The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City July    /53

Captains Walker & Arrowpin

Chiefs of Utah Tribes.

I have received this day, a letter from McClellan of Payson, by the hand of Charles Hancock, in which I am informed of some trouble among your tribes and [?] which arose between some Indians and a Squaw of your tribe and James [Foy] of Springville, Utah County, in the following manner.

The Two Indians and Squaw came to James [Foy's house] and offered some fish they had in exchange for some bread; as Foy did not need the fish he would not accept of them, but gave the Indians and Squaw all the bread he had in the house free of any charge. The Two Indians and Squaw then sat down and commenced to talk, but Foy did not understand what they said upon which they one of the Indians kicked the Squaw and trampled upon her which bruised her severely.  Foy not willing to have the Indian kill the Squaw in his house pushed him gently out of doors, and told him in a friendly manner to behave himself. [?] the Indian turned back and abused her again more severely than [illegible] Foy lead him out of the house the second time and took him about six paces from the house, and told him forcibly to keep quiet; the Indian returned again and kicked the [?] squaw the 3rd time, then Foy's wife and children became alarmed and commenced crying, when Foy seeing his family much distressed and no further use seemingly of peaceable [illegible] to the Indian he knocked the Indian down [illegible] Indian made an attack intending to kill Foy but [illegbile] Indian siezed upon his Gun [illegible] Foy's [illegible] breast cocked the same, and [illegible] off the [?] and took it [illegible]  the Indian in knocking him down; the other Indian [?] was about to shoot Foy [illegible]

Now, Walker, and Arrowpin, [illegible] whole affair before us [illegible] eye witnesses to the affray [illegible] would counsel you to be peaceful [illegible] quiet and not hasty, angry and for war.

Both  of you know  [illegible] my voice is always [illegible] peace, and why?  Because it brings good [illegible] good of all the tribe under you [illegible] fail to accomplish the object [illegible]

When I have told you to be at peace with each other and the whites, did you [illegible]  So it will be every time, and I [illegible] you must not go to war, and disturb   [illegible] who have in times past in a [illegible] if you do, you wil find out [illegible] will not prosper you in your [illegible]

If the Indian should [illegible] Foy had no hatred toward the Indian [illegible] and he seek to kill him, [illegible] pure and act right [illegible] of anger and [illegible] advice you may [illegible]

You know that [illegible] gross injustice to take [illegible] all the bread he had in the [illegible] in them.  Foy struck the Indian  [illegible] but simply because the Indian [illegible]  had he not thwarted the blows.

I think that you can [illegible] just in you to take revenge in [illegible] to refrain, which if you do I [illegible] and to better satisfaction than [illegible] anger for revenge.

I love you all when you do well and  [illegible] counsel, but evil doers [illegible]

Believe me,
I Remain as ever
Truly your

Brigham Young