The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-03-04
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. MARCH 4.

THE recent mail from the States, by the
schooner Sophia, brought additional interesting
intelligence respecting the condition of MORMON
AFFAIRS, and reiterates the assurance that the
perplexing problem, /" What is to become of the
Mormons?' which for the past few years has
puzzled the brains of American statesmen, is rap
idly approaching solution. The force of United
States troops despatched to Utah by the President,
for the purpose of protecting and sustaining Mr..
Cumming, the newly appointed Governor, and
the other federal officers for the territory. was
about being concentrated as far as possible, at
Henry's Fork of the Green River, at a distance,
as nearly as we can judge from the map, of one
hundred and twenty miles from Salt Lake City.
Here they were to 60 into winter quarters, with
the purpose of resuming their march and adj
vancing upon the city in the coming summer, or
as soon as an advance may be practicable. They
had hitherto met with no serious resistance
from the Mormons. The indefinite rumor, by the
way of California and Oregon, of a battle, in
which one hundred and eighty Americans were
killed, is probably without foundation in fact.
Brigham Young continued to breathe forth de-
6ance, and Heber Kimball invective against the
Federal government, and their whole people
seemed animated by the spirit Of rebellion. Ina
letter to Col. Alexander. Young, after condemn
ing the administration for 9. their unhallowed eff
forts to palm their corrupt officials upon us, and
protect their black-legs. black-hearted scoundrels
and murderers,' - declares that the 8 saints will
meet them with a mode of warfare against which
the military tactics of their opponents will be of
no avail and he concludes his letter with the
avowal that " with US it is the kingdom of God
or nothing" All the letters of Brigham Young,
his elders and his officers, as well as the acts of
the Legislative assembly, seem to denote a settled
design on the part Of the Mormons to hold and
occupy the territory in open disregard and resist
ance of the authority of government. From the
dispatches of nant-G General Wells, Com
mander-in-Chief of the five thousand men that
constitute the Mormon army, we quote the fol-
lowing passage, which it will be seen counte-
nances every act of hostility to the American
troops save that Of actual conflict. Probably it
was the desire of the Mormon leaders to throw
upon the opposing force the odidm of shedding
the first blood and in such event to strengthen
their cause and make capital by it among their
people. The despatch was found on the person
of Major Taylor, of the Mormon forces, who was
captured by a party Of Colonel Alexander's men:
"When You approach the road, send scouts ahead
to ascertain il the invading troops have passed that
way. If they have passed, take the concealed route
and get ahead of them. Express to Col. Benton, who
is now on that route and in the vicinity of the troops,
and effect n junction with him. SO as to operate in
concert. On ascertaining the locality or route of the
troops, proceed at once to annoy them in every pos
sible way. Use every ~exertion to stampede their ami
mails and set fire to their trains. Burn the whole
country befr re them and on their flank. Keep them
from sleeping, by night surprises. Blockade the road
by telling the trees or destroying the river fords where
you can. Watch for every opportunity to set fire to
the grass, to the windward, so as to, if possible, en-
velop their trains. Leave no grass before them that
can be burnt Keep your men concealed as much as
possible. and guard against exposure. Keep scouts
out at all times. and communication open with Col.
Benton, Major McAllister, and o. B. Rockwell, who
are operating in the same way. Keep me advised duly
Of your movements, and every step the troops take,
and in what direction. Good bless you, and give YOU
success. Your brother in Christ"
1t is a curious fact that although the Mormons
have been for years in a state of virtual rebellion,
they have ever opposed the government in the