New York, Oct. 27th, 1879.President William Budge.

Dear Brother,--Immediately after posting the letter to you from Queenstown on Sunday, Oct. 19th, we encountered some heavy gales, causing the vessel to roll considerably, which resulted in all on board being seasick. Head winds and heavy seas continued three days. On Tuesday evening, the sea being much calmer, we held an excellent meeting with the Saints in the steerage. Since then we have assembled several times, and on Sunday afternoon held a sacramental meeting, in which all the Saints were well enough to participate. At this meeting a vote of thanks was tendered to Captain Jones and the officers in charge, for their gentlemanly, kind treatment.

Although the weather overhead has been bright and clear, we have had a very rough sea and head winds during the whole voyage, excepting the last two days, when the wind changed a little, allowing the sails to be hoisted. This steadied the vessel, enabling her to make the best time yesterday, of [p.733] any day since we left Liverpool, becoming 384 miles--her slowest run being 322 miles.

On the whole, the voyage has been a very pleasant and satisfactory one. Captain Jones, the doctor, and the officers in charge, have treated us with courtesy, doing all in their power for our comfort and well-being while crossing the great Atlantic. We feel it our duty here to make special mention of the head steward in the steerage, Mr. Aaron Hudson, for his kind and genial disposition, and the attentive manner in which he has administered to the wants of our company, especially during their seasickness. He has won the universal esteem and respect of the Saints, the kind appreciation of which was expressed. The steerage of this vessel possesses many advantages over that of others; being on the same deck as the saloon, it has plenty of light and ventilation, making it healthy and comfortable.

On this trip the Arizona has maintained her reputation for making the best time of any steamer now plying between the ports of Liverpool and New York; her superior accommodation for both cabin, intermediate, and steerage passengers, and the gentlemanly deportment of her officers and crew, have caused the voyage to be a pleasant one, notwithstanding we encountered heavy seas and head winds.

We took a pilot on board at 2:30 p.m. yesterday, 405 miles out. From which we learn that the vessels which left Liverpool two days previous to our leaving, had not yet passed.

On Sunday evening, at the solicitation of the cabin passengers, the renowned and popular astronomer, Professor Proctor, delivered a very interesting lecture on astronomy,

At the time of writing the weather is clear and beautiful, and all on board are in good health and spirits, and looking forward to our arrival in New York with pleasure, which we hope to enjoy in a few hours.

Jersey City, October 28th, 5 p.m.

Brother W. [William] C. Staines met us on board last evening, but arriving a little late, we were permitted to remain on the vessel overnight. We passed the custom house officers this morning on deck, after which we repaired to Castle Garden. We leave this evening at 6:30, and expect to be in Pittsburgh tomorrow night, from which place we will travel by express to Omaha. All are well.

With kind love to yourself and all in the office, in which Brother Staines joins, we remain your brethren in the gospel,

William Bramall, president.Joseph Bull, counselor.Andrew Watson, counselor.W. [Walter] J. Lewis, clerk. [p.734]

BIB: Bramall, William, et al., [Letter], Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star, 41:43 (November 17, 1879), pp. 733-34. (CHL)
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