Great Salt Lake City
Nov 22d. 1858.
Col. Thomas L Kane,
My Dear Friend:-- again we improve the opportunity of sending by private conveyance, so far at least as to dodge the inquisition of our important Post Master; to keep you advised of current events transpiring in this city and vicinity.
Governor Cumming continues to manfully and as yet successfully, stem the current of opposition to the interests of good order, peace and quietude of society, and exerting his powerful influence in favor of the rights of the people.
Mr. Wilson and Lady, are now here and have taken rooms with Mr. Stains. He appears to be disposed to sustain Governor Cumming, and does not associate with the drinking, Gambling rowdies, as do Hartnett, Sinclair, Hurt, Burr, Kirk Anderson and others, who seem desirous of bringing about a collision with the troops if possible. I suppose that you have seen the paper which has been established here, under the auspices of Kirk Anderson, from St. Louis, Mo. It discloses its own character, but will doubtless be credited where it is not known. Failing in provoking a collision, the next plan seems to be, to try and make it appear, that in order to preserve the peace, which they are constantly endeavoring to break, that it is necessary to retain the troops in this Territory. In this plan, those characters will doubtless be joined by the Merchant traders, gamblers, freighters and speculators, who desire still further to reap the golden harvest from the out pouring of the U. S. Treasury. There appears no reasonable prospect of preserving good order, short of the removal of the troops, not that they have as yet been Permitted to disturb the peace and harmony of the citizens, but so long as they remain, so long will this riff-raff also continue in our midst; but remove them first and the other will soon follow, for where the carcass is, there will the vulture, and every unclean bird congregate.
We have established a strong police force in this city and so far with great exertion, they have been generally able to preserve peace, altho one of them, a very worthy, middle aged man, Mr Cooke, has been killed while in the orderly and quiet discharge of his duty.
The Indians are quiet tho somewhat threatening; two of our people were killed by them a short time since, in consequence of one of their number being killed by the soldiers while endeavoring to make an arrest of a couple, couple who had been committing some outrage. Their ire seems to be more particularly directed against the troops than the citizens although so far it is the citizens who have suffered.
In regard to the investigation of the charges alleged against us as tampering with the Indians we think their falsity sufficiently manifest, but Dr Forney has promised to make an official report to the government in which he will state that in all of his intercourse with the Indians of this Territory which now has really been quite extensive, he has become perfectly satisfied that no influence has been exercised by our people towards them calculated to excite hostilities between them and the whites, other than Mormons.
Indeed, quite the contrary is very apparent, as owing to the influence with, and control over them possessed by us as a people the lives of strangers <travellers> and traders have often been saved. The Doctor is now south attending to the duties of his office and when he returns we shall lose no time, in getting him to redeem his promise if he has not already done so.
The court organized on the first monday in October, but can scarcely be said to have commenced business. The jurors selected by Mr. Marshall Dotson are rather over half transient persons, followers of the army, suttlers, traders, &c. two or three have already been discharged by the court desiring to return to their homes in Missouri. The suits commenced are McNeil the spy you will remember who visited Governor Cumming in the night while you were here, versus Brigham Young Senr., Daniel H. Wells, James Ferguson, Robert T. Burton, Jesse C. Little, Leonard Wines, and Daniel Cairns charge false imprisonment, damages claimed $25000. David H. Burr versus Brigham Young Senr. Joseph Young Junr., Brigham Young Junr., Feramorz Little, Jesse C. Little, William Kimball, H. B. Clawson, <and A. P. Rockwood> for trespass, damages claimed $3000. Also Thomas S. Williams versus the City Corporation for the destruction of his law library. We will send you the charge of Judge Sinclair to the grand jury delivered yesterday, so soon as we can get it. He has placed himself under very bad tutorage. The villain Craig, suspended Indian Agent, is his most intimate associate though he herds with Burr, Hurt, Hartnett, Dotson and others of <like ">kith and kin". I have not formed his acquaintance neither that of Mr. Cradlebaugh.
The aforesaid clan of Burr, Hurt, Craig, Dotson & Co., with Kirk Anderson and his paper and the court to help, evince a determination to open up old issues, and revive if possible the excitements of 1856 & 7. Mr. Burr in a particular manner having returned here under the patronage of the government being one of the mail contractors from St Josephs to this city, is furnished by the government with the needful to carry on his war which he, with others, successfully began; but we shall override them all, and come off a head, they will surely fail, still it is best to look these matters in the face, in order to prepare for the worst. Perhaps you are not aware that Messrs, Hockaday and Burr get $195,000 per year for carrying this mail, and that Mr.. Burr,-- whose son David A. had preceded him, coming in with the Army -- had returned to this city. It is supposed that the son David A. is the A. B. C. correspondent of the N. Y. Times. I expect that my friends Geo. Q. Cannon, Horace S. Eldredge and others will often seek your counsel, in regard to our affairs, which I know you will be pleased to give. We trust that long ere this you are enjoying the blessing of good health, and spirits, and that with renewed energy, you feel to wage the battle of life, for the right, against all opposing powers, rising above the affictions and reverses which beset your pathway, and stand forth to the world, the champion of truth, liberty and honour as you have ever been, its warm supporter and most devoted votary. The Legislative Assembly meets the second Monday in December, and will doubtless memorialize Congress on many subjects; if there is any one in particular which you would wish to reccommend, we would be glad to to have you do so, in fact any suggestions you would make, would be thankfully received.
My health is quite good. All your numerous friends join with me in kind
remembrances to you and family, and we pray that the choice blessings of the Almighty shall rest down upon you andyyours; that your heart may be filled with joy and your days with peace and happiness, and glory and exaltation a wait you hereafter in our Father's Kingdom.
I remain as ever
truly and sincerely, Your friend
Brigham Young
COPYING
In this book discontinued
As it takes bad impressions
