G. S. L. City Jan. 3. 1863.
Brigham Young Jr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool England.
My Dear Son Brigham:
Your very welcome, interesting and satisfactory letters of Oct. 13, and Nov. 12 came safely to hand, and their perusal afforded all of us much gratification. It is a source of Great joy to me, and to all your relatives and friends, that you are so faithful, diligent, humble and prayerful in the duties of your calling and field of labor. And whether you personally baptize many or few matters not, as you have justly remarked, for the results of your ministry are under the control of our God, it only devolving upon you that your labors be in all faithfulness to the best of your judgement, ability and opportunities. Besides your diligence in preaching, I am much pleased that you so correctly bear in mind and practice the setting a goodly example in your daily conduct and conversation, for it is a saying as true as it is trite that "example goes farther than precept."
I wrote you on the 11th of Oct, that I proposed visiting Cache Valley and the intermediate settlements; I accordingly did so, starting on the 17th and returning on the 25th of Oct. We held two-days meetings in Ogden City and Logan, meetings in Kaysville, North Ogden, North Willow Creek, and Brigham City. In every place the brethren were much pleased at greeting and meeting with us, and we doubt not our visit was mutually beneficial. While I was abs[?] North, Co. Conner, commanding the Cal. Volunteers, who were ordered to protect the overland mail and telegraph lines in Utah, with 4 or 500 troops, leaving only one or two companies on the line at Ruby, formed a camp on the bench land east of this City and just north of Red Butte Creek. Why they are so safely ensconced where their services are of no benefit is probably a question the Colonel and his command cannot answer so correctly as can some of us; but, as heretofore, the plans of those who ordered them where they are will be frustrated and they also as heretofore, will be filled with wrath and wonder that their efforts against the truth so signally fail. Up to the present Col. Connor and his command have conducted themselves with commendable propriety, so far as their intercourse with the citizens is concerned. On Christmas eve the Theatre was filled with guests invited to participate in appropriate ceremonies, preparatory to commencing theatrical performances for the Season. The proceedings of the evening were instructive and interesting, as you will learn from the notice thereof in this week's "News". On the 25th, 27th and 31st. ult. the building was opened to the public, and well filled houses each night evidenced the gratification of the people at so excellent an opportunity for relaxation, improvement and enjoyment. For the present there will be two performances each week, on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Since about the middle of Dec. we have had an occasional snow squall, some cool nights, quite a sprinkling of parties, and some sleigh riding, with about four inches of snow now on the ground, and the clouds promising more. On New-Years Day myself and Presidents Kimball's and Wells enjoyed a very pleasant family party in the Social Hall, and an excellent supper furnished by Bishop Hunter and his Counselors.
Should you again meet Mr. Remy, please give him my thanks for A Copy of his "Journey to Great Salt Lake City," which he was so courteous as to send me, and which came safely to hand. Since its reception, business and a multiplicity of duties have so occupied my time as to preclude my examining it, though I have heard some of the brethren remark that in the main it is quite fair and candid, and calculated to do much good. As to the drill-sergeant you wrote about, br. Pinnock, if read the name correctly, I will instruct br. Cannon to assist him and his family to emigrate next season, having them help themselves all they can.
Secretary Fuller informs me that he expects to receive, in the course of A few weeks, the funds to pay off br. Burtons command, for this reason I enclose authority to receive and receipt for your pay, which I wish you to sign and return with your reply to this. I entirely coincide with the idea entertained by br. Canon and others of the brethren, that your traveling among the Branches and Conferences will be a mutual benefit and gratification and production of Good, and therefore wish you to do so to the extent br. George Q. may deem best, until it is time for you to start on your visit to the Continent previous to your returning home as already advised. I am so well pleased with your letters that I hope you will write as often as convenient, and by so doing you will at the sametime gratify me and benefit yourself. On the 10th ult, Gov. Harding read to the Legislative Assembly his message, which they deemed so inappropriate, meddlesome and abusive that they declined ordering printed the copy he handed to the Secretary of the Council. My health is very good, as also the health of the family, Your brother Joseph's and his family, <your family's> John W and that of your other relations and the people generally, with the exception some cases of whooping cough among the children. That you may have a happy "new year" and as many happy new Years as will enable you to complete your probationary labors to the acceptence of Israel's God, is the wish and prayer of,
Your Father,
Brigham Young
P. S. Lest it has not reached you I will make an extract from my letter to you, Oct. 11:-- As I wrote in my last letter to you, I wish you to make I wish you to make A visite to the Continent next season" (now this season), "starting in time to complete your visit and return to Liverpool by about the first of August in readiness to start for home. When you make the aforenamed visit I wish br. George Q. Cannon to accompany to you, if consistant with his other duties at the time; if not, I wish br. C. W. West to go with you." I will now add to the foregoing extract, that I wish br West to also accompany you from Liverpool home, if br. George Q. thinks at the time that he can, consistantly permit him to do so. When you leave Liverpool in New York get Mr. Ben. Holladay to telegraph to St. Joseph, to have seats in the stage ready for you on the day you expect to reach there.