Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-13
Friday Morning, February Is, lo4o.
TIE OREGON QUESTION.

mic. which many seem 70 lee', ~ ~
favorable result, 10 this controversy.
revsr ,bongb, ,ba, hos,ililies would grow out u
;,-nor do we think SO now. The domes''c '."u'
bles which surround England-lhe Impulse s"'e"
will +. riyen 10 the revolutionary spirit o' hs'
raonls rednced as ,hey would be 10 the verge %
starvation By cutting of supply Oh co''o" 'r'
on, ,ceminq 6elds-lhe inaamsd condition o' ,ie-
land struggling for her rishis-lhese ana o'''e'
t.c,s sa,s6ed rs, long since, liiat Great Britain
80, n ,aord 10 enlist in a war against na'loh,
,rhoSo ,o,.sr and courage she knows SO wen no"
10 appreciate. ,bat
Tho news by the Hibernia, announcing ina'
Tho Presidents message had been received ~ VIC
British press, in a far different tone rom "li"'
has usually characterized il, induced Us 10 DC
,;eve that in view Of The great commercial az
van,aees 10 be derived by England from our aaoP'
,;or Of revenue Tariff she wonld be willing
10 make liberal concession 10 her claims 10 '"e
OREGON territory. The hard words and threaten
Ing language which had become iamliiar 10 Us
in The English press, had suddenly given way 10
The sober arguments Of rcason-and Inc inlliha-
lions Of an amicable adjustment OF all dIt1cul-
lies and more liberal intercourse between the
Two nations were planly'o be discovered
For these reasons, we we're still more conhrmeo
in our belief that England would be prepared 10
adjust the controversy upon broad and liberal
grounds The recent events at Washington have
moi shaken our confidence in an amicable result.
Before rendering an offer OF arbitration, Mr.. "a
kenham knew that las, year Mr.. Calhoun, when
Secretary Of Stale, had positively declined il. he
must also have been satisfied. from The expression
Of public sentiment, that This Government could
moi be brought 10 refer so important question
10 neutrality-suspicious. when the course OF
recent events demonstrated that il were VAIN Tor
us 10 look for impartial judges in the sovereigns
or subjects of any monaIchical Government. 10
this stale OF the case, we can see no reason why
the British Government is precluded by any no
lions OF dignity or self respect from coming ior-
ward with terms OF settlement which would be
acceptable 10 this country. Negotiation is not
closed, and from the pacific spirit manifested by
both nations, we cannot conceive the idea, that
war is al all probable.
The passage OF the "nolice," in its conciliatory
torn. and By such majority, which was dreaded
by so MANY as sure signal of an outbreak, We
look upon as bright sign OF peace Many persons,
who apprehcnded the worst consequences from
It's adoption, regard il now as not raueht with The
lerrors of war, and We are satisfied that The re-
sui, will show that il has been most suspicious
movement for the preservation oil peace, and, at
the same lime, for The maintenance OF our rights
and honor.
We have observed in The Northern papers
which oppose the Administration on this point,
very curious circumstance in relation to the pro-
babe effect OF the late correspondence. While
their editorials grossly denounce the Adminisira-
ton for refusing arbitration, sEi while they
confidently predict The most alarming results,
their Washington Correspondents speak with
equal confidence Of an early and sure adjustment
Of The difficulty We make few extracts, which,
if they can be credited, show any hing bu, a
gloomy condition Of the Oregon question.
The CORES 2onden, Of the Journal Of Commerce
Ca most violent anti-Oreson paper,) explains
why our Government should demand more now
Than in 1918 or 1926 herein answering one OF the
favorile arguments of that paper. He says:
GAs the matter stands, il cannot be said that
Great Britain would, in any way, disgrace her
self in the eyes Of The world by accepting the 18Th,
though il is not so good an offer as she had from
us before The country had risen 10 SO much imPol.
lance, By its settlement, the tendency OF emisra-
lion 10 il, better acquaintance with lis resources
and facilities for commerce, and The recent open
ing Of less restricted trade with China. All
these things certainly justify the United States
Goyernmen. il demanding more than they did in
1919 or 1896. On The whole il must be allowed
Thai the Offer of The 49lh was liberal one 10 En-
Gland. especially when il is considered that The
Western country. almost universally demanded,
as il still demands the whole territory, and that
il has become very general impression IN tins
country that il is essential TO our political welfare
thai we should have the exclusive sovereignty
over this continent at least So lar as we nave
lust right 10 its soil.
"There is nothing in the correspondence that
absolutely forbids The idea OF resumption OF The
negotiations, though Mr. Pakenham refers TO the
difficulties in the way in that course oil proceed
ing. that il might be tedious 10 remove that arbi-
lration is The most prudent, and perhaps the only
feasible step and though our Government init
mates an adherence 10 its claim 10 the whole Ter
rilory Still, the offer must come from Great
Britain, for it is certain that none will proceed
from Ills quarter.
at is believed by some sagacious persons that
Mr.. Pakenham is instructed 10 make such an Of
fer, after The failure Of The offer Of arbitration
have little doubt that The British Government
will make a final offer, and the question is, vine
iher i, will be Of kind thai this government will
entertain even so far as 10 submit tito The Senate"
The correspondent OF the n. York Tribune
cannot conceal his uncompromising devotion to
the Tariff monopoly, though lis fair and proper
reduction may helpl 10 bring about peace:
81 am inclined 10 believe, that it vii not be
long till a Treaty is befure he Senate making the
49lh parallel the boundary-this treaty TO be ac-
companied by a commercial arrangement by
which we are TO sacrifice The interests of The me-
chanic and working man TO England for her con-
descenson in taking five degrees Of territory that
clearly aud unquestioaably belongs TO MS"
The correspondent Of the Philadelphia North
American writes:
81 venture, then, TO assert, tina, the next steamer
will bring the advices, and perhaps The ins,ruc-
,icns from England, upon which The long litiga-
led and now most delicate matter OF Oregon will
be adjusted.
al believe Great Britain will submit another
offer, which will lead 10 concliaiory couespon-
,ence. believe il will embrace the terms Of
Treaty. of Compromise, which will embarrass The
President TO refuse believe Mr.. Polk WILL refer
the proposition TO The Senate in Executive Ses-
sion. know The Senate will advise him TO ac-
cep,; and | further know and affirm, il Treaty
is organized upon the basis of The 49h degree j.
will pass The Senate by the requisite vote Of two
thirds This statement is sufficiently explicit,
no; TO be misunderstood hereafter. | give il as
my humble, bul deliberate conviction, that the
mex, steamer will bring intelligence more impor-
lant 10 the peace of,he world than has crossed III.
ocean, or transpired al any time since the pro.
ceedings al Client.
a undertake TO prophecy, the foundation Of
pea eluI and honorable adjustment will be made
within The next ninety days
"Mr. Pakenham declared, in limited circle,
in which he is accustomed 10 speak-iraukly and
freely, Since the receipt of MIR. Buchanan's lei
Ter Of rejection TO the arhiralion-in reply to
suggestion that the controversy has assumed
threatening aspect, he believed the armament
would soan be brighter, and all our present diff
~ r