1860 May 17 Letter to Nathaniel C. Jones and Jacob Gates

Title

1860 May 17 Letter to Nathaniel C. Jones and Jacob Gates

Description

The troops are removing from Utah in small detachments and Congress passed a bill criminalizing polygamy. Details are given on drafts drawn on Asa Calkins.

Type

Correspondence
Government

Sender

Brigham Young

Recipient

Jacob Gates
Nathaniel C. Jones

Date

1860 May 17

Location

Great Salt Lake City
Islington, Liverpool, England

Number of Pages

2

Subject

Military
Government
Polygamy
Financial Matters
Chuch Leadership

Item sets

G.S.L. City, May 17, 1860.

Elders Nathaniel V. Jones and Jacob Gates,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England,

Dear Brethren:-
A letter, March 31. from br. Calkin came to hand by mail of the 14th inst., from which I learn that he intended to sail from Liverpool about the last of April, for which reason I address this letter to you.

The troops ordered to remove from Utah--all there except 10 companies- began to move on the 10th inst., in detachments of suitable number for convenience in traveling and camping, and will probably continue to leave Camp Floyd until all are under motion, which is expected to occur on or soon after the 20th inst.

After much discussion upon several plans, the House of Reps., April 5, passed a Bill to make polygamy a crime in all the Territories. Since that date, up to our latest date from N.Y., April 21, the subject appears to have lost much of its former interest, as we see no notice of any action upon it as yet by the Senate. How unwise, to not yet be able to understand that they can not stay the purposes of the Almighty. The classification of those for and against the truth is daily becoming more distinct, and each class have liberty to use their agency, but must abide the results of that use. After all it is really amusing to observe the amount of pious horror exhibited against polygamy by those who are certainly no better than they should be.

Pike's Peak gold and Carson Valley silver are attracting many, which, with the movement of troops, is rapidly improving our moral atmosphere.

Our peach crop and many peach trees were killed by the past winter, but the hardier fruits promise well, and the weather and soil are in promising condition for the usual products of tillage. Details of news you will learn in our papers.

Elders Lyman and Rich will probably reach Liverpool soon after your reception of this letter. They are bearers of all instructions deemed necessary at the time of their departure, and no further counsel at present occurs to me, except to advise you that it has been deemed best for the present to continue our drafts in br. Calkin's name, and that you and your associates in the ministry ever bear in mind that it is expected of you to be fathers and exemplars to the brethren in all matters, temporal and spiritual, and in nowise to in the least oppress them in any way, that you may indeed be instrumental in doing much good in promoting the cause and purposes of our God.

I have drawn, in br. Calkin's name as above stated, draft 167, £12.0.0, favor of Robert Porter, Hull, Yorkshire, also 168, £113.8.0, favor of Doan, King & Co., St. Louis, Missouri.

May the God of Israel bless you in every laudable effort for the advancement of His cause upon the earth.

Your Brother in the Gospel,

Brigham Young