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Great Salt Lake City September 14th 1857
Col William H. Dame Parowan Iron Co
Herewith you will receive the Governors Proclamation declaring martial law. You will probably not be called out this fall, but are required to continue to make ready for a big fight another year, the plan of operations is supposed to be about these. In case the U.S. Government should send out an overpowering force we intend to desolate the Territory and conceal our families, stock and all of our effects in the fastnesses of the mountains where they will be safe while the men way lay our enemies, attack them from ambush, stampede their animals take the supply trains cut off detachments, and parties sent to Kanyons for wood, or on other service. To lay waste everything that will burn houses, fences, trees fields grass that they cannot find a particle of anything that will be of use to them, not even sticks to make a fire for to cook their suppers. To waste away our enemies and lose none that will be our mode of warfare. Thus you see the necessity of preparing, first secure places in the mountains where they cannot find us, of if they do where they cannot approach
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in any force; and then prepare for our families, building some cabins cacheing flour and grain. Flour should be ground in the latter part of winter or early in the spring in order to keep. Sow grain in your fields early as possible this fall so that the harvest of another year may come off before they have time to get here. Conciliate the Indians and make them our fast friends.
In regard to letting people pass or repass or travel through the Territory, this applies to all strangers and suspected persons. Yourself and Bro Isaac C. Haight in your district are authorized to give such permits, examine all such persons strictly before giving them permits to pass. Keep things perfectly quiet and let all things be done peacefully but with firmness and let there be no excitement. Let the people be united in their feelings and faith as well as works and keep alive the spirit of the Reformation, and what we said in regard to saving the grain and provisions we say again let there lie no waste save life always when it is possible we do not wish to shed a drop of blood if it can be avoided. This course will give us great influence abroad.
(Signed) Brigham Young (Signed) Daniel H. Wells
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Territory of Utah City and County of Salt Lake S.S.
I James Jack a Notary Public in and for said County. Certify that I have carefully compared the foregoing letter with an impression taken of the original and do hereby certify that the same is a true and correct copy thereof. I do further certify that I am well acquaininted with the signatures of Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells and hereby testify that the signatures to the letter of which this is a copy are their genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my Office in Salt Lake City Utah Territory this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1876.
James Jack Notary Public for Salt Lake County, UT.
