same conclusion. It was no new idea to them, seek- ing a home elsewhere. It was a rough element, that by which they were surrounded, an element which brought upon them more of evil than of good. Compara- tively few additions were made to their number from the bold border men of Missouri and Illinois, most of their proselytes coming from other parts of the United States and from Europe. The whole great west was open to them; even during the days of Joseph there had been talk of some happy Arca- dian retreat far away from every adverse influence;^" and in the fertile brain of Brigham the idea assumed proportions yet broader and of more intensified form, significant of western empire and isolation somewhere in California or the Pacific isles, with himself as leader, and followers drawn from every quarter of the globe,
A general council was held on the 9th of Septem- ber, at which it was resolved that a company of fifteen hundred men be selected to go to Salt Lake Valley, and a committee of five was appointed to gather in- formation relative to the subject.^ There were fre- quent meetings of the authorities and consultations in regard to emigrating to California.^
The saints would go, they said, but they must have a reasonable time in which to dispose of their prop-
^^On the 20th of Feb., 1844, according to the Millennial Star, xxii. 819, Joseph counselled the twelve to send out a delegation and ' investigate the locations of California and Oregon, and hunt out a good location where we can remove to after the temple is completed, where we can build a city in a diiy and have a government of our own.' In Taylor's Reminiscences, MS., 19, is tlic following: 'A favorite song in Nauvoo, and of my own composi- tion, was entitled "The Upjier California, that's the land for me!" what is now Utah being known by that name. Joseph Smith was the first who talked of the latter-day saints coming to this region. As early as August 1842 he prophesied that the saints would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, and there become a mighty people.'
sfiSee Hist. B. Young, 184.5, MS., 19.
^' F. D. Richards read Freinonfs Journal to the twelve, and later Hastings' account of California was read. IHst. B. Young, MS., 308-16. A letter was also read to the authorities from Brother Sam Brannan, stating that the secre- tary of war and others of the cabinet were planning to prevent their moving west — alleging that it was against the law for an armed body to go from the U. S. to any other government; that it would not do to let them go to Cali- fornia or Oregon, but that they must be obliterated. Hist. B. Young, MS., 305.
