The Brigham Young Center

President's Office,
Great Salt Lake City,
June 11th 1866.

President Ezra T. Benson,
Logan, Cache Co.

Dear Brother:

Bro. G. W. Thurston is building a Mill on some Springs between Mendon and Wellsville, Cache Co. and, lacking means to complete his mill, writes to me for help on terms which he proposes.

I would like you to go over and examine the Mill site, and see whether there is plenty of water and if the place selected is suitable for a Mill. I want to learn that it is a thorough good water privilege and a substantial improvement, in which an investment can be safely made, before I can help him. After you visit it I would like to hear your conclusions respecting it.

We have had a very rainy time of late, and snow has fallen to a considerable depth in the mountains. Today the weather gives evidence of a change. It is the first time since we settled here that our people have felt that they had almost too much rain in the summer time.

The Clique here have been doing their best to break the Ordinances of the City against drinking and gaming, and get judgement in their favor from the District Court. But Judge Titus has sustained the City.

Last week they tried to obtain a decision that the U. S. Marshal and Attorney should be the officers of the District Court in all cases, Territorial and others, and not the Territorial Marshal, &c., on Territorial cases; but Judge Titus would not sustain their views. He decided that the Territorial officers should act in Territorial cases. Our enemies make but poor headway in their plots and schemes. It is an up hill business, they find, as men have always found, fighting against God and His kingdom.

We sent about seventy five (75) head of Cattle over as a present to the Indians at Uinta. They feel somewhat better; but they do not feel as well as they should yet; still, we think that they will see the folly of being hostile. Gen. D. H. Wells started to-day with some more men to San Pete to urge forward the forting up of the Settlements; we already have fifty men from this City under the Command of Col. Heber P. Kimball and fifty mounted men from Provo in San Pete.

The trains are progressing finely in going after the poor. One of the ships has landed at New York; the passengers are all well.

With love to yourself and the rest of the Elders, and praying the Lord to bless you

I remain
Your Brother

Brigham Young

P. S. We shall be glad to see yourself and Bro. Peter whenever it may be convenient