Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 11, 1862.
Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England
Dear Brother:
The very welcome favors from yourself of Sep. 1, from my son Brigham of Aug. 7, and from br. C. W. West of Sep. 10 are safely to hand, and their perusal afforded us all much gratification.
We commiserate with you the straitened condition of the Saints in the British Isles, but rejoice to learn that our God is manifestly mindful of and blessing the faithful and obedient in their poverty, and rest more and more assured that, if they continue faithful in well doing, their way will be signally opened in his own time and manner. At the same time it behooves them to wisely use the means, skill, energy and economy the Lord blesses them with for their own deliverance, and in so doing they can confidently trust the result with Him. As an indication of the feeling of many here in their behalf, in addition to the late annual sending of many teams to Florence, I will here mention that I stated to the congregation, during our October Conference, as I have several times publickly stated before, that if any person or persons would purchase all my property at one half its cost and pay me the money, I would gladly sell all, devote the whole sum to gathering the poor, and begin anew to build and plant, and thus not only greatly bless thousands who are distressed, but also prove again, as I have already proved scores to times, that there is a giving that enriches. We are becoming wealthy in improvements and stock, but money is rather scarce here, and only money will answer beyond Florence; but we will continue to aid the gathering in such increased ratio as it may please the Lord to bless us with increased means for so doing.
I am pleased that you have undertaken a visit to the Continent, and have no doubt but it will prove mutually beneficial, and especially so in encouraging and strengtheing the Elders and Saints there.
Sep. 1st, with a company of brethren, I made a tour through our southern settlements, visiting nearly all of them, and returning on the 25th, having in that short time traveled some 800 miles and held thirty public meetings, in twenty four of which I addressed the congregations. We found the brethren in Washington County very energetic and zealous in developing the resources of that region, though the unprecendented high waters the past season so damaged their dams and sects that they labored somewhat at disadvantage. They are, however, raising quite an amount of cotton, much of it of excellent quality, a great amount of cane, and starting large vineyards and orchards. The brethren manifested much joy in our visiting them, we were pleased to meet with them in their several localities, and returned with the assurance that our trip had benefited both visitors and visited.
On the 17th inst., I purpose visiting Cache Valley and intermediate settlements, and holding a two days meeting in Ogden City and Logan, and meetings in North Ogden, Willow Creek, and Brigham City.
From yours, Chauncey's and Brigham's letters I judge that Brigham is devoting his best energies to benefit his fellow beings to the best of his ability, much to my satisfaction, and I approve of your course and views thus far in regard to him. As you are already both advised, I wish both you and Brigham to be reasonably economical in his expenditures, at the same time I wish you to furnish him at my expense such means from time to time as he may require under the position and circumstances in which he is acting. I prefer this plan, that he may at no time be dependent for aid upon any one illy able to extend it, nor, on the other hand, suffer for the common necessaries of life, nor through lack of funds be crippled in his sphere of usefulness to himself and others. I presume that your experience and Brigham's feelings and wishes will enable you to properly manage this matter. I do not wish him to receive any presents the poor may feel to make in the warmth of their feelings, but rather to plan to aid and relieve them, though it may not be well to make go so far as to make it a rule to always decline partaking with them of their frugal meals, for at times partaking with them of their scanty fare may prove mutually beneficial.
Our 6th of October Conference adjourned at 1 P. M. of the 8th inst., to the 6th of April next. It was numerously attended, and both speakers and hearers apparently enjoyed an unusual degree of the Holy Spirit, expressing themselves instructed, edified, and strengthened for the great work before us.
The immigrating companies arrive in good health and spirits, and speedily disappear to their new homes among their brethren and acquaintances. All are now in, except one independent company, two church trains, and a freight train. All but the freight train are expected to arrive inside of two weeks, and the freight train will probably arrive before the close of this month. The Lord as signally blest our operations on the plains this season, for, notwithstanding the hindrance through snow and high water in the Spring, we have been enabled to bring in good time and condition all the persons and freight from Florence.
Please pay two dollars to Mr. Evans at the Odd Fellows Club at the Angle, Blackfriar's Road, London, England, to be by him paid to Mrs Sarah Bevan, and charge T. in T. It will probably be best to get br. Staines, if he is still in London, otherwise some responsible Elder there to see to the payment of the aforesaid amount, that there may be no mistake about Mrs Bevan's getting the [?] dollars. This amount is so small that I have not drawn a draft for it. The additional business items I inclose on a separate slip, to accommodate your [?] papers.
The weather continues very pleasant, our crops are abundant, the people are healthy, and home affairs continue peaceful and prosperous.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
Have any of the following drafts been paid by you or your predecessor?
Nov. 1, 1859. No 147 $97.00
Dec. 3 th 1859 No 152 $100.00
Dec. 10. 1859 No 153 $194.00
Mar 29, 1860 No 163. $ 38.00
May 29, 1860 No 170 $152.00
Oct. 2, 1860 No 177 $ 57.00
Have you any money on deposit to the credit of John Edwards? and also to [?] Carlsen? If so, pl [gap in typescript] it to Cr a/c of T. in T. and advise me.