G. S. L. City, U. T. Oct 20th 1858
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon,
Dear Brother:
We enclose in a package to Bro. Eldridge our letters East, and send by Mr. Henry Kinkead. Having written at length to Bro. Eldridge, which communication you will see, it will be unnecessary to repeat to you.
You will please observe in regard to the emigration another year our wishes. We do not wish you to involve yourself in the business of the emigration farther than to give them the necessary instruction, organizing companies, through the aid of the Presidents of Conferences in New York, Philadelphia, and other cities; find places for the poor Saints when they arrive across the sea, attend to the general interests thereof; and our brethren must not involve us in debt.
We were much pleased with the proceedings of a Conference, which, it appears, was held in Philadelphia by Bro. Stenhouse, and reported in the`Herald.' Brother Stenhouse appears to be taking hold very actively, and I have no doubt will prove of great assistance to you. You must help him as you find he needs. I hear with pleasure that he declined a very advantageous position upon the receipt of our notice to take charge of the churches in the East. As brother Stenhouse has never been with us, we take this as an indication in his favor, which with his subsequent activity for the promotion of the cause of truth gains him a confidence with the Saints, and with his God and will prove a constant source of joy to himself.
You may also be able to enlist others who are trustworthy in the cause which we have at present so much at heart, our admission into the Union as a State. If you cannot accomplish our full admission the ensuing Session, get an an enabling Act. Mr. Broderick thinks our prospects very poor, owing to strong a prejudice against us in the minds of the people, and especially with all the papers. This is your labor, to remove so far as possible this prejudice; or rather labor to disabuse the public mind against us. We find that the people generally complain that they do not know any thing to the contrary of the false, slanderous, and malignant representations of our enemies. As regards our gaining admission into the Union, it will not be Mr. Douglas, Buchanan, or any one else says about it, but when the Lord is ready the `cars will start,' and it will be done before our enemies are aware-- they will awake and find it done.
We believe that many Members who now would not dare on account of their popularity to vote for it, yet would do so if a respectable share of the paper's should appear to justify it. We look for things to take quite a different turn the ensuing winter.
We have no further news of general interest: all is well with us, and feel to praise the Lord for His great goodness unto His people. We find there is less than usual in the paper's about us, therefore think it will be a good time for you to commence operations and begin to make them sing another time.
Unlike Oregon and New Mexico, no lands have been granted to actual settlers in Utah, and unlike all other Territories pre-emption laws have ever been extended to us. The expenses of the last Sessions of the Legislative Assembly have not been paid. The appropriations were made by Congress for that purpose, this money has been withheld by the Department, and no appropriation was made last Session, for the current year. The Department have even withheld my salary as Governor, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, as well as expenses of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Territory. We have written concerning these matters to Dr. Bernhisel and he knows about them, and has all the papers, but if there is any lack of verification, vouchers or explanation wanted, we would like to know it, so that we can forward the necessary documents. Concerning the Mail, we have written fully to Bro. Eldridge which you will see. For the suppression of Indian hostilities in 1853 no appropriation has yet been made; the claims are with the Dr. and he can post you in relation thereto. Contrast the difference of paying the citizens for such services with the expense of the Government when the same service is performed by the Army. We had hostilities with the Utaws all summer and fall of 1853; our forces traversed the whole length and breadth of this Territory; our expenses were scarce $76.000.00 v.s. Four companies mustered into service at Camp Scott, laid in camp all winter $173.478.80. Statutes at large for 1857-8 page 335.
Brother Appleby and Company arrived all safe the day before the storm. Bro. E. R. Young was here to day and appears to feel very well: said he was quite at home here and felt as well acquainted as though he had been with us twenty years. He appears to be a very good man, and I trust will make himself quite useful in getting up a cotton factory.
Brother Kimball was just here and wished to be remembered to you. Your brother David has gone to California for bro. Godbe with his team, for which he gets $150.00 per month. Your friends are all well, so far as I know.
We very much regret the death of Bro. Cook, the particulars of which are written in the letter to Bro. Horace.
May the Lord bless and preserve, and give you complete success in your labors.
I remain, as ever,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young