Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-05-01

before the House. He must express bis
surprise that the President should have re-
ferred ss he did to this matter; he regret
ted the tone Of that reference, and espe-
ciaIly deprecated the forther reference to
other contingencies. He must say, mos,
temporarily, but most decidedly, III Mr.
Folks own language. that the British ma.
ton have clear aud indispuiable right 10
the territory which they claim; and far
Their, he added--'l sincerely trust, trust
and desire. that the question may be ami
cably arranged, but, having exhausted
that attempt, having to bring the negotis.
'iion to favorable conclusion, il after such
IA lure, our rights are invaded, we are re-
solved and prepared TO maintain and de-
fend Them" (Thls sentence was receiy.
ed with most TREMENDOUS and prolonged
cheering from all paris OF the house. -
SIR Robert merely added. that discussion
upon the subject had bad tendency. and
he hoped the matter would now be- allow.
ed to drop, and be lrfi for the present in
the hands Of the Government.
L0Tu jun kusSDlt tOnt W uuiUiN iDt
just ce Of ,sfl,ng correction. 10 matter
Of fact, which Sir Robert had made 10 the
course Of his speech; aud added that he
quite ayr, ed with SIR Robert in the pro.
pri ty Of abstalning from further discus
slon Of the subjec, under consideration.
H. (Lord J. r. had purposrly forborne
to m Ike any motion upon the subject, lis
intention beng m rely t. direct attention
to it; and he WIS perfectly sure that
proper and honorable course would be
pursued in regard-to it, by FIR Mijesty's
advisers. His lordship then sat down
amid renewed cheering, and lh- discuss
SION Of lae subject was no, resumed.
have not pretended to give you an
accurate report OF these two speeches, but
merely synopsis OF each. having a strict
regard t, tive purport Of the remarks.
rather than 10 the precise Language used.
A verbatim report would, Of course. oc.
cupy FIVE times the space have devoted
TO this.
The thing speaks for itself, and CON.
ment from me is unnecessary. | will on
ly observe that the speeches Of this even.
ing strengthen the conviction, which |
have long entertained, that the British
Government are as firmly and conscen.
tiously persuaded Of the justice Of their
claims as are our own Government OF the
entire justice OF our counter claim
Both Of this evenings speeches were
characterized by the expression of the
mos. friendly feelings towards the United
States; a1d although Mr.. Polk was Sc.
verely censured. especially by lord John,
not one word Of unkindness was uttered
toward our country or our Government.
This firm conviction Of right on either
side is perhaps the gaeatest barrier 10 the
progress of negotiation, for each party
regards every step towards tho views Of
the other as an absolute and meritorious
concession, which should receive an
equivalent; while the recipient of this
imagined CONCESSION" esteems it ss only
fractional grant oil an absolute and extend.
ed right.
The tendency Of this debate has certain
ly not been to encourage the hope that
the adjustment. Of the question, however
sincerely desired, is very near at hand.
Indeed it seems to establish the certainty
that the question will never be amicably
settled except by arbitration. | earnest
iy hope tina, expedien. will at once he re-
sorted TO; for the alternative of an appeal
to arms is revolving to the spirit of the
age, and adverse TO every sentiment Of
humanity and religion. A war would be
ruinous TO the commerce and the arts of
both countries and would at last, in all
probability, leave the question whe'e ii
found it, and render reference to a Deu.
tral power necessary for final decision.
have no time to add more.
Yours very truly,
ANGLO kNICKERBocKER.