Cambridgeport Mass
Elders G. A. Smith, & E. T. Benson,
Dear Brethren,
I recieved your interesting letter of
Dec 20. directed to me & have penned your letter to Elder
Barnes of Jan 11: both of which contained cheering news
from the valley. I should have answered your letter before
this time, but I have been sick near two weeks, but am well as
usual again And I wished also to see if I could make any discoveries
in your favor for assistance before I write. The Lord knows that
I wish it was in my power to put means into your hands to make
you comfortable in removing to the valley in the Spring, it certainly
would afford me pleasure, But I have not the means in my power
or at my control, yet if I can use an influence with any man
who has means for your Benefit I will do it. It does not help
men any in your cituations to plead poverty or tell poor stories
yet I will give a brief sketch of affairs as I now find them in the
East. I am making a report to the presidency in the valley which
I expect to send by Orson Spencer who is expected in New York [nad]
daily. I have kept a list of the Branches of the Church in the East &
including, [Pennsylvania|paensylvania]], & Eastern part of New York, with all of New England
Canidas New Brunswick Novia Scotia &c & in fine all throughout my
field of labour and I make out 804 in all 604 besides the Philadelphia Branch
that is called 200 this representation includes Saints, Mormons, Hickory mormons
& all Hot, warm, & cold. I have tryed to ascertain as well as I could
their temperal circumstances and if I can judge from their report
I would not judge that one half or more than that could pay
their fare to St Louis. When I arrived in Boston I found many
complaining beacause Elder Badelam had done so much for the Church
& had got in deabt debt He was $1400 in debt when He returned from
philadelphia and even a number of the brethren have been almost
ready to Devour him on accout of it, but after Hearing all the
circumstances concerning it I have felt it my duty to come out
Defend him & sustain Him & I have done so. And He has finally
been prospered & has mostly cleared himself from debt, the last
more He made as He had about $600 due & was out of business
mostly, & knew not whare to get the first dollar A company of
rich men stept forward & said that several of their Sons were going
to the gold diging were young & inexperienced & if Bablam would
go with them there they would pay his debts, support his family, fit him
out pay his fare there & back again, this offer was made by men
who kenew him as a business man & believed He had experience in
travelling &c He excepted the proposal & left suddenly having but
few days to get ready went on the 2nd Feb via Chagres & Pannama
on board of the Corsair. So Elder Barnes is the ownly man
left in the Boston Branch that has any thing more than enough
to pay his fare to the Bluffs, ownly 8 malle members left in the
Boston Branch, those who have means to pay their fare to St Louis
& the Bluffs are are expecting to go west as fast as they can. I have
not been to philadelphia but once Elder Appleby has charge
of that & other places in that region in my absence & I do not
know so well the situation of the means of the Saints in that
place as well as He does. I hope Elder Barnses will do everything
for you He said on Sunday that He owed $1500 which he had got
to pay soon but if He could settle his business calculated to
go the Bluffs in the spring & on to the valley I do not know
of but one man besides him in my field of labour
that has got money and that is Capt Joseph Russell of
Merimachie, I had an interview with him soon after I arrived
in Boston. I presented the letters before him from Dr Richards
requesting him to advance means to pay those debts of the presidency
for those goods obtained at the Bluffs. Soon Elder Cordon came
as an Express with letters from Elder Hyde to him upon the
same subject. He said He had no money by him ownly enogh
to help him home to Merimichi but He would consider
the subject. He asked some council of me concerning going
west I advised Him to follow the council of the Epistle He
said He would do it. I got a letter from Him awhile
since saying that He had no oppurtunity yet to sell, that His property
was worth £5000 but what He could get for it He could not tell
but calculated to sell & go to the west this next summer He
said He should Have a settlement in His business once a year which
would be the first of March He could then tell what would
be His help. on I am expecting to see him in the spring & write
to Him soon, and if any thing opens that I can rely on
for your assistance I will let you know immediately. their
may be men that Have money in philadelphia or Western NY
but I do not know them. I will talk with Elder Barnes upon
the subject, & if I can stir him up to do any thing I will.
As to myself I have to exercise my thinking powers strongly in order
to get bread for myself & family & pay my fare in travelling the pond
of the Churches in the East seems to be out And almost every man
man that comes East to preach to the world has to live upon
the Churches. But that does not help you any nor me Neither
so I will drop the subject. The gold fever still rages as bad as
ever ships are Now clearing daily from New York & Boston
ports, loaded to the brim with gold digers, some 200 ships have
left for that port to dig gold. I do not mean the ships will dig gold, but the
people that went in them. Nearly all the America shiping will
turn from most all other trade & go to that country. Hundreds
are now preparing for that country, & tens of thousands men.
I tan am now expecting O Spencer from Liverpool to be in New York
soon I shall go to see him if the Lord will. I am not baptizing
much in this Eastern Country, for three Sabbaths past I have
held meetings in Cambridgeport, I have 3 candidates for baptism
here whenever we can find any water it is all Starrotyped now in
this country with Ice, one of them is an intelligent gentleman
from Switzerland I think He may be useful some day to go to
his own country to preach the gospel. The work continues
to progress rapidly in England I should think from all accounts
they were adding nearly 1000 per month in that country. I was truly
rejoiced to hear the ne[ws] from the valley. Do the presidency intend
to take any measures for a Territorial or State government I have watched
the Bills that have come up during the present session very closely but
I do not think any Bill will pass this session for any of the country.
Slavery is the great Bone of contention, & now presents a formidable
appearance & is a laying firm foundation for the disolution & anhi
annihilation of the American Government. Are we ever going to
to see A Frontier Guardian? That the Lord will open your way
to get what money you need to go to the valley wis is the prayer of
Wilford Woodruff
Mrs. Woodruff Joins me in sending love to you & your wifves
& children & all who inquire after us, please say to Sister Smith that
Mrs Woodruff has long been looking for a letter from her according
to her promicse.
I prise any news from the west Highly
& Hope I may hear from you again
WW.
[written in sideways text]
Feby 22nd 1849
Wilford Woodruff
to
G. A. Smith & E. T. Benson
[stamp in yellow ink]
CAMBRIDGE PORT M
FEB
23
[written in sideways text]
PAID 10
Mr George A Smith
Kaneville
Council Bluffs
Pottawatamie ECo
Iowa