Washington, D.C. Dec. 31st 1852
Dear bro. Young:–
I have, through the goodness of God, arrived in this city, where I have been for upwards of 2 weeks. I did not see Bro. Bernhisel for some 4 or 5 days after my arrival, as he was absent at New York. I obtained the pasports for the names of those which were sent with me & forwarded them to their destination. The first No. of The Seer has been in circulation now about one week. I sent a copy to each of the editors, publishing papers in Washington; also to the New York Herald, Tribune, St Louis Republican, &c. None of them, as I can learn, have, as yet, published the revelation, although several papers have made some editorial remarks (of course unfavorable,) respecting it, and also concerning my argument in support of the same. But no one has, as yet, attempted to disprove my article on the constitutionality of the “Plurality Doctrine.” Indeed all the arguments that this generation seems capable of using against our doctrines, are to cry them down as delusion. I am anxiously waiting to hear something from the press, either favorable or unfavorable; for cold indifference is something that I very much dislike, yet such a state of feeling in regard to this
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doctrine, may all be for the best – the Lord’s will be done. I have tried to get subscribers for the Seer whereever I could hear of any saints; but, as yet, I have only otained a little less than 200 East of the Rocky Mountains. I have taken the Seer to seven different book Stores and periodical depots in this city and left them for sale on commission, but I have not heard of even one copy being sold. In order to call the attention of the people I had large hand bills about 2 feet square handsomely printed on good paper to be posted up in front of the book stores; many are so prejudiced that they would be ashamed to have such a bill before their door; while other booksellers, after reading the Seer refused to offer them for sale and requested me to take them away, and the people generally dare not enquire for a Mormon paper, because they are ashamed so to do. Brother Bernhisel put a few books of Mormon into a book Store, and I expect the most of them would lay there till they would not before the Gentiles would be seen buying them. I rented for three months a place for meetings in “Temperance Hall” where I preach every Wednesday evening and three times every Sabbath. The meetings have been very well attended, although the first two meetings only one lady dare make her appearance, but finding that they were not
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harmed, the ladies begin to turn out, as well as the gentlemen. The power of the Spirit has been upon me, and by the appearance of the people’s countenances I should judge that many are convicted of the truth, whether they ever muster courage enough to obey or not. It cost me about $20 to advertize my meetings the papers & by hand bills; After preaching 4 times I called for a collection to defray the expenses of the Hall, & received from a crowded Hall about ninety Cents. What is termed respectable board in this city is about $10 or $12 dollars per week. The printing of the Seer – the rent of a Hall – the printing of advertisements – board, & washing, will bring me nearly $1000 in debt at the end of one year, unless I should get 1000 more subscribers which there not no prospects of at present. But do not think I am discouraged, for I do greatly rejoice in the mission you have given me, and will sound the alarm among this nation, by word of mouth and by publishing, whether they will hear or forbear: and I verily believe with all my heart that the Lord will build up a church of the saints by my hands here in Washington, and that I shall see the fruits of my labors among this nation in years to come. My soul longs for the salvation of the people, and I cry unto the Lord continually by day & by night that he will give me power to bring many unto repentance, Bro. Bernnhisel
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is working in his mild way, and doing much good. He is trying has been trying for a long time to get some appropriations for Utah, & thought that there was a prospect this present Session; but he feels discouraged now, because of the open publication of the revelation. I have reasoned much with him & tried to show him that he had nothing to fear – that now was the time, and the best time, for declaring boldly our sentiments in regard to plurality, and if we lost any appropriations by it, let them be lost. He, with much entreaty, endeavored to dissuade me from my purpose in circulating these things among the members of Congress until towards the close of the session; but your counsel came fresh to my mind, and the Spirit whispered go ahead, now is the time; The Seer is being gradually circulated among Congress, and one member has, without my solicitation, subscribed for the Seer, to be paid out of the of public funds for contingent expenses. As each member is permitted to take 20 different Newspapers at public expense, I endeavored to have the Dr. speak to the boys or waiters in Congress and have them take a few of the papers and solicit subscriptions from the members on the public expense: but he was too timid or fearful to undertake a work of that magnitude; I told him, then, that I should apply to some other members to do what he refused doing; this, however, was with the best of feelings; for I really believe that the Dr.
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does just as well as his timidity will let him; I love the Dr. for his integrity, and gentleness of manners, and think that, in that respect, he is calculated to exercise an excellent influence among the members of congress, and among all others with whom he may be associated. Mr. A. W. Babbitt is in the city, and he tells me that is going to Utah next season, should he offer himself as a candidate for congress, I will humbly express my opinion, that he would not do one half the good that the Dr. would. I think that by re-electing the Bro. Bernhisel, and instructing him to break through his timidity, he will be the means of doing us much good; at least, he will not do us any harm, and that is a great thing to be considered. I am sorry to say, that it is not within the power of Bro. Bernhisel, as he tells me, to furnish one, by loan, any funds for the printing of the Book of Mormon, book of Covenants, & Hymn books. Should it be your will that I should draw the funds from the Liverpool office, to accomplish this object, please signify the same by letter. If I can the funds from any other source, I will go ahead with the work. I called in to see the President, soon after I arrived, he appears to be a very candid sociable man. I am expecting to call on the President tomorrow which is new years in
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company with the Dr. As I am publishing this plurality doctrine in the Seer, I shall probably defer publishing my pamphlet, entitled the “Peopling of Worlds,” until spring, when I think I will step over to Liverpool and publish it, and also another work, which will be very interesting, namely, the narative of Mother Smith, giving the genealogy of the Joseph, back for seven generations, and a statement of many facts, visions, dreams, and incidents, connected with the finding & translating of the plates, the rise of the church &c. These items have never before been published, and I think that they will do much good both to the church & the world. These manuscripts I purchased of Bro. Babbitt, and am to pay him by the first of June next. I shall probably not be absent from America, only about 6 or eight weeks. I have sent the Seer to Joseph Smith – to Emma, & to Mr. Bideman. I have sent one to the President, and many other copies have been distributed among the great ones of Washington. Capt Stansbury is very favorable in his report in regard to our people. Leiutenant Gunison’s “History of the Mormons” is any thing but truth; the most of it is a shameful batch of falsehoods only fit to rank with “Howe’s Mormonism Unveiled”
Yours in the Covenant. Orson Pratt.
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P.S. Charles B. Thompson on the “Baneemy”itis are making great many converts at the Bluffs and elsewhere. He is deceiving the people by using the fictitious name of “Baneemy” in the book of Covenants. I wrote to you at St. Louis to send to me the real names contained in the manuscript, & I would publish them in the next edition of the book of Covenants, and this will put a stop to his impostures. I can recollect most of the real names, but not all.