Brigham Young Autograph Letter Signed.

Rare autograph letter signed by Brigham Young regarding passage through Utah for botanist Edward Palmer. One page, handwritten on blue-lined paper. The letter reads in full, "Salt Lake City, U.T. 27 May 1870 To Elder Thomas Collister, Bishop of Fillmore and the bishops of the various settlements between that city and St. George. Dear Brethren: - The bearer of this Dr Edward Palmer, a gentleman sent out by the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. is on his way to St. George from which place he purposes starting on a scientific exploration of northern Arizona and the country contiguous. You will please afford Dr. Palmer all the aid and information in your power, to enable him to successfully accomplish the objects of the expedition. Your Brethren in the Gospel Brigham Young." Edward Palmer (1829-1911) was a British-born botanist and early-American archaeologist. Employed by the Department of Agriculture and the Smithsonian Institute, he is considered the "father of ethnobotany". During his career he established frameworks, still in use today, for the collection and reporting on plant specimens, which he extensively collected throughout North and South America. In near fine condition with mailing folds.