Upon arriving at the "Holy City," the best lodgings and the best brandy were provided for his Excellency. Brigham called in due time, and paid his compliments; invited Governor Cumming to his office, and tendered to him "the hospitalities of the city." Governor Cumming was delighted, and in a few days called at the office of Governor Young. This wily personage put on one of his blandest smiles, resigned his office of Governor, turned over the papers and documents of the office to his legal successor, and, to crown all, produced the _records of the courts_, in the highest state of preservation. Governor Cumming was perfectly amazed. Was it possible his eyes did not deceive him? Were these the veritable records about which so much had been said? They were; and the Mormons had been belied, and the Government deceived. He immediately wrote to the President and to Col. Johnson, and explained how matters stood. The gifted and accomplished Col. Kane was the bearer of these documents to his venerable friend James Buchanan, who read with delight these "signs of repentance" on the part of his dear children, and immediately commenced writing their pardon. It has been supposed by many that Col. Kane was, at that time, acting as the agent of the United States Government. But the following extract from a letter to him, written by President Buchanan, dated December 31, 1857, will at once determine the position which the Colonel occupied:-- "MY DEAR SIR,--You furnish the strongest evidence of your desire to serve the Mormons, by abandoning the comforts of friends, family, and home, and voluntarily encountering the perils and dangers of a journey to Utah, at the present inclement season of the year, at your own expense, and without official position. . . . Nothing but pure philanthropy, and a strong desire to serve the Mormon people, could have dictated a course so much at war with your private interests."