Dear Brother,--It is with great pleasure that, requested by you, I give an account of our voyage. It has been first rate, this far, in regard to wind and weather. We have been a long way north, and I am sorry to inform you of the sickness we have had, betwixt measles and scarlet fever, principally amongst the children. The Jutland Saints brought these diseases with them, which caused many deaths. I think many of the cases have ended with inflammation of the brain and bowels. Captain Henry C. Dearborn has acted very respectfully to our people, and we could not expect more kindness than he has shown us . Any comfort that has been asked for the sick and needy, have never been refused. The first mate, Mr. Benjamin Goss, has had charge of the provisions, and acted very fairly to our people. He has also assisted me in the medical department. The lesser officers on board treated us kindly, our provisions have been of good quality, and plenty of them, and we could not ask for better on shipboard, but the list that Mr. Goss received from the office, was not the same as that on the tickets of the passengers. The passengers' cook has been very attentive to all the people, and did everything he could for them, as I have not heard one complaint against him. Up to this date we have had twenty-nine deaths among the Saints, one of them through old age, one in child birth, but who was consumptive and sick when she left home, and one of decline. Further matters I shall leave President [Anders W.] Winberg to report.

May the Lord bless you and all associated with you. I remain your brother,

John Swenson.P.S.--We have landed today, and shall start for Wyoming this evening. There has been one death off Castle Garden, a child, and a few are going to the hospital. [p.444]

BIB: Swenson, John, [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27:28 (July 15, 1865), p. 444. (CHL)
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