Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-18
Letter Of John VI. Bolts, Esq
On the Probability OF n War.


ment, indeed, that Mr.. Polk. in his Inaugural
Address, affirmed that the American title was
| "clcar and unquestionabe" to the whole territory,
including that portion west Of the Rocky Noun.
tains in actual possession. ms il had long been. of
British subjects, and dotted with British forts, il
was apparent. as well from the difficulty of his
abandonment of that position the ono hand. as
from the certainty that the British Government
would never assent TO IT on the other, that War;
IL not. rs Gen. Cass said, "inevtibe," was at
least highly probable. Subsequent events, so far
from diminishing, have increased our apprehen-
| sons of that event and while we do not yet con-
cur in opinion with Gen. Cass and Mr.. Bolts, that
War is "inevitable," we arc not inscnsible To the
force of the considerations some of the most pro.
mincnt of which ATE so strikipgly grouped and
commented upon in the following letter of the
last named gentleman. that 20 to show that it is
evcn more than probable.
But who would suppose, Judging from the pro-
found apathy OF the public mind on this subject.
that we may be upon the very verge of a War
with the most powerful nation of Europe-with
a nation whose means of aggressive warfare are
more formidable than. those of any other ON the
face of the globe We seem, indeed ike blind
man approaching the edge Of precipice. wholly
unconscious of the danger which threatens us.
The course pursued by the Administration has
unquestonably mainly tended to beget this re-
maIkabie insensibility-a course, we must saw
wholly irreconcilcabe with It's duty to the coun-
try, unless indeed ii is in possession of informa-
ton, of which the people are ignorant, and which
the declarations of the leading English journals
would seem to diScrcdt that authorizes it to DC.
lievc that the British Government will IT IT firmly
maintain its position, finally yield 10 its extreme
demands. In that event. certainly, extensive and
costly preparations for would he unadvisabie.
But, If our Government has no such information,
ami il, by lis course, we should he suddenly in.
volved in hostilities with Great Britain, and he
subjected tc all the calamiticS consequent upon
our own entire want OF preparation for the emer-
gency, the people will not fail to rcld to fearful
them more distinct warning of their approach,
in order that they might have been prepared more
efficiently TO meet and repel the assault of The
enemy.
We will not, however, detain the reader longer
from the letter of Mr.. Bolts, which, as will be
Observed is in reply 10 enquiries addressed to that
gentleman:
AFKm larH, Is46
w dear Sr--You ask me what nav opinions ars re.
atIse the Oregon dispute and whether they have
undergone any rh1nge since my letter was written in
December last tn amrned friend Peasanu.
the last question fret, by saying tnat If they
have undergone any change h.. only been to strength
en- and confirm what then thought and said-lo wit:
thai war between this country aud Great Bntiin was
certain and inevitable. in the opinion
so often expressed by distinguished the Sen
ate, and by the public press that because the Senate
may incline 10 a compromise on the 18Th degree or
because Mr.. Polk may be inclined to recnde from bi9
position OF 81 40 TO the 49th that can be avoid
ed--for, it, Mr. Webster suggest the 18th de-.
gree should be made the basis OF a compromise there
yet two difficulties presented, which, in my Iudg-
ment not likely 10 be oyercome The frs, H. the
free navigation OF the Columbia riyeT which do not
think will be surrendered by Mr.. Polk, and winch !
feel confident will never be yielded by Great Br.tan-
| cannot persuade myself that Great Britain will take
les from han hiss heretofore been offered over
and again, and often rejected and no one Of
all those who talk about the 18Th line Of parallel, has
yet minated disposition to extend the Tree noviga-
ton Of hs Columbia river Great Britain. Upon this
subject, expressive Of the Of the BRUSH Min
isuy. ! quote Two paragraphs from tue London Times
which may certainly be regarded the organ Of Lord
Aberdeen, as the London Chronicle is Of LOId Palmer
stOn, the Washington Union Of Mr. Polk.
! lie Times, OF the 18th January says:
what Is Oregon worth u without the easement Of
the rver1 What wou.b she inevitable consequence Of
~ loss Would u moi be ihai Immediately the great car
rying trade LesBe'n the DOrihcfa lakes " the northeast
country aud the would ysss into the LInds Of tn
rcansi that wEai our countym6n have hitherto shared
with the citizens O the United States. and would Ice con
~ share with them IN iuure would be monopo.zed On
| ufey by tie lalter2 Does the American Government
docs the Amene-n Republic senously think that an En-
Maurgf N- +
yield benefits winch have constituted the chief value Of
that dependency TO English subJecs7 IL Is he very e.
sence o our rights ~ Oregon hat should preserve
tte-we do not clam ihe sVlfnay ration Of the COlum-
bia Take hsi awsy, aud lose az onre our trade be
tween possessions IN tho northeast Of America aud ou-
growing colonies the Pacific. Such oss would involve
he ram Of perhals very few individuals but would lhct
wound the honor would damage the solid interests
OF THIS country and q would raise innsssuTabe disgust
and unb lUBded dsiru ~ ne breast every coon- 10
| our moet remote dependencies. Give BP, n you will,
large strip Of territory cedo much you like between
the Rocky Mountains aud she lowest bead 81 The CoIum-
bio but preserve whatever solid and bene hls
been enjoyed by The hardy adyenuros II oros end the
lake, VINO have gone forth IA reliance your faith,
hdence ~ yOu fendners and without doubt Of your pow.
or G., protect them To desert them were iynuminious
enough bot on ignornny Of such kind among the
worst disasters that notion suffer Preserve Tor your
colons'' the great and precious privileges nf anchorage
navigation, sud cOa- settlement Preserve Tor them n
rgh sharing with Amorcans the trade the other
Elements 81 their mother county. Deprive them IL
ths, aud sou nsko them poor helpless and contemplate
but you dishon0r yourselves when you douniy them.
Let not the Americas Government rely confident.
u on the reluctance Of England to sngsge wsr. The
English Mo- siry and Eugsh psOpo know we'll tie pc
1n Of ihs Country among nations 10 seek the occasion
Of an unnecessary rdpuso. The acquisitions Df past
ceses, and the uudfng fame ~ struggles SUI
hcien equally for nut pride and ambition. We tel
mot ihfe is nober field open o. Than mat Of
1ns-int se Di' victories pufer than thcso o var
we would aNod c0ltici with any people, but csrscaI
with those who are bone u bone end ncsh o our H'h
| UKp nj biz m
PHncpe' MT from iesr. and hat H. unmindlh 81 great
duy and csees Of gfent orne, they REJECT the pcuce
lu ano W"cdoss nrbiirotJH which have pfOpy.ed
for on appeal t1 the sword that take % the psge ,
prepared 10 20 through s ui without wuycf and without
apprehension Of e result The msor, produced ~ such
d@fision would be infinite, the q pfoyok NJ Them
cnornDps bot the s'n and boz penalties would retO1nd on
those whose smogou sugge, ted whosc weakness acqui.
sseod n' Tic shsujsrpsl' Of morc homes, end more
deuts counses."
lake these, then, 's The views n tho Brush Ministry on
no subject Of 'Ac navigation Of tho Columba nycr l.o
pray ~il me how the question to be compromised when