Salt Lake City Utah Territory
March 28, 1868.
Elder Franklin D. Richards,
42 Islington, Liverpool England
Dear Brother:-
Your welcome favor of Feb. 26 is to hand, with inclosed slip concerning drafts, and the contents noted.
In regard to the Steamship combination, my advice is for you not to worry about that matter, but watch and wait, and while so doing make diligent and careful inquiries and keep me advised of the figures of both steamers and sailers. If steamers are finally selected, the emigration need not leave Liverpool before the latter part of June, or 1st of July; and if Sailers, about the first of June, which will give opportunity to watch movements and make the most favorable contracts that circumstances will permit. Of course there will be no harm in prosecuting inquiries concerning the terms upon which the Great Eastern can be had, and if they suit you, charter her and send all at one load about the latter part of June.
In reply to those who have means to pay their own expenses through, you can inform them that we have estimated the expenses of an adult from Liverpool to the terminus of the railroad at $65.00 per in greenbacks, or an equivalent in coin. When they reach the terminus they can either hire their passage in the trains that will be sent form here, or probably, if they prefer, buy wagons and teams of those who go down with the trains; in either case they will need to provide their provisions on the frontier to last them through, for we do not expect to send provisions from here only for those who are assisted from the amount donated for gathering the poor; for which reason both those who are able to pay their way through and those whose relatives or friends have sent for them must supply their own provisions.
The Bishops are now busily engaged in raising 500 four-yoke teams to start for the terminus in time to reach there about the middle of July, with flour, dried fruit, beans, &c., sufficient for those who are assisted by the Fund or donations. It is expected that these teams will be able to transport all who can reach the terminus this season. Such would have been the case had money been more plenty, for the spirit for assisting the poor is very great, and the donations are marvelous under the great scarcity of money. Many cattle have been donated and many more are ready to be, but as yet we have no money offers for them that meet our views; should we have in time, which is rather doubtful, many more will be enabled to rejoice in deliverance this season. Nothing but the want of money prevents our emigrating this year all who wish to come.
I have advised br's Clawson and Staines, as also yourself in a former letter, to keep their expenditures in behalf of the emigration strictly within the amounts furnished for that purpose, and not incur one cent of indebtedness for me to pay, for money is too scarce and uncertain for me to permit any other course, except some emergency should arise in which I expressly warrant it. This instruction does not touch our customary business of deposits and their corresponding drafts, but solely pertains to expenditures for the emigration. And you need not worry your mind about those able to pay their way through, but you can inform them, in addition to what I have already written in this letter, that they of course have full liberty to organize and travel with the others, which will be best, provided they will listen to such counsels and instructions as may be given them by you and br's Clawson and Staines, and observe the regulations for the welfare and good conduct of all throughout the entire journey
It is gratifying to learn that baptisms are again becoming quite frequent, and we will endeavor to have the gathering at least keep pace with them, which we trust will enable the Saints to leave Babylon before any become weary in well doing or discouraged by oppression and wicked surroundings.
On the 26th inst. I returned from a short visit to Provo, during which I located the site for the new bridge over Provo River near where the old one was, and in company with br. Kimball, my brother Joseph, Mayor Smoot, Alderman Sheets and a large number of citizens, with teams, labored one day in hauling brush and gravel to make good the approaches to the bridge, which work will be continued at the rate of one day in each week until the job is completed. Br. A. Gardiner has taken the contract to build the new bridge, 250 ft long by 20 feet wide, on piling, for $7000. The brethren at Provo and throughout Utah county seem to have been imbued with increased zeal and energy in good works, and are very cheerful and energetic in carrying out every requirement for their welfare.
As the weather becomes more propitious out door labors are being prosecuted with increasing diligence, but business or trade continues very dull. Whether the Sweetwater mines or the railroad, or both, will materially enliven our money market this season is not as yet known, but cannot, probably, to any great extent until harvest, for we have little or no surplus products to spare, except beef.
On the 16th of February, the time of his starting East, br. H. B. Clawson was furnished with $9359 00/100 in coin and gold dust, <(which are equal to> = $13074 in greenbacks) and 14000 00/100 in greenbacks. At even date I inclose to him a draft for $10,000 00/100 in greenbacks, and in a week or so shall send another like draft for some $8,000 or $10,000 more. We expect to be able to forward some $50,000 in greenbacks, all told, aside from what we may realize from cattle sales, which, as already stated is unknown. Of that sum br. Hiram will as informed, probably need to retain about one half for expenses this side of the Ocean, but as to this you can advise with each other. The $50000 includes the donations and the sums paid in on drafts by persons to help their relatives and friends; of course you will understand that the persons nominated to be sent for by the donors and those aided by depositors must be first provided for, so far as other circumstances will warrant, and only the remainder can be used for your selections of the worthy aged and such as you may deem most fitting to come this season. Those nominated by donors and those assisted by drafts should still help themselves all they can, for the estimated $65 per head does not include any expense this side the terminus of the railroad.
Should any indebtedness be pressing you, after the nominateds and drafteds are provided for, and you be obliged to use a portion of the remaining means forwarded that will still further limit you in making selections.
Your family, relatives and friends are all well, so far as I am advised, as are also the people generally.
Ever praying that all needed blessings may constantly attend you and those associated with you in your important labors, as also all the faithful of the Israel of our God, I remain
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young