Dear Brother William: Your letter of Feb. 4th came duly to hand. Press
of other matters has prevented me from answering sooner. Since then, as you are
aware, Brother Geo. Q. has regained his liberty, and is now greatly enjoying it
and improving by visiting and meeting with the saints whenever opportunity
permits. On his first sentence he received no benefit of the "Copper Act", as
it is called, because the term of imprisonment was shorter than the law contem-
plated for such benefits. But under the second sentence- 100 days- he got the
full benefit allowed by the "Copper Act"- that is, five days off per month, or
about fifteen days.
In regard to getting a State goverment for Utah, I cannot see but it will
be just as consistent for the Lord to soften the hearts of the "powers that be"
to give the people of Utah their rights, in some small degree, in the form of a
State goverment, as to soften them to administer the harsh laws they have made
to rule us by, in some degree of mildness and humanity. We are now, politically
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speaking, a dependency or ward of the United States; but in a State capacity we
would be freed from such dependency, and would posses the powers and independence
of a Sovereign State, with autorithy to make and execute our own laws. And being
such, we would, in the event of the disruption of the general goverment, be
independent of all earthly powers and clothed with legal as well as divine
authority to assume the possition in the earth of God has designed or may design us to
fill in such an event. As Statehood seems to promise the readiest solution of
some of the prominent questions involved in the great problem of the hour, and no
other way has as yet been manifested, it would seem proper for us to bend our
faith and energies in that direction, that, if it shoul prove to be the will of
the Lord, we may be found striving for that object; and should it not prove to be
the will of the Lord for us to get a State goverment, then would be justified
in that we acted according to the best light and wisdom we possessed. And in
conclusion upon this point, I may add that if it be the will of the Lord that Utah should become a State, "all hell will be powerless to hinder it," just as
you say, and certainy we should be found in accord with God's will. It is proper
that we should strive to accomplish His purposes, always acting upon the best light
we possess.
I am glad to hear that little Nellie was preserved through her sore
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affliction and was spared. To God be ascribed the honor, though the services of
Dr. Higgins were had.
Wilford is living in the city, has quit farming, and is now engaged
delivering goods for Z. C. M. I.
The visitation of such a heavy snow storm, at the season of the year
you wrote, is rather an unusual occurence for "Dixie," but none the less welcome to
the farmer and owner of stock. Our winter has been open and dry. We are threat-
ened with another dry season, which will be srerious for the farmers, as the
two or three past seasons have also been very dry. We have just had some very
nice gentle rains, which have moistened the ground and will be a great help to
plowing and seeding.
It looks now, in view of the constantly increasing labors devolving upon
me, as though I would not get an opportunity very soon of again disturbing the
fish and game of the pond, as in days past; but in that regard my inability or
disappointment will be their pleasure, no doubt.
Doubtless, the decision of the Supreme Court, for wich we are looking
hourly, will be a "mixture of good and bad." But we shall rejoice if any good
shall come to us out of thatrpolitico-judicial Nazareth. We will thank the Lord
for any right that may be vouschsafed to us, and for all favors we will praise Him,
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as in duty bound we should "acknowledge His hand in all things."
My family are usually well, and I am recovering from a severe cold con-
tracted by over-exertion and improper ventilation during my recent visit to Utah
County, where Brother Cannon and I attended twelve meetings in three days. I
have never visited any part of Utah where there seemed more need of preaching the
good word than in Utah Co. After four years or more of comparative seclusion,
Brother Cannon and I had a feeling akin to that of young Elders or boys starting
out upon a mission. I enjoyed it very much, with the exception of taking a cold.
With love to all,
I am your Brother,
Wilford Woodruff
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Received March 18879 24 From P[resident] Woodruff answered april 8th