Dunham had earlier indicated that the council hoped that the Cherokee or Comanche would grant the Latter-day Saints “a place to stay one, two or three years in peace,” presumably before they moved on to a more permanent location. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. 1845.)
Brigham Young had earlier stated that Dana desired to visit “an uncle among the flathead Indians” for “some important reasons.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 18 Mar. 1845.)