Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25

OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.


OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The debate in the Senate on Gen. CAss's reso.
lutions has given especial prominence to the sub
Ject OF our relations with England, as connected
with the Oregon question. The great anxiety
which prevails in the public mind in relation to
she probable issue of this controversy will con-
centrate general attention TO the debate and par
ticuiarly to the language OF prominent Senators
on the Administration side. Let us look at some
OF The declarations, made, as we may presume,
not hastily, by these distinguished gentlemen.
Zen. CAss, in reply to an interrogatory from
Mr.. CRlTTENDEN, said elf the gentleman asks
my opinion, give it. believe that war is al
most inevitable. But 1 stated yesterday what
now state, not that war is absolutely inevitable,
but that IL, after the years notice had been given,
Gteat Britain persisted, then war would be in
eyitable.'
TO the same purpose was the declaration of
MIR. SEWER of Arkansas "My friend from Mich
igan,' said Mr.. SEWER, ''has been pretty well
catechised this mOrning-he has been questioned
with agreat deal Of perseverance, for the purpose
OF ascertaning whether he supposes that war is
likely TO ensue between us and Great Britain
wonderful degree Of nervous anxiety appears
to have been excited relative to this probability
OF such war. Well, now, in my humble o.
pinlon, war will come. Why! l think so for
Two reasons: one is, that Great Britain has ne
yer receded from any position till forced TO re.
cede. And it has been her bullying that has Sc.
cured for her The respect of all Europe. Now,
she must be forced 10 recede."
The Chairman of the Committee on FOREIGN
Relations is Mr.. ALLEN Of Ohio. His posi,ion
may warrant the inference that an almost official
character accompanies his language on the sub
]ect. "The Government Of the United States,
said Mr.. ALLEN, 'had placed itself, by the coer-
GIVE circumstances of the case, brought about by
English diplomacy, IN position from which IL
SHlrf pf ala.
We quote another Senator on the Adminis,ra
ton side, MIR. BREEzE, of Illinois. When our
policy In regard TO Oregon should come properly
before The Senate for discussion, Mr.. B. said,
she would endeavour TO show the advantages to
us and to our race, of the tch0e of that territory
and Tor his part he would not give, by compro-
mise or otherwise, any portion of il TO Great
Britain. With his consent, that power should
never have position on that coast''
Inc foregoing extracts taken from the "U-
mons" report Of the debate in the Senate on
tuesday. They indicate almost beyond the pos
slbilty OF mistake, that the determination of this
Government is made up TO The point Of absolute
and exclusive possession Of the Oregon territory
What basis is left for England TO negotiate upon,
ii she should be disposed to renew negotiations?
"a thing, by the way, which every one must see
rs very Improbable after the language of the Pre-
sideni's Message. "We cannot shut our eyes,
says the Union, 'to the dangers which threaten
/
war should come "the responsibility Of it will be
upon the head Of England" This means, we
may suppose, that England will have the alter
naive 10 hight or to give up her claims TO any
portion of the Oregon. The responsibility" Of
giving up may probably seem 10 her to be hea-
vier one than that of war.
1t is clear enough that this issue is coming so
near crisis as to call for plain and direct lam
guage respecting it. We held such language
long ago; for the policy which prompted the
Occupation Bill of the last session of Congress
was too apparent and too substantially sustained
to leave much room for doubt as to The final as
Pecf which the case would present. We are graz
tined to see one thing, viz. that those prepara-
lions which were utterly neglected last year,
when the Oregon Bill was so near its passage,
are likely to be provided now. If the Admins
tration is resolved on pressing this question to
conclusion on the basis of its exclusive claims,
II Is due TO the country, to consistency and to
common sense, TO take care that it is prepared to
meet any contingency which such bold and prac-
tical policy may involve. The resolutions of
Zen. CAss, instead of being premature may be
rather said 10 be tardy. 1t was enough to cause
wonder and establishment that the President
should speak as he did in his Message on the
Oregon question without adding a word of recon-
mendaiion as to the provision Of the means of de-
fence which his course might render necessary.
From this omission it is inferred by some that he
does not anticipate war. His friends in the Sc
nate, however, may be supposed to know some
thing OF his views; and with them as the expo-
nents Of his silence the inference we have men
toned does not seem to hold good.-Bah. Amer
washington letter, published in the New
York Courier, says
Mr.. Buchanan, on Friday last had an interview
OF several hours with Mr.. Pakenham but it is not
known, though it is surmsed that the Oregon
question was brought, in some form, under con-
Alteration. 1t is stated on authority, in which
place reliance, that Lord Aberdeen is not entirely
satisfied with the tone and manner in which the
negotiation has been conducted by Mr.. Paken-
ham, nor with its having been abruptly brought
to a-close, and that he has minated as much to
our Minister at London, and probably to Mr..
Pakenham, through dispatches brought by the
Cambria.
Another Washington letter, published in the
N. Y. Tribune, says
understand that the Committee on Foreion
Affairs have resolved to let the Oregon business
work It's own settlement; that they differ from
President Polk, and will leave it to time to work
out what the rabd Loco Focos would call ;he
sword to perform. In other words, understand
that the Committee are inclined not TO report
OIL Tor the termination of the joint occupancy.
The following statement is given in another
letter:
a Mexican Minister whom nobod, Ino,r. :;