New York, June 1, 1887President George Teasdale:

Dear Brother,--We left Queenstown Sunday, May 22nd, about 4 p.m., and encountered a heavy head sea that night, and from then until late on Friday, the 27th, we had rather a rough passage, the ship plunging through and rolling over huge billows for five days and nights, during which time very few escaped seasickness. The Saints during this time seemed in good heart, with few exceptions, and managed occasionally to get together and sing a few hymns, bear testimony to the blessings of God, and listen to the counsel of those placed to preside over them. No sickness, disease, or accident of a serious nature has occurred among our people.

Friday and Saturday, 27th and 28th, we traveled into the ice neighborhood, and for two days and one night we could not see but a few hundred yards in either direction, the fog horn was sounded every few minutes, and part of the time the speed of the vessel was reduced.

On Sunday morning, the 27th, having obtained permission of the captain, I preached to the Saints and strangers on the upper deck, forward, the wind was blowing strong at the time, and an occasional shower of salt water had the effect to shorten my remarks.

The Swiss and German Saints held a meeting in the afternoon, and gave evidence by their spirited testimonies that they have the Spirit of God alive in their hearts, and are zealous in the gospel. Elders Berster and Stabli addressed them also.

Sunday evening, Major Wrench, a saloon passenger with whom I have had conversations upon the gospel, informed me that several saloon passengers, including the captain, doctor [p.397] and purser, wished me to give them a lecture, or speak to them upon "Mormonism". I willingly complied, seating myself among them in the cabin on deck. I briefly related to them the early history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the visits of angels to him, how he obtained the plates and translated them, how he received the Aaronic, and Melchizedek Priesthood, and the authority to preach and administer the ordinances of the gospel, the testimony of the three witnesses, explained the first principles of the gospel, and our views upon plural marriage, where we derived it from, viz: from heaven by revelation, and why we gathered.

They all listened with interest and paid respectful attention. Towards the close of my remarks, Elders Lowe and Nye came in, and several questions were asked of us, which we answered to the best of our ability.

Monday, May 30th. The weather is charming this morning, just wind enough to form pretty little ruffles on the surface of the pure blue-green water, the sun is shining out from the pale blue sky, adorned with light silvery clouds, which latter look like they might be resting places for angels of God, while being wafted through space.

All our people are on deck, except two or three who are still delicate. The vessel is gliding smoothly along through the great waters diligently speeding her way toward the promised land, the great western continent, which, in a few years will be the great arena of the most marvelous events that have occurred in the history of the world.

The passengers are variously occupied; some of the young playing at skip rope, other readings and lounging about the deck, some of our good sisters are busily engaged knitting, others writing letters to loved ones at home. On the after deck, a game of quoits is being enjoyed by a few saloon passengers; from the cabin come occasional sounds from the violin and the piano; a few Irish passengers are crowded together on the deck forward listening to a song from one of their number, at the conclusion of which a round of hearty applause greets our ears; and thus the hours are wiled away, and the vessel continues to speed on, industriously cleaving her way through the great waters, which seem to have no end.

The Saints all seem happy and contented, they have been singing the songs of Zion to their hearts' content. Our brethren have been diligent in visiting among them, giving them words of cheer and counsel, and we have had good assistance from the brethren selected to assist the traveling elders.

I have had very able assistance from my two councillors, Elders Lowe and Bessler, although the former has suffered considerable with poor health a good deal of the time.

Tuesday, the 31st. We had an enjoyable meeting with the Saints last night in the steerage, the Spirit of God was manifest in the powerful testimonies borne by the brethren and sisters of different nationalities. We have had a fine day, and quite a few of the Irish passengers have been enjoying themselves in dancing on the upper deck. We met together with the Saints again tonight, and gave them counsel and instructions how to conduct themselves when landing.

Wednesday, June 1st. Went on deck at 3 a.m. to find the cause of the engines being stopped; wind from east, and heavy rain, very dark. I learned from one of the officers that we were in shallow water, and being so dark it was not safe to proceed until daylight.

5:30 p.m. We have made out the land, Long Island is on our starboard bow, but, like a low cloud bank, scarcely visible through the teeming rain. We are now steaming full speed for Sandy Hook light ship, it is still raining fast.

We have had kind treatment and polite attention from all the officers and servants of the Nevada, and our efforts to enlighten their minds concerning our religious principles have had the effect of awakening greater interest towards us, and, added to the kind sociable disposition manifested to us from the captain, purser, and other officers, also from the saloon passengers, several of the latter have exchanged [p.398] cards with me, and expressed a desire to visit Salt Lake City.

We have now reached the place where the quarantine officers board the vessel, the engines are stopped and the vessel is allowed to drift about while the examination takes place. Notwithstanding the pouring rain, the steerage passengers are ordered on deck, and men, women and children are compelled to stand in the drenching rain. I applied to the doctor to know if they could not go below until the rain moderated or ceased. He replied they could not. After waiting some time and seeing nothing being done, and some weakly looking and poorly protected from the rain among the sisters, I again asked the doctor if he did not think that some of them could go below for awhile; he replied, rather sharply, that I could go below. I rejoined I did not wish for myself, but there were some women with infants and I did not think this severe wetting would conduce to good health. After waiting some little time, the passengers were allowed to go below, and the doctor examined them there. I presume they, the doctor, could not stand the rain on deck. He is not very popular. It is his first trip, and unless he cultivates more sympathy for persons in a feeble condition, it will be to the interest of the Guion Company to have a more kindly disposed man for that position.

We are now steaming past the great Bartholdi Statue of Liberty. It has an imposing appearance, but like most all monuments, it is a momento of that which is dead.

We are now landed at the Guion wharf, and the pleasant, genial face of Elder J. [James] E. Hart has shone upon us. After a few hours of patient searching, and hurrying from pale to place, we have transferred the passengers and luggage from the Nevada to the river boat. We steam up to Castle Gardens, get the passengers all registered without much trouble, and from thence back to the Old Dominion wharf. Change again on to the S. S. "Roanke," and after getting them some food sent aboard, which Elders Lowe and Thompson kindly undertook to distribute among them.

I seek a quiet spot to write you these particulars. Thus far our journey has been a prosperous one and although we have passed through many trials and a few hardships incident to a rough sea passage, the trials are now past, and we can smile when looking back upon them, and offer thanks and praises to God for bringing us through safe and well. Tomorrow at 3 p.m. we sail from here to Norfolk.

The elders and Saints join with me in good wishes and kind greetings to you and all at "42." [42 ISLINGTON IS THE ADDRESS FOR THE ENGLISH MISSION] Praying for the blessing of God to rest upon you all, I remain your brother in the gospel of the Kingdom of God,

Edward Davis. [p.399]

BIB: Davis, Edward [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 49:25 (June 20, 1887) pp. 397- 99. (CHL)
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