Presidents Office
Gt Salt Lake City
May 26th 1866.
Hon W. H. Hooper M. C.
House of Representatives
Washington City D. C.
Dear Brother:-
Since my last letter to you, dated 14th instant, I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you. We have been looking for a letter for some days. The New York papers convey the information that the President had appointed Brother John T. Caine for Collector and Theodore McKean, U.S. Assessor for this Territory, and sent their names to the Senate for confirmation. The Vedette has it that on Friday last, the Senate refused to confirm. Lees has been re-galvanized before Judge Titus. Not satisfied with the process of galvanizing in the Probate Court, he went through with the operation again in the District Court, and the Judge requested the Clerk, P. Lynch, to make out two papers of naturalization," as Mr Lees wanted one set for a special purpose." We presume that the object is to try to work him into some position, if they can.
Our enemies here are at work incessantly to accomplish their wicked designs. They work in the dark with the perseverance of gophers. But it is gratifying to witness the disappointments to which they have been subjected from the beginning until now. They never were so low to all appearance as they they are at present. They have accomplished absolutely nothing here, and Connor's, Titus' and McLeod's visits to Washington, and the travail of soul which their satellites and supporters here have undergone, seem to have been of as little avail East.
Under the City Ordinance a copy of which I sent you in my last letter, a billiard saloon, owned, it is said, by a club, where liquor was illicitly sold, was declared a nuisance, and the City Marshal took possession of it. There was some excitement on the occasion; but no resistance. On Saturday last, Judges Titus and McCurdy heard the case in chambers, and granted an injunction, and the saloon was turned over again to the reputed owners. The parties engaged in this establishment feel elated, I understand, over the case as it now stands; but their triumph will be but brief, as the City Council is so clearly right that any Judge who has the least regard for law, must sustain it.
We have had cool weather for about a week past, with considerable rain, which has been of great benefit to our crops, both grain and fruit. The prospects for crops are very good. The weather is now very warm and pleasant. The streams are very high through the country at present. Weber is being ferried at Ogden.
We hear from the teams that have gone to bring up the poor that they are progressing well and the teams are doing finely.
I have received letters from Mr. <Stevens> and Mr. Moses, asking a percentage of the money appropriated by congress to cover my claim against the Indian Department, and setting forth the services they each have rendered, each claiming the credit of having smoothed the difficulties that beset it and of obtaining favorable reports upon it, and thus preparing the way for you to obtain its passage. Now, of the correctness of all this I have no means of judging; but you have, and I would be pleased if you would give the subject your careful consideration, and let me know what amount, if any, you think they are entitled to.
A petition is now in circulation to ask for the appointment of Capt. Kittredge to the U. S. Collectorship. It may be useful perhapes for you to know that Capt. K. has sworn in the petition for the injunction that he is the owner of the Billiard Saloon, or the president of the Club which owned it, about which the City Council has had so much trouble. It is ostensiby owned by a club; but this is a sham; drinking and gambling are carried on there in the most flagrant manner, and he is one of the most active of those who are stirring up strife and difficulty here.
Accept my love, in which Presidents Kimball and Wells, and Brother George Q. Cannon join. That the Lord may bless and uphold you and deliver you from every foe is the prayer of
Your Brother,
Brigham Young