G. S. L. City, Nov. 27, 1862.
Elder Thomas C. Stayner,
care of Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England,
Dear Brother:-- Your very welcome and interesting letter of July 3 were
perused with much gratification. We were pleased to learn that you so manfully withstood disappointments from former friends, those trials tending to nerve rather than discourage you, and that both yourself and sister Stayner were enjoying such good health.
In addition to the information received from you, we continue to get cheering news of the prosperity of the cause in the British Isles, and doubt not that the Elders will continue zealous of good works and diligent in improving the season of prosperity with which they are blest.
On our part we are happy in being privileged to inform you that Utah continues to be greatly blest with peace and continued prosperity, which the great majority of her population are striving to profit by to a degree that will keep free the channel through which flow the rich blessings of Heaven. All [?] this year's immigration arrived in good time, and mostly in excellent health and spirits. The two hundred and odd four-yoke teams sent from here last Spring brought all from Florence who were there wishing to come, besides much freight, and very generally endured the trip down and back better than the oxen bought on the Frontiers. We now hope to be able to send to Florence next Spring all the teams that the poor of our next year's immigration may require, which we trust will tend to cheer and encourage those who anxiously desire deliverance from the bondage of wickedness with which they are surrounded. This course places it in our power to render a large amount of aid which we otherwise could not at present, for the cattle, wagons, and teamsters we have, but money for that purpose we have not now, and do not know when we will have.
Since the 24th ult. we have enjoyed unusual facilities for the reception and transmission of news, &c., the telegraph line having on that date been completed across this Continent. We have several times had in print here in the afternoon news of events transpired in Washington in the forenoon, which will doubtless be a very general occurrence, so so<o>n as the weak places in the wire are discovered and remedied, and the stations fully arranged and organized. As from keeping as speedily advised of the principle movements in the States and elsewhere, the telegraph will afford us many desirable facilities during of immigration and the Sessions of Congress.
The Spirit of improvement has been very prevalent and effected many commendable changes throughout the settlements in Utah the past season, to the procution of many of which the weather continues unusually favorable. In this City workmen are now busy putting the roof on a massive building, 80 X 144 ft, designed for lecturing, theatrical and other amusements, &c., and which we now expect the weather will permit to complete in time for comfortable occupation during a portion of the coming winter.
Upwards of two hundred families, selected and volunteered, are either on the way or preparing to go to Washington County, to strengthen up the old and make new settlements in the Santa Clara and Rio Virgin rivers, with a view to raising cotton, olive oil, indigo, and other desirable products of warm climes, to enable us to be still more self-sustaining, a quality commendable in all people.
On the 22nd inst., Sister Rebecca Clark, who came through this season, was sealed to your son Thomas in the Endowment House.
Your friends and the people generally enjoy a goodly degree of health, and the great majority seem striving to merit the rich blessings of Heaven.
Ever pleased to hear from you at your convenience, and praying that all needed blessings may attend you and your good lady, I remain,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
