that newly Settling coun territory should receive protection: and whereas the Texian government has petitioned the to be received into our , but yet retains her national existence; And whereas the remember with gratitude the seasonable support <​they​> received in a like situation from a Lafayette: And whereas the desire to see the principles of her free institutuions extended to all men, especially when it can be done without the loss of blood and treasure to the : And whereas there is an almost boundless extent of territory on the West and South of these 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 would gladly embrace the opportunity of extending their researches and acquirements so soon as they can receive protection in their enterprize, thereby ading strength, durability, and wealth to the : And whereas the red man, the robber and the desperado have frequently interrupted such research— and acquisition without justifyable cause: And whereas Joseph Smith has offered, and does hereby offer these to show his loyalty to our confederate and the constitution of our , to prevent quarrels and blood shed on our frontiers— to extend the arm of deliverance to — to protect the inhabitants of from foreign aggression and domestic broils— to prevent the crowned nations from encircli[ng] us as a nation on our western and southern bord[ers] and save the eagle’s talons from the Lion’s paw. To still the tongue of slander, and show <​the world​> that a republic can be, and not be ungreatful, to open the vast regions of the unpeopld west and south to our enlightened and enterprizing yeomanry: to protect them in their researches— to secure them [p. [2]]