The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City. U. T.
June 4th, 1863.

Elder John W. Young.
Post Office Box 3957. New York City.

My Dear Son John:

Your very welcome and interesting favors of April 21 and May 17 came duly to hand, and their perusal afforded us all much gratification.

As you hoped, my tour south was very pleasant and beneficial to myself, the company, and all whom we visited.We were absent 29 nights and 30 days, during which time we held 39 meetings, and I addressed the congregations 37 times. The people manifest a marked improvement since my visit to them last fall, and were pleased with the privilege of greeting and entertaining us, and paid good attention to our instructions and counsels, thereby indicting that they would give them heed.

Upon our return home we found matters progressing peacefully and prosperously, and soon thereafter learned of the removal of Harding. This removal has broken the backbone of the strife- stirring clique that were aiding and abetting his malicious course, and I presume that his departure, which I am told he says will be shortly, will be followed by that of some two or more of [word cut off] official associates. By this removal our enemies here have become so chopfallen that I presume they now despair of being able to cause any disturbance between us and the Government, at least not short of another year.

I am much pleased that your health is so good, that you enjoy yourself as well, and that you are so desirous of benefitting both yourself and others so far as you can with the facilities and opportunities you are now blest with.

I have written to your brother Brigham that I am not aware of any likelihood of trouble at home or abroad to interfere with his continental tour and return home as already advised, and presume he will make the contemplated tour

You are at liberty to return with br. Horace, or wait and return with your brother Brigham, just as you may choose.

If reasonably convenient, I would be pleased to have you see Col. Kane, but if not, and you can make it convenient in your travels, I would like to have you call upon his family, as the visit will be gratifying to them and me, and interesting to yourself.

My health, your mother's. and that of my family and your relatives generally, is good.

That God may ever guide you and bless and sustain you with all needful blessings in the path of righteousness in the prayer of,

Your Father,

Brigham Young