it with the Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own minds, and to prevent their friends from embracing an error so delusive. This was in the year 1834. Dr. Hurlbut brought with him an introduction and request for the manuscript, which was signed by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright, and others, with all of whom I was acquainted, as they were my neighbors when I resided at New Salem. I am sure that nothing would grieve my husband more, were he living, than the use which has been made of his work. The air of antiquity which was thrown about the composition, doubtless suggested the idea of converting it to the purposes of delusion. Thus an historical romance, with the addition of a few pious expressions and extracts from the sacred Scriptures, has been construed into a new Bible, and palmed off upon a company of poor deluded fanatics, as Divine. I have given the previous brief narration that this work of deep deception and wickedness may be searched to the foundation, and the authors exposed to the contempt and execration they so justly deserve.

(Signed)  MATILDA DAVISON.      

A  CUNNING  DEVICE  DETECTED.

It will be recollected that a few months since an article appeared in several of the papers, purporting to give an account of the origin of the Book of Mormon. How far the writer of that piece has effected his purposes, or what his purposes were in pursuing the course he has, I shall not attempt to say at this time, but shall call upon every candid man to judge in this matter for himself, and shall content myself by presenting before the public the other side of the question in the form of a letter, as follows:

Copy of a letter written by Mr. John Haven, of Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, to his daughter, Elizabeth Haven, of Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois.

"Your brother Jesse passed through Monson, where he saw Mrs. Davison and her daughter, Mrs. McKinstry, and also Dr. Ely, and spent several hours with them, during which time he asked them the following questions, viz.:

"Question -- Did you, Mrs. Davison, write a letter to John Storrs, giving an account of the, origin of, the Book of Mormon?'
"Answer -- I did not.

"Q. -- Did you sign your name to it?
"A. -- I did not, neither did I ever see the letter until I saw it in the Boston Recorder, the letter was never brought to me to sign.

"Q. -- What agency had you in having this letter sent to Mr. Storrs?
"A. -- D. R. Austin came to my house and asked me some questions, took some minutes on paper, and from these minutes wrote that letter.

"Q. --.Have you read the Book of Mormon?
"A. -- I have read some of it.

"Q. -- Does Mr. Spaulding's manuscript and the Book of Mormon agree?
"A. -- I think some few of the names are alike.

"Q. -- Does the manuscript, describe an idolatrous or a religious people?
"A. -- An idolatrous people.

"Q. -- Where is the manuscript?'
"A. -- D. P. Hurlburt came here and took it, said he would get it printed and let me have one half of the profits.

"Q. -- Has D. P. Hurlburt got the manuscript printed?
"A. -- I received a letter stating that it did not read as he expected, and he should not print it.

"Q. -- How large is Mr. Spaulding's manuscript?
"A. -- About one-third as large as the Book of Mormon.

"Q. -- To Mrs. McKinstry: How old were you when your father wrote the manuscript?
"A. -- About five years of age.

"Q. -- Did you ever read the manuscript?
"A. -- When I was about twelve years old I used to read it for diversion.

"Q. -- Did the manuscript describe an idolatrous or a religious people?
"A. -- An idolatrous people.

"Q. -- Does the manuscript and the Book of Mormon agree?
"A. -- I think some of the names agree.

"Q. -- Are you certain that some of the names agree?
"A. -- I am not.

"Q. -- Have you read any in the Book of Mormon?
"A. -- I have not.

"Q. -- Was your name attached to that letter, which was sent to Mr. John Storrs, by your order?
"A. -- No, I never meant that my name should be there.

"You see by the above questions and answers, that Mr. Austin, in his great zeal to destroy the Latter-day Saints, has asked Mrs. Davison a few questions, then wrote a letter to Mr. Storrs in his own language. I do not say that the above questions and answers were given in the form that I have written them, but these questions were asked, and these answers given. Mrs. Davison is about seventy years of age, and somewhat broken."

This may certify that I am personally acquainted with Mr. Haven, his son and daughter, and am satisfied they are persons of truth. I have also read Mr. Haven's letter to his daughter which has induced me to copy it for publication, and I further say, the above is a correct copy of Mr. Haven's letter.
                      A. BADLAM. ¹

On page 22 of the "Myth of the Manuscript Found" this interview appears with the statement that the Boston Recorder article was in the main true, carefully omitted.

Afterward he (Spaulding) read the manuscript which I had seen him writing, to the neighbors and to a clergyman, a friend of his, who came to see him. Some of the names that he mentioned, while reading to these people, I have never forgotten. They are as fresh to me today as though I heard them yesterday. They were Mormon, Moroni, Lamenite, Nephi.

them was a thousand years old. He set some of his men to work digging into one of these mounds, and I vividly remember how excited he became when he heard that they had exhumed some human bones, portions of gigantic skeletons, and various relics. He talked with my mother of these discoveries in the mound, and was writing every day as the work progressed. Afterward he read the manuscript which I had seen him writing, to the neighbors and to a clergyman, a friend of his, who came to see him. Some of the names that he mentioned while reading to these people I have never forgotten. They are as fresh to me today as though I heard them yesterday. They were Mormon, Maroni, Lamenite, Nephi.

We removed from Conneaut to Pittsburg while I was still very young, but every circumstance of this removal is distinct in my memory. In that city my father had an intimate friend named Patterson, and I frequently visited Mr. Patterson's library with him, and heard my father talk about books with him. In 1816 my father died at Amity, Pennsylvania, and directly after his death my mother and myself went to visit at the residence of my mother's brother William H. Sabine, at Onondaga Valley, Onondaga County, New York. Mr. Sabine was a lawyer of distinction and wealth, and greatly respected. We carried all our personal effects with us, and one of these was an old trunk, in which my mother had placed all my father's writings which had been preserved. I perfectly remember the appearance of this trunk, and of looking at its contents. There were sermons and other papers, and I saw a manuscript, about an inch thick, closely written, tied with some of the stories my father had written for me, one of which he called, "The Frogs of Wyndham." On the outside of this wrapper were written the words, "Manuscript Found." I did not read it, but looked through it and had it in my hands many times, and saw the names I had heard at Conneaut, when my father read it to his friends. I was about eleven years of age at this time.

After we had been at my uncle's for some time, my mother left me there and went to her father's house at Pomfret, Connecticut, but did not take her furniture nor the old trunk of manuscripts with her. In 1820 she married Mr. Davison, of Hartwicks, a village near Cooperstown, New York, and sent for the things she had left at Onondaga Valley, and I remember that

the old trunk, with its contents, reached her in safety. In 1828, I was married to Dr. A. McKinstry of Hampden County, Massachusetts, and went there to reside. Very soon after my mother joined me there, and was with me most of the time until her death in 1844. We heard, not long after she came to live with me -- I do not remember just how long -- something of Mormonism, and the report that it had been taken from my father's "Manuscript Found;" and then came to us direct an account of the Mormon meeting at Conneaut, Ohio, and that, on one occasion, when the Mormon Bible was read there in public, my father's brother, John Spaulding, Mr. Lake and many other persons who were present, at once recognized its similarity to the "Manuscript Found," which they had heard read years before by my father in the same town. There was a great deal of talk and a great deal published at this time about Mormonism all over the country. I believe it was in 1834 that a man named Hurlburt came to my house at Monson to see my mother, who told us that he had been sent by a committee to procure the "Manuscript Found" written by the Reverend Solomon Spaulding, so as to compare it with the Mormon Bible. He presented a letter to my mother from my uncle, William H. Sabine, of Onondaga Valley, in which he requested her to loan this manuscript to Hurlburt, as he (my uncle) was desirous "to uproot (as he expressed it) this Mormon fraud." Hurlburt represented that he had been a convert to Mormonism, but had given it up, and through the "Manuscript Found," wished to expose its wickedness. My mother was careful to have me with her in all the conversations she had with Hurlburt, who spent a day at my house. She did not like his appearance and mistrusted his motives, but having great respect for her brother's wishes and opinions, she reluctantly consented to his request. The old trunk, containing the desired "Manuscript Found," she had placed in the care of Mr. Jerome Clark of Hartwicks, when she came to Monson, intending to send for it. On the repeated promise of Hurlburt to return the manuscript to us, she gave him a letter to Mr. Clark to open the trunk and deliver it to him. We afterwards heard that he had received it from Mr. Clark, at Hartwicks, but from that time we have never had it in our possession, and I have no present knowledge of its existence, Hurlburt never returning it or answering letters requesting

him to do so. Two years ago, I heard he was still living in Ohio, and with my consent he was asked for the "Manuscript Found." He made no response although we have evidence that he received the letter containing the request. So far I have stated facts within my own knowledge. My mother mentioned many other circumstances to me in connection with this subject which are interesting, of my father's literary tastes, his fine education and peculiar temperament. She stated to me that she had heard the manuscript alluded to read by my father, was familiar with its contents, and she deeply regretted that her husband, as she believed, had innocently been the means of furnishing matter for a religious delusion. She said that my father loaned this "Manuscript Found" to Mr. Patterson, of Pittsburgh, and that when he returned it to my father, he said: "Polish it up, finish it, and you will make money out of it." My mother confirmed my remembrances of my father's fondness for history, and told me of his frequent conversations regarding a theory which he had of a prehistoric race which had inhabited this continent, etc., all showing that his mind dwelt on this subject. The "Manuscript Found," she said, was a romance written in Biblical style, and that while she heard it read, she had no special admiration for it more than other romances he wrote and read to her. We never, either of us, ever saw, or in any way communicated with the Mormons, save Hurlburt as above described; and while we have no personal knowledge that the Mormon Bible was taken from the "Manuscript Found," there were many evidences to us that it was, and that Hurlburt and the others at the time thought so. A convincing proof to us of this belief was that my uncle, William H. Sabine, had undoubtedly read the manuscript while it was in his house, and his faith that its production would show to the world that the Mormon Bible had been taken from it, or was the same with slight alterations. I have frequently answered questions which have been asked by different persons regarding the "Manuscript Found," but until now have never made a statement at length for publication.           (Signed)  M. S. MCKINSTRY.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 3rd day of April, A.D. 1880, at the city of Washington, D. C.
                      Charles Walter, Notary Public. ¹

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  JOHN  SPAULDING,

Solomon Spaulding was born in Ashford, Conn. in 1761, and in early life contracted a taste for literary pursuits. After he left school, he entered Plainfield Academy, where he made great proficiency in study, and excelled most of his classmates.

He next commenced the study of law, in Windham county, in which he made little progress, having in the meantime turned his attention to religious subjects. He soon after entered Dartmouth College, with the intention of qualifying himself for the ministry, where he obtained the degree of A.M. and was afterwards regularly ordained. After preaching three or four years, he gave it up, removed to Cherry Valley, N. Y., and commenced the mercantile business in company with his brother Josiah. In a few years he failed in business, and in the year 1809 removed to Conneaut, in Ohio. The year following, I removed to Ohio, and found him engaged in building a forge. I made him a visit in about three years after; and found that he had failed, and was considerably involved in debt. He then told me had he been writing a book, which he intended to have printed, the avails of which he thought would enable him to pay all his debts. The book was entitled the "Manuscript Found," of which he read to me many passages. It was an historical romance of the first settlers of America, endeavoring to show that the American Indians are the descendants of the Jews, or the lost tribes. It gave a detailed account of their journey from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till they arrived in America, under the command of Nephi and Lehi. They afterwards had quarrels and contentions, and separated into two distinct nations, one of which he denominated Nephites and the other Lamanites. Cruel and bloody wars ensued, in which great multitudes were slain. They buried their dead in large heaps, which caused the mounds so common in this country. Their arts, sciences and civilization were brought into view, in order to account for all the curious antiquities found in various parts of North and South America. I have recently read the Book of Mormon, and to my great surprise I find it nearly the same historical matter, names, &c. as they were in my brother's writings. I well remember that he wrote in the old style, and commenced about every sentence with "And it came to pass," or "Now it came to pass," the same as in the Book of Mormon, and according to the best of my recollection and belief, it is the same as my brother Solomon wrote, with the exception of the religious matter. By what means it has fallen into the hands of Joseph Smith, Jr. I am unable to determine.
                        JOHN SPALDING.

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARTHA  SPAULDING,

I was personally acquainted with Solomon Spaulding, about twenty years ago. I was at his house a short time before he left Conneaut; he was then writing a historical novel founded upon the first settlers of America. He represented them as an enlightened and warlike people. He had for many years contended that the aborigines of America were the descendants of some of the lost tribes of Israel, and this idea he carried out in the book in question. The lapse of time which has intervened, prevents my recollecting but few of the leading incidents of his writings; but the names of Nephi and Lehi are yet fresh in my memory, as being the principal heroes of his tale. They were officers of the company which first came off from Jerusalem. He gave a particular account of their journey by land and sea, till they arrived in America, after which, disputes arose between the chiefs, which caused them to separate into different bands, one of which was called Lamanites and the other Nephites. Between these were recounted tremendous battles, which frequently covered the ground with the slain; and their being buried in large heaps was the cause of the numerous mounds in the country. Some of these people he represented as being very large. I have read the Book of Mormon, which has brought fresh to my recollection the writings of Solomon Spaulding; and I have no manner of doubt that the historical part of it is the same that I read and heard read more than twenty years ago. The old, obsolete style, and the phrases of "and it came to pass," &c. are the same.       MARTHA SPALDING.

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  HENRY  LAKE.

                         Conneaut, Ashtabula Co. Ohio, Sept., 1833.
I left the state of New York, late in the year 1810, and arrived at this place, about the first of January following. Soon after my arrival, I formed a copartnership with Solomon Spaulding, for the purpose of rebuilding a forge which he had commenced a year or two before. He very frequently read to me from a manuscript which he was writing, which he entitled the "Manuscript Found," and which he represented as being found in this town. I spent many hours in hearing him read said writings, and became well acquainted with its contents. He

wished me to assist him in getting his production printed, alleging that a book of that kind would meet with a rapid sale. I designed doing so, but the forge not meeting our anticipations, we failed in business, when I declined having anything to do with the publication of the book. This book represented the American Indians as the descendants of the lost tribes, gave an account of their leaving Jerusalem, their contentions and wars, which were many and great. One time, when he was reading to me the tragic account of Laban, I pointed out to him what I considered an inconsistency, which he promised to correct; but by referring to the Book of Mormon, I find to my surprise that it stands there just as he read it to me then. Some months ago I borrowed the Golden Bible, put it into my pocket, carried it home, and thought no more of it. About a week after, my wife found the book in my coat pocket, as it hung up, and commenced reading it aloud as I lay upon the bed. She had not read twenty minutes till I was astonished to find the same passages in it that Spaulding had read to me more, than twenty years before, from his "Manuscript Found." Since that, I have more fully examined the said Golden Bible, and have no hesitation in saying that the historical part of it is principally, if not wholly taken from the "Manuscript Found." I well recollect telling Mr. Spaulding, that the so frequent use of the words "And it came to pass," "Now it came to pass," rendered it ridiculous. Spaulding left here in 1812, and I furnished him the means to carry him to Pittsburgh, where he said he would get the book printed, and pay me. But I never heard any more from him or his writings, till I saw them in the Book of Mormon.
                        HENRY LAKE.

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  JOHN  N.  MILLER

                        Springfield, Pa. September, 1833.
In the year 1811, I was in the employ of Henry Lake and Solomon Spaulding, at Conneaut, engaged in rebuilding a forge. While there, I boarded and lodged in the family of said Spaulding for several months. I was soon introduced to the manuscripts of Spaulding, and perused them as often as I had leisure. He had written two or three books or pamphlets on different subjects; but that which more particularly drew my attention was one which he called the "Manuscript Found." From this

he would frequently read some humorous passages to the company present. It purported to be the history of the first settlement of America, before discovered by Columbus. He brought them off from Jerusalem, under their leaders; detailing their travels by land and water, their manners, customs, laws, wars, &c. He said that he designed it as a historical novel, and that in after years it would be believed by many people as much as the history of England. He soon after failed in business, and told me he should retire from the din of his creditors, finish his book and have it published, which would enable him to pay his debts and support his family. He soon after removed to Pittsburgh, as I understood.

I have recently examined the Book of Mormon, and find in it the writings of Solomon Spaulding, from beginning to end, but mixed up with Scripture and other religious matter, which I did not meet with in the "Manuscript Found." Many of the passages in the Mormon Book are verbatim from Spaulding, and others in part. The names of Nephi, Lehi, Moroni, and in fact all the principal names, are brought fresh to my recollection, by the Gold Bible. When Spaulding divested his history of its fabulous names, by a verbal explanation, he landed his people near the Straits of Darien, which I am very confident he called Zarahemla, they were marched about that country for a length of time, in which wars and great blood shed ensued, he brought them across North America in a north east direction.
                               JOHN N. MILLER.    

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  AARON  WRIGHT.

                               Conneaut, August, 1833.
I first became acquainted with Solomon Spaulding in 1808 or '9, when he commenced building a forge on Conneaut creek. When at his house, one day, he showed and read to me a history he was writing, of the lost tribes of Israel, purporting that they were the first settlers of America, and that the Indians were their descendants. Upon this subject we had frequent conversations. He traced their journey from Jerusalem to America, as it is given in the Book of Mormon, excepting the religious matter. The historical part of the Book of Mormon, I know to be the same as I read and heard read from the writings of Spaulding, more than twenty years ago; the names more especially

are the same without any alteration. He told me his object was to account for all the fortifications, &c. to be found in this country, and said that in time it would be fully believed by all, except learned men and historians. I once anticipated reading his writings in print, but little expected to see them in a new Bible. Spaulding had many other manuscripts, which I expect to see when Smith translates his other plate. In conclusion, I will observe, that the names of, and most of the historical part of the Book of Mormon, were as familiar to me before I read it, as most modern history. If it is not Spaulding's writing, it is the same as he wrote; and if Smith was inspired, I think it was by the same spirit that Spaulding was, which he confessed to be the love of money.       AARON WRIGHT.    

TESTIMONY  OF  OLIVER  SMITH.

                    Conneaut, August, 1833.
When Solomon Spaulding first came to this place, he purchased a tract of land, surveyed it out and commenced telling it. While engaged in this business, he boarded at my house, in all nearly six months. All his leisure hours were occupied in writing a historical novel, founded upon the first settlers of this country. He said he intended to trace their journey from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till their arrival in America, give an account of their arts, sciences, civilization, wars and contentions. In this way, he would give a satisfactory account of all of the old mounds, so common to this country. During the time he was at my house, I read and heard read one hundred pages or more. Nephi and Lehi were by him represented as leading characters, when they first started for America. Their main object was to escape the judgments which they supposed were coming upon the old world. But no religious matter was introduced, as I now recollect. Just before he left this place, Spaulding sent for me to call on him, which I did. He then said, that although he was in my debt, he intended to leave the country, and hoped I would not prevent him, for, says he, you know I have been writing the history of the first settlement of America, and I intend to go to Pittsburgh, and there live a retired life, till I have completed the work, and when it is printed, it will bring me a fine sum of money, which will enable me to return and pay off all my debts. The book, you know,

will sell, as every one is anxious to learn something upon that subject. This was the last I heard of Spaulding or his book, until the Book of Mormon came into the neighborhood. When I heard the historical part of it related, I at once said it was the writings of old Solomon Spaulding. Soon after, I obtained the book, and on reading it, found much of it the same as Spaulding had written, more than twenty years before.
                          OLIVER SMITH.

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  NAHUM  HOWARD.

                           Conneaut, August, 1833.
I first became acquainted with Solomon Spalding, in December, 1810. After that time I frequently saw him at his house, and also at my house. I once in conversation with him expressed a surprise at not having any account of the inhabitants once in this country, who erected the old forts, mounds, &c. He then told me that he was writing a history of that race of people; and afterwards frequently showed me his writings, which I read. I have lately read the Book of Mormon, and believe it to be the same as Spaulding wrote, except the religious part. He told me that he intended to get his writings published in Pittsburgh, and he thought that in one century from that time, it would be believed as much as any other history.
                         NAHUM HOWARD.

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  ARTEMAS  CUNNINGHAM.

In the month of October, 1811, I went from the township of Madison to Conneaut, for the purpose of securing a debt due me from Solomon Spaulding. I tarried with him nearly two days, for the purpose of accomplishing my object, which I was finally unable to do. I found him destitute of the means of paying his debts. His only hope of ever paying his debts, appeared to be upon the sale of a book which he had been writing. He endeavored to convince me from the nature and character of the work, that it would meet with a ready sale. Before showing me his manuscripts, he went into a verbal relation of its outlines, saying that it was a fabulous or romantic history of the first settlement of this country, and as it purported to have been a record found buried in the earth, or in a cave, he had adopted the ancient or Scripture style of writing. He then presented his

manuscripts, when we sat down and spent a good share of the night, in reading them, and conversing upon them. I well remember the name of Nephi, which appeared to be the principal hero of the story. The frequent repetition of the phrase, "I Nephi," I recollect as distinctly as though it was but yesterday, although the general features of the story have passed from my memory, through the lapse of twenty-two years. He attempted to account for the numerous antiquities which are found upon this continent, and remarked that, after this generation had passed away, his account of the first inhabitants of America would be considered as authentic as any other history. The Mormon Bible I have partially examined, and am fully of the opinion that Solomon Spaulding had written its outlines before he left Conneaut.

                             TEN MILE, Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 20, 1882.
DEAR SIR: -- In answer to yours, I would state that I was familiar with Solomon Spaulding. I worked in Amity, where he lived, and as the fashion was at that day, we all assembled at his house in the evenings (as he kept tavern), and he frequently would read from his manuscript. The work was very odd. The words "Moreover," "And it came to pass," occurred so often that the boys about the village called him "Old Came to Pass." He told me he lived in Ohio when he wrote his manuscript. He said he lost his health, and he commenced writing a history of the mounds near where he lived, or of the people who built them. He afterwards removed to Pittsburgh, and kept a little store to support his family, and while there he took his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, then engaged in a publishing house. Mr. Patterson told him if he would write a title page he would publish it. He left the copy and moved to Amity. He afterwards went back to have his MS. published, but it could not be found. He said there was a man named Sidney Rigdon about the office, and they thought he had stolen it. The passage you

refer to, on page 148, as Cooper has it, in his reference to being marked with red in their foreheads.

"Nephites," I recollect distinctly, as occurring very often; as to "Lamanites" it is not so distinct, -- and a great many other names that were very odd.

The MS that I saw, would not, I think, make as large a book as the Book of Mormon.

Spaulding was a very poor man; during his stay at Amity, I was very familiar with him, bailed him for money at least twice; and by request of Spaulding, assisted his wife in settling up his little business -- made his coffin and helped lay him in his grave.       JOSEPH MILLER.

Mr. Spaulding seemed to take delight in reading from his manuscript written on foolscap. I heard him read most, if not all of it; and had frequent conversations with him about it. Some time ago I heard most of the Book of Mormon read. On hearing read the account of the battle between the Amlicites and the Nephites (Book of Alma, chapter II.), in which the soldiers one army had placed a red mark on their foreheads, to distinguish them from their enemies, it seemed to reproduce in my mind not only the narrative, but the very words, as they had been impressed on my mind by reading Spaulding's manuscript. ¹

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  RUDDICK  M'KEE

In the fall of 1814, I arrived in the village of "Good Will" and, for eighteen or twenty months sold goods in the store previously occupied by Mr. Thos. Brice. It was on the Main street, a few rods west of Spalding's Tavern where I was a boarder. With both Mr. Solomon Spaulding and his wife, I was quite intimately

acquainted. I recollect, quite well, Mr. Spaulding spending much time in writing (on sheets of paper torn out of an old book), what purported to be a veritable history of the nations or tribes who inhabited Canaan. He called it "Lost History Found," "Lost Manuscript," or some such name: not disguising that it was wholly a work of the imagination, written to amuse himself, and without any immediate view to publication. I was struck with the minuteness of his details and the apparent truthfulness and sincerity of the author. I have an indistinct recollection of the passages referred to by Mr. Miller, about the Amalekites making a cross with red paint on their foreheads, to distinguish them from their enemies in the confusion of battle. ¹

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  ABNER  JACKSON.

It is a fact well established that the book called the Book of Mormon, had its origin from a romance that was written by Solomon Spaulding, in Conneaut, a small village in Ashtabula County, Ohio, about AD 1812. Spaulding was a highly educated man about six feet high, of rather slender build, with a dark complexion, black eyes, black hair, rather slow of speech, never trifling, pleasant in conversation, but seldom laughing aloud. His deportment was grave and dignified in society, and he was much respected by those of his acquaintance. He was a clergyman of the Presbyterian order, and for a time a settled pastor in the city of New York. So said his brother John Spaulding and others in the neighborhood, who heard him preach. It was said that failing health caused him to resign the pastorate. He then came to Richfield, Otsego County, New York, and started a store, near where my father lived, about the beginning of the present century.

Spaulding contracted for large tracts of land along the shore of Lake Erie, on each side of the state line, in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. My father exchanged with him the farm on which he lived in Otsego County, New York, for land in Erie County, Pa. where the town of Albion now stands, and moved on it A.D. 1805. It was then a dense forest. Shortly after my father moved, Spaulding sold his store in Richfield, and moved to Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and built a forge on Conneaut Creek, two miles from Conneaut Harbor and two miles from the State line. In building this he failed, sold out, and about the beginning of the year 1812, commenced to write his famous romance called by him the Manuscript Found.

This romance, Mr. Spaulding brought with him on a visit to my father, a short time before he moved from Conneaut to Pittsburgh. At that time I was confined to the house with a lame knee, and so I was in company with them and heard the conversation that passed between them. Spaulding read much of his manuscript to my father, and in conversation with him, explained his views of the old fortifications in this country, and told his romance. A note in Morse's Geography suggested it as a possibility that our Indians were descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. Said Morse, they might have wandered through Asia up to Behring's Strait, and across the strait to this continent. Besides there were habits and ceremonies among them that resembled some habits and ceremonies among the Israelites of that day. Then the old fortifications and earth mounds, containing so many kinds of relics and human bones, and some of them so large, altogether convinced him that they were a larger race and more enlightened and civilized than are found among the Indians among us at this day. These facts and reflections prompted him to write his Romance, purporting to be a history of the lost tribes of Israel.

He begins with their departure from Palestine or Judea, then up through Asia, ¹ points out their exposures, hardships, and sufferings, also their craft for passing over the straits. Then after their

landing he gave an account of their divisions and subdivisions under different leaders, but two parties controlled the balance. One of them was called the righteous, worshipers and servants of God. These organized with prophets, priests, and teachers, for the education of their children, and settled down to cultivate the soil, and to a life of civilization. The others were idolaters. They contended for a life of idleness; in short, a wild, wicked, savage life.

They soon quarreled, and then commenced war anew, and continued to fight, except at very short intervals. Sometimes one party was successful and sometimes the other, until finally a terrible battle was fought, which was conclusive. All the righteous were slain, except one, and he was Chief Prophet and Recorder. He was notified of the defeat in time by Divine authority; told where, when and how to conceal the record, and He would take care that it should be preserved, and brought to light again at the proper time, for the benefit of mankind. So the Recorder professed to do, and then submitted to his fate. I do not remember what that fate was. He was left alone of his party. I do not remember that anything more was said of him.

Spaulding's romance professed to find the Record where the Recorder concealed it, in one of those mounds, one of which was but a few rods from Spaulding's residence. Soon after this visit, Spaulding moved to Pittsburgh, and took his manuscript to the Pittsburgh Gazette office, intending to have it printed, but in this he failed. My brother, J. J. Jackson, was a recruiting officer in the U. S. Army, and stationed at Pittsburgh at that time. Being well acquainted with Spaulding and his lady he soon found them, and in his letters home would inform us how they were getting along. This last account he gave us of them was that he was selling pictures and she was sewing up clothing for the soldiers. The next we heard of them was by report. Spaulding moved to Amity, Washington County, Pa., and soon after died and was buried there. His wife and daughter went to her brother, Lawyer Sabine, Onondaga Valley, Onondaga, Co., N. Y. When I was returning from Clarksburg, W.Va., to my home in New Brighten, Beaver Co., Pa., A.D. 1840, I passed through Amity, hunted the grave of Spaulding and copied from the headstone the following inscription:

"IN  MEMORY  OF

Solomon Spaulding, who departed this life Oct. 20th, A.D., 1816. Aged 55 years.

"Kind cherubs guard the sleeping clay, Until the great decision day, And saints complete in glory rise, To share the triumph of the skies."
Spaulding frequently read his manuscript to the neighbors and amused them as he progressed with his work. He wrote it in Bible style, "And it came to pass" occurred so often that some called him "Old Come to Pass."

So much for Spaulding's romance; now for the Book of Mormon.

The first account of the Book of Mormon that I saw, was a notice in my father's newspaper, stating that Joseph Smith, Jr., professed having dreamed that an angel had appeared to him and told him to go and search in a place he named in Palmyra, N. Y., and he would find a gold-leaf Bible. Smith was incredulous and did not go until the second or third time he dreamed the same dream. Then he said he went and, to his surprise, he found the golden Bible, according to his dreams. But it was written in a language so ancient that none could be found able either to read it or tell in what language it was written. Some time after another statement appeared, that an angel had consented to read and interpret it to Joseph Smith, and he should report it to a third person, who should write it in plain English, so that all might read the new Bible and understand its import. Some time after, in 1830, the book was published at Palmyra, N. Y., called a New Revelation; the Book of Mormon. This purports to be a history of the lost tribes of the Children of Israel. It begins with them just where the romance did, and it follows the romance very closely. It is true there are some verbal alterations and additions, enlarging the production somewhat, without changing its main features. The Book of Mormon follows the romance too closely to be a stranger. In both, many having the same name; as Maroni, Mormon, Nephites, Moroni, Lama, Nephe, and others.

Here then we are presented with romance second, called the Book of Mormon, telling the same story of the same people, traveling from the same plain, in the same way, having the same

difficulties and destination, with the same wars, same battles, and same results, with thousands upon thousands slain. Then see the Mormon account of the last battle at Cumorah, where all the righteous were slain. They were called the Nephites, the others were called Lamanites (see Moroni's account of the closing scene) "and now it came to pass that a great battle was fought at Cumorah. The Lamanites slew all the Nephites" (except Moroni), and he said I will write and hide up the Record in the earth, and whither I go it mattereth not." -- Book of Mormon page 344, third American edition. ¹ How much this resembles the closing scene in the Manuscript Found. The most singular part of the whole matter is that it follows the romance so closely, with this difference: the first claims to be a romance; the second claims to be a revelation of God, a new Bible! When it was brought to Conneaut and read there in public, old Esq. Wright heard it, and exclaimed, "Old come to Pass has come to life again." Here was the place where Spaulding wrote and read his manuscript to the neighbors for their amusement and 'Squire Wright had often heard him read from his Romance. This was in 1832, sixteen years after Spaulding's death. This 'Squire Wright lived on a farm just outside of the little village. I was acquainted with him for twenty-five years. I lived on his farm when I was a boy and attended school in the village. I am particular to notice these things to show that I had an opportunity of knowing what I am writing about.

After I commenced writing this article, I heard that an article in Scribner's Monthly, for August, 1880, on the Book of Mormon, contained a note and affidavit of Mrs. Matilda S. McKinstry, Solomon Spaulding's only child, stating that she remembered her father's romance. I sent at once for the Monthly, and on the 613, 614, 615 and 616 pages, found the article and her testimony. Her statement from the commencement, until they moved to Pittsburgh, in all essential particulars I know to be true. She relates those acts as they occurred to my own personal knowledge, though she was then a little girl. She is now about seventy-five years of age.

I stated before that I knew nothing of Spaulding after he moved to Pittsburgh, except by letters and newspapers. He soon moved to Amity, Washington County, Pa., and shortly

after this he died and his wife went to her brother's. His daughter's account of the deceitful method by which Hurlburt gained possession of and retained Spaulding's manuscript, is, I think, important and should not be lost sight of. She was no child then. I think she has done her part well in the vindication of the truth by her unvarnished statement of what she remembered of her father's romance. I have not seen her since she was a little girl, but I have seen both of these productions, heard Spaulding read much of his romance to my father and explain his views and reasons for writing it. I also have seen and read the Book of Mormon, and it follows Spaulding's romance too closely to be anything else than a borrowed production from that romance. I think that, Mrs. McKinstry's statement fills a gap in my account from Spalding's removal to Pittsburgh, to the death of his wife in 1844. I wish, if my statement is published that hers also be published with it, that the truth may be vindicated by the truth beyond any reasonable doubt.
                      (Signed)   ABNER JACKSON.
Canton, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1880.

THE  MORMON  ADMISSIONS  OF  GENUINENESS.

In the fall of 1833, a number of affidavits were taken from the former neighbors and friends of Solomon Spaulding, and one was given by his brother, John Spaulding, and one by the latter's wife, Martha Spaulding. They at the time were residing in Crawford, Pennsylvania, and both testified that they had "recently read the Book of Mormon," and recognized in it the general outlines of Solomon Spaulding's story, claimed especially

to remember the names "Nephi and Lehi;" the words "Nephites and Lamanites;" as also the ancient scriptural style and the frequent use of the phrase "and it came to pass;" and that the American Indians are descendants of the Jews, or "lost tribes Of Israel."

Mr. Henry Lake, an associate in business with Mr. Spaulding, living at Conneaut in the fall of 1833, in connection with others that will be named, living in the same neighborhood, testified that Solomon Spaulding read to him from the "Manuscript Found;" that it represented the American Indians as the descendants of the "lost tribes" of Israel, and that he suggested to Mr. Spaulding that the frequent use of the phrase "and it came to pass" rendered the book ridiculous.

John N. Miller testified substantially to the same things saying in addition that Spaulding's story landed his colony near the "Straits of Darien," which he was confident he called "Zarahemla."

Aaron Wright testified substantially to the same things as he foregoing. That the American Indians, according to Spaulding's story, were descendants of the "lost tribes" of Israel, and claims especially that the historical part of the Book of Mormon is substantially what he heard read from the "Manuscript Found" though he excepts out of the work, as not being Spaulding's, the religious matter.

Oliver Smith testified substantially to the same things, saying in effect that on reading the Book of Mormon he at once recognized it as the writings of Solomon Spaulding.

Nahum Howard testified that he had recently read the Book of Mormon and believed that all but the religious part of it was the same as that written by Spaulding.

Artemas Cunningham, living in Ferry, Geauga county, Ohio, testified that in 1811 he waited upon Solomon Spaulding at his home in New Salem, to collect debts, and that the latter read to him on that occasion some parts of his manuscript story, after partially examining the Book of Mormon he became convinced that Spaulding had written its outlines before he left Conneaut.

It is upon the testimony of these parties that the Spaulding theory rests. Subsequently many others claimed to have information upon the subject, and gave affidavits and statements to newspapers almost ad infinitum, constantly varying the claims and

adding Items that so burdened the theory with inconsistencies and contradictions that it breaks down, as we shall see, under the accumulation.

The witnesses, with scarcely an exception, are of that class that gives secondary or hearsay evidence. ¹ John Spaulding tells what his brother told him. Martha Spaulding states, that having read the Book of Mormon, she has no doubt it is the same historically that she read and heard read more than twenty years ago. Nahum Howard states only what he says Spaulding told him. Artemas Cunningham recollects an expression, "I Nephi," as occurring in the reading of a manuscript by Spaulding -- but pleads the lapse of twenty-two years as accounting for a failure to remember more fully the general plot. After a partial examination, he believes that Spaulding wrote the outlines before leaving Conneaut.

We might therefore introduce a great number of witnesses, all testifying to the same general facts; but we have not taken the trouble to procure the statements of but few, all of whom are the most respectable men, and highly esteemed for their moral worth, and their characters for truth and veracity are unimpeachable. In fact, the word of any one of them would have more weight in any respectable community, than the whole

family of Smiths and Whitmers, who have told about hearing the voice of an angel.

THE STATE OF OHIO,...|
.....................................} ss.
Lake County.................|

Before me, a notary public in and for said county, personally appeared J. H. Britton, who, being duly sworn, on his oath says:

That he is now a resident of Painesville in said county, and is now of the age of seventy-two years; was born in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and be further says: I was living in my father's home in the township of Richmond, Ashtabula Co., O., from about 1836 until about 1838, and during that time I became and was acquainted with Aaron Wright and Henry Lake, two of the persons who have furnished statements as to the origin of the Book of Mormon; which statements are published in E. D. Howe's "History of Mormonism" or "Mormonism Unveiled," published at Painesville, O., in 1834; that I knew said Wright and Lake well, that they were men of good reputation for truth and veracity, and were in every way well esteemed and respected in the community where they lived. Mr. Wright then lived in the village of Conneaut, in said county, and was one of the pioneers of the vicinity, and a large owner of real-estate, and owned a flouring-mill which was reported to be the first mill of its kind built in that vicinity. Mr. Lake also lived near Mr. Wright, and was also one of the first settlers of the vicinity. And further affiant sayeth not.
                          J. H. BRITTON.
Subscribed in my presence and sworn to before me this 22d day of June, 1905.
                          G. N. TUTTLE,
(Seal)           Notary public in and for said county.

I will remark here, in confirmation of the above, that the Book of Mormon was originally written by the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, A.M., as a romance, and entitled the "Manuscript Found," and placed by him in the printing-office of Patterson and Lambdin, in the city of Pittsburg, from whence it was taken by a conspicuous Mormon divine, and re-modeled, by adding the religious portion, placed by him in Smith's possession, and then published to the world as the testimony exemplifies. This I have from the Confederation, and of its perfect correctness there is not the shadow of a doubt. There never were any plates of the Book of Mormon, excepting what were seen

by the spiritual, and not the natural, eyes of the witnesses. The story of the plates is all chimerical. ¹

My father, John Johnston, was postmaster of Pittsburgh for about eighteen years, from 1804 to 1822. My husband, William Eichbaum, succeeded him, and was postmaster for about eleven years, from 1822 to 1833. I was born Aug. 23, 1792, and when I became old enough I assisted my father in attending to the post-office, and became familiar with its duties. From 1811 to 1816, I was the regular clerk in the office, assorting, making up, dispatching, opening, and distributing the mails. Pittsburgh was then a small town, and I was well acquainted with all the stated visitors at the office who called regularly for their mails. So meager at that time were the mails that I could generally tell without looking whether or not there was anything for such persons, though I would usually look in order to satisfy them. I was married in 1815, and the next year my connection with the office ceased, except during the absences of my husband. I knew and distinctly remember Robert and Joseph Patterson, J. Harrison Lambdin, Silas Engles, and Sidney Rigdon. I remember Rev. Mr. Spaulding, but simply as one who occasionally called to inquire for letters. I remember there was an evident

intimacy between Lambdin and Rigdon. They very often came to the office together. I particularly remember that they would thus come during the hour on Sabbath afternoon when the office was required to be open, and I remember feeling sure that Rev. Mr. Patterson knew nothing of this, or he would have put a stop to it. I do not know what position, if any, Rigdon filled in Patterson's store or printing-office, but am well assured he was frequently, if not constantly, there for a large part of the time when I was clerk in the post-office. I recall Mr. Engles saying that "Rigdon was always hanging around the printing-office." He was connected with the tannery before he became a preacher, though he may have continued the business whilst preaching. ¹

My recollection is that Spaulding left a transcript of the manuscript with Patterson for publication. The publication was delayed until Spaulding could write a preface. In the meantime the manuscript was spirited away, and could not be found. Spaulding told me that Sidney Rigdon had taken it, or was suspected of taking it, I recollect distinctly that Rigdon's name was mentioned in connection with it. ¹

Patterson said he, Patterson, would publish it, if he, Spaulding, would write a title page. He told me be kept a little store in Pittsburg. He then moved to Amity, leaving a copy of the manuscript in Patterson's hands. After being at Amity some time, he went back to Pittsburg, took his title page; he called it the lost manuscript found. When he went to Pittsburg, the manuscript could not be found. He said there was, or had been, a man by the name of Sidney Rigdon (who) had stole it. ²

This work, I am convinced by facts related to me by my deceased patient, Solomon Spaulding, has been made from writings of Spaulding, probably by Sidney Rigdon, who was suspicioned by Spaulding with purloining his manuscript from the publishing-house to which he had taken it; and I am prepared to testify that Spaulding told me that his work was entitled, "The Manuscript Found in the Wilds of Mormon; or Unearthed Records of the Nephites." From his description of its contents, I fully believe that this Book of Mormon is mainly and wickedly copied from it.
                                    CEPHAS DODD.
JUNE 6, 1831.

In 1822 or 3, Rigdon took out of his desk in his study a large MS, stating that it was a Bible romance purporting to be a history of the American Indians. That it was written by one, Spaulding, a Presbyterian preacher whose health had failed and who had taken it to the printers to see if it would pay to publish it. And that he (Rigdon) had borrowed it from the printer as a curiosity. ¹

When I was quite a child I visited Mr. Rigdon's family. He married my aunt. They at that time lived at Bainbridge, Ohio, (1826-27). During my visit, Mr. Rigdon went to his bedroom and took from a trunk which he kept locked, a certain manuscript We came out into the other room and seated himself by the fireplace and commenced reading it. His wife at that moment came into the room and exclaimed: "What, you are studying that thing again? or something to that effect. She then added: "I mean to burn that paper." He said: "No, indeed, you will not; this will be a great thing some day." Whenever he was reading this, he was so completely occupied that he seemed entirely unconscious of anything passing around him. ¹

Solon, January 22, 1841.    

DEAR BROTHER SCOTT: -- Your favor of the 7th December is received. I returned from Philadelphia, Pa., on the 10th, and the answer to your acceptable letter has been deferred, I was much gratified to hear from you and family, but would be much more so to see you once more in the flesh, and talk over our toils and anxieties in the cause of our blessed Redeemer.

You request that I should give you all the information I am in possession of respecting Mormonism. I know that Sidney Rigdon told me there was a book coming out (the manuscript of which had been found engraved on gold plates) as much as two years before the Mormon book made its appearance in this country or had been heard of by me. The same I communicated to brother A. Campbell. The Mormon book has nothing of baptism for the remission of sins in it; ¹ and of course at the time Rigdon got Solomon Spaulding's manuscript he did not understand the scriptures on that subject. I cannot say he learnt it from me, as he had been about a week with you in Nelson and Windham, before he came to my house. I, however, returned with him to Mentor. He stated to me that he did not feel himself capable of introducing the subject in Mentor, and would not return without me if he had to stay two weeks with us to induce me to go. This is about all I can say. I have no doubt but the account given in Mormonism Unmasked is about the truth. It was got up to deceive the people and obtain their property, and was a wicked contrivance with Sydney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jr. May God have mercy on wicked men, and may they repent of this their wickedness!

May the Lord bless you, brother Scott, and family!

Yours most affectionately,                             ADAMSON BENTLEY.

The conversation alluded to in Brother Bentley's letter of 1841, was in my presence as well as in his, and my recollection of it led me some two or three years ago to interrogate brother Bentley touching his recollection of it, which accord with mine in every particular, except the year in which it occurred, he placing it in the summer of 1827, I, in the summer of 1826, Rigdon at the same time observing that in the plates due up in New York, there was an account, not only of the aborigines of this country, but also it was stated that the Christian religion had been preached in this country during the first century, just as we were preaching it on the Western Reserve.

Soon after this, the great Mormon defection came on us (Disciples of Christ). Sidney Rigdon preached for us, and notwithstanding his extravagantly wild freaks, he was held in high repute by many. For a few months before his professed conversion to Mormonism. it was noticed that his wild, extravagant propensities had been more marked. That he knew before of the coming of the Book of Mormon is to me certain, from what he said the first of his visits at my father's some years before. He gave a wonderful description of the mounds and other antiquities found in some parts of America, and said that they must have been made by the Aborigines. He said there was a book to be published containing an account of those things. He spoke of these in his eloquent, enthusiastic style, as being a thing most extraordinary.

In the early part of the year 1830, when the Book of Mormon appeared, either in May or June, I was in company with, Sidney Rigdon, and rode with him on horseback a few miles. Our conversation was principally upon the subject of religion, as he was at that time a very popular preacher of the denomination calling themselves "Disciples," or Campbellites. He remarked

to me, that it was time for a new religion to spring up; that mankind were all rife and ready for it. I thought he alluded to the Campbellite doctrine. He said it would not be long before something would make its appearance; he also said that he thought of leaving for Pennsylvania, and should be absent for some months. I asked him how long. He said it would depend upon circumstances. I began to think a little strange of his remarks, as he was a minister of the gospel. I left Ohio that fall, and went to the state of New York, to visit my friends, who lived in Waterloo, not far from the mine of golden Bibles. In November I was informed that my old neighbor, E. Partridge, and the Rev. Sidney Rigdon were in Waterloo, and that they both had become the dupes of Joe Smith's necromancies. It then occurred to me that Rigdon's new religion had made its appearance, and when I became informed of the Spaulding manuscript I was confirmed in the opinion that Rigdon was at least accessory if not the principal in getting up this farce. ¹

We called on Elder S. Rigdon, and then for the first time his eyes beheld the Book of Mormon. I, myself, had the happiness to present it to him in person. He was much surprised, and it was with much persuasion and argument ² that he was prevailed on to read it, and after he had read it, he had a great struggle of mind, before he fully believed and embraced it; and when finally convinced of its truth, he called together a large congregation of his friends, neighbors and brethren, and then addressed them very affectionately for nearly two hours during most of which time, both himself and nearly all the congregation were melted into tears. He asked forgiveness of everybody who might have had occasion to be offended with any part of his former life; he forgave all who had persecuted or injured him in any manner, and the next morning himself and wife were baptized by Elder O. Cowdery. I was present, it was a solemn scene, most of the people were great affected, they came out of the water overwhelmed in tears. ³

Early in the summer of 1827, a "mysterious stranger" seeks admittance to Joe Smith's cabin. The conferences of the two are most private. This person, whose coming immediately preceded a new departure in the faith, was Sidney Rigdon, a back-sliding clergyman, at this time a Campbellite preacher in Mentor, Ohio. ¹

A mysterious stranger now appears at Smith's and holds intercourse with the famed money-digger. For a considerable time no intimation of the name or purpose of this stranger transpired to the public, not even to Smith's nearest neighbors. It was observed by some that his visits were frequently repeated. The sequel of the intimacies of this stranger and the money-digger will sufficiently appear hereafter. There was great consternation when the 118 pages of manuscript were stolen from Harris, for it seems to have been impossible, for some unaccountable reason, to retranslate the stolen portion. The reappearance of this mysterious stranger at Smith's at this juncture was again the subject of inquiry and conjecture by observers, from whom was withheld all explanations of his identity and purpose. When the Book of Mormon appeared, Rigdon was an early convert. Up to this time, be had played his part in the background, and his occasional visits to Smith's had been observed by the inhabitants as those of the mysterious stranger. It had been his policy to remain in concealment until all things were in readiness for blowing the trumpet of the new gospel.

He now came to the front as the first regular preacher in Palmyra. ¹

                                PALMYRA, Wayne Co., N.Y., May 2, 1879.
I, Able D. Chase, now living in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N.Y., make the following statement regarding my early acquaintances with Joseph Smith and the incidents about the production of the so-called Mormon Bible. I was well acquainted with the Smith family, frequently visiting the Smith boys and they me. I was a youth at the time from twelve to thirteen years old, having been born Jan. 19, 1814, at Palmyra, N.Y. During some of my visits at the Smiths, I saw a stranger there who they said was Mr. Rigdon. He was at Smith's several times. and it was in the year of 1827 when I first saw him there, as near as I can recollect. Some time after that tales were circulated that young Joe had found or dug from the earth a book of plates which the Smiths called the Golden Bible. I don't think Smith had any such plates. He was mysterious in his actions. The peepstone, in which he was accustomed to look, he got of my elder brother Willard while at work for us digging a well. It was a singular looking stone and young Joe pretended he could discover hidden things in it

My brother Willard Chase died at Palmyra, N.Y., March 10, 1871. His affidavit, published in Howe's "History of Mormonism," is genuine. Peter Ingersoll, whose affidavit was published in the same book, is also dead. He moved West years ago and died about two years ago. Ingersoll had the reputation of being a man of his word, and I have no doubt his sworn statement regarding the Smiths and the Mormon Bible is genuine. I was also well acquainted with Thomas P. Baldwin, a lawyer and Notary Public, and Frederick Smith, a lawyer and magistrate, before whom Chase's and Ingersoll's depositions were made, and who were residents of this village at the time and for several years after.             ABLE D. CHASE.

Able D. Chase signed the above statement in our presence

and he is known to us and the entire community here as a man whose word is always the exact truth and above any possible suspicion.

PLINY T. SEXTON.    
J. H. GILBERT.¹    

HAMILON, Hancock Co., Ill., January 19, 1885.    

MR. LORENZO SAUNDERS,
    Dear Sir: -- Permit me, a stranger, to "interview" you by letter. Mr. J. H. Gilbert, of Palmyra, N. Y., introduces us. He names you among the very few left, who know something about

the origin of Mormonism, and the life and career of Joe Smith, the pretended Prophet. I am engaged on a work -- mainly a History of the Mormon Era in Illinois -- but with which I wish to incorporate the Rise and Progress of the miserable fraud in and about Palmyra. A main point I wish to investigate is as to how the Spaulding Manuscript[s] got into Smith's hands previous to 1829 when the B. of M. was first printed. Some think Cowdery was the medium -- some that it was Rigdon. Of course, it is hard to remember after a period of 50 or 60 years, little occurrences unimportant at the time; but I am induced to apply to you, as a neighbor of the Smiths, hoping you may be able to recall events that may help me out. What can you recall of Cowdery's career? His first appearance among you -- what he was doing -- where he came from -- and what seemed to have brought him into closer relationship with Smith? Also, of Rigdon -- Gilbert says it is thought you saw him once at Smith's. Can you be sure of that? and whether it was before the B. of M. was printed? Did you know the 12 signers, certifying to the Divine origin of the B. of M. -- the Whitmers -- Harris -- Hiram Page -- and all the Smiths -- and were they ignorant or sensible -- learned or unlearned -- and did they or any of them, seem to adhere to Smith while he was digging for treasure, &c.?

You see I can chalk out a great variety of subjects or points on which I want information; but I might cut it short by asking, in general, for such information as you can give that will enlighten the public on the Origin of Mormonism and more especially its connection with the Rev. Spaulding's book. Of course you are an aged man -- I know what it is to be an old man, myself; but these cold winter days, we can do little else than sit in the house and read and write -- and perhaps you will be able to find time to reply to this, and thus oblige very much. Your friend and obt. Ser.,                          TH. GREGG. P. S. -- More questions: Did you ever see, or try to see, the pretended plates, or how Smith acted in regard to them? Or did you ever see the hole in the ground, on Cumorah Hill, in which the plates were found -- or was there ever such a hole? Please answer on, and return this sheet, and if not enough of paper, add to it -- I will pay postage,

                 READING, January 28, 1885.    

MISTER GREGG,
   Dear Sir. I received your note ready at hand and will try (to) answer the best I can and give all the information I can as respecting Mormonism and the first origin. As respecting Oliver Cowdery, he came from Kirtland in the summer of 1826 and was about there until fall and took a school in the district where the Smiths lived and the next summer he was missing and I didn't see him until fall and he came back and took our school in the district where we lived and taught about a week and went to the schoolboard and wanted the board to let him off and they did and he went to Smith and went to writing the Book of Mormon and wrote all winter. The Mormons say it [want] wrote there but I say it was because I was there. I saw Sidney Rigdon in the Spring of 1827, about the middle of March. I went to Smiths to eat maple sugar, and I saw five or six men standing in a group and there was one among them better dressed than the rest and I asked Harrison Smith who he was (and) he said his name was Sidney Rigdon, a friend of Joseph's from Pennsylvania, I saw him in the Fall of 1827 on the road between where I lived and Palmyra, with Joseph. I was with a man by the name of Jugegsah (spelling doubtful, C. A. S.). They talked together and when he went on I asked Jugegsah (spelling doubtful, C. A. S.) who he was and he said it was Rigdon. Then in the summer of 1828 I Saw him at Samuel Lawrence's just before harvest. I was cutting ¹ corn for Lawrence and went to dinner and he took dinner with us and when dinner was over they went into another room and I didn't see him again till he came to Palmyra to preach. You want to know how Smith acted about it. The next morning after he claimed to have got (the) plates he came to our house and said he had got the plates and what a struggle he had in getting home with them. Two men tackled him and he fought and knocked them both down and made his escape and secured the plates and had them safe and secure. He showed his thumb where he bruised it in fighting those men. After (he) went from the house, my mother says, "What a liar Joseph Smith is; he lies every word he says; I know he lies because he looks so.

guilty; he can't see out of his eyes; how dare (he) tell such a lie as that." The time he claimed to have taken the plates from the hill was on the 22 day of September, in 1827, and I went on the next Sunday following with five or six other ones and we hunted the side hill by course and could not find no place where the ground had been broke. There was a large hole where the money diggers had dug a year or two before, but no fresh dirt. There never was such a hole; there never was any plates taken out of that hill nor any other hill in that county, was in Wayne county. It is all a lie. No, sir, I never saw the plates nor no one else. He had an old glass box with a tile (spelling doubtful, C. A. S.) in it, about 7x8 inches, and that was the gold plates and Martin Harris didn't know a gold plate from a brick at this time. Smith and Rigdon had an intimacy but it was very secret and still and there was a mediator between them and that was Cowdery. The Manuscripts was stolen by Rigdon and modeled over by him and then handed over to Cowdery and he copied them and Smith sat behind the curtain and handed them out to Cowdery and as fast as Cowdery copied them, they was handed over to Martin Harris and he took them to Egbert Granden, the one who printed them, and Gilbert set the type. I never knew any of the twelve that claimed to have seen the plates except Martin Harris and the Smiths. I knew all of the Smiths, they had not much learning, they was poor scholars. The older ones did adhere (spelling doubtful, C. A. S.) to Joseph Smith. He had a peep stone he pretended to see in. He could see all the hidden treasures in the ground and all the stolen property. But that was all a lie, he couldn't see nothing. He was an impostor. I now will close. I don't know as you can read this. If you can, please excuse my bad spelling and mistakes.        Yours With Respect,
                            From LORENZO SAUNDERS. ¹

____________
¹ STATE OF NEBRASKA,|
............................................} ss.
County of Dawson..............|

Charles A. Shook, being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that the foregoing letters of Thomas Gregg and Lorenzo Saunders are verbatim copies (excepting spelling, punctuation and capitalization) of the original, now in the possession of the American Anti-Mormon Association.

CHARLES A. SHOOK.    

Subscribed to In my presence and sworn to before me, at Eddyville, Nebraska, this 13th day of February, 1913.
                    B. R. HEDGLIN, Notary Public.    

The life of Sidney Rigdon was that of an active minister, and his whereabouts can be determined by public records so frequently as to make it impossible that he could have made the long and tedious journeys to New York (which this story makes necessary) for the purpose of conspiring with Joseph Smith in those days of slow transportation. -- Church, History, Vol. I, p. 145.

Ohio; baptizing Nancy M. Sanford, William Dunson and wife, and others. (Evidence by Nancy M. Sanford, Mantua, Ohio.)

*   *   *   *   *   *   *  

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that on the fifth day of June, l827, in the village of Painesville, I solemnized the marriage contract between Theron Freeman and Elizabeth Waterman, agreeable to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                       SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded June 7, 1827.

---

June 15, 1827.  Baptized Thomas Clapp, and others, Mentor, Ohio. Personal testimony of Henry H. Clapp, Mentor, Ohio.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between James Gray and Mary Kerr, in township of Mentor, on the 3d of July, 1827.
                       SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded July 12, 1827.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that on the June 19th of July, l827, I solemnized the marriage contract in the township of Kirtland, between Alden Snow and Ruth Parker, agreeable to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.        SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded August 10, 1827

---

August 23, 1827.  Elder Rigdon met with the Ministerial Association of the Western Reserve at New Lisbon, Ohio.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract on the 9th of October, 1827, in the township of Mentor, between

Stephen Sherman and Wealthy Mathews, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of court of said county,
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded October 27, 1827

---

October 20, 1827, A member of the ministerial council at Warren, Ohio.

---

November, 1827, Held a series of meetings at New Lisbon, Ohio.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Alvin Wait and Sophia Gunn, on the 6th of Dec., 1827, in the township of Kirtland, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded December 12, 1827

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Roswell D. Cottrell and Matilda Olds, in the township of Concord, on the 13th day of December, 1827, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded January 8, 1828.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Otis Harrington and Lyma Corning, in the township of Mentor, on the 14th day of February, 1828, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
          EDWARD PAINE, Jun.., Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded March 31, 1828.

March, 1828, Instructor of a class in theology at Mentor, Ohio; and also held a series of meetings at Mentor and Warren, Ohio. Zebulon Rudolph, afterwards an elder in the Disciples Church, was a member of this class in theology, with others. He became a man of note in the Western Reserve.

---

April, 1828. Elder Rigdon conducted a great religious revival in Kirtland, Ohio.

---

May, 1828 He meets with Alexander Campbell at Shalerville, Ohio, and held a protracted meeting at that place.

---

June, 1828. Elder Rigdon baptized Henry H. Clapp at Mentor, Ohio.

---

August, 1828. Attended great yearly association at Warren, Ohio,

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Luther Dille and Clarissa Kent, in the township of Mentor, on the 7th day of September, 1828, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded October 13, 1828.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Nachor Corning and Phebe E. Wilson, in the township of Mentor, on the 18th day of September, 1828, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded October 13, 1828.

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Albert Churchill and Anna Fosdick, on the 1st day of January, 1829, in the township of Concord, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded February 12, 1829.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Erastus Root and Rebccca Tuttle, on the 1st day of January, 1829, in the township of Mentor, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded February 12, 1829.

---

March, 1829. Protracted meeting, Mentor, Ohio.

---

April 12, 1829. Protracted meeting at Kirtland, Ohio.

---

Lyman Wight, in his private journal, says: "I resided in this place (Warrenville, Ohio) till 1829, about the month of May, when I heard Sidney Rigdon preach what was then called Rigdonite doctrine. After hearing him go through the principle of baptism for the remission of sins, I went forward and was baptized by his hands.

---

July 1, 1829. Organized church at Perry, Ohio.

---

In the journal of Lyman Wight, he writes August (same year): "My wife was baptized together with John Murdock and many others by Sidney Rigdon."

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between John Strong and Ann Eliza More, on the 13th of August, 1829, in the township of Kirtland, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded September 14, 1829.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Darwin Atwater and Harriett Clapp, on the 14th of September, 1829, in the township of Mentor, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded October 7, 1829.

---

September, 1829. Series of meetings at Mentor, Ohio, baptizing J. J. Moss, who was afterwards Disciple minister of some note.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This is to certify that I solemnized the marriage contract between Joel Roberts and Relief Bates, on the 14th of September, 1829, in the township of Perry, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded October 7, 1829.

---

October, 1829. At Perry, Ohio.

---

November, 1829. Held meetings at Wait Hill, Ohio; baptizing Alvin Wait.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Cuyahoga County |

This certifies that I solemnized the marriage contract between David Chandler and Polly Johnson, in the township of

Stephen Sherman and Wealthy Mathews, agreeably to license obtained from the clerk of court of said county,

Chagrin on the 31st day of December, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine, agreeably to license. obtained from the clerk of the court of said county.           SIDNEY RIGDON,
             Pastor Baptist Church in Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio.

Filed and Recorded January 12, 1830.

---

March, 1830. At Mentor, Ohio.

---

June 1 to 30. At Mentor, Ohio.

---

July, 1830 Protracted meeting at Pleasant Valley, Ohio; baptized forty-five.

---

August, 1830. With Alexander Campbell at Austintown, Ohio.

---

STATE OF OHIO,
..............................} ss.
Geauga County ....|

This certifies that I married Lewis B. Wood to Laura Cleveland in Kirtland township, on the 4th of November, 1830.
                SIDNEY RIGDON.
           D. D. AIKEN, Clerk Com. Pleas.
Recorded November 11, 1830.

---

Lyman Wight states that "my Family and myself were baptized on November 14, 1830." And his widow states that she distinctly remembers that Rigdon was baptized on the same day.

Shortly after the death of Alvin, a man commenced laboring in the neighborhood, to effect a union of the different churches, in order that all might be agreed, and thus worship God with one heart and with one mind,

During the winter previous to the appearance of the Book of Mormon, Rigdon was in the habit of spending weeks away from home, going no one knew whither. He often appeared preoccupied and he would indulge in dreamy, visionary talks, which puzzled those who listened. When the Book of Mormon appeared and Rigdon joined in the advocacy of the new religion the suspicion was at once aroused that he was one of the framers of the new doctrine, and that probably he was not ignorant of the authorship of the Book of Mormon.

STATE OF ILLINOIS
...................................} ss.
Kendall County..........|

I, Katherine Salisbury, being duly sworn, depose and say, that I am a resident of the state of Illinois, and have been for forty years last past; that I will be sixty-eight years of age, July 28th, 1881.

That I am a daughter of Joseph Smith, Senior, and sister to Joseph Smith, Jr. the translator of the Book of Mormon. That at the time the said book was published, I was seventeen years of age; that at the time of the publication of said book, my brother, Joseph Smith, Jr., lived in the family of my father, in the town of Manchester, Ohio county, New York, and that he had, all of his life to this time made his home with the family.

That at the time, and for years prior thereto, I lived in and was a member of such family, and personally, knowing to the things transacted in said family, and those who visited at my father's house, and the friends of the family, and the friends and acquaintances of my brother, Joseph Smith, Jr., who visited at or came to my father's house.

That prior to the latter part of the year A. D. 1830, there was no person who visited with, or was an acquaintance of, or called upon the said family, or any member thereof to my knowledge, by the name of Sidney Rigdon; nor was such person known to the family, or any member thereof, to my knowledge, until the last part of the year A.D. 1830, or the first part of the year 1831, and some time after the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ, by Joseph Smith, Jr., and several months after the publication of the Book of Mormon.

That I remember the time when Sidney Rigdon came to my

father's place, and that it was after the removal of my father from Waterloo, N.Y., to Kirtland, Ohio. That this was in the year 1831, and some months after the publication of the Book of Mormon, and fully one year after the Church was organized, as before stated herein.

That I make this statement not on account of fear, favor, or hope of reward of any kind, but simply that the truth may be known with reference to said matter, and that the foregoing statements made by me are true as I verily believe.
                     KATHERINE SALISBURY.

Sworn before me, and subscribed in my presence, by said Katherine Salisbury, this 15th day of April, A.D. 1881.
               J. H. Jenks, Notary Public.    

At the time of the publication of said book, my brother, Joseph Smith, Jr., lived in the family of my father, in the town of Manchester, Ohio county, New York, and that he had, all of his life to this time, made his home with the family.

When she returned home, being about two weeks after her arrival in Harmony, the place where Joseph resided, she endeavored to dissuade her husband from taking any further part in the publication of the record -- Joseph Smith and His Progenitors (ed. 1908), p. 135.

I remember the time when Sidney Rigdon came to my father's place, and that it was after the removal of my father from Waterloo, N. Y. to Kirtland, Ohio. That this was in the year 1831, and some months after the publication of the Book of Mormon, and fully one year after the Church was organized, as before stated herein.

In December of the same year (1830), Joseph appointed a meeting at our house. While he was preaching, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge came in, and seated themselves in the congregation.

The manuscript Spaulding is said to have written was too meager a thing to in any sense compare with a manuscript that would make a book the size of the Book of Mormon. -- Braden, and Kelley Debate (first ed.), p. 80.

Taking up the first reason, it will at once be clear to you that a manuscript written in the English language, as they concede Spaulding's was, to contain the amount of matter that is included in the strictly historical part of the Book of Mormon, would cover at least fifteen hundred pages of foolscap paper. Was the "Manuscript Found" such? The statements of those who claim they saw the "Manuscript Found," place it beyond

doubt that it was no such. Mrs. McKinstry, the daughter of Solomon Spaulding, in her evidence, says, that she, "Read the manuscript frequently when she was about twelve years of age, and that it was about one inch in thickness." She read it frequently, so it could not have been very large. Then their other trumped up witnesses all, or nearly all, say they heard it read. Henry Lake heard it read, John N. Miller heard it read from beginning to end. Aaron Wright heard Spaulding read it, etc. Mrs. Matilda Spaulding, wife of Solomon Spaulding, states in her testimony published in the Illinois Quincy Whig, that it was about a third as large as the Book of Mormon and that her daughter (Mrs. McKinstry) read it frequently. Hurlburt who was commissioned by Henry Lake, John Miller, Aaron Wright, et al. (Braden's witnesses), to go and get the Spaulding writing, went and got it he says, and the only one in Spaulding's handwriting which the widow had. That he delivered it to E. D. Howe of Painesville, who was writing the book to break down the Mormons, and Howe says, page 288, of his book in describing it, that, "The trunk referred to by the widow was subsequently examined and found to contain only a single manuscript book in Spaulding's handwriting, containing about one quire of paper."

Then according to the description of the manuscript itself by those who actually saw it, it must have been a very small affair indeed in comparison to the historical portion of the Book of Mormon. In fact there was no comparison of the one, to the other, whatever.

The historical and doctrinal parts are so closely blended and interwoven, throughout the book, that it is evident that whoever wrote all or any part of the history contained in the book,

also wrote the doctrine presented with it. -- Objections to the Book of Mormon Answered and Refuted, p. 76.

That any one of judgment, on reading the book, could for one moment think that Rev. Mr. Spaulding, commonly reputed to he a man of poetic nature, romantic tastes and high scholastic attainments, ever wrote the book, or even one page of it, is more than we can believe. Had he, or any man of finished education, written the book, their scholarly attainments would have been manifest in the style, language and arrangement of the book. -- Joseph the Seer, p. 174.

It is not written in the language of either Joseph Smith or Sidney Rigdon. If we compare the revelations given through Joseph Smith at the time the plates were being translated, we find an altogether different diction; or let us compare it with the Lectures on Faith in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and then with the acknowledged writings of Sidney Rigdon, and we shall find there is nothing common in any of these with the peculiarities of grammatical construction and verbal idiosyncrasies of the Book of Mormon. -- Myth of the Manuscript Found, pp. 38, 39.

The doctrinal portions of the Book of Mormon are not those that one would expect from a retired clergyman of the Presbyterian school. They begin with the history and are intimately interwoven, with it from first to last; and some of the cardinal features of the Presbyterian Confession of Faith are discarded. A Baptist writer, Professor Whitsitt, in a lecture delivered before a Baptist Pastors' Conference, and published in the Western Recorder, takes the ground that the Book of Mormon was written in the direct interest of the Campbellites and in support of their confession of faith, that "Jesus is the Christ." -- Joseph Smith, in "The Spaulding Story Re-examined," p. 13.

If Mr. Spaulding, a Congregational (or Presbyterian) minister, wrote the book, he would have filled it with his doctrine instead of advocating in it such doctrines as are found in the book, many of which are in no sense Congregational, but rather un-Congregational. -- W. W. Blair, in "Joseph the Seer," p. 174.

That Joseph Smith, without the inspiration of God, could write that book, abounding as it does in the most accurate items of history, declaring improbable historical facts, facts which have since been fully attested by the antiquarian and the geologist; disseminating a system of morals and religion that challenges the criticism, and that is worthy of the admiration of the race and publishing a series of prophecies the most important and startling, many of which are being fulfilled under our own observation -- that he could do such a work, under such conditions, it would be far more difficult to believe, than to believe what he claims, viz., the guidance and inspiration of God. -- Joseph the Seer, p. 175.

Now if there is such a manuscript in existence, let it comb forward at once and not he kept in the dark.

If "three manuscripts" ever existed, why not produce the evidence to prove it? Why not induce that library of "over one thousand books and pamphlets" to yield up some of its hidden treasures of knowledge upon this point, and settle this mooted question once for all? Mormonism for more than half a century

has been demanding the production of the "Manuscript Found," that it might be compared with the Book of Mormon. -- Josephite "Journal of History," January, 1900, p. 93.

1. The existence of a second manuscript is assumed, not proved.

2. If such manuscript really existed, no proof is offered to show the "absolute identity" of the names with those in the Book of Mormon.

Do you blame me, then, ladies and gentlemen, for stating before you I cannot take as evidence anything that has passed through such hands as Mr. Hurlburt and Howe, unless I have the original statement to compare, or it can be proven outside in some way that these statements that he has been referring to -- but never reading in full to you -- are unaltered and genuine? Here is where he gets his John Spaulding, Martha Spaulding, Henry Lake, John Miller, Aaron Wright, Oliver Smith and

Nahum Howard. Do you want me to swallow their contradictory, self-accusing, wholly improbable, malicious falsehoods, rather than accept the truth of God? Could anything pure and immaculate have passed through that sewer of filth and come out worthy of the palate of decent men and women? -- Braden and Kelley Debate (first ed.), pp. 115, 116.

Q. Does the manuscript describe an idolatrous or a religious people?
A. An idolatrous people.

It is well to remark that the Book of Mormon makes but very few references to the ten tribes, and in those few, it directly, plainly and unequivocally states that the American Indians are not the descendants of the ten tribes, and further, that the ten tribes never were in America, or any part of it, during any portion of their existence as a nation. On the other hand, the Book of Mormon as directly informs us from whom the aborigines, or natives of this continent, are descended. This being the case, how is it possible for the two works to be identical?