President's Office,
Gt. Salt Lake City,
Octr. 29th /66
President Orson Pratt, Senr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
Dear Brother:
Brigham, Jr., arrived here, accompanied by Bro. A. K. Thurber, on Thursday noon, the 25th inst. They were in good health and spirits, and, of course were delighted to meet their friends at home. They came by the Smoky Hill route to Denver, and had to turn back twice on account of Indians. Eighty miles below Denver they encountered a very severe Snow storm, which delayed them considerably. We had the pleasure of listening to Brigham yesterday in the Tabernacle giving an account of his Mission and the condition of the Work of God abroad, and his own feelings. We have had discourses from nearly all the returned Missionaries this Fall, and been very much interested in their testimonies and rehearsal of their travels and labors.
There has been considerable excitement here for the past week over the killing of a Doctor Robinson. The particulars of the transaction you will find in the papers. The inquest is still sitting, and there seems to be a determination envinced by the lawyers to draw some evidence from the witnesses that would reflect upon myself and the community. All their efforts thus far have been unavailing, and they will be from this time forward. Time and time again they have arranged traps in which they have thought we could be caught; but, in every instance, they have met with signal defeat. This occurance has every appearance of having been brought about by this infamous clique in the City for the purpose of raising an excitement here, through which they hope to accomplish their ends and have an Army brought here.
Winter commenced rather early this season; but after the first storms, fine weather again visited us again, and we are now <having> very seasonable fall weather. To-morrow the Nauvoo Legion of this district goes into Camp on the other side of Jordan for three days' drill.
It is not our intention to send any teams from here next season to bring up the poor. They are pushing the Rail Road ahead very fast from the East, and if nothing should interfere to prevent, they will have shortened the distance for the teams to travel, by 1868, to at least one-half what it has been this year. This will give the Saints a year to get ready for their emigration. Those who have means of their own can, of course, come along as usual; but none need expect or calculate upon any help from here. The Saints can also come to the States and obtain work and prepare themselves for another year, should it be wisdom, and circumstances <should> admit of their doing so.
The companies have all arrived in the City and were generally in good health, though the last company (which arrived here on the 22nd inst.,) had considerable sickness between New York and Wyoming and also for awhile after starting on to the Plains. We feel that our emigrating companies have been greatly blessed and prospered this Season. When we reflect upon the constant success which has attended the journeying of our people by sea and land, and also upon the rivers, when they have been guided by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, it is truly marvellous. The Lord has signally fulfilled his promises; and if the people would open their eyes, they could easily perceive that there has been a greater power than that of <man> exercised in their preservation in the midst of the varied vicissitudes through which they have passed. During the progress of the great civil war between the North and the South, it seemed many times as though it would <be> scarcely possibly for our people to escape the dangers with which they were threatened by sea and land. Rebel cruisers roamed the Ocean almost unchecked, capturing Federal vessels at their pleasure. Yet, amid all these dangers, our people passed unscathed under the protecting care of our Almighty Father. When the great Work shall be fully consummated, and the victory be fully achieved, man will <be> compelled to give the praise and glory unto the Lord for all that will have been done.
Brigham, Jr., suggests the propriety of Bro. Franklin D. Richards laboring in Scotland. I think it will be as well for him to bestow what attention he can, not neglecting other places, on that Mission. He had better labor <there> and in England and Wales, and not go off from the Island this winter and next Spring.
I wish you, Brother Orson, to take charge of the Office and be very particular in keeping an account of the Tithing that is received, also of the Printing business, and see that your books are strictly kept until Brigham, Jr. With love to yourself, John W., Brigham's family, Bro. Franklin and all the other Elders, and praying the Lord to bless you in all your labors and to give you great success as well as the other brethren.
I remain Your Brother,
Brigham Young