G. S. L. City, Sep. 11, 1863.
Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
Dear Brother:-
Since last advised, the copy of your letter of April 10, and your favors of June 27 and July 31 have come to hand, and the business items have been noted. The "full lists of passengers" have not yet come to hand.
Br. Eldredge informs me that collecting the railroad fares in Liverpool is a much better plan than collecting them in New York, and I am of the same opinion.
The new likeness in the plate of the First Presidency and Twelve gives me entire satisfaction, and I think will improve as the sharp lines mellow down by use. Please accept my thanks for the care and labor you have bestowed upon the matter. I wish you, in time to send by some trusty returning Elder next spring, to get a zinc box of suitable size for packing the plates of the First Presidency and Twelve in flat, and deep enough to hold several hundred, inclose it in a good wooden box, mark it "H. B. Clawson, Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory", pay the duties on it, and forward it as already stated, by some responsible Elder returning next season. I would also be pleased to have you strike off, if possible, several copies of my likeness separate, to supply plates that are here, and forward in the same box and as above mentioned.
In accordance with his request you are at liberty to release br. Louis A. Bertrand in time for him to return next season, if he continues to wish so to do.
In my letter to you, Feb. 12, /63, I wished you to forward--addressed to "Reading Room, Seventies Hall, G. S. L. City, Utah Territory"--one copy of the Weekly Manchester Guardian for one year, and charge to Trustee in Trust. As the paper has not come to hand, I would like to have you attend to it in time for it to be forwarded one year from the 1st of January, 1864.
The ten trains sent from here to Florence for freight and the poor started back as follows:-- J. R. Murdock, June 29; J. M. Sanders, July 6; W. B. Preston, July 9; P. Nebeker, July 25; McArther, August 6; H. C. Haight, August 8; J. W. Woolley, August 9; T. E. Ricks, Aug. 10; R. Hyde, Aug. 11; White, Aug. 15. The following independant companies also left:-- Patterson June 30; J. R. Young, July 7. There may be other independant companies on the road, that we are not advised of. Cap. Murdock and company arrived on the 29th ult., Cap. Patterson on the 4th, and Cap Sanders on the 5th, Cap. Woolley on the 6th and Cap. Ricks on the 7th inst. At the rate the trains have traveled on their return this season, it is expected that Cap. White, rear train, will reach here about the middle of October.
After a safe passage accross the ocean the immigration this season were signally blest at New York and on the route from that City to Florence. After br. Eldridge wrote you what amount to collect for railroad fares, a combination of the companies on the route increased the rate some five dollars for each adult, which would have seriously interfered with arrangements, but he succeeded in closing the contracts at the price he had previously spoken about to the agent, which enabled all to come through.
And at the strike for wages at the time going on in Albany our people, by passing their own baggage at the connection there, proceeded without detention or interruption; and the companies on the Cynosure and Amazon arrived in New York just at the close of the serious riot in that City. In short, on the oc[word cut off] on the railroads, and on the plains, so far as they have arrived and we learn, the hand of the Lord has been extended with manifest and choice blessing, and protection in behalf of this year's immigration.
Br. H,. S. Eldredge and my son John W. arrived on the 25th ult., and C. W. West and my son Brigham ,Jr., on the 27th, all in excellent health, except br. West, and his health was considerably improved.
Br's. F. Little and Lewis Hills passed Rock Independance on the 4th inst. with Sister Cannon and her youngest child, the telegram adding the painful intelligence that her oldest child died on the 2nd inst.
Since my return from Dixie, among other labors, I have visited Provo Valley and attended two days meeting [gap in typescript]; and on the 19th ult. in company with Pres's Kimball and Wells, several of the Twelve, and others, I started for Logan, Cache Valley, held a two days meeting there on the 22nd and 23rd, also meetings at other settlements on the route, and returned on the 26th.
Our northern settlements being now pretty strong and this year's immigration pretty numerous, br. C. C. Rich is about starting to form new settlements on the Bear River east of Cache Valley. Not much is expected to be done this fall further than to select locations, build forts, survey lots, and prepare for winter, but they will thus be on the ground in readiness for a vigorous prosecution of operations next spring.
I will endeavor to bear in mind br. Jesse N Smith's wish in regard to an assistant in the office, also yours in relation to two or three more Welsh Elders.
Present appearances indicate that, through prudence, strict attention to our own affairs and doing right we will so continue to enjoy the favor of Heaven that the plans of the wicked in regard to the Saints in Utah will continue to be thwarted, at least for the present. Please forward each week by mail your date of reception of this letter until directed to stop,, the "Star" to br's John Sharp, Briant Stringham and H. H. Felt, one copy each, and addressed and mailed to each one separately, as you do mine, br. Heber's, br. Daniel's and others.
Since writing the foregoing your favor of August 14, with enclosed a/c has been received, cheering us with good news of the arrival of the last of the Elders sent from here last spring on missions abroad, of the healthy state of the work within your presidency, and of your improved health, which with you, we think will be further improved by a trip to Scandinavia, and doubt not but your visit will prove highly beneficial to the Saints there.
You can for the present keep a separate account of the expenses incurred in the alteration of the plate of the First Presidency and Twelve, and in the meantime I will <see> br S. W. Richards and advise you more definitely upon the subject.
Our long spell of dry, hot weather was varied by several showers on the 8th and 9th inst., relieving the strain upon streams overtaxed for irrigation.
I have drawn upon you drafts No 317 for L1.0.0, 318 for L2.0.0, 319 for L2.0.0., 319 for L4.0.0, 320 for L7.0.0, 321 for 5.8.0, 322 for L20.0.0, 323 for L6.0.0, and have herewith inclosed drafts 320 and 321.
My health is good, as is also that of your family and friends here. so far as I am informed; and the health of the people generally is better than it was a few weeks past.
Ever praying that all needed spiritual and temporal blessings may attend you in every good word and work, I remain,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young