Vol. 14, February, 1857, p. 404

In Utah, Judge Drummond charged the Grand Jury that the Mormon ceremony of" sealing" does not constitute a legal marriage, and instructed them to indict all "sealed’ persons who had been legally married, especially in cases where two or more women are found cohabiting with one man, A statement has been published showing the prevalence of polygamy among the Mormon dignitaries, Brigham Young has 68 "wives;" the 13 members of the Council have 171 "wives;’ of these Heber C. Kimball, the President, has 57; Lorenzo Snow, a cripple, has 25; several others have more than a dozen each; none of them less than 3. The 26 members of the House of representatives have 157, of whom seven have ten or more; and only six have less than three. The five officers of the House have 22. Forty-five public men have thus among them 418 "wives."

Vol. 14, March, 1857, p. 549

A portion of the citizens of Carson Valley, in Utah, presented a petition that their district should be annexed to California, on the ground that not being Mormons they suffer great wrongs and grievances from the Saints. The Committee on Territories reported adversely to their petition, on the ground that to grant it would only extirpate a small portion of the evil complained of; but that something more was needed to "effect a radical cure of the moral and political pestilence which makes Utah the scandal of the American people." This means would be found in the bill now on the calendar for "the prevention and punishment of polygamy." They also say that the State of California is already too large, and would be made still more unwieldy by the extension of its boundaries.

Vol. 14, May, p. 836

From Utah we continue to receive accounts of the high-handed proceedings of the "Saints." Early in January a body of the Mormon dignitaries, acting under the advice and direction of Brigham Young, went to the offices of one of the United States Judges and the Clerk of the Supreme Court, took away all the books, papers, and documents belonging to the Court, and burned them in Salt Lake City, saying that, as Congress would not admit of the them in to the Union, they would not allow the officers of the Government to remain in tbe Territory.

Vol. 15, June, p. 116

Serious disturbances are threatened in Utah, where the disaffection to the Government has assumed a very marked character. Schools have been organized for drilling the militia, and Mormon preachers are urging the saints to gird on their arms. The Deseret News, which is in a manner the organ of the hierarchy, denies the right of the Federal Government to appoint territorial offi- cers, and affirms that polygamy is a purely local institution, concerning nobody out of Utah. Hon. W. W. Drummond, late Chief Justice of the Ter- ritory, has resigned his post, and publishes a long letter addressed to the Attorney-General, assigning his reasons. He says that the Mormons look to Brigham Young as the sole source of law, and consider no enactments of Congress binding upon them; that there is a secret organization among them, embracing all the male members of the church, who are bound by oath to acknowledge no laws except those emanating from Young; that there is a body of men, whose names he can disclose, set apart by the Church to destroy the lives and property of those who question the decrees of the hierarchy; that the records of the court have been destroyed at the instigation of the rulers of the Mormons, and the Federal officers have been insulted for questioning the outrage; that the Gov. eminent of the United States is openly abused, and its officers in the Territory insulted and annoyed, without redress; that Young constantly interferes with the Grand Jurors, directing who shall and who shall not be indicted, and that his directions are invariably compiled with; that Mormons convicted of aggravated crime, have been summarily pardoned, while those not belonging to the Church, though guilty of no crime, have been wantonly imprisoned. He also affirms that the murder by the Indians, in 1853, of Captain Gunnison and his party, was really committed at the instigation of the Mormon leaders; that his own predecessor, Hon. L. Shafer, was poisoned by them; and that Mr. Babbitt, late Secretary of the Territory, was killed by them, and not, as reported, by the Indians. He says that if a Governor were sent out, who is not a Mormon, and if he were supported by a sufficient military force, something might be effected; but as matters now stand, it would be madness to attempt to administer the laws in the Territory, and that no man who has once tried the experiment would be willing to risk life and property by ac- cepting an appointment there.

Vol. 15, July, 1857, p. 259

The state of things in Utah has during the past month occupied a large share of public attention. In order to check the treasonable designs of the Mormon leaders, it has been determined by the President to send a considerable military force to this Territory, under the command of General Harney. Brigham Young is to be removed from his post as Governor, but his successor has not yet been appointed. Major M’Culloch, to whom the office was tendered, has positively declined to accept it. Parley Pratt, one of the leading Mormon elders, was shot near Little Van Buren, Arkansas, by a Mr. M’Lean, whose wife had been by him in- duced to Icave her husband, taking with her their two children. "The Mormon," a newspaper published by the Saints in New York, eulogizes Pratt as a great and upright man, whose life has been one of honor and faithfulness, and his days well spent in the service of his God.—

Vol. 15, August, 1857, p. 401

The post of Governor of Utah has been at last accepted by Colonel Cummings, of Missouri, who will soon take his departure for that Territory. A sufficient military force, under command of General Harney, will he dispatched to overawe the Mormon leaders; some companies of soldiers are already on their way. Mr. Burr, the Surveyor-General; Judge Styles, the last Federal Judge who remained in the Territory, with a party numbering nearly one hundred persons, left Salt Lake about the middle of April, and reached the settlements after a hazardous and fatiguing journey. They represent Utah to be the scene of great disorder, and that Brigham Young was carrying matters with a high hand, and that many even of the Mormons were leaving. A missionary party of about fifty Mormons left Salt Lake City on the first of May, and reached Nebraska in about six weeks. They journeyed on foot more than a thousand miles, drawing their provisions and baggage on common hand-carts the whole distance.

Vol. 15, September, p. 546

Mr. Cumming, the newly-appointed Governor of Utah, has received his official instructions; he is to see that the laws of the United States are strictly enforced; in case the civil power is inadequate, military force is to be used; no man is to be called in question on account of his religious or political opinions, while all are to be held responsible for their actual conduct.—Mormon accounts from Utah present a very different aspect of affairs from those derived from other sources. They represent the Territory to be eminently peaceable and prosperous, and contain severe accusations against the United States officers who have left the Territory.

Vol. 15, November, 1857, p. 833

The inhabitants of Carson Valley are about to petition Congress for a separate Territorial organization. They wish to be separated from Utah because they dislike the Mormon supremacy, and also because they are during the winter unable to hold any communication with Salt Lake City, even if they desired it. The present population of the Territory within the proposed boundaries is about 7000, and is rapidly increasing.

Vol. 16, December, 1857, p. 116

A portion of the troops destined for Utah left Fort Laramie, in Nebraska, early in September, en route for Salt Lake City, 518 miles distant. At the latest intelligence the advance guard were within 300 miles of their destination. The troops are to rendezvous on Green River, 165 miles east of Salt Lake City, and there await the arrival of the commanding officer. The military force which will pass the winter in Utah amounts to about 1500 men, a portion of the body designed for that territory having been detained in Kansas. The trains have suffered severely from drought and consequent scarcity of grass, from disease among the cattle, and from attacks by the Indians. On the 5th of September, a train of 56 wagons was attacked near Ash Hollow, between the North and South Platte Rivers, by a band of 150 or 200 Indians, who succeeded in cutting off five wagons and killing three men. They were beaten off, and the wagons were recovered; but the Indians carried off a number of rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. The train was threatened the next day, but no attack was made. Attacks upon other trains are also reported. Captain Van Vliet, who had been sent on in advance to make arrangements for the reception of the troops, reached Salt Lake City on the 8th of September. He remained there for a week, and then returned with intelligence and dispatches. He had daily interviews with Brigham Young and the leading Mormons, who treated him with great courtesy, but expressed a determination to resist the ingress of the troops during the present autumn; their object being to gain time, in hope that the General Government would reconsider its action in reference to the Mormons. In the event of an overwhelming force being thereafter sent against them, they would destroy their houses, burn their crops, and take refuge in the mountains. The speeches of the Mormon leaders, as reported in the Deseret News, are full of defiance. "We are the people of Deseret," said Heber C. Kimball, "and it is for us to say whether we will have Brother Brigham for our Governor, or those poor miserable devils they are trying to bring here. They shall not rule over us nor come into this territory. I have a right to say that we shall never be ruled over by the Gentiles from this day forth." To this there were responses of amen. "Well ,"he continued, "we have got to sustain these amens. Arm yourselves universally, and that too with weapons of war; for we may be brought to the test, to see if we will stand up to the line. We are the Kingdom of God; we are the State of Deseret; and we will have Brigham for Governor as long as he lives. We will not have any other Governor." Brigham Young fully endorsed these sentiments. "Brother Heber," he said, "has been prophesying. You know I call him my prophet, and he prophesies for me. And now I prophesy that, if this people will live their religion, the God of Heaven will fight their battles, bring them off victorious over their enemies, and give to them the kingdom. This is my prophecy. I said amen to all that Brother Heber prophesied, for it is true. And he may say amen to all that I prophesy, for it is true also." It is estimated that the Mormons can bring five or six thousand men into the field.

Vol. 16, January 1858, p. 257-258

The Mormons in Utah have broken out into open rebellion. Early in October the advance of the army under command of Colonel Alexander reached Ham’s Fork, about two hundred miles from Salt Lake City. here a letter was received from Brigham Young, declaring that he was still Governor of the Territory. "By virtue of the authority vested in me,"he says, "I have issued and forwarded to you a copy of my proclamation forbidding the entrance of armed forces into the Territory. This you have disregarded. I now further direct that you retire from the Territory by the same route you entered. Should you deem this impracticable, and prefer to remain until spring in the vicinity of your present encampment, you can do so in peace, and unmolested on condition that you deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robinson, Quartermaster-General of the Territory, and leave in the spring as soon as the condition of the roads will allow you to march; and should you fall short of provisions, they can be furnished you upon making the proper application therefor." Inclosed was a copy of the proclamation, dated September 15, directed to the citizens of Utah, reciting the wrongs and grievances which it is alleged the Mormons have sustained during the last twenty-five years. "Our opponents," it is said, "have availed themselves of the prejudice existing against us because of our religious faith to send out a formidable host to accomplish our destruction. We have had no opportunity of defending ourselves against foul and unjust aspersions against us. We are condemned unheard, and forced to defend ourselves against an armed mercenary mob. The issue which has thus been forced upon us compels us to resort to the great first law of self-preservation. Our duty to ourselves and to our families requires us not tamely to submit to be driven and slain without an attempt to preserve ourselves. Therefore," concludes the proclamation, "I, Brigham Young, Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Territory of Utah, in the name of the people of the United States in the Territory of Utah, forbid—First, All armed forces of every description from coming into this Territory, under any pretext whatever. Second, That all the forces in said Territory hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment’s notice to repel any and all such invasion. Third, Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this Territory from and after the publication of this proclamation; and no person shall he allowed to pass and repass into, or through, or from this Territory without a permit from the proper authority." To this letter and proclamation Colonel Alexander replied that the troops had entered the Territory by the order of the President of the United States, and that their further movements would depend entirely upon orders issued by competent military authority. On the 5th of October a body of some 500 Mormons, who had gained the rear of the advance post, made a sudden attack upon three Government trains, numbering seventy-eight wagons, which were totally destroyed. Colonel Alexander, in his dispatch to the War Department, announces his intention to press forward by a somewhat circuitous route, with the intention, if possible, of wintering in the Mormon villages on Bear River; but if he finds the enemy too strong, he will encamp for the winter under tents in the Wind River Mountains, where good valleys and stock can be found. The supplies on hand will be sufficient for six months. There is, he says, no doubt of the hostile intentions of the Mormons, and he urges that supplies and reinforcements shall be forwarded as early as possible in the spring. He suggests that troops be sent from California and Oregon—the roads from that direc- tion being probably passable all winter, or, at all events, much earlier than those from the east.

Vol. 16, February, 1858, p. 399.

[Excerpt from Harpers report of Pres. Buchanan's address to Congress December 7, 1857] The difficulties in Utah are detailed at length; the rebellious attitude of the Mormons under the guidance of Brigham Young is clearly set forth; and the necessity is urged of putting down this first rebellion in a Territory in such a manner as to make it the last.

[p. 399-400] The Secretary of War reports that the army of the United States consists nominally of 17,984 men, but its present effective force is but 15,764 This force is inadequate to perform the work of guarding our extended frontier, and occupying the lines of communication between the Valley of the Mississippi and the Pacific. He suggests that five additional regiments should be raised. in view of the present hostile attitude of the Mormons, in spite of the assurances of Government that there was no intention to molest them on account of their religions opinions, he urges that the army in Utah be reinforced by five additional regiments.

[401] Dispatches have been received from Colonel Johnson, the commander of the army in Utah, to the 7th of November. The different trains had at that time been collected near the month of Ham’s Fork, after a slow and tedious march, the condition of the draught animals not allowing them to travel more than eleven miles a day, although the roads were good and the weather fine. The army was on the march for Fort Bridger, to dislodge any hostile forces that might be there. No direct molestation had been offered by the Mormons; and the health of the troops was good. Brigham Young had, under date of October 16, addressed a letter to Colonel Alexander, reiterating his purpose to oppose the advance of the troops by force, and warning the commanding officer not to attempt to bring an army into the Territory. Letters had been found upon the person of a prisoner, purporting to be orders from the Mormon General, Wells, commanding his subordinate to harass and annoy the troops in every possible way; to stampede their animals, set fire to their trains, and burn the country before them and on their flanks. Colonel Johnson says that if a long interval should pass without his being, heard from, it must be attributed to the difficulty of sending expresses in the winter across the mountains.

Vol. 16, March, 1858, p. 544

Dispatches and letters from the army in Utah have been received up to the middle of December. The greater portion of the troops had been concentrated in winter quarters at and about Fort Bridger. The march to this place had cost the loss of a large number of animals; but the troops were in good health and spirits, with supplies sufficient to last until spring, when they would be able to advance upon Salt Lake City.

Vol. 16, April, 1858, p. 689

From Utah we have intelligence to January 4. The main body of the army was encamped at Fort Bridger, sufficiently provided with food and clothing, and comfortably sheltered under tents. Captain Marcy had been sent to New Mexico to procure mules and horses for the army. He left Fort Bridger on tbe 28th of November, and reached Taos, in New Mexico, on the 24th of January, having suffered greatly during the journey. "For two hundred and fifty miles,’ he says, "I encountered snow from two to five feet deep, and I thought for two weeks that we should never get through. We only made about three miles a day for about ten days. We exhausted our provisions long before we crossed the mountains, and had to live exclusively upon starved mules for eleven days. One of my men perished, and many others were badly frozen. I also lost forty-four mules out of sixty-six." It is reported that the Mormons have made arrangements to intercept him on his return. Colonel Johnston writes to the War Department that he has no doubt that the Mormons are resolved to try at least one engagement. The Grand Jury of the United States District Court have found bills of indictment for treason against Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and eighteen others specifically named, besides a great number of persons whose names are not known to the jury. The Legislature of Utah met on the 14th of December, Heber C. Kimball being chosen President of the Council, and John Taylor Speaker of the House. Brigham Young sent in a long Message, reciting the alleged wrongs inflicted upon the Mormons, denying that they had ever violated any principle of the Constitution, and inveighing bitterly against the President for sending the army to Utah. Upon learning the approach of this army—or rather mob, as he designates it—he had issued his proclamation forbidding all bodies of armed men to enter the Territory under any pretext whatever. This proclamation had been disregarded, and he asks the Legislature to take such measures as they may deem necessary to protect the rights of the people of Utah. The Legislature, in reply, unanimously passed resolutions endorsing all the sentiments advanced by Young, and declaring that "neither the present nor any other administration of the General Government should enforce profane, drunken, and corrupt officials upon them at the point of the bayonet."

Vol. 16, May, 1858, p. 833

An Army Bill has passed both Houses, authorizing the President to accept the services of volunteers, not to exceed the number of three regiments, for the defense of the frontier, quelling disturbances in Utah, protecting supply and emigrant trains, and suppressing Indian hostilities. The volunteers are not to be accepted in bodies less than a regiment, whose officers shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by law in the States and Territories where they belong...

From the army in Utah we have intelligence to the 1st of March. The health of the troops remained excellent, and they were unremittingly engaged in preparations for an advance, which was expected to be made about the 20th of May. The grass on the plains was as far advanced as it usually is two months later in the season. Colonel Johnston proposes to make a detour to the north, instead of advancing upon Salt Lake City by the usual route of Echo Canyon. The chief difficulty apprehended relates to the supplies. Those now at Fort Bridger will last only to the 1st of May. It is proposed to forward a supply train from Fort Laramie as early as possible.—The Legislative Assembly of Utah have addressed a memorial to the President and to Congress, in which they set forth their grievances, and deny the truth of the charges brought against the Mormons. They ask redress for the wrongs suffered by them in Missouri and other States; demand that the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Parley Pratt should be brought to justice; that the troops be withdrawn from the Territory; and that they should have the privilege to choose their own rulers and make their own laws, without let or hindrance.

Vol. 17, June, 1858, p. 113

[At the session of Congress]...the Memorial of the Legislature of Utah was presented and laid upon the table...

Messrs. M’Cullough and Powell have been appointed Peace Commissioners to proceed to Utah. They left Leavenworth on the 25th of April. It is said that orders have been forwarded to the army at Fort Bridger not to advance upon Salt Lake City until the arrival of the Commissioners. In the mean while reinforcements are being rapidly pushed forward. The number of troops under orders for Utah is 3611, which, added to the forces already in the Territory, makes a total of 5697 officers and sohdiers.—The Legislative Assembly of Utah adjourned on the 24th of February. The Deseret News says, that during the whole session there was not a single negative vote on any question proposed to the assembly. Mass meetings have been held in various districts, at all of which the proceedings of Brigham Young and of the Assembly have been unanimously approved.

Vol. 17, July, 1858, 258

From the army in Utah there is no authentic intelligence of positive importance. Reports have been received that the Mormon leaders were anxious to treat, and had invited Governor Cumming to proceed to Salt Lake City, and that he had gone thither. This latter report is confirmed; but of the precise circumstances under which the visit was made, and the reception which he received, we have no reliable information up to the 8th of June.

Vol. 17, August, 1858, 402-403

From Utah our intelligence is confused and contradictory. Governor Cumming, under date of May 2, describes his journey from the camp at Fort Bridger to Salt Lake City. He left the camp on the 5th of April, accompanied by Colonel Kane, as guide, and two servants. He was every where received and recognized as Governor of Utah, and upon approaching the city was met by an escort, including the Mayor and other municipal authorities, who conducted him to lodgings which had been prepared for him. Brigham Young immediately waited upon him, and promised him every facility for the performuance of his official duties. The Territorial seal and other publick property were tendered to him. He says that the public records were found in perfect preservation, and the public property generally was in good condition. Having been informed that a number of persons who were desirous of leaving the Territory were prevented from doing so, he issued a proclamation announcimig that he assumed the protection of all such persons, and requested that they would communicate to him their names and residences. The names of 56 men, 33 women, and 71 children were sent to him as desiring protection. Of these the majority were of English birth, who stated that they left the congregation from a desire to improve their circumalances. Leading men among the Mormons had promised to assist them in leaving the country. The Governor describes a meeting at the Tabernacle, at which he was present. Between three and four thousand people were present. He was introduced to the assembly by Brigham Young as Governor of Utah, and proceeded to address the audience, informing them that he had come to vindicate the national sovereignty, and to secure the supremacy of the Constitution and the laws. He was listened to with respect and apparent approbation. "The whole manner of the people," he says, "was calm, betokening no consciousness of having done wrong, but indicating a conviction that they had done their duty to their religion and their country. The meeting was then addressed by Mormon speakers, who adverted to the wrongs which they bad suffered, and charged the Federal Government with a wish to introduce troops into the Territory, whether a necessity existed for their employment to support the civil government or not. The congregation became greatly excited, and Governor Cumming says he was fully confirmed in the opinion that "this people, with their extraordinary religion and customs, would gladly encounter certain deaths rather than be taxed with submission to the military power." He explained to them that it was not his intention to station the army in immediate contact with their settlements; that they were entitled to a trial by their peers; and that the military posse would not be resorted to until other means of arrest had been tried and had failed. By the efforts of Young the excitement was calmed, and the meeting was restored to order. Governor Cumming says that he is sure that the Mormons "would suhmit to trial by their peers, but that they will not brook the idea of trials by juries composed of teamsters and followers of the camp, nor of an army encamped in their cities or dense settlements ;" and though the army could overwhelm them, yet there were among them many men accustomed to the use of arms, who would fight desperately as guerrillas, and who, if their settlements were destroyed, would submit the country to an expensive and harassing war, without any compensating results. He congratulates the country upon "the auspicious issue" of the difficulties, but adds: "I regret the necessity which compels me to mingle with my congratulations the announcement of a fact which will occasion great concern: ‘The people, including the inhabitants of the city, are moving from every settlement in the northern part of the Territory. The roads are every where filled with wagons loaded with provisions and household furniture, the women and children, often without shoes or hats, driving their flocks they know not where. They seem not only resigned, but cheerful. ‘ It is the will of the Lord;’ and they rejoice to exchange the comforts of home for the trials of the wilderness. Their ultimate destination is not, I apprehend, definitely fixed upon. Going south’ seems sufficiently definite for most of them ; but many believe that their ultimate destination is Sonora. Young, Kimball, and most of the influential men, have left their commodious mansions, without apparent regret, to lengthen the long train of wanderers. The masses every where announce to me that the torch will applied to every house, indiscriminately, throughout the country, so soon as the troops attempt to cross the mountains. I shall follow these people, and endeavor to rally them." The Governor concludes his dispatch by announcing that he should restrain all operations of the military for the present, which would probably enable him to receive additional instructions from the Government. Upon the reception of this dispatch, the President transmitted it to Congress, with a Message, dated June 10, an- nouncing that there was reason to believe that the difficulties in Utah had terminated, and that there would be no occasion to make any appropriations for calling into service the two regiments of volunteers authorized to be raised for the purpose of quelling disturbances in the Territory of Utah. Private letters from the camp, however, give a much less favorable aspect to the affairs of Utah. According to these, Governor Cumming has been overreached by the Mormons, whose object is to gain time to gather their crops. Mr. Bernhisel, the delegate to Congress from Utah, has issued a card asking the public to "distrust the letters with which the journals abound, purporting to come from the station of the army of Utah, which are composed without any regard to truth of state- ment by those whose personal interests will be promoted by our country’s persevering in the wicked enterprise denominated "the Mormon War. Can they hope," he asks, "after we have entirely abandoned our plans, and sacrificed all our preparations for defense—after we have opened a way into Utah to troops whose existence no reasonable man will doubt was at our mercy—do they still hope to bring on a war by following after our flying people so closely that the conduct of a licentious soldiery will compel our citizens to defend themselves by force ?"—The troops had suffered much privation from want of provisions, and had been obliged to kill many of their mules for food; but at the latest dates, which come down to June 12, supplies and reinforcements—including Captain Marcy’s command, who had been sent to New Mexico for mules —had arrived, and the army, numbering between two and three thousand men, were about to begin the march upon Salt Lake City.

Vol. 17, September 1858, p. 545

The pacification of Utah is definitely announced. Messrs. Powell and M’Culloch, the Peace Commissioners, reached Salt Lake City on the 7th of June. They found the city almost deserted, only a few of the inhabitants remaining to take charge of the property, and burn it unless some peaceable arrangement should be effected. The Commissioners put themselves in communication with the leading Mormons, who declared their readiness to yield obedience to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and to recognize the newly-appointed civil officers. The Commissioners then proceeded to Provo, fifty miles to the south, whither Brigham Young and the great body of the inhabitants of Salt Lake City had retired. The conferences were altogether amicable, and at their conclusion a public meeting was held, at which Mr. Powell delivered an address, in which he congratulated the inhabitants upon their submission to the laws, and promised them full protection. He said that while the President would exercise his right to send the army wherever he deemed its presence required, it was not his purpose that it should be encamped in their cities; and if Utah should remain tranquil, only a small part of the force ordered to the Territory would be required there. Military posts would be established to protect travelers from Indian depredations. On the 14th, Governor Cumming issued a proclamation, promising, in the name of the President, a free and fall pardon for all treason and sedition heretofore committed, and for all criminal offenses associated with, or growing out of; overt acts of sedition or treason. In the mean while the army had commenced its march from Fort Bridger on the 13th, and reached Salt Lake City on the 26th. The troops passed through the streets, and, crossing the Jordon, encamped on the opposite bank. The city seemed almost deserted as they marched through, and the few inhabitants who were visible paid little apparent attention to the march of the troops. On the last day of June, Governor Cumming, accompanied by Brigham Young, returned from Provo to Salt Lake City, and subsequently the Mormons began to make their way back to their deserted homes. Colonel Johnston has been absent to select the spot for the encampment of the army. Toward the South the Indians have grown somewhat troublesome.

Vol. 18, December, 1858, p. 113

From Utah the latest accounts represent every thing as quiet. Trains of goods were continually arriving from California and the East. The troops under command of General Johnston were consolidated in one encampment. His command, including employes, numbered 7000 or 8000; there were also 4000 at Fort Bridger.

Vol. 18, May 1859, p, 834

The Legislature of Utah have petitioned for admission of that Territory into the Union as a State. In their memorial they represent that, on the 16th of February, 1856, the qualified electors of Utah appointed delegates to a Convention which met on the 17th of March, and framed and adopted a Constitution and a republican form of Government for the Territory of Utah, under the name of the "State of Deseret," and prepared a memorial to be forwarded to Congress; that this Constitution and memorial the were submitted to the people on the 6th day of April, and unanimously approved; that this Constition was submitted to Congress without receiving any favorable action. They represent that the people of the Territory are abundantly able to support a State Government; and pray that the State of Deseret may be admitted into the Union "on equal footing with the original States, thereby to avoid in a great measure the difficulties which naturally hinder the advance of the glorious principles of true republicanism, or government by the people, the only sure basis of permanent government and true liberty." Also, in view of the probability that their petition may not be immediately granted, they have prepared another memorial, praying Congress "to so amend the organic act of the Territory of Utah as to extend to the people of this Territory the right of the elective franchise, authorizing them to elect their own Governor, Judges, Secretary, as well as other officers." They say that "the appointing of strangers as officers over the citizens of the United States in Territories (though a time-honored custom) is, to say the least, a relic of British colonial rule, and, a direct infringement upon the rights of self-government, and opposed to the genius and policy of republican institutions." Congress, they add, must be "well aware that no persons can be so well qualified to administer justice, make laws and execute them, in a Territory, as those citizens who have reclaimed it from a wilderness."