The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-18
From the salt Lake.
Correspondence of the Crescent.]


Cry OF THE SALT LAKE VALLEY. Sept 1, 1s49.
Eds CreSeet-I have got thus far may way Cafor
mia without serious impedment left the Missouri river
the 9Th of june and arrived here the 9th of August
We travelled the north side of Platte about go miles
beyond Fort Laramie and until then the road had been good
with plenty of feed for anals, but nothing was to
be for $50 miles but barren hills Now and then we woud
come a small stream with willows, which was the
principal food for our cattle that distance After getting
through the Black hills this place the road is good TO Fort
Bndger very good but from Fort Brdger to this place. 12
miles, il bad indeed having to come most of the way
through the Cahon of the Bear river and Salt Lake valley
mountains, in which the small streams run, which obges those
with wagons to be necessarily crossing But entering the
valley Salt Lake the travellers struck with admiration at the
magnificent scene Before him lies avalley from % 10 30 miles
broad, east to west and 60 miles long, north to SOUTH sur
rounded by mountains and large fields under high cultivation
To that has been travelling better than months
on the road the sight Of community, Of MOrmops is
agreeable The city proper laid miles square with
IL wards Each ward has its Bishop who watches over IT,
The wards only fenced in for the present, ward con-
sutes large field with streets between them but not
enclosed As timber here necessary for some
plan be hit expedite the work of making fences around
each mans property. The wards divided into small plots
for gardens surrounded in part by logs but mostly of adobes
Most of the houses have but Taking all hinrs
into consideration these people have done wonders the three
they have been here and when they get their irrigation
perfected their crops will well repay them provided they
find market dispose gift Wheat yields now from Is
to 40 bushels the Potatoes and oats grow we'll Corn
grows but is now green and most of the farmers think
wheat ana other small VIII much better
All kinds of vegetables grown in the United States
cultivated here with success Fruits yet scarce wa
termellons pretty good, also muskmeons Their farms
for IL miles from the city all enclosed in large field each
Each has his farm selected for him by the heads of the
Church. and hecan have many he cultivate BY
paying the surveying and recording.
Now for the people, they from every State in the
Union-heahy though pale and about the face cheek
bones apparent They Industrious and temperate in the
of ardent spirits Probably the high price of
it, (a onehaf the selling price of liquor sold here has to 20
to the city They claim allegiance the United States
but call themselves Momons. and many think they in
Mormon country. They generally Ignorant and seldom
think for themselves except in driving bargain but an
pear enthusiastic as regards their faith.
There is great number of settlers from Alabama and Mis-
ssspp who have this placeith their negroes and
hold them here the same they did formerly
Now the richest part of ALL Il sanctioned by the
Church, and the presiding it, that every man shall
have as many wives he provide for there is no limit
TO the NUMBER and long heydo not come in compet
ton with the high unctonares of Mormondom they get
along pretty successfully they say.
The successor to Joe Smith by the maine of Brig
ham Young about As old, pretty cute fellow Yam
kee wond say He has the largest number of wives of
one in The settlementony2 20. This is not large number
considering he had to take all the wives of Joe Smith that
could not get other husbands Some that have under
my observation have had II, s. 8, 2, l. These things are
facts beyond eav and the only tie that binds this people to-
gether is bigamy The spectacle revolving and in the
course Of few years there will be dozen children all of the
same age, having the father but different mothers To
what part of the world they 90 and be respected 2no
where. To be Mormon be all that is base and vile
All the ties that bind the opposite sexes together in mutual
confidence and affection tamped under foot by designing
men, to crafty their ustul passions and the ignorant
think they cannot be doing right without following the ex
ample of their Hghpes Young and their Twelve Apostles
The Momons have to give onetenth of the products of
heir farms other business the Church. and also the tenth
working day the whole year. making twenty per cent-a
pretty heavy tax most people would think The object is to
get as much money the treasury possible to be able
out their plan, which is to have line of settlements
o the Pacific from this place, having its terminus in the
Southern part of Upper California, hoping be able to dis
eminate their religion the newly acquired Territory But
n that think they will fall for if there any Spanish blood
eft in the California danes, the Mormou will find it difficult
reconcile them to mans having 1--WE or six wives
Now as 10 myself have enjoyed this trip much more
han any have taken before. knew pretty well what il
would be- My health has been excellent and have been in
oOd spirits. We have had to get fresh mules and have con-
uded the Southern route striking the Santa Fe or old
spanish trail California. The usual emgrant route TO the
Sierra Nevada we could not try with the animals we had
nd the time twill take perfect arrangements and get
eady to start and considering the small quantity of feed there
must be after eighty thousand head of animals
ave travelled through poor grazing country have induced
ute number of emigrans to take the Southern route
being only 200 miles further and no danger of being caught
in the mountains
Gen. Wilson arrived here on the st instant on his way To
alornla. His animals in poor condition. have un
erstood that Capt Stasbury of the Typographical Depart
lent who Is here with instructions survey Salt Lake and
lie ALLEY, has transferred part of his animals to Gen w.
as to enable him to pursue his Journey.
Yours truly R. a. NJ