The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-20
con M UNICATIO n S.
NUMBER II.
wAsmScroN, Dec. 10, ls45.

danger 10 our nauonal repose "a precious JeNtl IN
its head" The probability, or rather the bare pos
sibility, of suspension of the pacific relations be-
tween England and America, has established con-
clusively the fact that we yet, in truth and in
atty cut ONE people-osE couniry-united in ONE
cause. II has been repeated from year to year in
the Old World, ever since the adoption of the con-
stitulion, that system Of government was mere
4 y experimental and would inevitably terminate in a
magnificent failure; that, divided and distracted
among ourselves upon sectional and other questions
with oftier patriotism than reckless lust for Of
fce our institutions were comparatively no stronger
than a rope Of sand and that, far, the results
unsatisfactory in our efforts TO work out the
great problem of mans capacity for self:govern-
ment. But what change will come over the dreams
of the enemies Of liberty throughout the universe,
when they become acquainted with what has trans
pired at this metropolis within the last few weeks
when they behold the firm, decided, but unmpas-
stoned sentiments of the Executive upon Oregon,
the dignfed and unanswerable letter dated August
3O) Of the Secretary of State, and the unbroken
phalanx of the Senate in the passage of General
Cass's resolutions All betokens that we under
stand rights; and, understanding them, fearless
y and uniiedly will be prepared to maintain them.
Great Britain will perceive the truth-to her most
startling one-that the active resources the uncrp-
pied energies, Of this gigantic nation will be mar
shaled to meet her in mortal combat, if she should
have the ndiscretion TO strike. Among twenty
millions of people, she would find now an infinitely
less number ready to aid and abet her designs than
she found among three millions during the revou-
ton. Every citizen, however afluent, or however
humble, will engage in the strife with hearty
good will as though he were battling in defence Of
his own hearth-stone.
With a commerce vastly extended as that Of
the United States, it is but reasonable to suppose
tina! there is general socilude among our coun-
trymen to avoid war, If it can be avoided honora-
bly, But it cannot be expected that we should
yield more than the President proposed TO yield, for
the sake of perpetuating peace. Indeed, with the
lights recently placed before us, should doubt the
propriey (for, to the injustice, there be no
question: of settling the controversy by the line Of
division which has been three times submitted. 1t
could be justified other principle than that Of
buying up peace from pirates upon the high seas.
As it has been rejected, however-as the noble in
Auences which prevailed with him have not been app
preciaed-- England will look well to the high re-
sponsibility of her position before she determines
upon hostilities with this country. Upon such
measure she has, feel persuaded, yet enter
tanned (maugre the proceedings in Parliament the
4th of ApriD serious thought. Why, then, it
will be asked, is there much activity in her dock
yards? Why is she extending her navy Why is
she making such unusual warlike demonstrations
These questions are fully answered in the Financial
statement" of the first lord of the treasury, (Sir
Robert Peel,) made on the 14th of February last.
In presenting the "budget" at that time-eghteen
days before Mr. Folks inauguraion-he, the pre-
mier, Gas reported by the Times,) said:
~ shall now proceed to call the attention of the
House to the estimates which we have deemed tour
duty to submit to the House for the increase of the
navy. We shall propose in the course of the pres
ent year an increase in the number of men serving
in the navy, Tor the present year, of $500 than
those actually employed now, and of 1000 more
than those voted last year; and | shall make that
proposal on the following grOunds--on account of
our extended colonial empire and the commercial in
terests connected with it; and the growing demands
for the protection of our commerce in almost every
part of the world CHEERS Within the last three
years three great naval stations have grown up in
different portions of the globe-on the coast of At
rica in the Pacific, and in the Chinese seas. Now,
will just compare the number Of men employed on
these several stations in the year lS4l, with the
number of men we felt i, our duty to employ--for
really we had scarcely any opton-in the course Of
the autumn of the last year. In the year lS4l, on
the coast of Africa there were employed $50 men,
in the last year, for the purpose of making a more
vigorous attempt for the suppression of the slave
trade employed on the coast of Africa 1850 men.
In the Pacific, in the year l64l, there we're en-
poyed 760 men, and in the last year there were, and
there are at present, employed in the Pacific 2437
men. In the China seas, in the year ls4l, we had
only small frigate. That was before the COM
mencement of hos,ilties; and believe relations
with China were then generally conducted by tn
occasional presence of small frigate. But at the
present moment, in consequence Of the treaty with
China, we have force Of 2, los men employed on
the const of China. We have attempted 10 make
reduction. Under the Chinese treaty there a
stipulation that we might have vessel at each Of
the five ports at which commerce was to be car
ried on. We attempted to make reduction in the
number Of vessels so employed. We tried the plan
of having steamboat to pay occasional visits to
those ports But we were. Immediately met with
the strongest representations from the most eminent
authorities. We had representations from Sir
Henry Pottinger, and from his successor, Mr..
Davis, earnestly entreatipg US, in consequence of
our new relations with that country, to impose
check the parties frequentng those ports, and to
prevent any infraction of the Chinese laws, to
despatch extra force to the Chinese seas. So
convinced were of the reasonableness Of that re-
quest, and Of the business Of the representations
thus made to us by Sir Henry Pottinger, and by
Mr.. Davis that we did despatch an additional force;
but, comparing the number Of men at these three
stations in the year lS4l, with the number of men
employed at the present moment, there is an actual
increase in the number of above 5000 men employ
ed on those three stations. The House will recol-
lect also--and will not further alude to the sub
IeCt-uuTnS tIie cNCHtS VI TIC
which were made that we had not sufficient
naval force in this island, and upon this or that
station; and am sure that could readily convince
every dispassionae-mind person that we cannot,
with safety or wisdom, expect TO be able to make
a reduction Of the naval force we now have on
foreign stations; and that there ought to be an in
crease in the number of men employed--not for amy
purposes of,cr or Of aggression, bat in consequence Of
the extension Of in all parts. 1T IN
POSSIBLE, SIR, TO DENY, THAT THE PRESENCE OF
BRITISH VESSEL HAS A GREAT INFLUENCE IN
MAINTAINING THE KELATIoNs OF PEACE. | have
shown that upon three stations alone there has been
increase Of men employed at distance from this
country, of not less than 5000 men. find Observe,
that The pey dispersion cfyour nara force, like the dis
psrson Of the armyhat the necessity of this dispersion
orer The hdbitabie globe, does diminish the efficiency Of
your naval complement at home. We propose, with
perfect confidence in the justice of the proposition,
that there should be increase in the naval force in
the present year to the amount Of 1000 men, The
charges which will be caused by that increase would
be about 9l84000. do not vindicate this increase