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Presidents Office
G. S. L. City Feb 2 1865
Presidents Daniel H. Wells and Brigham Young, Jr.,
Dear Brethren:
Since my last to you, written on the 12th ult., I have received nothing from you. The mail has failed to favor us with letters and papers for some weeks, and we are now entirely shut out from the Eastern world, except by Telegraph, through the non-performance of the mail service, owing, it is said, to the depredations and attacks of the Indians.
The Territorial Legislature adjourned on the 20th ult. There were two important Bills -- one chartering the Deseret Irrigation and Navigation Canal Company, and the second the Wahsatch wagon road Company for the construction of a Turnpike road between the Weber and this City, via Parley's Park and Big Kanyon -which the Governor vetoed. The vetoing of the Wagon Road Bill deprives the road of all prospective improvements for the year, as the Legislature, having the idea that they had done all that was necessary to make the road all that was required, did not appropriate any amount for its repair.
The Canal Company can be organized under the Bill, which was passed this Session, providing for the organization of Irrigation Districts, and the necessary steps are being taken, according to the provisions of the Bill, for the accomplishment of this object.
The Legislature of the State of Deseret met on the 23rd ulg., and I presented my message which was read and ordered printed. There was but little business to occupy the attention of the members, and they adjourned on the evening of the 23rd. Though the Session has been but a brief one we feel that it is not the less important that the State Legislature should meet regularly, and that everything should be kept in readiness to start the State machinery whenever the necessity or opportunity for doing so shall offer.
We have had a very cold snap of weather since I last wrote you, and the creeks have been entirely frozen up, yet the weather has been very pleasant for the season. We are now having a thaw, and the prospect is that we will have a regular break up.
There has nothing particularly new transpired in this City and neighborhood since my last. The people on the Bench attract no more attention now they did last fall. The Vedette howls dreadfully and bitterly, but it excites no special attention and disgusts its friends by its meanness and vulgarity.
I understand that Brother Heber John Richards is in rather a poor field and is somewhat destitute of Clothing. If he needs clothing, I should be pleased if you would let him have what he requires and also a little money occasionally should he need it. It would be a benefit to him to travel around in company with Brigham to London and elsewhere and become acquainted, and I should like him to have that privilege.
I saw Bro Daniel's family last evening and Brigham's this morning, and they are all well. My own health is excellent. Bro. Heber complains of his susceptibility to cold; but is around all the time. General good health prevails among the Saints. Bro. Heber and the brethren join me in love to you. May the Lord our God bless you, and the Elders with you, with his Spirit and power to fill you with every necessary qualification and gift for the proper magnifying of your high and holy calling and preserve you to return in safety and in peace, is the prayer of
Your Brother, as ever,
Brigham Young
P. S.
Sister Hawkins the Mother of Leo and Sister Woodmansee, is in England, and intends to return here this next season. When she returns, you can be of great aid to her in counselling some trustworthy Elder or Elders to see to her; any expence that may be incurred, which she cannot meet herself, her daughter here will pay.
B. Y.