The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City, U. T., Dec. 3, 1863.

Hon. J. F. Kinney, M. C.
Washington City, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Since writing to you, Nov. 2, I have no further favors from you to acknowledge the receipt of, but presume that will make a few lines from me none the less acceptable.

On the 22nd ult. Gov. Doty left by stage for Washington, in compliance with a department requisition by telegraph. Why he was thus hastily summoned to take so lengthy and cold a trip, and that too just preceding the convening of the Assembly, has not transpired here. You will probably be able to learn the significance of the present trip before we do, and of course you are aware that we would be pleased to have you inform us thereof at the earliest practicable date.

The telegraph wire, when up, keeps us pretty well advised upon news and movements, so far as the wire is permitted to transmit them, but of course does not inform us in regard to those plans, designs and movements in Washington in which we are more particularly interested. For gaining all such information you have facilities, through being there, which we trust you will be able to carefully and diligently avail yourself of, and keep us promptly advised of all matters of interest.

All past plans of the transient persons here having to the present failed in accomplishing the mischief designed, they appear much chagrined, and are very quiet. It is said there are about a 1000 persons in Camp Douglas, all told. Six hundred soldiers were lately sent into the canons to get out wood, and several have been brought back frosted, as the winter has set in very cold, and some three or four were brought in with their limbs broken and otherwise injured through sliding wood. It is very likely that the
soldiers wish that the officers had accepted Bishop John Sharp's bid for wood, for then they would have had it without frost bites, broken limbs, &c. By the way, Bishop Sharp put in bids, a[word cut off] fair prices, for all the articles advertised for by Camp Douglas, but, fortunately for him, his bids were all rejected, and the Camp is out of wood, and, I am told, out of hay. What they will do with the contractors has not transpired, but as all belong to the same class they will probably befriend them as far as possible, and make the soldiers get the wood and, when out of hay and grain, turn their animals onto some range. Would this leinency have been extended to Bishop Sharp, had his bids been accepted?

Past plans having failed, the present one seems to be to raise a hue and cry about gold and silver in Utah, thinking thereby to induce an influx of strangers next season. But their prospects are so slim there, while the prospects are so glittering and tangible at many places outside our borders, that their present plan will doubtless fall harmless like the others, and they soon find themselves entirely played out.

Trusting that you will both write and telegraph whenever your judgement dictates, and keep me, as already requested, fully advised upon all matters of importance, I remain, as heretofore,

Your Friend,

Brigham Young