President's Office,
Gt. Salt Lake City, July 20/66.
President Brigham Young, Jr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, Eng.
Dear Son:
Since my last letter to you, on the 5th instant, everything has been moving along peaceably here; the people being very busy attending to the labors of the Season. The absence of so many of our young, active men with the Teams which have gone after the Saints to the Frontiers, and also helping the people to move and fortify in San Pete Company <County>, causes men's help to be in demand at present for cutting hay and grain. The men who were first called out under Gen. W. B. Pace of Provo and Col. Heber P. Kimball of this City, have returned, having been absent from their homes about three months. The trip as been a trying and arduous one; but the brethren came back in good health. Before <they> leading<ft> San Pete Gen. Wells sent two detachments of about one hundred men each, under the command of the above-named officers, by two different routes into the country East of the Sevier. Col. Kimball and his command penetrated through a desert, and came to a spot where the Indians had been fortified and had the cattle corraled; but they had removed. By the time they reached this spot their horses were very tired, and if they went any further they had to leave them; not having effected a junction with Gen. Pace, they command could not be divided with any degree of safety, so they returned.
The Settlements are being well secured, and we hope that hostilities will soon cease, and the Indians have their memories so quickened that they will again perceive (what they really have known all the time) that the Saints are their best friends. The people have been stirred up to diligence by these Indian disturbances, and we feel assured that this chastisement will, eventually, be attended with beneficial results. A deputation of the principle men of the Ute tribe has been sent in by their Chiefs, Tabby and Sow-i-ett. to inform me of the feelings and anxiety for peace and for the maintenance of peaceful relations between themselves and us. The interviews have been very satisfactory, and I hope that peace will be maintained. I have written a good letter to Tabby and Sow-i-ett, and sent it out by their friends.
We have just returned from a preaching visits to American Fork and Springville. Two days' meetings were held at the former place on the 26th and 27th, and two days' meetings at the latter place on the 28th and 29th. These meetings were very well attended, and the teachings were appropriate and interesting. The people rejoiced very much. The weather was much cooler while we were absent than it has been, and we had several fine showers, which cooled the atmosphere and laid the dust.
Desperate efforts have been made this Season by our enemies to bring trouble upon us and to exasperate the public mind against us; But, so far as we know, without any results. They have been foiled in all their schemes, and instead of our being a pray to our enemies, and living dependent upon them, we never had more freedom than we have had this Summer. Our opponents feel chagrined and angry at our prosperity and the peace which we enjoy, How they would rejoice to see us broken up and spoiled, and the blood of innocence made to flow! This would gratify their wicked desires and the spirit of the Devil of which they have partaken. But the Lord will take care of his elect, and all his promises will be fulfilled.
It is probable that your brother Oscar will be with you in England in the course of three or four weeks after you receive this. Bro's. Franklin D. Richards and N. Groesbeck will probably leave here also <for England> at the same time.
With love to yourself and family, to John W., Brother Orson and Miner and all the Elders who may be with you, and praying the Lord to bless, uphold and deliver you from every evil
I remain, as ever,
Your Father,
Brigham Young