Salt Lake City, U. T.
January 25. 1872.
Mr. Edward Young,
Clintonville, Waupaca Co. Wis.
My dear brother,
From my being away in Southern Utah, and the press of business on my return I have not written you sooner. I was pleased to hear from you, through a letter received here while I was south. The box you sent was forwarded to me to St George where I received it, for which I tender you my thanks. I would have much preferred good, ripe, blackberries carefully picked and packed, to the wine, which, from being cased in tin, tasted of the metal. Many thanks for your well wishes, and I sincerely hope your life may be spared to see them consummated and Israel triumph over all her enemies who would trample truth and righteousness under foot and even dethrone Jehovah if they had the power.
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 write for which had not then been served, and to ask for bail. The Judge refused to take bail 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 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, as the Judge failed to have me dis-appear, the Court at the instance of the prosecuting attorney, without an 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 we do enjoy good peace notwithstanding the howlings of our enemies.
Captn. Hooper after spending the holidays here, returned to Washington on the 15th full of hope, and free of fear, and filled with a firm determination to battle for our rights as American citizens.
The District Attorney has also gone to Washington, and it is supposed a part of his business will be to raise funds to carry on the trials, and in short time, doubtless, we will learn the result. For my part I do not believe Congress will go 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 end.
We have had a remakably mild winter, till recently, although a great amount of rain and some snow has fallen, but for the last few days, the frost has been quite severe.
Llorenzo lost his first wife while we were south. she died of an affection of the lungs. His health has been quite poorly almost ever since her death, although he is better now within the last few days. Joseph W. desires to be remembered to you, and sends his compliments and best wishes
Next year I would like to have you forward me a quantity of good, clean maple sugar of your own manufacture, and be sure and send me the blackberries. I wish to purchase a stock of this sugar if clean and good, when you send it, send draft on me for the amount at the same time
May peace be with you.
Your affectionate brother
Brigham Young