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President's Office
G. Salt Lake City
April 14/65.
President Erastus Snow,
Dear Brother:
I wish you to look around at you convenience and see what places there may be on the Rio Virgen that would be suitable for the erection of my Cotton Mill, so that when I get down there you can point them out to me and I can decide which will be the best point. I would also like you to inquire among the brethren and endeavor to ascertain whether any of them would like to take a contract to put up a building for the mill, and who they are, so that you will know whom to refer me to when I get down. I shall want my lumber procured and building erected by job.
The Spring is opening, though but slowly. Winter relinquishes its grip reluctantly and vegetation is very backward. We shall have a good grain and fruit crop, nevertheless. The brethren are very zealously pushing forward their agricultural labors, but the teams are weak.
Our Conference commenced on the morning of the 6th instant and adjourned on the evening of the 9th. We had a Convention and a Special Conference on Monday. All of the brethren of the Twelve in the Territory were present but yourself; Bro. Rich having come over the Mountains from Bear Lake Valley to Cache on Snow shoes to be present at the conference. You will get an epitome of the proceedings from the Minutes published in this weeks News.
We have had a splendid Conference, and the Spirit of the Lord was bountifully poured out upon both speakers and hearers. Instructions, warnings and reproofs were freely dealt out to the people, and, we trust, with profitable effects. Upward of fifty Missionaries have been called to go to Europe and twelve to go to the Sandwich Islands. The most of these brethren have been called unexpectedly, and all, so far as heard from, have expressed an entire willingness to go and have commenced to make their preparations, though some of them have been deeply engrossed in business. Capt. Hooper was called to go on a Mission and we were rejoiced to see him drop every thing and enter into the Spirit of His Mission with Zeal and earnestness.
We have heard sad news of three of our brethren being killed in Sanpete Valley--Barney Ward being one of the number-- by the Indians. The brethren mustered, and in a fight with the Indians lost two more men, and had to retreat.
This morning (the 15th) the fearful intelligence came to hand of the assassination of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward, the first being shot in the Theatre and and the latter stabbed in his own house; both being attacked about the same time, as though it were a preconcerted arrangement. The assassin or assassins had not been caught up to the latest intelligence
We shall be pleased to hear from you when ever you can write. Accept my love, and remember me to all the brethren.
Praying the Lord to bless and prosper you in all your labors
I remain Your Brother as ever,
Brigham Young