President's Office
Great Salt Lake City
March 28, 1867
Hon. W.H. Hooper, M.C.
House of Representatives
Washington D.C.
Dear Brother:
Since my last to you I have received your favors of Feby. 24th, with copy of the Bill for the relief of the inhabitants of cities and towns upon the Public Lands; also a copy of your letter to Senator Ramsey, and your short favor of March 6th, with circulars of the Commissioner of the General Land Office in relation to Mining Claims, and in regard to Selections in Satisfaction of Rail Roads, and other Congressional Grants. These letters have been perused with a great deal of interest. We are pleased to hear of your success in the performance of the duties assigned you, though we regret to hear of your ill health; we trust, however, that long before this you have recovered.
Myself, Presdt. D.H. Wells and Elders G.A. Smith and G.Q. Cannon have just returned from a visit to Grantsville where we have been holding a two-days meeting. The attendance was tolerably good, and spiritually it was a time of enjoyment to both speakers and hearers. Much good instruction was given, particularly on our being united in sustaining ourselves and in letting our enemies alone; also to do all in our power to live within ourselves and upon our own products and manufactures. On our journey out it snowed considerably, and the roads were in a wretched condition. Coming back on Monday last, it snowed heavily from the time we left Grantsville until we reached the confines of the City. None of us suffered any inconvenience, however, from the storms, as we went prepared for them. Could you see our mountains now, and did not know the season, you would not imagine that it was the latter part of March; they are mantled in snow far below their bases, and there are no signs as yet, of Spring. Occasionally we have a day that is milder than the average, and it seems as though Spring was about to open, but storms almost immediately follow. At present, through the great quantity of snow, and the ground being so thoroughly saturated, there is every probability of high water A backward Spring is not unfavorable for us, and probably the coming season will be very fruitful, though some indulge in apprehensions of grasshoppers particularly in Cache, where, they say, there is scarcely a foot of land, from the summits of the mountains to the centres of the valleys, that is not filled with their eggs. This will be, however, as the Lord wills. Numbers of our people are storing up their flour, not so much for fear of famine, as to prevent it. Flour when sold at all, is at very low figures. Five hundred sacks, mostly of the best brands, were sold last week at $3.50.
Nothing of special note has transpired in the City since I wrote last. Times still continue very dull, and business men who have over-reached themselves feel the pressure pretty severely.
Peace is general, and good health prevails in our midst.
McGrorty left here for the East, yesterday, we suppose with the intention of visiting Washington. His pretensions only excite ridicule, even among the clique with which he is associated.
I hope you have received my letter concerning my business with the Telegraph Company; but for fear you should not have done so I enclose a copy. Since commencing this letter I have received your favors of the 3rd and 5th instants with copies of letters to Senator Kirkwood endorsing Bro. L.S. Hills as Post Master. The appointment of Waddy Street is very gratifying, under the circumstances, as te is a gentleman we believe beloved by all who know him.
With love, in which Presidents Kimball & Wells and Bro. Geo. Q. join, and praying the Lord to bless and preserve you, and to crown with success every movement you make that would help to accomplish His purposes and build up His kingdom
I am your Brother
Brigham Young