The Brigham Young Center

President's Office
Gt. Salt Lake City
April 17th 1867

Mr. John Buckingham
State Road, Mill Creek

Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 2nd instant has been received. I have been very much surprised at its contents and tone. It shows to me how easy it is for a man to give way to and indulge in a spirit of complaining, until everything is distorted in his mind, and even acts of a kindness are looked upon with a jaundiced eye. Your letter is full of complaints. The spirit in which it is written is one of complaint. You are unfortunate, and, according to your showing, everybody, but yourself, is the cause of all your misfortunes. Can you not sit down and examine your conduct and perceive that if you have lost friends or employment, and are destitute of means, that you, yourself, have not been wholly blamelss in bringing about this condition of things. You had good employment while with me. Did you want for food, clothing, house, or other necessaries while in my service? and did you not go away yourself? Your own actions have estranged your friends from you, and no one can be blamed for your not having employment.

Your statement respecting your condition at the time you left Springville to come to work here does not agree with your former Statement, as I recollect it, at the time you came to work for me. I offered you work at my mill if you were out of employment. I do not feel under any obligations to you at all; but especially do I not feel to help you while you have the Spirit which your letter indicates; before I could feel justified in extending help to any person I should want to see an entirely different Spirit. I have helped your wife here considerably.

Respectfully
Brigham Young