The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City
Jany 6th 1863.

To Brother John Van Cott, his first wife, and Mary ann the wife
of James Cobb:

During the absence of br. J. Van Cott I was called upon for my counsel as to whether Mary Van Cott and James Cobb should be united in marriage. Upon inquiry and being reliably informed that Mary's affections were placed upon James for her [gap in typescript] I counselled her, as I would my own daughter under like circumstances, that is, to marry him.


They were married, and have since separated. What is past is past, and let it remain. I have reflected on the whole subject, and I deem it proper, right and just to now require you all to at least be generous and let James see the child and have its likeness taken, and permit the child to be occasionally taken either by its mother or father on a visit to the house of James' mother. All this, as I have before stated, I think to be right, and think that James [gap in typescript] long enough for the above named privileges so clearly his due and so easy and just for you to grant.

I know nothing against James' moral character. Your prompt and cheerful compliance with the foregoing requirement will be but an act of simple justice on your part, and will oblige,

Your Brother in the Gospel

Brigham Young

P. S. I want an answer by writing or verbally forthwith
B. Y.