Whereas many of the citizens of these have migrated, and are migrating to , , and other lands contigious to this ; And Whereas has declared herself free and independent, without the necessary power to protect her rights and liberties; And whereas is without any organized government, and those who emigrate thither are exposed to foreign invasions, and domestic feuds; And Whereas <​the​> , by geographic location, and discovery, more rigthfully belongs to these , than to any other general Government; And Whereas it is necssary that the emigrants of the newly settling 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 La Fayette; And Whereas the desire to see the principles of her free institutions extended to all men; especially where 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, [p. 2]