March 26, 1844, a memorial was prepared by President Joseph Smith asking Congress to pass an ordinance for the protection of citizens of the United States emigrating to the territories and that indefinite country known as California and Oregon. He asked for authorization to raise a company of one hundred thousand volunteers, at such times and places as he might find necessary for this purpose. At this time Oregon was a disputed territory, unsettled, and held by the United States and Great Britain jointly by treaty. Texas was asking for admission into the United States, but had been denied. Orson Pratt and John E. Page and later Orson Hyde, were sent to Washington to urge the consideration of the scheme. Most of the Illinois delegation favored it. For political reasons no official action was ever taken, but the general sentiment of the politicians, who were afraid to act openly, was in favor of the proposition. Traitors From Within It was not so much from Missouri and among the mobocrats of Illinois, that the Prophet had cause to fear, but from traitors within the councils of the Church. In the highest quorums, men were found who secretly plotted against his life. He remarked in a discourse in October of 1843: "This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the Jews that crucified Christ; and if he were here today, and should preach the same doctrine he did to them they would put him to death. I defy all the world to destroy the work of God; and I prophesy they never will have power to kill me _till my work is accomplished, and I am ready to die._" In January, 1844, it became necessary to increase the police force for the protection of the city. Joseph Smith, as mayor, addressed these newly appointed officers of the peace, and instructed them in their duties. In the course of his remarks he said: