Historian's office. G. S. L. City April 1 1857. Brother Geo. A. Smith; Dear Sir, I take pleasure in announcing to you that the Eastern mail arrived on the 24th. Ulto.: bringing 28 brass lock sacks, having left 2 by the way; it brought the last Oct. & Nov. mail: anything later we have not heard by the Eastern mail. The mail was accompanied by our friend J. L. Heywood, they all wintered about Devils gate with about 20 of the brethren. They suffered ...

but we have lost but little stock in comparison with last year. The snow in the vallies has gone off so gradually, the ground is thoroughly soaked 3 feet deep. I do not know how much deeper. Spring has broke upon us mild and warm, the top of the ground is beginning to be dry but the wells are raising. Every kind of fruit trees from the apples to the currant, are loaded with fruit buds and some of the Peaches and apricots are ready to blossom. I think it will be a fruitful year ...

^see next page 455^ seen this people feel the importance of living their religion as much as they have done the past winter and hope it will continue to the power of God has been with [them] their preaching and teaching in all the Quorum and Ward meetings. I commenced with J. M. Grant before he died, and after his death the burden of the care of the Missionaries rested upon me and brother F. D. Richards who was unwell considerable, but attended most of the time.

^see page 455^ [rest of page blank]

^from page 455^ earnestly remembered in our prayers. As far as the History is concerned, we finished matters up to the death of Joseph as far as we could; then brought up the other matters including the history of the Twelve up to the organization of the church Augt. 8. I then have taken up the history of Brigham Young and his fathers family briefly, and now am at work on the history of the Twelve from their first organization in a brief form taking all that belonged to it up to ...

seen this people feel the importance of living their religion as much as they have done, the past winter. I hope it will continue. the power of God has been with in preaching and teaching in all the Quorum and Ward meetings. I commenced with J. M. Grant before he died, and after his death the burthen [burden] of the care of the Missionaries rested upon me and bro. F. D. Richards; who was unwell consid- erable but attended most of the time. L. Snow and