Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-04-28
Utah AND rHE ,.eKaoks

I
many persons to know something more about me
Latter Day Saints or as they are usually called,
Mormons. By request Of sore Of my friends
have concluded 10 continue my Correspondence
and &c there should perchanee be some
in my language and style of writing I 1oPe '"eS
will be overlooked, as have not accustomed my
self to writing for newspapers Tor several years.
ard have bat little time at my disposal to devote
TO writing. ~
Asvou have no doubt understood, the valley
which I mentioned in my first communication en-
braces nearly ai of Utah Territory that is fit for
cultivation. 1t is true, there is some good land on
Green, Blacks Fork, Hams Fork, Weber, and
Ogden rivers, but they are very narrow valleys,
and win never be taken up for agricultural pur-
poses, but will be useful for grazing. The portion
Of the Territory which is fit for cultivation consti
tues but small part of the Territory. 1t large
enough to make FIVE such States as New York,
while The arabic portion is hardly as large as Mid
die Tennessee. 1t is much larger, being as before
stated four hundred miles in length, but it is very
narrow However, this little strip is sufficient to
sustain a million of persons.
In the valleys before mentioned, there are
great many warm springs, some OF them hot
enough to boil ham of meat. There are also a
! great variety of mineral springs.
The first settlements in the valley were made in
July, ls47, by about four hundred of the Saints I;
and as it was too late to raise crop, and they had
not brought provisions enough from the States 10
sustain them until crop could be raised they
suffered very greatly. They were forced to sub
| sis. on roots and herbs; but that ndamitable en-
ergy and perseverance, which have ever character
| ised this singular people, sustained and enabled
! them to overcome even famine; and now, though
| but seven years have elapsed, they have highly
;mproved country, and notwithstanding their popu-
lation has increased Is, 600 or $4,000, and thou
sands Of emigrants to California and Oregon pass
/ through their country, and all ofthem require more
or less provisions, yet they can be bought as low
| there as in the States.
| To strangers, whether Mormons or Genties,
they are kind aud hospitable; whether from in
clination or policy, 1 cannot say. They are en-
| tirely dependent on enigrants to California and
| Oregon for sale of their surplus provisions and
stock Indeed, it is their only resource for money
to purchase such articles as they cannot manufac-
ture themselves.
1t has been generally understood that they
own everything in common. 1t is altogether
mistaken notion. Every man has his separate
property, and controls it as suits himself; but has
to give one-tenth of everything he makes, includ-
| ing stock, to the Church; which, together with a
portion Of the Territorial taxes goes to the support
of the Church. and forming emigration fund,
with which they pay the expenses of their people
! from all parts of the world into the valley, and
support them, until they can make something to
support themselves.
As good many of your readers may not be ac-
quainted with the origin of the Church, I viii give
it as briefly as can, and their history up to the
| present time.
There lived in Western Pennsylvania, very
eccentric lawyer, who spent his time in the COM
| position of various nonsenscal works among them
| the celebrated Book of Mormon. After reading
it to good many Of his acquaintance be gave it
to Jo SMITH, who, although very illiterate man at
that time, was possessed Of considerable shrewd-
ness, and knowing the quality of weak minds, saw
that he might build up by the aid of more learn
ed and equally corrupt persons, church, and
being the founder of it might live at his ease. He
very soon made accomplces of some INSCRIPTIONS,
but educated men, to assist him; and Immediately
gave it out that he was an inspired man. Strange
as it may seem, hundreds soon focked to his
church After getting considerable number of
followers, he went to jackson county, Missouri,
bought large tract of land and made fine set
tlement; but they committed so many depreda-
tons on the property of their neighbors that the
citizens rose up in arms and drove them out of the
country They next made settlement in Illinois
on the Mississippi river, and built up a large city,
which they called Nauvoo but they did not profit
by the past but continued their depredations and
after tie massacre in jail of their leaders, Jo and
HIRAM SMITH they elected BRIGHAM You've. their
President, and moved to Iowa. There they re-
manned four years. and then emigrated to their
present mountain home.
BRIGHAM YOUNG when elected President Of the
church, was very iliterate man, but possessed of
a strong natural mind and good deal of pride, and
being by his promotion placed in an easy position,
he applied himself assiduousy to the acquisition of
knowledge. Now his messages compare favorably
with the messages of any Governor in the Upien.
Added to this the double duties of President of
his church. and Governor of Utah Territory-he
has held the Office of Governor ever since the Or
ganzation of their Territorial government-have
done much to develope his naturally strong men
tai powers He is now about IS years old, above
the medium size, rough featured, but of very
commanding appearance. In the social circle he is
an afiabIe, polite gentleman, and is possessed Of
fine colloqual powers. He is also very liberal,
and married many OF his wives at their own solicit
tation, settled them handsomely, and contributes
regularly to their support, but never visits them
do not suppose that he knows one fourth of them
when he sees them. Perhaps you are not aware
that their females have equal privileges with TIE
sterner sex in the matter of courtship and very
frequently use it. The men, good souls rarely re-
iect suit, particularly if it comes from one pos
sessed Of pretty face and nice little foot ard
ankle. In this they show themselves much more
benevolent than the fairer SEX who-at least in
this country-think nothing of sending poor
fellow 10 the Devil Your correspondent las suf-
fered telO himself, and speaks from experience
As regards marriage, they think that the more
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