Ship Amazon, off Castle Garden, New York, July 19, 1863.President [George Q.] Cannon,

Dear Brother,--Through the kind dispensations of an overruling providence, we are in a situation to communicate with you and apprize you of our welfare and the condition of the company on board the Amazon.

In looking back over the time since we left London, and weighing the various considerations that present themselves for reflection, we feel truly thankful to God for the many mercies which have been vouchsafed to us. The blessing pronounced upon us by you , before our departure, has been indeed realized to the very letter.

After the departure of yourself and the brethren accompanying you, on the afternoon of the 4th ultimo, as we were passing down the Thames, a strong head wind sprung up, which increased in violence and continued until we were compelled to drop anchor in shelter off the Isle of Wight, which we had reached, after some difficulty, with short tacks, on the morning of the 7th.

On the evening of the 9th we hove up anchor and slipped round the corner of the island, under the influence of a gentle breeze, having received an addition to our company, in the shape of a fine girl born to Brother and Sister Harris, from Stratford, on the morning of the 7th, which was blessed under the name of Amazon Seaborn Harris. Shortly after we had proceeded on our way the breeze freshened up, veering round until it again blew in our teeth, increasing the difficulty of clearing the Channel. From that time until a few days ago the ship had to labor against a continued series of head winds, varied by an occasional calm, or the Irishman's fair wind, "Up and down the mast;" now surging through the water, two or three points off our course, perhaps going ten or twelve knots an hour, and again lying like a huge mammoth of the deep sunning itself on the bosom of its natal home. When these things are considered, it would seem wonderful that we have reached this port at as early a date as we have, did we not see a controlling power and care of a wise and beneficent Father in it all.

The captain studied the comfort and happiness of all the passengers, and made every requisite exertion to ensure the health, comfort and safety of the company. The officers seconded his efforts, and the best of feelings exist [p.541] towards the officers and crew by the Saints on board.

We had very little sickness, considering the number of souls we had on board, and those who did suffer have, we may say, all recovered, and now enjoy good health. But one death occurred between our leaving London and reaching New York,--that of a child belonging to Brother Tavey, of London, aged five months, who died of inertia, after having been severely ill before starting for the passage, and was buried on the 16th ultimate, in latitude 52 degrees north, longitude 16 degrees west. We thus reached with the same number of souls that we started with, and all occupying the same social condition, none having been married since we set sail, and but few, apparently, desiring to change their present condition for some time longer.

As we wrote to you while at anchor, the ship was divided into fifteen wards, over each of which a reliable man was placed to preside. After appointing Elder T. [Thomas] Crawley to take charge of all found property, Elder C. Larkins as sergeant of the guard, and Brother T. [Thomas] Crane as lamp lighter, in place of Brother G. [George] Braithwaite, who resigned, we had our organization complete, which worked admirably.

At 5 a.m. the call was to rise, receive water, clean out berths, scrape the decks and prepare for prayers in the various wards at 7 o'clock.

The important subject of breakfast having been discussed, we made a regular and general survey of the condition of the people, by visiting every ward and learning the condition of every person, when, after the sick were all attended to, the afflicted comforted and the hungry advised how to meet their pressing wants, dinner time had arrived. The afternoon found all busy; and, as sea-sickness wore away, all went in for a season of enjoyment and recreation. The members of our brass band were assiduous in their efforts to promote harmony and give employment for willing feet in the dance. Others engaged, occasionally, in various games and many occupied the time at their disposal in mental improvement or in the exercise of various avocations. To see a tailor sitting busy at work on the spar-deck, with a watchmaker carefully examining the internal parts of a watch and repairing any disarrangement of its delicate mechanism on the one hand, a straw-plaiter putting the splits deftly and beautifully together on the other, and half-a-dozen seamstresses hard at work all around, conveys but a poor idea of the "horrors" of a sea-voyage. But when evening fell and the sweet sounds of praise and thanksgiving, rising from the bowels of the mighty deep, came on the ear, as the wind whistled through the cordage, the sails bellied out before the power of the breeze, the masts bent to its heightened force, and the sea, sublime in its glorious wildness, raged and seethed and boiled around as far as the eye could look over its vast expanse,--then our bosoms were inspired with a feeling that God was there to bless and comfort his people, and that those who possessed his spirit and strove to do his will, could rejoice in the manifestations of his power under the most terrifically fearful circumstances. Such scenes make men, who live for and love the truth, feel thankful to God for the revelation of his gospel, and for the power and blessings enjoyed by his people.

We are thankful that we can say such scenes were witnessed on board of the Amazon; not thankful that we passed through seasons of peril, but that the Saints on board could offer up their praise and thanksgiving, and seek the favor and protection of heaven as undismayed, amid the raging of the elements, as they would have done in their halls and meeting-places in the countries they have left behind.

We have been unusually blessed, and can report that we have passed over the sea without an accident of any kind, with good feelings and unanimity, with much brotherly kindness and sisterly charity manifested, with cleanness and consequent comfort, and with an increase of respect and admiration on the part of the officers and others connected with the ship--if not for what they believe to be our principles, at least for the practical exposition of those which enter into the acts of every-day-life in their application--for our order, contentment and superiority to the usual emigrants of the same circle in society. The doctor, [p.542] who has acted like a gentleman, stated this evening, in a conversation, that he never saw an emigrant-ship kept so clean before, and he has acted on government ships carrying out government passengers. He has striven to act for the health and well-being of the passengers, and feels proud that there is so little of any kind of sickness amongst the company.

This morning the "Cynosure" was brought up by the tug, and anchored close alongside of us. Brother [William C.] Staines came on board of us a little later in the day, as we anchored too late yesterday afternoon for holding much communication with the city. This evening we went on board the "Cynosure" and found them feeling first rate, though they had several deaths, among the children, from measles. Tomorrow we pass to Castle Garden, and thence, per rail, tomorrow evening for Albany, all being well.

We need not say anything about the rioting in this city, the public prints will give you full information.

That the Lord may bless and be with you, and those laboring with you to extend the cause of truth; and that you may be instrumental in furthering the gathering of Israel, is the prayer of those who compose this company, and of your brethren in the truth,

W. [William] Bramall,E. [Edward] L. Sloan,Richard Palmer. [p.543]

BIB: Bramall, W. [Letter], Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star 25:34 (August 22, 1863) pp. 541-43. (CHL)
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