On board steamship Manhattan, July 3, 1867.

Dear Brother Roberts,--Here we are all well under a brilliant sun, and sailing on as quiet a sea as could be possibly got up - everybody enjoying themselves. We expect to get into New York somewhere about 8 o'clock, tomorrow morning. We have had as fine a passage thus far, as could be wished for, excepting on Wednesday. Wednesday night and part of Thursday, especially the night, it blew a hurricane for awhile, and tins, boxes, bundles, [and everything moveable, thrashed about the decks in a most fearful manner, but not a murmur nor an expression of fear was heard among the Saints; but among the other emigrants, in the forward part of the ship, there were screams, sobbing, and oaths that were said to be appalling. There were five of the ship's largest sails split in pieces, and a yard unshipped before they could be got in.

There are about 450 of our people, and 700 other emigrants on board, making a total of 1,150 souls, besides some 16 cabin passengers, and about 100 ship hands. We have been allowed every privilege on board that the Saints could desire, so much so, that the other emigrants feel very sore about it. The captain, officers, and crew, to the last man, have treated us with the utmost respect, (Brother [A.N.] Hill and myself being in the saloon, have every opportunity of observing,) [p.494] and every expression made by the cabin passengers has shown that whatever prejudices they may have had before, they now, at least, respect this company of Saints.

On Monday eve we had a grand concert on the upper deck; the captain not only supplied seats and lights, but requested the privilege for himself and cabin passengers to come and listen, and several of the passengers contributed by singing and dancing, &c., the captain sending out refreshments for the singers and musicians. It passed off much to the gratification of the Saints, and highly so to the cabin passengers
. There has been strict discipline regarding the forward passengers mixing up with ours; they have not been permitted, as an usual thing, to come aft of the steam pipe, or midships. This has prevented any difficulties arising between us, though they grumble a great deal about favoritism, &c.

Last eve, after the pilot came on board, the captain got up a convivial party in the saloon, and requested Brother Hill and myself to invite Sister [Ann] Nunn to favor them with some of her sweet songs. We did so, and the utmost deference was paid to her by the lady passengers and all, and they were very much pleased. Sisters Nunn and Williams are sweet singers, and would do honor in that respect to some of the finest operas of the world. I hope to hear them sing upon the stage at Salt Lake.

There has been a large share of seasickness among the passengers, and two infants have died - one was Brother Raddon's, and the other a Brother [Edward] Vaughan's, of North Wales. All are now quite well and cheerful. Brother Hill and myself have had no sickness whatever, and were enabled to eat our rations every day.

We have held meeting every evening below, excepting the evening of the storm and on the concert eve. We meet together (English and Danes), sing, pray, and speak in both languages alternately each eve, closing with prayer in Danish and English, and before separating for the night, the evening prayer is offered up in English and then in Danish. This mode gives satisfaction to both parties, and leaves no cause for jealousies or hard feelings of any kind; thus, up to this time, all has passed off in perfect harmony and mutual good feelings.

July 4th. - Very hot weather. I went on the tug to New York, and found Brother Watt at the office; afterwards Brothers Pratt and Warren came in; got a letter from home, all well; learned that a part of the missionaries from the Valley had arrived this morning. Brothers Pratt, Warren, Watt, and myself, took a rowboat and went on board the Manhattan. We will have to remain on board until tomorrow morning. Brother Warren thinks it best to start off the passengers by the way of the Hudson River to Albany, and thence to the Missouri by the 6 o'clock p. m. train tomorrow. The brethren returned to New York, and I stayed on board. The captain wished the singers to meet on the quarter deck under the awning, and hold a concert. The view of New York, with the fireworks to celebrate the 4th, was magnificent; heavy thunderclouds in the distance adding much to the effect, and the lightning far eclipsing the display below.

July 5th. - 8 a.m. Tug alongside. All hurry, getting luggage aboard. Met Brother Ford from Enfield, all well.

Please give my kind love to all the Saints in London. I shall ever remember them with pleasure, and may God bless them, and hasten the time when they can praise God in Zion. I must hasten to a close; God bless you and all the Saints. In haste, your brother in the covenant,

N. H. Felt. [p.495]

BIB: Felt, N.H, [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 29:31, (August 3, 1867.) P. 494-495. (CHL)
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