CIRCULAR
To Bishop Edward Hunter and the Bishops throughout the Territory.
Brethren:-
Much reflection in regard to the means within our control for accomplishing certain purposes in this great work in which we are engaged, coinciding with considerable experience and observation, has induced us to present to you a plan for transporting our immigration from Florence N.T., and such merchandize and machinery as can not well be dispensed with, and to ask your united, prompt, and hearty cooperation in carrying out this plan, so fraught, in our judgement, with general benefit.
We are rich in cattle, but do not abound in money either at home or abroad, and desire to so plan and operate as to use our small amount of money and large number of cattle in the best possible manner for accomplishing the best good.
The oxtrain sent to Florence last year made excellent time, performed the trip both ways in far better condition than do most cattle that only come from the frontiers in one season, and arrived on the 3d of October, notwithstanding a detention of some
twenty three days in Florence, waiting there the arrival of their loads. This has demonstrated, serious untoward contingencies excepted, the practicability of sending oxteams and loose work oxen from here to Florence to return the same season, thereby enabling us to accomplish much with comparatively a very small outlay of money.
There were only twenty nine wagons sent to Florence last season; this year we wish to send two hundred wagons with four yoke of cattle to each wagon. In addition to said teams we also wish to forward as many loose oxen to Florence as our this year's immigration may wish to purchase, as that will give us the use of their money before it goes into the hands of strangers, thus saving for our use from about $10 to 30,000 which are yearly paid out in cash for cattle and wagons. Elders N.V. Jones and Jacob Gates are now in the States operating for this year's immigration; we have instructed them not to purchase cattle in the States, but to inform us, at as early a date as possible, the number of oxen they wish to purchase, upon the receipt of which you will be informed on that point, as we wish to forward those cattle from here.
It is desirable that both the oxen sent in teams and those driven for sale should be between the ages of 3 and 9 years inclusive, and be well broke.
The wagons sent should be the best Chicago make, 2 inch iron axletree, and be in such condition as not to require repair, accidents excepted, during the trip, and be provided with bows and good covers, unless some should prefer to provide their bows
and covers at Florence. Wooden axle Chicago wagons can be sent, if there are not enough iron axle wagons, of that make. Other good wagons, of similar make, can also be sent, if there are not enough Chicago wagons.
So far as a Ward sends teams, but have not suitable wagons, they can forward money for the purchase of wagons; or, if they have not money, can send extra cattle to be sold, for that purpose.
There should be a good teamster to each team, who should be suitably provided with provisions, bedding, &c., and when a Ward furnishes a teamster's outfit, those furnishing it may be credited on their tithing according to the kind they furnish.
Each team should be provided with some eight light thin ox shoes with the requisite number of nails, that oxen may be shod on the road when necessary, otherwise they will do better without shoes.
The teams, wagons, loose oxen, teamsters, and their outfit will be inspected by a competent person in G.S.L. City, and must pass that inspection previous to being permitted to start on the trip.
It is designed to organize the teams into companies of fifty each; each company to be under the charge of a responsible person, as Captain, and all the companies to be under the charge of one Superintendent or Agent.
Each company will be furnished with four mounted men whose duty it will be to take charge of the animals when out of the yoke, and see that they have the best grass and water the circumstances will permit. The guard must be assisted in their duties, when necessary, or when they require it, by the company to which they belong.
When a man fits out a team to send for the poor and Church freight, and then wishes to send one or more teams to freight for himself, he is at liberty to do so by paying his proportion of the expenses for Wagonmaster and mounted guard. Persons sending loose cattle for sale will also be required to pay a proportionate share of the expenses incurred in driving, guarding, and selling said cattle.
Teams taking flour or other loading for the Church, from here to Florence, will be allowed ten dollars a hundred, on labor tithing; and in like proportion for any distance on the route said loading is deposited, as we wish to deposit flour at different points. And for return loading they will be allowed fifteen dollars a hundred from Florence to this place, also on labor tithing.
At present there is but a small amount of Church freight at Florence; and so far as now known the chief amount of the transportation will be the Saints and their luggage, first and especially those who are unable to provide themselves with teams and wagons.
It will be necessary for Bishops to send persons for teamsters who will be responsible for the teams, wagons, and other property placed in their charge, for the Church will not be responsible for said property.
Where there is tithing wheat, the teams from outside G.S.L. County are expected to haul reasonable loads of tithing wheat to G.S.L. City, to be ground into flour to take toward Florence.
In addition to transporting Church freight and the poor brethren and their effects, this plan furnishes an excellent opportunity for individuals to send money, teams, loose oxen, or each, or all, for the purchase and transportation of wagons, groceries,
machinery, and other staple articles for their own use, th[-] supplying themselves with imported merchandize at the cheapest rate and in a way within their reach.
It is expected that the train and loose oxen will start from G.SL. City as early in the Spring as the snow in the mountains will permit
For carrying out this plan we have altogether the best end of the route to start on, as the grass will sustain our animals as soon as the snow will permit them to travel, and by the time they reach the plains the grass is good there, so that they have good feed all the way down and back.
The plan now proposed is so excellent for immigrating the Saints from the frontiers and cheaply supplying our wants in imported articles, that we trust that all the Bishops and their Wards will be liberal and spirited in carrying it out, feeling thoroughly assured that, inasmuch as we devise and practice liberal things, we shall be all the more liberally provided with increased means and facilities for preaching the gospel, gathering Israel, building our settlements in the mountains holy unto our God, and accomplishing His purposes in our being gathered here.
Brigham Young
First Presidency
Heber C. Kimball
Daniel H Wells
Continuation of page 7 of the "Circular" after the signature of the First Presidency.
OUTFIT.
To each wagon, 1 tar can or keg, and at least 1 gallon of wagon grease; 1 from 5
to 10 gallon-water-keg; 2 good whip lashes, with buckskin to splice and for crackers.
For each teamster, 250 lbs of flour, 40 lbs bacon, 40 lbs dried beef (if to be had), as much butter as each chooses and can take safely, 10 lbs sugar, 4 lbs coffee, 1 lb tea, 4 qt beans. 1 bar of soap, 4 lbs yeast cake (or its equivalent in soda, acid, or yeast
powder); salt enough for teamster and team; 1 good buffalo robe and 2 good blankets (or their equivalent); 1 gallon of vinegar, which should be carried in a stone jug, and some pickles, if to be had; 2 good pairs of boots or shoes, with grease enough to keep them well greased; 3 pairs of good pants, 6 Shirts, 5 pairs socks, 3 overshirts, and coats enough for comfort, with needles and thread for mending; 1 good gun (double-barrelled shot gun preferable), with plenty of powder, balls, and shot.
It is recommended that six form a mess, and that each six get together, in their different neighborhoods and agree about furnishing the necessary cooking utensils for their mess, also the necessary medicinal articles, such as No 6. Cayenne pepper,
purgative pills or castor oil, pain killer, <composition,> liniment, &c.,
It is further recommended that $10 in cash to each teamster be placed in the hands of his wagon master, to be disbursed for groceries and other necessaries for said teamster on his return trip, and to pay his ferriage down and back. Wherever the money
can not be had, it is suggested that each wagon take an extra 1000 of flour, or more, for the teamster to dispose of for means with which to procure his return outfit of groceries, &c.
Edward Hunter
Presiding Bishop.