Note 62:c — VIII. RECORD OF THE BATTALION IN CALIFORNIA.

Others place the price paid for this tract of land at $3,000.00 (Whitney's History of Utah, Vol. I, p. 375; Bancroft's Utah, p. 307, note 4). I think the statement in John Smith's letter to Brigham Young the more reliable, since the high council over which he presided advised the purchase to be made, and would most likely know the price paid.

There is also some confusion as to the time of the purchase. June 6th, 1848, is the time fixed upon by Jenson's Chronology, 1899 edition, p. 35. Whitney following the Brown family tradition places the time of the purchase late in December, 1847, or early in January, 1848; and the return of Captain Brown from California in December, 1847. Whereas Brigham Young's Journal History—quoting John Smith's letter—referred to above—places the date of the Captain's return "about the middle of November, 1847"; and that he brought with him "about $5,000.00, mostly in gold." Others say $10,000.00 in Mexican doubloons. Brown was gone (i. e. from Salt Lake Valley) three months and seven days, History of Brigham Young, Ms. March 6th, 1848, p. 16.