[Apostle Willard Richards Journal] Cutler's Park. Cloudy. Cold north wind. About 9 a.m., council assembled at President YoungÂ's tent, Presidents Young, Kimball, W. Woodruff, O. Pratt, Richards, George A. Smith, A. Lyman, W. Woodruff, and Isaac Morley, J. H. Hale, and P. Richards of the council, east side of the river. Bishop Whitney, Father John Smith. Several letters were read and sorted. Joseph L. Robinson had returned from Nauvoo and presented the offer of William Meeks and Sons of Bonaparte to furnish flour from $2.75 or $2.50 per barrel, or l.12½ to 1.00 per cwt. Also offer of A. P. Houghton of Farmington, $2.50 per barrel, 1.25 per cwt to the Mormons.
President Young stated that if a man was willing to let his property, should be disposed of anyway as the Lord would, the Lord was willing he should be made a bishop, and why not as well as to put his funds into anotherÂ's hands. [At] quarter to 11, letter was read from Council Point, August 18, 1846, I. Morley, president, E. M. Green, clerk. Fifty or more on that side the river wanted a part or all of their money. President Young said we took those families into our charge as we take charge of our own families, and [should] not be their servants. Heber Kimball motioned, seconded by W. Richards and O. Pratt, that the money be disposed of as this council direct. Carried.
President Young motioned that the council on the other side and on this side of the river, see to the wants of individuals, and have no one suffer, but supply those who must have, or need immediate help from their funds, carried. President Young proposed that we hire some of the Omaha Indians to watch our cattle this winter. Also, that if some of our boys could be sent to Pottawattamie [Pottawatamie] town to live this winter, they would learn their Indian language, and if the Omahas will guard our cattle, we will make them a cornfield, and learn them to work, etc., for our staying on their lands.
Chandler Rogers has been appointed councillor at Council Point instead of Thomas Grover, who had moved [to] west side of the river. President Young said he was going to propose to the various councils of this Church, to have some way devised to instruct this people concerning the organization of the human system and how to take care of it.
The Sioux people told Emmet the government of the United States had agreed to furnish them with mechanics, farmers, etc., for a certain number of years, but had never done it, and they would give him a great tract of land if he would stay and settle among them. Voted that it is wisdom to sow wheat on the east side the river on Potawattamie [Pottawatamie] lands. Voted that the subject of employing the Omaha Indians to herd our cattle be referred to the high council of this place. Proposed by President Young that the committee agitate the subject with the chiefs and half breeds and see what can be done, if a chief will select a company to watch our cattle, etc. Adjourned at 25 minutes past 12 for one hour. The marshall to notify the high council to meet with us.
[At] 2 p.m., the council met as in the morning with the high council. Burrier Griffin arrived with a letter from George Miller, eight miles above Pawnee Village, Augus 13, 1846, which was read. Voted that $20 from L. H. McCollough be sent to St. Louis to purchase such things as she needs. Voted the three councils present be resolved into one this p.m. [afternoon]. Voted that the proceedings of the morning council be read. Letter from the council at Council Point to the Presidency. Letter from the Twelve Apostles to the council at Council Point read and sanctioned by vote. Voted that the report of the council from Council Point be accepted and sanctioned by us. Presidents Young, Kimball, Richards, Woodruff, George A. Smith, O. Pratt, A. Lyman, and John Smith severally nominate themselves to go to Council Point and complete the business concerning the Battalion money. Voted. Letter was read from Isaac Bartholomew to Mr. Miller to say that the bad money paid [by] him he received for wheat in Michigan, and supposed it good, and sent him good money to redeem it by Brother Griffin. Council voted they were satisfied with BartholomewÂ's explanation, and signified the same in the letter, signed W. Richards, clerk.
Brother Ira Eldridge thought the arrangements were completed for the purchase of millstones and fixtures, and the parties were ready to draw writings. Brother Matthews brought a mail of 27 letters from Fort Leavenworth. Moved by W. Richards and voted that this council write the President of the United States immediately, informing him of the desire of the Indians to receive instructions in education, mechanic arts, agriculture, etc., and our facilities for giving them the desired information and employing them in our labors, and that thereby we might secure to the United States a favorable influence among the red men while necessity compels us to stay among them, and ask the PresidentÂ's views and approval of the proposed measures.
Thomas Matthews reported that companies C and D at Fort Leavenworth wished that someone might follow them to bring back their money when they received their next payment, and wanted their families to be taken on. Voted that two men be sent to the Mormon Battalion and bring back their first payment. Voted that Dr. Richards write a letter to the Battalion instructing them what to do with their money. Brother Joseph Matthews stated that when the Mormon Battalion was in camp 15 miles north of Fort Leavenworth, a terrible storm arose of wind and rains and prostrated the forest all around, but did no harm within 50 yards. They called the place Mormon Battalion Creek. Brother Matthews said wheat could be bought for 18 3/4, 20, and 25 cents per bushel. Voted that a man be sent to Missouri with $1000 to buy wheat.
Several motions were made to establish a mail to Nauvoo and Fort Leavenworth, but after discussion, President Young proposed to bring the subject before the people and say whether they want a mail. Adjourned at 6 p.m. High council met at 7. President Young spent a part of the evening in the marquee.[?] At 9, waked to Brother KimballÂ's company with J. H. Hale. At 10, called at the post office and heard part of a letter written by Dr. Richards for council to J. Hunt and Mormon Battalion. Cold night.
[source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
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