The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-29
The Weekly Herald.

The third edition viii contain all the testimony
in the TIrel murder case, with the arguments OF
the counsel on both sides the latest intelligence
from all parts OF the world full and accurate
count OF the loss OF the packet ship Henry Clay,
with the names OF those who suffered illustrated by
splendid engraving complete and impartial
exposition OF the condition OF matters al Washing
ton able articles on the Money Market, &c. &c.,
together with portrait OF" One OF the B'hoys,"
genius confined to this locality.
The Weekly Herald for this week is undeniably
one of the most interesting we have issued for
long time.
The third edition will be ready at an early hour
this morning. Price sx-pence in wrappers for
mailing.
The Presidents Message and the Oregon
Question.
The Message of President Polk TO the two Houses
OF Congress, in which he recommends an increase
OF the army and navy, and appropriations for the de-
fence OF the country has been before the public long
enough TO admit of calm decision to be formed
upon its character and bearing upon the destiny Of
the United States. When 1t was first received, it
was considered unfavorable sign for the continu-
ance OF peaceful relations between England and the
United States. The stock market felt the influence
would be seriously impaired by hostilities, went
down about two per cent. The stock market ID
sure index of the condition of the public pulse in this
city, for first experiences the effect of any measure
which the public imagine would tend to impede the
course OF trade and the general prosperity Of the
country.
The opinion Is, that under the circumstances
attending the debates in Congress, particularly in
fha nd
the message. In his message to Congress, he gave
detailed account of the condition Of our relations
with Great Britain. He boldly took ground that he
considered the claim OF the United States up to 81
40, the Russian line, clear and unqusstionable; and
although he hoped the matter would be settled ami
cably, he still thought it prudent to recommend an
increase of the army and navy, and the erection of
Notifications for the defence of the country. From
that day until the present. the Oregon question has,
almost TO the exclusion of every thing else. occu-
pied the time and attention of the Senate. The
different parties ciqMes into which the Senate is
divided, Immediately laid hold of it, and set to
work to shape it to promote their own views. 1t
was at once appropriated by the several cliques as
capital to work upon, with the view of moulding it
SO as to have an in fuence on the question Of the
succession. During the debates that followed, and
which have been kept up necessarily from that time
until the present day, the views of the President
and his cabinet the question, were stated to be
this one day land that the next BY clique he
was represented as an incorporating opponent to
the British claim, and in favor of maintaining the
whole claim of America, to the last inch.
This was the course of tactics pursued by
the war section of the Senate, headed by
Senator Cass of Michigan, who himself is
prospective candidate for the succession. This
portion were on the fair road to monopolize
all the glory OF the question, when the venerable
John Quincy Adams stepped IN and deprived them OF
great deal oft Another portion OF the Senate twist
ed and turned the declarations OF the President, as
contained in his message. While by one it is
claimed that the President, while he considers the
American claim beyond a question, is at the
same time disposed to make partition Of the part
dispute, in order to avoid Fastening war with
Great Britain, another would insist that PROPOSE
flon by Great Britain to settle the question on the
49lh degree, would meet the views of the President
and majority OF the Senate.
This was the condition OF the Senate at the time
the President sent in his last message, which has
somewhat bewildered the members Of Congress.
For nearly four months the Oregon question had
drawn Its slow length along-all the members,
almost, had given their views, and still, notwith-
standing the recommendation of the President In
bis regular message, very httle progress had been
made towards arriving at a conclusion. In the
meantime, II a crisis had arrived between the United
States and England, the President we'll knew that the
country was comparatively defenceless her army
was inadequate Tor any emergency; the little navy
we had was IN similar condition, and our extensive
line OF seal board and frontier encouraged attack,
Their than otherwise Under these circumstances,
then, the President considered himself justified in
again directing the attention Of Congress to the SUBJ
ject, and, no doubt, with the intention Of Fastening
action OF some kind by thatbody At the same time,
he took occasion TO reiterae his views and opinions,
which had been unceremoniously handled by the
Senate, until they were altered and modified as
10 be hardly distingushable by himself and also to
reterate the necessity of taking measures for any
crisis that might ensue, thus throwing the whole
matter back to its original position and max ing it
uncertain in Its aims and ends, and very uncertain
in its result.
The Oregon question, for months past, has kept
the country in fever. 1t has deranged commerce
to great extent, and unless some action is shortly
taken, the country will get dissatisfied. We depre-
cate hasty legislation much as any man; but the
Senate have now had the matter under their cons-
Iteration for four months, and surely they must have
made up their minds to vote way or the other
by this time. There certainly cannot any harm ac-
crue from passing the notice to abrogate the joint
occupancy, for it is strictly in conformity with
the terms Of the treaty, and as to the passage Of
resolutions augmenting the army and navy,
and putting the country in a state Of de-
fence, that cannot be looked upon by Great Bril-
tain unfavorably. She herself is doing the same
thing. Lord Aberdeen, in answer to the enquiries
OF our Minister, admitted that England was making
preparations to take strong position in case OF any
emergency that might arise but without any direct
connection with the Oregon question and the United