Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-31
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.

by the Hbernid, including the productions OF the
Conservative, the Wing, and the Neutral presses.
We have seen also various private letters from gen.
tlernen of character and intelligence in the political
and commercial world, to their American friends.
The information, derived from these sources, is of
the highest importance to the People of the United
States at the present moment; but, having alrea-
dy given TO our readers copious extracts from the
papers, content ourselves, at present. with sug-
costing the reflections which occur to us, as being
on the whole, the fair general result.
From opinions heretofore expressed by US, it
would be inferred, without the repetition of those
opinions, that we deem the restoration or return of
Sir RoBERT PEEL to power favorable to the peace
of the two countries.
This opinion was founded, in great part, on the
character of Lord PALMERsToN, who, il was most
natural to suppose, would come into Office with Lord
JOHN RUSSELL, as Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs 1t would seem that on this very question,
viz. the putting the seals of the Foreign Office into
the hands Of Lord PALMERsToN, Lord JOINS at
tempt to form an Administration failed Lord GREY
refused TO join an Administration in which Lord
PALMERsroN should fill that post; and we think he
acted wisely, and for the peace of the world that
decision Lord GREY (better known as Lord
HowIcK) is person OF decided character and Vi
gorous talent He is himself sufficiently fond of
political controversy, and, when he took his seat in
the House Of Lords on the death of the venerable
Earl his father, many sharp passage at arms was
expected to occur between him and Lord BRouoHAM
and perhaps between him and Lord STANLEY. 1t
is somewhat remarkable, perhaps and shows the
In he Stro fl,afa /,r
and rather controversial mot to say pugnacious)
temper, like himself, should object to Lord Pal
MERsToN on account of his imprudent rash and
fiery temper
There are differences OF opinion in well-informed
circles in England of the stability and duration of
the restored government Of Sir ROBERT PEEL
These doubts and differences grow out of the pre-
sent condition Of the Corn Law question In regard
to this question Sir ROBERT had kept his own coun-
sells, and letter of January Sd --latest date) says:
The Public are entirely ignorant of the measures
In the contemplation of Sir ROBERT PEEL be-
'lieve that he will come out strongly for the prin-
'ciples of free-trade; but that is only guess.
The landed interest is evidently in great alarm"
Other letters express belief that the cornaws are
destined to- Immediate and total repeal and that
Sir ROBERT, mot being ready for such measure,
will not long remain at the head of affairs. Our
own Judgment is of little value, and fit perhaps to
be no ones guide this question; but since it is,
as we think, question on which the peace of the
United States may more or less depend, we have
cndeavored to weigh probabilities as well as we can
and our conclusion is that Sir ROBERT PEEL is
likely to retain the favor Of the Crown and the sup
port of Parliament
We found this opinion, of course, principally upon
the acknowledged prudence and wisdom of his
character, and the great hold which he evidently
has on the mass of the community. He may
not be able to satisfy, entirely, the landed interest
but il that interest abandon Sir ROBERT, into whose
hands will it fall Besides, the commercial and
featuring interests are to be considered, as
well the great interest of land owners and land
occupiers which latter by the way, is quite as inn
portant as the former. And on the whole, unless
some compromise or adjustment can be effected, by
the counsels Of Sir ROBERT PEEL, we do not see
how the Government of England is to escape the
danger Of the most violent contests, between one
interest and another, and one branch Of business
and another.
Supposing it to be most likely, then, that Sir
RoBERT PEEL viii maintain his position, with
Lord ABERDEEN near him, and most of his recent
colleagues around him, the question interesting to
the people Of the United States is, Will the English
Government be disposed to settle the Oregon
question, and on what terms
We have often, and recently, expressed our con-
viction that Sir Robert Peel's administration does
not wish for with the United States. On the
contrary, we doubt not it is truly anxious to avoid
it. At the same time, it would be great mistake
10 suppose that clustering defamation, and prestige
can produce any effect on its determination. Sir
ROBERT PEEL dare not, if he would, concede any
thing to mere pretence, submit TO any thing which
would imply dishonor to his country. Lord JOHN
RUSSELL has declared, within the last FIVE and TWEEN
ty days, that mo Minister Of the Crown could
meet the House Of Commons, haUing offered 10 the
United States more favorable terms than those
heretofore offered"
We do not believe this We believe that there
may be notifications of all the propositions hereto
fore made by both Governments, and that the re-
suit OF such notifications may be the establishment
OF line OF boundary consistent with the honor and
substantial interests of both countries. But it must
be evident to all that Sir ROBERT PEEL's position,
as well as his own judgment, character, and repu-