Historian's Office, G. S. L. City
September 30th, 1856.

Elder O. Pratt
Dear Brother,

As the mail will soon leave, I
improve a few moments to keep you advised of matters with
us. It is a general time of health and peace throughout
our Territory: all things are going right and prospering.

One of the most interesting scenes that was ever witnessed
in our Territory was the arrival of two of the Hand Cart
Companies, on the 26th inst. Having heard the night
previous that they were camped between the two mountains,
Presidents Young and Kimball, and many citizens, with
a detachment of the Lancers, and the Brass Bands,
went out to meet them and escort them into the city. They
met the companies at the foot of the Little Mountain.
Elder E. Ellsworth led the First Company, and Elder Daniel
D. M^cArthur, the Second; and after the meeting and
salutations were over, amid feelings which no one can
describe, the escort was formed, a party of Lancers leading
the advance, followed by the Bands, the Presidency, the
Marshal, and Citizens; then came the companies of Hand
Carts, another party of Lancers bringing up the rear.
Bishop Hunter, Capt. L. W. Hardy and myself fell in
with the escort as they entered the city, and I must
say my feelings were inexpressible: to behold a company-
of men, women and children, many of them aged and
infirm, enter the city of the Great Salt Lake, drawing 100

Historian's Office, G. S. L. City September 30th, 1856.

Elder O. Pratt Dear Brother,

As the mail will soon leave, I improve a few moments to keep you advised of matters with us. It is a general time of health and peace throughout our Territory: all things are going right and prospering.

One of the most interesting scenes that was ever witnessed in our Territory was the arrival of two of the Hand Cart Companies, on the 26th inst. Having heard the night previous that they were camped between the two mountains, Presidents Young and Kimball, and many citizens, with a detachment of the Lancers, and the Brass Bands, went out to meet them and escort them into the city. They met the companies at the foot of the Little Mountain. Elder E. Ellsworth led the First Company, and Elder Daniel D. McArthur, the Second; and after the meeting and salutations were over, amid feelings which no one can describe, the escort was formed, a party of Lancers leading the advance, followed by the Bands, the Presidency, the Marshal, and Citizens; then came the companies of Hand Carts, another party of Lancers bringing up the rear. Bishop Hunter, Capt. L. W. Hardy and myself fell in with the escort as they entered the city, and I must say my feelings were inexpressible: to behold a companyof men, women and children, many of them aged and infirm, enter the city of the Great Salt Lake, drawing 100