Thursday March 21— 1844 Council met at 9 A.M pursuant to adjournment and opened by prayer from Elder Wm. Marks.

The chairman appointed Elder Saml. Bent chairman pro. tem.

Er Willard Richards called up his resolution offered on the 19th. inst. which was then ordered to be laid on the table

Er Newel K. Whitney motioned that the minutes of the last meeting be read.

Er John M. Bernhisel begged to offer an amendment to Er Richards motion viz. that the word Texas be stricken out inasmuch as the United States had no jurisdiction over that Territory.

Er Rigdon rose to a point of order wherefore the motion to read the minutes was decided to be in order which was done and they were accepted.

Er Rigdon asked some information respecting the manner of keeping the minutes which was answered by the standing chairman.

On motion the Resolution of Er W. Richards was taken up for reconsideratin

The standing chairman made some remarks on the resolution showing the necessity and propriety of petitioning government for the purposes therein set forth.

Er Hyrum Smith agreed with the preceeding speaker and was of opinion that if we petitioned Congress they would grant our petition & gave reasons.

Er John Taylor agreed with the preceeding speakers. Beleived congress would grant our petition. He referred to a speech made made by Mr [Robert Dale] Owen in the house of Representatives on the subject of the Oregon.

Mr Uriah Brown referred to a correspondence between Mr [Daniel] Webster & the authorities of Mexico. He said there was a precedent on record and recommended the sending of the petition.

Er L D. Wasson was in favor of petitioning Congress.

Prest. Joseph Smith the chairman made some very encouraging and instructive remarks on the subject before the council. After which there was a call for the question which was put & unanimously agreed to.

Er Rigdon requested permission to retire on account of his health— agreed to.

The standing chairman read an article from the Congressional Globe.

Er W. Richards offered an amendment to the resolution just passed by adding the words “foreign invasion & savage aggression” instead of “foreign foes”.

Er L. D. Wasson made some remarks on the amendment.

The standing charman resumed instructions

Er Hyrum Smith moved that a committee of three be appointed to draught a petition agreeable to the Resolution offered by Er Richards to present to Congress. which motion was carried in affirmative

Motioned that Willard Richards, Hyrum Smith and Wm W. Phelps compose said committee—which was carried unanimously in the affirmative.

Er Richards asked if it was designed that this appointment should hinder the one previously made, to which the standing chairman replied they must continue their labors on the constitution at 12 the council adjourned 2 hours.

2 o clock P.M. Council met pursuant to adjournment The chairman called A Cutler to the Chair The minutes of this mornings council was read and accepted.

On motion of Er Richards a letter was read which was written to Col. Solomon Copeland by Er Wilford Woodruff. and it was ordered that said letter be forwarded immediately.

Er Richards motion for amendment offered in the A.M. was considered & lost.

On motion of the standing chairman Er Orson Hyde was appointed to carry our petition to Congress.

Er Erastus Snow expressed his most sanguine expectations that Congress would almost certainly grant our petition.

Er O. Hyde agreed with Er Snow and expressed his gratification at for the appointment conferred upon him and his willingness to perform the mission.

Er Rigdon made some lengthy and animated remarks on various subjects particularly on the situation of Texas & her position in regard to other nations.

The chairman pro. Tem. made some remarks on his experience and views on various subjects.

The standing chairman arose to move that brother James Emmett be sent on a mission to the Lamanites to instruct them to unite together and cease their enmity towards each other, to & to be diligent and faithful for that would be pleasing in the sight of our heavenly father.

The motion was seconded by Er Rigdon

Er E. Snow asked a question for information which was answered by Prest. J.

Er O. Hyde was favorable to the mission

Er Haws proposed that brother Emmett have someone to go with him.

Prest. J. Smith objected. He considered it altogether unnecessary.

Er L. D. Wasson asked for further explanation of the nature of the nature mission which was also explained by prest. Joseph.

The question was called for, whereupon the vote was unanimous in the affirmative

Prest. J. Smith proposed that some one be appointed on a mission to Springfield and nominated Er Samuel James

The motion was seconded by Er Kimball the vote was unanimous in affirmative

Prest. J. Smith moved that Cyrus Eddy be requested to accompany brother James to Springfield, and requested Er O. Hyde to relate an anecdote concerning brother Eddy having a discussion with a Mr Slocum a sectarian priest, which was done. Prest. J. Smith motioned that Er Erastus Snow have a mission appointed him to Vermont which was seconded by Er B[righam] Young and carried unanimously.

Er Willard Richards moved that the Elders who are sent out by this council, begin their operations & preach from the time they leave this council untill they return.

A motion was made to adjourn till Tuesday next at 9 o clock A.M.

Er O. Hyde arose to ask some instructions which was given by Prest. J. Smith. He also asked whether he should fulfil his intended mission to Fort Madison. Answer’d in the affirmative

Er Samuel James asked a question which was answered by prest. J. Smith

Mr Uriah Brown made some observations concerning the feelings & views of Mr [James] Semple in regard to the proceedings of the U. S. Senate.

Prest. J. Smith recommended that the Twelve should select men from the Quorums of the seventies and High Priests and send them to preach and electioneer through the different States, and then as many of the Twelve as can, follow these Elders and hold conferences in the various branches of the Church through the States. He then gave Er Orson Hyde some instructions pertaining to his mission. Especially advising him not to suffer any part of the memorial to be stricken out, but if Congress will not pass it in its pure original State, let them reject it altogether. He did not care whether Congress would grant it or not, it would serve to goad them with.

Mr Uriah Brown moved that a copy of the memorial agreed to this A.M. should be put into the hands of Mr Semple for consideration in the U.S. Senate at the same time that Mr [John] Wentworth agitates the subject in the house. The motion was passed by unanimous vote.

After a variety of observations from the brethren on subjects of minor importance the motion to adjourn was renewed and agreed to. and the council adjourned untill next tuesday at 9 o clock A.M