G. S. L. City Jan. 26. 1863
Pres. George Q. Cannon.
42 Islington Liverpool, England
Dear Brother:-
Since my last to you, Nov 13, I have received your very welcome favors of Oct 11, Nov. 15 and 21, and Dec. 12, which were read with much gratification and satisfaction; I have also received two packages of leaves from our Hymn Book.
In regard to br. Robert Cunningham's donation to the P. E. Fund, we would gladly emigrate at once all the poor Saints in England and elsewhere, and are constantly useing great efforts to do so, but to allow donors to the Fund to withdraw their donations or to restrict the Fund to applying them to their individual use would defeat the purposes for which the Fund was instituted. Such being the case, please advise br. Cunningham and others in like circumstances continue to do the best they can in their own behalf, and the Fund and other means being used for emigrating purposes will be extended to each one as fast as possible. I trust that br. Cunningham and others will see the necessity that the Fund, which is by no means done away with, should dictate the control of [?] means for the good of all, and pray and labor with us for the time when its [?] will be ample for accomplishing the purposes for which it was organized.
The L 2.12.0, due by br. Teasdale for rent, will be arranged here. In addition to what you have written about br. Tullidge's psalmody, he has also written to me upon the same subject, under date of Dec. 2. Br. O. Pratt says he has not the least recollection of any specific arrangement with br. Tullidge in regard to that publication. I have just spoken with br. S. W. Richards upon the same subject, and he informs me that there was such a work published, and that br. Tullidge had had all the avails, so far as he had any knowledge of the affair. Under these circumstances I do not see why, if br. Tullidge needs help he should not be helped on the same grounds that others in need are helped, [?] is in his turn and in accordance with the means on hand for that purpose.
Again, if he has really performed any labor, why not he, as well as others, run the risk of his labor's being remunerative, and not require others to make up losses that may arise upon his ventures? Please inform br. Tullidge of what I have here written, and that I have no information to warrant a different conclusion.
You are doubtless aware that the first Hymn Book printed in England was got up in a hurry and under many disadvantages, and since then the brethren have done as they pleased in regard to the several editions that have been published. But my time is so fully occupied that I have not time, and do not know when I shall have, to so much as give attention to your suggested amendments, additions, omissions, &c. Such being the case, please make such alterations, corrections, &c., and print such number of an addition as the judgement <of yourself> and those you please to consult may deem best. there I also leave to your judgement the question in regard to the lithographic press that br. Bertrand wrote to you about.
Dr. Bernhisel having written that he is unable to procure pure Morus Multicaulis seed in the States, I wish you to take the matter in hand and through the Elders, especially, perhaps, br. Bertrand, secure if possible a quart or two of pure Mulberry seed of the Morus Multicaulis variety, and have it prepared to be sealed up in air tight cans when there is a safe and reliable opportunity for its being forwarded.
In addition to the names in the accompanying list, my son Brigham wrote me concerning helping to emigrate a drill-sergeant named Pinnock. I think, however, Brigham will know the name. Please enquire into his circumstances, &c., advise him to help himself all he can, and then, if your judgement dictates and means warrant, I would like to have you help him and his family emigrate this season.
It is not yet concluded whether or not to send any Elders from here to your aid next spring, but in either event it is left entirely with yourself and the valley Elders now there to determine who, if any, had better be released to re-[?]
Again, if he has really performed any labor, why not he, as well as others, run the risk of his labor's being remunerative, and not require others to make up losses that may arise upon his ventures? Please inform br. Tullidge of what I have here written, and that I have no information to warrant a different conclusion.
You are doubtless aware that the first Hymn Book printed in England was got up in a hurry and under many disadvantages, and since then the brethren have done as they pleased in regard to the several editions that have been published. But my time is so fully occupied that I have not time, and do not know when I shall have, to so much as give attention to your suggested amendments, additions, omissions, &c. Such being the case, please make such alterations, corrections, &c., and print such number of an addition as the judgement <of yourself> and those you please to consult may deem best. there I also leave to your judgement the question in regard to the lithographic press that br. Bertrand wrote to you about.
Dr. Bernhisel having written that he is unable to procure pure Morus Multicaulis seed in the States, I wish you to take the matter in hand and through the Elders, especially, perhaps, br. Bertrand, secure if possible a quart or two of pure Mulbery seed of the Morus Multicaulis variety, and have it prepared to be sealed up in air tight cans when there is a safe and reliable opportunity for its being forwarded.
In addition to the names in the accompanying list, my son Brigham wrote me concerning helping to emigrate a drill-sergeant named Pinnock. I think, however, Brigham will know the name. Please enquire into his circumstances, &c., advise him to help himself all he can, and then, if your judgement dictates and means warrant, I would like to have you help him and his family emigrate this season.
It is not yet concluded whether or not to send any Elders from here to your aid next spring, but in either event it is left entirely with yourself and the valley Elders now there to determine who, if any, had better be released to return next season. Perhaps you will conclude it best to release br. Stains, as he has been absent some time and his health is said to be rather poor, if so, all right.
If an Elder's health is poor and you do not feel to release him, it may be well to change his field of labor to some locality where difference of atmosphere, duties, &c., are more favorable to <any> ailment he is troubled with.
Of course we wish you to remain, and, as previously advised, to keep well posted as to war prospects, so that the return of the Elders upon short notice may not be hedged up.
As yet Col. Conner and his command have conducted themselves very properly, so far as their intercourse with the citizens is concerned, though they have had some little trouble with the Indians north of us., as you will learn in the "News". Br Bernhisel writes that the Secretary of war had telegraphed their removal, but, even if that be so, they cannot well move at present.
It will be well, so far as possible, to arrange your this season's operations so that the emigrants who expect help to Florence may leave Liverpool only in time to arrive on the frontiers about the middle of July, or a little before then rather than much later. You know the time required from Liverpool Florence, and will doubtless be able to properly time the starting as above suggested, especially if you send by the earlier vessel or vessels those who are able to purchase their own outfit, as they can buy their teams and start as soon as the grass will permit. Should the down train reach Florence before the middle of July, it is much cheaper and far better every way for them to wait the arrival of the emigration than it is for the emigrants to wait for the teams. We have been talking of sending down some 500 ox teams this season, though the number that will probably be required and we be able to send is not yet definitely determined. The probable amount of this year's emigration in need of assistance across the plains, so soon as you can advise us thereof, will help us in coming to a conclusion on this point.
Please keep the Elders in mind that their duties are to preach the Gospel and gather Israel, and that here is the place for them to accumulate this [?] goods and not aborad in their fields of labor.
Every dollar an Elder unwisely uses while on his mission not only hinders the emigration by precisely the same amount, but also mars his usefulness and full enjoyment of the Spirit of his calling. Details of home affairs and the proceedings of the Assemblies in the "News" relieve us from taxing your patience with those items.
If we conclude to send any Elders in the spring we will endeavor to advise you in time, so that you can better determine who and how many to release.
The winter continues mild, with some three or four inches of snow upon the ground.
Other business matters and the list of persons sent for are inclosed on separate sheets.
Your family, friends and the people generally continue blessed with health, and parties, the theatre, lectures, &c. contribute amusement, recreation and instruction.
Ever praying that all needed blessings may attend you, your associates and all Israel in every effort to do good, I remain
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young