New York, Nov. 5, 1873.

President L. J. Herrick.

Dear Brother,--We arrived here last evening at 4 p.m. All remained on board during the night. At 11 this morning we came ashore.

During the passage the weather had been fine and the motion of the ship tolerably steady; still a number continued to be seasick the most of the time. Although head winds retarded our progress and lengthened the voyage, the many aged and infirm have done exceedingly well, and all have been spared to arrive safely, feeling grateful to the Lord for his protecting care.

Sunday, Nov. 2nd, we held two meetings, at which a number of persons, not of our faith, were present. Sound doctrine and fatherly advice were imparted, under the influence of which the Saints felt to rejoice. The spirit of union, peace and goodwill has prevailed. We can truly say that the Lord's poor are in this company; the aged and the young are alike happy in being delivered from Babylon. The officers of the ship have been kind, courteous and obliging. Mrs. Jackson's untiring efforts in waiting upon the aged, infirm and sick, are duly appreciated, and will long be remembered by our people who were on board the Idaho. Mrs. Payne, the stewardess, also deserves honorable mention for her indefatigable efforts in nursing and waiting on the sick. We presented her a testimonial, accompanied with a small but substantial gift from the company, in appreciation of her services.

Tomorrow, at 1 p.m. we expect to go on the cars, and hope to continue our journey speedily and safely to the mountain of the Lord's house, where we can rest securely beneath the folds of Zion's standard.

President [Albert] Carrington continues to enjoy good health; he leaves for home on Saturday, the 8th, in company with Brother [William C.] Staines, and possibly Brother J. W. Young.

Praying for your continued success, together with that of your co-workers, in the gathering of scattered Israel, and wishing a kindly remembrance to all at "42," [LIVERPOOL MISSION ADDRESS WAS 42 ISLINGTON] in which President [Albert] Carrington joins, we remain you brethren in the covenant of peace,

John I. Hart,John Neff,W. K. Barton.

P.S.--Esther Mills, from Reading, in the London Conference, has been insane during the voyage. Today she was taken in charge by the government officers and placed in the asylum, where she will remain until her husband, who is somewhere in America, can be heard from. Her [p.748] insanity is supposed to have been caused by a knock received while handling the luggage. We omitted to mention that, on the night of the 27th ultimo, a brig ran across our track and narrowly escaped being cut in two. As she had not lights out, we inferred that all aboard of the brig were drunk or asleep; wanton reckless. [p.749]

BIB: Hart, John I., et. al, [Letter], Latter-day Saints Millennial Star. 36:24 (November 25, 1873) pp. 748-49. (CHL)
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