1858. Jan. 16. Address of citizens of Great Salt Lake City sent to President Buchanan.
February. Colonel Kane reached Great Salt Lake City.
April 5. Governor A. Cumming appointed to Utah Territory after the thankless offer had been refused by sixteen or seventeen political persons; left Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger, and on the 12th of April entered Great Salt Lake City. The “rebellion in Utah” found to be a pure invention.
Mr. Brigham Young, followed by 25,000 souls, marched to Provo, with their stock, flocks, and chattels, even their furniture.
April 15. Governor Cumming officially reported a respectful reception, and the illumination of Echo Kanyon; also that the records of the United States Courts, then in charge of a Mormon, Mr. W. H. Hooper, Secretary pro tem., the Territorial Library, in charge of Mr. W. C. Staines, and other public property, were all unimpaired, the contrary report having constituted the causa belli.
April 24. Governor Cumming issued a proclamation that he would assume effective protection of all persons illegally restrained of their liberty in Utah. Few availed themselves of his offer. The Indian agent, Dr. T. Garland Hurt, was accused of having incited the Uinta Indians to acts of hostility against the Mormons—a standing charge and counter charge in the United States.
May 21. The governor made a requisition that “no hinderance may be hereafter presented to the commercial, postal, or social communications throughout the Territory.”
May 29. The “Peace Commissioners” from Washington, ex-Governor Lazarus W. Powell, of Kentucky, and Major Ben M‘Culloch, of Texas, the celebrated Indian fighter, arrived at Great Salt Lake City (where they staid till June 2), and after proclaiming a general amnesty and free pardon, obtained permission for the army of Utah to enter the Territory, and to encamp at a place not nearer than forty miles from New Zion.
June 12. Mr. Brigham Young treated with the Peace Commissioners.
June 14. The President’s pardon “for all treasons and seditions” was proclaimed by the governor, and accepted by the citizens.