Great Salt Lake City U. T. Nov. 20th 1858.
Horace S. Eldredge Esqr
Dear Brother.
We improve this opportunity of sending by Mr. Majors, of the firm of Majors, Russell & Co., to communicate with you, as we do not yet feel safe in trusting our Mail matter to go through the hands of our imported Post Master. The same old clique of Burr, Hurt, Craig, Dotson, &c. are now here, and striving in every way to operate against us with a view, doubtless of keeping the Army here. They have attached to their cause Kirk Anderson, and from present appearances, Judge Sinclair, as well as several others of like "Kith & Kin." The filthy and scurrilous sheet they are printing is so far beneath our notice, that we do not consider it worthy of our attention; although if it should be extensively quoted in the States, it may need some attention in that latitude. I do not suppose that a paper could be established in any other community in the world, and lead out in such a low, scurrillous, impudant, reckless and infamous manner against the whole people, and its proprietors and contributors and not be kicked out of the country. and their press abated as a nuisance. It only proves another test of the long suffering and patience of the Saints.
Mobocracy and Murder is in their hearts, but so long as they keep hands off, we expect to let them live. The same clan are however striving and doing all in their power to stir up strife through the Courts, but in this also they are likely to be foiled; although they have evidently got the Judges pretty well under their influence, and empannelled a jury of at least half "civilized christian people." also recently imported from the enlightiment of western Missouri and Kansas.
They have commenced suits as follows-- McNeal for "false imprisonment" vs. Brigham Young, D. H. Wells, James Ferguson, Robt. T. Burton, J. C. Little, Leonard Wines and Daniel Cairns. Damages claimed $25,000.-- D. H. Burr V.s Brigham Young Sr. F. Little, Jos. Young Jr., B. Young Jr. H. B. Clawson, J. C. Little, James Ferguson, William Kimball and A. P. Rockwood, for trespass in taking care of public property, which the clerks which he run off and left in his office, were stealing. He claims $3,000. Also F. S. Williams vs. the Corporation for the destruction of his Library, Damages about $5,000.-- Also McGraw vs. Feramorz Little on account of note given at Independance about the Mules, you will remember. What else they are bringing we do not know, but doubtless sufficient to keep the court engaged from doing any ligitimate business. There are several cases pending for robbery and murder and the criminals in custody,but this does not seem to occupy the attention of the officers at all, but adjourn from time to time, to gain time to concoct and get up vexatious schemes and cases against me and others, in order to annoy, and stir up strife and contention.
Mr. Wilson, the District Attorney, and Lady, arrived about 2 weeks since. He does not yet fraternize with the aforesaid clan; how far he may sympathise with them I do not know.
Govr. Cumming is still disposed to see fair play, and considers their organ as a very low scurrilous sheet. Is it not singular that we must always be subjected to the annoyance of such a pitiful set of curs (pardon the slander on the dogs) but it will pass and we will be none the worse of it, but we trust much better the sifting process is going on, and we hope will continue, so that when our "civilized Christian" friends take their departure that all their converts will accompany them.
At our recent Conference of the Elders held in the Tabernacle, about One hundred were cut off from the Church; there were quite a number of these, however, who had apostatized and gone off some one and two years since.
I am gratified in being able to say that a great majority of the people are faithful and true; indeed they are comparatively few who are really disposed to turn away from the pure principles of the Gospel;-- less than might be expected under the circumstances, although very many doubtless who fall far short of living up to the full requirements of our holy religion.
The Merchants are reaping a golden harvest-- the high prices for their goods have been fully sustained, and what is still more suprising, they have nearly sold out their stocks-- We sincerely hope that the time is not far distant when the people will supply their own wants and manufacture their own supplies; then, and not until then will we become independant of our enemies.
General Johnston keeps things very quiet at the camp, and large numbers of teamsters have left for California and the States. There are however a good many here yet -- many who have no means, having lost all their few remaining dimes by gambling, drunkeness, or being robbed, all of which are very customary practices among them. But Hurt, Burr, & Co. are the great source, head and front of the Mobocratic party. They are highly elated just now at their fine prospects, the Court being as they think completely under their influence. as also the "Valley Tan," which may very properly be called their organ. Thus you will perceive christian civilization is in the ascendancy, and Mr Kirk Anderson threatens a Charge on every corner.
There is one item which should not be forgotten. They have formed a Company for the purpose of speculating in Town lots; the site they have chosen is the Provo Bench. The object probably is to make a survey and plot and sell lots in the east. The company is composed of some of the Merchants and gamblers, and is doubtless designed to gull and swindle the unsuspecting.
If you should [-] anything of their operations, it would be well to caution the brethren and others from being swindled out of their money by any of their false pretensions. You are well aware that it will cost more to take the water out above the bench than all of that crowd put together will ever risk expending in this country; and one of the company at least, rendered as an excuse for not paying his board bill, until he could realize something from the sale of Lots. They call it Brown City. Again, they are giving Genl. Johnston great credit for opening that route through from Fort Bridger, as though nothing had ever been done upon it before. You know that we expended about $20,000. in making the road and building a Bridge in Provo Kanyon, and the trains have so far paid toll for the privilege of useing it. So much for that.
The Mails arrive and depart quite regular yet. We would be very glad to hear from you, but presume that you have not had any opportunity of sending by private conveyance. We write to Bro. Kesler as well as yourself, so if one should fail to reach you the other will, perhaps go safe-- And also to Bro. George Q. Cannon, and wish each of you to have the perusal of all the others.
I want you to send me 10 lbs of Juniper berries, fresh and fine and also 10 lbs of Aleppo nut galls for making ink. You will also see an advertisement for sugar Mills, enclosed in Bro. Kesler's letter. We think that you had better get two or three of the one horse power Mills, if upon examination they should prove satisfactory.
Your families are in usual health. so far as I know all is well with us, and we trust the time is not far distant when we shall gain our constitutional rights, and have the privilege of electing whom we choose to rule over us.
May the Lord bless, sustain and preserve and give you wisdom to enable to overcome all your enemies, and help Israel to triumph over every opposing foe.
I remain as ever your Brother in the Gospel of Salvation.
Brigham Young
P. S. In case the advertisement should be lost the address of the Manufacturer of the sugar Mills is Hedges Free & Co., corner of Main & Water Streets. Cincinnati Ohio.
Confer frequently and freely with each other and also Col. Kane.
Nov. 22d. Your note written on board the E. A. Ogden, Oct. 28th, has just come to hand and is the first that we have heard from you since you left. We were truly glad to hear from you. We saw an account in a paper of the suspension of Chubb Brothers, Bankers Washington City. This is the house where Bro. Bernhisel did his banking and made his deposits. I trust that he will not be a loser.
You would also do well not to trust your money with any of them. I suppose that the house of Chubb Brothers was as old respectable and reliable a house as any in the Union, and yet that must follow in the wake of the wild speculation swindling concerns which have their periodic "bust ups."
