G. S. L. City, Nov 30, 1863
Pres George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England
Dear Brother:
Your welcome favors of Sep. 28 and Nov. 24 came duly to hand, the latter while I was absent on a short visit to Sanpete County.
Your account of your trip to Scandinavia was read with much interest, and we coincide with your trust and <that> your visit was mutually agreable and beneficial, and feel assured that it will be followed by very satisfactory results.
In regard to sending br Widerborg, or some other Scandinavian in the Spring, I cannot at present write definitely, but think it probable that we shall be able to accomodate you. But in case anything transpires to prevent, you of course will have to do the best your judgement may direct in selecting from the Elders who are going to remain another season in your field. It is also possible that we may, as you request, be able to send you two or three Welsh Elders in the Spring, but cannot now determine.
We were pleased to learn of the continued good condition of the mission and its affairs upon your return, and especially of the good health and good conduct of the young Elders sent from here, regretting that R. H. L. Parker took so injudicious a course.
The Morus Multicaulis seed has come to hand, but I have not yet opened the package to examine its condition; I presume it is all right, and for your trouble and that of br Bertrand in the matter please accept for yourself and tender him my thanks. If not already done, please pay the expenses incurred on the seed on your side of the water. Br. Bertrand's letter concerning the seed has also come to hand, in which he again expresses a disire to be released from his mission and return here next season, and you are hereby given permission, as already advised to release br. Bertrand in accordance with his wish.
As yet but little has been said here in regard to next season's immigrations, though we presume the way will be open, in which case, as heretofore, we expect to send ox trains to Florence, the number not yet concluded upon. They will, probably, arrive there on and before the 1st of July, in readiness to load up and return. So far as what are called 'independent' passengers are concerned, if the early chartering of ships makes a material difference in price of passage, and their number will warrant, it may be well to forward them in time to reach Florence, fit out and start as soon as the grass will sustain their animals. But as to those who expect to be brought from Florence, their expenses, should they tarry long there waiting for the trains, would probably out-value the difference between an earlier and later price of passage. However, on this point you will doubtless be able to judge in time, keeping in mind that the trains sent, as before stated, will probably be ready to return on or before the 1st of July. Though probably one or more persons will be sent from here to New York, and one or more to Florence, in the Spring, as our agents to attend to business and the affairs of our immigration, still it will doubtless be best for you, as usual, to send over in time the two most suitable persons you may have at your disposal as assistants, of course furnishing them plainly and fully the necessary instructions, &c. In addition to those two assistants I will suggest br Paul A. Schettler as an excellent person to send to Florence to assist in the book-keeping there, that we may have an accurate account of all loading and business transactions in which the church is a party.
In regard to the Journal of Discourses, print no faster than you receive copy and let that suffice, borrowing no trouble about the matter.
On the 16th inst., in company with Elder John Taylor, my sons Joseph A., Brigham Jr., and John W and Several others of my family, also quite a number of our Home Missionaries and others of the brethren, I started on a short visit to Sanpete. We went by way of Nephi to Manti, and returned by the road through Spanish Fork Canon, reaching home on the 25th, having enjoyed a very pleasant and, we doubt not, mutually benificial trip. I spoke at only a few of the meetings, having caught a cold in a meeting at Lehi, on our way south, that somewhate interfered with my speaking, though not with my traveling, and from which I am pretty well recovered.
The troops and others at Camp Douglas remain very quiet, the Lord having thus far thwarted their evil designs. At present the great majority of them are in the mountains getting out wood for camp use. Their past plans having failed, they at present are trying to induce an influx of outsiders by inflated representations of rich gold and silver deposits in Utah's mountains, awaiting discovery and development. (I think they will wait a good while.) But the new discoveries in the Territories of Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona bid fair to out-blow them, which will again result in sad disappointment in their fond expectations, and tend greatly to hasten their departure without having accomplished the purposes for which they were sent here.
As you will learn by the 'News' our theatre is well attended, and affords innocent and useful relaxation, recreation and amusement to a large number, many of whom might otherwise spend their leisure hours in a less benific<i>al manner.
The grain crops of the past season has been comparatively light in several places, but there has been enough raised to very comfortably last the people till another harvest, provided it be wisely distributed and economically used, notwithstanding the large quantities of flour that have been sold to the mines north and west of us. Winter weather set in tolerably cold and stormy on the 21st inst., which will probably check further exportations of breadstuff until the people can learn how much should be retained for home consumption, and govern themselves accordingly.
Our financial operations render it necessary for us to know from time to time the money condition of your office, for which reason I shall be pleased to have you give me, say once a month, until further advice, a brief statement of your cash balance at the time of writing.
There is another matter I will venture to trouble you about. I have at different times sent to the States for Whips, but as yet have not succeeded in the procuring any that suit me, I would therefore like to have you at Your convenience, either personally or through some one understanding the article, purchase for me a few first rate carriage ships, and forward them by some responsible person next season.
In my letter of Sep. 11, where I use the word "plates" of the First Presidency and Twelve, you will of course understand me as using the word "plates" as it is now commonly used-- synonomous with impressions, and not forward the pla[word cut off] from which the impressions are taken. I further wish you when you have the impressions of the First Presidency and Twelve and the extra impressions from [word cut off] likeness (to substitute for my likeness in the plates here) well packed and secured in a zinc box, to procure a good nice fitting wooden box in which to put the zinc one, and personally see that the cover of the wooden box is so put on and the box so strapped that no screws or nails go through to make holes in or mar the zinc box, as has at times been done. It will probably be best to use only screws in the wooden box, for they will not dodge aside, as nails often do, when properly started in.
The health of the people has materially improved since cold weather set in, and is again becoming usually good.
Br. Wells is again about, after a lengthy and, part of the time, severe illness; and br Kimball enjoys his usual health. My health and that of your friends generally is good.
My son Brigham informs me that he has written to you, and wishes me to give you his kind remembrance and respects. Please also accept the good wishes and prayrs in your behalf of,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
P. S.
I enclose the current business items in a seperate sheet, and also draft No 329.
B. Y.
Has any money been deposited with you for R. E. Miller Parowan? If so, advise me the amount and I will pay it here.
On the 19th Feby. 1863 I drew upon you draft No. 292, favor of Charles or Mary Birkenshaw, Kirby, near Mansfield, Nottingham, for L10.0.0 if neither of these parties wish to emigrate the coming season, send back the draft and charge amount to this office, as the sender wishes the amount returned to him.
Please pay L 1.6.3 to F. Merrill, Cheltenham Conference, and charge the amount to Trustee in Trust.
Have you any money on deposit for Mrs. Elizabeth Brook of this City, said to have been paid by Mary Ann Webb? If so advise me the amount and I will pay it here.
I have drawn upon you the following drafts. No 324, L20.0.0, favor of C. W. West; No. 325, L3.0.0, favor of Mrs Taylor; No. 326-L15.0.0, favor of W. A. Pond & Co; No 327, L1.10.0 favor of Heneretta Smith; No. 328, L2.0.0, favor of Wm Gordon; No. 329, L10.6.0 favor of John Thorndley (draft enclosed) No. 330, L2.11.6, favor of Joseph Ward; No. 331, L11.8.7, favor of Henery Cook, No. 332, L5.0.0, favor of Sarah Murray; No. 333-L1.2.0, favor of Emma Gosling; No. 334, L4.0.0, favor of Elizabeth Bradfield; No. 335, 5.0.0, favor of Nathanil Ireland;