Saturday, March 5, 2022

Brigham Young's Letter to William L. Marcy (December 17, 1845)

Brigham Young letter to William L. Marcy. masy was, at the time, President Polk's Secretary of War. Shows Brigham believed the Saints would travel, not to the Rocky Mountains, but Vancouver Island.

 

Nauvoo C Ill. | Dec. 17, 1845

 

Sir

 

As there is a recommend to congress in the President's message for a sizeable number of stockholders and block houses to be erected between our western fontiers and the Rocky mountains—If some one of our people could be favored with the Agency for that purpose we could build them, cheaper than in any wise could be done, as we expect to emigrate near of the mountains next season—If we should eventually settle on Vancouver. Island according to our calculation we would like to contact for the same through the summer months. When we arrive at the place of our destination we fondly anticipate we shall have no old settlers to find fault with us and if Oregon should be annexed to the United States which in all probability will be, and Vancouver Island incorproated in the same by our promptly paying the natoinal revenue and taxes we can live in peace with all men.

 

Hon William L Marcy

Sec of War

Washington

DC.

 

Brigham Young

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (transcription taken from here)

 

Further Reading:


Oliver H. Olney's 1842 Journal Entries on the Saints Then-Future Move to the Rocky Mountains