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Domestic News June 19, 1858

Sunbury American

Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

What is this article about?

President Buchanan informs Congress that Utah troubles have resolved peacefully, per Governor Cumming's May 2 dispatch. Cumming arrives in Salt Lake City, welcomed respectfully; Mormons express grievances but begin exodus southward, leaving homes. No need for additional troops or loans.

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message was received by Congress to-day, from the President, enclosing a copy of the despatch from Governor Cumming, dated May 2d, received at the State Department yesterday.

From the tenor of this despatch, the President says he has reason to believe that our difficulties with Utah have terminated, and the laws been restored.

He congratulates Congress on this auspicious event, and he expresses the opinion that there is no occasion to make an appropriation for the three regiments of volunteers recently authorized for the purpose of quelling the disturbances in Utah, and for the protection of emigrant trains and supplies. Texas can be defended by the regular troops now within her limits.

The President is more gratified because the events in Utah will afford some relief to the Treasury and not require a loan and an additional taxation on the people.

In the letter to Secretary Cass, Gov. Cumming says he left the camp on the 5th of April, en route to Salt Lake City, accompanied by Col. Kane as his guide, and two servants. In passing through the settlements he was greeted with such respectful attentions as were due to the representative of the Executive authority of the United States. In a Territory near the Warm Springs, at a line dividing the Great Salt Lake from Davis County, he was honored with a formal and respectful reception by many gentlemen, including the mayor, municipal officers of the city, and by them escorted to lodgings previously prepared, the mayor occupying a seat at his side in the carriage.

Ex-Governor Young paid him a visit of ceremony as soon as he was sufficiently relieved from the fatigue of his journey to receive company. In a subsequent interview, ex-Governor Young evinced a willingness to afford him every facility he might require for the efficient performance of his administrative duties. Brigham Young's course in this respect, Governor Cumming presumed, met with the entire approval of a majority of the Salt Lake community.

The territorial seal with other public property was tendered to Governor Cumming by Wm. H. Hooper, the late acting Secretary of the Territory. The records and library remain unimpaired. Gov. Cumming entered upon the performance of his official duty.

With feelings of profound regret, he learned that the agent, Mr. Hurt, was charged with having incited to acts of hostility the Indians in the Uintah valley. The information came from Mr. Hooper. He hoped that Mr. Hurt would vindicate himself from the charges, yet they demand an investigation.

Governor Cumming has informed General Johnston that he would probably be compelled to make a requisition for a sufficient force to chastise the Indians.

At every point he was recognized as the Governor of Utah, and received with a military salute, the houses being illuminated in his honor.

Having heard numerous complaints, Gov. Cumming caused public notice to be posted, signifying his readiness to relieve those who deemed themselves aggrieved by being illegally restrained of their liberty, and assuring the protection of all persons. He kept his office open at all hours, night and day, and registered fifty-six men, thirty-three women, and seventy-one children as desirous of his protection, and expressing their disposition of proceeding to the United States. A large majority of these people were of English birth, and were promised assistance to be removed.

Governor Cumming says that his visit to the Tabernacle will never be forgotten. There were between three and four thousand persons assembled for the purpose of public worship. There was the most profound silence when he appeared. Brigham Young introduced him as the Governor of Utah, and Governor Cumming addressed them for half an hour, telling them that it was his purpose to uphold the Constitution, and that he would expect their obedience to all lawful authority, assuring them of his determination to administer equal and exact justice, etc.

He was listened to respectfully. He invited responses, and several spoke, referring in excited tones to the murder of Joseph Smith, to the services rendered by the Mormon battalion in the Mexican war, and recapitulated a long chapter of their wrongs. The tumult fearfully increased, but an appeal from Brigham Young restored calmness. Several afterward expressed regret at their behaviour.

Governor Cumming proceeds to describe the exodus of the Mormons. The people, including the inhabitants of Salt Lake, in the northern part of the Territory, are leaving, the roads are everywhere filled with wagons, loaded with provisions and household furniture, the women and children following after without shoes or hats, driving their flocks they know not where.

They seemed not only content, but cheerful. It is the will of the Lord they say, and they rejoice to change the comforts of home for the trials of the wilderness. Their ultimate destination was not fixed upon. Going South seems to be sufficient to designate the place, but from the private remarks of Young in the Tabernacle, Governor Cumming thinks that they are going to Sonora.

Brigham Young, Kimball, and most of the influential men have left their commodious mansions to swell the ranks of the emigrants.

The masses everywhere announced to Gov. Cumming that the torch will be applied to every house indiscriminately throughout the country, as soon as the troops attempt to cross the mountains. The people, though scattered, every means would be taken to rally them. Some of the Mormons are yet in arms, and the Governor speaks of the mischief they are capable of rendering as Guerillas. The way for the emigrants to the Pacific is open.

Governor Cumming says that he would leave for the South on the 3d of May. He says that he will restrain all the proceedings of the military for the present, and until he shall receive additional instructions from the President.

What sub-type of article is it?

Politics Military Migration Or Settlement

What keywords are associated?

Utah Territory Governor Cumming Mormon Exodus Brigham Young Salt Lake City Utah Disturbances Territorial Government

What entities or persons were involved?

Governor Cumming Brigham Young Col. Kane Wm. H. Hooper Mr. Hurt General Johnston President

Where did it happen?

Utah Territory

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Utah Territory

Event Date

May 2d

Key Persons

Governor Cumming Brigham Young Col. Kane Wm. H. Hooper Mr. Hurt General Johnston President

Outcome

peaceful resolution of utah disturbances; no need for additional troops or loans; mormon exodus southward; protection offered to 160 individuals wishing to leave.

Event Details

President receives Governor Cumming's dispatch reporting respectful reception in Salt Lake City, handover of territorial property, Mormon grievances aired at Tabernacle, and mass exodus of Mormons southward, possibly to Sonora; threats of burning homes if troops advance; Cumming assumes duties and plans to restrain military actions.

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