Salt Lake City. U. T.
January 26, 1872.
Mr. Willard Young
West Point, N. Y.
My dear son,
On my return from south I was much pleased to receive and read your letter of Dec. 9th.; we returned from our trip to Southern Utah on the 26th Dec. not only in time for my trial on the day fixed by the court, but soon enough to enter court one week before that time to answer to a charge of murder, the writ for which had not then been served, and to ask for bail. The Judge refused to take it although Mr. Bates, the U. S. District Attorney strongly urged him to, and it was expected some regard would have been paid to the fact of my voluntary appearance in Court, but the Judge saw proper to refuse, and stated that as there was no U. S. jail in the Territory, and as it was at the option of the military officer commanding the post to receive or refuse prisoners, and as he understood the defendant was the owner of several houses, he said, he would consign him to the custody of the U. S. Marshal in any one of those houses he might select. The result of this decision is that I am held a prisoner in my own house, although partly from the kindness and good sense of the deputy marshal. Capt. Evens and partly from his instructions, the burden imposed upon me is not very hard to bear, while at the same time Judge McKean has added another laurel to his judicial crown which he wears with most unenviable notoriety. All jury cases have been postponed until the March term pending the settlement of the question whether or not the U. S. will pay the expenses of those prosecutions.
The 9th of Jan. had been fixed by the inexorable judge, as the day for my trial, although my attorneys had asked for a continuance until the March term, and our return to this city from St. George was necessarily made in very severe weather, with snow, rain and mud in superabundance, in the most inclement season of the year. It soon transpired, however, that it was not my appearance that was wanted but my dis-appearance, and, failing in that respect, the Court, at the instance of the prosecuting attorney, without any further application on my part, granted a continuance until the 2nd. Monday in March.
My health is much improved, and had I been left alone in the south until March, it would, doubtless, have improved still more, however, I am thankful everything is as well as it is, and so far as I am personally concerned, as well as what pertains to our affairs in
general. I have no doubt of their final success and the entire discomfiture of our malicious enemies.
Capt. Hooper, after spending the holidays here, returned to Washington on the 15th full of hope, and filled with a firm determination to battle for our rights as American citizens. Mr. Bates, District Attorney started 20 days earlier, as he is going to Washington it is supposed a part of his business will be to raise funds to carry on the trials, and in a short time, doubtless, we will learn the result.
For my part I do not believe Congress will so far countenance these unhallowed persecutions as to appropriate one cent towards continuing them, and, if I am not mistaken, the reign of the McKeanites is drawing to an inglorious termination.
We have had a remarkabley mild winter, although a great deal of rain and some snow has fallen; but for the last few days, the frost has been more severe, and, to-day, the wind is blowing as piercingly cold as I ever felt it in this valley.
I suppose the folks keep you posted with regard to family matters, and I will merely remark, we are all pretty well. My health has much improved by my trip south, and my spirits are light and buoyant, for which I feel very thankful.
I find from the Inspector's report for November, that your record shews you to be in Sec. No. 1. in Mathematics. and No. 4. in French.
We were much gratified to hear of your success, especially in Mathematics; this report shows the total demerit since the commencement of the Academic half-year at 18, and I observe that while the average number on the reports is 4, the one for Sept. shows 8, and as this is so much above the average, I would be pleased to ascertain the reason, or whether there is any mistake in the report.
Your offer to furnish any desired information concerning West Point, I accept, and will always be happy to hear of your progress, as often as you can find opportunity. Your success and welfare is the best information the Institution can furnish for your friends
here, still, if it was not for the press of your studies there is much interesting detail concerning the affairs and management of the Academy that would doubtless form an article for our newspapers, and be read by the people with considerable relish, but I have
no desire either to overtax you or seek to infringe upon your alloted studies.
May your heart be comforted, and the light of the good Spirit abide with you continually to direct your steps and inspire you in all your pursuits. We pray for you continually and it is our earnest desire that you may be preserved from every evil.
Your Affectionate Father
Brigham Young
P. S. As you will naturally feel anxious to know to what extent I am deprived of liberty, I assure you any one would find it difficult to know there is any guard here at all. The Marshal sits in my office or goes outside to walk, or ride, or go to the Theatre or elsewhere, but never follows me, nor asks any questions, nor knows where I go -- If I go out to ride I ask him to accompany me if I feel like it -- if not, he says in the office; he eats in the east house in company with Bro. McKenie-- takes breakfast at 8. dinner at 1. & supper at 6. he sleeps in the little room between the offices. in the rear of the Telegraph office, but never goes into any other room than the one he eats in. From this you will readily perceive the whole thing is a farce, and we have many a joke about it.
B. Y.