The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-19

The Atug debate IN the Senate, on the Oregon
question and the present defences OF the country,
terminated in unanimous vote of all parties OF
that body; but the great contest tsef-on the APP
preaching crisis in the history oil the word-may be
said 10 be only begun A similar debate will spring
up again in the Senate, different questions and
there is no doubt that in less than three weeks, the
other House of Congress will be in an equal state of
excitement the same subject. In fact, the posi-
ton Of our foreign relations, particularly with Eng
land, seems to call tor preparations of both moral
and physical character order to be able to nego-
tiae with success, and prevent termination OF the
difficulties in positive war. The President and Sc
nate are grdng up their moral energies for the Crisis
before them, and taking means to prepare the physl-
cal energies of the Union 10 aid and assist in the
same great purpose.
Such is the position of the country, indicated
by the public attitude of the President and Congress;
and we have every reason to believe that the posi-
ton of the British government and the British Par
lament as soon they shall have received intelll-
gcnce from this SIDE will be equally exciting and
important. Yet in the midst of this war OF words,
we have the best reason to believe that negotiations
between the two countries have been re-opened; and
not only negotiations with England on the Oregon
question, but also negotiations with Mexico for the
y,
purchase of the CALIFORNIA;.
As far as ascertain, the steps taken in the
negotiations with England, since the termination of
the correspondence by Mr.. Buchanan's last letter,
are these. Soon after Mr.. Buchanan, by the autho-
rity of the President, had Withdrawn the proposition
of the 10th parallel from Mr. Pakenham, in August
last, we understand that instructions were sent out
by the next steamer TO Mr.. McLane, authorizing
him to communicate to the British Government
the desire of the American Government for
opening of the negotiation, by some PROPOSE
ton on the part of England. These instructions
were prepared and sent out about the time the re-
cent Message of Mr. Polk was concocted at Wash
ington The position assumed by Mr.. Polk in his
Message was intended TO give moral strength and
force to the American Government before the civil
llzed world, while he was, at the time,
conducting negotiations secretly, on the principles
of wisdom, moderation, and compromise. As soon
these instructions were received by Mr.. Nc
Lane, he had an interview with Lord Aberdeen; the
whole Of the recent diplomatic correspondence be-
tween Mr. Pakenham and Mr.. Buchanan was re-
viewed and principle ofcompromse
sumed by Great Britain; and Instructions were sent
out to Mr. Pakenham by the last steamer, the Cam
bria for the purpose of re-openng the negotiations
at Washington. The British Government wished
the negotiation removed to London, and conducted
there, but the American Government refused to ac-
cede this proposition because it wished to keep
the control OF that important question to this coun-
try, at Washington.
Accordingly, on Tuesday week last the new
instructions from Lord Aberdeen were received by
Mr. Pakenham, and in furtherance thereof he had
two separate interviews with Mr.. Buchanan-oneo on
Wednesday, and the other on Tuesday last AT
fora loo tk,o
good feeling and courtesy prevailed, and a new pro-
position was offered to the American Secretary OF
State embracing new line, commencing at the
Columbia river, where the 49th degree strikes it,
and going down until it reaches near the 47th
degree, and then taking westerly direction
along the head OF Puget Sound to the Pacific
ocean; thus leaving Puget's Sound and Admiralty in
let in the possession of the British Government,
and giving the American Government all that por-
ton which lies between the aforesaid line and the
Columbia river.
This we believe is the new proposition offered by
The British Government, but we do not believe that
the American Government will accede to any such
principle Of settlement Such compromise would
give TO England the principal seaports in the Oregon
territory, an alternative to which we never could
submit.
In the meantime negotiations proceed while the two
countries through their respective legislatures and
executives, Will be gradually approaching a warlike
crisis, which begins already to brighten and intimi
date the civilized world. This state of things ma,
last four, six, nine, or twelve months, and it is no
improbable, that when the two countries are on the
very verge of war; and after panic of the most dis
ressing magnitude has desolated both, the two go
vernments will agree upon line similar to that al
ready mentioned going to the head ofPugets Sound
running down the centre of that Sound to The Pa
cc ocean, giving to both countries an equal chance
TO the harbors in that inlet. But before this point Of
compromise can be reached, we will have smashing
work and a tremendous panic particularly in this
country and In England Preparations will be made
both countries for deadly fight On our part
this exciting movement will be of some Interest
and utility to the nation at large. 1t may lead Con
gross TO put the country in state Of defence tina
has been much wanting Tor years past.
Such, we believe is the position OF the Oregon
question, and the extremely critical nature Of ou
citations with England. We have also a slmlIa
state OF things in relations with Mexico; TO
here Is now doubt, from the source we received
our lnormation that instructions have been sent tc
M Sldell in Mexico, not only to negotiate for the
boundary OF the Rio Del Norte, but also for the pur
aase OF california Mr.. Slidell is authorized to OF.
ei sum " money sufficient to pay the whole OF the
british nloi.gages on the vacant lands in Upper Cali
tornla, besides considerable bonus to the Mexican
governments Tor the Texan frontier. Whether this
negotlauon VIII terminate successfullv we cha
hereafter see. 49, ~
On the whole, therefore, there is every prospect
that we VIII have tremendous war panic Tor eon,
months 10 come; but in the erd both conn,,ias III
become frightened ut the hostile attitude il viii bava
assumed ON such an insignificant question nj A..
pute and that, after some twelve months of blus,sr
and preparation, deranglng variety of commercial
REGULATIONS, peace will be restored and the gres,
conflict between the American and European or n.
clpes OF government may be postponed for perhaps
nah century. II zoe choose, howepey, zoe can hap
ms mar ~ on t,co years Whoever wants hi,
leid ' '''' ''s'"