U. S. M. [Mail] S. S. Nevada, New York,June 5, 1876.President A. [Albert] Carrington.

Dear Brother,--We are all here, having arrived at this port this morning at 10 a.m., in the enjoyment of good health and spirits. The pleasure of our voyage had not been marred by accident or death. A small minority of our people has suffered a little from seasickness, but all are recovering, and very soon all will be rejoicing at being once more on terra firma.

After weighing anchor in the River Mersey, on the 24th ultimo, at 11:30 a.m. we sailed gallantly from Liverpool down to the Irish Channel, which recieved us in a very hospitable manner. We paid a visit to Queenstown, on the morning of the 25th, and having mailed letters to friends left behind us in England, and taken on board a number of people bound for the New World, we steamed away at the rate of twelve miles an hour to the Atlantic Ocean.

We have not experienced very rough weather, yet the elements have been rather disagreeable than otherwise. On the 3rd, the captain was unable to obtain an observation at noon in consequence of the dense fog. On Sunday, the 4th, the fog continued all day, so that we had to keep a good "look out," and as a precautionary measure, the captain took a "sounding," in lieu of an observation.

Captain Freeman generously offered us the privilege to hold public services on the upper deck, but the weather has [p.410] been so unproptious, that we have not been able to avail ourselves of the privilege accorded us. We held a sacrament meeting on Sunday, May 28th, in the steerage, at which Elders [John] Woodhouse, [Edward] Hanham, and [John N.] Hopkin addressed the Saints, and Elders [Robert] Hogg and [William] Nelson also officiated. The Saints have enjoyed an excellent spirit. Good feelings have prevailed in our midst, and assistance has been rendered by the strong to the weak.

On Sunday, the 4th, at 4 p.m., we were very anxiously looking out for a pilot boat. About 3:30 p.m., in the midst of the dense fog, we heard the report of a gun, then a second report. Catpain Freeman at once tacked ship, and made for the boat, for we thought it was the pilot boat, and to our joy it was--No. 9--and at 4 o'clock, the honest pilot came on board. Then everybody felt at ease.

By experience, we find that people do well to bring with them a few pickles, such as cauliflowers and red cabbage, and also a few apples, oranges, and lemons. An acid is a great releif in cases of seasickness. The provisions for steerage passengers have been of good quality.

We cannot speak too highly of the discipline of the ship. We say of Captain Thomas W. Freeman, that he is a gentleman. We also consider Mr. Robert Thorpe, the purser, the right man in the right place. In fact we are well satisfied with the whole corps, not forgetting our bedroom steward, and the steerage steward, W. Pendlebury.

The order of the voyage, agreed upon at starting, has been maintained with the exception of the prayer hour at night, we changed that from 9:45 to 9 o'clock, for the benefit of the company; 9 o'clock being the hour according to the ship's regulation, as well as our own, for all ladies to be found below, near their berths, the gentlemen being permitted to remain on the upper deck till 10 o'clock. The morality of our people has been unexceptional. All have manifested a willing spirit to comply with our order of travel.

We are preparing for the overland part of our journey. Thus far we have followed the gospel law. We have borne each other's burdens. We have endeavored to comfort the fickle, to heal the sick--to be a blessing to all. We have held converse with the passengers upon the doctrines of our Church. We have no fault to find with the morality of the people, not of us, so far as they have comported themselves while upon this voyage.

Afternoon: held a meeting between decks, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. We enjoyed the spiritual feast. Much good instruction was imparted to the Saints. All have, so far, recovered their wonted health, that they are quite buoyant in spirit. The quarantine doctor has just come on board, and everything is moving to our satisfaction. We have tendered a vote of thanks to the captain and officers of the ship for their uniform kindness to our people during the voyage. We can recommend the "Guion Line" to the traveling public. The order of the Line is very good. Mr. Salmon, chief steward, has studied our comfort.

Brother W. [William] C. Staines came on board as soon as we arrived at the pier. He informed us that we shall leave tomorrow for Utah. Our people feel in excellent spirits. We have not an invalid in the company.

Times appear lively in New York. Europeans are daily arriving to visist the Centennial Exhibition.

June 6th. All continues well. We shall leave this evening for our mountain home about 7 o'clock, per Pennsylvania, Peoria, Warsaw, and Burlington Railroads to Omaha. We have not heard an angry word, seen a cross look, or heard a murmur on the trip.

With kind regards to yourself, our friends, and all at "42," we remain, your brethren in the bonds of the covenant,

John Woodhouse, John H. Hopkin,Edward Hanham, Robert Hogg,William Nelson [p.411]

BIB: Woodhouse, John Et. Al. [Letter] Latter-day Saint's Millennial Star 38:22 (June 26, 1876) pp. 410-11. (CHL)
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