Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-04
O. ON mMaItate0.
UTAH,
WAsHIScToS Cry, Jan. 3, 1855.

WASHINGTON Cry, Jan. 3, 1866.
To the Editors Of the Sentinel:
GENTLEMEN: AS the delegate in Congress
from the Territory Of Utah, havethe right to
debate any question which may ensage the at
tention Of that body, and doubtless aliberal in
depreciation would be given to the language
by which the right Of delegate is secured to
me. The practice in the House of Represa-
tatives has given an extensive range to debate,
and sometimes matters personal have been
mingled with those that are national. That
which affects the constituency has been gene
rously allowed to be personal to the represen-
tative, and have presidents which would JUS
tify me in troubling the House, in which have
the honor to occupy seat with the correction
Of errors which have been infused into the pub
lie mind respecting the administration of the
governmental affairs Of the Territory of Utah.
The propriety Of such a course, however, APP
peared to me, in many cases, TO be questionable,
and avail myself of the press to correct one
or two errors, TO which the press has given an
injurious circulation.
Governor Brigham Young has been super
seeded by distinguished military gentleman,
whose appointment the Senate has confirmed
I may, therefore, by brief explanation, vindi-
cate the character Of Governor Young, without
suspicion of motive to secure his reappointment,
which might create distrust of the facts to which
appeal.
By the 18th section Of the &C. of'the 9th of
September, 1850, entitled an act to establish a
Territorial Government for Utah, the sum Of
twenty thousand dollars was appropriated to
the Territory, to be applied by the Governor
and Legislative Assembly TO the erection of
suitable public buildings at the seat of Gov
eminent. That sum was advanced to Governor
Young, in the month of July, 1861, and he
has been unwarrantably charged with misap
plication of that money. Ofthat accusation q
very simple statement will be an ample refu
tation.
On the 3Oth of September, 1853, Governor
Young rendered an account and vouchers, set
ting forth the expenditure of ten thousand
three hundred and seventy dollars and
forty-eight cents. OF this sum the Hon. Elisha
Whittlesey, First Comptroller Of the Treasury,
allowed eight thousand seven hundred and
three dollars and ninety cents, but dis
allowed one thousand six hundred and sixty
nine dollars paid for the services Of various
persons as committee and otherwise, includ-
ing travelling expenses on an expedition to Sc
lect a site for the seat of government Mr..
Whittlesey objected to it as an unusual charge,
though its necessity must be apparent How
ever, that sum deducted, the balance amounts
to eleven thousand two hundred and ninety.six
dollars and two cents for which Governor
Young holds himself ready to account. The
Indian hostilities which have troubled the Ter
ritory, and other causes, have delayed the com.
pletion Of the public buildings, but Governor
Young has given notice to the Secretary of the
Treasury, as the best refutation Of the accusa-
ton against him, that he will honor, q draft at
sight, if that officer of the general government
will draw upon him for the unexpended balance
in his hands.
Can other evidence be necessary to show the
wantonness of Governor Young's assailants
Papers that have borne the character of re-
spectability, with Incorporate zeal have pander-
ed to prejudice, on no more substantial basis
On the one hand Governor Young is repre-.
sented as defiant to the General Government,
threatening hostilities towards any gentleman
that may be sent to succeed him, and on the
other the people are said to be disloyal to the
General Government; and, in the imagination
of zealots, armies are marshalled in battle
array, and Utah is already field of blood.
Captain Stansbury of the Corps Of Topograph-
ical Engineers Of the United States army, who,
in his exploration and survey Of the Valley Of
the Great Salt Lake of Utah, had ample oppor-
tunity to form correct estimate of the people
among whom he 80 long dwelt--and he will
not be suspected of partially to Mormonism-
in his report to his superior officer, which the
United States Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatives published, says he feels confident
that the imputations which have been made
against the personal character of Governor
Young are without foundation, and that his
personal reputation is above reproach.
"Cerain it is. says he, that he most entire con-
fdence is felt in his integrity, personal, official
and pecuniary, on the part of those 10 whom
long and intimate association, and in the most try.
ing emergencies, have afforded every possible
opportunity Of forming just and accurate judg.
ment Of his true character
The dsloyalty Of Governor Young and the
people Of Utah is disproved by the same un-
questioned and unquestionable authority. An
illustrative incident in the history Of that peo
pie may put to shame their assailants. quote
again from Captain Stansbury:
ain their progress westward through the north.
ern part Of Missouri, they were again driven
from that State by violent threats into the southern
borders of Iowa, whence, after much hardships
and suffering, they reached, in the course Of the
summer, the banks of the Missouri, beyond the
limits Of the States Here they enclosed land
and planted crops, leaving some of their number
to reap the fruits, which 10 be applied 10 the
sustensnce Of other companies that were 10 fol.
low as soon as they should be able to procure
means.
They were about crossing the river to pursue
their journey westward when an officer Of the
United States government presented himself with
a requision for five hundred men to serve in the
war with Mexico. This demand, though sudden
and unexpected, was promptly and periodically
complied with but, in consequence, the expedi-
ton was broken up for the season. Those that
remained being principally old men, women and
children, prepared 10 pass the winter in the wilds
Of an Indian country, by cutting hay and erecting
log and sod huts, and digging as many caves as
time allowed and their strength enabled them"
In another portion of the work, Captain
Stansbury says:
"From all that saw and heard, deem il but
simple justice TO say, that Notwithstanding these
causes ofirritation, more loyal and patriotic peo
pie cannot be found within the limits Of the Union.
This, | think, was emphatically shown in the
promptitude and cheerfulness with which they re-
sponded TO the call Of the Government 10 furnish
a battalion for service during the Mexican war,
while in the heart OF an Indian country, and on