Transcript

Transcript for "Affairs in Utah," New York Times, 4 Oct. 1861, 8

AFFAIRS IN UTAH.
Mormon Immigration Across the Plains—Proselytes from the East—
Four Thousand Added to the Number of the Saints—Miscellaneous News.

Correspondence of the New-York Times.
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, Thursday, Sept. 12, 1861.

The bulk of the Mormon immigration is now fast coming in from the Plains. Companies, or portions of companies, enliven our streets every day nearly, though it would perhaps be difficult for the immigrants themselves to say whose company they come in with. The Mormons are famous for acting in organizations, and although all their immigrants start from the Missouri in distinct companies, yet this season it would seem that on nearing their destination, they have traveled so closely on one another's rear as to be "kinder considerably mixed up."

Among the late arrivals are Apostles ORSON PRATT and ERASTUS SNOW and J. W. YOUNG. . . it appears, has been acting as Quartermaster-General, grand wagon-master, or something of the sort, in connection with the two hundred ox-teams dispatched from this place last Spring, and now returning, or returned, with a live cargo from the Missouri.

The above-named worthies, as a matter of course, addressed the "great congregation" in the Bowery on Sunday, and from their discourses it would appear that a "great work" has been accomplished by them and their coworkers on the Atlantic slope the past year. A great work, not particularly in proselyting from the sinning outsiders, but in scraping together he scattered fragments composing the "Church in the States," and shipping them off bodily to this "Holy City." It was calculated that the entire influx of "Saints" this season from the East would amount to four thousand souls,—about one-half of them directly from the States, and the other half from Europe,—principally Great Britain and Scandinavia. Of the two thousand from the States, perhaps one-third were American born, the remaining two-thirds from Europe, and mostly persons whose pecuniary resources on their landing on this continent necessitated a temporary sojourn on the Atlantic seaboard. Every poor Mormon within hail of the great rendezvous, at Florence on the Missouri, it was declared had the chance of a passage across the plains, if he was willing to take it. So it would seem that the benighted American people east of this Territory are likely to have a dark time of it in the immediate future, now that there has been such a gleaning up and withdrawal of the lights, expounders and exemplars of the true faith.

The whole of this great army of recruits is expected in before the end of the present month.

The feasibility of successfully sending ox teams to the Missouri, to return the same season with souls or freight, is considered fully demonstrated by the experience of the current year, the preachers asserting that such teams made better time than others which were bought in Missouri or Nebraska, and only made one trip. If true, this must be due to the former being already broken to the yoke and inured to labor, while the latter were generally unbroken and wild steers. So it will be likely that cattle and wagons will be sent from here for the future, instead of cash being spent in the Western States for them. The cash will probably be expended for merchandise and machinery, instead of live stock.

The returned missionaries appear fully satisfied that the people of the States are "getting crazy" over the war, as they express themselves.

Mr. J. M. BROWNE and others are sending out half a hundred or more teams freighted with grain on the California route, for the use of the Express and Mail service. . . .

Of the late arrivals from the East, are Secretary FRANK FULLER and Surveyor-General T. R. FOX, officers for the Territory; also Mr. W. S. GODBE, druggist, of this City, who has been on a rapid business journey to England.

Hons. GEO. TURNER, Chief Justic of Nevada, and H. M. JONES, Associate Judge, the latter with his lady, passed through this City the past week, en route for the field of their duties.