President Smith and the Twelve,

Dear Brethren, I am here awaiting a Boat for , the “Madison” a fine Steamer sails in the morning. Navigation has but fairly opened between and . I am well and in as good spirits as I can be away from home. I hope all are well at .

I write at this time to Call your special attention <​to​> this part of our , or the part between and , as affording every facility for settlements and Stakes of Zion. from , and other seaports on the Atlantic communication is easy, cheep, and expeditious to by way of the Lakes and canal and Rail Roads. it is now but six days journey from to .— has a good harbour, and will soon have a canal, connecting the Lakes with the . it is a good Market, as it only costs a few cents on a Bushel of Wheat for transportation from here to . The Country between and Peoria 150 miles is composed mostly of Rich, Dry, Rolling, and healthy Prairies most beautifully watered with Durable Streams and Rivers, and will, so far as can be ascertained from the appearance, and from the history of the past be one of the healthyest counties in the world, and certainly it is the most productive and pleasant. Peoria is on the one hundred miles from , and is only eaqualed by in Beauty of Location, Otawa [Ottawa, Illinois] is Little Inferior. is not beautiful in Natural Cite, but is the best Location for trade of any port of the west. [p. [1]]