G. S. L. City Augt. 31st 1853
Dear Bro. Samuel.
Yours of June 21st arrived on the 27th inst. and afforded much Joy, as I learned therefrom of your fruitfulness and prosperity, and the gratifying prospects of the foreign Missions generally.
You were correct in complying with instructions from Bro. Wells to stop payment to Mellenhauer's wife <for I dictated those instruc;tions, having settled up with Mollenhauer> who soon after left for the Gold mines, where I presume he now is. As there is much sickness on the Western Rivers, & many entanglements, & allurements to step aside at New Orleans, St. Louis, Council Bluff City, and other points, especially for the foreign Saints, who are unacclimated, and unacquainted with many of the specious forms of vice, and the smooth, sophisticated arguments of dissenters, I deem it very poor policy to forward any saints from England by means either of the P. E. Fund or Tithing, with any calculation of them stoping by the way; hence my counsel to you in the matter is, that you start no saints with the Emigrating, or Church funds, with any arrangement other than for them to come clear through to the vallies of the mountains the same Season.
You will Please follow out this policy, until otherwise directed, as a different course, at present, only leads to loss and disappointment.
With regard to the Pound10.0.0 arrangement for emigration, from what Bro. J. C. Haight informs me, the amount is too small, not furnishing sufficient provisions, nor teams, hence those who start across the plains, require help from us here to enable them to get through, whether we are in condition to extend such aid or not. My mind is that an arrangement of that nature is good, as it embraces the power and advantages of United capital, and enables many to come who otherwise could not, neither would they put their means into the fund, so for [?] the [?] let the amount be Pound 12.0.0 instead of Pound 10.0.0 which will provide for accidental of Stock, and provisions, & for most reasonable necessaries, and comforts, & ensure their reaching here without and should there be any surplus it can be turned over to the P. E. Fund.
Still I do not wish such means and property to be up with the Fund, and Tithing transactions as it has been this year, for it makes confusion, and may bring on feelings in the adjustment.
Bros. John Dison, & John Quayle have been killed & Bros John Hoagland & Isaac Duffin wounded by the Indians since we wrote to you, and they are still lurking about in small parties watching for opportunities to kill stragglers and drive off stock.
This Indian disturbances will no doubt result in good, as it will tend to teach us union, and learn us to be more diligent in listening to counsel, and in Walking in obedience to the commandments of the Lord.
General health, and prosperity prevails, Crops are good and the people are very busily engaged in securing them, and in completing their defences; progressing with great speed, just at present things are in the midst of all our requirements, to keep several hands upon the The Wall on the North Side of the Temple Block is nearly ready for the Coping stone & Iron Railing.
I omit minute details of News, presuming your family & Bro Franklin, keep your informed on those points.
In case any really responsible person is willing to to transport the Saints from England to this place, with reasonable comfort paid there, and guarantee not to fail in the matter, nor make any further charge, doing so, but I do not think it best for any of our agents to engage in the matter for less Pound13.0.0.
Praying that you may in the Spirit of the lord, & in all needful blessings continually,
I Remain
Your Brother in the Gospel
signed Brigham Young
Elder Saml. W. Richards
No 15. Wilton Street
Liverpool
England