S. S. Nevada. Off Queenstown, May 7th, 1874.President J. [Joseph] F. Smith.

Dear Brother,--After getting fairly under way, we organized our little company of Saints, by dividing them into two wards, and appointing Elder Henry Haynes, of Rhymney, South Wales, to take charge of the First Ward, and Elder Edward Green, of London, to take charge of the Second Ward. Elder James Brown, of Glasgow, was appointed captain of the guard. The above appointments were unanimously sustained by the voice of the Saints.

The brethren and sisters on board feel cheerful, happy and hopeful of having a speedy and pleasant voyage across the mighty deep. We have had no seasickness on board as yet, and trust we may not have any. The weather is delightful, with fair winds, and we are gliding along at the rate of ten or twelve knots an hour.

Officers, stewards, and the ship's doctor, all seem kindly disposed in their feelings towards our people and speak in high terms of our morals,--in fact everything so far is as pleasant as we could desire under the circumstances.

With kind regards to yourself, and a kindly remembrance to all associated with you in the office, and all the brethren in their several fields of labor, we are, as ever, your brethren in the gospel,

L. [Lester] J. Herrick,Robert Mcquarrie,John E. Rees,J. [James] T. Little. [p.301]

BIB: Herrick, L. J et al. [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star. 36:19 (May 12, 1874) p. 301. (CHL)
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