42 Islington, Liverpool.
Dear Brother:-
Your favors of 2nd, 10th and 13th ult with accompanying business enclosures reached here safely. I am pleased to hear of your continued good health and zealous labors for the cause of truth and righteousness, and that our brethren, the Elders, associated with you, are united in accomplishing the purposes of Heaven, and honorably fulfilling the mission God has appointed them. May the peace and blessing of the Lord abide with you all.
Myself and President Wells with a few Elders all in 6 two-horse vehicles left this city on 27 August last on an exploring trip to the Kanab country. We crossed the mountains from Parowan to the Sevier, thence following up the Sevier and passing over the rim of the Basin on to the head of the Rio Virgen, stopping the second night out from Parowan at Roundys (now abandoned) settlement on the upper Kanab Creek. Thence two days travel we reached the Paria a place suited more for an Indian farm and look out than any thing else. Our next night was passed at the Kanab Settlement where we found Bro. Levi Stewart and a few other families also quite a number of Indians; all seemed much pleased to see us. At this place we located and surveyed a town site, and on the sabbath after our arrival, at a meeting of the citizens, Brother Levi Stewart was chosen and afterwards ordained Bishop, to preside over the Kanab ward. From Kanab we went to Pipe Springs, where we located a rock fort, to be 152 by 66 ft to be so arranged as to accommodate a number of persons, in case of an Indian attack. The fort will enclose a fine spring of good water, and when completed we propose naming it "Windsor Castle. From Pipe Springs we went via Virgen City, Toker &c. to St George where we tarried a day, and thence we returned home, reaching this City on the 24 Sept. We held numerous meetings, both going and returning which were well attended by attentive audiences. The roads were good but dusty, and the weather fine.
It will not be necessary in this letter for me to enter into the details of the late extraordinary proceedings of the U.S. Officials in this Territory; of the bombastic proclamations of his excellency the governor, of the extra judicial powers claimed for the U.S. officers in the late ruling of chief Justice McKean, of the outrages of of the soldiery at Provo, or the silly attack of the Governor on Gen de Trobriand, all these have been ventilated in the Deseret News and Salt Lake Herald to an extent that will enable you to easily comprehend the situation and the folly of the men who esteem themselves equal to the task of uprooting the Kingdom of God; but their inglorious efforts have little other result than to cause a smile to rise on the countenances of the saints, who have seen so many of a like ilk fuss and fume away their brief period of office, and then sink into unregretted oblivion. So we feel assured it will be the case with those who at present are so tireless in endeavoring to stay the progress of the growing cause of Zion. God has not forsaken his people nor left his saints to take care of themselves.
Black Hawk, the Indian Chief who took so conspicuous a part in our last Indian wars, died on the 27th of last month near Spring Lake Villa, and in a small ravine near by his tribe buried him. That locality, I understand, was the place of his birth, there he commenced his depredations, and thither he went to die. He was the most formidable foe amongst the red men that the Saints have had to encounter for many years. The Indians generally appear to be inclined to peace throughout the Territory, though there are some rumors of horse stealing expedition to be entered upon by the Green River Indians, this present fall. Were there no white men to purchase stolen stock, and supply the Indians with whisky and amunition there would be fewer Indian thieves, and scarcely any Indian difficulties.
As it is probable that Elder Benzen will not start on his mission at present, I will in a few days send you by mail a proof of the corrected edition of Elder Jaques Catechism, which is now being published by the 'Deseret News Office." You will only need to publish a sufficiently large edition to meet the demands of the European mission, as the edition now being issued by Elder Cannon will supply the home trade. It is expected that you in publishing it, will conform to the alterations made in the copy sent you.
I have had one of the brethren in the office enquire regarding the health of your family, and he informs me that the health of Sis Eldredge's mother and sister Zina remains the same as when they last wrote to you. The rest of the family are enjoying good health.
The company of emigrating saints who sailed on the "S.S. Idaho" reached Ogden on the afternoon of Saturday last, the 1st inst. in good health & spirits. Most of them came on to this City. Elder W.C. Staines has also arrived home, feeling excellently after the duties of the season's emigration.
With love to yourself, Sis Eldredge, the Elders throughout the mission in the Office. I remain with constant prayers for yourself and the saints scattered abroad in Babylon.-Your Brother in the Gospel
Brigham Young