G. S. L. City May 13th 1854.
Bishop J. G. Browning
Dear Brother,
Your two notes dated May 11th addressed to Bishop Edward Hunter came to hand, and I would say in reply, that Bro Hunter is absent on a tour South accompanying the President, and may not return for two or three weeks.
In the meantime, I would wish to be informed from what source, or by what authority you have learned that it is your privilege or right to retain 200. or 300 Bushels of wheat for the Demands of your ward, when an order from the General Tithing office in this City calls for the amount of wheat on hand? The Tithing office at Ogden, is only a branch of the General Tithing office here, established there, for, & in behalf of the Tithing office in this city, and to do that portion of its business in Weber County, subject to the jurisdiction or order of the Presiding Bishop in this City.
When President B. Young left this city on his tour South, he gave orders to have all the Tithing wheat on hand, North, collected immediately and deposited in the office here, and agreeably to his instructions teams have been sent to your place, and according to your note, cannot receive but a few Bushels, when you report on hand 2. or 300. The Laborers on the Public works are now living mostly on half-rations, and potatoes at that, and let me here observe, that all the Potatoes you may have on hand on receipt of this, you will please to see to; employ some hands to pick them, and keep them in an airy place so as to prevent their sprouting, or otherwise being damaged, for future use, and when an opportunity presents, we will send for them, or if any teams should be coming to this City from your section, and you find it convenient, it would accommodate us greatly to have them sent by such.
At date, I have drawn on you an order for 200 Bushels of wheat, which you will please deliver upon presentation thereof, and the balance you have on hand, may remain until the President returns, unless some exigency should arise sufficient to require the delivery of it previously; if so, you will have an order to that effect over my signature.
It is true, the poor and needy in your Ward should be cared for, and the worthy should be supplied with needful assistance, but you have farmers, and other able men in your Ward, which should, out of their abundance minister to the wants & necessities of the poor, independent of their tithing as we have to do in this City, thereby releiving us of the embarassing circumstances under which we are placed to prosecute the public works of the Kingdom, more efficiently and effectually than we otherwise could have done.
Hoping that the foregoing will meet with your kind approval & attention.
I Remain your Brother in the Gospel,
J. M Grant.