On the 11th of May I visited Charleston and Bunker Hill monument, and also spent several hours in the city of Boston, which then contained a population of one hundred thousand. I ascended to the cupola of the court-house, from which I had a fine view of the city. I visited several of the Saints in the city, and walked over the long bridge to Cambridge and Cambridgeport.
I visited the jail there in order to have an interview with Brother A. P. Rockwood, who had been cast into prison on the plea of debt, in order to trouble and distress him, because he was a "Mormon." This was the first time we had ever met. The jailor permitted me to enter the room where he was. It was the first time in my life I had ever entered a prison. The jailor turned the key upon us and locked us both in.
I found Brother Rockwood strong in the faith of the gospel. He had the Bible, Book of Mormon, Voice of Warning, and Evening and Morning Star as his companions, which he read daily.
We conversed together for three hours in this solitary abode. He informed me of many things which had transpired while he was confined there as a prisoner. Among other things, he mentioned that the jail had taken fire a few days previous to my visit. He said it looked a little like a dark hour. The fire was roaring over his head, while uproar and confusion were upon every hand. Fire engines were rapidly playing around the building, with water pouring into every room. The people were hallooing in the streets. Prisoners were begging for mercy's sake to be let out, or they would be consumed in the fire. One was struggling in the agonies of death, while others were cursing and swearing. Brother Rockwood said he felt composed in the midst of it until the fire was extinguished.
At eight o'clock the jailor unlocked the prison door to let me out, and I gave the parting hand to the prisoner of hope.
We had spent a pleasant time together, and he rejoiced at my visit; and who would not, to meet with a friend in a lonely prison? I left him in good spirits, and wended my way back to Boston.
I spent several days in Boston, holding meetings with the Saints there, and then walked to Providence, Rhode Island, preaching by the way.
I there took steamer and arrived in New York on the 18th of May, where I met with Elder Orson Pratt and his family, and Elijah Fordham and near one hundred Saints who had been baptized in the city of New York.
I spent three days in New York visiting the Saints and holding meetings. Several new converts were baptized while I was there.
Leaving New York, I traveled through New Jersey, and returned to Farmington, Connecticut, the residence of my father. I arrived at his house on the 12th of June.