Great Salt Lake City, August 1st 1854.
Hon. J. M. Bernhisel
Washington City
D. C.
Dear brother,
The last mail which arrived on the 31st ult. brought five letters from you bearing date June 14th. 15th. 16th & 17th., for which please accept my thanks.
In regard to the Wolcott house, I have deemed it best for your wife to occupy the upper portion herself, and rent the basement to a small family; as the house is so arranged as not to be convenient for both your family and bro. Carrington's at the same time; and besides bro Carrington purposes building a small room this season.
I had the $5000. Draft cashed here before I was aware of your financial position, but presume cash affairs will turn up right in due time, and I do not expect the Liverpool office is cramped at present. You write touching the presentation of certain drafts as though I had considered you remiss in the matter; in this you are mistaken, as I merely designed to carry the idea that the Department could audit my accounts, and pay a part, if not all my drafts if they would, and were at all disposed to act in accordance with what they had written to me. I have no doubt of your skill, diligence and perseverance with the Commissioner and that that was the reason why the draft for$5000 was forwarded which came safe to hand. It may not be amiss to keep an eye on the special mail agency, that you may be ready with your petition whenever "the complement is not complete," as we are certainly entitled to one through the necessities of the case, if for no other reason.
The receipted Pay Roll will be forwarded by next mail, in accordance with your request. The Congressional Directory has been received. The slip from my sermon which you allude to has not come to hand, hence I am at a loss to know the item you wish kept at home; at the same time it is not designed to publish any matter calculated merely to rise excitement without doing any good. Judging from the general spirit and tenor of your letters, you are enjoying a more quiet atmosphere at Washington than you have at times been accustomed to, which I presume affords you a corresponding satisfaction. I further notice that Congress are more disposed than heretofore to make a few appropriations for Utah and her red children.
I enclose you an order for $162.16 from R. Wilson Glenn on the Treasury Department, which I wish you to get cashed. I also enclose a letter to Secretary Guthrie, which you will please read and present, or send to the Post Office as you may choose.
The season thus far has been very favorable to the vegetation in fields and gardens, though for the past two weeks the grasshoppers have injured some late grain, and done considerable damage in the gardens. and they are still quite plenty and voracious. Still, present appearances indicate an abundant harvest. Goods are arriving quite freely and there is a slight decline in prices, which I anticipate will fall off to a still lower figure.
The Adobie work of the wall around the Temple Block will soon be completed, and the workmen are making rapid progress in laying the massive foundation of the Temple.
All matters and business, are moving on harmoniously and we are still blessed with general good health.
Ever praying for your welfare, and guidance by the Spirit
I Remain your brother in the Gospel
Brigham Young.