July 1852

1 July 1852 • Thursday

Wrote to Bro. Lewis also to Bros. Hy. & Wm.1 After supper we started on foot for Waiehu and after <a> toilsome walk of 27 miles over some low mountains, we arrived weary and tired at Wai<e>hu, about three o’clock in the morning.2

2 July 1852 • Friday

Resting after journey.

3 July 1852 • Saturday

Started for Wailuku, held meeting in afternoon.

4 July 1852 • Sunday

Preached in forenoon.3 In afternoon attended to the Lord’s Supper. Returned with Bros. H & Rice to Waiehu.

5 July 1852 • Monday

Reading &c.

6 July 1852 • Tuesday

Bro. Gaston arrived from Makawao. Bro. H & I went to Council Meeting; enjoyed an excellent spirit. Bro. H. returned.

7 July 1852 • Wednesday

I awoke this morning with a very heavy fever and pain in my eye balls so that I could scarcely turn them. I got Bro. Napela to administer to me and experienced some relief. I afterwards had him and Bro. Kaleohano administer to me. Bro. K. has just returned from a visit on the S. East side of the Island where Bro. Keeler is laboring; he reports the progress of the work there. I thought I would ride over to Bro. Hammond’s and have him anoint and administer unto me. When I arrived I found him if anything worse than myself and in bed. He had been seized last night. Quite unwell all day.4

8 July 1852 • Thursday

I was much disturbed last night by frightful dreams. Very weak indeed all day.5

9 July 1852 • Friday

Unwell &c.

10 July 1852 • Saturday

do. do.

11 July 1852 • Sunday

Not able to attend meeting, my horse being lost. This evening Bro. Napela came over from Wailuku.

12 July 1852 • Monday

Unwell &c.

13 July 1852 • Tuesday

do

14 July 1852 • Wednesday

do.

15 July 1852 • Thursday

I thought it would be beneficial to take a trip to Makawao as I could not get an appetite for food. In evening had a meeting, quite a good one. I heard that Bros. . . . & . . . had indulged in a wrong spirit and for which Bro. . . . had condemned him been suspended; Bro. . . . had justified him and condemned the Bro. Hawkins & the branch for the course they had taken. Bro. . . . would not repent but justified the course he had taken as correct6 and therefore they had suspended him. After hearing all that they had said, Bro. Hammond Hawkins & I counselled the brethren to take the course recommended <taught> by the word of the Lord in such cases.7

16 July 1852 • Friday

Engaged variously.

17 July 1852 • Saturday

Bro. H. took my horse and started for Wailuku to fill the Sunday appointment.

18 July 1852 • Sunday

Bro. Winchester returned from Waiehu bringing a letter for me from Bro. Lewis; one from <Bro> Kipp and one from the First Pres., Bros. Brigham [Young], Heber [Kimball] & Willard [Richards], also a No. of the Deseret News dated April 3rd; the letter was dated April [blank] [Apr. 2, 1852]. The letter acknowledged the receipt of my letter to Bro. Brigham of April /51; also justifying the course taken by us in staying on the Islands.8 In it they give a synopsis of affairs in the Vallies; peace and unity & health prevails throughout the Vallies. The Winter had been a very mild one, masons at work all the time. They <had> built the Tabernacle and <were> intending to have it completed by the 6th, and have it dedicated then, it[s] size was [blank] feet by [blank]9 Uncle10 [John Taylor] was expected <on> in the course of the summer with machinery for the manufactur[in]g of woolen cloth and beet sugar.11 Bros. [Ezra T.] Benson & [Jedediah M.] Grant were quite successful in their mission in gathering up the saints in Pottowattomie [Pottawattamie] County [Iowa], the mob assisting them by driving them out.12 They intended coming with handcarts, wheel barrows &c. &c.13 They paper has been enlarged to twice its original size and is a very respectable and interesting <sheet,> being well filled with news.14 I was well pleased at the reception of this letter as also the paper. The news was gratifying to hear of the success and progress of the Kingdom abroad and at home. Held meeting & cut off Bros. . . . & . . .

19 July 1852 • Monday

Reading &c. In afternoon went down to Bro. Winchester’s & slept.

20 July 1852 • Tuesday

Bro. W. loaned me his horse to ride down [to Waiehu].

21 July 1852 • Wednesday

Engaged writing to Elizabeth [Hoagland]. In evening received a bundle of letters and papers, by Napela’s boy, from home; two short ones from Aunt [Leonora Taylor] and Annie [Anne Cannon]; two from Bro. Charles [Lambert]; one from Bro. Joseph [Cain] and from Bro. Elias Smith; and also one from Bro. Parley [Pratt] at San Francisco. The papers were from Nov. 15th /51 to April 17th/52 inclusive with the exception of the No. issued Feb. 7th.15 The news was of the most heart cheering kind from home, every thing prospering and cheering the hearts of the saints and all those who love Zion’s cause. The Conference was the best that ever had been held since the commencement of the Church, a glorious time. It made me Homesick to read the news. My Folks were all well, with the exception of Bro. Joseph who has been brought to the edge of the grave; he has nearly recovered his wonted health. I was very sorry to hear this, and I felt to pray that the Lord in mercy would lengthen out his days that he might do a good work before he went home. Mary Ann [Taylor] had been unwell but was recovering. Anne was well, but unmarried. Angus, David & Leonora [Cannon] had been <to> school all winter. Bro. Cain writes that he is endeavoring to get Angus into the Printing office. David has left not liking the business. They all speak of Elizabeth in terms of commendation, but complaining of my not writing to her &c. I have received no letter from her, this was somewhat <of> a damper. I was very glad to hear from Bro. Elias[.] Lucy [Smith] was well as also their little girl [Emily Jane Smith]. The Twelve are all called home to the April Conference of 1853.16 Bro. Pratt is well and translating into the Spanish; he sends an invitation to any of us that can be spared to go home with him; but particularly to Bro. Hawkins, saying he would be glad if he could come.17 We were excited very much upon the receipt of this news; Sis. Hammond was very much pleased at receiving one from her people. They all breathe love and affection to me with a very strong desire to see me return.

22 July 1852 • Thursday

Finishing my letter to Elizabeth. <I wrote to Bro. Parley in Bro.> Hawkins’ letter; also one to Bro. Lewis giving a synopsis of the news; also Bro. P’s [Perkins’s] letter.18

23 July 1852 • Friday

We went up a Kanyon behind the house this mor to-day for the purpose of praying according to the order;19 we found at the head a perpendicular rocky precipice of about 30 feet high, on all sides the mountain rose very precipitously and in some places were overhanging almost forming <a> chamber; the Kanyon was very narrow and it was an impracticable <thing> for any to get up to the head except up by coming up the bed of the creek, which was dry and only a few feet wide; where we officiated was about twelve or fourteen feet wide. Bro. Keeler was placed on guard below and it made us [Cannon, Hawkins, and Hammond] feel safe from disturbance or intrusion. I was melted down, and enjoyed a powerful share of the spirit and had the spirit of prophecy. I felt to renew my determination to do right and to go forward with renewed strength with the assistance of my Father. It was a source of rejoicing, gratitude and thanksgiving to think I should be so privileged. This evening I received a letter from Bro. Kaleohano, Kula, which gave a good account of things there; the progress of the singing schools, &c. &c.; also including an invitation to all of us upon this Island, and the brethren on Oahu and Molokai, with all the white brethren & wives20 to attend the dedication of two meeting houses built by the Saints in Kula. The feast was to commence on the 10th of Aug and to continue four days.

24 July 1852 • Saturday

Reading “[Deseret] News” &c. Bro. Keeler attended the meeting at Wailuku.21 I have been quite unwell home sick these few days, my mind reverted to the enjoyments of home <with force to day, it being>, their pioneer anniversary.

25 July 1852 • Sunday

Attended meeting in Wailuku in company with Bros. Hammond and Keeler. We had quite a good meeting, I gave a relation of the progress of the work &c., at which they appeared delighted. Bros. H & K. both spoke and we enjoyed the spirit. In afternoon had a very good <meeting> taught a good deal of principle, Bros. H., K. and I spoke.22 After meeting wrote notes of invitation to Bros. Lewis, Bigler and Farrer, Oahu; and Bros. Perkins & Woodbury, Molokai; also Bro. Kipp, Lahaina to attend the feast on the 10th of Aug.23 Returned to Waiehu.

26 July 1852 • Monday

Reading &c.24

27 July 1852 • Tuesday

Rode over to Council Meeting at Wailuku; had a good meeting, and returned. Received another package being a complete file [Deseret News] from Nov. 15th [1851] to May 1st [1852] inclusive. I have received two files with the exception of Feb. 7th and May 1st. I felt under many obligations to Bro. Joseph [Cain] for his kindness and expressions of love; he is indeed a true friend; he is as near to me as a brother and has manifested the love of a brother in numberless instances in the most unselfish manner. I pray the Lord to bless him for his goodness, and I know he will be blest, for he has, and is taking the right course to receive it but by holding himself and all that he has at the service of the Lord. By the paper of the 1st of May I see Bro. Bigler’s name and mine in connection with Bro. [Arieh] Brower’s and Joseph’s as and others as Presidents of the 30th Quorum also George T’s [Taylor] and Angus M’s [Cannon] names among the members.

28 July 1852 • Wednesday

Went again to the Kanyon and had a good time.25

29 July 1852 • Thursday

Pasting backs on my files of papers.26 I returned this evening to Wailuku and had an excellent meeting.

30 July 1852 • Friday

Writing home &c.

31 July 1852 • Saturday

do. do. In afternoon attended meeting.

Cite This Page

Cite This Page

July 1852, The Journal of George Q. Cannon, accessed November 21, 2024 https://chpress-web.churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon/1850s/1852/07-1852

Footnotes

  1. [1]Cannon reported the trip to Moloka‘i and noted that upon returning to Lahaina, “the white inhabitants were nearly all sick & their public houses of business nearly all shut up” (Farrer diary, July 2, 1852).

  2. [2]Hammond attributed the nighttime journey to the fact that “Brother C. was not able to set out for home yet as we have to walk over the mountain at Sundown we started on foot for Waiehu had a very hard journey, but cool through the night” (Hammond journal, July 1, 1852). The Latter-day Saint missionaries commonly traveled at “night to avoid the hot sun & high ‘trades’ [winds]” (Reddick Allred journal, Oct. 15, 1853). Regarding the warmer daytime travel, Nathan Tanner wrote, “My shurt & garment each day was as wet as tho they had jist come out of the wash tub” (Tanner journal, Sept. 12, 1853).

  3. [3]Hammond wrote that “Br. George preached had hard work to keep the people awake” (Hammond journal, July 4, 1852).

  4. [4]Keeler reported that Cannon and Hammond were both suffering from “a fever that is raging in Lahaina” (see Keeler journal, July 22, 1852). Hammond wrote that he “woke up with a distressing head ache & a great fever pains in all my bones. . . . Br Cannon came over sick also with the same complaint” (Hammond journal, July 7, 1852).

  5. [5]Hammond reported: “All day Sick at heart & in mind & body. Br Cannon no better[.] took Some oil & had hands laid on us, we are quite miserable” (Hammond journal, July 8, 1852).

  6. [6]Written over I.

  7. [7]Although the exact nature of the suspension is not known, it is likely that the individual was excluded from functioning in his Church calling until a formal council could be held. Upon hearing the details of what had transpired, Cannon may have recommended formal disciplinary action affecting the individual’s Church membership privileges.

  8. [8]Concerning Cannon and the Hawaiian Mission, the letter stated:

    “As the California mail leaves for Sacramento City, to day, we avail ourselves of the opportunity to write a few lines to acknowledge the receipt of letters received last September, and also that you may know that we are not unmindfull of your welfare.

    “We were well pleased with the course you had taken, and the conclusions which the brethren and yourself had come to, in reference to remaining in the Islands untill you had laid a foundation, agreably to your instructions from Elder C. C. Rich. It has been our constant prayer to our Heavenly Father that you might be blest and prospered.

    “We have understood that Letters from the Sandwich Islands were in the mail which left Sacramento City in November last, which never arrived, the Indians at Mary’s River haveing killed the carriers.

    “The California Mail arrived on the 26th of March bringing a letter from Elder James Hawkins to his wife dated in Sept which states that you had baptized 196 in July, and that he had baptized 17, which was pleasing news to us” (First Presidency to Cannon, Apr. 2, 1852, rough draft copy, BYOF).

  9. [9]The tabernacle referred to was built on the current site of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Begun in 1851, the building, which was built of adobe, was dedicated on April 6, 1852, and was used until it was torn down in 1877 to make way for the Assembly Hall. Measuring 126 × 64 feet, the tabernacle could accommodate about 2,500 people (Jenson, Encyclopedic History, 860; “Minutes of the General Conference,” Deseret News, Apr. 17, 1852).

  10. [10]Written over B.

  11. [11]As part of Brigham Young’s efforts to make the Latter-day Saints as self-sustaining as possible, in 1849 he asked Church leaders in England to send to Utah Territory woolen and cotton looms and to encourage those with woolen and cotton manufacturing experience to move to the territory. Although a company of woolen manufacturers left England for Utah in 1851, the machinery did not arrive until years later. In 1850 Young asked John Taylor in France to investigate the possibility of growing sugar beets in Utah. Taylor subsequently visited the sugar beet factory at Pas-De-Calais and purchased 1,200 pounds of beet seeds and ordered machinery capable of producing three hundred tons of sugar annually. In November 1852 the machinery arrived at Salt Lake City and a sugar beet factory was established four miles south of the city in an area now known as Sugar House. The factory, however, failed to live up to expectations, and sugar beets did not become a major industry until the 1890s, when a successful sugar factory was established in Lehi, Utah. For overviews of these activities, see Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom, 116–22; Hartshorn, “Philip De La Mare,” 19–48, 112–15.

  12. [12]In 1851 a large number of Latter-day Saints were still living along the Missouri River in Iowa and Nebraska. Church leaders sent Benson and Grant “to guide the Saints En mass” to the Great Basin (Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards to Parley P. Pratt, Oct. 23, 1851, BYOF). As a result, the 1852 migration was the largest in the twenty-two-year history of the Mormon Trail. For additional information, see Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri; Slaughter and Landon, Trail of Hope, 109–11.

  13. [13]Although it was not until 1856 that the first company of Latter-day Saints traveled to Utah by handcart, Brigham Young had contemplated using this method of travel for several years. In 1851, he admonished the Saints to travel to the valley by any means possible, including “handcarts, or wheel-barrows,” as he had seen gold miners bound for California do. The Saints who immigrated in 1852, however, made the journey by wagon (“Sixth General Epistle,” Deseret News, Nov. 15, 1851). For an overview of the Latter-day Saint handcart experience, see Hafen and Hafen, Handcarts to Zion; Slaughter and Landon, Trail of Hope, 117–31; Garr, Cannon, and Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History, 461–63; Olsen, The Price We Paid.

  14. [14]Beginning with volume 2, issue 1, published November 15, 1851, the Deseret News expanded from 28 × 22 centimeters to a more traditional-sized newspaper of 54 × 40 centimeters. Prior to this change, the Deseret News had suspended publication for three months.

  15. [15]Hammond also made note of these newspapers: “We received 11 nos of the Deseret News and they ware full of news to us they ware directed to Br Cannon, by Br Joseph Kain who has our warmest thanks for the Same” (Hammond journal, July 24, 1852).

  16. [16]Church leaders were anticipating laying the cornerstones for the Salt Lake Temple at that time.

  17. [17]The invitation to return home placed Hawkins “in a quandary” (Hammond journal, July 22, 1852). Lewis later counseled “Hawkins to go home if he could be spared from his field of labor” (Lewis journal, Aug. 13, 1852). Hawkins chose to remain in the islands.

  18. [18]Lewis reported receiving “a letter from Bro Cannon enclosing one from Bro P P Pratt, one from Bro Hawkins and another from Bro Perkins stating that Sis Perkins was sick and asking Council about takeing her home and I counciled him to do so as soon as practicable” (Lewis journal, Aug. 13, 1852).

  19. [19]“The order” mentioned by Cannon is a pattern for prayer restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Although these prayers are usually associated with Latter-day Saint temple worship, in 1851 authorization was given for the prayers to be offered apart from the endowment ceremony. In May 1978 the First Presidency of the Church announced that the practice was to be discontinued outside the temple. For additional information, see George S. Tate, “Prayer Circle,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 3:1120–21.

  20. [20]Corrected in pencil from wifes.

  21. [21]Cannon began to write the next day’s date following this sentence, but after writing Sunday he crossed it out and added the last sentence.

  22. [22]Hammond recorded the subjects of the talks: “Br George Spoke first on the Spread of the Gospel Second coming of Christ &c, followed by Br Keeller, & Myself on the Same Subject” (Hammond journal, July 25, 1852).

  23. [23]Cannon invited these individuals to an anticipated “feast of 4 days,” during which the two new meetinghouses would be dedicated. The O‘ahu missionaries, however, did not receive their invitation until after the scheduled dedication services were over (Farrer diary, Aug. 23, 1852).

  24. [24]Hammond, Cannon, and Keeler spent part of the day “writing up” their journals (Hammond journal, July 26, 1852).

  25. [25]The missionaries went to the mountains seeking a secluded place to pray. Hammond wrote of this experience, “We had a good time, but not so much of the Spirit as we do sometimes, we thought it was in consequnce of not getting as much sleep as we should have had last night as we ware up very late and we felt very droussy” (Hammond journal, July 28, 1852).

  26. [26]Cannon was binding the papers together.