Letter from George Teasdale, 11 January 1890 [LE-33213]

51 January 11^th 90 President Wilford woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brothers Our last seasons emigration, under the blessing of God weny wonderful smooth. It was conducted quietly and well. W^m Gibson has been all we could have asked. I think it proper in view of arrangements being made for another seaon to quote a portion of a letter M^r Gibson wrote to M^r Ramsden - "The "Mormons" have been fortunate in having the Old Dominion route to go by, else a lot of trouble would be in store for them at Castle Gardens ... I am aware that Salt Lake people are agitating on all rail routs for next season and I wish to say in time that I cannot forward the "Mormons" as successfully via the rail as via present arrangement If the people are left in Castle Gardens they get beyond our controls are subject to annoyances and delay and they get scattered! M^r Ramsden is very amorous this should be understood if we continue as heretofore. He is just as much interest ed in our emigration as ever. We found

the difference when he was sick, and we ear nestly besought the Lord to spare him and us as he had always been our true and faithful friend. If he was one of us he could do no better. I feel very delicate at suggesting anything to appear late in any way in forming a suggestion, but I must also satisfy myself that I have done my duty. I have always admired the labors of Bro. W.C. Spence, his patience and care to explain all that is necessary to the breth ren called on missions, which has been so much appreciated by our travelling Elders. When I heard he was likely to suceed Bro. M^c Allister, I was glad for my sake, but sorry for the brethrens' sake. Now if you wish we can get along here with Bro. Walter Hoge. He is a good book keeper and will suit us here. That is all I wish to say. Not taking myself into consideration for, I am well acquainted with Bro Spence and he would suit me better than any one else. I am only slightly acquainted with Bro. Hoge but he seems of marginal qualifications and capable for the office. In reply to your question as to why Bro J. M. Sjodahl wrote to me about his release over the head of Bro Hintze, in a letter. I have received from Bro Sjodahl dated Dec. 26. he says

53 I received on Christmas eve your letter of Dec 8th containing an extract from a letter from Pres Woodruff in which you are instructed to release me and Bro Smart to return home at our earliest convenience. I take this decision on the part of the First Presidency as decided by God, just as much as I could have accepted any other decision they might have had to to make and I feel that so far all is well. I had written to him encouraging him to remain and telling him to stay and stay untill the Spring when we could get someone to succeed him to give the people a chance of the gospel and the Lord an opportunity of fulfilling His designs in that land &c? Bro Sjodahl further says President Woodruff also asks why we wrote to you over Pres. Hintze. If you write to Pres. Woodruff on the matter please state that I did write to Bro Hintze first and asked - who is it that has the releasing power I ask, I stated, because I wanted the information for my own benefit. But there came no answer to my question I could get information on this point just a little as on any other what came. I then do better than write to you" - It is a question in my mind whether Bro Hintze ever received his letter. From all I can

learn a letter is likely to reach [illegible] [illegible] from Jaffa than Constaninople. I feel the best thing and wise for [illegible] [illegible] mission is the release of Bro Hintze and these brethren. The First Presidency and twelve will get a better understanding of this mission [illegible] that have [illegible] Mission has been more worry and anxiety to me than all the European Missions. Because I did not know [illegible] as to go in the publishing of various ^for back [illegible]^ It would have been of little trouble if I could have[ illegible] all the means required and [illegible] it, but I do not feel at liberty to do so. If you will kindly appropriate two or three hundred dollars for the help of that mission you may depend upon its being used as judiciously as possible. There are three places in Turkey where the brethren are laboring. They will report to this office and you will be posted as to what they are doing as frequently as necessary. I have many subjects of interest, so will write now more frequent. With kind love,

Your brother George Teasdale