. . . Having been called from my field of labor to gather up a company for Zion, I give you a sketch of our passage across the Pacific.

We left port Jackson, N. S. W., on the 28th of May, and proceeded to sea in good health and spirits. The weather being quite pleasant and the sea calm, we had very little sea-sickness. The only disease on board was the whooping cough, which soon ceased, and all was as agreeable as could be expected by a body of passengers gathered from different parts of the colonies, and crowded together in so small a space. Every exertion was made by Captain S. F. Sargent and officers to make us comfortable and happy. They spared no pains to render the situation of all as agreeable as possible.

We arrived at Tahiti on the 22nd of June, where we called for the purpose of relieving the Saints who survived the wrick of the "Julia Ann." We found however, to our great joy, that they had been assisted by friends, who feel for the sufferings of their fellow-beings, independent of sectarian prejudices. The Masonic Fraternity helped them all in their power, and thus rendered their circumstances comparatively comfortable. It gave my heart joy to learn of this act of hospitality on the part of my brethren, the Masons. It being St. John's day, a very friendly invitation was sent on board to Mr. Wilber and myself to join in their celebration; but in consequence of a press of business, neither of us could attend. I was truly glad to meet Elder Addison Pratt here, an old, tried friend and brother, from whom I heard intelligence from home, which proved a source of consolation to me.

We left Tahiti on the 28th day of June, and touched at Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islands, on the 16th of July. We remained only a few hours, but had the satisfaction of meeting with President Silas Smith, Elder John T. Caine and others of that mission, besides several of the Saints left there from Brother Frost's company; they were all in, good health and spirits, and the latter very anxious to get to Zion.

From Honolulu we proceeded with a favorable breeze. The next day our company was thrown into considerable excitement, occasioned by the falling overboard of a young lad, while attempting to raw a bucket of water. The sea was rather rough, and the vessel running about ten knots an hour; life buoys were immediately thrown out, the headway of the vessel stopped, and a boat launched as quick as possible; he had, however, floated considerably astern before this could be accomplished, and some thirty minutes elapsed ere he was picked up. When we received him on board safe and sound, we felt to give thanks to our heavenly Father for his remarkable preservation. [p.733]

The 24th of July--the anniversary of the arrival of the Pioneers in Great Salt Lake Valley-- was celebrated with exercises suitable to the occasion, an account of which is forwarded for the benefit of you readers.

We arrived at San Pedro on the evening of the 15th instant, having been blessed with a pleasant passage, together with a liberal portion of the Holy Spirit, which caused peace and union to pervade in our midst.

I immediately proceeded to San Bernardino, where I made arrangements for teams to convey the Saints to that place, and returned on the 20th instant. I found the Saints comfortably encamped in tents, and all doing well. Sister L. Stephens gave birth to a fine healthy boy this morning. The moving of the Saints is now going on, and all will shortly be en route for San Bernardino.

May the Lord God of Israel bless and prosper you in your efforts to stem the torrent of lies, to unmask error, and diffuse the light and influence of truth abroad.Your brother in the gospel,

A. [Augustus] Farnham [p.734]

BIB: Farnham, Augustus. [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 18:46, (Nov. 15, 1856). pp. 733-734. (L)
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