President's Office
Gt Salt Lake City July 2nd 1866.
President D. H. Wells.
Lt. Gen'l. Nauvoo Legion
In the Field in the South Eastern Co's.
Dear Brother Daniel:-
Since your departure from the City, there has been nothing of importance transpired in the City. The most exciting news and matters of interest that we have here we get from you. Every thing from yourself and the brethren who are with you is interesting to us.
We have met now for two Sundays in the Bowery -- Yesterday and the Sunday previous. The new Organ is to be finished in the Tabernacle during the Summer. The new Tabernacle, the work on which has been delayed in consequence of the difficulty in getting plank out of the Kanyons, is now being pushed forward as fast as the number of hands will permit. The remaining large bents are being put up and will be finished in another day or two. We are trying to arrange for shingles, and pitch to cover the roofing cloth with the cloth I am manufacturing at my mill.
City Creek and Jordon have been very high, but the former is subsiding, and the banks of the latter have been so strengthened that no damage comparatively has been done.
On the 23rd ult. the Trains of Captains Ricks, and S. D. White, Nebeker, Chipman Holladay and Rawlins, I was informed by Telegraph, has arrived at Wyoming and the others were near. Two companies of British Saints had arrived there also in good health-- the last on the 27th ult. The last of the Saints were to leave England on the 5th of June. The Ship John Bright sailed first. She saild from Liverpool on April 30th. The Caroline from London on May 5th; the American Congress from the same port on May 23rd, also the Corneliusn Grinnell on May 30th, with 20 adults on board that could not go on the American Congress. On the same day the Arkwright sailed from Liverpool with 387 1/2 adults on board; and the balance of the people, which the Arkwright could not carry -- about 80 adults -- will sail on June 5th, on the St. Mark. This will be the last of the emigration from England for this year. Every thing is moving along well there, and Brigham expresses his thankfulness at being so signally blessed as he has been. Bro. Orson Pratt is now in the Office with him. I hope that you will still urge upon the people the necessity of fortifying themselves, and when a company are sent off to occupy any particular point they should take their spades with them and in two hours they could have embankments raised, behind which they can be sheltered from the shots of the Indians. I call this a light chastisement from the Lord; and if we humble ourselves before him and profit by these occurrences, the anger of the Lamanites will be turned away after a while. He can easily bring about a different condition of feeling among them when it suites His purposes, and we are sufficiently chastened and humbled, and have learned the lesson to obey His counsel.
We are sending twenty sacks of flour to Tabby, though he does fight us and tries to kill us. We shall do as we agree, whether he and his tribe do as they agree or not. We are acting on the defensive, and that is right. Gen. Burton informs me that he intends to send out men to believe some of the brethren with you, but of this he will advise you.
With love in which President Kimball joins, and praying the Lord to bless you with the revelations and wisdom you need I remain your Brother,
Brigham Young
P. S. Please accept my love G. Q. C.
Please excuse bad writing the express waits
G. D. W.