While members of the Council of Fifty discussed destroying the loose copies of their minutes on 14 March 1844 and on 1, 4, and 11 March 1845, it appears that this is when burning the loose copies of the minutes became a standing rule of the council. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 14 Mar. 1844; 1, 4, and 11 Mar. 1845.)

At the previous meeting of the council, Brigham Young assigned Fullmer and Lucian R. Foster to make copies of the letter to the governors. Though Fullmer requested that he be reassigned, it is possible that he assisted Foster in reviewing the letters. There is no record of any action taken by the council regarding Fullmer’s suggested change nor is it reflected in the final letters. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. 1845.)

The committee on foreign relations, created 4 March 1845 to outfit the Western Mission, initially consisted of Samuel Bent, John M. Bernhisel, and Jonathan Dunham. On 11 March all the men who had been appointed to go on the mission were added to the committee. Two of the committee members, Charles Shumway and Cyrus Daniels, did not attend this Council of Fifty meeting. Shumway was first nominated to join the Western Mission on 1 March 1845; however, ten days later Joseph Young reported that he had been unable to extend the invitation because he “could not learn where he was.” Shumway joined the council on 11 April 1845. Cyrus Daniels was living in Macedonia, Illinois. It is unclear why he was unable to attend this day, although later in the meeting a letter was read from Benjamin F. Johnson, also from Macedonia, explaining that he was likewise unable to attend. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 1, 4, and 11 Mar. 1845; 11 Apr. 1845; Clayton, Journal, 25–26 Feb. 1845.)

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.