March the 31, 1849

Brother Young, I received your letter dated the 30th of this inst. which informs me that my Negro girl is at your house and is desirous to not leave the Valley. Brother Young, my opinion about this matter is this. I expect perhaps that I will correct her if I get her, but this is the first offense she ever was guilty of, and I am persuaded to think myself that she is not to blame. There must be some person that lived in Greenriver and is living forty miles from the place that I left from. What I can learn that is more guilty than she is as for correcting her for such an offense, I shall not do it. She has bin my cook and did all of my washing since my wife died. My oldest daughter is not fourteen years of age yet, and if you please send her by Mr. Hooper, the bearer of this letter. She was born mine and I raised her and it seems as though there was one out of the family ever since she has bin away. I want that when Benjamin Mathews returns that you should ask him concerning some person that hunted his horse two days to go and get permission of you so as to fore him. B. Mathews promised he got her from bringing her to me.

Remains your Brother,

F. M. McKown

To Brigham Young