North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-29
From the Painesriik Republican.
PROSPECT OF WAR.


Judging from the tone Of ieeliag expires
sed on the floor OF congress, and the dis
position manifested By the British, in re-
gard to the boundary question, we have
every reason 10 believe that q war be-
tween this country and Great Britain Is
near al hand. The crisis has now arrived,
when the British nation must "either
troop or irain.n The Americans can no
longer be put oil in respect TO decision
OF the PRETENDED question about the Maine
bounGary--a question which has been
raised by the British authorities without
even a color Of right. That together
with the horfid outrage upon our citizens
10 the case OF the Caroline, and their
movements a, The mouth Of the Columbia
in the Origon Territory; as also their
arrogant claims upon Englisbmen who
have emigrated TO this country and be-
come natuTaZd citizens here, are just
causes Of war, and the sooner il comes the
better. Not that we consider war no
calsmiiy--hu, because we hold that our
national honor demands that we should
not tamely submit 10 the aggressions and
uni0unded claims of any other natou--and
especially from the naughty and iyrannical
power of Great Britain. The calamities
Of war would undoubtedly be ereat-much
precious blood and treasure would be spent
but, we believe, nevertheless, that i'll
would result to the best good OF the coun-
try. 1t would show who are the true
friends Of the country-who are patriots
and who they are that have more regard
for their country than Tor gold.
Should We now engage in war, the vari-
Gus questions which agitate our country
and engender party strife, would in great
measure, be lost sight Of, and many who
are now opposed 10 the present adminstra-
ton, would become its efficient supporters
in such struggle.
CoNGREss.--In the House, Mr.. Lincoln |
presented a communication from T. Fl. |
Perkins, and great number Of merchants
If Boston and Salem, interested in the
China trade, containing statement OF in
diligence lately received from that coun-
ry, and not before made publicly known.
On motion, it was referred to the Commit
ee on Foreign Affairs.
The following resolution was adopted
liter long debate upon the subject OF our
Citations with Great Britain.
Rcsotpe9, That the Secretary Of War be,
nd is hereby, requested 10 lay before this
House, as soon as practicable, repor. of
full and connected system Of national de-
snce, embracing steam and other vessels
+ war, and " floating batteries" for coast
nd harbour defence ; and national foun-
cries, and the internal means auxiliary to {
1ese for transportation and other warike ]
SEES by land and that he be requested 10 I
,rnish this House with the reports sub !
Tilted to his department at any time by q
iajor General Edmund P. Gaines or other S
erson and persons Of professional ex- d
rrience, Of their "pans of delence,n il a
ny such have been submitted, with the d
ews of the Secretary Of War thereon. Y
nd that the Secretary furnish an estimate r.
the expenses of his own and other plans c
: may report, distinguishing such parts V
plans as ought 10 be Immediately adopt a
!, and prosecuted, with the probable a
'st and time Of their prosecution and o
u
Militia an Canada.-The Cornwall u. c. b
bsercer, says: We understand that o
is the intention of Government to keep "
, in this province an embodied force of CT
100 men, for two years from the first al
y Of May next" if
Extract of letter from the Liverpool II
Of the New York Star, W
ted Liverpool, March /, 1S4O:-"The dc
avy estimates have been brought for X
ard and are heavy--ndeed unusually so, .
), 659,05l, are required for the account i.
the Navy for the next twelve months. -
was stated that we could immediately p
nd out fleet as large as that OF any two y, =:
untries in Europe, and that our vessels ON
re far superior to those of Russia,
ance or America"