Notes
[1. ] Col. Thomas L. Kane advised the Saints to petition for statehood, rather than for a territorial form of government, pointing out that they would be permitted to govern themselves in a state government, but in a territory they would likely be subject to outside politicians, who would not be in sympathy with them, and perhaps their enemies. The people took his advice, but were not successful in obtaining their desire. Even under territorial regulations they should have been granted self government, through the appointment of officials from their own communities, but this proved to be the exception during the long history of Utah as a territory. And with a few honorable exceptions, the officers sent to them from other parts, were broken down politicians and men to whom political office was tendered as a debt for party service. Many of them were extremely bitter against the Saints, and resorted to falsehood and misrepresentation, in order to bring the majority of the inhabitants of the territory into disrepute at Washington and throughout the nation. Under such conditions conflict was constant and inevitable.
[2. ] Deseret is a Book of Mormon term meaning “honey bee.”
[3. ] These “lawless acts and seditious tendencies,” evidently had reference to certain remarks made by President Brigham Young, in a discourse in which he said the United States looked on scenes of mobbing, driving, and murdering of Latter-day Saints in Missouri and Illinois, without interference, or taking steps to correct the evil, but by silence gave sanction to such proceedings. Moreover for a rebuke administered to Judge Brocchus, who at a special conference of the Church in September, 1851, was privileged to speak and accused the leaders of the Church of disloyalty, and reflected upon the virtue of the women of the Latter-day Saints.
[4.] Following is a letter from Col. Thomas L. Kane to President Fillmore in defense of Governor Brigham Young:
Philadelphia, July 11, 1851.
My Dear Sir: I have no wish to evade the responsibility of having vouched for the character of Mr. Brigham Young, of Utah, and his fitness for the station he now occupies. I reiterate without reserve, the statement of his excellent capacity, energy, and integrity, which I made you prior to his appointment. I am willing to say I volunteered to communicate to you facts by which I was convinced of his patriotism, and devotion to the interest of the Union. I made no qualification when I assured you of his irreproachable moral character, because I was able to speak of this from my own intimate, personal knowledge.
If any shadow of evidence can be adduced in support of the charges of your anonymous assailant, the next mail from Utah shall bring you their complete and circumstantial refutation. Meanwhile I am ready to offer this assurance for publication in any form you care to indicate, and challenge contradiction from any respectable authority.
I am, Sir, with high respect and esteem, your most obedient servant,
Thomas L. Kane.