Transcript

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1856.

EMIGRATION.—This Office will not send any P. E. Fund emigrants to Utah, during the year 1857. All the funds that the Company can command will be exhausted in discharging the heavy liabilities, incurred in sending out over two thousand souls, in the year 1856. The Saints will bear in mind that two thousand persons cannot be sent to Utah without incurring an expense of about eighteen thousand pounds sterling. It will probably require nearly two years from the present time, before the P. E. Fund Company will have discharged the debts contracted by last season’s operations.

There were several persons last season who deposited with the P. E. Fund five pounds each, on the condition that they should be emigrated in 1857. We are sorry to be under the necessity of saying to all such, that the state of the finances will not permit their emigration the coming season. In case any of these persons desire to withdraw their deposits, they are at liberty, at any time, to do so; but if they can let them remain in the Office a year or two more, it will confer a great favour; and they shall be remembered among the first to be hereafter sent by the Fund.

The President of the P. E. Fund Company has sent us the names of some of the Saints whom he requests should be emigrated by the Fund during the coming year. We sent letters, notifying these persons of the President’s request, hoping, at the time we gave them the information, to have been able to send them; but we are now compelled to say to all those who have received such letters, that the Company will not have means to forward them in 1857.

In relation to this subject, we give the following extract from a letter to us by President Brigham Young, dated G. S. L. City, August 30th 1856.

“In regard to Emigration per P. E. F. Company the ensuing year, we wish to say to you, not to borrow money to aid in the Emigration, and draw upon us, as has been the practice heretofore, with the view of our realizing funds from the debts of persons brought over; or in any manner from debts owing the Fund; for it is impossible for us to realize any money from this source; and the operations of the Company have absorbed everything in the shape of available means, for the last two years, which we can control in every department.

“We cannot longer stand this constant drain, without reimbursements from those who are owing the Fund. We are, therefore, necessarily obliged to operate exclusively within the resources of the P. E. F. Company, instead of borrowing, and then paying out of tithing money, as we have had to do under the existing practice. The stock and wagons are our only resources from the Fund, at this end of the route, except a donation once in a while. Last winter the stock died, and you are aware that wagons are unavailable in this market.

“We truly feel to assist the poor Saints to come home to Zion, and think that we have proven this by our work; but it is not wisdom to absorb every other interest, pertaining to the building up of the kingdom of God, in gathering the poor, which is only one branch of it.” . . . .

“You are aware that the Woollen Manufactory has been lying in store-houses in St. Louis, for years, and we have had to pay storage, amounting to thousands of dollars. It is our wish to bring this machinery across the Plains, as it is now needed in this Territory for manufacturing purposes.

“We also desire to do all that we can on the Temple, another year, as we have done nothing on it this; and we must have some supplies, to assist this work. We are determined to nurse our general Church business a while.”

To all Saints, purposing to go through to Utah on their own means, we say that teams can be ordered through us, and will be supplied at the point of outfit for the Plains by our agent. We think £55 will cover the cost of one wagon—with bows, yokes, and chains, four oxen, and one cow—perhaps two. All who wish us to order for them, must inform us immediately, and send the needful that we may transmit the same by our agent. The 1st of February will be as late as we can receive orders for this season.

To all persons who wish to go through to Utah on their own means, by the hand-cart train, we say, that we shall only receive from them cash sufficient to pay their passage to the States. At the port of disembarkation, Elder John Taylor will receive their passage money, and make all necessary arrangements for their provisions and conveyance by railway to Iowa City. It will, however, be indispensably necessary, if you intend crossing the Plains, to have hand-carts, teams, provisions wagons, cows, beef cattle, provisions, tents, &c., in readiness at Iowa City, so as not to be detained a day, for anything. To accomplish this, you can order all these things through us, and they can be supplied at the point of outfit for the Plains, by our agent. We do not know exactly the cost of all these articles; but we think £3 per head for all over one year old, will supply the out-fit from where you leave the railroad, at Iowa City. Should it, however, prove to be too little, you can make up the deficiency to the agent upon your arrival at the place of out-fit. Should it be too much, the balance can be refunded to you at the same point.

All, therefore, who intend going in this manner, should send to our Office £1 per head, as the usual deposit to secure a passage over the ocean; and £3 per head additional, to be forwarded by our agent to secure your out-fit, on or near the frontiers. No deposits will be received, for emigrants, intending to go through to Utah this season, later that the 1st of February.

The probable cost for adults, from the ports of disembarkation to Iowa City, including the necessary provision, may not vary much from £2 10s.; it may be a few shillings cheaper than this. The expense across the Atlantic, we hope will not be more than last season.

It is intended to have this season’s emigration leave the frontiers in May and arrive in Utah in July. This will give the Saints several months after their arrival to make preparations for winter.

The Scandinavian Saints, intended for the hand-cart train, or for any other conveyances, should have the amount of deposits, above specified, in this Office, by the first of February; and they should make every exertion to be in Liverpool, themselves, as early in the spring, as the cold weather will permit.

The Pastors, and Presidents of Conferences and Branches, will see that the Saints are fully instructed in regard to their emigration, so that everything may be accomplished in its time and season; this will avoid confusion “which bringeth pestilence.”

All persons intending to emigrate to Utah this season, who have deposits in our Office, and who have not already informed us of their wishes, are requested to notify us of their intentions, on or before the 1st day of February next; otherwise, they may be disappointed in their expectations.