Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-11
From the London Times, Jn'y l4m.l


From the London Times, July l4M.J
The treaty JUS, signed by Mr.. Pakenham, ana
brought over BY General Armstrong, after u had
received the ratification OF three-iourlhs OF me
Senate OF the United States, arrives under cir-
cumstances which prohibit and disarn that spe-
cies of criticism which originates in party mo-
lives. Each party in the Stale, and each OF the
leading statesmen who have been or now are en-
gagged in the conduct OF our affairs, has an equal
interest in securing the fruits OF this pacific teIm-
nation OF an awkward and threatening question;
and although Lord Aberdeen has bequeathed
10 Lord Palmerslon on many points the benehls
Of that temperate and digniiied system OF To-
reign policy which has been followed by The
government for the last five years, yet there IS
no part of this reversion more deservedly prized
by The successors OF the late Cabinet than The
amcable arrangement OF the controversy win
the United States. That one fact makes an IN
calculable difference in the prospects OF Lord
John Russell and his colleagues. The nation
looks forward with far greater confidence 10
The long continuance Of peace; and The oregon
question: which has never excited strong IN
terest in This country except for the consequences
il might have had on our relations with Ameri
ca, will soon be as much forgotten BY The public
as Mr.. Pitts quarrel with Spain in 1870 Tor Inc
possession oi Noolka Sound. Since il became
evident that no patty warfare would distort or ex-
aeseraic The merits Of the question, The Oregon
territory sank in public estimation 10 The slenGer
importance which really belongs TO 50 remote and
uninyit!ns portion ofthe globe, and there has been
very little disposition 10 contend Tor The full
amount Of abstract right, which We might have
urged since We were persuaded that what we
abandoned was not worth a moments regret, and
that what we retain was no great cause oil ex-
ultation or pride. The time is rapidiy approach
ing when the southern settlements ol the tlud-
sons Bay Company in The Oregon territory VII
cease 10 be OF any value as hunting sroubcsi
ilom The rapid extinction OF The animals which
are pursued for their iurs. The Iludsun's Bay
Company has always been grea, tIadh9 tSiab-
lishrnent whose agents are distributed over 'he
widest parts Of British North America for The
particular purposes of This trade. But They have
never attempted 10 promote emigration, colonial
ton, or the agricultural occupation u the sol!
upon a large scale. Their forts and stations have
been adapled 10 different and more limited OBJ
lect We have always maintained that, under
The Treaty OF The EscuIial and the subsequent con-
yenons with the United States these ioits and STA
tons might be lawfully planted by British subjects
in any part oil The Oregon country and they there
upon became, TO all inents and purposes, British.
But, at the same lime, there is nothing 10 pre-
vent sale or transfer OF some OF these stations,
South OF a particular latitude, 10 the United
States, for their just value; and probably such
bargain may be equally convenient TO the yender
and the purchaser. This idea was thrown oul
in our own columns several months ago, and
long before the terms 10 be finally proposed by
England could have been finally adopted BY IN.
Government; and We are happy 10 ind that the
principle OF indemnify has been so readily adj
United al Washington, for that is the newest iea-
lure IN The dehnive arrangement. In other re-
spects, the same terms had been repeatedly under
discussion. Ii has been enormously asserted BY
some Of The American papers, and by one OF oui
contemporaries in This country, that Inc right oil
the navigation OF the Columbia, conceded 10 rs,
is temporary, and limited 10 the duration OF The
Hudson's Bay Company's charter. Tins stale
ment is unfoundcd: The navigation OF The Co
lnnlbia is secured TO the Hudson's Bay Compa.
nv in perpetuly; and The existence oil mai Con-
pany. under the Charter OF Charles III, is ilSe;i
unlimited.
France Paris July l6.-Yeslerday the
English newspapers brought the copy Of The
Treaty as conveyed By General Armstrong. in
The Great Western All the journals produce II
this morning, together with other items Of Nlexi-
can and American news. But three only make
anv remarks upon il. These are me PIcsse,
which observes that the London Times was ~
error some time ago in asserting that the tree ma
yigalon OF The Columbia was reserved in perpe
,ui,y 10 The British Government, whereas u Is
only conceded Tor limited period; The Constlu.
lionncl, which says "the English journals p!eteno
that England has given 10 the United States les
son of wisdom and modera,ion-ther might add
that the Government OF the United States, on lls
part, has given TO other powers, in relation with
England. q lesson Of frmness;" and finally The
Steele. which says, .The United States has mol
exceeded The Offer made by Mr.. Gallalin, and SO
haueb,iy refused by Great Britain, but they have
obtained after 1863. The sovereignty Of he TO-
umba which the English had declared they
would never, never abandon. Wedo mol say ma
the Americans have caused 10 be admitted uE-
iusl pIelensions perhaps ever they wonid nav
done well not 10 have abandoned vancouver
Island 10 Great Britain, which according ~ lfa
veers, offers The only practicable ioits ~ those
narts: but we wish 10 remark that The United |
States, hy maintaining their rights with ilrmness,
have arrived al an arrangement advantageous
for them, but which wounds in no respect the ho-
nor OF Grea, Britain" And then the Steele goes |
on 10 insist that line French Government, should |
ACT towards England as the American does; and |
adds, lha, if i, had done 50, England would have
ceded in the Prilctard and Morocco questions, as
she has done in that OF the Culumba-nol, Ger |
tainly. from fear, but from respect for lishiIe-
souiely sustained
confess am greatly disappointed at so sil!ie
attention being paid by The Partisan press 10 the
settlement of this Oregon question, which al one
time, il was feared, would plunge the world into
The horrors oil war. ! am particularly astonish-
ed lha, the journal Jcs Uebots and L'Epoqne, the
organs of The Government, should have said no.
Thing about i,-they who were so violent in Their
attacks on MIR. Polk while the question was pend
ing Do they look upon MIR. Polk as 50 com
pIetely put down that it would be cruel to III
umph over him. Or do they think that he has
made the English Government succumb and are
reuctan, 10 sing his praises? This silence will
admit OF either Interpretation.