[Published on 04/20/20 by Digital Imaging Lab (1142)] It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. [Notes added by transcribers are in square brackets. Dashes in square brackets indicate unclear words or letters. indicate words the author inserted to a previously written line.] VMSS 792 - Thomas L. Kane address to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (S3_SS5) Number of Pages: 40 ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I10_p001.jpg) Dear Sir, I am ashamed tosay that I have never confessed toyou the extreme pleasure withwhich we (Imean my wife, who is very decidedly my better half, & myself / devoured your essay on the mormons - but I will shew it now in, I hope, a not less satisfactory way ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I10_p002.jpg) by taking theliberty of asking you to send a copy to R.W. Emerson, Concord, Mass. Theonly copy beside myown which I could lay hands on I [-]ave to Geo: Thompson. butlast night talking with Emerson. I found him interested in you &your subject andtold him I should presume sofar on our NewYork acquaintance ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I10_p003.jpg) as to solicit a copy for him - our short interviews were in such scenes as wd. suffice to make men well acquaint, aid not your pa[-]es do it, so I'll not apologize but assure you only how truly &most respectfully I am yours Wen [--]ll Phillips Nov 19. 1851. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I1_p001.jpg) Department of State June 27th 1850 Dear Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 25 inst, accompanying a copy of a discourse delivered by you before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. As the subject of your Brochure is one upon which, I have long desired to obtain reliable information, I shall not fail to improve the first leisure moment to familia= =rize myself with it. I may probably take the liberty afterwards of expressing my opinions through the Columns of the "National Intelligencer" or some other Journal of respectability. I am very respectfully your obedt servt. L Fitzgerald Tasistro Mr Kane ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I2_p001.jpg) Washington July 6. 1850. My dear Sir: I have received your note, informing me of the transmission of pam- plets to Mrs Cooper and myself. I beg leave to tender you our thanks for your polite attention; and to enpress the hope that we may soon become personally to each other. Very respectfully yours James Cooper Thomas L. Kane Esq. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I3_p001.jpg) Washington City, July 15, 1850. My dear Kane, I thank you for your kind note of the 5th, which I received on my return from New York last Thursday; and I thank you also for the pamphlet which you intend to send me. I have not yet received it but shall read it, with interest certainly, - I hope, also, with profit, when it comes. I saw one in the hands of the immacalate Babbitt, and my curiousity was excited as to its contents. You promised me long since an opportunity of reading it. I have passed through Philadelphia twice lately- once between 3 & 6 A. M. and the other time between 8 & 11 P. M. of course I saw nobody. What are you doing for your health? Mrs Ch[--] is in Morristown? If you think of a water cure let me recommend [---] [---] so that you may be in my line of communication. With best regards to your father & mother, [---]in, Truly your friend, S. P. Chase ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I4_p001.jpg) Washington, Aug 6, 1850. Thomas L. Kane, Esq: — I have received a copy of your "Discourse" entitled "The Mormons." I thank you for it, and for the pleasure which the reading of it has conferred. Two elements dis- tinguish it, particularly genial to my taste, (such as it is)— a spirit of reverence, natural, historical and harmonious —and a principle of humanity, running through the narrative like a golden thread. Believing, too, from the beginning, that the Mormons have been the victims of the "outside barbarians" of the West; a[--]that they have rendered good for evil – believing that nothing but that Cromwellian fortitude ad energy of character which you have so graphicely described as marking the Exodus of the Saints, could have preserved them from absolute annihilation. I was prepared to endorse your endorsement. Be pleased to accept the assurances of my continued regard, & believe [---] me, Yours, truly, Geo B. Wallis ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I5_p001.jpg) Philada. Aug. 25th. 1850. My dear Sir; I thank you sincerely for your discourse on the Mormons. I always admired the feelings of humanity that led you to symbathise with and defend them. You have done so when the proper and broad gro[--]ed of outraged humanity and atrocious injustice. When I have reflected upon the wrongs inflicted upon them I have some= =times apprehended that in the natural reaction of revenge our western people and emigrants would suffer at their hands; and that they would become in the day of their strength a dangers community in the far west. Your Discourse has done much to allay that apprehension; and I cannot but believe that your own writings and efforts may prove of a national service. Your history will both =abuse the American mind in regard to their Character, and shew to them the character they should continue to sustain and the advantage of sustaining it. I sincerely hope that your interest and [-]eal in their behalf will remain unabated. I think you have not spoken too strongly. Such outrages and wrongs require to be depicted in the hideousness of their true coloring; and I further hope that in time the rights of property may be vindicated in their behalf through the national courts, in a way to vise over the local interest and hostility. The nation owes them justice in some shape, and if not rendered through the courts it should be considered in their land purchases in this new Colony. Their movement and settlements is one of the extra= =ordinary events of which our wide spread western territories are the scene, and if they will how[--]se with our political insti= =tutions will result in great good. I am very sincerely, Eli K. Price ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I5_p002.jpg) Thomas L. Kane, Esquire. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I6_p001.jpg) Dear Sir I have read with much pleasure I assure you your Mormon Lecture, which some say I am told is more fanciful than veritable - Even if so, it is very attractive and truer than many histories - Voltaire says that Herodotus [--]mente has to [-----] and he is called thefather, ofhistory ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I6_p002.jpg) I am much obliged by your politeness in sending your certainly very original & scholar like account of a very strange community in a very wild region and rem ain Very truly y[--]s C J J[-]g[-]ole Fo[--]thill philad Sept. 2. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I7_p001.jpg) Pittsburgh Oct 8 1850 My Dear Sir Your friendly and affectionate letter of July 29th followed me to Bedford where it was received and read with grateful pleasure. You will naturally enquire if this is true why has it been so long unacknowledg Let me answer. The Pamphlet was not forwarded with the note but was so carefully lain away by the young man in my office that when I returned and until very lately it could not be found. When it was found I read it through with satisfaction and then read it again with a double emotion of delight. While I admired its power and beauty I could not but love the man who had the heart to write it. When will the stain of the Mormon persecution be wiped away? And when will ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I7_p002.jpg) the American people begin to feel "how excellent it is to have a giants strength" and "how cruel it is to use it like a giant." I am sure you are right in saying that our opinions & sympathies are held in common. I join in your hope and shoke hands with the desire that hoving them we may work together for good. Let me beg of you to faver me now and then with a line and I will promise to be prompt and warm in return. The first time I am in Philad= I will hurry to find you out – affectionately & truly Saml W Black Tho[-] L Kane Esq ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I8_p001.jpg) 13 Girard [--] Nov. 7. 1850 My dear Sir, I return you my thanks for your instruction tract on the Mormons. I have run over it with a renewal of the interest with which I listened to your lecture. I must need compromise between your favorable picture of this singu -lar community and the general sentence of condemnation which has been p[-]ped on them by the American public and now for your inquiries relative to our coloured population. From the best consideration that I have been able to bestow on the subject, I do not think that the proposed bounty would induce many of the free coloured people of the United States to emigrate to the West Indies to work on the sugar plantations. That, it must be remembered, is a severe labour - much of it being hoe-work- and in a climate in which bodily exertion is peculiarly irksome. So far as I know there never yet has been an industrious community in a tropical climate. We have seen this affect of climate on the negroes of Hayti, which island, from being the most sugar growing colony in the world, now does not export a single hogshead. The products of the British West Indies have [-]ho steadily diminished since the slaves were set free – notwithstanding the influence of previous habits & the necessity many of the blacks are under of working to avoid starvation.- Their averseness [---] to the heavy labour of a sugar plantation, is shown by their working only a certain number of days in the weeks; a few hours each day; and at very high prices- this is the c[---] in Ja -maica. In Barbadoes, <& some of the other [-]indward Islands>I believe, they got along better - but even there, the blacks [--] purchase a small bit of land, wherever they can and as this cl[-]p of small land holders increases, the exports of the Islands will diminish. In the rich soil & genial climate of those islands a very small piece of land is sufficient for their wants and is at all worth preferred to h[--]er labour that may be better rewarded. This influence of climate seem to have been entirely overbooked in the calculation of the highest abolitionists. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I8_p002.jpg) Nor is there anything in the character of the free coloured class here that would lead [--] to expect they would re[-]it this influence. Even in there temperate climates they commonly show an aversion to hard labour. Some of them, indeed, are thrifty, but very few are industrious, and they commonly seek out those employments that require the least physical effort – They are house servants, or hack drivers, or barbers, or keep little shops – a very small proportion live by agriculture. I do not think then I repeat, that any considerable number would emigrate to the West Indies on any conditions justified by the value of their services. The number of this class who are seriously dissatisfied with their social position here, is com- -paratively small, and to this class, I have supposed that Liberia, when it shall have much grown in number & importance, is likely to afford a strong inducement to emigrate both to money making enterprise & to political ambition. This will present attractions that are to be found nowhere among the whites, by whom they are always regarded as an inferior casts race. As to the probability of increased manumissions, when the emancipated slaves could be sent to the West Indies, I do not think that they could count upon receiving many immigrants from this source. Those who are disposed to part with their slaves because they are unprofitable, have a ready resource by sending them farther South on selling them to the negro trader- It is only those who are impelled by conscienteous scruples or philanthropical motives that are to be looked to for such increased emancipation. Yet there motives are commonly now satisfied by the act of manumission, leaving it to the objects of their bounty to profit by it as they best can by migrating to the f[-]e States, or to Canada, or even to remain at home & risk the penalties of the law – trusting to the indulgence & forbearance that is likely to be won by their quiet & orderly deportment – This happens to be precisely the condition of three men whom I emancipated since I came to Philadelphia. I incline to think they would all have chosen to remain my slaves than to have migrated to the West Indies. I would further remark that the number of persons who one suposed to emancipate these slaves from - some of duty on justice is far less now than it has been. The increased [--]t[--]rty of the Northern abolitionists ever since the Emancipation in the West Indies has naturally ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I8_p003.jpg) produced - strong reaction with the slave holders, and, in the heat of the controversy, their sentiments have become farther & farther apart - so that while the one party now considers domestic slavery to be not merely impolite, but sinful, the other regards it not merely as an evil forced on them by their ancestors & from which they cannot now safely escape, but as a moral win, & politic institution. All the slaveholders [--]ed are not of this way of thinking, but those who are speak out while those who differ from them find it prudent to be silent. In this state of things emancipation is discouraged. He who sets his slaves free is ranged, qu[---]d h[--], under the unpopular class of aboli -tionists, and if he does not show in the hatred they excite, he is regarded with the same sort of repugnance as professing himself to be a royalist would be in Philadelphia, or professing himself republican would be in Oxford. I have stated that those who find slave labour improfitable – as do so many in Maryland Virginia & the other northern slaveholding States - have a ready resource in sending them to the South or selling them to the negro traders. It is however, true that there is a large class o[---] who, while they have no conscientious scruples against slavery, are [--]illing to sell their slaves born & raised on their estates, and regarded as part of their families with this class – comprehending most of the large slave owners - the proposed plan suggested by the West Indies committe might be operative, if the British government would be willing to pay anything like the value of the slaves - Many would consent to part with their slaves when they were to be free, who would not consent to sell them, & tha[-] separate members of the same family - [---] this would be virtually a purchase of the slaves by Great Britain, but her philanthropy could not be expected to go so far, & certainly her policy would justify it. At half the present price of slaves, the measure to be Effective, would require a sum which its utmost possible benefit to the West Indies would not warrant. The West Indie committee are right in supposing that the greater value of slaves in the South Western States, & then consequent high price there causes a perpetual train of them from the more Northern States – many go with the families of their proprietors ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I8_p004.jpg) and many more are carried by negro traders, whose occupation from its very odiousness, according to -knownlaws of political economy, is very gainful: and to do justice to this class, male slaves they carry on their bare traffic with not much rejoice towards the men ^ [-]with none at all females towards the women. They exhibit no small address in gaining the confidence & raising the hopes of the slaves they purchase nine tenths of whom I should think go to the South as willing exiles, They are sure to find there a more conjenial climate, the aliment & fouits they most relish in greater abundance, &, in the cotton country, lighter labour. Mere cir. -cumstances tend to Open the repugnance of the planters to part with their slaves. & of course to lessen the class on whom the proposed scheme could operate. In thus pronouncing against the feisibility of procuring coloured emigrants from the United States to the West Indies. I feel it my duty to add that of Mr Rives has expressed the opposite opinion with any confidence if he has not rather indicated his hopes than his my expectations, and regarded the great good to be attained as justifying the experiment, the respect for his opinion is entitled to from his position as [--]ay[-] slave holder & from his excellent judgment cannot but create some distrust ofthe soundness of my veiws I am very respectfully yours George Tucker Ths-L-Kane[--] ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I8_p005.jpg) Thomas L. Kan[----]. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I9_p001.jpg) Boston Dec. 27th '50 My dear Sir, Irejoice with you in the result of the recent care in Phile thank you for yu kindness, by telegraph, in lett[---] we know the news of Freedom. I mourn for Mr [-] Graham, whom I respected pesonally (kinding him slightly as I do) [----] T.L. Kane } ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F10_I9_p003.jpg) humble address on the Mormons. I first] became acquainted with it thu[-]h Whitter's aticle in the E[-] . Afterwards I read the copy which you did me the [-]aver to send me I have [---]ly enjoyed it myself, but have [----] it to others who have enjoyed it also. In that address you have done a good & glorious work, In a way interest all who bec[-]me acquainted with it, Reber me my dear sir, very faithfully yours, Chase L W[--]er ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I1_p001.jpg) T5 Not sent or read the President 1858 (Rec'd after my arrival?) P. — On Blacks Fork, Sunday April 4. My dear Father: I enclose you a letter of mine to read before forwarding it to Mr. Buchanan. In an hour after placing it in the courier’s hands, myself and the Governor will probably be off on our good errand. They have all been at him here - from Colonel Commdg., to volunteer aide de camp, conjuring him to believe that he is rushing on certain death — without the most distant hope of ever returning. &c. &c. Although we have kept the utmost secrecy as to our purposes –(to prevent his being picked off by the peace haters of the camp who might think this their shortest cut to interrupt negotiations in progress — and for other good reasons) quite a delegation of ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I1_p002.jpg) delegation of anxious friends have called to dissuade him from his purpose without an invitation – without authority even from Brigham Young!– madness, simple madness, &c., &c. – To which the brave fellow offers but one reply: "I can see no result by which my own honor and the honor of my country will not be the gainer.” To Colonel Johnston arraying a line of appalling chances, he said: "In none of those cases will I have done more than is required of my honor by my country and the honor of my country by the world." You observe from my letters how I am learning to like Cumming, in spite of his bitter prejudices against the Mormons. How can I help myself when I con- trast his natural and manly character with that of the bragging, drilling, parading, bugle-playing, musket firing crowd of bravos by profession by whom he is sur- ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I1_p003.jpg) rounded! - I I assure you I do not believe there is another man in the 2400 here who cd. be persuaded to follow his example. – What will come of it of course we neither of us can foretell - except that the worse the Mor- mons behave, the more clearly he will put them in the wrong before the world. My hero pish and pshaws the ideal - drinks whiskey, smokes pipe, and is fond of talking "Human Nature"– "It comes to the same thing" and "what good will all that do us after we are dead and buried" – but I do not believe a more enraptured Poet in action ever rose above the Earth, than the same man, when persuading himself that he heard the trumpet call of patriotism, or catching sight of the particular flag which he will reject all rule of reason to follow. He is shrewd and sagacious, and sees every blunder which has been made, politically, with regard to the Mormons. He will be hard on them, I fear, if he gets the- ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I1_p004.jpg) the chance; but, my word for it, he will set the thing straight, as I have promised Mr. Buchanan. He has made his arrangements with Judge Eckels, "in case of his death or imprison- ment, to carry out his instructions," and I learn from his lady "set his house "in order-" Write me, in case I shd. be kept out here longer, and suggest whatever you can to help us against this Judge. With all his flattery to me, I fear he is a bad man. He wished to force on the trial of one Johnston, for High Treason, tomorrow morning; and I believe wd. have done so in spite of every reason, had his witnesses been on hand. I do not believe as was intimated to me that he desired to embarrass the peace negotiations, to which he is opposed; but he has been fully informed of the prejudicial influence that a trial for treason "by the Camp" wd. not fail to exert at this critical season. — A regard for the Governor's safety at least, ought now to teach him prudence. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p001.jpg) T T5 Read the Prest, by RP. Kane. APRIL 4, 1858 Note: (Sunday) 1858)-? R.P.K. is T.L.K: April 4 Younger brother Robert Patterson Kane Patty who got this letter. The eldest brother, Elisha, always Tom's confidant had died in Havana Cuba February 16, 1857 E.[-]. My own dear brother: What a time I have had you may conjecture from your not hearing from me anything about it. I am within reach of trusty mails now, and it is all over, and growing in my mind to pass for an interesting story, but I must rest, and must give us my overtasked brain its holiday too - And I see no help for you against meeting in me one of the most insufferable of bores- with everything on hand to tell you - unable to tell anything well. - Too hard a scuffle, Patty, for a man to have an eye to first and second positions, and the pattern of the paper hanging on the wall. But you and Johnny must both humour me, and remember that I shall miss Elisha to report to - who, I do not know why, always used to listen to me so patiently. I hope you understood from my cipher letter to Father the manner in which the malice of my ene- mies at Saint Bernardino helped me so gloriously to run the gauntlet through the Mormono-Indian Country of the- ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p002.jpg) of the Desert. I assure you that this was but one of half a hundred providences which seem to have on occasion specially interposed in my behalf. I seem to myself to have had a charmed life. And the strongest argument on which I base my more than hope that I shall yet win a peace is: what other less important purpose has such a stock of miracles been spent for? — The Lord continue the mercy - I have never needed to shoot a poor copperskin yet. I think I can always baffle, or intimidate, or ride away from them. And though it has been often pointed, I think I shall bring home your precious little rifle innocent of all shedding of blood. It is turned a little too weak across the stock between the lever and the guard, and I have sprung it so much that I will have to get a new one breech put on at Salt Lake. But it is acknowledged to be in other respects the prettiest and most effective weapon which either Mormons or Army officers have ever seen. My carrying it has proved the best adver- tisement your injenious friend could have had. I come here with the best horse (*) the best mule, the best furs, the best rifle and luckily for me- as things have gone- the reputation of being the best shot with the pistol, in camp. —Flashier (*) Of course: when Elisha or myself need most to be economical- look out for an investment in this cheap commodity! ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p003.jpg) Commis voyager in fact Mr. Sharpe cd. not have hit upon, and I think he ought to present you with a pair of his new pattern pistols at least. My dear Patty, I have probably been well rewarded for my moderation in the matter of Col. Johnstons humiliation. It has strengthened my hands to do good, and I had besides all the satisfaction which a gentleman ought to exact. Col. Johnston's relations with me continue agreeable, though the Camp still yelps like a pack of vicious Cayotas. The lower hayers on even "threaten my life" &c, like natural AntiMormons. But I am become used to this sort of tomfoolery and know better how to keep it under than I did. Tomorrow I leave the self tormenting crew —to guide the governor to Salt Lake City, and there if I meet with no contretems shall set my self out to enjoy life a little more. Make Bessie feel that henceforth I shall not be incurring danger. As I have said to you, it is over now. The danger is over: [omne aliter visum: "Raging Canawl"!] I have done my work good or bad. I can leave the issue in the hands of a less finite power. — As for my health you can measure it by the amount of blood I have in circulation when I tell you that I was out last week in the worst snow storm which has been experienced here since last November. I met it full in my face on an open table ridge in the Mts. and was eight hours going as many miles - so completely benumbed were my- ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p004.jpg) animals by the force and coldness of the wind. And yet encountering a Mormon horseman about nightfall, I went with him to his Camp about 30 miles off- slept in the falling snow that night, and the next, and the next; and have actually suffered by the trip less than either my horse or my mule. — Out door exercise — with excitement enough to blunt the sense of affliction, and Mountain air dear fellow.— the Altoona, dear Patty with which you saved my life. Indeed I try to remember it and the dear ones who stood by me there —with every draught of the pure atmo- sphere I relish. This letter, which has avoided so successfully the detail of facts wd. be inconsistent, if I closed it with saying how constantly I think of you— how much I love you Take care of your health, (*) Head of the Family ; let us have and keep a living brother to be proud of. — I need not ask you to nurse your affection for Old Tommidge Robert P. Kane Esq. Camp near Fort Bridger Sunday, April 4. (*) Note this, dear Patty Th. d. K. July 24. (1858) ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p005.jpg) 1858 Is this payment all left of my original copy I wished very much to write two letters by this opportunity, one to the President setting forth alternative calculations and predictions for the future, and the other to Bishop Potter, or my dear old friend Barclay, respecting what I think will be the ultimate issue of the Mormon war, so called. This is a different strain, and for publication in the Episcopal Recorder, or the Observer, of New York. I am conoc[--]ed that, with our army in their present improved position next Bridger, no such general assault as Johnson contemplates (or contemplated Mar. 1.) will be attempted. I am sure there will no pitched battle or engagement of importance of any kind accepted. My notion is that the Mormons will employ their force entirely in im- peding the march of our soldiers and delaying their advance, till the last of the women and children are removed from Salt Lake City and whatever their M[----] fire has spared is thoroughly destroyed by other methods. Kimball confessed to me that a number of families had already removed from Salt Lake "into the moungtains" s. west, and he was the bearer to me of a letter from Young, which he lost. not allow me to retain in my possession, but of part of which I took a copy in my mem. Book. pointing clearly enough the same way. I should premise that it was written in the anticipation that Kimball wd. receive bad news from me - the escort which accompanied me to within 40 miles of Bridger having returned whithout favorable intelligence of the marks which he expected. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p006.jpg) Still I can connect its statements with two or three facts in my possession, in a significant manner. Young says: "We are now preparing to remove our men women and children to the deserts and mountains, that our enemies may come in and complete their instruction "to establish a military post at or near Salt Lake City". if that is their only alternative. What do you think of the policy? Which is the better, that plan or fighting? and will our enemies keep off and let us alone while we are removing? — or are they so blood thirsty that they will not be satisfied short of doing their utmost to destroy our lives? So far as we have information, their present instructions only reach to establish ing a post in this city, and acting as a posse when called upon. And if they come here, and find neither people not city, what will be their next move? I imagine some of the Mormons think they have to reproach me with tying their hands &c. — but I am sure Young does not. I think he has been opposed to the effusion of blood from the beginning, and has only been glad to stave it off as long as possible. But suppose the answer to be made in fact, which I suggested Mr. Kimball; that our next move would be, to issue warrants for treason and go on employing the military force in making arrests of offenders as long as a criminal was suposed to be hid among the mountains. Suppose that, in this wise, or in consequence, as is more probable- of an early collision between the forces — War is once begun — I cannot tell you, dear Father, what an amount of suffering I think would necessarily be inflicted. Not among the leading heresiarchs - certainly not among the dishonest and insincere of them whom the ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p007.jpg) whom the devotion of their adherents wd. shield as hornets are said to do their queens- who could instigate resistance as long as it was perfectly safe to do so, and then retire disguised at their pleasure toward any one of the points of the compass, to disappear among the dwel- lings of white men - or take shipping for England, the Sandwich Is. or Heaven only knows where. Nor wd. there be great suffering among "the boys" the hunters" and "mountainerrs" - the harum scarum warriors already in the field - whose every day lives are such that the most serious aspect in which war presents itself to their minds is that of a licensed and consecrated most magnificent tall spree. These love to play Indian, love to act Indian, and Indians or savages they would be, after the first seasons campaign, in fact as well as name. It wd. be slow work exterminating them — one by one, them and their Indian robber allies. In the end however,- with an army to catch provision train and supplies finnished at a cost that wd. build the pacific railroad about once a year- with a nick of the woods in uniform to track up a swamp covet of them here, and a Pelissies perchance by good luck to smoke out a cave full of them there — I think it can be done, and in shorter order than the doormans prating of their Seminole was well believe. But, meantime [-] What will become of the women and children? (*) What is to be done to the dirk belted females who seemed to me uniformly the craziest of all the crazy? What is to be done with those who (*) and the timid and moderate whom it is proposed to "write in sentiment" by burning and destrying the substantial interests which incline them in favor of peace ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I2_p008.jpg) aid and abet their husbands in rebellion in every conceivable degree, and who shall decide when they are to be treated with leniency and when with severity? You can see what numbers of doubtful cases, and cases not doubtful, will arise, by reading over some book that will give you a true notion oftoutes les gloires de la France in Algeria. 2. What will be the fate of the real abomination which we ought to wish sould perish — the religion itself — the Mormonism? This was to be the especial theme of my letter to the Bishop. I can prove with sorrowful cogency what an impulse will be given to it everywhere - what a clover of anile female approbation the Mormon lectures will delight in who appears before his British audience" in deep black for his murdered wife and fmaily". or "in the costume which he bore upon the occasion of his memorable escape from the American [---] at " or, if the [---] sneak that ever counted pins, introduced to a provincial public as "Elder Peter [---] Thomas Peter, so called, suspected of being really the last survivor of the massacred Council of Twelve." "The way the red scripture tickets and sixpences for scriptural tea & muffins is coming in" — wd. be frightful. The Mormon Strength for warlike purposes — overrated by the newpaper people, is greatly underrated by our military authorities. — It wd. take so little to correct public opinion on a matter in which I perceive we are befooled by interested persons whose spanners are out to effect attachments with the treasury. But it is too late. I have no time. And I feel that I have done wrong in spinning out so lazy this note which I began, as you may notice, on the half sheet only of de[-]y paper. The remainder at least of this poor broke[-] Sunday I must give to rest. For tomorrow at 9 we set out, and it is my [---]ation, if we meet with no respectable resistance, to hurry theh governor through with all speed. — albeit while he drives in his ambulance (as far as the snow permits at least)- I must not at any moment be out of my saddle. - — How my heart longs to be [---]ting the good matters of home affairs. But I may not [---] spare yr. eyes by copying this off. Instead of finding fault however, you shd. rather praise me for the pains I took with my letter for Mr. B. seeing that my hands are as stiff & sore as if all the gout of our ancestry had bottled in there. the next nail I hope will convey me a letter to mother. I wish I were good enough I pray heaven to bless her. Perhaps I do not fall far short of it. tell her. - A Dieu Th. L.K. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p001.jpg) Camp Johnston, April 4. 1858. My dear Sir I have the pleasure of writing to you with renewed hopes of peace. I was successful in obtaining the interview which I sought last week with Mr. W. K. Kimball and have to report its result as of the most cheering character. I forward the fine fellow all that I anticipated and he lends me cal- uable assistance to counteract the effect of the inconsiderate conduct of the gentlemen of the camp. I was not able to promise his people much with respect to the Salt Lake mails but I represented their deten- tion here as the act solely of the military authority and added that it did not meet with the approval of Governor Cumming. I stated also that Governor Cumming had taken pains to secure the mail matter from being lost or stolen and that he had caused the letters directed to Brigham Young in particular to be enclosed in a sealed envelope to prevent their circulation among curious hands. With regard to the graver matter of the refu- sal of the supplies of the beef and flour by Colonel Johnston I did my best to represent it as an act with respect to which the commanding officer possessed no discretion. In relation to the written reply which I was requested to communicate I asked Mr. Young that I had since the date it bore obtained Colonel J’s authority for stating that it was not his intention or desire "to say anything either harsh or insulting to Mr. Young." Mr. Kimball not unappositely rejoins, why ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p002.jpg) "why was the letter communicated to him in its unacceptable form— I in reply bade him assure Mr. Young, from me, that if the language of Colonel J’s letter was likely to preju- dice him in the estimation of his counsellors, Mr. Young need not consider it as having been communicated to him textu- ally at all. "If the language of the letter" I said "was about to be regarded as of more importance than in my candid opinion it was entitled to, - I cheerfully assumed the responsibility of authorizing Mr: Young to announce at Salt Lake that nothing but the substance of a courteous refusal of his offer had been communicated to him by Col. Kane. But in my interview with Kimball I had another object in view in which I did not allude in my last letter, feeling hardly justified in truth by the faint expec- tation which I then entertained of success. In the course of one of my dialogues with the man whom I have already thanked you for sending out here to keep these overgrown boys in awe - in more considerate language, at the close of a dispirited conver- sation which I had the honor of having with his excellency Governor Cumming, he somewhat startled me by requesting my opinion of a purpose which had entered into his mind - of proceeding with me to Salt Lake City, himself. The manner in which the brave man put his query satisfied me that one element of success will not be wanting if the fates invoke it. But the step presented it self in more than one aspect and I therefore only replied by ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p003.jpg) by a request for time to give it a mature consideration. Although flattered to have such a duty imposed upon me I feel the responsibility of deciding on a matter of this kind for one. I was not long in arriving at the conclusion that it would be well for an attempt to be made and without delay - (some of my reasons I take the liberty of enclosing as copied from my private Memorandum book— though they will not repay your perusal, I may perhaps thank you to keep them within your reach for my future justification). Although I was clear enough however, that the step proposed by Gov— ernor C. was highly expedient looking to the public interest solely, it was entirely out of my power to form an estimate of the amount of personal danger to which he would he exposed. I was not only unable to judge if this would be greater than the chances of good to be done would compensate for, but in fact had no means of determining if the effort to penetrate to the valley would meet with any success whatever. I think, Sir, that my interview with Kimball has provided me with the pledge of a man of his word in refer- ence to the result of such an attempt. I am promised that we shall either succeed in reaching Salt Lake City himself - where the friends of peace if needful can take us into keeping or we shall be met at an early stage of our journey by a repulse of too formidable and peremptory a character to make it incumbent upon us to offer any forcible resistance to it. Mr. Kimball was informed that the opposition of no party numbering as few as four or five persons or unprovided with ex- press authority from those in power at Salt Lake would be respected by me. Mr: K. and a number of other Mormons ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p004.jpg) Mormons professed for me publicly a ?degree of attachment amounting to enthusiasm. I am confident ?that upon other similar contingencies which may arise, I can? in like manner enlist this affection to compel an observance? of the forms of respect towards the United States as repre— sented ?in the person of their excellent Governor of Utah. I experienced deep gratification in commu— nicating this ?result of my expedition to Governor Cumming, who is one of those characters who are fearful to be guar— ded from insult ?and indignity though quite above the vul gar fear of death. But at the risk of seeming to infringe upon a matter of personal privilege I must beg to state at once a fact which I have since been made acquainted with. Long before my coming it was the settled purpose of Governor Cumming to endeavor to make his way into the valley with the first "grass of spring," alone, without even my— self for an escort. Last Autumn, his intention was the same and had he been able to carry out the design, no one can de— cide how much our country would have been the gainer— ([-] Five months nearly have our foolish columns been at it since - encamped too within a distance felicilously incalcu— lated to embolden the Mormons and doing their utmost to in— cense them by threatening, indicting indiscriminately, eloquently corresponding and actually promiscuously swearing and firing at them. The Mormons count over two hundred shots with- in "point blank range" as discharged at different occasions at various citizens of Utah and I see no reason to question their arithmetic. Would ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p005.jpg) Would indeed, our other weapons of offence had been employed as innocently as our firearms! The uniform inaccuracy of their aim encourages me to hope that my poor guide Robinson may have escaped without a wound.) — but the elements conspired against him: the mortality among the drove animals in November deprived him of the means of transport and the officer in command of the army to whom he applied for means to convey him over the mountains felt compelled to state it was out of his power to supply them. My knowledge of this fact I have derived from another source than the statement of Governor Gumming. I need not say to you, Mr. President, that I mention this simply with the desire of doing justice to a heroic person and in order to relieve myself from the re- sponsibility of having counselled a measure of which the re- sults may not prove fortunate. It is true I cannot predict the future and may only absolutely promise you that in case of an event to be deplored, my father's son will not prove qualified to tell the story. Such is my confidence, how- ever, in the soundness of the arrangements which I believe myself to have made with Mr. Kimball that I assure you I do not permit myself to divert a thought in this direction In my opinion we shall either be turned back in a manner which will supply completely the defect in the national joinder of issue to which I adverted in my con- versation with you of November last or else we shall penetrate as far as the city itself and remain there as long as cir- cumstances indicate it to be desirable. As ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p006.jpg) As I have said, I write to you again in a tone hopeful of peace; it is cherished by the warmth of my inter— course and confidence in Governor Cumming. We differ as much as ever, I fancy, in regard to Mormon men and things, but if we do not agree when he has seen them with his own eyes, I am almost in a mood to admit that my own and not his judgment will prove the one at fault. I do not think he will set them in order, range them in their proper places, the Mormon men and things. Should he not, however — should he fail in all other respects, he will consider himself well repaid for his journey by the conversation which cannot fail to at— tend his mission. He cannot be debarred from making up for our country that complete and perfect record of its acts which will ensure us in the future the favorable ver— dict of history. I have had an opportunity of again in— viting Colonel Johnson to review his decision with respect to the Salt Lake mails. I have also had a most satisfactory conversa— tion with him with regard to our relations with the Indian tribes of the region, at the camp to which I was conducted; the night upon which I had my last interview with Mr. Kim— ball I obtained from the Mormon Elders some unpleasant details in relation to additional outrages which had been committed against the more Southern Mormon settlements and learned that various tribes are hovering between the two armies performing with native address the part of the Skin— ners and Cowboys of the Revolution. This fact, if inclined to doubt it - I had shortly a more than satisfactory opportunity ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p007.jpg) opportunity of verifying for myself. Colonel Johnston agrees with me that too much circumspection cannot be used in our dealings with these bands - since they find it to their advantage to represent their excesses as committed by the authority of the United States and their statements, true or untrue place a most undesirable weapon in the hands of the war party of Utah - whom of all persons on earth we must agree at present in regarding as the most detestable of our enemies. I write to you today - as I hope soon again to write to you - when imperfectly restored from recent severe fatigue and exposure. I offer you no apologies for my style however, while convinced my words cannot disclose me as other than Your faithful, and respectful friend and servant Thomas L. Kane. ----- new page (VMSS792_S3_SS5_B14_F15_I3_p008.jpg) Orginal forwarded to the President about June 15/58