History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

240
AT THE MISSOURI.
the United States, it was considered but natural, as
indeed it seemed to be a necessity, that they would
take possession of such unoccupied lands in the region
toward the Pacific as best suited them. But it was
not necessary that they should hold possession of such
lands in opposition to the government of the United
States, as they have been charged with doing.
They now applied to the government at Washington
for work, offering to open roads, transport military
stores, or perform any other service which the
government might require in this farthest west, even
to assist in righting its battles. Such occupation
would be of the greatest advantage to them in this
new county, where land was fertile and plenty and
free, and possessing as they did large herds of cattle
and horses and sheep, with no market and but little
money. And on the other hand, being on the ground,
accustomed to work, and having every facility at
hand without long and expensive transportation, they
could give more and better work for the pay than
the government could obtain by any other means.
They even asked for aid direct about the time the
exodus began, being represented at Washington by
Elder Jesse C. Little, 9 who, aided by Colonel Kane,
Amos Kendall, and others, brought the matter before
President Polk. While negotiations were yet in
progress, news arrived that General Taylor had already
won two victories over the Mexicans; whereupon
the elder addressed a petition to the president,
stating that from twelve to fifteen thousand Mormons
had set forth from Nauvoo for California, while some
had departed by sea, and in Great Britain alone were
forty thousand converts, all resolved to join the saints
in their promised land. Many of them were without
means; they were compelled to go; they wanted as-
9 In the letter appointing and giving instructions to Elder Little is the
following: 'If our government should offer facilities for emigrating to the
western coast, embrace those facilities if possible. As a wise and faithful
man, take every advantage of the times you can.' Tullidge's Life of Brigham
Young, 48.