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King.' The strangers, who at intervals frequent the assemblies of the Saints, admire the regularity and prompt attention of our punctual brother, and very soon a contrast is drawn between the careless " "Mormon" and the faithful Latter-day Saint. Although the man whose course we have feebly endeavored to portray, may have numerous failings, his punctuality will, to use a Scriptural phrase, cover a multitude of sins," and secure the forbearance of those who would rather hide a brother's fault, than unwisely proclaim it to the world. Permit us now to speak but for a moment of him who is the opposite of what we have endeavored to describe. The careless "Mormon” (for truth almost forbids the name of Saint,) takes things just as they come; if matters prosper with him all is well, if not, no effort he puts forth will tend to overrule events, so as to make them contribute to aid in the advancement of our Father's marvellous work. When Sabbath comes, he may or may not be gathered with the Saints; but should he favor the meeting with his presence, he is, as a matter of course, too late to hear the opening prayer; but what matters that, he knows the brother who has been the "people's mouthpiece," and can well afford to miss the words he may have often heard before. Alas, how shortsighted we mortals are! and how apt to undervalue the blessings we enjoy! Do we reflect upon the fact that when we eat our daily bread, it is perhaps the same in kind which has sustained us ever since we had a being on the earth? The water, too, with which we quench our thirst, has still the same attraction, and is full of life to us, although we use it every day. The light of day, and the darkness of the night, alike call forth from us our daily mead of thankfulness and gratitude to Him "from whence all blessings flow." And yet a brother's prayer, because we may have heard the words before, is little thought of by our easy-minded brother.

The unpunctual man, as the case may be, may hold some important office in the Church, but is not such a workman as "needeth not to be ashamed." He may be one of those

whose duty calls him to visit the homes of the Saints, but being an "unpunctual man,' the members of the household deem it inexpedient to expect him at the appointed time, and in such a case, the results have shown that their misgivings have not been without foundation. He is, too, a husband and a father, but his wife and children have long ceased to look for a father's promise being strictly kept; they know the hour at which he should come home, but that is all; and, as might be expected, the consequences of his unpunctuality soon infect his sons and daughters; they, too, get careless, follow in his footsteps, and, in time, are designated as "a careless family." It is impossible to see the end of such a course as this; but any Saint, whose mind has been enlightened by the Holy Ghost, can understand what the sad result will be to those who, it may be at first in little things, encourage habits of unpunctuality and carelessness, neglect the duties of their high calling, and allow their minds to become darkened by the spirit of the world.

The duties of the Saints are easy to be understood, and our Father, in his lovingkindness, has placed among his people the holy Priesthood-ministers of truth and righteousness by which the way of life is made a matter of the greatest plainness. If the Saints in these lands go astray, it must be with their eyes wide open, their opportunities to learn never having been greater than at the present time. The kingdom is advancing; the Zion of our God, and its inhabitants, are spoken of by many men of eminence in a manner highly encouraging to the faithful, and already the tokens of Zion's greatness are before the world.

Shall the Saints, then, who are expected to represent the cause of God in this land, hinder the progress of the work in word or deed? Shall they be careless and unpunctual in the discharge of their duties, when the cause of truth is onward, and events of such importance are transpiring among the nations?

Let the Saints who prize the privileges under which they live, continue in their diligence, and increase in every good word and work. Let them

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four weeks, to talk freely and often with Mormons and Gentiles-thus, if possible, to collect such information as would suggest a policy toward these people. I reached Great Salt Lake City June 19th, and remained until the 20th of July. I met many of the Mormon people, as well as the Gentiles, and was treated with civility by both. Perhaps a detailed account of these people will be of interest. The sect known as Mormons is well known in the United States. The marked peculiarity of their religion is the claim of a religious right to have a plurality of wives. In other respects, their religion does not offend public opinion. The present head of the church is Brigham Young, whom the Mormons believe inspired at times, through whom God reveals his wishes. He is acknowledged the head of the church, and styled president, and is the "Trustee in Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." With this man at their head, these people reached this valley July 24th, 1847) This valley was then an entire wilderness, with but few acres of ground on which crops could be raised. He located his people in the valleys of the streams running from the mountains, making the main settlement and head of the church at what they called Great Salt Lake City. He turned their attention to cultivating the ground, and found by irrigating those valleys covered with sage bushes, fine crops could be raised. This required a great amount of labor, but this they furnished, and in various portions of the Territory large settlements grew up. The Territory of Utah has now, the Mormons claim, a population of near 150,000(?) They are settled in various parts of the Territory, wherever advantages are offered in soil and for irrigation. The attention of the people is generally confined to agriculture, raising_of stock, the necessaries of life. The cultivation of this country was necessary to the development of the gold mines in Idaho and Montana, for this new country was supplied with flour by the Mormons. The Territory has much mineral wealth, gold, silver, lead, iron, coal, &c., but Brigham Young has kept their attention to

At

cultivation of the soil. I saw a less number of idle people in Utah Territory than in any locality I ever visited. I saw President Young often. first he was quite dignified and formal, but afterwards talked freely on the various subjects of difference between his church and the general government. The act of Congress of 1863, prohibiting polygamy, has never been enforced. President Young told me he wanted it brought before the courts, and would place no obstacle in its way, and in fact would help to bring it before the courts. He said he believed it was unconstitutional, as it is against one of the foundations of their religion. He went further and said "the Mormons would never have had more than one wife had not God revealed it to them that it was his wish." His sincerity in such a statement might be questionable, though his manner and conversation would not seem so. That the people generally believe this I think there is no question. The attempt to enforce this law of 1863 has been a failure, and I think will be, not because the people oppose the courts, but the fanatical views of the people render such failures almost certain. The law makes it a crime take more than one wife. Before the offender can be tried he must be indicted before a jury of the land. The jury of necessity is entirely or mostly of Mormons. No Mormon can see a crime in taking two or more wives in accordance with God's revelation to them. The result is, no one is indicted. It being a criminal offence, there is no appeal from this, hence the case never comes before the United States courts.

Judge Titus, I believe a very upright man, of no prejudice in favor of the Mormons, informed me that but about one-tenth of the Mormons are polygamists; that he knows of cases where Mormons have been prevented from taking more wives by the law of 1863; and others on account of that law have separated from all but one of their wives." A great number of the inhabitants of the Territory are not citizens of the United States. Whenever they have become naturalized before Judge Titus, he has required obedience to the law of 1863. The Gentiles (anti-Mormons) in Utah

thought they would have a Gentile settlement in the Territory, in the Pah ranagat mining country, where a Gentile jury could be found, but the last Congress cut this portion of Utah off, and annexed it to Nevada Territory. So the Mormons are even stronger than before. The legislature of Utah has placed many matters in the hands of inferior courts, which should be before the highest courts of the Territories: murder and divorce are thus placed. Their militia, instead of being under the control of the governor, is under the authority of the church, or Brigham Young.

In earlier days, when these people were more isolated, that some of them perhaps, to the knowledge of the church, committed very grave crimes, I have no doubt-among the worst, the Meadow Mountain massacre of 1858. I think our government, in justification of its laws and the opinion of its people, should investigate these, and place the stigma where it belongs. During the rebellion I have no doubt but these people had but little sympathy with the government, which they looked upon as their persecutor. Also many Gentiles found their way to the Territories who did not wish to aid in putting down the rebellion, but sympathized with the secessionists. These people, the Mormons, were never called upon for a quota of troops. Had they been, I believe it would have been filled with as much promptness as any call that was made. Whenever called upon to aid in suppressing the Indians, they have responded promptly, and I believe have rendered very efficient service. Brigham Young has three hundred men this season protecting the settlers of the southern portion of the Territory from a band of bad Indians, under a chief by the name of Black Hawk. These men are furnished without complaint. They received no compensation from the United States. If the other Territories would exhibit similar dispositions, many of the Indian troubles would disappear. That these people were exasperated by the conduct of General Connor, and many officers in his command, there is no doubt. A more quiet or peaceable community I never passed four weeks

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with. My opinion is that a policy by which the institution they cling to with fanatical faith shall be brought against public opinion, will be one that will soon cure the evil and save our country all the elements of good citizens they possess; while à coercive policy will, in accordance with the history of the world, increase the fanaticism, and destroy all the industry and wealth of 150.000 people, and return that now fruitful valley to a desert again. A careful selection of civil and military officers, who with their families will give these ignorant people an example, with the enlightenment by the completion of railroad and telegraph lines, will do more to correct the error of these people than all the crusades possible. This discussion is given to afford you an idea of the people with whom we are to treat in this Territory.

Great Salt Lake City, from its central locality in the heart of the great mountain district, with a line of telegraph east to the Atlantic and west to the Pacific; also one running north and south through the Territory; its lines of stages to the Missouri river and the Pacific; to Idaho and Columbia river; to Montana and Pahranagat mines, makes it the great half-way place across the continent; and so long as the government holds internal military positions, this will be one of the greatest importance. most earnestly recommend a department be created making this the headquarters. Send a judicious commanding officer, with zealous quartermaster and commissary. This disposition will be such as will be economical; will place the Mormon question under his eye; will place him in a position

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to purchase most supplies very economically, and will place him where he can best watch the Indians.

ren.

CAMP DOUGLAS.

I think the post at Camp Douglas should be built of stone, (the quarters and storehouses) A very easily worked sandstone can be found on the reservation, or within a few miles of the post. As wood is very expensive and growing more so, stone buildings will save much fuel. This post should be built to accommodate a regiment, though, summers, a garrison sufficient to take care of the post is all that is necessary. The troops can be used against the hostile Indians in any direction during the summer. A concentration of troops, winters, will have many advantages; it will be much more economical; it will bring men enough together to enable the command to be disciplined and drilled-a thing impossible where but one, and at the most two, company officers are present. The Indians have to go to certain localities for fish and for game, and are equally compelled to go to certain valleys to winter their ponies and to shelter their women and childIf the troops are used patrolling the lines of travel, moving from place to place, from the time grass is high enough to feed the ponies, until the Indians go to their winter homes, I believe the road can be kept perfectly safe. Four (4) companies at Great Salt Lake, four (4) companies at Bridger, and six (6) companies at a post on the North Platte, will protect the road from Denver to Great Salt Lake, if properly employed. A similar but more changeable disposition should be made between the terminus of the railroad and Denver. This will change as the railroad advances. A post of at least five companies should be established in the vicinity of Green river, to protect the settlements in southern Utah, and people going to Pahranagat mines from the Utes. Of this command, all except the permanent garri sons to protect stores and buildings, (the latter to be kept a minimum) should be mounted cavalry or mounted infantry. To send infantry after Indians is useless. The mounted command should be in readiness to move on an hour's notice. This movable

Along through Utah and into Idaho the settlements were quite numerous and very thrifty. The practice of irrigation seemed to reclaim all of the lands it can be applied to. The settlers are mostly Mormons, and exhibit the same thrift, industry, and enterprise exhibited in other parts of Utah. The adobe houses, handsome stock of horses, sheep, and cattle, with beautiful fields of wheat, oats, rye, and gardens filled with vegetables, with the almost universal planting of fruittrees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots, commend these people to the kind consideration of the general government. This country can be and may, some future day, be the great pastures for the sheep and cattle to supply cheaply the vast markets of our country. The grass grows thrifty but ripens early, though when rained upon the ripe grass affords sufficient nourishment to fatten horses, cattle, and sheep. Vast fields of wild rye afford sufficient hay to cure for the feeding of stock. The completion of the railroad, and the settling up of these valleyes, will reduce the price of food and labor, so that many of the fine mines now unworked on account of high prices, will produce larger quantities of gold and silver than the famous gulches that are dug over and cleaned in one or two seasons.'

The rest of the published portions of the Report refer to the posts visited in Idaho and Washington Territories, with such suggestions as General Babcock deemed requisite. In conculsion, he states that he found all through the Territories a great many horses and mules with the "U.S." brand, many of them having been honestly bought by their possessois; yet, in