The Brigham Young Center

President's Office
Gt. Salt Lake City
February 16th, 1867

Hon. Wm H. Hooper, M. C.
House of Representatives
Washington City.

Dear Brother:

I telegraphed you to-day as follows: "Have sent you this day Draft on O. H. Palmer, New York, for Two thousand (2,000) dollars. Mary, Jr. enjoys good health, so do the rest of your family." Enclosed please fine the Draft alluded to. I send this in compliance with your request in your letter of the 13th ult. I wish you to be careful in the disbursing of this means. If they can draw you into the vortex they will do so, and a thousand reasons and excuses will be framed to make the necessity for more money urgent and indispensible. Your understanding with them, that when the work is consummated they are to have the pay, is the only safe one that you could make. While the pay is in reserve, only to be had when the affair is accomplished, there is an incentive to exertion; but if they can continue to get it by degrees as they go along, until it is all or nearly all drawn, there are no grounds left to hope that it will be completed. I know your carefulness in money matters, and all I can desire is that you will be as careful in this as if it were your own. Your programme is pretty complete, and if it can only be carried out as you desire, the results will be excellent and beneficial. If Congress wish to annex us to Nevada, it will be all right; we will be suited; but it will be found, if they do, that Nevada is annexed to Utah. We feel very easy out here about this move. The Vedette in consequence of hearing remarks which I made on the subject last Sunday, doubts the propriety of the move for annexation. I have not heard of any advocacy of the measure being indulged in here.

On Tuesday last I had a party at my house, at which Sister Hooper was present. Her health is pretty good; the family also are well. Mary, J. has escaped all recurrence of her weakness, and has not had any symptoms of an attack since you left.

Governor Durkee, Superintendent Head, Messrs. Warren Huseey, J. F. Nounnan, J. B. Kimball, J. Harvey Jones, W. S. Godbe, H. N. Lawrence, Wm. Jennings, and O. P. Miles and Col. Johnson, with Presidents Kimball and Wells and the four of the Twelve residing in the City, were all present at the party, and appeared to enjoy themselves very highly. Such associations and intercourse have at many times a good effect.

I am not able to tell you what amount is coming to Gilbert Webb, but think there is no great deal. His account is with Joseph A. The last we knew about the matter there was about $2,300 oo/100 due him; but since that time he has received some Notes, &c. the exact amount of which I can not tell.

With love, in which Presidents Kimball & Wells, and Bro. Geo. Q. joins, and praying the Lord to be with you constantly,

I remain,
Your Brother,

Brigham Young