President's Office,
Gt. Salt Lake City,
January 29th, 1867.
President Geo. Nebeker,
Laie, Oahu, Sandwich Islands.
Dear Brother:
Since writing my last to you I have not heard anything from you. There has been nothing particularly new transpired in the City since my last letter left. The Season still keeps very open, though we have had considerable snow. The warm days that we have make the roads very bad. The Territorial Legislature has adjourned, and the State Legislature met, and, after transacting the usual business, adjourned. Some amendments have been made in the State Constitution, which will be submitted to the people at the next election. The Deseret State Telegraph Line is in fine working condition between this City and Logan in the North and St. George in the South; also a branch Line forking off at Nephi and stretching as far as Manti. The advantages of this improvement thus far are very great, and they will become more and <more> apparent as the people use it. It is very pleasant to sit in my Office and speak with St. George, or Manti, or Logan and receive replies in a few minutes.
I suppose you get all the news from the East through the papers, and are informed of the measures which are being taken in Washington to destroy us, and also the division which prevails between Congress and the President, and the two great parties. They imagine that they have only to shut down on us to completely extinguish and crush us out; but they know not that there is One who sits in the heavens who laughs them and their plans to scorn.
You have a number of cows on the place, I believe, that might be milked as well as not, as they have calves. I would like you to let the brethren have those that are running at large, that have calves, to milk. It will be a blessing to them, and to the women and children, and it will prove a benefit to the cows also; they will also be able to have butter and cheese. Should you not want to let them have cows on your responsibility, you can sell them and charge to me.
My last letter to you explained what I wished the brethren to do in regard to means. They will feel cheered and encouraged, I hope, by the relief which is extended to them. We feel interested in your movements and success, and desire exceedingly to hear of your prosperity. It is very grievous to hear of disunion or a want of concert of action on the part of the Elders. It should be your constant desire to preserve such a feeling of oneness between yourselves that not a shadow of <improper> feeling should ever cross your minds or interfere with your operations. There should be no efforts spared to bring about such a condition of feeling in your midst. When you attain to this, it should be maintained, and great results will be more likely to attend your labors. You have access to the Lord where you are; you can seek unto Him and obtain His Spirit and the gifts thereof in such abundance as you may need to aid you in the performance of your duties. By having the revelations of Jesus constantly resting down upon you, every item of knowledge that you need respecting your movements will be imparted unto you, and at the very hour when it is needed. Give my love to all the Elders and their families and the Saints, and accept the same to yourself and family.
May the Lord bless you.
Your Bro.
Brigham Young
P. S. I authorized the Elders in my last to draw on me for $500.00