The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U. T.
December 5. 1872.

Hon's. W. H. Hooper and G. Q. Cannon.
Washington. D. C.

Dear Brethren,

Thinking that you will like to know how that portion of President Grant's message bearing upon Utah is received here, we drop you a few lines.

The Prests. assertion "that it has seemed to be the policy of the legislature of Utah to evade all responsibility to the Government of the United States, and even to hold a position in hostility to it," is, as you are well aware, totally false.

The assertion, if it were true, reflects great discredit on past administrations, who suffered such a state of things to go unchallenged, but, as it is not true, we have no fear for the consequences.

It is amusing to think how the Prest. would substantiate his position. Is there a single act of our legislature on record, or a single statute on our books to prove it? we think not, and if there were, do not our statutes stand approved by Congress, and is not that body as responsible as our legislature.

Failing to find such a Statute on our books perhaps he would turn to our history for proof of his position. We wish for his own sake he would read up the subject.

Was it hostility to the Government for our ostracised people to furnish the Mormon Battalion? -- to hoist and sustain our country's flag in Mexican Territory -- to feed and succour the thousands of pilgrims who formed the nucleus of the surrounding States and Territories: -- to make roads and build bridges; and ferries for the convenience of travel, with far fewer toll gates, notwithstanding the high rate of labor, than in any other new country on the Continent -- to develop these barren wastes for our support and to imigrate thousands of foreigners and sustain and naturalize them, thus yielding large revenues to our government and furnishing the bone and sinew to build railroads and telegraph lines; it is hostility to the Government to live at peace among ourselves and with the Indians; to pay deference to such men as Gov. Shaffer and their <unconstitutional> proclamations, and to submit to the requisition of <illegal> Federal Courts, while well knowing their murderous intents? Has there ever been a Government scientific, or any other expedition in Utah to the aid, of which, if solicited, we have not done everything in our power? All these are so many direct evidences of the falsity of the President's assertion, and our history is made up
of them.

It is true that we dare worship God according to the dictates of our consciences, and that we dare claim that right under the Constitution.

But what are we to do, and how to conduct ourselves under such a sweeping charge? Pursue the even tenor of our way -- do our duty day by day -- serve God and trust in Him -- and we shall see His salvation.

I have been suffering from a severe cold, but I am thankful to say, it is breaking up, and I hope to be able to start south the early part of next week accompanied by Gen. Kane and his wife and two children, and a few friends. The Gen.'s health is improving, and his wife feels better.

Things are very quiet here, although I suppose our enemies are not idle.

The weather has <been> very mild recently, after the short but severe cold spell which preceeded it.

We shall look with interest for the news from you, quite often so that we may be kept posted as to what is doing.

Trust in God and be diligent, and He will direct you wisely in all things, and we shall come off more than conquerors, and the glory shall be His, whose servants we are.

Your Bro. In the Gospel
Brigham Young