338, Hudson Street, N. Y., August 12th, 1847.

Beloved President Orson Spencer, and F. [Franklin] D. Richards, counselor,--Through the mercies of God we are yet alive and well, and we feel very grateful to think that we are once more permitted to set our feet on our native soil, and it gives us pleasure in writing to you, knowing the anxiety that is in every true-hearted Saint in the British Islands, to hear a few words from this land, relative to the building up of the kingdom of God.

We had a good passage, but were just five weeks at sea, arriving at the quarantine ground on the 9th instant, the next day landing in the city. When we had been four or five days at sea, the wind began to blow from the west, which continued for three weeks, during which time we made but slow progress on account of tacking ship so frequently. We experienced three very heavy storms, so heavy indeed, that the captain remarked he had never experienced such at this season of the year. During the first storm a fire broke out in an adjoining apartment to ours, which created great excitement among the passengers, and never until then did we see so fair a specimen of men doubting the veracity of a God which they pretended to believe in, for there were two Methodist preachers on board, and they appeared more uneasy than any of the rest, and frequently came to us to talk about the dangers we were in, which plainly showed that they had no confidence in their God without body or parts, whilst our company were as merry as larks, for we trusted in Israel's God, who is ever as ready to protect his Saints on the sea as on the land, for we are his people and endeavor to do his will, and felt satisfied that we had the faith and prayers of the Saints in Europe and America to sustain us.

We took the north route to the north of Ireland, and went as far north as 58 degrees north latitude, therefore it was very favorable for our company. There was but little sickness on board, and only three deaths. Our party had unbounded influence on board the ship. The captain, and first and second mate showed us every respect that we could ask. They requested us to preach, and we did so. The captain read the "Voice of Warning" and made many enquiries about our principles, and wished to form a further acquaintance with our people; he is a gentleman, and so is his son, who acted as second mate. They often said we were the most comfortable of any on board the ship, for peace and union prevailed with us, and, we thought, as much as ever had existed in crossing the sea. Our company was organized in a proper manner, appointing Brother [Lucius N.] Scovil as President, and Brother Sirrine as counselor, [p.276] Brother [Oliver B.] Huntington as steward, who made every arrangement about our cooking, and carried it out to the satisfaction of the whole company. We recommend the Saints who think of emigrating to New York, to come by the Empire, with Captain Russell, for it is a noble ship, a good sailor.

When we arrived here we met with Elder L. O. Littlefield, who is on a mission to Europe with documents from the Twelve, and he says too large for post, with many letters for different elders. I got two from my wife, one was directed to New York and the other to England. My family were all in good health, at present they are about 18 miles above Council Bluffs. My wife had been sick several months, and my three eldest children, but all have got well (I write this for the benefit of all those who may wish to know of their welfare, as it had been so long since I had heard from them.) Brother Littlefield tells me that your families are all well, and all the friends of the American Elders that are in camp. He says that peace and union prevails, but he will tell you all particulars when he arrives. He has been here but a short time, and had gone to work for means, but we told him that he must not stay to work, but go direct. He came this evening, and said he had no money, when we told him, if he made up his mind to go, that the Lord would put it into the heart of some person to furnish him, and before he left here, brother D. S. Hollister, who came from Philadelphia today, gave him ten dollars towards it, and now he says he will only work this week.

Brother Hollister says that the Saints are doing well in Philadelphia; he had heard from the west since brother L. O. Littlefield left, and says that Emma Smith is selling off her effects to go to the camp. Brother G. D. Grant is preaching in Missouri. Brother W. [William] W. Phelps is now in Boston, and expected here soon; he is making arrangements about a printing press; I expect to see him soon. There has been a great battle at the city of Mexico, which has surrendered to General Scott. It appears in the papers that Samuel Brannan is at Fort Hall, or was in June.

Brother Sirrine has gone to New Haven today, and left me to finish the letter. Brother Crump and family went to Philadelphia yesterday. There are thirteen of our company stopping at the above address--a transient boarding house and very cheap and good. Brother Jacob's health is quite good now; in fact, all of us are in good health and spirits. Brothers [Henry B.] Jacobs and Huntington will go on near Buffalo in a day or two, and I intend to go next week by Philadelphia, and make my way to the camp as soon as possible. My wife tells me that Brother Brigham told her that I should be at home this summer without fail. Probably Brother Phelps will write to you and tell you things that I cannot.

The Church in this place is rather at a low ebb, but we have roused them up, and the prospects are more favorable. Brother Miles, who went with a company last spring to St. Louis, has returned to Brooklyn, and but three of the company went forward to the camp, the rest remained at St. Louis, for the counsel was only for those to go forward that could provide for the expedition to the mountains. Brother Appleby is in Philadelphia, and Brother Hollister says that they have got all there back into the church that are good for anything who had previously heard Strang. Everything seems to be moving on well as regards the Church and the prosperity of the same. We shall probably write separate letters as soon as circumstances will permit.

Please give our best respects to enquiring friends, and may the God of peace be and abide with you, is the constant prayer of your fellow-laborers in the new and everlasting covenant. Yours, while eternal life remains, [p.277]

Lucius N. Scovil.M. Sirrine.

BIB: Scovil, Lucius N. and Sirrine, M., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. 9:18 (September 15, 1847), pp. 276-277. (CHL)
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