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And if they come and are not friendly, put them where they can't harm us. . . ."21 As a precaution, Young directed that a letter of friendship be sent to the Ute war chief Walkara on May 14, and a few days later he again warned the Utah Valley settlers—this time instructing them to finish their fort quickly—to strictly control the number of Indians to be allowed in the fort at any one time, and to beware of deception. Later, he enlarged upon his previously stated policy of separation by urging the settlers not to be so familiar with the Indians, because, he said, "it makes them bold, impudent, and saucy, and will become a source of trouble and expense to you. Keep them at a respectful distance all the time, and they will respect you the more for it."22 On June 13, Brigham Young, his two counselors, and an interpreter met in council with Walkara and twelve of his warriors. During the discussion Young and Walkara expressed friendship. Walkara, having temporarily mellowed, indicated his antagonism toward the Utah Lake Utes and invited the Mormons to settle in his lands to the south of Utah Valley. Young responded affirmatively and went on to propose that the Mormons could help the Indians grow crops, develop herds, and learn to read.23 Despite growing concern over Indians, expansion was a primary theme during the summer of 1849 and the following October church general conference. A new settlement in San Pitch (Sanpete) Valley, south of Utah Valley, was announced and an appeal went out to members worldwide: "We want men. Brethren, come from the States, from the nations, come! and help us to build and grow until we can say enough—the valleys of Ephraim are full."24 The San Pitch company, numbering 224 people led by Isaac Morley, departed Salt Lake City on October 28.25 Later in the year a party under the leadership of Parley P. Pratt embarked on an extensive exploration of the valleys further south. On October 15, Isaac Higbee, who had replaced John S. Higbee as leader of the Utah Valley colony, wrote that Indians had been trouble21
Ibid., May 7, 1849. Ibid., May 14, 19 and 28, 1849. 23 Ibid., June 13, 1849. In Bailey, Walkara, Hank of the Mountains, pp. 1 9 - 2 1 , the author indicates that residual hostility by Walkara toward the U t a h Lake Utes (Timpany Utes) was because T i m p a n y Utes had killed Walkara's father. Walkara and his brother Arapeen avenged their father's murder and fled south, eventually settling in Sanpete Valley. 21 Second Epistle of the First Presidency of the LDS church as reported in J H , October 12, 1849. 25 J H , October 28 and November 22, 1849. At a public meeting, President Young was quoted as having called young men to San Pitch Valley ". . . and to take possession of all good valleys." 22
