Great Salt Lake City, U. T.
June 25th. 1863
Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
Dear Brother:-
Your favor of May 23 came to hand on the 18th inst., and we were pleased to learn of the blessings attending your labors in the business of this seasons emigration, when increased fare and scarcity of vessels combined to hinder your progress and thwart your plans. I can readily understand that you and your associates have of necessity been very busy; and without doubt are mutually gratified with the results that have crowned your efforts.
We regret that br. West's health was so poor, but hope, with you, that his tour on the continent will prove beneficial to him both mentally and physically.
Notwithstanding the disappointment from the Shakespear, I presume all will arrive in very good time, for, of the two, as I have previously stated, it is much cheaper and better for the teams to wait, resting and recruiting, than for hundreds of unacclimated persons to lie idle in a sickly region.
The first company of Saints, some 800, reached Florence on the 12th inst., and the first company of the trains, Cap. J. R. Murdock, was expected there on the 19th; Cap. John M. Woolley's Company, its number in traveling at the time I do not know, arrived on the 22nd, "all safe and well", and I presume the whole ten companies will be in Florence by the 1st of July. From these dates you will perceive that the passengers by the London ship, if the Captain reaches New York near the time he mentions, will not be apt to cause much delay; at any rate, so far as we now know, the times of arrival are and are likely to be much more fortunate than they were last year.
Since Harding's departure on the 11th inst., without the least demonstration from any party, and only one individual to bid him good by, the transient persons here continue very quiet; and apparently without hope of being able to create any disturbance during the present administration.
They certainly will be unable to, if President Lincoln stands by his statement made to br Stenhouse on the 6th inst., viz: alone, if they will let me alone". "I will let them We have ever been anxious to let them alone further than preaching to them the gospel and doing them good when they would permit us, and if they will cease interfering with us unjustly and unlawfully, as the President has promised, of course they will have no pretext nor chance for collision during his rule.
Yesterday I mailed a letter to my son Brigham, in which I requested him the purchase had not already been made, to purchase in Europe and New York o[word cut off] three <opera glasses in each place, instead of twelve as previously advised,> and to have them nicely cased in roan calf with straps for carying o[word cut off] the shoulder. If twelve have been purchased there, all right, but the present advice will be in time for him to omit purchasing more than three in New York. Should my letter to him not come to hand, please advise him on this point. have seen the opera glass you sent to br. Clayton, and am much pleased with [sentence cut off]
Last Sunday, the 21st, in company with Pres. Wells, my brother Joseph, J. Taylor and a few others I visited Bountiful and held meetings there, returning in the evening. There was a full attendance, and the meetings were mutually interesting. Tomorrow, with a few of the Brethren I purpose going to Pr[word cut off] to hold two-days meetings there on the following Saturday and Sunday.
Timely and refreshing showers on the 22nd and 24th inst. broke the spel[word cut off] the unusually dry, hot weather of some time past, cleansing trees and vegetables and we trust that we may continue to be thus blest to the maturity of the v[word cut off] promising crops now flourishing in fields and gardens, and to the covering [word cut off]ranges with abundant grass for our numerous flocks and herds.
My health is good, as is also that of my family, of your family, so far [word cut off] I am advised, and of the people generally.
God bless you, your associates, and all Israel, is ever the prayer of,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
Since last advised, I have drawn upon you Draft No 315 for L4.10.0 favor of Mrs. Taylor, National School, Writaus Shropshire. Have you received any money from Mrs. Mary Ann Webb, Hatfield [sentence cut off]