The Mormon Prophet and His Harem / Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and Children

by C. V. Waite

BRIGHAM YOUNG.

"W. Richards, Sec. pro tem., appointed by the Governor."

Amidst the verbosity of this singular document will be seen expressions of attachment to the Federal Union. The sincerity of these professions must be judged of in the light of his contemporaneous acts. The officers appointed by the

General Government were then in the States, or at Washington, representing truly the condition of things in Utah, and the conduct of Brigham and his associates, which effectually obliged them to leave the Territory, by rendering their presence in Utah not only useless but dangerous. It is for our readers to say how much weight is to be given to that portion of the fulmination of the Prophet put forth under such circumstances.

At this first session of the Legislature, Brigham proceeded to give, in his Message, his views in relation to African slavery, fully indorsing it, and prescribing regulations for its establishment in the Territory. His views upon this subject may be gathered from the following extract:—

"Thus while servitude may and should exist, and that too upon those who are naturally designed to occupy the position of servant of servants, yet we should not fall into the other extreme, and make them as beasts of the field, regarding not the humanity that is in the colored race; nor elevating them, as some seem disposed, to an equality with those whom nature and nature's God has indicated to be their masters, their superiors."

In accordance with the foregoing suggestions, the Legislature passed a law regulating slavery in the Territory, and it has existed in full force and effect to the present time. There are now a considerable number of African slaves in the Territory, and a large number of Indians, "held to service."

During the same session, the Legislature memorialized the President, setting forth that the federal officers had abandoned the Territory; reciting the formation of the provisional government of Deseret, and complaining that "all the authorities of the Territory, including the governor and both houses of the Assembly, and marshal, had been set at naught as exercising their functions illegally and unconstitutionally."

The causes which led to this petition were as follows:—

When the Territory was organized, in the winter of 1850-51, the following named officers were appointed:—Brigham Young, Governor; Lemuel C. Brandenburg, Chief Justice;