April 1st 1836. - Nothing of much importance occurred to-day. My eyes are satiated with the same beautiful scenery all along the coasts of this mighty river, so peculiar to this western country. One year ago to-day since my husband first arrived in St. Louis on his exploring route [...]
ON BOARD STEAMBOAT SIAM March 15, 1836. Dear, Dear Mother: Your proposal concerning keeping a diary as I journey comes before my mind often. I have not found it practicable while traveling by land, although many events have passed which, if noted as they occurred, might have been interesting. We left Pittsburgh [...]
Rev. Mrs. H.K.W. Perkins, Willamette. WALLA WALLA, Dec. 5, 1836 My Dear Mother: I have been thinking of my beloved parents this evening; of the parting scene, and of the probability that I shall never see those dear faces again while I live. Sweet as it used to be, when my heart was [...]
Oct. 18th. The Montreal Express came this afternoon, and a general time of rejoicing it is to everyone. News from distant friends, both sad and pleasing. Mr. Spalding has come with it and brought a letter from my husband, filled with pleasing information. The Lord has been with them since they [...]
September 1st, 1836 You can better imagine our feelings this morning than we can describe them. I could not realize that the end of our long journey was so near. We arose as soon as it was light, took a cup of coffee, ate of the duck we had given [...]
Aug. 5th. 1836 Morn; came all of ten miles last evening, and did not arrive here till after dark. Mr. McLeod and his company started earlier than we did, intending to come but a little way. We could not get ready to come with him, and the man who piloted [...]
July 16, 1836 - When I wrote this letter I expected to send it immediately, but we did not meet the party expected, and have had no opportunity since. We are now at the Rocky Mountains, at the encampment of Messrs. McLeod and McKay, expecting to leave on Monday [...]
ON PLATTE RIVER, 30 MILES ABOVE THE FORKS. June 4th, 1836. Dear Father and Mother Prentiss: You will be anxious to hear from us at this distance and learn our situation and progress. We have been greatly blest thus far on our journey. We have had various trials, it is true, [...]
PLATTE RIVER, JUST ABOVE THE FORKS, JUNE 3RD, 1836. Dear Sister Harriet and Brother Edward: Friday eve, six o'clock. We have just encamped for the night near the bluffs over against the river. The bottoms are a soft, wet plain, and we were obliged to leave the river yesterday for the [...]
