The Brigham Young Center

Bishop John Sharp
Boston.

Dear Bro.

Since your departure from our midst, I have received three communications from you, the last of which was dated 13th inst, detailing your interviews with the various gentlemen, with whom your business in Boston brought you in contact.

Accompanied by President D.H. Wells, Elders Woodruff, Taylor & Brigham Young Jun, Bishops Burton & Thurber and others, I shall start on the 4th prox, to visit the settlements in Box Elder, Rich and Cache Cos. Prest Geo. A. Smith, and Elders Pratt, Cannon & Joseph F. Smith will remain in town.

Our "Telegraphic Dispatches" inform us, that we are to have a new Secretary of State and Chief Justice for this territory Judge Wilson appears to have received a hint on the matter, for of late he has apparently done his best to conciliate the members of the Taggert "ring" by ruling contrary to the laws of the Territory. In one case he decided that the Territorial Marshall had no right to act in his court, and in another that the Probate Courts have no jurisdiction in civil cases.

The vanguard of the great army of tourists and visitors has already reached our borders, and notables and nobodies visit me every day, when in the City, in considerable numbers. Quite a large percentage of those passing through of late, have being European Officials and Army Officers returning home from Japan & China.

A vigorous crusade has been inaugurated, during the last fortnight against the grasshoppers, who have greatly increased in numbers since you left, and who have hatched our in almost every portion of the Territory. Vast numbers have been destroyed during the last few days.

A company of about eighty saints reached here this week from the Southern States; they were accompanied by Elders Boyle, Church and other returning missionaries. By a telegram we learn that our outgoing missionaries sailed from New York, per steamship Idaho, on the 25th inst. all well. Elder Staines remaining in New York.

The waters have been let into the canal, and we find that some additional locks will have to be constructed before the canal will be navigable.

Concerning your business do what is necessary to be done, if they will not settle the bill, inform <them> you will have to leave for home and we shall of course have to take other measures. The company have been great sticklers for contracts when it suited their purpose, but they will find that we can be just as particular when we deem it necessary; we certainly consider their contract to arbitrate just as good as a note of hand.

May the Lord continue to bless and preserve you and direct you in all your labors is the constant prayer of

Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young