Copenhagen Feb. 24th 1852 (2)
My dearly beloved and never to be forgotten family, after several months silence I disremember how long I seized my pen amid the hustle and hurry of my office business to let you know that I am alive and full of Joy and full of business and full of hope of soon being released and on my way toward the home of my loved ones.
I have expect[ed] to leave for England on my way home in about a week.
The reason why I have neglected so long to write was that I did not think a letter would reach you in the winter months, and I have been too much thronged with business to write anything in vain. I have received several most excellent and cheering letters since I have written the last one contained the order or draft of 200 dollars which brother [Franklin D.] Richards cashed and I have now the ballance [balance] of that money ready for him when I meet him in England.
I was extremely glad that you drawed for the $200. instead $100. for I have regretted that I did not instruct you so to do in my letter. For I wanted $100. place [placed] at your disposal to purchase timbers this summer. and if it is not drawn I want you to draw it of Livingston & Kincaid and what you are not under the necessity of useing [using] for your family wants - appropriate it as above -
I want Charles to watch for an opportunity to purchase as much lumber as possible and that which is good, or else get [crossed out] let the Job of geting [getting] logs into a mill and sawed immediately and stacked up in the shade by an experienced hand, where it will not spring, warp or crack, and if circumstances allow it I would like him to get stone [“in other” crossed out] on the ground but particularly lumber.
I think I wrote once before about fenceing [fencing] the lot and planting fruit trees. I have felt very anxious to have fruit trees growing soon as possible.
But it must be done by an experienced hand to ensure success, but of course you must cut your garment according to your cloth.
I shall endeavour [endeavor] as far as practible [practicable] to bring the things whereof you wrote and as much more as the Lord shall give me ability and means to do
I shall endeavour [endeavor] to reach home as early as circumstances will admit, but whether I can so arrange as to leave the camps a [and] cross the plains before them I cannot say before I go to England or America. I shall have many things to see to and business matters to detain me some in England, and on the Fronteers. [Frontiers]
A few danish saints have already sailed [sailed] to England to Join the emigrating Saints and others expect to go with me to England for the same purpose and I shall be under the necessity of councelling [counseling] and assisting them to get riged [rigged] for the Journey over the plains.
Brother Lorenzo [Snow] has departed to India and intends to return home via the Pacific and California. Elder [John] Taylor expects to leave soon from England as also many other Elders.
Your letters and also the Message for my return which Bro. Willard sent me from England, and the General Epistles recd [received] were all exceedingly welcome. The rect [recent] developments of the returned Judges & Secretary Harris laid before congress and the congressional flareups there over which reached me through the Washington papers, have also contributed somewhat to my entertainment. These things in a still black and more horrifying picture are reitterated [reiterated] by the Priests and Editors of this country and you can imagine what kind of an influence, and amount of it, there is bearing down upon us here. But generally speaking saints in this country are in good condition considering there [their] age and experience.
The elders & brethren are here to a conference which I have called to set all things in order before I leave. we have laid the foundation of a fund for the emigration of the poor and set in order all things needfull [needful] according to circumstances.
We have had a good time together for several days and the Holy Spirit is bountifully [bountifully] poured out upon us.
I have had for the last six months a periodical the size of the Millenniel [Millennial] Star to publish and the Doctrine and Covenants, two editions of Hymnbook, and several pamphlets in Danish and a marker near fifty octavo pages in the Sweedish [Swedish], the last of them are now being finished, besides all the cares of the churches otherwise upon me and you cannot realize the amount of labour [labor] I have had to examine [“expend” crossed out] and correct every translation, and every proof sheet, and watch and control every [sic] everything. Persecution has been very heavy here through the winter and many saints & elders have suffered much personal violence, loss of property and the like but thank God all are alive although many have been badly beaten and nearly killed. Through the promises of God I have escaped until now.
We have had a parting feast this afternoon & evening about 200 tickets are sold and they are now waiting for me to come. I would have invited you if I thought you might accept of my company.
[written around the edges of the letter]
Last page
About 700 have been baptized [baptized] in this country and nearly 1/8 [?] of them expeld [expelled ?] again.
3rd page
The Lord God of Joseph & Brigham bless you Artimesia [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882], Minerva, Elisabeth and all the rest of the little ones. rejoice evermore. The Lord reigneth. I shall soon see you.
2nd page
I cannot get time to write more now and I must send this so that it may go from the States by the 1st April mail.
1st page
I must close but shall probably write again from England or the states
a thousand pounds of loveto every member of my family and a liberal share to all saints