This was a reference to JS’s 1839 meeting with President Martin Van Buren in Washington DC. JS met with Van Buren hoping that the president would support the church’s efforts in petitioning Congress for redress for church members’ lost property in Missouri. According to a letter JS and Elias Higbee wrote shortly after that meeting, Van Buren stated, “What can I do? I can do nothing for you,— if I do any thing, I shall come in contact with the whole State of Missouri.” (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)