G. S. L. City, March 28, 1864.
Elder Hiram B. Clawson,
Metropolitan Hotel, New York City.
Dear Brother:
A few words from home are doubtless always welcome, and I improve the safe opportunity for transmitting a few lines by br. Horace S. Eldredge, who expects to start east by stage on the 29th inst.
Your wife Alice gave birth to a fine boy on the 20th inst., at 11-30 p.m. and both mother and son are getting along very comfortably; I telegraphed you about it on the 26th inst.
It is said the 2nd Cal. Cavalry have been ordered from the Bench to what are called Government Springs in Rush Valley, to start on the 28th inst. As their animals are there, they will probably continue west by easy marches, arriving in California in time to be mustered out of service when their time expires.
The hue and cry of gold mines has so far failed of its object, for the miners that wintered in Utah have nearly all left, and the rest are preparing to leave as fast as possible, all the bribing, hunting, &c., &c., having failed to open a single mine within our borders, so far as we know.
Our cash means, present and prospective, are such that I do not wish you to press purchases further than you have the money, or a certain prospect of it by a time you may agree, for there are many things sent for that we can of corse do without much better than to fail in meeting promices to pay. In keeping within the scope of such funds as can be relied upon you will of course fill bills in the order of the necessity for the articles named therein, and leave such articles as can be dispensed with to abide the question of your ability to purchase and pay for. You are aware of my great dislike to incuring indebtedness, at the same time a circumstance may arise to make it advisable to waive a little that prudent course; in such case, should your judgement advise to make any purchase on time, I do not wish you to buy any articl on a shorter time than the first of January next, which will give me opportunity to arrange for meeting the paper as it falls due.
Up to the latest dates from Judge Kinney there is but a small prospect of my Indian a/cs being paid, so that it will not answer to count upon them in your operations. Please write to him to inform you, from time to time, of the prospect in regard to those accounts, so that, should they chance to be paid in time, you can avail yourself of the advantages that will give you.
The selection of Wyoming will make a considerable difference in our favor in the aggregate cost of freight and passengers to the out-fitting point, besides shortening the distance across the plains, and giving us a better road from Missouri to Fort Laramie. I think the selection will give us many advantages over the former one at Florence, and rid us of several annoyances.
The snow storm on the 26th may prevent the march of the 2nd Cal. cavalry today, but they will probably move as soon as the weather clears up a little, and keep moving, as will doubtless the rest, from time to time, until ere long they are all where they may have a chance to be of some use in some way other than scattering 'green- backs' among the 'mormons', without any commensurate benifit to the Government.
We expect that Pres. Daniel H. Wells and Brigham Young Jun., will go to Liverpool, England, and that br. George Q. Cannon will be released, on account of his health. They will go with the first mule teams that leave for Wyoming. We wish nothing said about this, only among yourselves.
I have relieved myself from a little business care by letting the mills in Big Cottonwood canon to br. George W. Thatcher, an arrangement which I think will also materially benefit him both financially and in business experience. Lumber is in good demand at 8 00/100 per 100, with a prospect of there being much wanted.
You of course always bear in mind that all purchasing and marking (for me) is to be done in Your own name. Please keep this information from all who have no business with it.
The bills herewith forwarded will of course, in being filled, fall under the same instructions as to use of ready means, avoiding debt, &c., as I have already written in relation to the bills you took with you, to wit.-- if short of money, buying the most necessary, and omitting the rest.
The health of myself and family, of your family, of the families of all the boys, and of the people generally, is good. [gap in typescript] All is well.
God bless and prosper you in every duty and in every desire of your heart in righteousness is the prayer of,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young
P. S.
I herewith inclose the copies of letters that were accidentally omitted be handed to you when you left.
G. S. L. City March 28, 1864.
Elder Joseph W. Young,
care of Hawley & White,
Nebrask City, Nebraska Territory.
Dear Nephew:
Your welcome favor of March 8 has just come to hand, with inclosed
"proposition," with both of which I am well pleased. From all I can learn your selection of Wyoming for this year's outfitting point will prove very advantageous, besides freeing you from many annoyances that had accumulated higher up the river.
March was very dry and pleasant up to the night of the 25th, when it began snowing rapidly, and continued snowing throughout the 26th. This moisture was very timely and beneficial to the wheat and other crops, and I do not think will injure the fruit buds, as the cool weather had retarded their swelling much. Neither do we anticipate that falling weather will interfere with the six companies' starting about the usual time,