Steamship Montana,Near the Banks of Newfoundland,June 21st, 1878.Elder H. W. Naisbitt.

Dear Brother,--I thought I would write a little now and finish in New York. After leaving Queenstown, at 3, p.m., 17th instant, the S. S. "Russia," carrying the royal mail, came up in our wake, holding that course till about 4 p.m. on the 17th, when she got so far in the rear that she was lost to view. On the 17th, the most of our company were taken down with seasickness, which continued until yesterday, when the most of them declared their intentions to do justice in the future to the meals served up.

Brother [Samuel] Claridge and his sister have had quite a siege of sea sickness, but now report themselves at the dinner table. Brother [Reinhard] Maeser has also been confined to his state-room, but he begins to think he can eat all before him. Brother [Theodore] Braendli and myself have kept up fine and been able to administer to the wants of our little company. I feel proud of the Saints on board, as each one does he can for the comfort of the other.

The ship officers have our warmest thanks for kindness to you, having done all they possibly could for our comfort and convenience.

New York, June 25

Arrived here at 6 p.m. and all feeling first-rate. Last evening a concert [p.444] was held in the cabin, where we enjoyed ourselves with song, recitations, etc., from 8.30 until 11 p. m. The captain in the chair. The "wax-work was well played by a picked company. Brother [Reinhard] Maeser also contributed a song, which "brought down the house." The entertainment concluded with "God Save the Queen," sung by all hands. "The Star Spangled Banner" was called for, but I am sorry to say although a number of Americans were on board, not one of them had committed the song to memory. A collection was taken up, in aid of the Sailors' Widows and Orphans, when one guinea was put into the box.

The "Russia" beat us into port, owing to the fact that our engines broke down while trying to turn round after the "doctor" was disposed of, twelve miles out--one of the engineers was pretty badly scaled about the neck.

The brethren all join in kind love to all at "42". [42 Islington WAS THE ADDRESS OF THE BRITISH MISSION IN LIVERPOOL]

We leave per rail, at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Your brother, M. M. Steele, secretary. [p.445]

BIB: Steele, M. M., [Letter], Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 40:28 (July 15, 1878) pp. 444- 445. (CHL)
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