Transcript

KANESVILLE, June 8, 1850.

Having been on my appointed mission to the Eastern States and British Provinces for the last two years, which portion of the vineyard has been like the gathering of grapes after the vintage is done. I have summed up the amount of gleanings from that quarter, during this time, and I can count about 200 which we have baptized in the various branches, and near 500 which have emigrated to the West, bound for the Salt Lake Valley. The Eastern Emigration this spring left mostly in two companies, one company left Philadelphia about the 1st of April, consisting of over one hundred souls under the care of Elder Gibson, who arrived here in safety and good health and spirits. I left Boston on the 9th of April, with 200 souls; came via Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and landed at Deseret Depot in Bethlehem, 18 miles below Kanesville, on the 15th day of May in good health and spirits. I am happy to say we have been blessed and prospered on our journey. We have met with good accommodation and kind treatment from most of the officers and men of the various boats where we have traveled, especially, Capt. Devinney, of the Dewit Clinton, from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, used every exertion in his power to make us comfortable and happy. Also, Captain Baker, of the Sacramento, from St. Louis to Kanesville, should be patronized by the Saints who wish to be dealt with honorably and kindly, or travel in safety on the dangerous waters of the Missouri, will not be disappointed who embark with Capt. Baker; at least as far as the care and duties of the captain and officers of the boat are concerned.

Since my arrival in Kanesville, I have had the pleasure of sitting in Council and Conference with Elders Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt, and of meeting many of my old friends and acquaintances, which is truly a treat after being separated for two years. We have had two deaths in our company since we left Boston. Sister Margaret Bird, wife of James Bird, of Cambridgeport, Mass, died at St Louis, after a few hours illness, on the 2d day of May. Also a child of Brother and Sister Branch, before named in the Guardian. There was also one birth on the DeWit Clinton, mother and daughter well.

In consequence of the high price of Oxen, and the difficulty of obtaining them, our companies could not be ready to cross the river quite as soon as we could have wished, but we now expect to be ready to organize and start in few days, and hope that the preserving care, peace and blessings of our Heavenly Father may attend all the Camp of Israel in our journeyings to the mountains and abide with all the faithful is the prayer of W. WOODRUFF.