On board the John J. Boyd,May 30, 1863.President Cannon.

Dear Brother,--Realizing that you are ever anxious to hear of the progress and welfare of the emigrating Saints, I hasten to report the safe arrival of the John J. Boyd, and give you a few items concerning our progress thus far.

We cast anchor in New York harbor at seven p.m., yesterday, having made the voyage in 29 days. We were much prospered and blessed of the Lord [p.428] while journeying on the mighty deep. The company was comprised of people from seven different nations, speaking different languages, yet the utmost harmony, good feeling and order prevailed. The brethren associated with me, Elders K. H. Brown, W. S. Baxter and the district presidents, labored faithfully for the welfare of the Saints, administering to the wants of the sick, and giving good advice to all how to make themselves comfortable and happy.

I am sorry at having to report four deaths. The first occurred on the 15th instant. Hans Petersen, aged 46 years, a native of Sjaelland. He died at five in the afternoon, and was buried at nine p.m. The cause of death was debility, accelerated by the sea passage. Elizabeth Ann, daughter of William and Mercy Parkinson, aged eleven months and three days, died of bronchitis, on the 23rd, at half-past eight a.m. and was buried at five p.m. An infant daughter of Sister Ann [Ane] Jensen died at midnight on the 27th, and was buried next day at five p.m. It was born at eight a.m. on Monday the 25th. The other was Sister Ann [Ane] Andersen [Anderrson] , from Sjaelland, aged 72 years. She died on the 29th, at nine a.m., and was buried at eleven a.m. At eight a.m., on Tuesday, the 5th, Sister Elizabeth Pearce; from England, gave birth to a daughter. Mother and child are well. There was, comparatively, little sickness in our midst; the strict attention to the regulations for cleanliness, and a prompt attention to all who are sick, with the blessing of God, preserved the Saints, generally, in very good health. We had a number of men appointed in each district, who made it their first duty every morning to brush and scrape the floor around and under the berths, thus preventing filth and rubbish accumulating, and keeping the air as pure as possible. I mention this plan because I found it to work beneficially, and other companies may also be benefitted by adopting it.

The weather was very changeable all the time. Sometimes there would be a day or two of calm and delightful weather, when the Saints would crowd on the upper deck and enjoy themselves, and then again several days of hard blowing, that made the moveable goods tumble about and rendered it rather difficult for the Saints themselves to "maintain their standing;" but we did not experience a single storm. On the 21st, which was an extremely cold day, we passed seven icebergs. Two of them were within a quarter of a mile to leeward - one was very large - and as the sun shone upon the glittering masses they appeared beautiful. The "Great Eastern" came in sight to leeward of us on the 26th, and crossed our bow at a distance of about five miles.

By strictly observing the "Mormon creed," that is, "minding our own business," we were preserved from having any serious difficulty with the officers or crew. The medical inspectors here, stated that they never saw such a healthy-looking and cleanly company of emigrants come into the port of New York as that on board the John J. Boyd. The provisions served to the passengers have given general satisfaction. They were all of the best quality; much better, in fact than the majority had expected to receive. We held meetings, for general instruction, as often as possible during the voyage, and prayer meetings were held morning and evening in each ward. Several social meetings were held in the English ward, in which the Scandinavian Saints joined, and we were much enlivened by the comic and sentimental songs and recitations which a number of the brethren and sisters engaged in.

Chicago, June 6th, 1863.

It was my intention to have had this report finished and posted in New York, but our stay there was so short and movements so hurried, that it was impossible to attend to it, so, having an opportunity while waiting to change cars, I will just add a little.

Sister Ann Jensen--the mother of the child whose death is mentioned in the previous part of the letter from Kallehave, Denmark, died on the evening of the 30th ultimate, from the effects of childbirth. The body was taken on shore and buried. We were landed at Castle Garden at two p.m., on Monday, June 1st, and the same evening at seven took the cars for Albany, at which place we arrived next day at [p.429] two p.m., and changed cars. We changed again at Niagara Suspension Bridge on the 3rd, at Detroit on the 4th, and arrived here last night at seven p.m. A child named Brighamine Eleanora Henritte daughter of Brother [Christian H.] and Sister [Eleonora] Braase, from Denmark, aged 8 months, died in the cars on the morning of the 4th instant.

This includes the particulars of our journey thus far. There are many details that might be interesting to those who have not crossed the Atlantic or traveled through the States, but in writing to you I think it is unnecessary to enter into details. We leave here at noon today.

The brethren join me in sending their kind love to yourself and associates. Yours faithfully,

William W. Cluff.President of Company.D. M. M'Allister [McAllister], Assistant Clerk. [p.430]

BIB: Cluff, William W. "America [Letter Extract]," Latter
-day Saints' Millennial Star 25:27 (July 4, 1863) pp. 428-30. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)