G. S. L. City, U. T.
Sep. 8th. 1858
Hon. J. M. Bernhisel,
Dear Brother:--
We improve the opportunity of sending by our Brother Horace S. Eldridge who is about to return to the States, accompanied by Joseph W. Young, Frederick Kesler, Geo. Q. Cannon and others. We were truly glad to receive your communication per Howard Egan, and trust that your health is by this time fully restored. We were also pleased to see your Card, which we observe has been very generally published in the leading papers throughout the States.
Well, Doctor, a portion of the Army has been stayed, and we have returned to our homes, and are enjoying the blessings of peace, and as much quietness as we can reasonably expect under the present circumstances. The civilization of our new friends, as usual, consists of drinking, swearing, fighting, gambling, whoring, &c. Just as we expected it to be, so in this respect we are not dis-appointed. We still anxiously look for the removal of a portion at least of the Army now located in our Territory. They are located at Cedar Valley, west from Lehi about 20 miles; you thus perceive that they are not located upon any of the great thoroughfares to protect the travelling -- the overland emigration to California, Mail routes, or any thing else; but on the contrary are located in the very midst of our Settlements, having Rush, Tooele, and Shambip Settlements on the West; Goshen about 16 miles on the South; and the heavy Settlements of Utah and Great Salt Lake Counties on the East and North, to protect them from the Indians; so you see they are pretty safe from danger. They have entirely used up the Settlements in Cedar Valley for range and hay, besides very seriously infringed upon those of Rush, Goshen, Lehi and American Fork; besides which in passing through the cities and settlements with such heavy trains they entirely destroy the grass along the route and where they camp, for which so far they refuse the smallest compensation; and to make this as annoying as possible, the forces so far have passed through G. S. L. City, and camped on the other side of Jordan, not even respecting enclosed pasture and meadow fields; not only utterly consuming the grass adjoining the city, but a good share of the fence. I said to annoy, but no, this cannot possibly be the object of a gallant Army of a great and magnanimous Nation. Certainly not; it might make them odious when we know their objects are to do good, and set good examples of high toned morality. No! we must look to some other purpose or design which actuates them to hug so closely our settlements, and finally squat down in the midst of them. It could not be to gratify a sentiment or feeling of triumph, or celebration of great achievements past, and glory now! Oh, no! this would be beneath the dignity of such gallant souls! We must therefore look elsewhere for the motive, because everybody knows that their only object is to do good, and promote quietness, and save, not destroy, public virtue and morality! It must be care for the souls and lives of men that this induces them to tarry in our midst, where by the righteous examples of their "sinless soldiery," the poor benighted "Mormons" may be taught the ways of common civilization both by precept and example; and care also for the lives of their men, for who knows if they should encamp in exposed places, and not have the citizens to guard them on every side, but that some ferocious savage would disturb their peaceful slumbers by one of his horrid unearthly yells! Thus we sympathize with their forlorn and exposed condition. So far away from their homes, in such a wild country of Indians and grass hoppers.
Owing to Indian hostilities recently committed upon the Mail on Mary's River, en route to California, a party of one hundred and fifty soldiers have just left for that region. Dr. Forney and Mr. Dodge, the Agent for Carson, accompany them with some presents, this force expects to go and return in Sixty days. The 6th Regt. have passed on towards California-- we suppose on their way to Oregon. The 7th Regt. including the recruits and large quantities of supplies, are constantly arriving, all of which generally pass quietly along to Camp Floyd, which is the name the Army have given their present location. This City, however, is generally favored with hangers on, camp followers, traders, gamblers, &c., who find a lodgement in such houses as they can rent, and board at the hotels. The Mails for the last two months arrive and depart each week for the States and California quite regularly, and just as regularly are our letters and papers, if any are sent, stolen from us, as we do not receive any thing through that channel. Neither are we disappointed in this, for it is just what we expected they would do, and we suppose what the Department wanted when they took the pains to export (if we can believe the reports about him) a notorious thief, all the way from St. Louis, to make a Post Master for G. S. L. City. We are anxiously looking for his dismissal, and the appointment, according to law, of a resident of this city to fill that office.
In relation to the civil officers I do not wish to say any thing, though it is manifest they do not understand their place, duties, or the wants of the people, which must always be the case, so long as strangers from a distance are selected for officers having no sympathy, knowledge, or understanding in unison with the people over whom they are appointed to preside, and taking and receiving their instructions continually fromthe clerks of the various departments of the central Government, who are equally, or even more ignorant, if possible, than themselves, instead of taking them, as in duty bound, from the Laws. Looking at it even in its most favorable light, it can be taken for nothing less than a despotism. It is perfectly laughable as well as ridiculous to see the officers act as though the Law was bound up in them, instead of the Statute Books-- a perfect living embodiment of Constitution and Laws.
The appointing power over Territories should always be exercised in its mildest form, by selecting for officers not only good men but paying some deference to the wishes of the People over whom they are called to preside. Governor Cumming still evinces an interest in our affairs, and appears to want justice, extended to us; and we trust he will continue and extend his researches and investigations, and make correct reports thereof to the various Departments; though he has not seemed very active in this respect, since the departure of Col. Kane.
Our safety consists in our gaining admission into the Union as a State, when we can elect our own officers, and make our own appointments. To aid in promoting this desirable object we have sent our brother Geo. Q. Cannon to cooperate with, and under the direction of Col. Thomas L. Kane. He will need funds, and we wish you to furnish him as he calls. He can explain all to you; and we hope as he is perfectly reliable and of unquestioned integrity, that he will receive your fullest confidence and support.
We feel grateful to you, Dr., for your past efforts, and shall ever cherish the kindest regards for your happinesss and prosperity; but you are aware that the success of our cause involves a common interest equally binding upon us all. Let us therefore unite our utmost endeavors, as duty seems to require at present, to gain our State Sovereignty. Some of our people who were robbed by the Indians at Salmon River have applied thro' Governor Cumming to the Government for the payment of damages. The Governor suggests it might aid in obtaining those claims for you to nurse them a little and using your influence in the right direction. We might also add, that possibly you might be more successful in future getting appropriations for defraying the expenses of Indian hostilities in Utah Territory and other matters, though we doubt not these matters will meet your earnest and early attention. The appropriation for the suppression of Indian hostilities should be settled with the Adjutant General of the Territory, instead of the Secretary. We do not, of course, expect to receive anything through the mails, and consequently do not send through that channel; neither is it wisdom for you to trust anything therein.
I want my pay as Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and I do not want any poor drivelling Clerk to stand in the way, only to pay out the money. I have faithfully discharged the duties of those offices up <to> the time for which I have made out my accounts.
We have understood that Charles Mollier has been brought up by young Burr, who is here, and that it is more than probable that he has contradicted the statements which you will remember he was so anxious to make in the summer of '57, while you were here, about the surveying &c. He has not been seen or heard of in the Settlements lately, and is supposed to have gone to the Army. There is not any doubt but what he told the truth in his first Affidavit and tied up the funds; but we suppose his denial will loose the treasury strings, and Genl. Burr get his pay down for doing nothing.
I learn it is a matter of doubt about Col. Hays' coming on. If that office should be vacant, and you could get the appointment for our old friend, John Wilson Williams, near Burlington, Iowa, it would be gratifying to us, as we suppose the time has not yet arrived to obtain such an appointment for a "Mormon'. You may perhaps, remember him; he was County Surveyor in Hancock County, Illinois. Or Col. F. W. Lander, who is superintending the Northern Wagon Road now in this Territory. We have had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of Col. Lander, and are much pleased with him.
Praying God to bless you, in all your duties, and enable you to do much good,
I remain as ever, Your Brother in the Gospel of Christ.
Brigham Young