[Apostle Willard Richards Journal] Pottawattamie [Pottawatamie] Nations, Council Point. At 10 a.m., the people began to assemble under a bower about 20 by 40 in the rear of father MorleyÂ's wagons. Prayer by O. Pratt, 3 minutes before 12. President Young arose to explain the object of the meeting, to tell of our location on the other side of the river and our arrangements for living. We are in two companies, about 600 wagons. We gave all the brethren the privilege of living by themselves and tending their own herds, but if they got into difficulties they must not call on us for help, etc. We shall adopt the law of liberty, and all who live up to it will enjoy all the liberty they can ask for, not infringing on the rights of others.
The principal object of our coming over was to induce the people here to unite with us in the principles of self preservation, which includes all business matters of our present salvation or preservation. It is the invisible hand of the Almighty that is favoring Israel through the army, and I shall tell you what I want to do and what I shall do, God and my brethren being my helpers, and I will tell the people here what to do with the means received. And if they do it not, we shall be released from our obligations to look after them.
There are no people under heaven we are acquainted with who would have gone into their army as we have done. The Twelve, bishops and council here will get the privilege of making your funds go the furtherest possible, and the privilege of waiting on you till we get you where you want to go. I will warrant you two to one through council, for your means, to what you would to have it in your own hands.
[At] 7 minutes to 1 p.m., President Kimball spoke on the principal importance of following counsel, and that all the funds received from the army belongs to the disposition of the Twelve and the council here, and not to the individuals to dispose of. [At] 15 minutes past 1, G. A. Smith spoke in confirmation of previous speakers, and 20 minutes past 1, A. Lyman spoke about confidence in the Twelve, etc. [At] 12.30 minutes [should be 1:30?], P. Pratt spoke. Did not think that letting the sisters have their money would not release us from our obligation to see them across the mountains. [At] 37 minutes past 1, W. Woodruff spoke and made a motion that all persons that feel willing to have the money sent from the Battalion be spent by Bishop Whitney for the purchase of goods, and moved that the funds received from the army be appropriated according to the order of the councils through Bishop Whitney or the committee appointed by the Battalion, for the purchase of goods, provisions etc., as shall be most needed by the camp.
President Young said he despised the idea of attempting to prove the Twelve honest men, as he did the gates of hell. Let the man come, if he can, who can better the plans that have been laid by myself. Moved by President Young that the funds in the camp on the east side of the river for the purchase of dry goods, groceries, hardware, provisions, etc., this fall, be appropriated by the order of the high council to a general purchase through Bishop Whitney. The funds to be raised by Jonathan H. Hale and Daniel Spencer. Carried almost universally, no one dissenting.
While the high council retired a few moments, O. Pratt read the list of letters remaining in the post office at Nauvoo, that they might be sent for on the morrow. Dr. Richards called over the letters in the post office and gave instruction to the high council and bishops how to manage in taking a bill of goods and wanted by individuals at St. Louis. Meeting closed about [?]. The Presidency and suite rode on to the bluff, all except Dr. Richards who spent the afternoon in paying small sums to 15, mostly sisters, to give them immediate relief. William Camp took all his to the amount of $20, and received a lecture from the doctor, with the promise that it should be recorded as history that he would not leave his money to send with the brethren. Jonathan Browning was to receive the money from the camp, and was present, but made no offer to let the money remain.
[source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
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