advantage. That hurts everyone. It disrupts the economies of both countries. It destroys fortunes. It makes the poor into beggars.”
“It also hurts the English mill owners, I believe,” said President Young. “Disrupts the supply of cotton.”
So the Prophet was not going to permit pussyfooting.
“Yes. The war is painful for our country. Should the North win, and in the process destroy the cotton economy of the South, it would be very painful.”
President Young looked vaguely amused. Burton understood. A great issue was being decided, the ethical and legal status of slavery. Burton himself despised slavery. And with all hanging in the balance, his government was most concerned about the profit-and-loss ledger. Ah, well, he was a soldier, not a politician.
“It is no secret,” put in the Prophet, “that your government is discreetly helping the South.”
Burton made a face. He was unaccustomed to such directness in a political matter, or to being pushed toward his own point.
“We wonder whether the Church should not take a position in this matter.”
“You may be too late,” said Young.
Earlier in the year, the Confederacy had advanced from Texas northward, taking the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe, and presumably headed for Colorado. But the Union had turned them back.
“We think not,” Burton went on. “That was merely the first skirmish. Southern New Mexico, southern Arizona, southern California—all favor the South. And the mines of Colorado are important. If Mr. Lincoln will finance his war with the gold of California, Mr. Davis will have the gold of Colorado.”
Young merely regarded Burton in silence. A good tactic .
“We believe you might well act.”
“Why would we?” asked the Prophet.
“The Saints can have no love for the people of the North, or their government. Not after Jackson County and Nauvoo, not to mention the Utah War.” The Mormons had been hounded out of Missouri and Illinois, with the complicity of the state governments. And the United States had sent a punitive military expedition to Utah in 1857.
“A divided country to the east is no disadvantage to us. Why would we not let the two sides weaken each other?”
Now Burton played his second highest card. “Because the South will prove sympathetic to plural marriage.” Polygamy was often thought a brother institution to slavery—Brigham Young himself was reported tohave called it so. And Burton suspected that in his heart of hearts, Brigham Young was determined most of all to create a safe place for his Saints to live exactly as they wanted, including their marital practices. He would have bet on it. He had advised his government to bet on it.
Now the Prophet turned away, looked over the city, and seemed to ponder. Finally he said, “What aid could we expect from your government?”
Burton smiled to himself and gave the authorized message. “Immediately, we will provide whatever arms the Nauvoo Legion requires. Additionally, if the Legion coordinates an advance on Colorado with forces from Texas, we will assure that it is well supplied.” Burton paused to lend his words effect, then laid down his highest card. “Ultimately, I think what is at stake is more important. Her Majesty’s government is willing to consider the idea of diplomatic recognition of a new alignment on this continent, including an independent Confederacy and an independent Deseret. Each would govern itself according to the dictates of its own conscience.”
Burton held his breath. All hung in the balance now. How much did President Young resent his removal as governor of Utah Territory? How much did he dream of true independence from the United States?
The Prophet turned his fierce gaze on the captain, and Burton wondered whether the President thought him a hypocrite. He had published his abhorrence of slavery widely. On the other hand, he had written rather favorably of polygamy as he had witnessed it in Asia, and approved of it
“It also hurts the English mill owners, I believe,” said President Young. “Disrupts the supply of cotton.”
So the Prophet was not going to permit pussyfooting.
“Yes. The war is painful for our country. Should the North win, and in the process destroy the cotton economy of the South, it would be very painful.”
President Young looked vaguely amused. Burton understood. A great issue was being decided, the ethical and legal status of slavery. Burton himself despised slavery. And with all hanging in the balance, his government was most concerned about the profit-and-loss ledger. Ah, well, he was a soldier, not a politician.
“It is no secret,” put in the Prophet, “that your government is discreetly helping the South.”
Burton made a face. He was unaccustomed to such directness in a political matter, or to being pushed toward his own point.
“We wonder whether the Church should not take a position in this matter.”
“You may be too late,” said Young.
Earlier in the year, the Confederacy had advanced from Texas northward, taking the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe, and presumably headed for Colorado. But the Union had turned them back.
“We think not,” Burton went on. “That was merely the first skirmish. Southern New Mexico, southern Arizona, southern California—all favor the South. And the mines of Colorado are important. If Mr. Lincoln will finance his war with the gold of California, Mr. Davis will have the gold of Colorado.”
Young merely regarded Burton in silence. A good tactic .
“We believe you might well act.”
“Why would we?” asked the Prophet.
“The Saints can have no love for the people of the North, or their government. Not after Jackson County and Nauvoo, not to mention the Utah War.” The Mormons had been hounded out of Missouri and Illinois, with the complicity of the state governments. And the United States had sent a punitive military expedition to Utah in 1857.
“A divided country to the east is no disadvantage to us. Why would we not let the two sides weaken each other?”
Now Burton played his second highest card. “Because the South will prove sympathetic to plural marriage.” Polygamy was often thought a brother institution to slavery—Brigham Young himself was reported tohave called it so. And Burton suspected that in his heart of hearts, Brigham Young was determined most of all to create a safe place for his Saints to live exactly as they wanted, including their marital practices. He would have bet on it. He had advised his government to bet on it.
Now the Prophet turned away, looked over the city, and seemed to ponder. Finally he said, “What aid could we expect from your government?”
Burton smiled to himself and gave the authorized message. “Immediately, we will provide whatever arms the Nauvoo Legion requires. Additionally, if the Legion coordinates an advance on Colorado with forces from Texas, we will assure that it is well supplied.” Burton paused to lend his words effect, then laid down his highest card. “Ultimately, I think what is at stake is more important. Her Majesty’s government is willing to consider the idea of diplomatic recognition of a new alignment on this continent, including an independent Confederacy and an independent Deseret. Each would govern itself according to the dictates of its own conscience.”
Burton held his breath. All hung in the balance now. How much did President Young resent his removal as governor of Utah Territory? How much did he dream of true independence from the United States?
The Prophet turned his fierce gaze on the captain, and Burton wondered whether the President thought him a hypocrite. He had published his abhorrence of slavery widely. On the other hand, he had written rather favorably of polygamy as he had witnessed it in Asia, and approved of it
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