While camped on Sugar Creek a letter was received by President Young from Samuel Brannan, in which there was presented a proposition from Amos Kendell, formerly Postmaster-General, A. G. Benson and others, to use the Church authorities as their tools to secure land in California. They represented to Brannan that there was a movement on foot to disarm the Saints and prevent their movement towards the West. However, they declared, the power was in their hands to avert the calamity, which they would do on certain terms. Their terms were that when the Saints arrived in California they would secure the lands and that every alternate section should be deeded to this combination of conspirators. They falsely represented that the President, James K. Polk, was a party to the scheme. For their service these men promised that the Saints should be permitted to travel to their destination without molestation, and with the protection of the government. With righteous indignation President Young and the Apostles refused to make reply. Petition to the Governor of Iowa On the 28th of February a petition was addressed to the governor of Iowa, imploring his protection and influence in behalf of the Saints while they passed through that territory, or remained temporarily within its borders, to raise crops and to render assistance to those who would follow after. No reply to this petition was received and the Saints continued without aid or interference. The Journey Resumed March 1, 1846, camp was broken and the journey was resumed. The weather was extremely cold and stormy, and a great number of the people were without proper clothing and necessary shelter. Many of the wagons were without covers, and others had covers which would not shed the rain. Several members of the camps died from exposure and lack of proper care. The roads were almost impassable because of the constant storms.[3] At this time there were some four hundred wagons on the road, heavily laden and without sufficient teams to permit of rapid travel. In this condition the exiles continued their toilsome journey over the plains of Iowa. By the latter part of April the great body of the Latter-day Saints had left Nauvoo and were slowly wending their way seeking a haven in the west. Organization of the Camps