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Show 97 mission of 1855 which explored the Snake Valley along the present Utah-Nevada border. Further explanation of the expression will be given in another chapter. On the 25th, Lyman and Kane arrived from the South and went into conference with Brigham Young. Certainly, Apostle Lyman informed Young of the gloomy picture of the situation in the South as painted by Major Blake. No doubt, Lyman's revelation served to darken the already dismal scene and confirm the earlier rumors and reports that had been finding their way into Salt Lake. Colonel Thomas L. Kane was not an official emissary from the government. In fact, he journeyed to Utah on his own accord at great personal sacrifice. He did, however, possess a "letter of introduction" from the president. Buchanan, himself, thought it was improper to negotiate with "rebels." Kane felt a deep debt of gratitude t o the Mormons who had treated him so kindly when he had been seriously ill at Winter Quarters during the winter of 1846. Now he felt compelled to repay the debt by trying to help the Mormons resolve their difference with the government. On the night of his arrival, a meeting was called in which the church's First Presidency and several of the Apostles were present. Kane attempted to appeal to the Mormons' pride, asking them to "enlist your sympathies in behalf of the poor soldiers who are now suffering in the cold and snows of the mountains. "3 He requested and received a private interview with President Young. Although the exact content of the discussions is unknown, Kane apparently tried to arrange some sort of a compromise which would have allowed the army peaceful entry in the Salt Lake Valley. Young rejected the plan telling Kane be would take the counsel of no man "only as God dictated." He then proceeded to tell the colonel "that as he had been inspired to come here, he should go to the army n4 and do as the Spirit of the Lord led him, and all would be right. During the ensuing week Kane had frequent visits from several of the church |