G.S.L. City, Feb. 28, 1861.
Elders Amasa Lyman, Charles C. Rich, and George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England,
Dear Brethren:-Your very welcome favor of Jan. 3d is at hand, and its perusal afforded much gratification. The receipt of a letter from br's Amasa and Charles C., Nov. 16, and from br. George Q., while at Florence, is also acknowledged.
We were pleased to learn of the safe arrival of the Elders sent from here, and of the general sound condition and consequent prosperity of the work in that portion of the Lord's vinyard where you are immediately laboring. Doubtless the great majority of the
Saints in England are poor, and for their relief wisdom dictated that Missionaries should not only be sent from here, but also have their return expenses paid by the Saints in the mountains, so far as an Elder may be unable to defray his own expenses, hence the
establishment of the Missionary Fund here for that purpose, and to sustain the families of the Missionaries, so far as they are unable to sustain themselves. As before reminded, this Fund relieves the Saints abroad from furnishing the Elders aught but
necessary, food, raiment, and shelter, with the addition, at times of requisite traveling expenses; and whenever an Elder is presented with any additional means, by those who can afford to make presents, he has an excellent opportunity to fulfill one great duty of his calling, viz:-- to assist, with all surplusas above, in gathering the poor.
Our oxtrain experiment was so successful last year that, to further aid the poor in gathering, we expect to send 200 or more wagons to Florence this season, with 4 yoke of cattle to a wagon, to bring those unable to provide teams, also Church freight, &c. The train will probably be able to start about the last of April, and reach florence about the 1st of July. In apportioning the teams to be raised by the different Wards from Cache Valley to Fillmore, fifty were allotted to this City, and the enterprise was taken hold of with such zeal and alacrity that already there are nearly or quite sixty teams ready for the trip; and most if not all other Wards, so far as heard from, are filled with like zeal and promptness. This should encourage the Elders and all Saints abroad to use all the faith, diligence, skill, and economy in their power to cooperate with us in the deliverance of the poor from the confusion and wickedness prevailing in Babylon.
Aside from the teams aforesaid, it is purposed to send as many loose oxen to Florence as our this year's immigration may wish to purchase, with a view to accommodate them with good, well broke cattle, and at the same time benefit the cause by turning to advantage that amount of money once more before it leaves our hands. Elders Jones and Gates have long since been advised of this purpose, and requested to inform us of the number of cattle they intend to purchase, but as yet we have received no reply from them, though probably will previous to time of starting.
So far as I am acquainted, the families of the Elders on missions are well comfortably provided with at least the necessaries of life, and the means of the Missionary Fund, raised last Fall, are not yet exhausted; and by the liberality then evinced it is presumable additional means will be forthcoming whenever requisite. John Picket, of Springville, states that on the 5th of Feb., 1857, his father
John Picket, of Great Hadham, Hertford, England, remitted £5.0.0 to O. Pratt, the receipt of which br. Pratt acknowledged, to be forwarded to said Picket of Springville. Br. Pratt did not issue any draft, neither did he advise this Office to pay the amount to br. Picket, it is therefore supposed that said amount is still to his credit in the Liverpool Office books as a deposit, if so, please Cr. Trustee in Trust a/c, and advise me to pay the amount here.
Sister Elizabeth Brooks (now wife of Milo Andrus) has called here several times to know whether I have been authorized to pay her a sum of money, which she states has been deposited for her in the Liverpool Office. Please inform me on this subject.
I have drawn upon you draft 186, for £5.0.0, in favor of widow James Cowan, Newert Hill, near Hollytown, Lanark, Scotland; also draft 187, for £12.10.0 favor of T.B.H. Stenhouse.
Br. Cannon, inclosed please find a letter from br. O. Hyde to you, which please give such attention as, upon inquiry you may find the subject warrants.
It is in contemplation, this season, to build the walls and inclose the Seventies Hall of Science, make some alterations in the Tabernacle, build a Theatre, and complete the basement-story walls of the Temple, which, with numerous other labors and improvements, both public and private, will tend not only to our comfort and the adornment of our mountain homes, but essentially aid in keeping listlessness and dissatisfaction outside our borders.
Indications are very favorable for an excellent crop of fruit and abundant crops of other products. In some places plowing and grain seeding has already commenced.
If our this season's operations in sending teams to Florence are successful, and we are not now aware of anything to prevent, we expect to send again in the Spring of 1862, for which reason, we wish you to advise those of the Saints remaining after this year's immigration, to use all diligence in their power to make their way to Florence in time for us to lend them, next year, a helping hand across the plains.
Elders Pratt and Snow are endeavoring to forward to Florence as many as they can of the Saints in the States desiring to come here, in time to meet the oxtrain that will start in April next.
Impress it upon the minds of the Elders and brethren that, so soon after baptism as their circumstances will permit, comes the gathering; and that the longer it is delayed, after the way has been opened, the greater the chances against a recurring opportunity, or at least one so favorable.
Praying that the blessings of our God may ever attend all your labors, efforts and desires in righteousness, I remain, as ever,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
P.S. In addition to the aforenamed drafts, I have drawn upon you draft 188, for £123
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