Memoranda for Hon. J. M. Bernhisel.
Prudence dictates that your money deposits be made with Pres. George Q. Cannon of the Liverpool Office, who, upon your communicating with him, will inform you of the best manner to proceed in making said deposits.
Your constituents expect you to take early steps to have Congress rectify the mistake made in the boundary of the northeast part of our Territory, and have the Territory bounded east by longitude 109° west of Greenwich, and north by latitude 42°, as was obviously the intention when the acts were passed changing our eastern and western boundaries. Doubtless Congress will at once accede to this request, especially when, aside from the accidental oversight in the hurry of business at the close of the session of 1860-61, the comparative worthlessness of the portion asked for is taken into consideration.
The administrator and heirs of A. W. Babbitt, deceased, are anxious that you should, at the next session of Congress, and as early in the session as amount of some $13,000, or for whatever amount of Government money Mr. Babbitt had in charge at the time he was killed by Indians on the plains. As a bill of this nature is but an act of justice, and is necessary to enable the administrator, Judge William I. Appleby, to close up the business of the estate, it is presumed that no objection will be made to passing it at as early a day as business of that nature can be reached.
Rumor informs us that President Lincoln has already appointed several nonresidents to fill offices in Utah; the Superintendent of Indian Affairs is here, and it is reported that the Secretary and Surveyor General have arrived. In this course the President is following the old British Colonial usage instituted and practiced by his predecessors, but since he was wisely and justly departed from that usage to some extent in Nevada, more in Washington Territory, and perhaps somewhat in other Territories, it will be well to carefully watch and improve every opportunity to urge upon his attention the appointment of some if not all of our officers from persons of our choice resident in our Territory.
The admission of Utah as a State will of course engage your unremitting attention, as also the successful completion, so far as possible, of all unfinished official business of your predecessor, the Hon. W. H. Hooper, who will inform you of its position and of the whereabouts of all papers pertaining thereto
The adjustment of my accounts, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, has for a long time been delayed; and even since their having been minutely and carefully examined by Superintendent Davies, and favorably reported upon by him, no action has been taken thereon, so far as I am informed. I trust you will give this matter your attention, and persistently urge an early settlement of my accounts with the Government. My claims amount to between forty and fifty thousand dollars, the duplicate papers for which will be furnished to you by my Chief Clerk, br. David O. Calder.
Please write to me as often as once a week, giving a detail of matters and things as they are, or as you understand or view them.
I should be pleased to have you call upon Col. Kane, as soon after your arrival in the States as you can make it convenient.
Please deliver Col. Kane's and Mr. Allisters letters personally, at your earliest convenience; and mail the foreign letters in the New York Post Office, New York City.
Brigham Young