I confess that when I went on board the Manhattan yesterday, in order to witness the departure of about two hundred Mormons from this port to the Salt Lake City, I did so with some misgiving lest in my eagerness for information I might address myself to some lady not belonging to that fraternity, and by so doing bring here honest wrath upon my head. In the first place, I should explain that the Manhattan is one of the fine screw steamships which ply between Liverpool and New York in connection with the Guion line, and that this company has enjoyed the privilege of conveying Mormons across the Atlantic for some years past. The passenger list yesterday showed a total of about 600 persons, consisting in the main of Germans, Swiss, Danes, Norwegians, Scotch, Irish, English and Welsh. The Utah party consisted of 45 adults and 30 "halves," or children, belonging to what is called the "Swiss and German Mission;" and 89 adults and 32 children of English, Scotch, or Welsh descent. There were also about 7 or 8 infants in arms. All the party had paid their own way, I was told by an elder; for although the brethren in the Utah Territory were very desirous of assisting the deserving poor to join them, yet they had recently spent so much in the construction of railways and in "feeing lawyers," that money was not too plentiful, even in the Salt Lake City. Added to which, there was the further drawback caused by damage done to the crops by grasshoppers during the last four years.
The last of the steerage passengers were shipped by about eleven o'clock, and then commenced the process of passing the doctor. Having penned them together indiscriminately upon the poop deck, a rope was drawn across it, and they were then permitted to "duck under" in small detachments and pass below to where the doctor and the government were standing. The doctor's examination appeared to be very cursory, though no doubt it was a sufficient one under the circumstance. But what was a motley group that upon the poop deck. Attired in all kinds of apparel - some of it clean, some most wretchedly dirty - were individuals of almost every age, from the infant in arms to the octogenarian, while their tongues constituted a perfect Babel. Still it was not difficult to trace out their nationality. Most of the Dutch had on their wooden clogs; the Danes were distinguishable by their leather belts and fur caps; blue blouses and a slouching heavy walk betrayed the German beyond a doubt; and as to the Welsh, why it is only necessary to say that they spoke the language. Among those sallow complexions what a pleasing contrast was afforded by a fresh-looking English damsel, with neat little hat and feather, and a chignon that possibly may yet be destined to create some commotion and [p.386] envy among the merry wives of Utah! Another of the English Women had provided herself with a concertina, with which to "while the happy hours away." As usual, too, one or two of the passengers had mislaid or lost their passes, and the usual amount of crying ensued at the fear of being left behind. In each case, however, the difficulty was got over by a reference to the passenger list.
As the party went below to arrange their berths, I took the opportunity of making some inquiries respecting their prospects and object. The present population of Utah, I was informed, numbers about 100,000; but that number is being rapidly increased by emigration from different parts of the world. "What was the chief object of the voyagers in going out there?" Well most of them were going out to join either friends or relatives, and in addition they hoped to obtain a better livelihood there; but the great object was to fulfill the scriptural injunction, "Gather together my people." "We may be opposed and persecuted (said one of the missionaries to whom I spoke on the subject), but depend upon it, sir, the great end will be consummated." Was the Mormon Territory a fine one? "Oh, yes. It was one of the loveliest spots on the face of the earth."
The Saints, it should be stated, were kindly provided with a separate compartment between ships, and it was interesting to observe how quickly the Swiss and Germans congregated together apart from their British brethren and sisters, and awaited their dinner. Of course, in their conversations, the Saints addressed each other as "Brother." They recognize no "Mister," though in some cases they do accost one another by the Christian names, and it was evident yesterday that there were a great many Brighams among them. They were all in the very best spirits. Whether this was due to religious zeal, or to the fact that they were most of them looking forward to happy meetings with friends in Utah, I cannot say; but I observed not a single gloomy countenance, or a single tear, until the moment when the tug left the side of the vessel. Three young women were then standing on the bridge, waving their handkerchiefs; and as we moved off I just observed one of them give vent to one minute's silent grief.
The cabin passengers were of course not conveyed aboard until within a very short time before the vessel started. The party, on their arrival at New York, will be met by the Mormon agent of that city, and a special train will convey them to Ogden, a distance of about 3,00 miles. In taking leave of this party I would only suggest to their minds a recent characteristic utterance of their president - "Let us be content, and go to work with our mights to make ourselves healthy, wealthy, and beautiful, and preserve ourselves in the best possible manner, and live just as long as we can, and do all the good we can!"
Mr. Carrington, Mr. Brigham W. Carrington, and several other leading Mormons were present to witness the departure of their friends. It may also be a source of comfort to many to know that the arrangements for the comfort of the whole crew are admirable. Liverpool Albion, May 13. [p.387]
BIB: "Embarkation of Mormons from Liverpool," [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 34:25 (June 18, 1872) pp. 386-87. (CHL)
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