President's Office
Great Salt Lake City U. T.
Sept 1st 1858.
Elder Horace S. Eldredge
Dear Brother:--
You are called to proceed immediately to the States and transact secular business for the Church, enclosed you will find Bills of such article as we want you to purchase and bring or send up to this place.
The arrangements for bringing every thing you purchase through instead of leaving any portion thereof upon the road sides, as has been two universally the case hitherto, must be as complete as possible, as we would prefer not to have property purchased at all unless it can be surely forwarded through the same season, therefore make your arrangements for freighting early in the season.
You had better take early measures to have your wagons ready in order to have them well made and of well selected timber, it is frequently the case that in the crowd of filling orders for wagons for freighters that timber entirely unsuitable is used, for merchants and freighters who only care to have their wagons stand the trip through it makes less difference, but with us it is not, we want the wagons to use after they arrive here, therefore it is of the utmost importance that great care should be taken in the selection of material and their construction. Those wide track iron axeltree Chicago wagons brot on by Bro Groesbeck are most suitable for this country and we need a good many of them, some of the lightest for express purposes, those, light wagons, may be fitted up complete with covers and seats inside on springs with a view of keeping them in the same order and not using them for other purposes. The heavier wagons are those which are wanted for Kanyon use and other purposes hence their beds are soon thrown off and they get knocked to pieces, those wagons can therefore be bought without boxes or a least temporary ones, and all should be light loaded, so as to come through safe. Such articles as Mill Stones and all kinds of machinery as will take no hurt in the wet can be brought on the wagons without covers, and those articles which would take damage brot in those light wagons having covers. It is also best to bring these light wagons in the mule train. We would also reccommend that the train should consist of young mules of large size that will make good teams for use when they get here. We also think two and three year old steers and heifers should compose the ox train. This course you will observe will require more wagons, but as we need wagons this forms no objection but by being light loaded they will be more apt to come without injury. Many wagons tho unbroken are so strained when they arrive here as to be almost worthless
The first thing for you to do when you arrive in the States is to pay up all our debts, and we think that you had better make your Head Quarters at Chicago, where we wish you to purchase our wagons and harness. and there observing the foregoing instructions in regard to freighting through the same season proceed to make selections of and purchase such articles as we have sent for according to the means at your command without going into debt.
Bro Frederick Kesler who accompanies you goes for the express purpose of selecting and aiding you with his judgment and knowledge of machinery, in making such purchases you will therefore consult fully and freely with him in regard to all such matters.
If there are any articles sent for such as files or anything else that could be purchased to better advantage, and of better quality in England, you are at liberty to confer with Bro Asa Calkin at Liverpool who has been instructed to fill such order if any such should be made, you would doubtless do well to first exchange letters making the necessary enquiries before making any such order. You are also authorized to call upon Bro Calkin for funds if you need and he should find it in his power, to aid you, of this also you had better receive advices from him before making your drafts, thereby avoiding difficulties and perhaps paying costs.
We do not expect to operate in the emigration through the P. E. Fund next year, You will not therefore use any funds in that business but so far as you can aid the brethren to emigrate by engaging their services as teamsters &c. you are at liberty to do so, but do not allow them in any event to overload your wagons.
If you fail in receiving as much money as will be necessary to make all your purchases, give the preference to the Machinery.
In selecting the paper for the Office and Press it would be well to counsel with Bro Geo. Q. Cannon who accompanies you. You will also see his instructions and will render each other such mutual aid, financially or otherwise, as shall seem necessary. We hope he will be under no necessity to call upon you for funds, and we know he will not unless it becomes absolutely necessary, in which case you will of course furnish them. Upon your return you had better accompany one of the trains and brother Jos. W. Young, or Horton Haight the other.
Select good teamsters who will treat oxen and mules with the law of kindness. Consult fully the Bills sent to you that you may understand what is wanted; and furnish bro. Kesler funds for the payment of such articles as he shall purchase.
The Cotton, Indigo, and Madder seeds should be forwarded either in the winter or very early in the spring, unless you have some other reliable opportunity by Mail.
May the Lord bless and preserve you; give you wisdom, and prosper you on your journey, and bring you with all your company safely to us again in peace.
I remain, Your Brother in the Gospel of Christ.
Brigham Young