The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U. T.
November 30. 1869.

Mr. Peter Lesher,
Stockton, Cal.

Dear Sir:--

Yours of the 19th inst. with accompanying bill has been received. I was not a little astonished at perusing its contents. You say "some few months ago I had the honor to forward you at your request a selected assortment of grape cuttings since then I have not heard anything from you in regard to settlement of them, I now hereby enclose bill for payment." Is it customary with you to expect payment of an unknown amount before you present your bill? I had no more idea of ordering hundreds of grape cuttings of you than I had of seeing your bill for them after what you wrote me under date of Jan. 19. as follows: "Having received since a few days the different grape cuttings from whom I had the honor to write to you, I claim hereby the privilege of offering you the same," not a word is said about price or payment, on the contrary you subscribe yourself, in the same letter, thus, "Your most humble servant & donor Peter Lesher." Would not any other person understand from that, they were sent as a present? & that is the reason why I sent you an acknowledgement thanking you for them.

When Wells, Fargo & Co's. carrier brought the cuttings, my chief clerk, who is well skilled in grape culture & is aware of the large variety of my grape stock, absolutely refused to pay Express charges $5.00 not considering them even of that value to me, as I have thousands of cuttings to dispose of nearly all of them far better adapted to this section than those you sent, the most of which are nearly worthless here, owing to the shortness of the season:--but he finally received them, had a few planted, & the rest were thrown away.

However, I will pay your bill, but I wish first to understand one thing; when you sent the description of the cuttings, it shewed six varieties, numbering respectively 50,24,53,22, & 23, total 195, while your bill for the same thing charges me with 350. explain this difference satisfactorily & <I> will remit your money.

Yours with respect

Brigham Young

P. S. I send you Post Office order for the amount with this, & will thank you to write in acknowledgment, viz $52/50 Cy
B.Y.