Footnotes
Richards, Journal, 27 Feb. 1845. In his journal Heber C. Kimball erroneously dated this meeting to 28 February but recorded, “Held a council at Elder Richards on the case of Emit and Smith.” (Kimball, Journal, 28 Feb. 1845.)
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
Kimball, Heber C. Journals, 1837–1848. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL.
In December 1844, bills were introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to organize a territorial government in Oregon. According to the provisions of both bills, as soon as the number of free white men from the United States reached five thousand they would have the authority to elect representatives for the territory’s general assembly. Although the bill had been approved by the House, it was tabled in the Senate at this time. (A Bill to Organize a Government for the Oregon Territory, and for Other Purposes, S. no. 45, 28th Cong., 2nd Sess., p. 4, sec. 12 [1844]; A Bill to Organize a Territorial Government in the Oregon Territory, and for Other Purposes, H.R. no. 439, 28th Cong., 2nd Sess., pp. 3–4, sec. 12 [1844]; Congressional Globe, 28th Cong., 2nd Sess., pp. 201–204, 224–229, 287 [1844].)
A Bill to Organize a Government for the Oregon Territory, and for Other Purposes. S. no. 45, 28th Cong., 2nd Sess. (1844).
A Bill to Organize a Territorial Government in the Oregon Territory, and for Other Purposes. H.R. no. 439, 28th Cong., 2nd Sess. (1844).
The Congressional Globe, Containing Sketches of the Debates and Proceedings of the Second Session of the Twenty-Eighth Congress. Vol. 14. Washington DC: Blair and Rives, 1845.
In his journal Amasa Lyman recorded that he “was in counsil and received an apointment to go and visit the company that were with bro. Emet in company with br. D[aniel] Spencer and Moses Smith to advise and counsil them in maters of salvation in their present circumstances.” (Lyman, Journal, 27 Feb. 1845.)
Lyman, Amasa. Journals, 1832–1877. Amasa Lyman Collection, 1832–1877. CHL. MS 829, boxes 1–3.
Clayton copied two letters addressed to Emmett’s company into the record book for 27 February 1845. The first letter was the one Orson Pratt and Orson Spencer were assigned to write for the council. The second letter, for which Willard Richards served as scribe, represented the view of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 27 Feb. 1845.)