New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-11
Salt Lake City.


Webaye been furnished, says the 50 Louis In
telligencer, with leave to publish a letter from an
intelligent gentleman now in Deseret to his lamily
St. Chasles. We regret that the press OF news
and other matter in to day isSue fo:bds us to give
the letter in full to our readers. The gentleman
crossed the plains late last Fall, portion OF the
time with an express, and the remainder in the
company Of some Virginia emigrants, under the
command Of Capt. Critcher. As they neared their
journeys end, the suiierings Of the party, from
cold and hunger, are said 10 have been most terri
ble Seven Of the number had their hands or feet
seyerely frozen, and the others were SO emacated
and weakened by fatigue as to DO almost utterly
unable 10 reach the Mormon Settlements, whom
even only mile or two from them. They hnaiiy
arrived at Salt Lake City some time In December.
The writer dates bis letter April, 1850. We ex-
tract only his description OF the Mormon city
The Salt Lake city is situated three miles ffom
the range OF mountains which circles the valley on
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 beautifully watered, like the
city, with number Of mountain streams oil pure,
sweet " alter, which the present population, l be-
lieve have never, at any season, known 10 iail.
For milling, manufacturing agricultural, other
purposes, the sDihcency OF supply OF water need
never be Appreciated. The soil in every part Of
the valley labove forty miles in length by twenty
in bresdth is extraordinarily fertile. l was con.
yersiDg, few days since, with an intelligent
farmer on this subject, who assured me that last
year, from the plant Of single bushe Of Irish
potatoes, be raised nearly three hundred bushels
| of a large size and an excellent quality.
For whe at and a variety Of other grains do not
suppose that more generous soil can be found the
whole Continent; and everything indeed, here, "a
| vors their rapid and abundant growth. o wing to
the coldness Of the weather. however, corn does not
grow so freely and is not, in consequence, much
| cultivated. The members Of the Mormon persua-
| SIGN are literally encouraged TO agricultural pur-
suits. They are allowed TO improve as much land
as they choose to have surveyed and enclosed in
| the commons" ne ar the city, and the presumption
| title they thus assume is held indsputabe. One
man can, in this way accumulate immense quanli-
ties CT land, bat the privilege Of selling il is no.
tended to him. Either to reserve the right in the
city, better in the ctys ApoSae Of themselves dis
posing ofreal estate, or to prevent others than Nor
mons from obtaining foo,hcld in the country no
Mormon can sell or bargain for single foot Of his
lsnds. ] should add that, besides tho very encour-
aging privileges OF the commons, every citizen Of
| the SAT- City is allowed one and a hall acres Of
ground; having thus opportunity of cul.lvating
gardens, fine yards, &c.
1.-THE city is divided into nineteen Wards, each
containing half mile square. Every square has
its Bithop, whose powers temporarily correspond to
these Of our Justice Of the Peace The officers OF
the General City Government are: President,
Marshal, Sheriff, &c; the first OF whom is elected
for life by the Council of Twelve, aud the second
semi-aDually by the same body. The power OF the
President is unlimted his word ia Rlmoat every
instance ia the law OF the land Ia the event Of
the preparation Of any crime, however, the Coun-
Gil of Twelve have right to depose him. Since
the murder Of the famed 10 Smith, Af. Brigham
| Young has ruled among the Latter Day Saints lie
is much beliked by the people for bis honesty (so
called ia ofice, less for his social, democratic
| 6eloitmeht out He need never spprehend re-
volt among his people; they are ever disposed 10
wink at his little errors, and to award HIM full
measure Of praise for his virtues. | have known
| him pretty intimately since my arrival and Gao as
you that If not a saint he is at least an inteli
| gent energetic business man, and a very pleasant
companionable gentleman.
"About two years ago the first building was
erected in Salt Il axe City. and already the popula
ton numbers much over $4,000. Tne houses are
ye. ell story adobes, but preparations are being
made for the early erection of temple and other
pubic buildings In a nob'er and more durable style
As it 10, ihe city does not present such mean ap
pearaJce. Its broad streets, laid out with great
res usrty; its large lots, converted generally into
blooming gardens or TO welorna mented yards and
the many neat little cottages that meet you at
every turn, render ii more attractive 10 many re.
fpectS than are other older aud more magnificent
cities.
The Moruons arc a gay people gives 70 music
dancing and women. They do not, as Tar my
observation goes proieIs to Keep the Sabbath holy,
nor ldeIpite that the apostles pretend to have
secTetinterviews with their Aaker,l do Ipsrceive
tbst religion has much inhusnce over them 10 any
| circumstances. The followers Of Christ they pre-
| tend TO regard as those hesthens who stand the
least chance ofsalyaton. Indeed, the Mormons re-
fGd or pretend TO regard the creed OF our sires,
which they have Themselves Just foresvorn a. the
! uest eseeitiul Of all creeds-shey abOminate it,