Beginning

 

CHAPTER IX.

 

BRIGHAM YOUNG'S ADDRESS TO THE SAINTS  THROUGHOUT  THE  WORLD—MISSION OF THE TWELVE
       APOSTLES—THE GATHERING—UTAH TERRITORY—MORMONISM IN GREAT BRITAIN—EMIGRATION
       FROM LIVERPOOL—AGRICULTURE AND THE ARTS IN THE SALT LAKE VALLEY— REPORTS BY
       RECENT TRAVELLERS OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE NEW COLONY.

 

       THE narrative of Colonel Kane, which has been impugned by many persons in America as giving too favourable an account of the Mormons, relates to the most important incident in the history of the sect.  We have reproduced it in extenso, not only for its interest, but because it is the only consecutive account of the exodus of the Mormons from Nauvoo to the Valley of the Salt Lake, which has been given to the world.    Colonel Kane, in a postscript to his pamphlet, reiterates the truth of all he has stated, and bears a cordial testimony to the virtues of the men with whom he made the long and painful journey through  the  wilderness.    Having now traced the rise and progress of this extraordinary religion, of which the chief incidents have been enacted in America, we enter upon a new portion of our subject, and proceed to show what the Mormons have accomplished in the Great Salt Lake Valley, the means they have adopted to gather the " Saints" into that place from all parts of the world, and the developments, both social and doctrinal, which have resulted since the Church has been under the guidance of Brigham Young and Orson Pratt.

       Prior to the arrival of the several detachments of the Mormon people at the Salt Lake, the following general epistle from the council of the Twelve Apostles was addressed " to the Saints throughout the earth," from Council Bluffs, the half-way station of the long overland journey to California:—

 

       " BELOVED BRETHREN,—At no period since the organization of the Church, on the 6th of April, 1830, have the Saints been so extensively scattered, and their means of receiving information from the proper source so limited, as since their expulsion from Illinois ; and the time has now arrived when it will be profitable for you to receive, by our epistle, such information and instruction as the Father hath in store, and which he has made manifest by his Spirit.

       " Knowing the designs of our enemies, we left Nauvoo in February, 1846, with a large pioneer company, for the purpose of finding a place where the Saints might gather and dwell in peace. The season was very unfavourable ; and the repeated and excessive rains, and scarcity of provisions, retarded our progress, and compelled us to leave a portion of the camp in the wilderness, at a place we called Garden Grove, composed of an enclosure for an extensive farm and sixteen houses, the fruits of our labour; and soon after, from similar causes, we located another place, called Mount Pisgah, leaving another portion of the camp ; and after searching the route, making the road and bridges over a multitude of streams, for more than three hundred miles, mostly on lands then occupied by the Pottawatamie Indians, and since vacated in favour of the United States, lying on the south and west, and included within the boundary of Iowa, we arrived near Council Bluffs, on the Missouri River during the latter part of June, where we were met by Captain J. Allen, from Fort Leavenworth, soliciting us to enlist five hundred men into the service of the United States. To this call of our country we promptly responded ; and before the middle of July more than five hundred of the Brethren were embodied in the 'Mormon Battalion,' and on their march for California, by way of Fort Leavenworth, under command of Lieut.-Colonel J. Allen, leaving hundreds of waggons, teams, and families, destitute of protectors and guardians, on the open prairie, in a savage country, far from the abodes of civilized life, and farther still from any place where they might hope to locate.

       " Our camp, although aware of a cold northern winter approaching, with all attendant evils,—famine, risk of life in an unhealthy climate, Indian depredations, and everything of a like nature that would tend to make life gloomy, (responded to this call of the President with all the alacrity that is due from children to a parent; and when the strength of our camp had taken its departure in the battalion, the aged, the infirm, the widow, and the fatherless that remained, full of hope and buoyant with faith, determined to prosecute their journey : a small portion of which went as far west as the Pawnee Mission, where, finding it too late to pass the mountains, they turned aside to winter on the bank of the Missouri, at the mouth of the Running Water, about two hundred and fifty miles north-west of the Missouri settlements ; while the far more extensive and feeble numbers located at this place, called by us Winter Quarters, where upwards of seven hundred houses were built in the short space of about three months; while the great majority located on Pottawatamie lands. In July there were more than two thousand emigrating waggons between this and Nauvoo.

       " In September 1846, an infuriated mob, clad in all the horrors of war, fell on the Saints who had still remained at Nauvoo for want of means to remove, murdered some, and drove the remainder across the Mississippi into Iowa, where, destitute of houses, tents, clothing, or money, they received temporary assistance from some benevolent souls in Quincy, St. Louis, and other places, whose name will ever be remembered with gratitude. But at that period the Saints were obliged to scatter to the north, south, east, and west, wherever they could find shelter and procure employment. And hard as it was to write it, it must ever remain a truth on the page of history, that while the flower of Israel's camp were sustaining the wing of the American eagle by their influence and arms in a foreign country, their brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and children, were driven by mob violence from a free and independent State of the same national republic, and were compelled to flee from the fire, the sword, the musket, and the cannon's mouth, as from the demon of death. From that time to this the Latter-day Saints have been roaming without home from Canada to New Orleans, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and have taken up their abode in foreign lands. Their property in Handcock county, Illinois, was little or no better than confiscated. Many of their houses were burned by the mob, and they were obliged to leave most of those that remained without sale, and those who bargained sold almost for a song; for the influence of their enemies was to cause such a diminution in property, that from a handsome estate was seldom realized enough to remove the family comfortably away; and thousands have since been wandering to and fro, destitute, afflicted, and distressed for the common necessaries of life, or unable to endure, have sickened and died by hundreds, while the temple of the Lord is left solitary in the midst of our enemies, an enduring monument of the diligence and integrity of the Saints.

       " Lieut.-Colonel Allen died at Fort Leavenworth, much lamented by the ' Mormon Battalion,' who proceeded en route by way of Santa Fe, from whence a small portion, who were sick, returned to Pueblo to winter; while the remainder continued their march, mostly on half rations, or meat without salt, making new roads, digging deep wells in the desert, levelling mountains, performing severe labours, and undergoing the utmost fatigue and hardship ever endured by infantry, as reported by Colonel Cooke, their commanding officer, and arrived in California, in the neighbourhood of San Diego, with the loss of very few men.

       " Soon after the battalion left the Bluffs, three of our Council took their departure for England, where they spent the winter, preaching and setting in order all things pertaining to the Church, and returned to this place in the spring of 1847, as did also the camp from Running Water for provisions.

       " On April 14, the remainder of the Council, in company of one hundred and forty-three pioneers, left this place in search of a location, and making a new road, a majority of more than one thousand miles westward, arrived at the Great Basin in the latter part of July, where we found a beautiful valley of some twenty by thirty miles in extent, with a lofty range of mountains on the east, capped with perpetual snow, and a beautiful line of mountains on the west, watered with daily showers; the Utah Lake on the south, hid by a range of hills ; north-west extending as far as the eye can reach, interspersed with lofty islands, and a continuation of the valley; or opening on the north, extending along the eastern shore about sixty miles to the mouth of Bear River. The soil of the valley appeared good, but will require irrigation to promote vegetation, though there are many small streams emptying in from the mountains, and the Western Jordan (Utah Outlet) passes through from south to north. The climate is warm, dry, and healthy; good salt abounds at the lake; warm, hot, and cold springs are common; mill sites excellent ; but the valley is destitute of timber. The box, the fir, the pine, the sugar-maple, &c., may be found on the mountains sufficient for immediate consumption, or until more can grow.

       " In this valley we located a site for a city, to be called the Great Salt Lake City,  of the Great Basin, North America; and, for the convenience of the Saints, instituted and located the Great Basin Post-office at this point.  The city is surveyed in blocks of ten acres, eight lots to a block, with streets eight rods wide, crossing at right angles.    One block is reserved for a temple, and several more in different parts of the city for public grounds.

       " Soon after our arrival in the valley, we were joined by that portion of the battalion who had been stationed at Pueblo, and a small camp of the Saints from Mississippi, who had wintered at the same place, who united with the pioneers in ploughing, planting, and sowing near 100 acres, with a great variety of seeds, and in laying the foundation of a row of houses around a ten-acre block, and nearly completing the same on one side. Materials for brick and stone buildings are abundant.

       " After tarrying four or five weeks, most of the pioneers commenced their return, nearly destitute of provision, accompanied by a part of the battalion, who were quite destitute, except a very small quantity of beef, which was soon exhausted.    The company had to depend for their subsistence on wild beasts, such as buffalo, deer, antelope, &c., which most of the way were very scarce, and many obtained were exceedingly poor and unwholesome.    Between the Green and Sweetwater Rivers, we met 566 waggons of the emigrating Saints on their way to the valley, at our last encampment with whom we had fifty horses and mules stolen by the Indians; and a few days after we were attacked by a large war party of Sioux, who drove off many of our horses, but most of these we recovered.    Our route was by Fort Bridger, the South Pass, Fort John (Loraine), and from thence on the north bank of the Platte, to Winter Quarters, where we arrived on the 31st of October, all well; having performed this long and tedious journey, with ox as well as horse teams, and with little food except wild flesh, without losing a single man, although many were sick when they left in the spring, inasmuch as they were unable to walk until we had travelled more than one half of the outward distance.

       " On the 11th instant, fifteen of the battalion arrived from California, with a pilot from the valley, having suffered much on their return from cold and hunger, with no provisions part of the way but a little horse-flesh of the worst kind.    From these Brethren we received intelligence that the battalion was discharged in California in July, agreeably to the time of their enlistment; that a portion of the battalion, constituting a company, under Captain Davis, had re-enlisted to sustain a military post in California ; that many had commenced labour to procure means to return ; that a small portion had come on to the Great Salt Lake City, where they found the emigrants which we passed in the mountains alive and in good health and spirits, except three deaths ; and that some of the battalion, who had left the valley with them, had stopped on the Sweetwater, searching for buffalo, who with others, in all about thirty, arrived here on the 18th instant, penniless and destitute, having suffered much from cold and hunger, subsisting on their worn-out mules and horses.

       "All who possibly could, went to the valley this season ; and the Saints now in this vicinity have had to depend on their own resources in labour for their sustenance, which, on account of the absence of those engaged in the Government service, the sickness that has prevailed in camp, and the destruction of the cattle by the Indians, consists mostly of corn, with a few garden vegetables.

       " The Saints in this vicinity are bearing their privations in meekness and patience, and making all their exertions to their removal westward     Their hearts and all their labours are towards the setting sun, for they desire to be so far removed from those who have been their oppressors, that there shall be an everlasting barrier between them and future persecution; and although, as a people, we have been driven from state to state, and although Joseph and Hyrum, our Prophet and Patriarch, were murdered in cold blood, while in Government duress,  and under the immediate control, inspection, and supervision of the Governor and Government offices,  we know, and feel assured, that there are many honest, noble, and patriotic souls now living under that government,  and  under other similar governments in the sister states of the great confederacy, who would loathe the shedding of innocent blood, and, were it in their power, would wipe the stain from the nation.

       " If such would clear their garments in the public eye and before God, they must speak out; they must proclaim to the world their innocence, and their hatred and detestation of such atrocious and unheard-of acts.   But with this we have nothing to do; only we love honesty and right wherever we find them ; the cause is between them, their country, and their God : and we again reiterate what we have often said, and what we have ever shown by our conduct, that, notwithstanding all our privations and sufferings, we are more ready than any portion of the community to sustain the constitutional institutions of our mother country, and will do the utmost for them if permitted : and we say to all Saints throughout the earth, Be submissive to the law that protects you in your person, rights, and property, in whatever nation or kingdom you are ; and suffer wrong rather than do wrong.    This we have ever done, and mean still to continue to do.    We anticipate, as soon as circumstances will permit, to petition for a territorial government in the Great Basin.

       " In compliance with the wishes of the sub-agents, we expect to vacate the Omaha lands in the spring. Thus, brethren, we have given you a brief idea of what has transpired among us since we left Nauvoo; the present situation of the Saints in this vicinity; and of our feelings and views in general, as preparatory to the reply which we are about to give to the cry of the Saints from all quarters, What shall we do ?

       " Gather yourselves together speedily, near to this place, on the east side of the Missouri River, and, if possible, be ready to start from hence by the 1st of May next, or as soon as grass is sufficiently grown, and go to the Great Salt Lake City, with bread-stuff sufficient to sustain you until you can raise grain the following season.    Let the Saints who have been driven and scattered from Nauvoo, and all others in the Western States, gather immediately to the east bank of the river, bringing with them all the young stock, of various kinds, they possibly can : and let all the Saints in the United States and Canada gather to the same place, by the first spring navigation, or as soon as they can, bringing their money, goods, and effects with them ; and, so far as they can consistently, gather young stock by the way, which is much needed here, and will be ready sale.    And when here, let all who can, go directly over the mountains ; and those who cannot, let them go immediately to work at making improvements, raising grain and stock, on the lands recently vacated by the Pottawatamie Indians, and owned by the United States, and by industry they can soon gather sufficient means to prosecute their journey.    In a year or two their young cattle will grow into teams; by interchange of labour they can raise their own grain and provisions, and build their own waggons; and by sale of their improvements to citizens who will gladly come and occupy, they can replenish their clothing, and thus speedily and comfortably procure an outfit.    All Saints who are coming on this route will do well to furnish themselves with woollen or winter, instead of summer, clothing, generally, as they will be exposed to many chilling blasts before they pass the mountain heights.

       " We have named the Pottawatamie lands as the best place for the Brethren to assemble on the route, because the journey is so very long, that they must have a stopping-place, and this is the nearest point to their final destination, which makes it not only desirable, but necessary; and, as it is a wilderness country, it will not infringe on the rights and privileges of any one: and yet it is so near Western Missouri, that a few days' travel will give them an opportunity of trade, if necessity requires, and this is the best general rendezvous that now presents, without intruding on the rights of others.

       "To the Saints in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and adjacent islands and countries, we say, Emigrate as speedily as possible to this vicinity, looking to, and following the counsel of, the Presidency at Liverpool; shipping to New Orleans, and from thence direct to Council Bluffs, which will save much expense.    Those who have but little means, and little or no labour, will soon exhaust that means if they remain where they are ; therefore, it is wisdom that they remove without delay;  for here is land, on which, by their labour, they can speedily better their condition for their further journey.    And to all Saints in any country bordering upon the Atlantic we would say, Pursue the same course ; come immediately and prepare to go west: bringing with you all kinds of choice seeds of grain, vegetables, fruits, shrubbery, trees, and vines, everything that will please the eye, gladden the heart, or cheer the soul of man, that grows upon the face of the whole earth ;   also the best stock of beast, bird, and fowl of every kind ; also the best tools of every description, and machinery for spinning, or weaving, and dressing cotton, wool, flax, and silk, &c. &c., or models and descriptions of the same, by which they can construct them;  and the same in relation to all kinds of farming utensils and husbandry, such as corn shellers, grain threshers and cleaners, smut machines, mills, and every implement and article within their knowledge that shall tend to promote the comfort, health, happiness, or prosperity of any people.    So far as it can be consistently done, bring models and drafts, and let the machinery be built where it is used, which will save great expense in transportation, particularly in heavy machinery, and tools and implements generally.

       " The Brethren  must recollect that from this point they pass through a savage country,  and their safety depends on good  fire-arms and plenty of ammunition ; and then they may have their teams run off in open day-light, as we have had, unless they shall watch closely and continually.

       " The Presidents of the various branches will cause this epistle to be read to those under their counsel, and give such instruction in accordance therewith as the Spirit shall dictate ; teaching them to live by every principle of righteousness, walk humbly before God, doing his will in all things, that they may have his Spirit to lead them and assist them speedily to the gathering place of his Saints.

       " Let the Seventies, High Priests, Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons report themselves immediately on their arrival at the Bluffs to the presidency of their respective quorum if present, and if not, to the presidency or council of the place, that their names may be registered with their quorum, and that they may be known among their Brethren.

       " It is the duty of all parents to train up their children in the way they should go, instructing them in every correct principle so fast as they are capable of receiving, and setting an example worthy of imitation:  for the Lord holds parents responsible for the conduct of their children until they arrive at the years of accountability before him ; and the parents will have to answer for all misdemeanors arising through their neglect.    Mothers should teach their little ones to pray as soon as they are able to talk.    Presiding Elders should be particular to instruct parents concerning their duty, and Teachers and Deacons should see that they do it.

       " It is very desirable that all the Saints should improve every opportunity of securing at least a copy of every valuable treatise on education, every book, map, chart, or diagram that may contain interesting, useful, and attractive matter, to gain the attention of children, and cause them to love to learn to read;  and also every historical, mathematical, philosophical, geographical, geological, astronomical, scientific, practical, and all other variety of useful and interesting writings, maps, &c., to present to the general Church Recorder when they shall arrive at their destination—from which important and interesting matter may be gleaned to compile the most valuable works on every science and subject, for the benefit of the rising generation.

       " We have a printing-press ; and any who can take good printing or writing paper to the Valley, will be blessing themselves and the Church. We also want all kinds of mathematical and philosophical instruments, together with all rare specimens of natural curiosities and works of art that can be gathered and brought to the Valley, where, and from which, the rising generation can receive instruction ; and if the Saints will be diligent in these matters, we will soon have the best, the most useful, and attractive museum on the earth.

       " Let every Elder keep a journal, and gather historical facts concerning the Church or world, with specific dates, and present the same to the Historian ; also let the presiding officer of every emigrating company, immediately on arrival, see that his  clerk presents the Recorder with a perfect list of the names of every soul, the number of waggons, teams, and every living thing in his camp; and let the Saints organize at, and travel from, the Pottawatamie district, according to the pattern which will there be given them.

       " Since the murder of President Joseph Smith, many false prophets and false teachers have arisen, and tried to deceive many, during which time we have mostly tarried with the body of the Church, or been seeking a new location, leaving those prophets and teachers to run their race undisturbed, who have died natural deaths or committed suicide; and we now, having it in contemplation soon to re-organize the Church according to the original pattern, with a First Presidency and Patriarch, feel that it will be the privilege of the Twelve, ere long, to spread abroad among the nations, not to hinder the gathering, but to preach the Gospel, and push the people — the honest in heart—together from the four quarters of the earth.

       " The Saints in Western California who choose are at liberty to remain, and all who may hereafter arrive on the western coast may exercise their privilege of tarrying in that vicinity or of coming to head-quarters.

       " The Saints in the Society and other Islands of the Pacific Ocean are at liberty to tarry where they are for the time being, or until farther notice; and we will send them more Elders as soon as we can. But if a few of their young or middle-aged intelligent brethren wish to visit us at the Basin, we bid them God speed, and shall be happy to see them.

       " The Saints in Australia, China, and the East Indies generally, will do well to ship to the most convenient port in the United States, and from thence make to this point, and pursue the same course as do others; or, if they find it more convenient, they may ship to Western California.

       " We wish the travelling Elders throughout the world to remember the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants, and say nought to this generation but repentance; and if men have faith to repent, lead them into the waters of baptism, lay your hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, confirm them in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, comfort their hearts, teach them the principles of righteousness and uprightness between man and man, administer to them bread and wine, in the remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ; and if they want further information, tell them to flee to Zion. There the servants of God will be ready to wait upon them, and teach them all things that pertain to salvation; and anything beyond this in your teaching cometh of evil: for it is not required at your hands, but leadeth you into snares and temptations, which tendeth to condemnation. Should any ask, Where is Zion ? tell them in America; and if any ask, What is Zion ? tell them the pure in heart.

       " It is the duty of the rich Saints everywhere to assist the poor, according to their ability, to gather ; and if they choose, with a covenant and promise that the poor thus helped, shall repay as soon as they are able. It is also the duty of the rich, those who have the intelligence and the means, to come home forthwith and establish factories and all kinds of machinery that will tend to give employment to the poor, and produce those articles which are necessary for the comfort, convenience, health, and happiness of the people ; and no one need to be at a loss concerning his duty in these matters, if he will walk so humbly before God as to keep the small still whisperings of the Holy Ghost within him continually.

       " Let all Saints who love God more than their own dear selves — and none else

are Saints — gather without delay to the place appointed, bringing their gold, their silver, their copper, their zinc, their tin, and brass, and iron, and choice steel, and ivory, and precious stones; their curiosities of science, of art, of nature, and everything in their possession or within their reach, to build in strength and stability, to beautify, to adorn, to embellish, to delight, and to cast a fragrance over, the house of the Lord ; with sweet instruments of music and melody, and songs, and fragrance, and sweet odours, and beautiful colours: whether it be in precious jewels, or minerals, or choice ores, or in wisdom and knowledge or understanding, manifested in carved work or curious workmanship of the box, the fir, and pine tree, or anything that ever was, or is, or is to be, for the exaltation, glory, honour, and salvation of the living and the dead, for time and for all eternity. Come, then, walking in righteousness before God, and your labour shall be accepted; and kings will be your nursing fathers, and queens will be your nursing mothers, and the glory of the whole earth shall be yours, in connection with all those who shall keep the commandments of God; or else the Bible, those ancient prophets who prophesied from generation to generation, and which the present generation profess to believe, must fail; for the time has come for the Saints to go up to the mountains of the Lord's house, and help to establish it upon the tops of the mountains ; and the name of the Lord will be there, and the glory of the Lord will be there, and the excellency of the Lord will be there, and the honour of the Lord will be there, and the exaltation of his Saints will be there, and they will be held as in the hollow of his hand, and be hid as in the cleft of the rock when the overflowing scourge of Jehovah shall go through to depopulate the earth and lay waste the nations because of their wickedness, and cleanse the land from pollution and blood.

       " We are at peace with all nations, with all kingdoms, with all powers, with all governments, with all authorities under the whole heavens, except the kingdom and power of darkness, which are from beneath, and are ready to stretch forth our arms to the four quarters of the globe, extending salvation to every honest soul; for our mission in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth; and the blessing of the Lord is upon us: and when every other arm shall fail, the power of the Almighty will be manifest in our behalf; for we ask nothing but what is right, we want nothing but what is right, and God has said that our strength shall be equal to our day: and we invite all presidents, and emperors, and kings, and princes and nobles, and governors, and rulers, and judges, and all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people under the whole heavens, to come and help us to build a house to the name of the God of Jacob,—a place of peace, a city of rest, a habitation for the oppressed of every clime, even for those that love their neighbour as they do themselves, and who are willing to do, God being our helper; and we will help every one that will help to sustain good and wholesome laws for the protection of virtue and punishment of vice.

       " The kingdom which we are establishing is not of this world, but is the kingdom of the great God.    It is the fruits of righteousness, of peace, of salvation to every soul that will receive it, from Adam down to his latest posterity.   Our good will is towards all men, and we desire their salvation in time and eternity ; and we will do them good as far as God will give us the power, and men will permit us the privilege : and we will harm no man ; but if men will rise against the power of the Almighty, to overthrow his cause, let them know assuredly that they are running on the bosses of Jehovah's buckler, and, as God lives, they will be overthrown.

       " Come, then, ye Saints ; come, then, ye honourable men of the earth ; come, then, ye wise, ye learned, ye rich, ye noble, according to the riches, and wisdom, and knowledge of the great Jehovah ; from all nations, and kindreds, and kingdoms, and tongues, and people, and dialects on the face of the whole earth, and join the standard of Emmanuel, and help us to build up the kingdom of God, and establish the principles of truth, life, and salvation, and you shall receive your reward among the sanctified, when the Lord Jesus Christ cometh to make up his jewels ; and no power on earth or in hell can prevail against you.

       " The kingdom of God consists in correct principles; and it mattereth not what a man's religious faith is, whether he be a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, or a Baptist, or a Latter-Day Saint or ' Mormon,' or a Campbellite, or a Catholic, or Episcopalian, or Mahometan, or even Pagan, or anything else. If he will bow the knee, and with his tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, and will support good and wholesome laws for the regulation of society, we hail him as a brother, and will stand by him as he stands by us in these things ; for every man's religious faith is a matter between his own soul and his God alone. But if he shall deny the Jesus, if he shall curse God, if he shall indulge in debauchery and drunkenness and crime, if he shall lie and swear and steal, if he shall take the name of the great God in vain, and commit all manner of abominations, he shall have no place in our midst; for we have long sought to find a people that will work righteousness, that will distribute justice equally, that will acknowledge God in all their ways, that will regard those sacred laws and ordinances which are recorded in that sacred book called the Bible, which we verily believe, and which we proclaim to the ends of the earth.

       " We ask no pre-eminence, we want no pre-eminence; but where God has us, there we will stand, and that is, to be one with our brethren; and our brethren are those that keep the commandments of God, that do the will of our Father who is in heaven; and by them we stand, and with them we will dwell in time and in eternity.

       " Come, then, ye Saints of Latter Day, and all ye great and small, wise and foolish, rich and poor, noble and ignoble, exalted and persecuted, rulers and ruled of the earth, who love virtue and hate vice, and help us to do this work which the Lord hath required at our hands ; and inasmuch as the glory of the latter house shall exceed that of the former, your reward shall be an hundredfold, and your rest shall be glorious. Our universal motto is, ' Peace with God, and good will to all men.' "

 

       For the first twelvemonth of their residence in the Salt Lake Valley, as has already been described by Colonel Kane, the Mormons had sufficient to occupy themselves in clearing their farms, and in establishing their relations with their new neighbours, the Utah Indians. Their next care was to organize themselves, not only as a religious community, but as a State claiming admission into the American Union. For this purpose a constitution was drawn up and promulgated.

       The preamble, which is as follows, shows the geographical position and limits of the proposed Mormon State :—

 

                "THE CONSTITUTION  OF THE  NEW  STATE  OF  DESERET.

 

       " Whereas a large number of the Citizens of the United States, before and since the treaty of peace with the Republic of Mexico, emigrated to and settled in that portion of the territory of the United States lying west of the Rocky Mountains, and in the great interior basin of Upper California; and

       " Whereas, by reason of said treaty, all civil organization originating from the Republic of Mexico became abrogated ; and

       " Whereas, the Congress of the United States has failed to provide a form of civil government for the territory so acquired, or any portion thereof ; and

       " Whereas civil  government and laws are necessary for the security, peace, and prosperity of society; and

       " Whereas, it is a fundamental principle in all the Republican governments, that all political power is inherent in the people ; and governments instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, should emanate from the same(

       " Therefore, your Committee beg leave to recommend the adoption of the following constitution, until the Congress of the United States shall otherwise provide for the government of the territory hereinafter named and described.

       " We, the people, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Deseret; including all the territory of the United States within the following boundaries, to wit:—commencing at the 33rd degree of north latitude, where it crosses the 108th degree of longitude, west of Greenwich ; thence running south and west to the northern boundary of Mexico ; thence west to, and down the main channel of the Gila River, on the northern line of Mexico, and on the northern boundary of Lower California to the Pacific Ocean ; thence along the coast north-westerly to 118 degrees 30 minutes of west longitude; thence north to where said line intersects the dividing ridge of the Sierra Nevada mountains; thence north along the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the dividing range of mountains that separates the waters flowing into the Columbia River—from the waters running into the Great Basin; thence easterly, along the dividing range of mountains that separates said waters flowing into the Columbia River on the north from the waters flowing into the Great Basin on the south, to the summit of the Wind River chain of mountains; thence south-east and south, by the dividing range of mountains that separate the waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from the waters flowing into the Gulf of California ; to the place of beginning, as set forth in a map drawn by Charles Preuss, and published by order of the Senate of the United States, in 1848," &c.

 

       It appears, however, that the general Government of the United States has not seen fit to accord to the Mormons the exact boundaries which they desire—that it ignores the name of Deseret, and prefers that of Utah—and is anxious to deprive the Mormons of the coast line claimed in this document, and to shut them up in the table-land among the mountains.    Accordingly, in the first section of the bill passed by  Congress we find it enacted that the new territory is " bounded on the west by the State of California; on the north by the territory of Oregon; and on the east and south by the dividing ridge which separates the waters flowing into the Great Basin from those flowing into the Colorada River and the Gulf of California."

       By the same bill, a territorial government for Utah was appointed; and in October, 1850, the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, nominated Mr. Brigham Young to be its Governor, and six other persons to the subordinate offices of Secretary, Chief Justice, Associate Justice, Attorney-General, and States-Marshal. Out of these seven, four are members of the Mormon Church.

       " The spot on which the Mormons are now settled," says the Cincinnatti Atlas, " is, geographically, one of the most interesting in the Western World. There is no other just like it, that we recollect, on the globe. Look at the map a little east of the Great Salt Lake,

 

 

 

and just south of the South-west Pass, and you will see in the north-east corner of California the summit level of the waters which flow on the North American continent.   It must be four thousand feet, perhaps more, above the level of the Atlantic.    In this sequestered corner, in a vale hidden among mountains and lakes, are  the Mormons; and there rise the mighty rivers, than which no continent has greater.    Within a stone's throw almost of one another lie the head springs of the Sweetwater and Green Rivers.      The  former flows into the Platte River;  that into the Missouri, and that into the Mississippi, and that into the Gulf of Mexico, and becomes a part of the Gulf Stream, laving the shores of distant lands.    The latter, the Green River, flows into the Colorado, the Colorado into the Gulf of California, and is mingled with the Pacific.    The one flows more than two thousand five hundred miles, the other more than one thousand five hundred.    These flow into tropical regions.    Just  north of the same spot are the head streams of Snake River, which flows into the Columbia, near latitude 46°, after a course of one thousand miles.  Just south are the sources of the Rio Grande, which, after winding one thousand seven hundred miles, finds the Gulf of Mexico.  It is a remarkable point in the earth's surface where the Mormons are ; and, locked in by mountains and lakes, they will probably remain, and constitute a new and peculiar colony."

       After having drawn up a constitution, declaring Deseret a free and not a slave State, and trusting to the chances of politics and political parties to fix their exact boundaries, the next thing to be accomplished by their leaders was to gather their people together.  Before a " territory" under the protection of the United States Government can claim admission into the Union as a State, its population must amount to sixty thousand ; and to bring their number to this point has been the great work in which the Mormon leaders have been incessantly occupied since 1848.

       Several emissaries or " Apostles " of the sect were despatched to Europe at the commencement of 1850, to "gather" the European Saints to the New Zion.    Not the least remarkable circumstances in Mormon history are the faith and zeal of their missionaries.  They start without money, or, as they express it, " without purse and scrip," and trust to Providence for their subsistence, feeling assured that " He who provideth for the sparrows will provide for them."   Some have proceeded to Germany, to Italy, to France, to Norway, and to Russia, in total ignorance of the languages of those countries, but trusting to pick up by the way sufficient knowledge to answer their purpose.  Little success, however, has attended them upon the Continent.  The strongholds of the sect are in England, Wales, and Scotland: fully thirty thousand people in Great Britain are members of their Church, and there is not a considerable town in which they have not a congregation.

       At the Mormon conferences held throughout the British Isles, in June, 1850, the number of Mormons in England and Scotland was reported at 27,863,—of whom there were in London, 2,529; in Manchester, 2,787; in Liverpool, 1,018; in Glasgow, 1,846; in Sheffield, 1,929; in Edinburgh, 1,331; in Birmingham, 1,909; and in Wales, 4,342.  The report of June, 1851, showed a still further increase; and detailed some particulars of the growth of the sect, which we present in the words of that document:—

       " In 1837, one year before the Saints reached Nauvoo, Elders K. C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, together with several others, landed at Liverpool, friendless and destitute. They separated, and went forth preaching into the towns on  either side.     Preston  first heard and obeyed the principles of truth. In eight months, seven hundred members met in conference in that town, rejoicing in the power and privilege of the Gospel. In a very short time, several counties, among which were Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Stafford, Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford, had heard and received the servants of God.  Thus the Church increased ; so that, in 1840, alter three years' labour, the general conference reported 3,626 members, and 383 in the priest-hood, making in all 4,019 Saints. But such triumphant success was not confined to England. Scotland enjoyed a portion; and Ireland was also made to rejoice; and Wales testified by her thousands how the Church had progressed in that province. In Scotland, the blood-cemented pyramid of bigotry and superstition had been triumphantly attacked, although sustained by the proverbial wariness of the Scotch.  The conference established in Edinburgh, notwithstanding that hundreds had removed and hundreds more emigrated, still represented more than 1,500 members.  Glasgow was also proclaimed, and over 2,063 members were now revelling in the enjoyment of the spirit of truth.  In 1851, more than 3,530 had obeyed the mandates of Heaven, and thousands had besides emigrated to the gathering place of the Saints.  As to Ireland, it was not until 1850 that Dublin had heard the principles of truth; he was, however, glad to say that a small branch had been established in that city. In Wales, their success was still more great and glorious. In 1851, the number of Saints in the principality was 4,848, including officers. The statistics of January last showed there were, altogether, in the United Kingdom, 42 conferences, 602 branches, 22 seventies, 12 high priests, 1,761 elders, 1,590 priests, 1,226 teachers, 682 deacons, and 25,454 members, making a total of 30,747 Saints. During the last fourteen years, more than 50,000 had been baptized in England, of which nearly 17,000 had emigrated from her shores to Zion."         We gather from other sources that for the two years prior to the death of Joseph Smith, thirteen vessels, wholly engaged by the Mormons for the emigration of their people, quitted Liverpool for New Orleans.—the largest number proceeding by one vessel being three hundred and fourteen, and the smallest sixty.    During the year 1850, the Mormon emigration amounted to nearly two thousand five hundred.    Being desirous to know something of the class of persons who emigrate under Mormon auspices to establish themselves in the Salt Lake City, and to ascertain from what parts of the country their ranks were principally recruited, the writer made inquiries at the office in Liverpool of Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson, the shipping-agents for the New Orleans packets.    The principal manager of this branch of their business, who is thus thrown into frequent intercourse with the Mormons, furnished the following statement:—

       " With regard to 'Mormon' Emigration, and the class of persons of which it is composed, they are principally farmers and mechanics, with some few clerks, surgeons, &c. They are generally intelligent and well-behaved, and many of them are highly respectable. Since the 1st of October—when, according to the new act, a note of the trades, professions, and avocations of emigrants, was first required to be taken by the emigration officer—until March in the present year, the following

 

 

 

seems to be the numbers of each who have gone out in our ships, as far as I can ascertain.    I find in our books the names of sixteen miners, twenty engineers, nineteen farmers, one hundred and eight labourers, ten joiners, twenty-five power-loom weavers, fifteen shoe-makers, twelve smiths, nineteen tailors, eight watchmakers, twenty-five stone-masons, five butchers, four bakers, four potters, ten painters, seven  shipwrights,   four   iron-moulders,   three  basketmakers,  five dyers, five ropers, four paper-makers, four glass-cutters, five nailors, five saddlers, six sawyers, four gunmakers, &c.    These emigrants generally take with them the implements necessary to pursue their occupation in the Salt Lake Valley; and it is no unusual thing to perceive (previous to the ship leaving the dock) a watchmaker with his tools spread out upon his box, busy examining  and repairing the watches of the ' brethren,' or a cutler displaying to his fellow-passengers samples of his handicraft which he is bringing out with him.  Of course the stock thus taken out is small, when placed in the scale  with the speculations  of commercial   men; but, judging from the enormous quantity of boxes generally taken by these people, in the aggregate it is large indeed.    Many of these families have four, five, or six boxes, bound and hooped with iron, marked, ' Not wanted on the passage,' and which are stowed down in the ship's hold; these all contain implements of husbandry or trade.    I have seen, with Mormons on board ship, a piano placed before one berth, and opposite the very next, a travelling cutler's machine for grinding knives, &c.  Indeed it is a general complaint with captains, that the quantity of luggage put on board with Mormons quite takes them by surprise, and often sinks the ships upwards of an inch deeper in the water than they would otherwise have allowed her to go.    Their provisions are always supplied by their agent here, of the very best description, and more than ample; for while the law requires that a certain quantity shall be put on board for each passenger, the Mormon superior puts, in all cases, twenty pounds per head above this quantity, and, in addition, a supply of butter and cheese.   Everything is good.   The bread always is good, frequently better than that used by the ship.    The surplus provisions are given to the passengers on their arrival at New Orleans, and distributed by their superiors to each family in proportion to its numbers.  As to the localities from which they come, the majority are from the manufacturing districts—Birmingham, Sheffield, the Potteries, &c. Scotland and Wales have also dispatched a large quantity.   When the Scotch or Welsh determine on going, it is generally in large companies.    It may perhaps be worthy of remark, that no Irish 'Saints' have yet made their appearance.    The Mormons have the greatest objections against going in any ship carrying other passengers than themselves ; and when such is the case, they invariably stipulate that a partition shall be erected across the ship's lower decks, so as to separate them from all other passengers.

 

 

 

       " The means taken by this people for the preservation of order and cleanliness on board are admirable, and worthy of imitation.    Their first act, on arrival here, is to hold a general meeting, at which they appoint  a   'president   of  the   company,'   and   'six committee-men.'  The president exercises a complete superintendence over everything connected with the passengers; he allots the berths, settles disputes, attends  to all wants, complaints, or inquiries, whether for or by the passengers ; advises each how to proceed the most economically, whether in purchasing provisions, bedding, or other articles; and he being in constant communication with the superiors here, the people are thus safely guarded from the hands of 'Man-catchers' and all others of the  many who frequent our quays, and whose profession it is to entrap and prey upon the unwary stranger.    The duty of the committee-men is to assist in getting the luggage on board, and to make a proper arrangement in the ship, &c.   They also stand sentinel alternately at the hatchway day and night, during the period the ship remains in dock, to prevent the intrusion of strangers.    To show how effectually this is done, I may just mention that while in every ship taking the general class of emigrants, persons are found concealed on board, or 'stow-aways,' in no instance has such been the case in a ship wholly laden with Mormons. To those acquainted with the slovenly and dirty arrangements of emigrants on shipboard, those of the Mormons, for the preservation of decency and morality, will appear deserving of the highest commendation. Each berth, or at least a great majority of the berths, has its little curtain spread before it, so as to prevent the inmates from being seen, and also to enable them to dress and undress behind it. In allotting the berths, the members of each family are placed in the berths next each other ; and in case the passengers are from different parts—say from England and Scotland—the Scotch are berthed on one side of the ship, the English on the other. The duties of the president and committee do not cease after the ship leaves dock, but are continued during the whole voyage. The president still exercises his superintendence over the general conduct of the passengers, the delivery of provisions, water, &c. The committee act at sea as police. Three of them take each side of the between decks, and see that every person is in bed by eight o'clock in the evening, and in the morning that every passenger is up, the beds made, and the rubbish swept together, hauled up in buckets, and thrown overboard before seven o'clock. It is remarkable the implicit obedience which is paid by the passengers to those whom they thus elect over them; their slightest word is law,

 

 

 

always respected, and cheerfully obeyed; in their social intercourse they address  each  other as ' brother' and ' sister;' and with  regard to their care of the things entrusted to their charge, I have been told by an American captain who carried them, that having delivered to their committee a quantity of water which he had told them was to serve for  three days, he found at the end of the third day a fourth day's supply left; whereas had he given it into the charge of one his sailors for distribution, it would not have lasted the three days.

 

 
 

       From my knowledge of the emigration at present  going on from Liverpool, I can  truly say that it would, indeed, be not only conducive to the comfort and health, but would absolutely save the lives of many who now die on shipboard, could the same rules for cleanliness, order, &c., be introduced amongst the general class of emigrants who leave this port for America."

       The following particulars respecting the route of the emigrants after their arrival at New Orleans will conclude this part of the subject.  After remaining a few days in New Orleans, the emigrants start in companies, sometimes of two or three hundred or more, to St. Louis, by steamboat on the Mississippi. The distance is 1,300 miles.  The next stage, also by steamboat, is a distance of 800 miles from St. Louis,

 

 

 

to the settlements of Council Bluffs, already mentioned.  Here they either remain to fatten their young cattle on the prairies, or squat upon the rich lands until they are ready to go forward to the Great Salt Lake City. The distance from Council Bluffs to their final destination is 1,030 miles. The emigrants travel in ox-teams, and their large caravans present a singular spectacle. These waggons are sometimes drawn by as many as six or eight oxen, and there are frequently 600 waggons in the procession. Each is so arranged as to comprise a bed-room and sitting-room. They dine on the road-side, giving their cattle, in the meantime, an hour's grazing in the prairies.  They take three months to complete the journey from New Orleans to the Salt Lake City, and being supplied with necessary provisions purchased at St. Louis, they trust for their luxuries to the occasional proceeds of the chase, in pursuing which the male emigrants amuse themselves on the way. They trade with the Indians as they go, exchanging fire-arms and ammunition for buffalo robes and peltries.*

 

       * We learn, as these sheets are passing through the press, that the Mormon emigration will for the future be conducted across the Isthmus of Panama, or round by Cape Horn.

 

 

 

       The Mormons established a perpetual emigration fund in 1849, the nature and objects of which were stated in an epistle from Brigham Young to Mr. Orson Pratt, at that time their emigration agent in Liverpool:—

 

                                               " Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 14, 1849.

       " DEAR BROTHER,—You will learn from our General Epistle the principle events occurring with us, but we have thought proper to write you, more particularly in relation to some matters of general interest, in an especial manner, the perpetual emigration fund for the poor Saints.   This fund, we wish all to understand, is perpetual, and in order to be kept good, will need constant accessions.    To further this end, we expect all who are benefited by its operations will be willing to reimburse that amount as soon as they are able, facilities for which will very soon after their arrival here present themselves in the shape of public works; donations will also  continue to be taken from all parts of the world, and expended for the gathering of the poor Saints.  This is no Joint Stock Company arrangement, but free donations.     Your office in Liverpool is the place of deposit for all funds received, either for this or the tithing funds, for all Europe, and you will not pay out, only upon our order, and to such persons as we shall direct.    We wish to have machinery of all kinds introduced in these valleys as soon as practicable.    If you commence operations now, before you can get men to engage in the business, the material for cotton and woollen factories will be produced.  Our settlements another season will extend over the rim of the basin, where we can raise the cotton, the sugar cane, rice, &c.  Therefore, if you can find those who will engage in manufacturing cloth for this market in the Valley, we want you should let these cotton factory proprietors, operatives, and all, with all the necessary fixtures, come to this place. We have a carrying company started, who will accommodate all emigrants to this place with passage and freight from Missouri River; they need not be obliged under this arrangement to buy oxen and waggons when they arrive there, and can be immediately transported through the entire route. We have considered it policy for us to collect tithing in money, instead of labour, as heretofore, therefore we employ constant hands upon our public works, and pay them the money, or such things as they need for themselves and families. We, therefore, have appointed Joseph L. Heywood and Edwin D. Woolley, our agents, to go east and purchase such things as we need to supply our public works with, such as are necessary, such as glass, nails, paint, &c., and furnish workmen; these agents will probably call upon you from Boston for funds—if they should, you will send them accordingly.  It is distinctly understood that these arrangements are entirely disconnected with the Perpetual Emigrating Fund; that is sacred to its proper use in gathering the poor Saints. Our true policy is, to do our own work, make our own goods as soon as possible; therefore, do all you can to further the emigration of artisans and mechanics of all kinds; also continue to collect tithing.

       " Our beloved Brother Franklin D. Richards, who is appointed to go on a mission to England, will co-operate with you, and give you more particular items, policy, &c.

       " With sentiments of the highest esteem, love, and kindness, we remain your brethren in the new and everlasting covenant.

                                                       " BRIGHAM YOUNG.

 

       " P. S. We want a company of woollen manufacturers to come with machinery, and take our wool from the sheep, and convert it into the best clothes —and the wool is ready. We want a company of cotton manufacturers, who will convert cotton into cloth and calico, &c., and we will raise the cotton before the machinery can be ready. We want a company of potters. We need them. The clay is ready, and dishes wanted. Send a company of each, if possible, next spring. Silk manufacturers and all others will follow in rapid succession. We want some men to start a furnace forthwith ; the coal, iron and moulders are waiting.

                                                                                                       B. Y.

 

       It will be seen, from the foregoing statements, that the Mormons have made a great movement in advance since the death of Joseph Smith. California has been their golden land, and the source of their present prosperity and hope in the future.

       " When the Saints were about leaving Nauvoo," says an epistle in the Millennial Star, " Heber C. Kimball prophesied that in five years they would be better off than at this time.  Little more than three years have elapsed when we behold the poor exiled Mormons in flourishing circumstances, counting among their riches a thousand hills and valleys, situate in the most remarkable, interesting, and auspicious portion of the globe; having the fountains of rivers that must speedily command the commerce of the world, in the midst of their territories.  Thus the banishment of the Church has become her freedom, the greatest boon her opponents could confer, and the glad signal for her to arise and shine.    Forcibly ejected from the mother country on her arrival at the age of puberty, and thrown back upon her own unaided resources, the development of her wonderful constitution, capabilities, and organization, strike the whole world with astonishment and admiration; they who have plundered, robbed, and driven her into the wilderness, and thought she was dead, now turn their eyes, and discover to their great surprise that she lives, and nobly aspires to power, honour, might, majesty, glory, and dominion.    She has triumphed over every form of persecution and every species of cruelty.   Under circumstances the most extraordinary  and   discouraging, she has proved herself not a whit behind the very first and foremost in all the characteristics necessary to constitute a great people.    She has earned a title to a fair name and place amongst the nations.    Yes, Zion is firmly established in the strongholds of the land.    Riches unknown are at her disposal.    And it is to be hoped that her oppressors will rejoice over her no more; and that no weapon formed against her shall prosper.    Every one is aware of the impracticability of subduing a brave people, entrenched in the fastnesses of the mountains.  A nation of mountaineers is not easily subjected.    Even our enemies begin to acknowledge the manifest natural  advantages and rising importance of the peculiar locality of the city 'sought out,' and are not backward in foretelling the proud and enviable station we must shortly occupy.    They look to her for support, and think of calculating on her assistance, whom they have driven to the last extremity.

       " All things work together for good.    When an  iron highway shall be cast up in the desert, not only will the flight of the righteous be greatly facilitated, but the kings, nobles, and rulers of the earth, with the great men, will flock to the city of refuge, painfully aware that in Zion alone will be found peace and safety.    The signs of the times augur an unparalleled growth for the city in the midst of the everlasting hills."

       The following additional particulars, with reference to the Great Salt Lake City, are of interest:—

       " The Nauvoo Legion," says a general epistle to the Saints, signed by Brigham Young, and dated on the 12th of October last, "has been reorganized in the Valley, and it would have been a source of joy to the Saints throughout the earth, could they have witnessed its movements on the day of its great parade; to see a whole army of mighty men in martial array, ground their arms, not by command, but simply by request, repair to the temple block, and with pick and spade open the foundation for a place of worship, and erect the pilasters, beams, and roof, so that we now have a commodious edifice, one hundred feet by sixty, with brick walls, where we assemble with the Saints from Sabbath to Sabbath, and almost every evening in the week, to teach, counsel, and devise ways and means for the prosperity of the kingdom of God; and we feel thankful that we have a better house or bowery for public worship the coming winter, than we have heretofore had any winter in this dispensation.

       " Thousands of emigrants from the States to the gold mines have passed through our city this season, leaving large quantities of domestic clothing, waggons, &c., in exchange for horses and mules, which exchange has been a mutual blessing to both parties.

       " The direct emigration of the Saints to this place will be some five or six hundred waggons this season; besides, many who came in search of gold, have heard the Gospel for the first time, and will go no further, having believed and been baptized.

       " On the 28th September, fourteen or fifteen of the brethren arrived from the gold country, some of whom were very comfortably supplied with the precious metal, and others, who had been sick, came as destitute as they went on the ship Brooklyn in 1846. That there is plenty of gold in Western California is beyond doubt, but the valley of the Sacramento is an unhealthy place, and the Saints can be better employed in raising grain, and building houses in this vicinity, than digging for gold in the Sacramento, unless they are counselled so to do.

       " The grain crops in the valley have been good this season; wheat, barley, oats, rye, and peas, more particularly.    The late corn and buckwheat, and some lesser grains and vegetables, have been materially injured by the recent frosts; and some early corn in Brownsville, forty miles north, a month since; and the buckwheat was severely damaged by hail at the Utah settlement, sixty miles south, about three weeks since; but we have great occasion for thanksgiving to Him who giveth the increase, that he has blest our labours, so that with prudence we shall have a comfortable supply for ourselves, and our brethren on the way, who may be in need, until another harvest; but we feel the need of more labourers, for more efficient help, and multiplied means of farming and building at this place.    We want men.  Brethren, come from the States, from the nations, come! and help us to build and grow, until we can say, 'Enough—the valleys of Ephraim are full.' "

       The following letter from a Mormon to his father in England, gives some additional particulars of the city, and the journey overland from New York:—

 

                       City of the Great Salt Lake, Rocky Mountains, Oct., 1849.

       "MY DEAR FATHER,—I scarcely know how to commence the chequered history of my journey from New York, but will endeavour to give you a very abbreviated account, reserving my journal until we again meet, which happiness will, I trust, yet be permitted to us.    We started twenty-four in number, on 10th of March, armed and equipped for a long and toilsome journey.  During the first part, having the advantage  of hotels, we were very merry, and enjoyed ourselves amazingly ; but this was not to last long, as we had yet to experience the toils of a camp life.    We travelled some 1,000 miles upon the

 

 

 

Mississippi and Ohio rivers, in American steamers, a mode of transit I am by no means partial to, as I was in a fever of apprehension the whole time, the accidents on these rivers being innumerable.   They arise from ' snags' (pieces of timber sticking up in the muddy waters), from fire, collision, and bursting of the thin boilers, which are placed under the saloon.    This part of our travel was, however, accomplished, with only the loss of a few goods ; and in the early part of May our mules were purchased, and we were ready for a start across the prairie.  Our party had four waggons, each drawn by eight mules; and, in addition, we rode upon these combinations of all that is stupid, spiteful, and obstinate. For some little time I enjoyed the change— the novelty of this predatory mode of life. At day-break we left our tents, were soon busy around the camp fire, preparing breakfast. Our stores did not admit of much variety; coffee, bacon, and hard biscuit, forming the staple of our provisions.  The weather soon became oppressively hot, the thermometer rising to 100° and 110°. This was rendered very trying by the entire absence of shade upon this ocean of land; indeed, these vast plains closely resemble in atmospheric phenomena, and in the appearance of the ground, the dry bed of some mighty sea.    The heat, with the quality of our food, soon produced bilious fever, and before our journey thus far was accomplished, half our number had suffered from this complaint. We were much mistaken in believing the route a healthy one, the road being marked with the graves of victims to the California fever. Turning over the leaves of my journal, I find the following account of a night in the prairie, and only one of many similar:—June 19 : We had not been an hour in our tents before one of the dreadful storms swept over us; the horizon was of the deepest purple, illumed occasionally by flashes of forked lightning, the accompanying rain resembling, at the distance at which we stood, a rugged cloud descending to the earth. I cannot describe the startling effect of the thunder—each clap resembling some immense cannon, shaking the very earth. I have a full perception of the sublimity and grandeur of these storms, but cannot attempt an adequate description. When the storm reached the tent it was blown over, and we were left to seek shelter in the best way we could. I dragged my coverings under a waggon, but soon found I was lying in a pool of water, with saturated blankets. I then crawled into a waggon, and in a cramped position, bitten horribly by mosquitoes, I passed an emphatically miserable night.

       "About the middle of June I was taken ill, and, with slight interruptions, continued so till we reached this ' city.'  You will perhaps imagine that, being so styled, it resembles an English city; but it is only in prospect.  The houses are either of logs, or built of mud bricks, called ' dobies,' and, but in a few instances, are not larger than one or two rooms; but time will accomplish much for this energetic and faithful people. Each house stands in an acre and a quarter of garden ground, eight lots in a block, forming squares. The streets, which are wide, are to be lined with trees, with a canal, for the purpose of irrigation, running through the centre. As our waggon entered this beautiful valley, with the long absent comforts of a home in prospect, I experienced a considerable change for the better; and when, to my surprise and gratitude, I met a pious, kind, and intelligent artist, and a countryman also, who took me, emaciated, sick, and dirty, to his humble home, my happiness seemed completed. You must, from their own works, read the history of the Mormonites, and you will then learn how this despised people have been persecuted and driven from place to place, until they have at length found a haven in the all but inaccessible valley of the Rocky Mountains, where are gathered together, almost from every nation, some 10,000 of those who felt happy in sacrificing all that the world holds dear for the sake of their faith ; and after struggling with innumerable difficulties and hardships, are building their temple in the wilderness, and are rapidly increasing both in spiritual and temporal wealth, having a Church organized according to the New Testament pattern, and endeavouring to live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of the Lord.    The land here is most fruitful—I am told it produces 80 bushels of wheat to the acre ; and vines, delicious melons, with other fruits and vegetables, grow in profusion.  A city lot—that is, one acre and a quarter—may be purchased at one dollar fifty cents, and would produce food sufficient for my wants the whole year.  No man with ordinary intelligence can be poor in such a place; and then, glorious privilege !  he can be free from the harassments and perplexities which continually destroy the peace of those who live in an artificial state of society.

       "When recruited, in order to accomplish the remaining 600 miles, the distance that still intervened between the city and California, the waggons were sold, and ten of our number started for their original destination, through mountains covered with snow, with a prospect of being slain by Indians, or of feeding either upon their mules or each other.    The other thirteen remained, earned their living in different ways until later in the season, and have since started upon a southern route of 1,600 miles, for the gold mines, leaving me still too unwell to accompany them."

 

       A correspondent of the New York Tribune, writing under the date of July 8, 1849, gives the following account of the state of affairs at the new Mormon city:—

       " The company of gold-diggers which I have the honour to command, arrived here on the 3rd instant, and judge our feelings when, after some twelve hundred miles of travel through an uncultivated desert, and the last one hundred miles of the distance through and among lofty mountains, and narrow and difficult ravines, we found ourselves suddenly, and almost unexpectedly, in a comparative paradise.

       " We descended the last mountain by a passage excessively steep and abrupt, and continued our gradual descent through a narrow canon for five or six miles, when, suddenly emerging from the pass, an extensive and cultivated valley opened before us, at the same instant that we caught a glimpse of the distant bosom of the Great Salt Lake, which lay expanded before us to the westward, at the distance of some twenty miles.

       " Descending the table land which bordered the valley, extensive herds of cattle, horses, and sheep, were grazing in every direction, reminding us of that home and civilization from which we had so widely departed—for as yet the fields and houses were in the distance.  Passing over some miles of pasture land, we at length found ourselves in a broad and fenced street, extending westward in a straight line for several miles. Houses of wood or sun-dried brick were thickly clustered in the vale before us, some thousands in number, and occupying a spot about as large as the city of New York. The whole space for miles, excepting the streets and houses, was in a high state of cultivation. Fields of yellow wheat stood waiting for the harvest, and Indian corn, potatoes, oats, flax, and all kinds of garden vegetables, were growing in profusion, and seemed about in the same state of forwardness as in the same latitude in the States.

       " At first sight of all these signs of cultivation in the wilderness, we were transported with wonder and pleasure. Some wept, some gave three cheers, some laughed, and some ran and fairly danced for joy—while all felt inexpressibly happy to find themselves once more amid scenes which mark the progress of advancing civilization. We passed on amid scenes like these, expecting every moment to come to some commercial centre, some business point in this great metropolis of the mountains; but we were disappointed. No hotel, sign-post, cake and beer shop, barber pole, market-house, grocery, provision, dry goods, or hardware store distinguished one part of the town from another, not even a bakery or mechanic's sign was anywhere discernible.

       " Here, then, was something new: an entire people reduced to a level, and all living by their labour—all cultivating the earth, or following some branch of physical industry. At first I thought it was an experiment, an order of things established purposely to carry out the principles of ' Socialism' or ' Mormonism.'  In short, I thought it very much like Owenism personified. However, on inquiry, I found that a combination of seemingly unavoidable circumstances had produced this singular state of affairs. There were no hotels, because there had been no travel; no barbers' shops, because every one chose to shave himself, and no one had time to shave his neighbour; no stores, because they had no goods to sell, nor time to traffic; no centre of business, because all were too busy to make a centre.

       " There was abundance of mechanic's shops, of dressmakers, milliners, and tailors, &c. ; but they needed no sign, nor had they time to paint or erect one, for they were crowded with business. Beside their several trades, all must cultivate the land, or die; for the country was new, and no cultivation but their own within a thousand miles. Every one had his lot, and built on it; every one cultivated it, and perhaps a small farm in the distance.

       " And the strangest of all was, that this great city, extending over several square miles, had been erected, and every house and fence made, within nine or ten months of the time of our arrival; while at the same time, good bridges were erected over the principal streams, and the country settlements extended nearly one hundred miles up and down the valley.

       " This territory, state, or, as some term it, ' Mormon Empire,' may justly be considered as one of the greatest prodigies of our time, and, in comparison with its age, the most gigantic of all republics in existence ; being only its second year since the first seed of cultivation was planted, or the first civilized habitation commenced.    If these people were such thieves and robbers as their enemies represented them in the States, I must think they have greatly reformed in point of industry since coming to the mountains.

       " I this day attended worship with them in the open air. Some thousands of well dressed, intelligent-looking people assembled; some on foot, some in carriages, and on horseback. Many were neatly, and even fashionably clad. The beauty and neatness of the ladies reminded me of some of our best congregations in New York. They had a choir of both sexes, who performed extremely well, accompanied by a band who played well on almost every musical instrument of modern invention. Peals of the most sweet, sacred, and solemn music filled the air, after which, a solemn prayer was offered by Mr. Grant (a Latter-Day Saint), of Philadelphia. Then followed various business advertisements, read by the clerk. Among these I remember a call of the seventeenth ward, by its presiding bishop, to some business meeting ; a call for a meeting of the thirty-second quorum of the seventy; and a meeting of the officers of the second cohort of the military legion, &c., &c.

       " After this, came a lengthy discourse from Mr. Brigham Young, president  of the society,  partaking somewhat   of politics, much of religion  and philosophy, and a little on the subject of gold, showing the wealth, strength, and glory of England, growing out of her coal mines, iron, and industry; and the weakness, corruption, and degradation of Spanish America, Spain, &c., growing out of her gold silver, &c., and her idle habits.

       " Every one seemed interested and pleased with his remarks, and all appeared to be contented to stay at home and pursue a persevering industry, although mountains of gold were near them. The able speaker painted in lively colours the ruin which would be brought upon the United States by gold, and boldly predicted that they would be overthrown because they had killed the prophets, stoned and rejected those who were sent to call them to repentance, and finally plundered and driven the Church of the Saints from their midst, and burned and desolated their city and temple. He said God had a reckoning with that people, and gold would be the instrument of their overthrow. The constitutions and laws were good—in fact, the best in the world; but the administrators were corrupt, and the laws and constitutions were not carried out. Therefore they must fall. He further observed, that the people here would petition to be organized into a territory under that same government, notwithstanding its abuses, and that, if granted, they would stand by the constitution and laws of the United States; while at the same time he denounced their corruption and abuses.

       "But, said the speaker, we ask no odds of them, whether they grant us our petition or not!  We never will ask any odds of a nation who has driven us from our homes. If they grant us our rights, well; if not, well; they can do no more than they have done. They, and ourselves, and all men, are in the hands of the great God, who will govern all things for good, and all will be right, and work together for good to them that serve God.

       " Such, in part, was the discourse to which we listened in the strongholds of the mountains. The Mormons are not dead, nor is their spirit broken. And, if I mistake not, there is a noble, daring, stern, and democratic spirit swelling in their bosoms, which will people these mountains with a race of independent men, and influence the destiny of our country and the world for a hundred generations.  In their religion they seem charitable, devoted, and sincere ; in their politics, bold, daring, and determined; in their domestic circle, quiet, affectionate, and happy; while in industry, skill, and intelligence, they have few equals, and no superiors on the earth.

       " I had many strange feelings while contemplating this new civilization growing up so suddenly in the wilderness.    I almost wished I could awake from my golden dream, and find it but a dream ; while I pursued my domestic duties as quiet, as happy, and contented as this strange people."

       A more recent correspondent of a New York newspaper also describes the rising condition of the Great Salt Lake City:—

       " It is now three years since the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake Valley, and their progress in laying out a city, buildings, fencing farms, raising crops, &c., is truly wonderful to behold; and is but another striking demonstration of the indefatigable enterprise, industry, and perseverance, of the Anglo-Saxon race.

       "The city is laid out into about twenty different wards, and covers an area of three square miles. It already contains about one thousand houses, nearly one story and a half high, built of adobe, or sun-burnt brick. A fine stream of cold water rushes down from the mountains, which is distributed in ditches through every street in the city, through the gardens, and to the doors of the dwellings, where it is used for culinary and other purposes. The ground whereon the city is built is sloping, which affords a great fall for the water, the current through the ditches running at the rate of about 'four knots an hour,' and keeps up a continual supply of fresh water from the mountains.    The valley where the city stands is quite 'handsome,' running east and west.    The city is situate about three miles from the Timpanagos Mountains on the east, within five of the Utah outlet on the south-east, and within twenty miles from a range of mountains on the south, and within twenty-two miles of the Great Salt Lake.   Its population is about five thousand, that of the valley ten thousand, exclusive of the city.    The Mormons are now building a neat stone State House, two stories high, and its dimensions are forty by ninety feet.    Most of the city is fenced, every half square mile being under one enclosure,  almost every foot  of the  ground  (except  where the house stands) being occupied in grain and vegetables.    There are several stores kept here.    Mechanics of different trades are busily engaged.    The Mormons, take them as a body, I truly believe are a most industrious people, and, I confess, as intelligent as any I have met with, either in the east or the west.    It is true they are a little fanatical about their religious views, which is not at all strange when compared with the majority of religious denominations in the east.  But let no man be deceived in his estimation of the people who have settled here.    Any people who have the courage to travel over plains, rivers, and mountains, for twelve hundred miles, such probably as cannot be travelled over in any other part of the world, to settle in a region which scarcely ever received the tread of any but the wild savage and beasts  who roam the wilderness, must be possessed of indomitable energy which is but rarely met with.

       " Brigham Young, the president of the Mormon Church here (and to whom I had a letter of introduction), is a man about forty years of age, of light complexion, ordinary height, but rather corpulent.    He exercises a vast influence among the Mormons, probably more than any other man, and I think stands nearly in the same position as their Saint, Joseph Smith.    He is a man of considerable intelligence, and I think has seen a good deal of the world.    The greatest fault I can find with his preaching is, that he is almost too egotistical.    Instead of taking a text from the Good Book, and if possible showing that the Book of Mormon is the true road, he confines himself altogether to giving accounts of their persecuted Church in bygone days, and in 'showing up' its present enemies.    I have heard him preach twice, and have  had several private  conversations with him.    In private, he is very sociable and talkative, joking and laughing as heartily as anybody."

       The latest traveller through the Great Salt Lake Valley, who has published an account of his journey, is Mr. William Kelly, the author of Excursions in California.  In this very entertaining work he thus describes his first view of the New Mormon City:-

       " Instead of a charming valley beautifully diversified with wood and water, there was a bald, level plain, extending over to the base of the Utah range on the other side, without bush or bramble to cast a shade from the scorching rays of a flaming sun, that blazed with a twofold intensity, reflected by the lofty ranges by which the plain is bounded. Some miles to the north lay the Great Salt Lake, glistening in radiance like a sheet of crystals, in strange contrast with the dark and sombre Utah range that stretch along its western shores. At first the city was not visible, but on passing over a piece of table land the new capital of the Mormons became revealed—not, I must admit, with any very striking effect, for it was too young as yet to boast the stately ornaments of spire and dome, which first attract the eye of the anxious traveller. We saw from here, with great distinctness, the plan of the place, which had nothing novel or peculiar about it, laid out in very wide, regular streets, radiating from a large space in the centre, where there appeared the basement and tall scaffolding-poles of an immense building in progress of erection. The houses were far apart, each being allotted a space for gardens and enclosure, which caused it to cover a very large space of ground.

       " We were soon discovered coming down the slope, and as we entered the precincts of the town, the inhabitants came to the front of their houses, but showed no disposition to open an acquaintance account, believing us to be an exclusively American caravan. So soon, however, as they were undeceived, they came about us in great numbers, inquiring what we had to dispose of. They were neat and well clad, their children tidy, the rosy glow of health and robustness mantling on the cheeks of all, while the softer tints of female loveliness prevailed to a degree that goes far to prove those " Latter-Day Saints " have very correct notions of angelic perfectability. We politely declined several courteous offers of gratuitous lodging, selecting our quarters in a luxuriant meadow at the north end of the city; but had not our tents well pitched, when we had loads of presents—butter, milk, small cheeses, eggs, and vegetables, which we received reluctantly, not having any equivalent returns to make, except in money, which they altogether declined ; in fact, the only thing we had in superabundance was preserved apples and peaches, a portion of which we presented to one of the elders, who gave a delightful party in the evening, at which all our folk were present. We found a very large and joyous throng assembled; the house turned inside out to make more room on the occasion, with gaiety, unembarrassed by ceremony, animating the whole, making me almost fancy I was spending the evening amongst the crowded haunts of the old world, instead of a sequestered valley, lying between the Utah and Timpanagos Mountains.    After tea was served,

 

                       " ' There were the sounds of dancing feet

                       Mingling with the tones of music sweet."

 

or, as Dermot MacFig would say,

 

                       " ' We shook a loose toe,

                       While he humoured the bow."

 

Keeping it up to a late hour, perfectly enraptured with the Mormon ladies, and Mormon hospitality.

       " I was not aware before that polygamy was sanctioned by their creed, beyond a species of ethereal Platonism which accorded to its especial saints chosen partners, called ' spiritual wives ;'   but I now found that these, contrary to one's ordinary notions of spiritualism, gave birth to cherubs and unfledged angels.    When our party arrived we were introduced to a staid, matronly-looking lady as Mrs. ****, and as we proceeded up the room, to a blooming young creature, a fitting mother for a celestial progeny, as the other Mrs. ****, without any worldly or spiritual distinction whatsoever.    At first, I thought it a misconception ; but inquiry confirmed the fact of there being two mistresses in the same establishment, both with terrestrial habits and duties to perform, which I found afterwards to be the case in other instances, where  the  parties  could lay no claim to any particular saintliness.

       " On Saturday morning, we had a very early levee at our tents, with fresh milk, butter, fowls and eggs, and a light waggon in attendance, with a side of beef, a carcase of mutton, and a veal, — all of superior quality ; the latter articles for sale professionally, but certainly on most moderate terms, — the prime joints not averaging over one penny per pound. The other matters we were forced to accept, and gave to the donors what we could afford of coffee, sugar, and tobacco, which were not to be had in the city for the last two months. In addition to those timely presents, we got all our washing done in the very best style of art. After breakfast we went out returning visits, and were most graciously received in every quarter. The houses are small, principally of brick, built up only as temporary abodes, until the more urgent and important matter of inclosure and cultivation are attend to ; but I never saw anything to surpass the ingenuity of arrangement with which they are fitted up, and the scrupulous cleanliness with which they are kept. There were tradesmen and artisans of all descriptions, but no regular stores or workshops, except forges.  Still, from the shoeing of a waggon to the mending of a watch, there was no difficulty experienced in getting it done, as cheap and as well put out of hand as in any other city in America. Notwithstanding the oppressive temperature, they were all hard at work at their trades, and abroad in the fields, weeding, moulding, and irrigating; and it certainly speaks volumes for their energy and industry, to see the quantity of land they have fenced in, and the breadth under cultivation,   considering  the   very   short   time   since   they   had   founded   the settlement in 1847. There was ample promise of an abundant harvest, in magnificent crops of wheat, maize, potatoes, and every description of garden vegetable, all of which require irrigation, as there is little or no rain in this region, a salt-lake shower being estimated at a drop to each inhabitant. They have numerous herds of the finest cattle, droves of excellent sheep, with horses and mules enough and to spare; but very few pigs, persons having them being obliged to keep them chained, as the fences are not close enough to prevent them damaging the crops. However, they have legions of superior poultry, so that they live in the most plentiful manner possible. We exchanged and purchased some mules and horses on very favourable terms, knowing we would stand in need of strong teams in crossing the Sierra Nevada.

       " On Sunday morning early we went to the hot springs, a mile beyond the town, where the authorities were erecting a handsome and commodious building, and had a glorious bath, in sulphur water, at a temperature just as high as could be comfortably endured, drinking, too, of the stream as it gushed from the hill-side in a thick volume, being told it possessed certain medicinal properties of which we all stood in need. The Mormons made a boast of their good health, and attribute it to bathing in those springs, many that I met declaring they came to the Valley perfect cripples, and were restored to their health and agility by frequenting them.

       "After bathing, we dressed in our best attire, and prepared to attend the Mormon service, held for the present in the large space adjoining the intended temple, which is only just above the foundations, but will be a structure of stupendous proportions; and, if finished according to the plan, of surpassing elegance. I went early, and found a rostrum in front of which there were rows of stools and chairs for the townfolk; those from the country, who arrived in great numbers, in light waggons, sitting on chairs, took up their stations in their vehicles in the background, after unharnessing the horses. There was a very large and most respectable congregation ; the ladies attired in rich and becoming costumes, each with parasols; and I hope I may say, without any imputation of profanity, a more bewitching assemblage of the sex it has rarely been my lot to look upon. Before the religious ceremony commenced, five men mounted the rostrum, who were, as I learned, the weekly committee of inspection. The chairman read his general report of the prospects and proceedings of the colony, and then read a list of those deserving of particular commendation for their superior husbandry, the extent of their fencing, and other improvements, which was followed by the black list, enumerating the idle, slothful, and unimproving portion of the community, who were held up to reprobation ; and threatened, in default of certain tasks allotted them being finished at the next visit, to be deprived of their lots, and expelled the community. The reading of these lists produced an evident sensation, and, I am satisfied, stimulate the industrious to extra exertion, and goad the lazy to work in self-defence. This over, another, " the gentleman in black," got up, and, without any form of service or prefatory prayer, read aloud a text from the Book of Mormon, and commenced a sermon, or discourse, de multis rebus et quibusdam aliis, taking a fling at the various other religions, showing them up by invidious comparison with the creed of the Valley. He then pointed out the way to arrive at Mormon sanctity, in which there was nothing objectionable as laid down, and exhorted the congregation, not only as they valued their salvation, but their crops, to so demean themselves, and endeavour to propitiate the favour and indulgence of the Supreme Being, calling to mind that, in the year of righteousness (last year) he sent sea-gulls, a bird never before known to visit the valley, to devour the crickets, who would otherwise, from their numbers, have annihilated all vegetation.*

       " He then adverted to the barbarous treatment they received at the hands of the Americans, forgetting to avow his charitable forgiveness, and expressed a belief that their avarice would yet induce them to covet their possessions in Salt Sake ; but he entertained a hope that the Mormons by that time would be strong enough to guard and maintain their rights and independence.    He talked of the gold of California, which he said was discovered by Mormon energy, but they freely abandoned it to American cupidity, as they (the Mormons) did not desire such worldly aggrandizement.

       "The affairs of Church and State here go strictly hand in hand, the elders of the Church being the magistrates and functionaries in all civil and criminal matters, the framers of the law and chancellors of the exchequer, with whom it is expected that every member of the community will lodge whatever wealth they may acquire beyond their immediate wants, taking treasury notes of acknowledgment.

 

       * It is surprising the Mormons, who are, as a class, a most astute and reasoning people, can be gulled and gammoned after this fashion, for sea-gulls are met all across the plains, and were seen in the Valley the first time Colonel Fremont visited it, in 1845, two years before the Mormons thought of settling there.

 

       " There are no written laws among them ; but trespasses, outrages, and such matters, are taken cognizance of by the elders, and adjudicated on summarily, according to conscience, fines and public flogging being the punishments most in vogue. The authorities have a mint, from which they issue gold coin only; it is plain, but massive, without any alloy,

       " There are, as far as I could hear or judge, about 5,000 inhabitants in the town, and 7,000 more in the settlements, which extend forty miles each way—north to the Weber, and south towards Utah Lake.  The valley, at its greatest width, is not over fifteen miles, and I think seven would be a fair average. Its soil is a rich black loam, and is watered, besides the Jordan, which flows through its centre from Utah to Salt Lake, by innumerable springs of good water, and streamlets flowing from the snowy mountains; but it has a naked bleak look for want of timber, which renders the effects of the sun next thing to unbearable. The city is situated on the south-east end of the lake, about nine miles from its shores."

       Brigham Young, in a paragraph previously quoted, talks magniloquently of gold as being only fit for the paving of streets and the roofing of houses; but it appears that the sect has been so successful at the diggings of California, as well as at the more profitable diggings of the soil of a grain and fruit produce country, that they have put aside 3½ tons, or 94,080 ounces, of gold, gathered in California, for the purpose of "gathering" the poor Saints from England and other parts of Europe, as well as from the remote districts of the American Union, into the Great Salt Lake Valley. At £4 an ounce, this would amount to £376,320. It is possible that they may have exaggerated their resources in this respect. The gold coinage of their new State of Deseret has been already struck. The five-dollar pieces are of pure Californian gold, without alloy, and somewhat smaller, but much heavier, than a sovereign. The reverse bears the inscription, " Holiness to the Lord," surmounting the eye of Jehovah, and a cap somewhat like a mitre, both very rudely executed. The obverse bears two hands joined, and the words, " Five dollars."  The two and a half dollar pieces are precisely similar.

 

 

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