Great Salt Lake City Jany. 31st 1854
Dear Brother Horace,
Yours of October 24th and Nov. 23rd/53, with a Copy of a/c with J. C. Haight, arrived on the l0th of December, too late to answer by last return mail, which left on the 1st as usual.
As to Ludington, use your best judgement in the matter, and if it is in any way wise, consistent, and he is on hand when you start for home, and evetything ready, why bring him with you, but do not furnish him any means to escape out of your sight, or control. I was pleased to learn that you had ventured to indulge in a trip to the scenes of your youthful days, among your relatives and friends, and that you enjoyed yourself so well and have no doubt that the relaxation was of benefit.
Bro Frederick Kesler will leave here for St. Louis with the mail, on the first of next March, in company with Bros. F. D. Richards and Jas. A. Little, who will proceed to England and releive Bro Samuel.
Bro Kesler will have a duplicate list of all the articles we have sent to you to procure, and perhaps some more; and will know what Bro. Halliday wishes, and in short will be posted on all points that you may with further assistance or information about, up to the date of his departure.
I presume you will be amply supplied with means to pay all bills I have ordered or may order bring on the good stands at Kanesville and the books ordered from Liverpool, England, but should any failure occur, to render it necessary, let the books be left in the care of some responsible person.
The amount of means that will be placed at your command to fill my requisitions I do not know definitely but I shall be careful not to exceed my ability.
The funds for the present year's immigration of the poor will be furnished in England and other foreign countries, and for the Saints starting from those places, hence the only opening I know of for the Poor at St Louis, is, for them to come out as teamsters to the number that you and others may require, let the women, and children who are old enough, make calculations to walk as much as consistent, which will be far better than toiling out their lives at St Louis without making any head way as to surplus means for an outfit.
You will ever bear in mind, that you are not bound to comply with any requirements of any description, requiring the use of Church or Emigration Funds, unless they are official.
I have deep sympathy for the poor saints who are abroad, not only in St Louis but wherever they are, and always feel the weight of the responsibility laid upon me, and all who can, to assist to our uttermost in their speedy gathering, still in this, as in all else we can only do our best, from time to time, in accordance with the requirements and circumstances.
The lately hostile Indians, have gone quarters east of the Wasatch mountains and some of their trails into our Settlements are blocked with snow, and at present they are quiet, but what their course will be in the spring I have no means, as yet, of determining.
For a short time past, the weather has been more severely cold, than any we have experienced since our settlement here, thermometers having been 18 Degrees below Zero at 1. o,clock A. M. but is now moderating again.
Union, peace, and general health prevail, and for winter weather, my health is unusually good, and as far as I know your family and friends are well.
Of course you will not retard your operations waiting the arrival of Bro. Kesler, for his duties will be to aid you, and fulfill certain specified requirements, and return again with the mail.
Ever praying for your welfare, and prosperity in righteousness and truth.
I Remain
Your Brother in the Gospel.
To
Horace S. Eldredge
St. Louis. Mo.
P. S.
President Willard Richards is very unwell, and has
been for several days past, but hopes are entertained of his recovery.