Great Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24, 1863.
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
My Dear Son Brigham:
I last wrote to you on the 13th inst., and on the18th your very welcome favor of May 23 came safely to hand, and I reply at an early date, that it may reach you ere you leave Liverpool on your return home. I regret that Bro. West's health was so poor, but trust that his tour on the continent will prove beneficial toward his restoration to health, for which he has my faith and prayers.
Up to the present, since Hardings departure on the 11th inst., the transient persons within our borders are very quiet in their operations here, and, so far as I learn, despair of being able to cause much disturbance for some time to come. Those who would injure us find there is plenty of work for them to attend to outside our borders, and br. Stenhouse wrote from New York City, June 7, that Pres. Lincoln expressed a hearty readiness to let us alone if we would let them alone. If he sticks to his statement there will be quiet times in Utah during his administration, for we are certainly not only ready and willing to let them alone, but are and ever have been anxious to do them all the good in our power, so far as they would receive good at our hands. Br. Little has telegraphed me that some 800 Saints arrived in Florence on the 12th inst., the first this season; and that Cap. J. R. Murdock's Company, the first of the trains to Florence, would arrive on the 19th. These arrivals were very favorable, for the first comers would have an opportunity to start on the plains as soon, probably, as they could get ready. Other companies and other trains will most likely meet in like favorable time; and if, through difficulty in procuring vessels at the times wished, any of the trains have to wait a little, that will be much better, as I wrote br. Cannon, than for companies of unacclimated persons to have to tarry in a sickly region.
Upon your arrival in New York City I wish you to at once telegraph me the date of your arrival, the state of your health and br. West's, and the day you expect to leave; also telegraph in the same manner at St. Jo. Mo., and at such other intermediate points as you deem best, for I shall be anxious to learn of your health and progress. Probably you will be here in about 25 days after you leave Liverpool. Should you be apprehensive of any trouble or hindrance, through telegraphing upon your arrival, you can omit telegraphing until just as you are ready to leave N. Y.
I have no letter from your brother John W., since I wrote you on the 13th but br. Stenhouse, in his letter already noted, informed me that he was well, feeling well, and busily engaged in helping br. Eldredge in matters pertaining to forwarding our immigration from New York. As I have previously informed you, John W. is at liberty to tarry and come home with you, or to come with br. Eldredge, just as he may choose; and I so informed him on the 13th inst., which he will conclude to do I have not yet learned.
If you have not already purchased the opera glasses, I wish you to purchase only three in Europe and three in New York City, instead of twelve in each place as previously advised. If you should have already purchased the twelve in Europe, all right; that will do, and you then need not buy any in New York [word cut off] wish them nicely cased in roan calf instead of patent leather, and strapped [word cut off] carrying on the shoulder.
Gardens and fields continue flourishing, helped along by occasional showers here and there, though the weather is very warm and the ground, where not irrigated, very dry.
Your Mother's health is quite comfortable for her, much better than it was during last winter. My health is very good, as is also that of my family, of your brother Joseph A. and family, your family, your relatives and friends and the people generally.
May God ever bless you with all needed blessings is ever the
prayer of.
Your Father,