With sentiments of the highest esteem and gratitude to the Giver of all good for His kind blessings, I remain,
Respectfully yours, Brigham Young, Governor.
Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory,
March 26th, 1851.
The Legislature of Deseret, in joint session, March 28th, 1851, unanimously passed the following Preamble and Resolutions, pertaining to the organization of a Territorial Government for Utah: —
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, in the winter and spring of the year of our Lord, 1849, the people of this territory did form and establish a Provisional State Government, until the United States Congress should otherwise provide by law for the government of this territory; and Whereas, it was under this authority and by virtue thereof, that this body have acted and legislated, for and in behalf of the people of said State, now Utah Territory; and Whereas the United States Congress has finally legislated in behalf of this territory, by passing an act for the organization of the Territory of Utah; making appropriations for public buildings, and extending the Constitution of the United States over said territory; and Whereas, previous to the first election under said law, the census has to be taken, and apportionments made, which will necessarily consume much time; and Whereas the public buildings for said territory are very much needed, and the United States Congress having made an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars towards defraying the expense thereof;—and in order to facilitate the speedy erection of said public buildings for the use of the territory, and further promote the mutual and easy organization of said territorial government;— Therefore, be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Deseret:
1. That we cheerfully and cordially accept of the legislation of Congress in the Act to establish a Territorial Government for Utah.
2. That we welcome the Constitution of the United States—the legacy of our fathers—over this territory.
3. That all officers under the Provisional State Government of Deseret, are hereby requested to furnish unto their successors in office every facility in their power, by returning and delivering unto them public documents, laws, ordinances, and dockets, that may or can be of any use or benefit to their said successors in office.
4. That Union Square, in Great Salt Lake City, be devoted for the use of public buildings of said Territory.
5. That Governor B. Young be our agent to make drafts upon the treasury of the United States for the amount appropriated for said buildings, and to take such other measures as he shall deem proper for their immediate erection.
6. That we appoint an architect to draft designs, and a committee of one, to superintend the erection of said buildings.
7. That Truman O. Angel, of said city, be said architect, and Daniel H. Wells, of said city, the committee; and that they proceed immediately to the designing and erection of said buildings.
8. That, whereas, the State House in Great Salt Lake City having been originally designed for a "Council House," and erected by and at the expense of the " Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," for the purpose, as well as to accommodate the Provisional Government; that we now do relinquish unto said Church the aforesaid building, tendering unto them our thanks for the free use thereof during the past session.
9. That we fix upon Saturday, the 5th day of April next, for the adjustment and final dissolving of the General Assembly of the State of Deseret.
H. C. Kimball, President of the Council.
J. M. Grant, Speaker of the House.
"T. Bullock, Clerk"
Governor Young issued a proclamation on July 1st, 1851, calling the election for the first Monday in the following August, when it was accordingly held, August 4th, and the Territorial Legislature of Utah duly created by the people.
The first session of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah, was convened in pursuance of the proclamation of the Governor, on the 22nd day of September, A. D. 1851; and continued by adjournments to the 18th day of February, A. D. 1852. This was succeeded by a special session, called by proclamation of the Governor, and convened the day following, continuing until the 6th day of March, A. D. 1852.
Brigham Young, Governor.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL:
Great Salt Lake County.—Willard Richards (President), Heber C. Kimball, Daniel H. Wells, Orson Spencer, Ezra T. Benson (resigned September 24th, 1851), Orson Pratt (elected November 15th, 1851), Jedediah M. Grant (resigned September 23rd, 1851), Edward Hunter (elected November 15th, 1851).
Davis County.—John S. Fullmer.
Weber County.—Lorin Farr, Charles R. Dana.
Utah County.—Alexander Williams, Aaron Johnson.
San Pete County.—Isaac Morley.
Iron County.—George A. Smith.
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Great Salt Lake County.—William W. Phelps (Speaker), Daniel Spencer, Albert P. Rockwood, Nathaniel H. Felt, David Fullmer, Edwin D. Woolley, Phinehas Richards, Joseph Young, Henry G. Sherwood, Wilford Woodruff, Benjamin F. Johnson, Hosea Stout, Willard Snow (resigned September 24th, 1851), John Brown (elected November 15, 1851).
Davis County.—Andrew J. Lamereaux, John Stoker, Gideon Brownell.
Weber County.—David B. Dille, James Brown, James G. Browning.
Utah County.—David Evans, William Miller, Levi W. Hancock.
San Pete County.—Charles Shumway.
Iron County.—Elisha H. Groves, George Brimhall (elected November 15. 1851)
Tooele County,—John Rowberry.
The first printed volume of laws of Utah Territory, had the following title page:
"Acts, Resolutions, and Memorials, passed by the First Annual, and Special Sessions, of the Legislative Assembly, of the Territory of Utah, begun and held at Great Salt Lake City, on the 22nd day of September, A. D. 1851. Also the Constitution of the United States, and the Act organizing the Territory of Utah. Published by Authority of the Legislative Assembly. G. S. L. City, U. T. 1852. Brigham H. Young, Printer."
To this was appended a certificate of authenticity, signed by "Willard Richards, Secretary pro tem., appointed by the Governor."
At its opening session the members passed the following
"Joint Resolution Legalizing the Laws of the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret: "Resolved, by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah: That the laws heretofore passed by the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret, and which do not conflict with the Organic Act of said Territory be, and the same are hereby declared to be legal, and in full force and virtue, and shall so remain until superseded by the action of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah.
"Approved October 4, 1851."
This Resolution preserved the original charter of Great Salt Lake City.
The second Resolution, passed on the same day, transferred the political capital from Great Salt Lake City to "Pauvan Valley," where the City of Fillmore was afterwards founded, and Millard County organized and named in honor of the President of the United