| 710 was just rising with you, and when it arose with us, night had just commenced at home.-We arrived off there on the 8th of March, but not in sight of land. We coasted along towards Bass Straits; but, as there are many islands and rocks in that passage, and it would be near the 20th of March before we could land; the Captain thought it advisable to go around the south side of Van Diemens Land-So we hauled off to the southward. On the night of the 19th it commenced blowing in squalls of rain, sleet and snow; as the sun and moon were near each other (it being near the change) and would cross the equinox so, we expected a severe storm and prepared for it.
On the 20th, about 10 o'clock A. M., as the weather lighted up between squalls, we saw the southwest point of Van Diemens Land; it was then blowing a gale, and it continued to increase till the 21st. It then blew one of the heaviest gales I ever experienced; the wind whistled and roared through the rigging, the sea ran mountains high, and often over our decks. The Timoleon is an excellent seaboat, but not a fast sailor; she makes sure passages, but not quick ones; so the gale did us no other injury than to tear many boards off the bulwarks, and stove two whale boats; one of them was on the cranes, and the other over the stern: the one on the cranes was broken in two, so that about eight feet of the bow was hanging to the davies towing in the water.-The wind was west, and it carried us ahead with great force.
From here we shaped our course to the north west point of New Zealand. Around all of these islands has been a great resort for whalemen: our crew is made up of men that have cruised here for years; they give flattering accounts of the beauty of their climate, soil, and productions. There are large settlements of English on all of them; and had the weather been good, our Captain talked of going in there, and we intended stopping there to commence our mission, instead of continuing on to Tahita. There is a great and delightful field for our elders to occupy: some hundred thousands of English emigrants to preach to.
On the 28th in latitude 35 deg. longitude 166 deg. east, we discovered the first and only shoal of sperm whales we had seen since we left home. Four boats were lowered, and they gave chase: one of them was harpooned, but by some mishap the harpoons drew out, and the whales got away, very much to the disappointment of all hands.
On the 31st we saw some small islands off the north west point of New Zealand, called the Three Kings. Since that we have had much head wind; it is now blowing fresh and fair and we expect in two or three days to touch at an island called Oheitaroa. It is 300 miles south by west of Tahita. It is a celebrated place for hogs and fruit. The ship designs to recruit there, then proceed to Tahita, leave us passengers, and then proceed to the north-west coast of America, to fish for whales.
Dear Brother, you see I have nearly used up my paper, and must draw to a close. We feel very anxious to get all the news we can from home: from the various threats we heard and saw in the papers previous to our sailing, we expect you may have had troubles with the Carthagenians [Carthaginians], their allies, and the Missourians. Our dreams have warned us that you all may be missing from Nauvoo by this time, and I can assure you that our anxiety for you and all that is near and dear to us on earth, is very great. We feel that we are exiles for Christ's sake; and any news from home will do us good. I hope you all will not fail to establish a correspondence by letters and papers. Br. Phillip B. Lewis, of New Bedford, can give any information you may wish respecting the way of conveyance. We wish you to remember our sincerest friendship to that brother; we received great help from him.
I wish you to remember the sincerest affections of a husband and father to my family.-May God, our heavenly Father, in whom I trust, comfort and support them and you all, till we return again in peace. We have enjoyed good health since we left home. I am more fleshly than I have ever before been in my life; and I think my companions can say the same, (though they may not be so willing to own it as I am.)
Remember me to all that inquire after us. Tell the Saints to remember us in all their prayers, both private and public. Tell Br. W. Richards I will write him from Tahita, after we commence our labors. Dear Brother, accept my sincere esteem for you and yours.-I remain your brother and fellow laborer in the gospel and covenant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ADDISON PRATT.
P. S. Pacific Ocean, Island of Toobouai, Society Group, May 4th, 1844.
[This island lies near 22 degrees south latitude and 75 degrees west longitude from Washington. The letter was 198 days on its passage: 183 by water from Toobouai to the United States; and 15 by land from New Bedford to Nauvoo; average on 20,000 miles about 200 miles a day.]-ED.
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