The Brigham Young Center

G.S.L. City, Feb. 14 1861

Hon. W.H. Hooper, M.C.
Washington, D.C.,

Dear Brother:-Neither Pony nor mail has brought letters from you of later date than the 21st. ult., the receipt of which was acknowledged on the 7th inst. The mail, which arrived on the 11th inst., after an interval of over three weeks brought copies of your favors previously received and acknowledged also, numerous packages of clippings, for which please accept my thanks.

By telegraph to Karney and the Ponies of the 10th and 13th inst., we received pretty full items of news from various parts of the States, under dates Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 inclusive, with some late European news. It seems that many are looking with some hope, if not confidence, to the action of the Commissioners which met and organized in Washington on the 4th inst., apparently not yet realizing that the corruptions of the nation have sealed its doom, which will be consummated sooner or later; when that people, whom the very great majority have striven to obliterate, will step forward and sustain the falling banner and continue to honor the Heaven-inspired Constitution bequeathed to us so rich a legacy by our forefathers.

Since taking the matter in hand, Superintendent Davies has quite diligently prosecuted the investigation of my a/cs with the Indian Department, and has promised br. Calder that he will have his report ready to forward by mail in the morning, though it is doubtful, as the last mail brought several letters to him which require more or less of his attention. He has informed br. Calder that his report will be very favorable, and as you purpose staying in Washington a short time after the 4th of March, it will probably make little or no difference whether his report goes to-morrow or next week, especially if the appropriation has been made.

Home affairs continue as heretofore advised, and Winter is gradually tapering into Spring, with good prospects, thus far, for an abundant crop of fruit.

The Bishops and people are quite spirited in the matter of raising teams to send to Florence for the poor brethren and their luggage and such Church freight as may be to be hauled, and there is every prospect that at least 200 teams of 4 yoke each and a large number of loose cattle for sale, all well broke, will be ready to start from here as early in the Spring as snow will permit.

Since writing the foregoing, br. Calder informs me that Mr. Davies has completed his investigation of my a/cs, and after awaiting objections, should any be offered, on the16th, he promises his report in time for the Pony on the 18th. The Vouchers for the 2nd qr. of 1858, were not furnished to Mr. Davies, he thinks on account of oversight on the part of some clerk in the Department.

Your Brother in the Gospel,

Brigham Young