The Brigham Young Center

Gt. Salt Lake City,
Decr. 24th, 1866.
James M. Ellis, Esq.
   City.

Your letter alluding to a conversation which took place between Mr. Higley and myself, with your explanations, was duly received. It would have been answered earlier, had I not been confined to my room by indisposition.

Since the receipt of your letter I have made inquiry respecting the remarks which I had heard, and to which allusion was made in my conversation with Mr. Higley. My informant states that yourself or brother remarked, respecting the paper on which the names of those who offered a reward for the discovery and apprehension of the murderers of Dr. Robinson <were written,> that you would not have your names down on any such paper, for it would do no good; you were satisfied the murderers would never be found out. Further, that remarks were made in the Store, in your hearing, more than once, that the murder was ordered by me, and you never took the least pains to contradict it; but, on the contrary, left the inference to be drawn that such was your own feeling upon the subject. Whatever was said there, is a matter of no moment to me.

Your former letter I did not think required an answer.

Brigham Young