The Brigham Young Center

G. S. Lake City, Feb. 28, 1863.

Elder Erastus Snow,
St George, Washington County. U. T.

Dear Brother.

The perusal of your welcome letter of the 12th inst., afforded us much gratification, indicating that the brethren in the southern settlements are wide and awake and energetic in developing the resources of their new homes.

You can say to Bishop Gardiner that there is no sealing done outside the endowment house.

Br. H. S. Eldridge will start about March 9th for the States to take the oversight of the affairs of our this year's immigr. and to transact business for himself and others. As br. Eldridge will start before these lines reach you, of course money and l(etters) cannot reach here in time for his attention. Mr. W. S. Godbe advertises, as you will see in the "News", to make purchases in the States, holding open the time to April 1st, and it may be cheaper for you to furnish him minutely specific bills and the money <(at)> that time, than to send a person from your place; but this will depend much upon the amount and kind of purchases you (wish) to make, the person you intend sending, &c., of this you [gap in typescript] facilities for being the best judge. In regard to br. Ira Hatch and others who may wish to marry Moqui girls, they are of course at liberty to do so whenever the party at the time has no other wife, otherwise they will have to come here to have the ceremony performed.

While br. Jacob Hamblin was here there was some chat about making one or two small settlements across the Colorado. Upon reflection I think it best to make no move about settlements in that region at present. Br. Hamblin is at liberty, if he wishes and conveniently can, to invite a few to accompany him, at a time suiting their convenience, and make some exploration of the Country with the view of definitely learning its capabilities and practicality for settlement, that we may be able to proceed understandingly in the matter, if we should wish to make any settlements there this fall or any other time in the future.

I inclose a blank bill of divorce that br. Andrew Gibbons and the wife that he put away for adultery are at liberty to sign, and when the bill is signed and paid for to you or Bishop Gardiner, for me, she is entitled to the copy headed "Triplicate," and is free to again marry.

In my last letter to you br. Carrington mistook the "Mound" I wanted. It is the mound north of St George and not the mound north of Washington that I want, with a few acres arround it, if the brethren are willing that I shall have it.

Please say to br. William Riter that I would like to have him arrange his affairs with a view to going on a foreign mission this spring. The ox trains for Florence will start from here as near the 25th of April as the weather, &c., will permit, and if br. Riter is here by that time he can cross the plains with them free of expence. Also say to him that when he arrives I will inform him why I wish him to go on a mission this spring.

All'swell here.

Your Brother in the Gospel,

Brigham Young