The Brigham Young Center

346 - 348
President's Office,
Great Salt Lake City, November 1Oth, 1864

Elders Joseph F. Smith, Wm. W. Cluff and John R. Young
San Francisco, California.

Dear Brethren,

In reply to Brother Joseph F. Smith's Telegram I telegraphed yesterday, as follows: "Francis Hammond and Geo. Nebeker will reach San Francisco in ten days on their way to the Islands. Remain there till they come. They will give you instructions." As these brethren will bear you this letter, they can explain the nature of their Mission to you, and I need not, therefore, enter into any particulars respecting it. If any, or all of you, should have any desire to return to the Islands and co-operate with Elders Hammond and Nebeker in the carrying out of the duties and Mission assigned unto them, you are at liberty to do so. As Brother Joseph F.'s wife is in California, and it might be for the benefit of her health to go to the Islands, if he should choose to return, and take her with him, he can do so, and it will be pleasing to us.

There has been $100/00 in gold collected for you to assist you on your homeward journey, if you conclude to return here, and $784.25 in greenbacks. The gold Bro. Hammor'd takes with him and will hand to you. In place of the Greenbacks I have forwarded you a Cheque for $325.22/100 in specie, being the equivalent for the Greenbacks in Gold, on H. W. Carpentier, Esq., President of the California State Telegraph Company.

In making arrangements for your return you had better purchase a Team and come by the Southern Route. Teams are now about leaving here for that country for freight. By joining them, you would have sufficient company to make your journey a safe one. Bro. John R. Young's wife being in the Southern part of the Territory it will be more convenient for him to come by that route. Bro. Cluff's wife, also, will probably be at her Father's in the South; and is so, it will be most convenient for him to join her there. The Native brethren, whom you have with you, should not come up into this Northern portion of the Territory; at least, while cold weather lasts. The climate there will be more congenial <with> to them, and will not be too sudden a change from what they have been accustomed to. By coming through in the manner we suggest -- that is, moderately and gently, it will be better for Sister Burnham and her children, and indeed for you all, than to come through by Stage.

Praying the Lord to bless and preserve you

We remain Your Brethren in the Lord,
Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball