Dear Sister Wodruff
Mr Pratt received a letter from Pres.
Woodruff this morning, which gave us much news
and much joy, and likewise put me in mind again
of writing to you, for many times I have thought
I would sit down and write to you, but a multiplicity
of cares has prevented until now, my family are
all quite well at present except my self, my own
health is not as good as when I was in America
I was quite sick last night, and write with a trembling
hand this morning, this climate seems to damp to be
healthy, we have a little daughter her s about six
weeks old. I hope the Lord will spare her unto us
if it is pleasing in his sight, for we much desire to
keep those little ones which is given unto us.
no I enjoy my self vary much in this land, I have no
desire to return until it is our duty to do so.
I am vary happy, in the society of my husband
and family I think we never enjoy'd our selves better.
the work is rolling on rapidly, them truth is progressing
among this wicked generation, and this causes our hearts
to rejoice, and our souls to be made glad, we shall sloy
be looking for four of the twelve, and many other Elders
to arrive soon, we shall be much pleased to see them,
no doubt you well know how this seems to be situated
in a land of strangers far from your friends and
home, the face of an old acquaintance is dear, and
seems we are glad to behold them, several of the American
brethren sailed on the first of Jan, there are not many left
and a great field of laborur. I have vary little society
here, my time is confined to my family, the saints in Liverpool
are not so warm hearted as in America, therefore I do
not enjoy the society of the saints in this place, they
seem more free in other branches, but I have not been
from home but little. I have not much news to write
but could I see you I could talk much but this privilige
is denied me for the present I received a letter this morning
from Sister Benson dated Oct. 3 Weber river I received one
or two before from her and sister George A. they were vary
interesting she said sometimes the wind blew high and
sometimes low her health was vary poor. I hear you are
going to the vally in the spring, sometimes I almost envy
you this pleasure and then again I do not, for I feel contented
when I am with my family. If you see sister Parley give
my kind love to her and family tell her to write and
send me her address and I will write to her does she get
any letters from Parley is she contented, when will she
go to the vally. you and Br. Woodruff are often enquired
about, as as well as sister Parley, sister Enion talks much
of you and your little Susan she keeps her likeness
hanging up in the parlor. Mr. and Mrs. Collinson
come often to see us we expect they will soon come into
the church. Mr. Tuton and Nniece are vary much apposed
Br. Kelsey and Dykes arrived here about two weeks ago
Br Kelsey is with us yet
[sideways text] Orson Pratt & Lady Feb 4th
1850
Mr. P. cut my letter short by wishing to write some
himself give my love to all the sisters in the vally that inquire
after me tell Sister Young and Kimball to write to me. Please write
to me as soon as you receive this and again, at the Bluffs, and again on your [end of sideways text]
Dear brother Woodruff:
I received your letter of Jany.
174th, and I can assure you that it was a great
treat to me. The news from the valley is really
glorious: The Lord is truly favoring Zion. I should
havinge written to you more frequently, but I have been
too busy to write. I expect to take the Steamer in the
fore part of March for Halifax and Boston. I am un-
certain as to the day of leaving Liverpool, but I thinke there
is a steamer which leaves on the 9th of March. I
shall probably see you in Boston as I pass through. I will
bring the I eleventh vol. of the Star for you including the
pamphlets—the ninth and tenth volumes are not complete
Some nos. are lacking. I think Elder Orson Spencer
took the ninth and tenth volums bound for you.
I am glad to hear that you are going to get
all the saints you can out from the U. S. that
the book of Mormon may be fulfilled and that
the just judgments of heaven may not be stayed
from that guilty nation. I expect to get back again
to England in July. I feel very anxious to see the
gospel preached to all nations, and to labor with
my might until it is done. Therefore I cannot think
of spending much time in America. I am overjoyed
to hear that the some of the twelve with elders are on their
way to the nations. Bro. Kelsey has arrived in good health and
[sideways text] after me tell Sister Young and Kimball to write to me. Please write
to me as soon as you receive this and again, at the Bluffs, and again on your
arrival at the vally my love to you and yours
S. M. Pratt [sideways text]
spirits. he sends his love to you and family. Elder
Lewis Robbins & Elder Dunn & wife are now sitting
by my side; they send their respts to yourself &
family. I hope you will not sctop in the valley
long when there is such a great worke to
be done abroad. The work is rolling on in this
country. About eleven thousand baptized during the
last 17 months. I am now making preparations
to increase the circulation of the Star from 5000
to between 20 and 30000 by reducing the retail
from 2 and ^a^ half pence to one penny. The prospects
of carrying these these arrangments into effect are
very good. We shall probably issue ^every forth half month^ 20000 or more
during the last six months of the present vol. An
immence deal of good can be done through the
press. We have several native preachers in French
on the channel Islands between England & France
The ship "Josiah Bradlee" sails from this port
to-morrow loaded with saints—262 souls. The
ship "Argo" saild on the ninth of Jany—402 souls
saints. I shall send out another ship the last of
this month. I have just succeeded in renewing
my "passage broker's licence," by giving, according to the
new law, a bond with towo good sureties of 1000 dollars.
Farewell, May heaven bless you & your family is the prayer
of your fellow labourer in the gospel.
To Elder W. Woodruff