American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-26

rat,s Yesterday by vote OF ~ 10 ID, passed bill
abo,ishing imprisonment for debt
TIE NEXT ARRIVAL FROM ENGLAND. The
news brought by the steamer Cambria, produc-
ad general Joy throughout this country, from
the conviction that it was of a pacific charac-
ter, and clearly indicated disposition on the
part of the British government to preserve the
relations which at present exist be-
tween the two countries. We shall not be sur
prised if the aspect of things be greatly changed
by the information which will be received by
the next arrival. However the disposition of
the British government may be inclined to
peace, it is certain that there has been no re-
taxation in the preparations for war. The dis
pute about Oregon cannot be much longer held
in suspensa-thc7c must be Il decision of some
kind; and if We persist in our cltim to the
whole territory, il IS no, difficult to foresee what
that decision will be. At the date Of the news
brought by the Cambria, the English govern
ment was not appr;zed of the rejection of the
offer to arbitrate made by its minister; and
hence, probably, the mild tone observed to-
wards the United States by ministers and the
public press. The hope was no doubt enter.
,aincd, that we should accede TO the PROPOSE
lion, and THAI an amicabe arrangement would
ensue. MIR. Calhoun had rejected arbitration
from the belief, shat the dispute could be more
speedily and satisfactorily settled by negotia-
ton. This motive could have no influence IN
relation to the late offer, because negotiation
had been tried in vain In what position then
do the two nations stand at present, in refer
ence to the Oregon question: In the Pres-
dents inaugural address, he insisted, that cur
title to the whole of Oregon was "clear and
indsputabc." This declaration was met by
an explicit denial on the part of the English
government, which announced in the most de-
liberate and emphatic manner, that England
had rights IN Oregon which she should main
tain. Subsequently the President offered to
nearly one half of the territory
which offer was rejected by the British minis
ter; and then our claim to the whole territory
vas renewed. In this state of the case the
British minister was instructed to offer arbtra-
ton, by referring the whole matter in contro-
yersy to a mixed commission, excluding crown
cd heads. And so the affair stood at the time
of the assembling of the British Parliament !
nder these circumstances it would, of course,
have been improper for either the Queen, her
minister, or the official newspaper, to have
held other than pacific language in regard to
the matter. But the rejection Of the offer Of
arbitration will probably lead the British go
verument to believe that nothing less than the
whole of Oregon will satisfy US; and if this
impression be produced, we may anticipate a
change in the tone of England and reitera-
ton Of her determination to maintain her rights
in Oregon; for, that she will ever peaceably
yield the whole territory, is not to be expected
She may authorize her minister here to make
another effort to settle the question amcably;
but at the same time she will relax no exertion
TO place herself in a position TO prosecute war
Vigorously, should it become necessary. We
may then prepare to expect by the next arrival
from England, change in the language of the
British mnisters-unless, indeed, there be some
in relation to the tariffs of the
two countries, which promises superior advan-
to English commerce.
IN reference to the warlike preparations of
Eng land, we copy the following extract of
letter from an American in London, commu-
nicated for the Newark IN. J.) Daily Adver-
tiser 1t is dated the Sd inst, the day before
the Cambria sailed.
"The government here are making great
for war. They are enrolling all
the militia, who are to take the place of the
standing army which is to be sent out of the
Ohe militia cannot be- Their time
of service is three years They are, in fact,
nothing else than soldiers enlisted for three
years. They are p9id, drilled, clothed and fed
as other soldiers. 1t is the prevailing opinion
among all classes that all this preparation is
directed towards the United States. A war
with US upon the Oregon question would be
very popular here, and any ministry might
stake it's popularity upon it with success. In
fact the English people want war, though
believe most of the intelligent portion would
prefer one with France. There is, however, .
very strong feeling existing against the Yam
KEGS, and | am told by some American mer-
chanst that it has, and does affect theirbusness
very much. 1t has undoubtedly operated very
much to my disadvantage, and will, no doubt,
continue so to do
1t was maxim of General Jackson ''to ask
for nothing that was not right, nor to submit
to any thing that was wrong" and we pre-
sumo that it is the intention Of the present
President to carry out that principle in rela
ton to Oregon. If then, we have already
consented to relinquish large portion of Ore
gon to England, it must have been from the
conviction, that we were not submitting toI
''any thing that was wrong''-then, are we not