Letter from George Teasdale, 18 December 1891 [LE-41879]

Personal Colonia Diaz, & de Chihuahua, Mexico

December 18^th, 1891.

Dear Wilford Woodruff:

Last week I sent you a synopsis of our Quarterly Conference which I opend. Just the minutes which was reported by our Conference Clerk Elder Dennison E Harris. I brought the minutes here with me as he is so [illegible] in his school need other duties, thinking I would copy them for the Church News, but concluded to write you that you might be posted with regard to the spirit of the [illegible] get that Conference Nov [illegible] ^th 1827 [illegible]. There was released to, in the course of the Conference, by Bp. Jesse N. Smith, an excellent young man and who is doing well as Bp. of Pacheco, the subject of rents which had caused some little dissatisfaction. I did not report it in his remarks, but thought I would write to you about it, as I like to keep you posted of all that is transpiring. There has been a change in the assessment. When the Saints were first assessed for rent, on the Colony lands, they were charged 75¢ pe[r] year for City or town lots, 50 cts per acre for farming land, and they were allowed one or two cows free of rent and a span of animals for work team free of rent. Now the assessment is from $1⁰⁰ to 2 00/100 one to two dollars for lots and 50¢ fifty cents per head for cows and [hor]ses, none free. 25¢ have been assessed for calves. [There] has been some dissatisfaction about this and

is enabled to say – just as I told you [illegible] what guarantee have we that rents can be increased at any time to become affective. Most all of the colonists orefer holding the land in company. The experience we have had in the past [illegible] that professing Saints are sent to be [illegible] better that we should have consideration and possible pressure ourselves from [illegible] protect our children from [illegible] of the gentiles. I should be in favor of [illegible] front [illegible] one dollar a year and official principle street 75 [illegible] allow one or have cows [illegible] but to the consideration of a [illegible] Against [illegible] interested in the establishment of peace [illegible] I whould allow every man [illegible] I would have a kindly consideration for the poor who were trying to make a start and teach them the principles of righteousness and unity and the necessity of living the principles of righteousness, having strict [illegible] [illegible] ffaithful in tithes & offerings understanding to the conditions of our [illegible] organization so we might have more [illegible] to [illegible] more land and grow and [illegible] upon correct principles of unity and brotherly love in Christ Jesus and the true simplicity of the Gospel, and I am sure we can maintain the holding of the land in Company and preserve ourselves from the abomination of Saloons, Billiard Halls, gambling dues and houses of illfame. We are credited with being free from these demoralizing factors and [illegible] than grace of God hope to keep up our reputations and work the [illegible] sources. This is the [illegible]

[illegible] upon by the [illegible] for a town lot and [illegible] upon our performing land [illegible] [illegible] few head of stock, nothing [illegible] people are assessed [illegible]about appealing [illegible] municipal taxes and when [illegible] and municiple taxes [illegible] realize it is not so pleasant in Mexico as it [illegible]. We have been let alone considerably so far and encouraged to build and improve &c. [illegible] ings and improvements [illegible] as for texes in the future. There is a spirit of exhortation in these things that may [illegible] to be bourn by the people and in the days past have led to the [illegible] that have so frequently taken place in this country. I hope you will kindly [illegible] these things and let us know something all will subscribe to and lay a foundation of some unity and proper feelings. I am satisfied that kindly consideration [illegible] of resolutions that all can [illegible] and held in Company for our [illegible] understand. Bro. Woodruff, you have given us [illegible] hopes of meeting this mission. I hope you [illegible] reconsider this. There is every hopes of our [illegible] a railroad here by our May Conference and you would be able to come quite [illegible] [illegible] it would do you.

of quail and [illegible] the climate is splendid [illegible] not get on the [illegible] once to this land of the old [illegible] you leave this lower world. [illegible] have to rough it. we will do everything for your comfort and [illegible] you if you [illegible] give us [illegible] am sure you would be greatly interested in our [illegible] little by little we [illegible] improving [illegible] Mexico. I will send to the Historian's office a synopsis of our two Conferences [illegible] Mexican Mission. We are [illegible] of keeping a record of our history. The new settlements every one is [illegible] building, breaking land, fencing, building sheds and corrals &c that while we are [illegible] history we fail to record it. Our next Conference will be held on Saturday & Sunday, 27 & 28 of February and then [illegible] Saturday & Sunday May 28 & 29^th. This is a [illegible] and would just send [illegible] appointed last week. I did not go to the Priesthood Meeting [illegible] 12^th in Juarez. The day before I should have gone, I was taken with [illegible] and thought I was coming down with a sick spell, but I was healed. But I send work to Bro James, who was to have taken me up the country, I could not go. [illegible] [illegible] he was glad he did not have to go as he had [illegible] [illegible] We are having [illegible] [illegible]thigh. We are [illegible]