Great Salt Lake City Jany 31st 1855
Dear Brother Franklin,
The Eastern mail due on the 1st of January, and February are as yet unheard from and of course the Stars, and your letters to me are accumulating at some point without coming to hand.
Thus far this winter, there has been much less snow in the mountains than during any other since our first Settlement was made, & not enough to materially interfere with the regular transportation of the Mail, hence its failure must be attributed to some other cause than the usual inclemency of the weather. Bro John Y. Green started east with the mail of the 1st inst. hut on reaching Fort Bridger, he was informed by the Mountaineers and Indians around that place, that it would not be safe for him to proceed any farther, as the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes and Ogalollah Sioux had way laid the route, and threatened to kill all whites who attempted to pass.
How true this may be, or how long that mail will continue to fail are unknown. In the meantime, as the Southern Mail arrives, and departs, regularly once a month, I sent my mail matter of the 1st inst. including a letter to you by way of Panama, and shall send by that route this time; and this course will be the surest for you to pursue, unless you previously learn that the mail is again passing regularly on the Eastern route, or send by each route.
The Legislative Assembly, having diligently, and profitably occupied the 40 days allotted by the "Organic Act" to one Session, adjourned on the 19th inst. among other important business, they passed an Act legalizing the transfer of property by gift, and a resolution for convening the next assembly at Fillmore. The South Wing of the State House will be completed for their accommodation, previous to that date the walls having been finished for some time. The shingles and much other materials are on hand; the Roof Timbers are being hauled on to the ground, and the building will soon be in readiness for the Carpenters, Plasterers, and Painters. Though only $20,000 were appropriated by Congress for erecting a State House in Utah, we have already profitably expended between $25 on $30,000 on the South Wing, and intend to have a respectable building, whether Congress sees fit to pay the bill in full, or only in part.
Messrs. Adams & Co. extended their express line from San Diego to this City on the 1st inst; an arrangement which promises to be of much benefit to us, and profitable to them.
Bro. Parley P. Pratt, is making quite a stir in California, and expects to start for Utah on the first of May with a large Company of Saints.
The Civil and Military Officers sent here by the U. S. continue to deport themselves very Civily, and gentlemanly, and the saints in the mountains move on harmoniously and the Indians remain peaceful.
The winter has been unusually mild, and, for the past two weeks, very much like spring, affording a fine opportunity for performing a great variety of out door labor and the brethren are improving it by setting out fruit trees, sowing pease &c. and in making rapid progress in laying the massive foundation for the Temple.
I again take the opportunity of requesting you not to print any more "Seers," and I wish you to publish the enclosed article, titled "New Publications" in the Editorial columns of the Star.
Lieut. Col. Steptoe of the U. S. A. is expending the appropriation made by Congress for the road between this City, and the Territorial line on the Route to San Diego, California.
To morrow, the Sugar Works will commence operation in manufacturing Molasses from the Beet.
The general health of the people is good, and I see no cause for Israel to fail in continuing to receive & enjoy the rich blessings of the Lord, inasmuch as they will faithfully walk in obedience to his commands.
I omit the details of News, as the papers are regularly mailed to your Office, & I presume Bro Samuel, your family Bro Geo A. & others will supply all deficiencies.
Ever praying for your welfare, I Remain Your Brother in the Gospel
Brigham Young