Mormon History, Aug 7, 1846

... council adjnd at 10.28 mi to G.D. Grants tent J. E[ncampment] the Twelve, Bishop Whitney, J. D. Lee, & Col Kane. who wished to know our intention. Prest Young said we intend settling in the Great Bason & those who go by water settle on St Friscico. we would be glad to raise the American Flag. like the constitution. but are opposed to mobocracy. we will not live under such Governors & Judges as we have. we are willing to have the banner of the U.S. Constitution float over us. If the Government of the United [States] are disposed to do us good, we can do them as much good as they can us.'
Col Kane said Gov Boggs had been working against you in Washington'I suppose you would like a terretorial government.'Yes Sir was the presedents reply. English emigrants will probably settle at Van Couvers Islands. Lord Aberdeen said to Mr McLowe we design to colonize Oregon, as speedily as possible would carry the mail across the mail & build block houses wherever the U.S. may want. Monzotland is in the possession of the U.S. & all California.
Col Kane proposed that we send Prest Polk a resolution of thanks for what he has done & ask let him know that we have a pledge from Prest Polk that he will defend the Mormons in a terretorial government by the strong arm of the law.'20.000.00 & 10.000s of cannon.
At 8 oclock morn council was called together at H C Kimbles Encampment Bro L A
Caulkins & co (committee sent out to look out the situation for Winter quarters) Reported timber & water scarce for 12 miles North at least Met Bro J S Holman & Eldrige from Elkhorn River who were in search of a route to intercept the main camp at winter quarters they said that they were 6 miles from the E River & probably 10 from the Mo River Pres Young said shall we stop here or go further'& shall settle to gether or shall every man go to himself & settle about in groups here is timber enough for firewood Hay in great abundance or would some rather go farther North away from our friends the Oto & Omaha Indians C F Scott said that God had placed at our head men capable of saying what would be for our good there fore let us submit to them Some doubted there would be timber to sustain us through the winter others water scarce Hay likewise Elder Kimble said that there was hay timber & water to any amount Elder Cahoon thought it policy to settle in different bodies Pres Young said he would say a word & as many more as he wanted it would be my feelings to settle together in one body & build up a city according to our understanding of the order There is sufficient of water wood & feed to do us 6 months I have no doubt that timber & water more abundant could be had'within 25 miles distance from this Point Notwithstanding I am willing to stop here because the advantages are more than the disadvantages We would be nearer the Mills & Brethren who are on the other side of the river who will want to come for council We want to go to the settlement for provisions through the winter we can build our houses of hay & would rather haul all my wood & hay 5 miles'than to put the Brethren to the inconvenience of Traveling back & forth to come to head quarters We want to build a council house this year Elder Kimble acqeised in Pres Youngs remarks Decided to settle to gether 2nd that 12 men be appointed to dictate & arrange the Setting of the camp'on motion of Alpheus Cutler Reynolds Cahoon C P Scott A P Rockwood Ezra Chase Daniel Russell Alonzo Eldrege Thomas Grover Samuel Russell Winslow Farr Benjamin L Clapp 3rd that no man be allowed to cut timber (fire wood excepted) from the Grove till after the hay was saved save it be by the direction of said committee Pres Young said with reference to the Natives be careful about trading with them or feeding them for if we do we shall be troubled by them treat them friendly do not interfere with their mounds or monuments as they house the graves of their Fathers Council adjourned sine die Private Council immediatedly convened Elder H C Kimble s tent'at about 15 minutes to 11 morn Col Kane (Embassador from city of Washington was invited in) Pres Young said to Col Kane with reference to our settlements in the California's we do not intend going & settling the majority of our people on the course or near the bay of San Francisco'but intend settling the greater part of our people in the great Basin between the Mountains near the Bear river valley & we will likely make a settlement on Vancouver Island that is such Emigrants that as will Emigrate by water We intend raising the American Flag & sustain the Government of the United States but we will never submit to mobocracy & mob law Mob Governors have burned our houses (driven after killing many of our people) & have continued to oppress & persecute us all the day long Col Kane remarked that Ex-Governor of Mo our great enemy expects to be Executing officer of the upper California'yet I will endeavor with the help of my friends & yours to secure you a Territorial Government Independent & it would be to your advantage to draft a series of resolutions'in them remind the President of his promise to us & that you feel assured that his motives are purely for your good & in return for the high toned general & Philanthropric course that he has taken in our behalf will ever be his grateful Friends & the Friends of the Government Elder Richards asked Col Kane for his name & nativity Thomas L Kane fathers name Judge Kane corner of Locust & Schuylkill 7th Street Philadelphia George F Lehman esq Post Master Philadelphia Pres Young preached the gospel of the kingdom to Col Kane'which did not fail to leave the desired impression'during the conversation he frequently shook the hand of the Pres & council as an expression of gratitude adjourned at " past noon about 1 PM Pres Young Richards Kimball Bro Woodruff J M Grant myself & others rode on the Prairie to look out a suitable situation for presant campground found a suficiency of water for the campe about 3 returned to camp & about 4 Pres Young & some of the committee rode into the timber in search of a location for winter quarters about 7 a council of the committee apointed & convened at Elder Kimbles Encampment Presant of the 12 Pres Young Kimble Woodruff & Richards Alpheus Cutler took the chair 1st Bro E chase reported that he in co with Bro A Eldridge had examined the situation of the country some 6 miles N found it a continual Ruff of pea vines and Hazel ground broken & not calculated for an encampment Water scarce'River within 3 miles'banks with very little labor could be made accessible for waggons & teams good crossings &c 2nd Pres Cutler by request of Pres Young reported that he & others had made diligent search for the most suitable situation for shielding our selves & flocks from the chilling winter storms also for water & wood & decided that the neighboring grove East of the encampment was altogether the most suitable for convenience & comfort & in fact seemed that Providence had arranged it for that express purpose the committee all concured in the foregoing report Pres Young said that this committee should serve as a city & high council to decide in matters of difference between all members of the church'that some had already trumpled on the rights of the Priesthood as well as each other & that he was not so fearful of going into the wilderness alone'as to allow men to go unpunished for such & like offenses that some in the camp on the other side of the river should be brought to account for their conduct &c Question was asked should the oldest man in the committee or council have the right to preside Pres Young said that Elder Cutler was the Pres on Mo decided by the council that all the little groups of waggons be requested to unite with one of the 2 Co s now organized if they choose & to remove all their flocks South of the road & there keep them & that no cattle be allowed to run in the timber till after we get through Hay making & wished to commence cutting timber &c as the pea vines will come in good when the grass on the Prairie fails'counselor Rockwood said that a record should be kept of all their meetings that he would nominate J D Lee for their cle
rk seconded Pres Young said as the motion was open for remarks he should object upon the grounds that Bro Lee was his clerk & the clerk of the whole co & that he had a sufficency of care & trouble on his mind already therefore he didnt feel willing to have him compelled to go to all their meetings Motion withdrawn whereupon Bro Samuel Rusell was unamiously appointed Clerk by motion of Elder Kimble & sanctioned of the Saints Pres Young said he should like to have the Brethren meet on the morrow at 2 PM & prepare seats & a stand for Public Meetings'that it would be well to make it where it would accomodate us for the winter'

[source: Willard Richards, Diary; John D. Lee, Diary]

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