The Brigham Young Center

Utah Territory
Great Salt Lake City Jany 31st /54

Sir,

Your polite note of Ocotber 12th, arrived on the l0th Ultimo, and a press of business has prevented an earlier answer, which I hope will prove a satisfactory reason for what might otherwise be deemed neglect.

Since the receipt of your letter, I have had but little communication with the red men, as they had mostly gone into Winter Quarters and many of their trails are blocked with Snow. I have however succeeded in obtaining from an Indian of the band of the Go-tha Utahs, a bow made from the horns of the Big Horn or Mountain Sheep, backed and wound, and strung with Sinew, and three arrows with flint heads, which are poisoned, and which I have enclosed in a Tin tube for save transportation. These are all the articles of the kind, you desire, which I have as yet been able to procure: and the Hon. A. W. Babbitt, Secretary for Utah, has courteously consented to see that they are safely placed in your possession, together with these few lines.

Hoping that the Bow and Arrows will prove acceptable, and meet your expectations.

I Remain Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant 
Brigham Young

Mr. J. H. McIlvain
3rd or Mantua Ward
West Phil[a].