Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-07-25
From the St. Louis Intelligencer.l
Salt Lake City.

We have been furnished, with leave to publish, let
from intelligent gentleman now IN Deseret TO his
family St. Charles. We regret that the press OF news
and other matter in todays ISSUE forbds TO give the
letter in full to our readers The gentleman crossed the
plains late last fail, portion OF the time with
press and the remainder the company OF some Virginia
emigrants, under the command OF Capt. Critcher As
they neared their journeys end, the suerngs of the
party from cold and hunger said to have been most
terrible. Seven of the number had their hands or feet
severely frozen and the others were emaciated and
weakened by fatigue, be almost utterly unable to
reach the Mormon Settlements, when even only mile
from them. They finally arrived at Salt Lake
City sometime in December The writer dates his let
April, 1850 We extract only his description OF the
Mormon city:
The Salt Lake City is situated three miles from the
range of mountains which circles the valley the east
side and about twenty-five miles from the great Lake.
The country about slopes gradually and with beautiful
effect from the mountain to the Utah outlet and is boun
tifuly watercd like the city, with number OF noun
tain streams OF pure, sweet water which the present
population believe, have never, at season, known
to fail. For milling, manufacturing, agricultural,
other purposes, the sucency OF supply OF water need
mover be apprehended. The soil in every part of the
valley (about forty miles IN length by twenty in breadh)
is extraordinarily fertile conversing, few days
since with intelligent farmer this subject, who
sured that last year from the plant OF single bushel
of Irish potatoes ne had raised nearly three hundred bush
els of large size and excellent quality. For wheat
and variety OF other grains do not suppose that more
generous soil be found the whole continent and
every thing indeed here favors their rapid and abund-
ant growth. OWlng 10 the cOldneSs Oh the weather
however, does grow freely, and is not, in
consequence much cultivated. The members of the
Mormon persuasion literally encouraged to agricul
tural pursuits. They allowed to improve as much
land as they choose to have surveyed and enclosed in the
commons the city, and the pre- emption title they
thus assume is held indisputable One cam in this
way, accumulate immense quantities of land, but the
privilege of selling is not extended to him. Either to
reserve the right in the city, DIETER in the cys apostle
of themselves disposng Of real estate to prevent
others than Mormons from obtaining ioothold in the
country, no Mormon sell bargain for single foot
of his lands. should add that besides the
aging privileges Of the commons every citizen of the
Salt City is allowed and half Of ground; hav
ing thus opportunity of cultivating gardens, fine
yards, &c. &c.
The city is divided into nineteen wards, each contain
ing half mile square. Every square has its Bishop
whose powers temporarily correspond to those OF oul
justice of the peace. The officers of the general city
government President, Marshal Sheriff. &C., the
first of whom elected for life by the council Of twelve
and the second semi nnually by the same body. The
power of the President is unmitedhs word in almos
every instance is the law of the land. In the event
the Preparation OF any crime, however, the council o
twelve have right to deposc him. Since the murder
Of the famed 10 Smith, Mr.. Brigham Young has rulet
among the Latter Day Saints. He is much bcked b
the people for his honesty $50 caled) in office, no les
for his social democratic department out He nee'
never apprehend a revolt among his peope--they arr
over disposed to wink at his little errors aud to aware