. . . The Golconda's Company.--We have also received a letter from Elders Jacob [p.329] Gates, A.[Appleton] M.[Milo] Harmon, and C.[Claudius] V. Spencer, bearing date, "Illinois" stream packet, Mississippi River, March 29th. We are informed that the Golconda, on which these brethren went out, had a prosperous voyage of forty-four days from Liverpool to the Balize mouth of the Mississippi, experiencing during their voyage half-an-hour's storm which despoiled their gallant vessel of her three top masts. At the mouth of the Mississippi they waited for a stream tug twelve days. During the voyage, four births, two marriages, and two deaths occurred. One of the deaths was of an infant of Elder [John] Spriggs, the other of an infant that was born when the vessel had been two weeks at sea. The health of the Saints is reported very good. On the 20th of March, Elder Spencer baptized Errick Cast [Erick Post], one the sailors, a native of Sweden, a steady, intelligent young man, who is now with the company of his way to the Valley. The conduct of Captain Kerr gave great satisfaction to all the company. A vote of thanks, with three cheers, was tendered to him. The general spirit and feeling of the company, as represented by the elders, are certainly very highly commendable and bespeak that the Lord is with his gathering Saints. This affords us great satisfaction and is encouraging to all who desire to experience His favor under like circumstances. [p.330]
BIB: "The Golconda's' Company [Summary of Letter]," Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 15:21 (May 21, 1853) pp. 329-30. (CHL)
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