UTAH.
Organization of the Territory—Election of the Legislature—Business Prospects—Difficulties with the Indians.
Correspondence of The N. Y. Tribune.
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1851
The organization of this Territory is now progressing. The Governor has issued his proclamation calling an election for Members of the Territorial Legislature. The nominations have all been made. There are seven Counties and one Precinct laid out in the Territory consisting of Great Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Tooele, Utah, San-Pete, Iron, and Bridga Precinct. The election comes off to-day, but being obliged to send this off this morning, I cannot forward you the result. There are numerous buildings in course of completion here; to-day about five hundred men are digging for the foundation of a new and splendid Tabernacle, hauling rock, &c. The Council-House is receiving a coat of Plaster Paris; shortly, the Temple will be commenced, and the intention is to build a most magnificent and costly building, one that in style of architecture will much surpass the proud Nauvoo Temple, and be a wonder to after ages. It is in contemplation to build a Railroad to Iron Mountain, iron County, about 250 miles from here, where there is an abundance of Iron ore, samples of which I have seen. Coal (bituminous) also abounds within 60 miles of this City. A Railroad will be built to bring that necessary article of fuel to the door of the citizens. Chalk, Plaster Pans, Quicksilver, &c. is plenty near here. Mountains of Salt are within twenty-five miles. A Railroad will soon be constructed to the Canons for the purpose of furnishing wood for the consumption of the citizens of this City. Settlements are about to be made in Yoab and Paroan Vallies. The emigration to this Valley will be large. The Crops are exceedingly good; the yield of Wheat to the acre is unparalleled—as high as one hundred bushels have been raised to the acre; about seventy is the average. Corn grows well but is not as profitable to raise. The vegetables raised here are the finest I have ever seen: root vegetables remain in the ground all winter without injury.—What few fruit-trees there are here are doing well. The timber is composed of Balsam, Fir, Pine, Quaking Asp, Cotton Wood, Maple, and Box Elder; Lumber is fifty dollars per thousand; Wood, $10 per cord. Flour, 15 cents per lb.; Sugar and Coffee, 40 cents, wholesale or retail; Goods of all kinds plenty, but money very scarce. Many miners are expected in from California this fall. Col. Ben. Holliday leaves here in a few days for that State with 800 head of beef cattle and 100 mules. This is the best grazing country I have ever seen; the vallies abound in good grass and clover. The people are very industrious, quiet citizens; there is not a coffee-house or doggery in the Valley. No liquors are allowed to be sold in it. The mails came in on the 1st from California and Oregon; the first is a monthly mail, the last, once in two months. The Indians are much complained of in this region. They rob travelers and frequently murder them. Two of the agents, Messrs. H. R. Day and Stephen B. Rose are out with interpreters among them, and intend holding a "talk" with them. A company of Uncle Sam's men is much needed here (mounted men) to keep these Indians in check. Liberal presents should be made them. I am assured that the agents will use their time diligently to ameliorate the condition of the various wild tribes who inhabit this Territory, which is composed of some twenty different bands—such as Walker's band, Grosepenes, Arrapenes, Stick-in-the-Necks, &c., &c. The Root Diggers are said to be the most vicious. These Indians live upon crickets, bugs, frogs, fish, &c.
This City is laid out with very wide streets; cold streams of water run through each street, and on each side of it, as well as through every person's lot. The lots are laid out in one and a quarter acres each. The houses are built of adobes or sun-burnt brick—make good dwellings. There are some buildings here that will compare with your Eastern ones—The Mormon people are without doubt the most energetic, go-ahead community now extant.
Doctor John M. Bernhard is nominated and will be elected the delegate to Congress. He is a staunch, high-minded, talented gentleman. A. W. Babbitt, Esq. is here, the former delegate He will leave for Washington in a short time. Judges Branderbury and Snow are here, also Secretary Harris and lady, all well. Judge Brochus and Mr. Holeman, Indian Agent, are daily looked for. I will keep you advised of passing events in this Eldorado of the West. Yours respectfully,
SAN-PETE.
