1863 June 15 Letter to Little Soldiers, Kanosh, Tabby, Sowiette and Chiefs

Title

1863 June 15 Letter to Little Soldiers, Kanosh, Tabby, Sowiette and Chiefs

Description

Brigham counsels the Indian tribes to stop their attacks. He cannot help feed and clothe them if they are attacking whites. He warns what the military may do if they continue.

Type

Correspondence
Indian Affairs

Sender

Brigham Young

Recipient

Little Soldiers
Kanosh
Tabby,
Sowiette
Chiefs

Date

1863 June 15

Location

Great Salt Lake City

Number of Pages

2

Subject

Indian Affairs
Disputes

Item sets

G. S. L. City, 15th. June 1863

To Little Soldier, Kanosh, Tabby, Sowiette and all the Chiefs connected with them.

We have been informed that you have determined to take up the war hatchet, and to kill the whites who are peaceably traveling across the country; and we learn with sorrow that some Indians, and for all we know, some of your men, have not only attacked the western mail line and killed some of the drivers, but that you intend also to attack the Eastern mail coaches, and destroy the telegraph lines and make war upon the whites generally.

We are very sorry to hear this, and to hear that you are mad and determined to fight the whites wherever you find them. We hope you will not do so, but cease to molest the mails and telegraph wires, and let the travelers pass on their way in peace and unmolested. We have fed you for many years and given you clothing and always been your friends and treated you kindly; but we cannot feed you and be friends to you unless you stop making war on the whites, and cease to interfere with the mail coaches and emigrants, and let the white men and their property alone. If you feel mad, it is not good, and you had better go away somewhere far from the mail route until you feel good again, and feel kind and friendly and peaceable as you used to do before you got mad. If you do make war on the whites, and determin to interrupt the mail coaches and the peaceable emigrants you may be assured sudden vengeance will follow you, and you will soon be  chastised in a terrible manner, and no doubt many if not all of you will be killed, for such conduct can not and will not be endured.

You may think that the whites have wronged you. This is no excuse for you. It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. 

I have always been your friend, and have endeavored to do you good, and now you must abide my counsel.

Your friend

Brigham Young