The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U. T.
February 4. 1870.

Hon. W. H. Hooper, M. C.
Washington, D. C.

Dear Bro:-

Your interesting favor of the 23rd ult. has been received & read with much interest.

On the 27th ult. we sent you a letter concerning Wheeler's rail-road bill, with some of our views thereon, which we trust, came safe to hand. Immediately on the receipt of yours, we telegraphed to the various officers in those counties affected by the Trumbull bill, recommending the propriety of obtaining some public demonstration of the feelings of the people on the subject; & if they saw fit to memorialize Congress, you could attach thereto the signatures of the residents of those Counties. It was with this understanding that the names accompanying the "Memorial for Admission" were forwarded, to be used not only with that Memorial, but with any other, when you should be advised of the action of the people. The Counties most directly interested in this bill are Rich, Cache, Box Elder, Weber & David. We will advise you promptly of the result of these agitations.

Bro. H. S. Eldredge has doubtless called upon you; at all events, he is now in the east on business & intended to call upon you, from him you will get all the current news.

We were not a little amused with an article in the N. Y. Evening Express of the 26th Jan. under the head of "Spirit of the Press" -- Is Polygamy a blessing?" The article will probably be published in the "Deseret News," if so, we will send you a clipping.

By the way, have you heard of the attempted assassination of Dr. Taggart, our Assessor of Internal Revenue? Three villains! & one bloody knife! & the Dr's hand lacerated! It appears that the Dr. while amusing himself in play with a dog, had one of his hands bitten. & shortly afterwards he resolved to play, as he intended, a joke upon his friends & informed some of them, that an attempt had been made upon his life, by some parties -- Mormons of course -- but this joke was received in earnest, & it was extensively circulated, that a diabolical attempt, had been made to murder a U. S. official, in Utah by the d---d Mormons! We are informed the Dr feels much chagrined about the affair; but this goes to shew with what readiness our enemies will circulative any malicious report against us, totally regardless of its truth.

In your letter to Bro Ellerbeck of Jan. 28. mention is made of a letter to me dated the 27. his letter was received yesterday morning, but mine has not yet come to hand. (9 A. M.).

Hoping to hear from you soon again & that you may be abundantly blessed in your labors, in which I am joined by my brethren whose faith & prayers are constantly exercised in your behalf

Brigham Young

P. S.
If there is any probability of a precipitation of action on Trumbull's part -- it may be proper for you to remonstrate without waiting for the Memorials which are now being gotten up, still may not be ready in time, & you have all the signatures already at hand.
B. Y.