G. S. L. City, Dec 1, 1854
Elder Erastus Snow
& Milo Andrus, St Louis, Mo
Dear Brethren,
I have waited until nearly the last moment, and fearing the mail going out will leave before the other arrives, I have to write independent of late News of your welfare, and the position of your affairs.
In my last to you, I wrote somewhat minutely relating to the Ten Horse power Steam Engine which I wished you to purchase, but as I am so often disappointed either in the quality or usage in the transportation of articles sent for, I deem it requisite to write again on the subject.
I wish an Engine of Ten Horse Power of the best workmanship, most approved construction, and adapted to propelling a boat 40 feet in length, with 12 feet beam, and a Stern wheel. I do not wish to have any finical work put upon it, and want it finished with what is called a "Black finish," and so arranged in its parts that when it is put in the boat, it may as far as possible, be on an even Keel, independent of other ballast. This is particularly desirable, for many parts of the Lake are very shallow, & I do not wish to use any more ballast than may be necessary to counteract the action of the boat's loading.
Probably you will be able to find a good engineer among the brethren at St Louis, if so, I wish you to engage him to examine carefully into the charactor of the engine any maker may propose to furnish you, previous to closing a contract, and when the contract is made, have him look carefully to the execution of every portion of the the work as it progresses, and to the final fiting up, and let him not suffer the least faulty work to pass, and be careful that no part of the whole is finally lacking, for it is too far to haul a poor article, and two difficult to replace deficiencies here.
When the engine is finished let him see that it is rightly packed for transportation, neglecting no item through hurry, indifference, or carelessness, and when this is well seen to, let him accompany the engine to this place if possible, if not let it be put in charge of a really trusty & careful person. Strict attention to these suggestions will insure the arrival in good condition of the kind of engine I wish.
Brother Edward Ogden bought several articles of Bro. Alexander Dow in St. Louis, the bill of which, now in my possession, bears date, St Louis June 12. 1853. Bro Ogden died on the road, and Sister Ogden informs me that she has never had, the following named articles, viz: 1 Golden can Stove No 4. and its driping and frying pans @ 24.1.3 Gallon oil can 60s -- 1 Stove Shovel 20[s] 3 Gallons Linseed Oil @ 85cts $2.55 1 Gallon Turpentine 80 cts. Now I wish Bro Andrus to call on Bro Dow, & get leave from him to examine his books, and learn whether those articles are charged & credited as if paid for and delivered, and if so, endeavor to find out whether they were shipped as pr. account, or in short, if possible, find out where and how the slip up happened, and let me know, for the articles appear on the Bill as charged, shipped and paid for.
Inasmuch as the articles in the Bill of Cards forwarded to Bro Erastus to fill, and inclosed in my letter of July 8th to him, were not forwarded last season, I now wish <only> as I wrote in that letter to have cards for a single & double machine, <as I am to get the castings and other mountings here, please forward them> and all the gratings belonging to both, purchased, & forwarded as early next season as possible.
I also wish the steam engine forwarded at an early date. I will furnish the means for making seasonable payments, for filling these & such other orders as I may send.
Details of Current events, &c. you will learn in the Deseret News, & family letters; suffice to say that my health is good, as is also that of your families so far as I know, and of the people generally, and we are still blessed with peace, union, and prosperity.
Praying that blessings may attend your labors in righteousness.
I Remain Your Brother in the Gospel
Brigham Young.