130 PROVISIONAL STATE GOVERNMENT. 



ants, and was divided into numerous wards, each, at the time of 

 our visit, enclosed by a substantial fence, for the protection of the 

 young crops : as time and leisure will permit, these will be removed, 

 and each lot enclosed by itself, as with us. The houses are built, 

 principally, of adobe or sun-dried brick, which, when well covered 

 with a tight projecting roof, make a warm, comfortable dwelling, 

 presenting a very neat appearance. Buildings of a better descrip- 

 tion are being introduced, although slowly, owing to the difficulty of 

 procuring the requisite lumber, which must always be scarce and 

 dear in a country so destitute of timber. 



Upon a square appropriated to the public buildings, an immense 

 shed had been erected upon posts, which was capable of containing 

 three thousand persons. It was called " The Bowery,'' and served 

 as a temporary place of worship, until the construction of the Great 

 Temple. This latter is to surpass in grandeur of design and gor- 

 geousness of decoration all edifices the world has yet seen ; and is to 

 be eclipsed only by that contemplated in Jackson county, Missouri, 

 — to be erected when "the fulness of time shall come," and which 

 will constitute the head-quarters or central point, whence light, 

 truth, and the only true religion shall radiate to the uttermost 

 parts of the earth. A mint was already in operation, from which 

 were issued gold coins of the Federal denominations, stamped, 

 without assay, from the dust brought from California. 



The provisional State government, with all the machinery of 

 executive, legislative, and judicial functionaries, was in regular 

 and harmonious action, under the constitution recently adopted. 

 The jurisdiction of the " State of Deseret" had been extended over 

 and was vigorously enforced upon all who came within its borders, 

 and justice was equitably administered alike to "saint" and '^ gen- 

 tile" — as they term all who are not of their persuasion. Of the 

 truth of this, as far at least as the gentiles were concerned, I soon 

 had convincing proof, by finding, one fine morning, some twenty of 

 our mules safely secured in the public pound, for trespass upon 

 the cornfield of some pious saint ; possession was recovered only 

 by paying the fine imposed by the magistrate and amply remu- 

 nerating the owner for the damage done to his crops. Their 

 courts were constantly appealed to by companies of passing emi- 

 grants, who, having fallen out by the way, could not agree upon 

 the division of their property. The decisions were remarkable 

 for fairness and impartiality, and if not submitted to, were sternly 

 enforced by the whole power of the community. Appeals for 



