_Wednesday, 16--_About home. In the evening started on a journey to the counties north, in company with John D. Parker. _Thursday, 17_.--There was a severe snow storm, and Elder Alpheus Harmon (who was just returning from a {194} mission), and another man, were frozen to death on the prairie between Nauvoo and Carthage. The Mississippi was frozen over, which fulfilled my prophecy of the 5th instant. [Sidenote: Vote to Suspend the _Millennial Star_.] _Monday, 21_.--A Council of the Twelve, namely, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman, and Willard Richards, assembled at the house of Elder Heber C. Kimball, in Nauvoo, and decided by unanimous acclamation that the printing of the _Millennial Star_ and all other publications in England relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints be suspended, on the return of Elder Parley P. Pratt from that country, until further instruction from the quorum; and that the foregoing minutes be forwarded to Elder Pratt or to the editor of the _Star_, which was done by letter from the president and clerk of the council. _Tuesday, 22_.--I arrived at home, after a pleasant outing, in good health and spirits. _Wednesday, 23_.--At home all day. [Sidenote: Disaster on the Island of Madeira.] _Thursday, 24_.--By report of the papers, the island of Madeira was visited by a dreadful storm. The summer was hot and weather fine till the 15th, when the rain commenced falling heavily and continued to the 24th. At one o'clock in the afternoon the water fell in torrents, the sky became dark, the streets in the capital became inundated, and the affrighted inhabitants in town and country fled to the mountains. Upwards of two hundred houses were destroyed at Funchal, and much corn and wine. The damage to lives, houses, and crops on the island, and boats in the harbors was incalculable. _Saturday, 26_.--At home in the morning. At ten, met in city council, which resolved that the inscription for the seal to be procured for the municipal court of this city shall consist of a circle, including the words "Municipal Court, City of Nauvoo," within which is to be a book {195} circled with rays, on which is to be inscribed the words "Constitution and Charter." Wrote as follow:-- _Letter of the Prophet to H. R. Hotchkiss--Land Purchase Contract Considered_. NAUVOO, November 26, 1842. _Horace R. Hotchkiss, Esq._ DEAR SIR:--Yours of the 8th instant to Sidney Rigdon has been received; and, in consequence of his not knowing anything concerning the matters therein mentioned, or being in any way connected or interested in my affairs, he of course, has handed the letter to me, which I shall proceed to answer.