Letter from George Albert Smith, 14 June 1856 [LE-39794]

Document Transcript

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[sideways text] G A Smith
June 14, 1856
to Historian
trip to St Louis [end of sideways text]

St. Louis .

W. Woodruff & Brotheren
The Hystoran Office

By letters dated at Marys-
ville
Marshal Co. Kansas Ter. to
the Editor of the News [Iz] on the prin-
cipal items of importance con-
cerning our journy until we
reached the settlements on "Big Blue"

There has nothing of importance
interupted us since we reached

We reached Atchison on the
9th Inst & were soon moving down
the Missouri at a rapid rate
on Bord the "Polar Star" not much
[praispence] in favor of the present
order of squatter Sovreignty as it
exists in Kansas—we camped
at Mormon Grove on the 8th
found [evry] Eighty of the claims
of our Bretheren occupied
by an intruder who when
spoken to on his violating Land
by taking possession of Land already
claimed pointed to their Rifles
and said "there is the Land"

On board the "Star" I became acquainted

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with Miss Oliver of Missouri
Howard of Michigan & Sherman
of Ohio, & their Clerks reporters and
Sergeants at Armes, who were sent
by Congress to enquire into the legality
of the Elections and other funey matters
now going on in Kansas—They told
me they had examined four hundred
witnesses taken 2500 pages of Fools cap
closely written with minnets, whmuch
of which will probably never be read

Ms Oliver of Richmond
Missouri enquired after Father Rhelly
& was actually very anxious to know if his young
wife actually had three children
at one birth—He seemed disposed
to make the Domestic Institutions of
Utah the "figure head" in fighting for
slavery & all state rights—The passengers
treated us with respect—It is understood
that the "Know nothing party" has split
upon the subject of Slavery—Those under
the name of Republicans will Nom-
inate a candidate for President of
their own—John C. Freemont is spoken
of—The Colt nomination

Buchannans nomination ^it is reported^ is
universally received by all States rights men

Brother Spencer arrivd here today

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from the camp of the Saints near
Iowa City—He tells me that Mothe
Smith is dead.

About 300 Saints left this place
recently for the mountains.

Our emigration as far as
we can learn has all been ex-
tremely healthy. Marshal Heywoods
health is astonishingly good—and he
insists that one of the best medicins
for a consumptive man is eating
He leaves this evening for Alton

I expect to remain in St Louis
until Monday ^Tuesday^ evening — when O. P.
& E. T. B. & G. A. S. will probably start East.

Mr Sherman of Ohio read
our Constitution & said it was a good
one; but he thinks our Territory is ^rather^ too
sparcely settled. I got acquainted
with Capt Leonard U. S. Army, who is
in command of liberty arcinal. He
learned I was from Utah—He says I
have read your constitution and it is a
good one. I am in favor of your ad-
mission—499 persons with 100 hand
carts left on the 7th & 9th—Iowa City for
Utah in Charge of Edmond Ellsworth
& Danl McArthur—another train
of Welsh Brethern will start next tuesday

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by the same conveyance

Bro Spencer proposes sending
their names by the first mail
Bro. Spencer describes the depart-
ure of the Hand Cart ^company^ as very
interesting. They serrounded the
camp as they started, with their
flags flying. But the teams
being a little wild three axel-
trees were broken the first
day, but were soon repaird.
The civil war in Kansas ren-
ders it dangerous for any
man to pass through the
territory. The Yankees are
learning some of the sweets
of Missouri justice. Murders
are common. Col. Sumner is
doing his best to keep the
parties from killing each
other.

June 17 I Start to W to day sall
Leave Alton tomorw my health is fine
I walk the years in A Lively Step
yMay the Lord Bless you forever Amen

Geo A Smith