Presidents Office
Great Salt Lake City,
Nov. 21 1858.
George Q. Cannon Esqr.
Dear Brother:--
Having another opportunity to send by private conveyance, we improve it by writing a few lines to you. The most remarkable incident which has occurred since our last writing, is the issue of a vulgar little scurrilous sheet in the shape of a newspaper in this city called "Kirk Anderson's Valley Tan," You will probably see copies of it or at least extracts from it. It discloses its own character and is esteemed by us entirely beneath our notice. The third No. is now issued, its charges are wholesale and leveled against the whole people called "Mormons". The first thing it lead out in was a very lame argument against polygamy. It is full of low mean inuendos and slanderous charges against the people of this territory, and in any other community would not be suffered to exist a day, It is doubtless designed to keep alive the old excitement of Drummond and company, retain the troops and provoke a collision if possible. Its aiders and abettors are a portion of the old clan, Hurt, Burr, Craig, Dotson with the addition of a few gamblers and camp followers all of whom appear combined to get up vexatious lawsuits and agravate the citizens to commit some overt act which will justify them in calling into requisition the troops and thus bring about a collision. If they should succeed in this, of which however I do not think there is any danger, <the Administration may rest assured> we shall not wait for peace commissioners to come and explain their views to us. Failing in this their next effort will be to make it appear that the presence <of the army> is necessary to preserve good order, with the view of detaining them in the Territory as long as possible. This clan in this place will doubtless be joined by the Merchants, freighters, gamblers, and speculators who expect to reap a golden harvest from the continued outpouring of Uncle Sam's treasury, by the way, the old gentleman's treasury does not appear to be in funds just now as Army vouchers are selling at twenty percent discount, and officers are already giving drafts upon the expectancy of future appropriations. If they can succeed in writing, publishing and slandering up another excitement as they did in 1856 & 7 they will doubtless do it, for they appear determined to leave no stone unturned, but give their most strenuous efforts to accomplish it, and thus if possible accomplish also the destruction of this people.
These characters seem to consider that they have already gained some headway by flooding the country with their profane debauchery, thefts, murders, and every kind of licentiousness, and then having a court and officers of their own kidney, and a newspaper to back them. Govr. Cumming and so far Mr. Wilson must be execused from these charges; Mr. Hartnett is a milk and water kind of man, not of much account any where, rendered still less available by his habitual drunkenness, as also Judge Sinclair but the department and surrounding of these two gentlemen promises anything but that honorable upright and impartial administration of those important trusts committed by the government to their keeping, and which should characterize men holding such responsible stations, especially where so much is at stake. But unfortunately they throw all their influence in favor of the riot & debauchery which is aiming to flood us under through the auspices of Burr, Hurt, Craig and now Kirk Anderson & Co., with the Court and press to aid and back them, but they will all fail in their attempts to overthrow this people and the work, which the Lord has commenced in the latter days. Let the army leave and they will all sink together.
Nov. 22nd. We have just received a line from Brother Eldredge from which we learn that you all arrived safe accross the plains, It is the first that we have heard from you since you left. We trust however to hear more frequently from you hereafter. Your family are well so far as I know, as are all the brethren's. It is my wish that you consult frequently and freely with each other, also the Colonel unto whom you must kindly remember me. It is also my wish that you should give each other the perusal of each letter, as some items may be found in some that are not in others, also remember me to Brother Stenhouse. A few papers are occasionally received by Jos. A. Young, Brother Wells and others which we attribute to his kind remembrance of us and for which favors we are thankful.
May the Lord bless and give you wisdom according to your day, and the duties incumbent upon you, to perform and help Israel to triumph over all the enemies.
I remain as ever, Your Brother in the Gospel of Christ.
Brigham Young
