Transcript

Letters of Inquiry.

There are many letters written to us, making inquiries relative to out-fits for the Salt Lake. They want to know how much it will cost? How many wagons, how much team? How much provisions and clothing? It is impossible for us to answer all the inquiries that five thousand people may make but if they would all take the Guardian, they would get our best judgment and advice from time to time, and save themselves the trouble of writing, and us the trouble of answering the second time.

But we here give some general items. Two good yoke of oxen will haul a ton upon a good wagon from this point to the City of the Great Salt Lake. It would be better, however, to have one yoke of cows between the two yoke of oxen before the same wagon. These will give milk for children on the way, and are more easily driven in the team than out of it, and they will help very much, also. Now, to every ton of freight, you need one such team and wagon. You can take on board this wagon some two, three, four or six children or grown persons because they can walk up hills and over bad places. It will be necessary for large families to have a tent to sleep in. Four persons may generally sleep in a good sized emigration wagon, or more if they are not grown up. Families should not start from here short of three months' provisions. Say, one hundred pounds of flour, or good and wholesome bread stuffs of some kind, to the person, old or young. As much bacon or pork as you may think you will need. Sugar, coffee, rice, dried fruit, dried beef,--a little tea, and every other little comfort and necessary according to the wishes and abilities of the parties concerned. No family ought to cross the Plains without cows to afford milk; for milk and butter are most useful and necessary on the road. After you have taken a hundred pounds of flour to the person, you ought to take a few bushels of corn meal for bread and mush. Some few family medicines it would be well to have along. Take all the clothing you can procure. Ox teams are generally the best and most reliable; and after they have hauled you through, you may fatten and kill them for food. It is well, however, to have some horses along, or mules to hunt cattle, and to herd them. Horse or mule teams are very good, and some prefer them. Persons must act their own judgment in the selection of teams.

Cattle can be purchased in these regions, and in Upper Missouri. There are many good wagons also, now in readiness, and many more will be ready by the time they will be needed for the emigration.

We would now say to all interested in crossing the Plains this year; be up and preparing, and not postpone a hundred little things till the day or week before you start. We say that we shall not countenance any leaving this frontier after the 10th day of June next. Do not be mistaken! We mean just as we say: We have performed the journey and know the consequences, to our sorrow and mourning, of starting late. Therefore, be up and doing, even while it is called winter. It is the wish and counsel of your brethren in the Valley that you should emigrate there as fast as possible; and consequently, it is our wish and counsel also. But those who cannot go this year, had better begin to repair farms, fences; and to make preparations to go as largely into agricultural pursuits as possible in this county. Every farmer ought to put in a spring crop, whether he goes west or not. Spring wheat ought to be sowed plentifully and right early too, on good clean land. Now whether you go to the Valley or remain here, let your creative and untiring geniuses devise ways and means to do one or other in a judicious and profitable manner; and if you will go ahead and distinguish yourselves in those things, others will follow your example, and your light will shine upon their paths.

Take now the Guardian! It only costs a dollar a year, and you will help us to keep you timely informed upon upon all subjects connected with the interests and movements of the Church. If you emigrate to the Valley this Spring, your paper can be sent there to you by mail, as that is now established to run once a month. It is the duty of every Latter-Day Saint to take this paper if he has the means to do it. Instead of writing so many letters for information and counsel, just write one letter and enclose a dollar to us, and we will send you all the information, probably, that you seek by letter; for we begin with the first number of the third volume to publish concerning the emigration