Letter to John Taylor, 29 May 1856
Great Salt Lake City,
Hon. John Taylor,
I presume you will not have any objection to receiving a
monthly letter from me now I have entered upon my duties as Historian
and therefore commence by saying I am just recovered from a four weeks'
sickness caused by the poisonous virus inoculating my arm when skinning
an ox which had died very suddenly; it came very near carrying me into
another state of existence, but by kind attention, frequent administrations, and
the continued prayers of the saints my life is spared to continue my labors on
this earth.
On the 10th of this month our eyes were astonished to see a U. S. mail
come into the valley from the east loaded with about one half of the
letters and papers that had left Independence since last October; the
remainder, Mr. McGaw (the contractor) or his agent had very considerately
cached by the way, or perhaps left at Fort Laramie for worn out, tired
out soldiers to read through the long winter nights, when tired of talking about
their victory over a few semi savages, and half starved ignorant remnants
of Indian tribes, and they would also naturally be anxious to read the
correspondence of a people who believe in Polygamy.
Although I write you under this date it is impossible to prophesy when you
will receive it, as I learn from a reliable source that Mr. McGaw told his
agent that when he came with the mail from Salt Lake if he came to
any stream that was deep not to attempt to cross it, but return to Salt Lake
again, and stay until the waters are down, for it would be all right, as
the government had reimbursed Mr. McGaw $17,000 this trip, and
$35,000 for last contract. I do not vouch for this, but give it you as
I received it, and it is casually believed here. When the Mormon
Boys, Decker, Young, Hanks, Little &c. carried the mail to Laramie
