The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-01-06
From the National IntelIigsneer.
THE
OREGON QUESTION.
Debate In the Stnate.

The following resolutions, offered by
Mr.. Cass, came up for consideration on
Monday, the 18th instant:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on
Military Affairs be instructed to inquire
into the condition Of the national fortifi-
cations and of their armaments; and whe-
ther defensive works are necessary; and
into the condition and quantity of the mi
hlary supplies; and into the state and
means possessed by the Government for
the defences of the country.
RESOLVED, That the Committee on the
Militia be instructed to enquire into the
present condition of that great branch of
the public service, and into the state OF
the milite law; and that they be further
instructed TO report such changes in the
existing system as will give more expert
ence and efficiency to that arm of defence,
and will place it in the best condition for
protecting the covntry, should II be ex-
posed to foreign invasion.
RESOLVED, That the Committee on
Naval Affairs be instructed to enquire in
to the condition Of the Navy of the Uni
ted States, and into the quantity and con-
dition of supplies now on hand, and whe-
iher an increase of them is not necessary
TO the efficient operation OF the navy, and
to Its preservation and augmentation; and,
generally, into its capacity for defending
our coast and commerce, and for any SER
vice the exigencies Of the country may
probably require.
Mr.. CAss rose and addressed the Sen
ate. Is it possible, said he, to read the
Message of the President of the United
States TO Congress, and to witness the IN
dcations of public opinion which are dis
closed about us, without being aware that
a crisis rapidly approaches; that the pres
ent state of the intercourse between this
country and Great Britain demands serl-
ous consideration, and may demand a cor
dial cooperation in action on the part OF
Congress and the whole nation The
President has told us that the negotiations
have arrived at, if not close, at all C.
vents, position which is about tantamount
to close. The claims of the two nations
he finds utterly irreconclablc, and relln-
punishment of claims 10 some extent on the
part of one Or both countries, or the IN
tervention of a meditating power, seem
now to be the only alternatives which
can avert that most disastrous event,
state of war.
This Government had already declined
10 submit the matter to arbitration: 1t was
a course which might with propriety be a
dopted by Independent nations, under e.
oual circumstances, but unfortunately, In
our controversy with England, those e.
uual circumstances did not exist. 1t was
obvious that an umpire would have to be
taken from the associated monarchies of
Europe. and we might well hesitate to
leave the decision in such hands. 1t
would he thought, be better to hold fast
our rights, than, by submitting them to
doubtful arbitration, to risk their loss.-
War was a great calamity, and should, II
possible be avoided; but there were Gala
mites more to be dreaded. than war, and
among those calamities was national dis
honor. He did not rise for the purpose of
discussing our right to Oregon; that was
subject which would come up in It's pro-
per place, and at proper time He was
aware that a great diversity of opinion
existed as to the extent Of our claims, and,
for himself, he would embrace this oppor-
tunity of expressing his cordial and entire
adhesion to the views expressed by the
President in his message to Congress IN
relation 10 this matter.
1t must be pretty evident TO all who ex-
anime the subject that the pretensions OF
the two natisss arc utterly rreconciieable.