G. S. L. City, Feb. 17, 1864.
Hon. J. F. Kinney, M. C.
Washington City, D. C.
Dear Brother:-
Since writing to you somewhat at length on the 3rd inst., I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your welcome favors of Jan. 19, 22 and 26. I perceive, not only from your letters, but also from the papers, that Congress is making rather slow headway, except in the matter of speechifying.
I presume your information and inferences in regard to Gov. Doty's plans and doings are correct, and I also coincide with your view as to exercising a careful observance thereupon. I cannot at present give you any incouragement about renting the store you mention.
Lest my letter of the 3d inst. should fail of coming to hand, I will here repeat that I coincide with your and Mr. Ashley's views in relation to an enabling act, and am not particularly concerned about the wording of it, for I have but little fear about our being able to manage it quite easily, so they will but pass it. Of course you will endeavor to prevent, as far as consistant, their burdening it with invidious prohibitions, for they realy have no right to provide farther than that our Constitution shall be republican in form. On the slavery question there will be no disagreement; they may find out as they please, and perhaps you can use this statement to help you to slip in some shape, by a point that we do care about. We would also like our present boundaries, with the notch replaced that they took out of our northeast corner; but if they insist on taking off another degree of longitude from our west border, or in retaining the afore-named notch as it now is, I am not aware of any serious objections.
I am pleased that you have presented an enabling act, and also with all of your saying, writings, and doings, so far as they have come to my knowledge.
In regard to Mr. Moses, I understand that the Hon. J. M. Bernhisel, when in Washington, arranged with him to collect the debt for 20 per cent, and if he did not collect it he was to have nothing. You will therefore bear in mind that, if he accomplishes nothing in the case, he is to have nothing. And if through your efforts to collect the amount he should become angry, and threaten, or throw obstacles in your way, he will forfiet his contract. I am not aware that I have any favors to ask of Mr. Moses, or that I am under any obligations to him; on the contrary, from what I have heard, I am of opinion that he has only prejudiced the case, and you are at full liberty to take such course with Mr. Moses and with the whole matter as your judgement may dictate.
My sons Joseph A. Young and John W. Young, my son-in-law Hiram B. Clawson, my nephew Joseph W. Young and Elder William C. Staines expect to start for the States about the 22nd inst. to attend to the affairs of our immigration, &c., and will, their duties permitting, do themselves the favor of calling upon you in Washington, My son Joseph A. and br. Staines will spend most of their time in New York City; Joseph W. will operate principally on the Fruntiers.
The diggers on the Bench have not yet found it, nor are they likely to, which, with their depending upon us for their daily bread, continues to keep them very quiet.
The weather is moderating, and we hope will soon loose the paper mill, as the people are very anxious to again see the 'News'.
The Bishops are now raising some 300 four-yoke teams to go to the fruntiers for freight and the poor; they will start as soon as grass and the weather will permit, and expect to reach the Missouri on or before the first of July next.
Many thanks for your numerous letters, which fortune favors in coming to hand. Please continue to write often, and I will reply as oppertunity will permit and occasion require.
All is well in Utah, and we hope to see the diggers start upon the bench <start> as soon as grass will allow them to travel to where they may be of some use.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young