The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-08

TBK VALLEY Oh THE GREAT SALT LAKx-THr
/ New JERUSALEM or nIK MoRwoNs.-The Latter
Day Saints, whose history, and the history OF their
prophet, 10 Smith, form one Of the most singular
cunositles OF the age, have at last, il would seem,
located permanent site for the New Jerusalem.
Expelled by force Of arms from Missouri, driven
by the outraged people Of Illinois from the holy
city Of Nauvoo and their great temple, scattered
and impoverished, il Was thought that the commit
nifty was dispersed. and would soon become ex-
tnct But the fragments were gathered together
IN the prairies reiniorcemenIs were received from
England and Wales, contributions OF relief were
collected in the States, and the disciples speedily
recognized, crossed the great plains, passed the
Rocky Mountains, and established themselves in
the basin Of the Great Salt Lake. Here, removed
a Thousand miles from the cvilissd world, they
have built up a city, opened successful system Of
agriculture, and, at the next Congress, will ask for
a government for their little territory. We give
one or two letters from their new location in this
days paper.
But a few years ago, the exact location Of the
lake and the valley were unknown. Situated in
the northeastern corner Of the great basin, be-
tween the lstitudes q ferty- one and fory-two,
halfway from the outposts of the Mississippi val
ley to the Pacific, the Mormon colony 10 in 20.
sition peculiarly advantageous to iis prosperity.
The valley at the head Of the Salt Lake is de-
scnbed as about sixty miles long and from ten to
fifteen miles wide, elevated four thousand feet
above the sea, and surrounded by chains Of barren
mountains, from three to five thousand ieet high.
Beyond these, to the west, the great desert basin
stretches away FIVE hundred miles, to the foot Of
the Sierra Nevada, and eastwardy the labyrinth
Of the Rocky Mountains extends for several hun
dred miles. The Mormon colony n, therefore,
the half way resting house between the mountains
on the esst and the desert the west. Ii lies
upon the great ne Of the South Pass, the route nd
Gated by various projectors tor the Pacific railroad
and the route OF the great overland emigration
to Oregon and to California. With the erection Of
a railroad, touching at the Sat Lake, the Mormon
settlement must coon become q hounshing com
monwesh, supporting, from its crops, cattle,
minerals, AID manufacture Of salt, the population
requisite TO its admission, rs State, into the
Union. Such are the prospects, Of the Latter Day
SAINTS, who, in attempting escape from the
world, have Gas II may turn ouf located them
selves at the central station house of the future
commerce between the Mississippi and the Pa
cihc-beiween Canton aud New York The
SaInts, too, appear to have improved from cxpe-
ntnce. They are socialists. but not Of lhe Fourier
phalhnH. lbtH properly ofiongs To the cOmalsnI-
y; but each family has its separate family govern
Etnt They are fanatics IN religion, bot shrewd,
industrious sDd calculating IN matters OF business
They may have great rascalr, but they have no
loaieTs, among them. The penalties ct their Ia
nsiicsl excesses heretofore, Il Is 10 be hoped ~ill
rencer them respectable community for the 70.
| ture
Thus far they have done well but LEI the SAINTS
awake The great ulfimatum ~ at hand. The
conyentlons Of the Mississippi valley about
moving IN the matter, snd BY act OF Congress we
niay soon hsvea through ticket, by railroad, to the
New Jerusalem.