The New York herald., 1845-04-23


ofthem Such sllusion not likely lead to such
result the friends to the real interests Of both
countries desired. He regretted not only the aufion,
but also the tonc and temper in which made As
the subject had been brought under discussion he felt it
to be his duty the part the Government to state in
language the most temperate but at the time the
most decisive, that they considered that have right
to this territory ofOregon which is clear and unques
tonable that we desire amicablc adjustment of the
differences between ourselves and the United States but
that having exhausted every effort to obtain it, if our
rights are invaded resolved and prepared 10 man
tain them.
tremendous burst of cheers from all parts of the
house followed this apnunciation.
In consequence of an intmaon which Sir r. Peel
gave OF the termination Of his Speech that might be
pdient for the house not to express any further opinion
at present hs subject the subject dropped after dc.
claraton from Lord Russell that he would not submit
any motion on this subact to the house until all the pa
pers connected with were laid on the table by Her Ma
jestys Government.
Lord Palmerston then made short explanation and
mer evening respecting the Ashburton capitu lation,
and replied to the speech made in behalf o by Lord
Ashburton in the House OF Lords.
Opinions OF the Press
[From the London Times, April 81
The American packet, the Caledonia, which has
been detained till this morning. will carry out the
distinct and emphatic declaration of the British
Government on the subject of the Oregon territory,
which was received last night with the strong and
unanimous satisfaction of both Houses of Parlia.
ment. When the interests and dignity Of the
country, aud the preservation OF the dominons of
the Crown are really at stake, there is equivo-
cation In the language ofthe Government to foreign
powers, and no semblance of weakness or hesita-
ten IN any political party Lord Pamerston may
abuse Lord Ashburon for acceding to the very same
conditions which he had himself not only accepted
but urged upon the Cabinet OF Washington (; and
Lord John Russell may boast that his last official
act was to sanction the rejection of proposal in
negotiation which turns out to have been mere
provisional arrangement; but these attempts TO
dispute which the wings had been unable to settle
IN ten years OF negotiation, only proofs that the
tricks OF party have no effect whatever on the
honest convictions Of the country We are. Justly
that of the North Eastern Boundary, the British
Government has uniformly shown its moderation as
well as Its nrmnesS on our side. II ltlsimpossbe not
10 depore, on the other hand, that ilLregulated,
overbearng, and aggressive spirit OF the American
democracy, which overlooks the real present inte-
rest OF the two nations In the Oregon territory
that, namely, OF letting it alone for another half
century at least or deciding the matter by arbitra-
ton. before any local national interests have sprung
up there too powerful to be so disposed of. But,
since the Americans, and even the President of the
United States, are determined that this question
shall not be allowed TO rest any onger-since thew
have rejected the proposal of an arbitration, and
osteptatlously announce claims and measures ut
terly inconsistent with the system OF Joint occupa-
ton, or the equitable recognition of any concur
rent rights at all, It'll fit that they be warned in the
most explicit manner that their pretensions amount,
IT acted upon to the clearest casus beE which has
ever yet arisen between Great Britain and the
American Union In this case the strong determi-
nation and convictions which were expressed last
night are not those of particular statesmen, or of
The present Ministers, but Of the British Parliament
and OF the country. II the question was TO be de-
termined by the arguments and in such dis
cusslons--that is to say, by reference to geo.
graphical facts, to discoveries, to history to trea-
ties, and to occupation-the case on behalf
CT the British claim, as it was ably stated
ey Lord John Russell, Is complete; and 1t is only
In consequence OF admissions made with too
much laxity on some former occasions especially
IL the Interpretation of the treaty of Ghent-that
any concurrent right can be admitted to exist Ia
But from the character Of the recent foreign policy
OF the Americans, and the extraordinary declara-
uons OF MIR. Polk, ii is evident that no argument
will produce any effect; and we can scarcely anti
clpate that government so constituted and dl-
rected will even take dlsrassionate or correct
survey OF the frighttul and inevitable consequen-
ces OF ts extravagant references OF diplomatic qucs-
tons 10 popular clamor According to all ordina-
nv political calculations, and assuming that Mr..
Folks inaugural address was the manifesto of
Government, and not mere defamation for the
hustnes, the President already fiHds himself and
the Union placed in presence of two wars. for the
avowed purpose Of territorial aggrandizement, and
In direct violation OF the whole policy of America
from Gen. Washington TO Mr. Webster. The one
with Mexico is SO Imminent that we are awaiting
with anxiety the next arrivals from that country; the
other with Great Britain is more remote, but also
more inevitable, ii the menaces of the Americans
are anything but mere vapourlng and bluster. Un-
der these circumstances, statesman OF ordinary
caution would direct the public attention, not only
to the passions and objects winch are likely to
cause these wanton and wicked contests, but to the
consequences which must attend them. The Uni
ted States Government is very apt to provoke quar-
rels, but 1t is very i'll prepared to carry them on
The same democratic folly which makes them ar.
rogant in the Cabinet, makes them habitually fee
Bile IN all that constitutes nations strength in the
field. In military point of view the consequences
OF declaration OF war by the Government of
Mexico against the United States, would probably
be contemplate and indecisive for neither Of the
bel1geren5 possess an army al all propOrtloned to
the vast extent OF the operations necessary to &C
complsh any practical result. Blu. If the actual
contest on land would probably degenerate into
something little better than the partisan warfare Of
he States Of South America, it is not less certain
that the state OF cdr between the two countries, and
the exercise ol beilgerent rights, would be attended
with most serious consequences, not only to them
selves but to neutrals all the world The system
OF letters OF marque, which the Americans them
selves made no email use OF in their last war with
Great Britain, places the whole commerce OF the u
States. undefended as It is by any considerable
naval forces, at the mercy OF the privateers and
adventurers ct all nations and in war entirely
usages which have ever been justified by the laws
of nations, aud by the example of the United
States, could be regarded as unwarrantable. The
Mexican territory commands both oceans, and
the position OF the port OF Acapulco on the Pacific
would facilitate the most extensive operations
against the whole Asiatic trade of the United
States and their South Sea whale fisheries. Such
a war would be ingorious, and repugnant 10 the
interests Of civilization but it would be worthy of
the neterIous transactions in which il had origi-
mated, and if Mexico has been plundcred Of pro-
vince by her powerful ncighbor, the practices Of
war would amply Justify her in making reprisals
wherever she can tad them. Letters Of marque re-
feet no honor, and orc of no great advantage to a
power which may be dulyrcpresentcd on the seas by
its own cruisers: but they tend to the mari
time disparity which exists between two states like
Mexico and the Union, and they are not an impro-
per weapon in the hands of the weak for retaliation
on the agsresslons of the strong
1t is extraordinary that the United States should
have advanced 80 near the brink Of war as to have
carried through the Senate measure for annexng
Texas, and failed by only two votes in a measure
for sezingsOregon, without having taken any per-
ceptibIc care to provide for the means of constlm-