The Brigham Young Center

G.S.L. City, March 22. 1860

Col. Thomas L. Kane,
Philadelphia, Pa.,

Dear Friend:-I have no unanswered letter from you calling for a reply, not having received one of later date than July last; but I cheerfully embrace an opportunity for forwarding a few lines by trusty private conveyance. I learned, by letter from our friend George Q. Dec. 13, that you had returned from your inland excursion with a largely increased stock of health, which you trusted would last you through the present run upon it, with which trust it affords me pleasure to join my wishes that your health and spirits may prove adequate for each cherished undertaking, for I feel assured that none but an honorable enterprise will engage your efforts.

The old proverb that "large bodies move slowly" is signally verified in the motion of the troops in Utah, for they still remain inactively rusting in Camp Floyd; and also in the action of the "powers that be" in regard to ordering their movements, for as yet no order to that effect has transpired here. Still I feel that the hands on the clock are moving, and that too in the right direction.

These slow movements are, probably, not much to be wondered at, for the whole affair is doubtless, to all rightely informed men of intelligence and love of rights, a matter of deep chagrin and difficult management, especially as the troops were not promptly withdrawn upon the first flush of the reaction. The outside pressure is also more or less kept to its bearing by the base misrepresentations of such men as Garland Hurt, Judge Cradlebaugh, and Camp Floyd letter orders. It is a sad index of the times that such men are listened to and appear to be allowed an influence in governmental affairs; though the moving cause in these events runs in a far deeper channel, but one by no means more commendable and far more potent than the first named indicating straws upon its surface.

The Probate Court for this County is in Session, and within a few days has tried six persons indicted for larceny; three were cleared, and three sentenced to the Penetentiary. The whole six are residents of this Territory, and the action of the Court proves conclusively the disposition in Utah to mete out justice, when not hindered by the unlawful interference of Chief and associate Justices. Such would be the case in all our counties, were the Probate Courts not unwarantly coerced by the District Courts, or did the District Courts labor with them to subserve the ends of justice independently of gunpowder and bayonets when they are far worse than useless. However, ere long we will beat our "swords into plow shares and our spears into pruning hooks,"

You will inquire, "have I written as I wish to." No. You will ask, "can I not write as I wish to." No. If I could see you, I could tell you.

You are in my thoughts daily, and I trust that I shall yet speak face to face with you
According to common usage I would say "my best respects to you, your dear wife, mother, and family; but I will say, may the blessings of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob rest upon you and your father's house, forever and forever.

Most truly your Friend

P.S. Br. Charles B. Robbins, son of Elder John R. Robbins of Tom's River N.J., has kindly proffered to deliver this letter to you.

Brigham Young