The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City, April 3rd 1854

To Peteetneet and his Band

Purritz brought me word from you the other day that you was poor, and hungry and wished to come in unto your lands again and live near the whites, and learn to build houses, and raise grain, and live in peace. Now all this is good talk and pleases me, for I and my people have been friendly to you, and to all good Utahs, <all the while> and have not wished or tried to hurt you at any time, but have wished to do you good, and you ought to know that I am the best friend you have, and it will please me much to have you and your band come unto your old grounds again, and be friendly, and learn to labor for what you need to eat and wear, for I and my people have to work to build houses and raise grain, and cattle and horses, and we do not like to feed and clothe those who will not work when they are able, but we are willing to learn you and your people how to work, so that you can easily raise a plenty to eat, and live much more comfortably than you now do, and then your young men will not be tempted to steal our animals, and grain, nor call upon my people to give them what they are not willing to work for, which my people do not like to do, for they work hard for what they have; and when any of your people wish to be fed or clothed for nothing, and if they are not, get mad about it, I think they are very foolish, and ought to know better. Your ears are, and always have been open, and I hope the ears of your people will be also open; and I wish them to understand that I am the best friend they have, and I hope you and your band will come in as you desire, and that your men will behave well, and learn to labor as you say you wish to, which will be the best thing for all; and I will instruct my people to use you all well, and if another fuss should arise, do not run off into the mountains again, but come to me. I send you a shirt and some tobacco by my good friend Purretz that you and your men may have a good smoke, and understand with open ears, and good hearts, that my heart is good towards you and has been all the time.

Brigham Young