On board the S. S. Idaho, July 13, 1875, off New York.President Joseph F. Smith.
Dear Brother,--We are now within 50 miles of New York, fine weather and all well on board - expect to get into the harbor sometime this afternoon. We can truly say that we have had a very pleasant and agreeable voyage, still and smooth waters a great portion of the way, and in fact we have had no heavy seas at all. Nevertheless, a little seasickness has been prevalent once in a while, as many of our people have, as it were, never been on the water before, but as land and even the sight of land is an excellent cure for such a disease, we find almost everybody on deck this morning, and we trust, notwithstanding there are two or three of our Scandinavian Saints who are quite weak yet, having been confined to their berths for several days, that they will be able to proceed on their journey with the rest of the company when we leave New York.
One death has occurred since we left Queenstown - an aged lady from Sweden by the name of Kjersti Swenson, 73 years old. She was sick before she left and died on the 7th instant.
All the Saints have been called together for prayers in the different wards every morning, at 7 o'clock, and in the evening at 8. Two public meetings have been held, one yesterday, and one on Sunday, 4th instant, when general instructions have been given for the benefit of the whole company necessary under their present circumstances.
We wish to express our entire satisfaction with our treatment on board. Captain Beddoe is a fine gentleman and has done everything for our people [p.506] that we have asked for, and the sick have never been neglected. The same we can say of all the officers, stewards, and all we have had to do with. Good provisions and plenty of them, has been given to all, and none have any cause to complain, and I believe everybody feels satisfied.
All returning elders feel well and have labored diligently among the people and assisted them all they could. The English Saints are all well, and Brother [Miles] Williams has confined his labors mostly among them. When we get into Castle Garden, we shall write a little more.
New York, July 14.
We came in to dock 9 o'clock this morning all well, with the exception of one or two, who are quite feeble, and we do not know yet whether they will be able to go along on the cars or not. Elder Staines met us on board and bade us all welcome, feeling well both in body and in spirit. By one o'clock, p. m., all our people and their luggage were safely lodged in Castle Garden, where we will remain till tomorrow morning, the 15th, when we expect to leave by train at 10 o'clock. Brother Staines had received money for Jane Jenkins and daughter and John Jones and family, to pay their fare to Ogden, but nothing had arrived, for those two girls booked from Copenhagen to New York, yet we have made arrangement to take them clear through to Ogden, as one of them goes in place of the old lady who died and money was raised for the other.
We feel truly thankful for the blessings of God, and his preserving care which has been extended unto us on our journey so far, and hope we may all reach our place of destination in safety.
With kind love to yourself and the brethren in the office, in which all join, praying God to bless you in all your administrations.
Your brethren in the gospel,
C. [Chr.] G. Larsen,M. [Miles] L. Williams,John Frantzen,L. [Lars] S. AndersenN. AndersonP. [Peter] C. Geerston [Gertsen]Andrew Jenson. [p.507]
BIB: Larsen C. G. Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 37: 32 (Aug 9, 1875) pp. 506-507.
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