Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-05-02
OregOn--Our relations with England.

OregOn--Our relations with England.
On our first page we give items of Foreign
news received by the Great Western together with
of the of the English press upon Pres
ident Folks Inaugural Address The Caledonia has
since arrived bringing intelligence of very important
debate that took place in both Houses Of Parliament
the 4th day of April in relation to the Inaugural Ad-
dress and the Oregon question.
1t will be recollected that Mr. Polk in his Inaugural
asserted that our title the Oregon country clear
and objectionable" that citizens preparing
to perfect that title by occupying with their wives and
children and that it the duty of government to
protect them in their new homes, and to extend over
them the jurisdiction of laws and the benefits of
Republican Institutions. British statesmen to
have taken great umbrage this declaration and it has
been the subject of severe comment in both Houses.
In the House of Lords the debate was opened by the
Clarendon. He adyerted the annexaiisroI
Texas as bearing .Temotey qpeP BRUSH interests
but as the "rights of Great Britain A." in a
precedented - may not be clearly defined under
Stood" he RETAINED from debating the subject but
marked that it might " at distant time endanger the
powerful relations of the United States with country
by aordng the restless and encroachng people ofTex
opportunity of gratifying their taste by establishing
boundary quarrel and thus creating with Mexico,
which be viewed with interest in every quarter of
the world" He said that President Folks assertion
that right TO Oregon clear and unquestionabe,
inconsistent with pending negotiation. Why me-
cotiate about clear and unquestionable right He
then proceeded to state the grounds of the British claim
to Oregon and called upon the Ministers for nforma-
ton in relation the present state of the question. lie
said ave actuated by desire for territorial pos
sessions, but by sincere desire for peace that "no
assertion had been made that case is free from
all doubt" and ave shall readily conoede what be
justly claimed by America but the people Of this
country will give up their unquestonabe rights, Ell
ther to encroachment, to clamor, or to menace"
The Earl of Aberdeen the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, in reply, stated that negotiation had
been commenced with the United States after the
conclusion of the "Ashburton Treaty" and still
pending, and although he had the same confidence
of speedy and favorable result as was expressed by
President Tyler in his message Congress on the 18th
of February, yet he hoped for favorable result He
did not give so much importance to Mr. Folks address
attributed to it in quarters. 1t pop
ular Legislative document and delivered be-
fore the organization of the government He said there
could be no immediate rupture-that Congress would
not meet until December-and that the present treaty
spulations would continue in force until Of the
governments had given twelve months notice to the
other of desire TO termnate them-and that in the
mean time effort would be made bring the negoti-
alton amicable conclusion lie expressed an ar
dent desire for peace, and dislike of war; but said
''there limits which must not be passed." He con-
cluded by saying
81 hope, and fully believe, that we shall have the
happiness OF seeing this important question brought
to n satisfactory and amicable conclusion. loud
cheers) Should it he otherwise, | can only say
| that RIGHTS which in our nre
clear and unquestionable, and, by the blessing of
| God, and with your support, those rights we are
fully prepared to maintain" (The noble earl re-
sumed his seat amidst loud and general applause)
In the House of Commons the debate opened by
Lord John RUSSELL who called the attention of the
House to the extraordinary declarations of President
Polk, to the "cear and unquestonabe' right of the
United States to Oregon. lie proceeded to examine
the rights of the two nations, and declared those OF
Great Britain, whether by discovery, by treaty or by
occupation, to be altogether superior those of the
United States. He said that Columbia becoming
important every year, and called upon the govern
ment for speedy solution Of the question.
Sir Robert Peel then gave history of former negot
atoms, and statement of the commencement and pen
dency of the present one, and remarked
"Sr, | consider il my duty, notwithstanding the
language of the President Of the United States, moi
10 despair of a favorable result to that negotiation
| still hope an amicable and equita
BILE adjustment of the claims of the two countries
may be made, notwithstanding the language of the
address. | must, however, express my deep re
gret that while this negotiation is pending, thu
chief executive officer OF the United States, in
public address, should, contrary to all usage, have
referred to any other contingency than the friendly
and satisfactory termination of these differences
(Cheers) Such reference is not likely to lead L
that issue which every friend to the continuance o
} amicable relations between the two countries mus
desire, namely, the equitable adjustment of the dil
ierenees that have arisen (tlear, hear) deeply
regret not only The reference ITSELF but the toni
and temper in which that reference is made. (Loui
cheers) AS The subject has been brought unde
discussion, and think not improperly, by the no
Bile lord, feel il my imperative duty, on the par
of Her Majesty's government, to state in languag
the most temperate, but most decided that we con
slider we have rights in respect to the Territory
Oregon which are clear and unquestohabe tina
we trust still 10 affect amicable adjustment O
these claims-that we desire TO effect that adjust
ment but having exhausted every effort to eifec
that arrangement, il our rights are invaded we ar
resolved, and are prepared, to maintain them
II will be seen from this brief and imperfect notice q
this important debate that the Oregon question has be
come one of great and serious importance involving
and probably distant day the question of peac
and war The probability of amicable result to tn
negotiations is exceedingly small. The administrator
that in either country should accede to the demands
the other could not stand moment before the whir