Whereas, many of the citizens of these United States have migrated and are migrating to Texas, Oregon, and other lands contiguous to this nation; _and whereas,_ Texas has declared herself free and independent, without the necessary power to protect her rights and liberties; _and whereas_ Oregon is without any organized government, and those who emigrate thither are exposed to foreign invasion and domestic feuds; _and whereas_ the Oregon, by geographical location and discovery more rightfully belongs to these United States than any other general government; _and whereas_ it is necessary that the emigrants of that newly settling territory should receive protection; _and whereas_ the Texan Government has petitioned the United States to be received into our Union, but yet retains her national existence; _and whereas_ the United States remember with gratitude the seasonable support they received in alike situation from a LaFayette_; and whereas_ the United States desire to see the principles of her free institutions extended to all men, especially {276} where it can be done without the loss of blood and treasure to the nation_; and whereas_ there is an almost boundless extent of territory on the west and south of these United States, where exists little or no organization of protective Government; _and whereas_ the lands thus unknown; unowned, or unoccupied, are among some of the richest and most fertile of the continent; _and whereas_ many of the inhabitants of the Union would gladly embrace the opportunity of extending their researches and acquirements so soon as they can receive protection in their enterprise, thereby adding strength, durability, and wealth to the nation; _and whereas_ the red man, the robber, and the desperado have frequently interrupted such research and acquisition without justifiable cause; _and whereas_ Joseph Smith has offered and does hereby offer these United States, to show his loyalty to our Confederate Union and the Constitution of our Republic; to prevent quarrel and bloodshed our frontiers; to extend the arm of deliverance to Texas; to on protect the inhabitants of Oregon from foreign aggressions and domestic broils; to prevent the crowned nations from encircling us as a nation on our western and southern borders, and save the eagle's talon from the lion's paw; to still the tongue of slander, and show the world that a Republic can be, and not be ungrateful; to open the vast regions of the unpeopled west and south to our enlightened and enterprising yeomanry; to protect them in their researches; to secure them in their locations, and thus strengthen the Government and enlarge her borders; to extend her influence; to inspire the nations with the spirit of freedom and win them to her standard; to promote