Letter from Edward Partridge, b. 1833, 7 February 1855
Brother Woodruff
Dear Sir
In compliance with your
request, I will endeavor to improve the present opportunity
by writing a few lines to you. With a few slight exceptions
I have enjoyed good health since leaving the valley.
I presume you are aware of our delay at California, which
was occasioned by circumstances that we were unable to
control, therefore I believe it was all right. I landed at
Honolulu the 24th of December in company with Bros. Caine
and Johnson, being the last that arrived, of the Breathren
that were ^appointed^ to this mission, by the last April conference.
I stayed in Honolulu untill after the funeral of the old
King and the coronation of his successor, which took place
on the 10th & 11th of Jan. The funeral procession was a sple-
ndid affair and reflected much credit on the Kingdom.
As this Island had been designated as my future field of
labor, myself and Bro. Whitney (who was also appointed to
this Isdland) took the steamer on the 12th and arrived at this
Island the morning of the 13th & amediatly commenced the
task of learning the native language. Bros. R. A. Allred
and Molen are upon this Island. Bro. Molen has been here
about three months, he can talk some but has not a
sufficient knowledge of the language to preach much yet, but
is making rapid progress, the young Breathren generaly are
making are obtaining the language very readily, some of
them have commenced preaching. Judging from the length
of time that I have been here, Bro. Molen thinks I will get
the language pretty quick, but it is tedious for a person that
has not been accustomed to confine their mind to any one
thing. The Breathren that were here when the last lot
came, will all probably leave for home, after our July
