Gt Salt Lake City,
June 26th, 1866
Messrs. D. J. McCann & Co.
Bankers, Nebraska City, N. T.
Gentlemen:-
Your letter of the 11th instant, on the subject of the indebtedness of Mr. Thomas Taylor, has just been received. As I received a letter from him a few days ago, in which he stated that he intended to leave New York for Wyoming in a few days, I hope he has called upon you, and made satisfactory explanations and arrangements with you about his indebtedness.
A few words of explanation respecting my position in relation to Mr Taylor and his indebtedness incurred last year, are necessary.
For a few years past I have had regularly appointed agents to act for me, as Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at New York and on the frontiers, in Emigration business; but this last year I made no such appointment; and repeatedly wrote to the gentlemen in charge of our
business in England, and impressed upon them, that the emigrants must depend entirely upon their own means to bring them through to this country that year (1865) as we were in such a position that we could not render them any assistance whatever. It was with this understanding that the people emigrated. Mr Taylor and Mr. Holman were appointed in England (they having gone from this country as Missionaries) to come over to the States and act as Emigration agents for those who were emigrating, and who had the means to help themselves through Upon their arrival in New York Mr Taylor telegraphed me for instructions; and I said, in reply: "All will have to depend upon their own means, as we do not intend to extend any aid this season." This Telegram was dated March 6th, 1865. Thus early did I disclaim all intention to render any assistance and all responsibility connected with the forwarding of the people.
Mr Taylor's sympathies were moved for the people, and he undertook more than his means warranted him in doing, thinking by managing prudently he would be able to meet his engagements. Had every thing worked as he hoped and expected, he would have been able to have done much better than he has; but the lateness of the season at which the companies reached here and the stock being poor, caused him to sustain serious loss in cattle, &c.
Mr. T. in signing his name a "Emigration agent for the Church of J. C. of L. D. Saints," did so I presume because of his appointment in Liverpool.
Had I the means I would readily lend Mr Taylor the amount due to you; but I have not got the needed sum, having my calculations made for the use of the means in my hands, and my engagements to meet. If Mr. Taylor, when he comes up to your place, cannot make every thing satisfactory, I will render what assistance I can be loaning him as soon as I can do it without infringing upon my engagements. I would be averse to your sustaining any loss.
Mr Taylor is acting as our agent this year in the emigration, but he and his assistants have been positively instructed not to incur any debts on my or the Church account. I do not wish any person to have any credit extended to them on my account this year, or at any time unless duly accredited by me.
Respectfully,
Brigham Young