G. S. L. City, Feb 9, 1864
Pres. George Q. Cannon,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
Dear Brother:
Since my last to you, Jan 28, I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your welcome favor of Dec. 2, which came to hand on the 30th ult., bringing us cheering news of the general prosperous condition of the work under your Presidency.
There have been no changes insending the Deseret News abroad, their nonreception at the Scandinavian Office must, therefore, be charged to fault in the mails. For a few weeks past the "News" has not been published, br. Levi Stewart having failed to furnish paper, through not being prepared for he cold weather which froze up the works. They made an effort to thaw out last week, but without success. When the "news" is published, which we trust will be soon, it will be forwarded as heretofore, and we hope may come to hand.
As advised in my late letters, we expect as usual to send trains to Florence, starting them in time to arrive there about the 1st of July. There will be about 300 four-yoke teams sent which we estimate to be sufficient for this year's requirements.
My son Joseph A. Young and br William C Stains will go to New York as our Agents in business of the immigration, and will be accompanied by my son John W., who may, perhaps, pay you a short visit previous to his return. They expect to start about the 22nd. inst. Br Hiram B. Clawson will go with them to attend to some purchas es. Br. Joseph W. Young goes again to Florence, to manage immigration affairs on the Fruntiers. To aid my son Joseph A and br. Stains, I wish you to release br. Paul Schettler and send him to New York by such time as you think they will need his services in keeping the accounts, &c., for I want them to have the requisite assistance to enable them to transact the business correctly and satisfactorily.
From what I can learn, notwithstanding all that has been printed and said on that subject, I am of the opinion that much needless freight finds its way as far as Florence, and probably more or less even to this place. When people are able to pay their way through in advance it is of course their own business what they take with them, though even in that case bringing old heavy chests, boxes, &c., &c., is a very unwise use of means. But when persons expect and depend upon help on the way I think it will be best for all parties for you to manage to have their luggage properly examined in Liverpool, and, when they refuse to comply with your reasonable requirements to leave usless and needless luggage, make the pre-payment of frieght to Florence, on the rejected luggage, the condition of its being forwarded. This question of freight on luggage of course applies chiefly to the amount above what may be allowed to the adult by the railroad companies between New York and Florence; last year they allowed, I think, a 100 pounds to each adult, and my son Joseph A. will be able to inform you, in time, what will be allowed this season. And aside from the kind of luggage, whether it be good, bad, or indifferent, as soon as you can learn how many pounds the railroads will allow to each adult this season it will be well to at once notify all who expect help of that amount and counsel them to govern themselves accordingly, for the extra luggage of the poor cost us thousands of dollars last year in money, an artical which we have not to spare for that purpose. To recapitulate in short, learn, as soon as possible, the price of freight and passage from New York to Florence, collect all passages in Liverpool through to Florence, as you did last year, and also the pay for all freight over the allowance to an adult. Furnish br's Joseph A. and Stains with letters of credit, accurate lists, manifests, payments, &c., in accordance with said collections, for such a course and such papers will greatly facilitate their operations in promptly forwarding the people and their luggage from New York, and will save us much trouble and expence.
Reflecting up the Presidency in the Scandinavian Mission, I have thought it best to advise you to appoint Elder Samual L. Sprague, Jr., to the position and duties vacated by the release of br. Jesse N. Smith to return home. To give br. Samual L. a fair chance, it will be best to advise br. Jesse N. at the earliest practicable date to take br Samuel into the office and with him in his travels among the brethren, that he may not only assist br Smith in the hurry of the Spring business, but be better prepared for the duties that will devolve upon him when br Smith leaves for home.
In addition to keeping me advised by letter, semi-monthly, as to the probable number of this years emigration, I wish you to also keep our agents in New York advised on that as well as other points, for, when necessary, they can telegraph to me some two or three weeks in advance for your letters.
The weather continues cold, and as the running of the paper mill is dependent upon a thaw, it is uncertain how soon the "News" can be published, but we expect the weather to moderate ere long.
Up to date the diggers on the Bench east of this City have failed in all their plans, particularly in their last one-- finding gold in Utah, and they appear very quiet while de pendent on the community for bread and other articales.
Judge Kinney seems to be active and zealous in his official duties, but what he will be able to accomplish rests entirely with Him who orders the results of the acts of the children of men
That you may be blest in all duties and guided and sustained in the way of all truth is the prayer of,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young