Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-01-17

some of them, we are credibly informed and
believe, as many as twenty or thirty, and
Brigham Young, the Governor, even grea'
ter number. Only few days before we
left The territory, the Governor was seen
riding through the streets Of the city in an
omnibus with large company of his wives,
more than two thirds Of whom had infants
in their arms--a sure sign that the evil is
increasing. 1t is not uncommon to find two
or more sisters married to the same man J;
and in one instance, at least, mother and
her two daughters are among the wives OF
leading member of the church. This prac-
tice, regarded and punished as high and
revolving crime IN all civilized countries,
would, Of course, never be made sta,utary
offence by Mormon Legislature and if a
crime at common law, the court would be
powerless to correct the evil, with Mormon
jures.
The city of Great Salt Lake is an impor-
tant point in the overland route TO Oregon
and California, for the emigrant to feplenish
his stores, or TO winter if overtaken BY the
advance Of the season but the in,imida-
ton which is Produced BY the denunciations
and conduct Of the Mormon church, and
people upon citizens of the United States
there, is such as to induce the emigrants 10
avoid it if possible, and the resident TO sub
nit, without murmur. No man dare show
opposition 10 their awless exac,ions, with.
out feeling its effects upon his liberty, his
business, or his life And thus upon the
soil of The United States, and under the
broad folds Of its stars and stripes, which
protect him in his rights in every part OF the
civilized world, there is a spot, where the
citizen dare not exercise the liberty of a
freeman. We were told that many of the
"Gentiles' las all are called who are not
members OF the Mormon church, and have
only one wite) have been sentenced for
trivial offences 10 two, five, and ten years o.
hard labor upon the public highways, with
ball and chain TO their legs, with no shelter
at night but caverns dug in the earth by
their own hands. We have seen one Of
these highways, cut out of the eide of a
mountain, and the caverns far down at the
base but the approach Of the federal Off
GERS, we were told, was the signal for the re-
lease and banishment of these eonvicts from
the territory into Texas.
We have purposely forborne TO introduce
into this report, land Kit is "a vexation, only
10 understand The repon"l 40 far as was
practicable, anything of personal nature,
not deeming il necessary TO instance the
personal indignilies and insults 10 which
we were not unfrequently subjected in con-
sequence Of our position there as officers OF
the United States. Our purpose has been to
place before the President only such facts as
we believe to be Of public importance, free
from all complaint Of private nature
Aware of the President that the officers ap-
pointed for that Territory should proceed TO
the discharge of their official duties, so as
to secure the confidence and amicable co.
operation and promote the welfare OF the
people among whom they were sent, We
were not only scrupulously careful to give
Ho CdNse VI oucheo, put CduoH) sio" "
take offence at any exhibition OF want Of
courtesy or good will towards Us. In view
Of these considerations, it was with great
reluctance we yielded TO the conviction ,ha,
| TO remain would be cause of just reproach
| TO u. as citizens and officers of the govern.
ment that had honored US with an appoint.
ment among such people We have the
honor TO be, sir, very respectfully your
| obedient servants.
ISignedl LEMUEL G. BRAsDEBURG,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court o
the United States for the Territory ol
Utah.
PERRY A. BRoccHus,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
! of the United States for the Territory
of Utah.
B. d HARRIS,
Secretary of the Territory of Utah.
WAsHlscTos CITY, Dec. 10, 1851.