G.S.L. City, Nov. 29, 1860.
Hon. W.H. Hooper, M.C.,
Washington City, D.C.,
Dear Brother:-
Since writing to you on the 15th. inst., we have learned that you encountered a severe storm on the Platte; but by the Huntsman's Echo we notice that you left Wood River Center on the 1st. inst., all well and in good traveling condition, from which we infer that all survived the storm without serious detriment, and ere this are widely scattered, some probably pleasantly situated at their points of destination, and others prosperously wending their way to their several fields of labor.
On the 24th inst. Superintendent Davis informed, me be letter, that he had instructions from the Indian Department to examine that portion of my Superintendency accounts remaining unpaid; and in conversation he had with br. Calder, who delivered my reply, he expressed himself desirious of complying with his instructions in a fair and gentlemanly manner. Should he continue and act in that mind, there will be no difficulty in coming to a satisfactory conclusion, and that too in a short time, if he can find it convenient to give the examination an early attention, which he spoke of doing soon after a short trip to Ruby Valley, upon which I am told he started to-day.
I need a right good family carriage, suitable for four or six persons, and such as is made either in Old or New Hartford, Con., or in Boston, Mass., or Concord, N.H., and perhaps in some other places, and costing, probably, some $1000 or upwards. Should my accounts with the Indian Department be adjusted and paid, you will be in funds; if they are not paid, you may feel able to purchase with your own funds; and in either case, so far as you may make purchases at my request, I wish you to invariably make them and mark them in your own name, as though they were exclusively for yourself. The carriage should be of the best material and workmanship, of the latest, best, most fashionable, and approved style, with a raised seat in front for the driver, paper leather used in the curtains, seats, &c., for which the best calfskin or morocco should alone be used, and the carriage securely wrapped for safe transportation. I also wish, under the same considerations as are above named, two sets of harness for four animals, one set to be heavily brass-mounted, the other to be heavily silver-mounted; the lead harness in each set to have hip straps, and light breeching that can be attached when wanted; the wheel harness to be the heaviest, and all to be of the best material, style, and workmanship, and securely boxed for safe transportation. It will be necessary to watch the boxing of the harness, lest they slip aside the two sets ordered, and replace them with an inferior article that will not be detected until after its arrival here. I much want the carriage and harness to come through next season, if at all consistent with the condition of finances.
Doubtless you remember our conversation about carpeting, just previous to your departure, and should my Gov't accounts be paid in time, I wish some 10 or 1200 yards of carpeting and waxcloth purchased. Lest those accounts are not paid till near the close of the present session of Congress, I wish you would, at your earliest convenience, make inquiries where the best two and three ply and Brussels carpet and wax cloth for halls can be procured at the cheapest rates, that, should the funds be obtained in time, you will be ready, on short notice, to close purchases, which, as stated of the carriage and harness, I want made and marked in your name. In your inquiries concerning carpeting, as above, I want red entirely rejected, and let the colors be selected of the yellow, brown, cinnamon, orange white, black, blue, green, &c,, &c., altogether excluding red, if convenient so to do. I wish all the carpeting to have a good sized, well twisted thread, made of long-stapled, coarsish, good wool.
Br. R. Shelton, President of the Philadelphia Branch and Conference, informs me that he has $127 94/100 Church money which I have instructed him, by this mail, to pay to you or your order, as also all amounts of like nature that may come into his possession during your sojourn in Washington.
The outside Democrats within our borders are very much chopfallen at Lincoln's election, and several of them begin to think that they and their property are safer here than in the States.
Trade continues dull, and money scarce, but the people are prosperously pursuing the even tenor of their way, unvaried, since my last, by startling incidents, further than the gale which rather roughly handled Farmington, Ogden, and Willard, the particulars of which are in our papers. As an offset to frosty nights, the days continue favorable for the usual out door-labors of the season.
Generally the health of the people is again good. As heretofore, please forward, as fast as consistent, all news of interest or importance.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
PS
Please find enclosed Powers of Attorney from A. Carrington & Geo Hales [The P.S. is written in different colored ink.]