The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-03-06
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.

The following article from the National
I~ntelligencer, npona subject of great impor
lance TO the country nov agitaiing the pub
lie mind, is worthy of serious thought:
"We are afraid that the general sense Of
the nation is not sufficiently awake TO the
critical position in which our country is ike
ly TO be placed by the action of the Execu-
tive upon our foreign relations, and by the
partial concurrence of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes in one branch of its projects, and
the action of that body, even surprising the
Executive recommendations, in regard 10 a.
mother.
In a speech yesterday made by Mr.. Ap-
AAS, on the spur of the moment, but in which
he was led by the chain Of his thoughts into.
a much wider field than be intended, Mr..
ADAMS took occasion to allude to the pre-
sent posture of the Oregon question, and to
the possible consequences of the bill on that
subject which has passed the House, should
it ripen into a law. The direct effect OF
such a law, he said, would be to bring us in
TO collision with Great Britain, and TO cause
just apprehension of our being ultimately
involved thereby in a war with that Power.
Abiding TO a rumor which had reached
him of the purpose of the Administration,
in the event of the passage of the Oregon
bill, TO propose 10 adj at once FIVE regiments
of infantry to the present military establish
ment, Mr.. A.. intimated that, however ne
cessary or proper such a measure might be
in such a contingency, it was nothing in
comparison 10 the extent OF military prepara-
ton which it might become necessary 10
make in consequence of the rash and incon-
siderate action in regard 10 the Oregon ques-
ton which the House Representative had
on its part already c-ountenanced.
Referring 10 the speculations which had
been INDUCED in as to a supposed design Of
Great Britain TO acquire the Island of Cuba
by negotiation with Spain-to WHICH he said
we should, BY our annexation of Texas, lose
alright to take exception on general prin.
ciples-with what probability of success
should we undertake by force to prevent her
acquisition of that island, or wrest it from bel
hands when acquired, considering the uttel
disparity of our naval force to hers. Were
we, following out the idea of the late Score
tary Of the Navy, (Mr. UrsHUR,) to attemp
to enlarge our maritime force TO only one
halt OF that OF Great Britain, gentlemen mus
lay their account with an expenditure of for
ty millions of dollars a year for that brancl
of the public service alone, and, if ACTUALLY
engaged in a war with Great Britain, upol
whatever ground it might be waged, of per
haps twice that annual amount. So that, a
amere matter of money 10 be raised from til,
people in every form of taxation, a foreigI
war was not 10 be couried, as, by the Levitt
with which ii had been spokeno of, some gen
tlemen seemed 10 think it should be.
This was the general tenor of the speec
= of Mr.. ADAMS, in which he deplored an
condemned the temper and the spirit i
which the foreign relations of the couhir
have been of late managed by the Executiv
branch of the Government, and discusse
and acted upon in the II ouse of Represent
tiyes. +.