The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-09 00:00:00

WOOLWICH-SATURDAY.

The Right Hun. the Earl of Ellenborougb, First Lord of
the Admiralty • Rear-Admiral William Bowles, C.B. ; Cap
tain the Hon. kenry John Rous, Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, and the ilight Hon. Henry Thomas Lowry Corry,
first Secretary to the Admiralty, visited Woolwich Dockyard
this afternoon. Their Lordships arrived at half-past two
o'clock, in a carriage with four horses, and on alighting were
received by Commodore Sir Francis A. Collier, C. 8., K.C.H,
Captain Washington, of the Porcupine steam-vessel, Com.
mender the Hon. R. Gore, at present on a visit to the Cap-
tain-Superintendent, Commander Smith of the William and
Mary yacht, Commander E. Crouch, of the Devastation
steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Commander J. A. Dennis, of the
Myrmidon steam-vessel; Mr. Nicholas Tinmouth, master
attendant ; Mr. Oliver Lang, master shipwright ; Mr. Wil-
liam Jenkins, storekeeper; Mr. F. L. Mouchet, store receiver
Mr. Thomas Lloyd, chief engineer; Mr. Reid, assistant to
the master shipwright; and Mr. Andrew Murray, assistant
to the chief engineer. Captain Brandreth, Royal Engineers,
and director of engineering and architectural works, arrived
about the same time as their Lordships, and accompanied
them during their visit.

The Earl—of Ellenborough proceeded with Commodore Sir
Francis A. Collier and the naval officers and authorities of
the dockyard to the slip on which the Royal Albert, of
120 guns, is in progress of construction, and went under
this magnificent vessel, of 700 tons greater burden than any
other vessel ever built for the royal navy; and his Lordship
appeared greatly pleased with the strong and substantial
manner in which the massive timbers were put together.
Mr. Lang, master shipwright, attended the Earl of Ellen •
borough under and over the whole of the interior of the
Royal Albert, and explained the principles on which she is
constructing, and entered into many details in answer to the
numerous inquiries made by his Lordship. After leaving the
Royal Albert, the Earl of Ellenborough went on board the
Devastation, and was conducted ever the vessel by Com-
mander Crouch, Lieutenant W. Peel, and the other
officers present. His Lordship then proceeded to the
Terrible steam-frigate, and was received on board by
Captain Ramsay and the officers of that ♦essel. The Earl
of Ellenborough went over the whole of the vessel, and
witnessed the mode of working her stern guns, 56-
pounders, Monk's pattern, mounted on traversing car-
riages. His Lordship was very minute in his inquiries of
Captain Ramsay, and appeared to take a great interest in
ascertaining every particular, and the objects to be attained
by the plans brought under his notice. His Lordship, on
proceeding below, witnessed the brass sections of circles
placed on the floor of the captain's cabin for working the
traversing platforms of large guns, similar to those on the
upper deck, and was shown the mode in which the
parts which formed the cabin were removed when preparing
for action. On entering the engine-reom Mr. Lloyd ex-
plained the details connected with the fire-engines of 800-
horse power, fitted by Maudslay, Sons, and Field, on the
double cylinder principle. His Lordship afterwards pro-
ceeded along the lower deck to the fore part of the vessel,
and witnessed the manner in which the large guns were run
out at the bows, and left the Terrible, after remaining nearly
an hour on board. The Earl of Ellenborough went round
the basin, and entered, the factory, attended by Mr. Lloyd,
but passed quietly through, without minutely inspecting the
machinery. On arriving at the east end of the Dockyard,
his Lordship visited the Niger steam-sloop, in progress of
construction, and Mr. Laing explained the principles on
which she is being built. The new dock constructing, ad-
joining the blacksmith's shop, and new saw mills were next
visited, and Captain Brandreth explained the particulars and
uses for which they are intended. The slip, with the new
corrugated iron roof, was also inspected, and the whole of
the works appeared to meet with his Lordship's approbation.
The convict-ship being stationed adjoining to the slip at the
east end of the yard, attracted the attention of the Earl of
Ellenborough, and his Lordship went on board with Conamo •
Bore Sir Francis A. Collier, and was conducted over the ship
by Mr. Alasterman, who has the charge of the convicts. His
Lordship then returned to the offices in front of the entrance
of the Dockyard, and entered the carriage with Rear-Ad-
miral Bowles and Captain the Hon. H. J. Rous, and left for
London at half-past four o'clock P.M., evidently much grati-
fied by his visit.

A good-natured man, the other day, stepped into a
newspaper office, and proposed to advertise his wares, if they
would take coffins for pay. —American paper.
At the Greenwich Police-court, on Friday, a woman
named Sarah Elizabeth Avery was committed for trial, charged with
having stabbed her husband in the breast with a table kuife, because
he cam home intoxicated.

THE OREGON QUESTION.
(From the Times.)
In the way of concession and of argument oe the Oregon
question, little now remains to be said or done by the British
-Government. The strongest desire has been repeatedly ex-
'pressed on our side to terminate this controversy. Our case
has been stated with such moderation, and onr claims con-
fined to such narrow limits, that nothing but extreme pre•
sumption, or rather a species of hostile infatuation, on the
part of the American Democrats, could lead them to suppose
we should make any further abatement of our rights. We
are in actual possession of rather more of the Oregon terri-
tory than we have ever claimed as our own, because as long
as the joint occupation lasts the concurrent rights of both
parties extend over the whole country. We have at our dis-
posal ample means of defending our rights. We had never,
at any period in the history of this country, less reason to
recoil from a war, or to fear the result of a contest with any
power, but more especially with the United States. Yet we,
on our side, have strenuously and sincerely laboured to effect
a compromise. We have not alluded to the superiority of
our maritime strength; from a misplaced respect for the
A merican Government, no use has been made of those
blunt arguments to which alone they now appear
to be accessible ; until at length we learn with
more contempt than surprise, that Mr. Polk and
his advisers are embarking in a course which can only
lead, if they are allowed to persevere in it, to aggressive
hostilities. In our zeal for the maintenance of peace, and
our deference for a nation with which we have so much in
common, we have gone so far as to admit that their claim to
the Oregon territory is equal to our own, and to argue that a
partition is the fairest solution of the difficulty. The Ameri-
cans, however, are not to be satisfied until they convert this
concession of a part into a surrender of the whole. Their
claim is, to say the most of it, not better than our own, since
they themselves do not dare to submit to the arbitration of
a third party-, knowing that the public opinion of the world
has already pronounced against it. Yet from this most im-
perfect and controvertible claim they seek to extract twice
as much as we contend for—nay, they raise their own pre-
tensions to absolute and total sovereignty, whilst they alto-
gether annihilate the rights we have practically enjoyed for
more than half a century. Thus, in fact, the question in dis •
pute has never been brought to a true issue. The two quan-
tities have not been reduced to a common denomination ;
they differ in their very nature ; and whilst our position
not only admits of a compromise, but suggests and re-
quires it, theirs is utterly at variance with the first prin-
ciple of such an arrangement. Mr. Buchanan's last note
says too much, unless indeed it says inadvertently what is
the truth ; for the arguments by which he endeavours to
show that the United States cannot submit their claim to
arbitration, are equally cogent to prove that their claim will
not admit even of negotiation. Mr. Buchanan appears to
forget that the United States have negotiated ; that he him-
self, by his last proposal, for the fourth or fifth time conceded
that point; that the House of Representatives, by their
second resolution, have in fact sanctioned the principle of
negotiation, which is, in other words, the principle of mutual
concessions. ~• When the American Secretary of State says lie
cannot do what the manifest interest and dignity of the two
countries require, he must either mean that the Government
to which he belongs will not do it, or that the Governmen

,s acting under the compulsion of the party, excited to
madness on this question, which carried Mr. Polk's elec-
tion. The practical question for us is to ascertain
the intentions of the American Government. If Mr.
Polk and his advisers are sincerely pacific, they can-
not but succeed : there is no obstacle, no impediment,
no difficulty in the way, except those which they have them.
selves created. To bring about a war with us under such
circumstance& they must be the worst statesmen in the
world if they do not seek it, or the most rash and unprinci-
pled if they deliberately intend it. The time is, however,
come when we are forced to judge of their real motives by
their conduct; and, as they have not encouraged further ar-
gument, it may not be premature to inquire into the amount
of their forces. We are informed by the prodigious volume
of American statistics recently prepared for both Houses of
Parliament by the diligence of Mr. Macgregor, that the
standing army of the United States consists of one regiment
of dragoons, one regime* of riflemen, four companies of artil-
lery, and eight regiments of infantry. The whole number
of troops now in the service is 9,847, exclusive of 781 com-
missioned officers. An Act of Congress of 1842 reduced the
rank and file of the army 3,920 men ; this reduction is now
proceeding, and when it is-completed the standing army will
consist of 7,590 non-commissioned officers, musicians,artificers,
and privates. It is true, that if this corps should appear
rather small for the defence of the United States, and the in-
vasion of a region situated two thousand miles off, on the
other side of the American continent, the militia force of the
United States might, by its numbers at least, have excited
the envy of Xerxes or honaparte. The Army Register for
1833 contains the appalling announcement, that this multi-
tudinous host is commanded by 627 generals, 2,670 general
staff officers, 13,813 field officers, 44,938 company officers,
being in all 62,205 officers ; nor are these numbers at all ex-
cessive, when we learn that the forces :under their command
consist of 1,385,645 men 1 For the purposes of defence
against
a foreign invasion we have no doubt that these Ame-
rican citizens would exert themselves creditably. A con-
siderable number of the younger men may even volunteer to
take a part in offensive operations. But we have no hesita-
tion in saying that to bring an efficient army of even 30,000
men into the field, prepared to march beyond their own fron-
tiers, is the most arduous task which has ever de-
volved upon the federal Government of the United
States, and with its present powers and resources
we believe it to be absolutely impracticable. The
navy of the United States consists of eleven ships
of the line, two of which are afloat, three are receiving
ships, and six on the stocks or under repairs. The 14 first-
class frigates of 44 guns are the best part of the fleet ; of
these four are on the stocks and three in ordinary. The two
36-gun frigates are old. The smaller vessels are 17 sloops
of war, 8 brigs, 9 schooners, and 6 steamers. The navy list
contains 67 captains, 94 commanders, 324 lieutenants, and
133 passed, midshipmen, 410 midshipmen, and 31 masters.
No estimate can be formed of the real strength of the crews
of the American navy, because it is well known that a con-
siderable proportion of this fleet is manned by British seamen,
who are attracted by the high pay of the American navy in
time of peace. But that very circumstance shows the ex-
treme difficulty of manning an American fleet in war, and
especially in a war with England. Their ships are, in fact,
worked to a great extent by English mercenaries, a large
proportion of whom would unquestionably return to their
own colours on the outbreak of hostilities. We content our-
selves with this simple enumeration of the forces of the
United States by land and by sea, which we hope is correct.
We know not what course Mr. Polk may intend to pursue
after the notice for the abrogation of the treaty of joint
occupation has been duly given ; and we shall await
with more curiosity than alarm the enterprises which may
be projected for the purpose of expelling British subjects
from a district where we happen to command the coast and
the interior, the Indians and the forts. The world is per-
fectly aware that England is not the attacking party, and
that we are content to leave matters in Oregon as they now
are. If the Americans mean anything, they mean to dis-
posses us of what we hold. At the same time, if this inten-
tion be avowed 1)7 the Cabinet of Washington, or if it be dis-
closed by votes of money and warlike preparations which im-
ply a fixed determination to engage in this absurd and flagi-
tious contest, ne state is bound to wait to be attacked. Mr.
Polk has already instructed the American Minister in London
to ask for an explanation of the activity in our dockyards.
His own conscience might have given it to him; his own
language has put us upon the defensive ; and although the
termination of the convention of 1827 by notice is no casus
belli, ),et the disposition indicated by that notice, and the
means which may Ibe taken to carry that disposition into
effect, may hereafter furnish ample grounds of suspicion, of
remonstrance, and finally of hostilities. A bold and manly
course on the part of the British Government will probably
not be without a good effect in the United States; and it
will undoubtedly command the unanimous support of the
people of England.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.
COMMITTEES ON RAILWAY BILLS.

MONDAY, MARCH 16.
Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Extension—at twelve.
Caledonian (Glasgow Termini and Branches)—at twelve.
SECOND READINGS OF RAILWAY BILLS.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11.
Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland Junction.
Shropshire Union Railways and Canal (Shrewsbury and Stafford).
THURSDAY, IifARCII 12.
North Staffordshire (Pottery Line).
Grand Trunk, or Stafford and Peterborough Union.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
MANCHESTER, MARCH 7.
ST•CK EXCHANOE.—Tke sales are —Great Grimsby and Sheffield
Extension, par—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, if dis.—London
and Manchester (Rem.), 2 dis.—Manehester, Buxton, and Matlock,
1 p.—Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (C), 6% p. cash—
Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 10 p.—Manchester and Southampton,
par—North Staffordshire, 3% p. cash—Oxford, Southampton, -and
Gosport, 225. dis.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (B), 1 p.—Sheftied,
Leek, and Crewe, 3 dis —Westßiding Intel, 14 p.
LEEDS, MARCH 7.
EXOHANCE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, 'fork Ex-
tension, 15s. p.—Great North of England, !New, 1334—York and
North Midland Extension, 31k—Ditto, East and West Riding, p.
—East Lancashire, No. 2 (late Accrington), 34 13.—IludderstieId and
Manchester, p.—Ditto, Extensions, ss. dls•—iruddenaeblail
Sheffield, 7% p.—Leeds and Bradford, 46% cash—London and York,
iddliing_tiLflanend,
33P.i 8-2141671.ri*cl—Bir.ad°frmords,kirNi%aknedfleP1 Wakefield, ta4'inidN'dijostr.t—hidilliai—elei,k,ess2llitlvisreß.
—North
—enMi,anuc.hiessste—r,
Midland,LUenediosnn da
1 sLI "drdl Fe al
e e n
Direct,e
a st
ir
ea 7
sd. andl6d Bedford,
p.
Buxton,
t tho Midlands, 1 p._

SHEFFIELD. Marten 7.
Broca Excganes.-The sales are-Grimsby and Sheffield Quar-
ter Shares, 1%-Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, IL
Shenleld and Lincolashht, 2%.
KULL, Marten 7.
STINE EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Hull and Selby, Half Shares,
264-Leeds and Thirsk, 8% -North British, Dalkeith, 6%-Derhy
and Gainsberough, 145.-Hull and Barnsley Junction, 261.-Leices-
ndWW."-Seeout' 345.-Lon-
don Midland,
Tyaomrkw,o3rtsh-,Nl73sr.th6ds. Intdalffs,.)-Lincoln
9s.
dt*orn aanndd
31. 125.-West /tiding Union, 31. Bs. 9d.
YORK, Mason 7.
STOCK EXCHAN4I.-
Tlle- sales are-Grand Union, 114-Ipswich
and Bury Extension (Norwich), 2%-Leicester and Bedford. % -
London and York, 3%-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland,
31. lbs. 0.-Newcas
• de and Berwick, 19%-Newcastle and Dar-
lington, Brandling, 38-North Britlstli, Carlisle Extension, 2/. 10s.
6d.-Welsh Midland, 11. as. 6d.
GLASGOW, MAICII 7.
&Tacit Excrunez.-The sales are - British and Irish Union, 51s.
6d.-Caledenlan Extension, 38s. 6d.--Caledenian and Ayrshire Junc-
tion, 30s. 6d.-Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction, 455.-
Direct Northern, 425.-Dundee and Arbroath, Ist/ _._
East Indian
Railway, 16s. W.-Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 175.-Forth
and Clyde Junction, 345.-General Glasgow Terminus, 9%-Glas-
gow and Belfast Union, 345. 6d.-GlasEow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr,
New, 25-Glasgow, Dumfries} and Carlisle, 395.-Glasgow, /Maar-
neck, and Ardressan, 485.-Glasgow, Airdrie,
and Monkland Junc-
tion, Cs. -London, Bristol and South Wales, 17s. 6.1.-Perth and
Inverness, 305.-Scettish Central, 14% - Scottish Central and Cale-
donian Junction, 288.-Seath Midland. 71s.

Lord anti Lady Francis Egerton entertained a select
party to dinner, on Friday last, at their mansion, in Belgrave-square.
On the previous evening the Noble Lord and Lady had a dinner party.
VISCOUNTESS PALMERSTON'S ASSEMBLY.—Viscount
and Viscountess Palmerston, previous to her Ladyship's assembly,
entertained the Countess of Tankerville, the Countess of Malmes.
bury, Viscount Melbourne. Hon. Wm. Cowper, Hon. Charles Spencer
Cowper, Mr. Luthrell, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Repten, and a select circle
at dinner at the family mansion on Carlton House-terrace. A bril-
liant circle of the aristocracy congregated, the saloons being crowded
by eleven o'clock, We noticed at the assembly a great many Mem-
bers of the House •f Commons as having come from the Speaker's
levee in full uniform. We understand that her Ladyship will con-
tinue her assemblies every Saturday during Lent.
The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel has caused invita-
tions to be issued fora Parliamentary dinner-on Saturday next to a
numerous circle of his supporters in the House of Commons.
THE SPRAKER's LEVEE. The Right Hon. the
Speaker of the House of Commons had a Parliamentary entertain-
ment on Saturday last at his mansion in Eaton square. The Right
Hon. Gentleman subsequently held his third and last levee this
session.

ACCIDENT TO THE MARQUIS OF WATERFORD.—
We regret to learn that the Marquis of Wateribrd met with a severe
accident on Thursday last, at Hooton, Slr William Massey StanleY's
seat in Cheshire, by being thrown from his horse. The Noble Mar-
quis dislocated his shoulder in the fall, but medical aid having been
promptly obtained, it was reset, and he is going on favourably.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 8.—Wednesday
next is fixed
for the return of her Majesty and the Royal Family from Osborn
Reuse t• London. The jetty at the Royal Clarence-yard, which her
Mkiesty uses on these visits, has been covered over, and rendered
more commodious. The Fairy yacht has been In daily attendance
an her Majesty.