John Tanner and his family

Page 176

166 John Tanner and H is Family It is well known that President Young was opposed to large numbers of Saints going to California in search of gold. He wanted to keep his people together in the isolation of the Rocky Mountains where they could defend themselves against any real or imagined enemies, and where they could build up the "Kingdom" without out­ side influences. One can only imagine the various circumstances which led to his change of heart which allowed the San Bernardino settlement to be undertaken. A letter from revealing most Captain regard with Jefferson Hunt to the church leaders is observations and feelings of the to the Battalion members: are in perfect suspense here. In two months we look for a dis­ charge and know not whither to steer our course. We have a very good offer to purchase a large valley, sufficient to support 80,000 families, connected with other excellent country, which might be obtained. The rancho connected with the valley is about 30 miles from this place, [Los Angeles] and about twenty-five from a good ship landing. We may have the land and stock consisting of eight We thousand head of cattle, the increase of which was three thousand last year, and an immense quantity of horses, by paying 500 dollars down, and taking our time to pay the remainder, if we only had the 8 privilege to buy it. The Chino, piece of land referred to and the owner was Isaac the Rancho Santa Anna del Williams, an American who had was obtained Mexican citizenship and married the daughter of the former owner of the tract. As one learns of the generous offer made by Mr. Williams and realizes the opportunity it would have afforded the persecuted Saints, it is hard to understand why this offer was not eagerly accepted. The increase from the cattle herds and the bands of horses would have liquidated the obligation in a few years leaving the land as a windfall to the excellent Mormon farmers. The offer, though repeated a number of times the following two three years, was not accepted as Brigham Young was still deter­ mined to keep his people secluded in the Rocky Mountain valleys. or In the meantime there was much suffering and discouragment in the Rocky Mountain fastness of the Saints. James S. Brown, a former member of the Battalion, wrote in his journal what may have been the general feeling of those Battalion members who had returned to the main body of the Saints: