G. S. L. City, April 18, 1863
Brigham Young Jr.
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
My Dear son Brigham:-
Since writing to you quite at length on the 26th ult. answering letters then to hand, I have received no letter from you, but as I propose starting for our Dixie on about the 20th inst. to be absent some six weeks, write you a few lines previous to leaving.
The brethren have been very energetic in raising the trains required to Florence, and one fifty is calculating to start on the 20th or soon after the others will follow directly after, and from present appearances all expect to reach the Missouri on or before the 1st July, earlier than it was at first anticipated. A small mule train left for Florence on the 16th inst. and a p[word cut off] of the 47 Missionaries selected at Conference to go to Europe went with that train, and the rest will go with the ox trains. They will use diligence to reach Liverpool at the earliest practicable date, and Bro George Q. will, as they arrive, assign them to fields of labor in the British Isles and elsewhere within his Presidency as his judgment and the Spirit may direct. David P. and Charles S. Kimball and Richard H. Parker are among the Missionaries who went th[word cut off] Mule train.
Our annual Conference convened on the 6th inst. was numerously attended by persons from nearly all the settlements, and during its continuance of th[word cut off] days both speakers and hearers appeared to be mutually edified, instructed, encouraged to renewed and increased efforts for advancing the great work in which we are engaged.
Harding & Co. continue very quiet, at least so far as operations here are concerned, and the probabilities are that they and their aiders and abettors will be foiled in their plans and efforts to create a disturbance between Utah and the Government.
The advance of Spring has unfettered out-door operations, and Bishop Woolley is superintending affairs for me in his former position, while your brother Joseph A. is attending to the Mills and lumber business in City and Big Cottonwood Creeks and in the lumber yard here. Bro Parks is still head workman on the farm, and George W. oversees matters at the Mill, while Briant as usual looks after the Stock, and all the varied out door businesses is progressing in a very satisfactory manner.
During my absence br Henry Grow will go on with the alterations in the old Mill on Big Canon Creek, fitting it up to receive the new machinery for a woollen factory. Br Folsom and Prest. Wells, who remains at home to exercise a general oversight of matters, will forward as far as possible the erection of a large and commodious tabernacle west of the Temple foundation, and which we design having so far completed by our next October Conference as to be able to meet in it if the weather should be unpleasant.
April 20th. I start to day in company with Pres. Kimball, some of the Twelve and a few others, on a visit to our southern settlements. Pres. Wells tarries at home to exercise a general supervision of affairs, and to expedite the erection of a large and commodious Tabernacle west of the Temple foundation. We design to have it so far Completed by next Oct. Conference that we can occupy it should the weather by unpleasant. (Excuse the accidental duplication of the latter portion of the last paragraph referring Pres. Wells and the Tabernacle.) The theatre closed on the 11th inst. after a season of very full houses, and during which both actors and spectators were apparently much
interested and gratified, and I trust also benefitted in passing several evenings in the very excellent portraying of life upon the stage.
As heretofore advised I trust that both you and Br West will diligently improve every opportunity for benefitting both yourselves and others to the utmost of your facilities and abilities during your tour on the Continent, and also on your way home, and in short every where and all the time.
Your family and friends are all well and doing well.
Your Father
Brigham Young