THE MORMONS.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 553, 2 August 1851, Page 3

THE MORMONS.

No doubt you are aware that in the geographical formation of what is called the Rocky Mountains, there is that anomolous feature known as the Great Basin, the existence of which, until quite recently, was advanced as a theory, but is now established as a fact. It is a singular feature ; a basin of some 500 miles diameter every way, between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above the level of the sea, shut in all around by mountains, with its own system of lakes and rivers, and having no connection whatever with the sea, except, perhaps, that the Mormons have recently discovered whirlpools in the Salt Lake, which may possibly lead to the discovery of some outlet. The basin is partly ai id. Its general character is that of desert and mountains, except the eastern portioDs of it, parts of which afford fine locations for civilised man. The sect denominated Mormons have here located themselves, and brought under cultivation au extent of arable land for 150 miles. It was three yeais on the 24th of January last, that the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake Valley, and their progress in laying out a city, buildings, fencing farms, raising crops, &c, is truly wonderful to behold ; and is but another striking demonstration of the indefatigable enterprise, industry, and pei severance of the AngloSaxon lace. The city is laid out in about twenty different wards, and covers an area of three square miles. It already contains about one thousand houses, nearly one storey and a half high, built of adobe, or sun-burnt brick. A line stream of cold water rushes down from the mountains, which is distributed in ditches through every street in the city, through the gardens, and to the doois of the dwellings, where it is used for culinary and other purpose?. The ground whereon the city is built is sloping, which affords a great fall for the water, the current tlnough the ditches" running at the rate of about four " knots -an hour," and keeps up a continual supply of f reah water aom t^e mountain". The valley wheie the city stands is quite bamlbome, limning east nnd west. ' The city is situate about three miles iron? the Timpanngos Mountains on the ea*t, within fivo of the Utah outlet on the south-east, and within twenty miles fiom theiange of wountiius on the south, and within '22 miles of- the Gieat Salt Like. Its population is about 5()00 7 that of the valley, 10,000, exclusivo of the city. Tke Moimons are now building a neat stone St^te House, two storeys high, and Us dimensions aie 40 by 90 foot. Most of the city is ff need, every h.ilf square milti being under oue cnclosuic, almost ovei) foot of the

ground (except wlwie tlie liousp stands) being occupied ia grain and vegetables. There are seveial stores kept here. Mechanics oi'different trades are bu&dy engaged. The Mormons, take them as a body, I truly before, are a most industrious people, and, I confess, as intelligent as any I have met with, either in the ea-t or west. It is true they are a little fanatical about their religiotu views, which is not at all stiauge, when compared with che majority of religious denominations in the east. But let no man be deceived in bis estimation of the people who hare settled here. Any people who have the courage to travel over plains, rivers, and mountains for 1200 miles— such, probably, as cannot be tra\ellfd over in any other part of the woihl— to sottle m a region which scarcely ever received the tread of any but the wild savage and beasts w ho roam the wilderness, must be possessed of indomitable energy which is but rarely met with. Bngham Young, the President of the Mormon Church heie (and to whom I had a litter of introduction), ia a man about forty years of age, of light complexion, ordinary height, but rather corpulent. lie exercises a vast influence among the Mormons — probably more than any other man — and I thick stands nearly m the same position a^ their s,unt, Joseph Smith. He is a man of considerable intelligence, and I think has seen a good deal of the world. The grea'e-it fault I can find with his preaching is, that he is almost too egotistical. Instead of taking a text fiom the good book, and if possible showing that the Book of Mormon is the tiue road, he confines himself altogether to giving accounts of their persecuted church in bygone days, and in "showing up" its present enemies. I have heard him pi each twice, and have bad several private conversations with him. In puvate, he is very sociable and talkative, joking and laughing as heartily as anybody. A.n impression exists abroad respecting the number of wivos which each Mormon is allowed, and which it may noc be amiss to make a few remains upon. 1 have made inquiry of those who know, and find that each member, as well each head of the church, is privileged to have as many wive 3 as he can decently support — that is, if all parties concerned are agreed — and to each he has to be formally manied in accordance with the law "in s\.ch case made and provided." I have not a vrord to say in defence of thia odious and demoralizing feature—but merely state ths {acts.— New York Enquirer.