G. S. L. City, March 18, 1862
Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England,
Dear Brother:--
I wrote to you quite fully on the 11th inst., since when yours of Feb 8th has come to hand, also a telegram from br's Brown & Blackburn, dated New York City, March 14, from which I learn that mine to you Jan. 7 had been received. Since that date I wrote to you on the 28th of Jan.; 3d, 7th and 18th of Feb., and 1st inst., besides the 11th inst., at first noted; I trust they will all reach you, as I am not aware that any of our letters have as yet entirely failed reaching their destination, though some delay occurs occasionally through snow, bad weather, &c.
As I have already advised you, present appearances indicate that it will be much the best for our foreign immigration this year to ship for New York City or Boston, or both, whichever at the time is found to be most advantageous, and thence by railroad on the most accomodating and cheapest route to Florence. Notwithstanding this, I am glad that you made inquiries concerning the Quebec route, for it increases our practical acquaintance with the comparative facilities of different lines, of travel, which may at some time be of use in making bargains, if nothing more.
On the 25th of Jan. last a sister Sarah Hiott, Burkland Cottage, Queen Street, Leamington Spa, England, wrote to me a wish that I would induce her husband John Hiott, of American Fork, to help her emigrate. I addressed a note to Bishop Harrington requesting him to inquire into the matter, which he did at once, and wrote, among other items, as follows, "To sum up the matter, Hiott says he will not help her to come to the valley, and will not live with her if she does come; but he intends to send for the boy as soon as he can." I know of nothing further I can do in the case, except to ask you to inform sister Hiott of the foregoing statements of her husband.
In my last I informed you that I would forward Sister Ann Randall's power of attorney to br. Amasa Lyman, so soon as I could get it executed, which I have done, and herewith inclose said power, hoping that it will be in time, and wishing you to have it in br. Amasa's hands by the first opportunity.
Br. John T. Caine informs me that the plays, &c. you have advised us of, have come safely to hand.
The election returns are all in, except from 4 countries, and not one vote against our new Constitution. The State ticket was also voted unanimously, so far as returns have been received, and br. William Clayton, Secretary of the Convention, yesterday handed certificates of election to myself and br. Kimball as Governor and Lieut. Governor, and Judge Elias Smith administered to us the oath of office. This week's 'News' will contain my proclamation convening the General Assembly in the Council House in this city on Monday the 14th of April next, when two Senators to Congress will be elected, and such other business transacted as wisdom and the then circumstances may dictate.
In br's Brown and Blackburn's telegram, afore-mentioned, I find the following, "a number of native and other Elders ought to be released from England, but help is so scarce that they can not be spared. Can they depend on money coming this Spring?" The construction of the quotation is a little blind, leaving a query whether money should not be read many. Be this as it may, it is designed to send this Spring quite a number of Elders on foreign missions, and I wish you so far as means and prudence will permit, to release and emigrate such Elders, whether native or sent from here, as it would be best for them and the cause to be liberated and emigrated this season; bearing in mind that when an Elder has been preaching some time he is apt to become more or less spiritually listless and desirous of change or , of from here, to return home, in which case he had better be released and, if consistent with means emigrated.
As already advised, please inform br's Brown and Blackburn that br's Horace S. Eldredge and Joseph W. Young have been sent from here to manage the [?] of our immigration in the States, br. Eldredge having the general supervisory control, and br. Joseph W. to operate in Florence; and advise br's Brown and Blackburn to operate under the counsels and advice of the aforesaid brethren who are the Church Agents in the States, which I presume they will gladly do.
By latest telegram dates 15th inst., the wire not yet having caught up since mending its last break, we learn that the Confederates had evacuated New Madrid and abandoned their Manasses line, and that the Federals are much elated with their successes.
Families and friends continue to enjoy good health, so far as I am informed.
God bless you, br's Amasa and Charles, and the faithful lovers of truth throughout the
world.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young