The Brigham Young Center

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

Dear Brother:

Without having any of your favors to reply to, or any items of importance to communicate, I thought I would send you a few lines, before starting on my visit to the saints in the northern portions of the Territory, of which trip I informed you in my last.

A rumor, if nothing more definite, has doubtless reached you of a slight misunderstanding that has arisen between Mess Wilson and Mann, on the one side and certain other office holders in this Territory on the other; owing to the supposed action of these latter in obtaining the removal of Mess Wilson and Mann. The revelations threatened promise to be interesting. Do what you can to help the work along; it cannot but result in our good. You remember the old saying "when rogues fall out, honest men get their own". We imagine that the only fault that could be found with Wilson, was that he was supposed to be a "mormon" sympathiser.

My attention has been drawn to an item in the "New York Herald" of 20th ult. stating that the Court house in this city had been closed against Judge Wilson and the United States Marshal by the "Mormon Authorities". Nothing of the kind was done, but had I been the Territorial Marshal, when Judge Wilson, ruled in this court, and presumed to legislate and amend the laws of the Territory. I should have dismissed the jury I had impanneled, closed the court, and locked up the court house, notifying the gentlemen of the bench and bar that as far as I was concerned they could not have the house that I had rented in which to do the business of the Territory.

The much talked of excursion of the Boston board of trade reached here about 11 O'Clock last saturday evening. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, the majority of the party attended the Theatre, which was open that evening for the benefit of bro Margetts, who is retiring from the stage. On Sunday the party attended the Tabernacle and at the close of the afternoon's meeting I went down, accompanied by several other brethren, to their luxurious traveling city and took dinner there. The party seemed highly pleased with their short visit, though the weather was rather unfavorable. About half past six on Sunday evening they again whirled away westward to the shores of the Pacific.

The railroad companies do not appear to be in any hurry to remove the Junction from Ogden, that is so far as we can judge from their course in that city, as apparently nothing is being done towards forwarding that object. It is quite probable that in the long run they will find it the best policy to stay where they are.

On this the sixty-ninth anniversary of my birthday, permit me to congratulate you on the birth of a heir to your name and fortune. May his days be many and happy on the earth. As for myself I can say that I never felt more full of joy and satisfaction in the blessings of the Lord. So far as the efforts of our enemies are concerned, they never give me a moment's uneasiness, my only fear for the saints is that they may fail to live the principles of their Holy religion. As for the "movement", that has entered a new phase of its existance. A few of their prominent men have become disafected and seceeded, while it is said that several more are going the same way. The acquisition of Amasa. M. Lyman appears to be a source of weekness of rather than of strength to their cause.

With love to yourself, bros. Caine and Morris and constant prayers for your prosperity and happiness

I remain, Your brother in the Gospel.
Brigham Young