The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-29 00:00:00

AM ERICAN NEWS•

ARRIVAL OF THE CAMBRIA

THE OREGON QUESTION AND BUSINESS IN
CONGRESS.

The steam-ship Cambria, Captain Judkins, arrived at
Liverpool from New York on Sunday, having made the
passage in eleven days and a half from Boston. She
brings New York papers to the 15th inclusive, and has
ninety passengers. On the 17th she passed the Acadia
between Halifax and Boston. The intelligence brought
by this mail is of considerable importance, though we
regret to say not of a very pacific character. The prin-
cipal topics are thus given in one of the New York
journals:—" Ist. The papers contain the whole diplo-
matic correspondence between the American and British
Ministers upon the Oregon question. 2d. Intelligence
from Washington that the negotiations which had been
suspended have been re-opened by Mr. Pakenham, upon
new propositions of compromise. 3d. In the event of
any difficulty taking place vs ith England upon this
question, the probable action of Congress upon the
subject, and the proposition by Colonel Benton of
organising 200,000 militia, in order to meet the
important crisis, including also a suitable increase
of the steam navy, fortifications, and naval armaments.
4th. The re-opening of negotiations between Mexico
and the United States, and the proposition for the pur-
chase of California, with the probable expectation of a
magnificent plan for uniting both republics, so as to give
peace to both, and to present an important front to all
European Governments. These things.affect our foreign
relations. In domestic affairs, the prospect that a re-
venue tariff will be established by Congress, together
with a specie currency system fur the Government, as
the best general plan to preveh t inflations, give protec-
tion to all the interests of the country, and enable it to
meet and prevent all commercial explosions hereafter."
Besides, we are enabled to give the reports of
the state of the American army and navy,
with the Treasury report on the state of
the finances. An opinion prevailed in certain
quarters that the Oregon question will be made to assume
such a shape in Congress as not to be justly offensive to
Great Britain. War, they say, is declared not to be the
necessary consequence of the inflammable course of Mr.
Polk, although none deny but that a continuation of
such can but irritate the public mind, and so force on a
belligerent attitude. The extreme democrats are for the
immediate establishment of a territorial government over

the territory, without giving the notice required by the
contention of 1818; the next in the order of zeal are for
extending the protection of the American Government

to its citizens there, and simultaneously giving th• notice
required; while the more moderate, and the more numer-
ous friends of the Administration, together with the great
body of the Whigs, will probably go for no further
legislative action at this time than shall be sufficient to
carry out the recommendations of the message in relation
to this subject. The President's message has been referred
to its appropriate committee in the Senate and House, so
much of it as relates to the Oregon matter to the Com-
mittee on foreign relations, and that part relating to the
tariff to the Committee on Ways and Means. There is
good reason to suppose that the Democrats wish to wink
this subject out of sight in the excitement created by the
hazardous state of foreign relations, but they will have
some difficulty in so doing. When the subject was re-
ferred, Mr. Andrew Stuart, of Pennsylvania (Whig),
moved that the reference be accompanied with instruc-
tions to report the tariff of 1842, without amendment,
which was, however, subsequently withdrawn. This
shows that the Whigs mean to have a fight on the sub-
ject, whenever and in whatever stage of it they find an
opportunity. The admission of Texas into the Union as
a state will be accomplished at an early day.
Mr. Douglass, of Illinois, by general consent, reported
back from the Committees on territories the copy of the
constitution of Texas, referred to them, accompanied by

a joint resolution for the admission of Texas into the

Union, declaring the state of Texas to be one of the

states of the Union. Made the special order of the day
for 16th December, and ordered to be printed. An effort

:o refer to the Committee of the whole on the state of

.he Union faih.d.

Two memorials hare been presented to Congress from
the inhabitants of the Oregon territory. The first was

presented by Mr. C. J. Ingersoll, in the House of Repre-
sentatives. It enumerates in very glowing style the ad-
vantages which Oregon holds out, and expatiates in
flowing language upon the future greatness of the Pacific
shores, derived from. the fertility of soil, salubrity of

climate, the abundance of productions, and the com-
merce of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They ask for
the protection of Congress by extending over the terri-

;ory the laws of the United States, taking exclusive pos-

session of it, and sending an adequate military force for
its security. They also ask for donations of land to

settlers, a monthly overland mail, navy yards and marine
depots, and the establishment of commercial regulations.
This memorial is signed by S. Leets, jun., president, and

by two persons who make their marks as vice-presidents.
It has been intimated that it las written in Wall-street,

New York.
The other memorial was presented by Mr. Benton, in
the Senate. It is much more modest in its tone and re-
quests, and purports to come from the citizens of the
United States residing in the Oregon territory. They
solicit equal protection from the United States to that
enjoyed by British residents. They state their exposed
condition, and their liability to Indian aggression ; and
that to avert impending evils the British and American
population have united to establish a provisional and
temporary government. The union of interests, thus

far, they state to have been productive of good results,

but the government is crippled in its powers by the
paramount duties of each class to its respective nation.

Dr. Elijah White, who carried the above memorial from
Oregon to Washington, asks for a seat in Congress to
represent that distant territory. It is said that upon the
success of this agent in securing the assistance asked for
depends the decision of the question, whether or not the
people adopt an independent republic on the shores of the
Pacific Ocean.

It is reported that the President is desirous of secur-
ng the return of Mr. Calhoun to the Cabinet. Mr.

Benton, as chairman -of the Committee on Military Af-
fairs, intends reporting a Bill for the immediate organi-

sation and equipment of 200,000 volunteers. General
Cass has already called for information, from his place
in the Senate, as to the military condition of the country,

and its present capability to defend itself in case of an
attack.' Col. Benton, as the proper exponent of the land
forces in that b,)dy, will throw the whole subject before
the country, and recommend an appropriation of
10,000,000 dollars to organise and equip this force.
The Washington National Intelligencer states, that ne-
gotiations for an adjustment of the Oregon question are
to be opened at London, under the auspices of Mr.
APLane, or a special Ilinister, if any serious difficulties

should occur with the British Cabinet; and further, that
the o►ertures for a reconsideration of the whole issue on

a new footing, will originate from the American Ad-

ministration,—under the immediate instructions of Pre-
sident Polk. It adds, that members of the Cabinet have

individually expressed themselves in decided terms of
corroboration with this statement, and that the Secre-

tary of the Treasury declared to a senator, that although
war was a possible contingency of the Message, he did
not consider it a probable one, for the steps now under
consideration, and which would be adopted by the Ad.
ministration, would, in his judgment, prevent the occur-
rence of such a catastrophe. Room has been left for the
re-opening of negotiations under the " compromise," or
any new proposition, on the ground that Mr. Paken•
ham's instructions did not embrace the boundary line
which was offered.
The papers bring the messages of the governors of
various states. We find that the finances of the states
are, severally in an improved condition, and there is
every prospect of the interests on debts being paid.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO

OREGON.

The correspondence on the Oregon question extends
to an enormous length, for which at pre►ent we cannot
find space. In the meantime the following comprehen-
sive summary will be found sufficient for understanding
the points at issue and the ground taken by both par-
ties :

The first is a letter from Mr. Fox, the British Minister, to
Mr. Webster, United States Secretary of State, dated Wash-
ington, Nov. 15, 1842, covering a copy of part of a letter from
Lord Aberdeen to Mr. Fox, requesting that the United States
Minister at London might be furnished with instructions to
:eat with such person as might be appointed by England on
the I„.,rth-western boundary. Assuring Mr. Webster that
England
s ready to enter into a fair and equitable com-
promise of fii.o 4.!..fricultY• •
Mr. Webster repht:: to Mr. Fox. Nov. 25, 1842, informing
him that such instrucf7Qo would be given to the United
States Minister at London.
Mr. Pakenham writes to Mr. Up:,Ntr, United States Seem-
tary of State, dated Washington, Feb. 24, 1844, intimating
the anxious desire of the British Government to come to a
speedy settlement, and proposing a conference,
Mr. Upshur to Mr. Pakenham, Feb. 26, 1844, names 11
o'clock A.M. next day for said conference.
Mr. Pakenham writes to Mr. Calhoun, July 22, 1844, am.
nouncing that the death of Mr. Upshur (on Feb. 28), &c.,
had prevented prompt attention to the Oregon boundary,
and that now as Congress had adjourned, it would be a pro-
per time to proceed with it.
Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Pakenham, August 22, 1844, appoint-
ing one o'clock, P.M. next day for conference, concurring with
the English sentiment in desiring a speedy settlement of the
question.
Mr. P. to Mr. C., August, 22, 1844, agreeing to the hour.
The conference wan accordingly held on the 23d of
Auguat, 1844, and the pleuipotentmnes proceeded to examine