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Show "having the welfare and honor of my country in view I believe it is "imperative for you, without delay, to allay, by all the means in your "authroity, the present excitement. I saw the Chiefs here, in council, "at this Fort, and heard them assert that they intended to immediately "drive the whites from their lands, and much property(?) was used to "pacify them for the present time. And now, dear Sir; if you do not "use the authority vested in you speadily (sic) I do beleive and fear "scenes of destruction and bloodshed will soon ensue. "Respectfully yours, "A. Willson" The above letter is from a gentleman passing through the country on his return to the States from California and who was remaining at Fort Bridger for a few days. I confided immediately, the section of the country alluded to that a company of Mormons under the charter of the Legislation of Utah Territory had assembled on Green river, and had comenced the construction of a bridge, but finding so much opposition of the part of the Indians, they determined to abandon it for the present and all have returned to Salt Lake City. This satisfied the Indians, who immediately left and at present all is quiet. The Mormons I understand, intend to resume their efforts to build the bridge in the spring-the Indians I also understand, have resolved that the Mormons shall neither occupy a ferry, nor build a bridge on this river which is some 160 miles from the settlements in Salt Lake valley- Both parties I understand are determined. Should the Mormons persist in their determination, a war will be the consequence, and great distress and suffering will follow, as it is on the main emigration route from to California and Oregon. |