| 605 knew what sea sickness was. When in Nauvoo I weighed 156 pounds. At Winchester I weighed 159. At New Bedford I weighed 174 and have been on the gain ever since. Surely the Lord is with us for we are favored at his hand. My mind has been buoyed above desponding feelings far beyond my expectations. We have a little room to ourselves and can pray, sing, read and talk when we please, and time glides away pleasantly.-As I expect the children have received the Atlas from Brother B. Young ere this-I will give them some lessons on it. We expect to stop, or as sailors call it touch, at one of the Cape De Verde Islands, called the Isle of Sal, in English it would be the Isle of Salt. We expect to get salt there to salt fish with; then we shall touch at Bonavista, there we expect to get oranges, pine apples, raisins, figs, grapes and wine. These are latitude 17 north, and longitude 25 west: look on the map of Africa and you will find them.
From there we shall steer a south course till we make or see the Isle of Tristan de Acunha, this is in south latitude 38, west longitude 130. Then we shall steer for the Cape of Good Hope; then for the islands of St. Pauls and Amsterdam. These are in east longitude 88, south latitude 39, here we expect to catch the fish to use our salt on; there are innumerable multitudes of them around these famous islands, and the captain says they are extremely fat, and more delicious than Salmon. Here we expect to feast ourselves, as you know I am fond of fish; we expect to be there in January.
Answer the questions:-What season of the year will it be then? Where will the sun be at noon? When the sun is just setting with us there, what time will it be with you then?
After we leave there, we shall steer for Van Diemans Island, South Cape. From there we shall make the N. W. point of New Zealand. from [From] there to Otaheite or Tahita [Tahiti]. When we get there, how much shall we lack of having circumnavigated the globe, and after the sun sets with you, how high will it be with us?
Nov. 9. We made the Isle of Sal this morning about 3 o'clock, by moon light; it is called low land, and so it is in comparison with the rest; but it is higher than the mountains about Winchester; and a view from the sea looks like a ridge of snow drifts, for it is very broken, and the peaks very sharp, (it is barren and waste, no vegetation on it. What few inhabitants there are yet there, live by selling salt. We are now sailing pretty close to it, and it looks pleasant to see land again, even in this rugged situation, after being deprived of the privilege for a month. We have made a mistake in the island, it is St. Nicholas's; we are now so near a town that we can see the houses and the vessels at anchor; we expect to send a boat on shore in a few minutes. If there is a chance to send the letters from there we will, if not, I will write some more on the way to St. Jagoes
Nov. 10. I went on shore in the boat yesterday, the island is quite different to what it appears at first; quite fruitful; a plenty of oranges, plantains, benanas [bananas], melons, gooves, popogars, &c. &c. The inhabitants are Portugees [Portuguese], about half black; there are some English among them, they are quite friendly.-The Doctor, with his little son, Charles, were with us. He is a very delicate, fine looking fellow; there were a multitude of people on the shore when we landed; they were overjoyed to see little Charles, the dark ladies took him up, hugged and kissed him till he was frightened and began to cry, but they gave him a variety of fruit, and sweet cake to pacify him. I was quite amused at the fun. Children, when I saw this nice fruit, so plenty and so cheap, I wished I could buy a basket of it and give you, but the ocean rolls between us, and how long it will continue to, the Lord only knows; but he may preserve us till we all meet again in this life, in health and strength, is the continual prayer of your unworthy father.
There is a brig, the Susan, of Salem, lying here, bound to Surinam, the Captain offers to take our letters and send them from there the first opportunity; it is rather a round about way, but I think I will send them. The brig is to take a load of live cattle from this island. I don't know whether I have said any thing about your writing; I wish you to write as soon as you receive this; I wish to know all about the situation of the Church. You know they were threatening to drive all away when we left.-Write to Tahita, [Tahiti] to the care of the American counsul; [consul] also the care of Nathaniel Cary, jr., New Bedford.
Adison Pratt.
Eagle Creek,
Benton county, June 22, 1844.
Pursuant to previous arrangements, the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, met in conference, when A. O. Smoot was chosen to preside, and Joseph Mount secretary.
Elders present-A. O. Smoot, Joseph Younger, David P. Raney, Wm. L. Cutler, W. P. Vance, Hiram D. Bugs, John W. Greerson, Wm. Camp, Joseph Mount, A. F. Young.
(page 605) |
