Transcript

Emigration.

As time rolls on and spring approaches, it will be well for the Saints in the United States, who purpose going to Salt Lake this season, to commence making their arrangements, and in order to facilitate the movements in the approaching spring, the Presiding Elders in the different Conferences are requested to find out those in their several districts who purpose emigrating this season, and whether they propose going by wagons or by hand-carts I wish the Saints to report to their several Presidents their position and calculations. If the presidents of Conferences cannot personally visit all their Branches, let them write immediately to the Presiding Elder of each Branch of their Conference for this information, and let them forward it to me. I am desirous to know how many are going, and what number of wagons and hand-carts will be wanted, that I may forthwith give an order for the required number. I would here inform the Saints that I have already ordered one hundred hand-carts to be made of the best timber, light, but good workmanship, and strong; the price of these will be about $20. Gen. Grant, late from England, received an appointment to proceed to the West and have some hand-carts made of a cheaper and coarser kind. What the price will be I cannot yet determine. As the hand-cart is an experiment, we wish to try various kinds; the cheap ones will, of course, be heavier. I have also made contracts for wagons with a gentleman who has furnished our emigration heretofore, and who has given general satisfaction, both as to price and quality. I have agents likewise in the West, inquiring into the prices of cattle, cows, horses, flour, &c. At present good cattle are ranging from $75 to $90, in the vicinity of where our emigration will start from; flour, from $3.50 to $5 per cwt., according to location; cows, from $20 to $30. I am in hopes, however, that cattle, at least, will be lower in the Spring.* It is our intention to find out where they can be procured at the lowest rates, and then have our agents purchase, and drive them, if from two to four hundred miles, to the place of outfit. I have instructed some of our most competent agents, after having obtained the prices of cattle in various locations, to hold themselves in readiness to purchase. Those desirous of obtaining cattle can have the services and experience of those brethren by allowing them a reasonable per centage; by adopting this plan much time and money will be saved. The money for this purpose must be sent here immediately, and I will make arrangements to forward it to those who purchase. The best way to forward it is to deposit the money in a bank where you reside and forward a check on a New York bank, payable to John Taylor.

The Presiding Elders will please attend to this matter forthwith.

 

Respectfully, &c.,
JOHN TAYLOR

 

* I have accounts from one source, but whether sufficiently correct or not I cannot say, of cattle ranging $10 below the above prices.