From a letter received from Elders Ben E. Richard, J. J. Walser, written on board the S. S. Nevada, May 26, 1883, we cull the following:

"As we are now approaching New York, we will endeavor to give you a short report of our journey, and the condition of our company up to the present.

After leaving Queenstown on the 17th, the good ship Nevada soon steamed out into the open sea, favored by fine weather and a light but favorable breeze. The sea was beautifully calm, and continued so until Saturday evening, when the breeze strengthened and the waves commenced rolling. Our people, most of them, had had a taste of the unavoidable seasickness and become well again, but this night on the following Sunday made a great many seasick again. Monday the 21st was a fine day again, and the sickly and wo-begone looks soon gave way to cheerful countenances. Since then we have been favored with fine weather, with the exception of a little fog on crossing the banks of Newfoundland. The health of the company in general is very good.

Captain Bremner, the doctor, the officers and stewards of the vessel have been kind and accommodating, and have spared no pains to make our trip across the Atlantic as agreeable as possible. Brother Charles Holt, of the London Conference, also deserves mention for his diligence and faithfulness in caring for the English Saints in the steerage.

On the 21st we received an addition to our number by the birth of a fine boy, the son of Martin and Catherine Grimm, German Saints. Mother and child are doing remarkably well.

During our passage we have held a number of meetings. The Swiss and German Saints held theirs at 7, and the English Saints at 8 p.m. The Spirit of God was richly diffused in these meetings, and the speeches and testimonies of the brethren were short and spirited.

Yesterday, at 2 p.m., the pilot came on board, which event was hailed with joy by all. Today everybody is on the lookout for the first glimpse of Columbia's fair shores, but we are not expected to reach New York before evening."

On Sunday, May 27th, they write again:

"We reached the quarantine last night at 12. This morning one of our Swiss sisters gave birth to a fine, healthy boy. We landed in the dock at 8 a.m. Brother Hart has come on board, and gives us the pleasing information that we will proceed westward this evening. The company are all well, and we feel to thank God for the prosperous journey we have had." [p.379]

BIB: Rich, Ben E. and Walser, J. J. [Letter Excerpt] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 45:24 (June 11, 1883) p. 379. (CHL)
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