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Show 294 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. CHAP. VI. Mormons are as naturally inclined to underestimate: moreover, as the " census marshals receive but three halfpence per head, they are by no means disposed to pay a shilling for the trouble of ransacking every ranch and kanyon where the people repair for grazing and other purposes. The nearest approach to truth will probably be .met by assuming the two opposite extremes, and by " splitting the difference." In 1849 Mr. Kelly estimated the Mormons to be "about 5000 inhabitants in the town, and 7000 more in the settlements." In 1850 the seventh official census of the United States numbered the inhabitants of Utah Territory at 11,354 free+26 slaves=ll,380 souls. In 1853 the Saints were reckoned at 25,000 by the Gentiles, and 30,000 to 35,000 by Mr. O. Pratt, in the "Seer." In 1854 Dr. S. W. Eichards estimated the number at " probably from 40,000 to 50,000" in the United States, and in Great Britain it 29,797. In 1856 the Mormon census gave 76,335 souls. I subjoin a synopsis of the official papers.* In 1858 the Peace Commissioners sent to Utah Territory reported that the Saints did not exceed 40,000 to 50,000 souls, half of them foreigners, and that they could bring 7000 men, of whom 1000 were valuable for cavalry, into the field. In 1859 M. Eemy made the number of Sainfc in Utah Territory, not including Nevada, 80,000 souls, and the total in the world 186,000. The last official census, in 1860, was taken under peculiar disadvantages. General Burr, of the firm * The following is a condensed Report of the enumeration of the inhabitants of Utah Territory, taken February, 1856: Counties. Great Salt Lake County.... Utah Davis Weber Iron Tooele San Pete Juab Box-Elder Washington Millard Green River Cedar Malad Cache Beaver Shambip Salt Lake Islands a (C ti a u Ct (C U (c cc u C( (C <c cc (( Males. 12,730 6,951 4,765 3,486 2,474 1,315 1,110 807 822 742 544 394 312 259 240 118 83 125 37,277 Females. 13,074 7,614 4,575 3,585 2,943 1,673 1,133 1,034 717 778 512 345 369 208 223 126 64 85 39,058 Total. 25,804 14,565 9,340 7,071 5,417 2,988 2,243 1,841 1,539 1,520 1,056 739 681 467 463 244 147 210 76,335 " Great Salt Lake City, March 1st, 1856. " I do hereby certify that the above is a correct enumeration of the white inhabitants of Utah Territory, according to the reports furnished by my assistants, and which are now on file in my office. LEONARD W. HAEDT, Census Agent." " Great Salt Lake City, September 13th, 1860. "The above is a correct transcript from the originals on file in the Historian's Office. THOMAS BULLOCK, Clerk." |