Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-26

misfortune If contest about the Oregon be-
tween two such powers as England and the
United States could not, by the exercise Of
moderation and good sense, be brought to a
perfectly honorable and satisfactory conclu-
sion" (Cheers.)
| OREGON AND THE RIVER PLATE.
In the House Of Commons, on the 24th
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, said
'sHe was not about to allude to those sub
iects which had been before the House last
night, but there We're two questions IN that
part Of the speech from the throne which reia-
ted to our foreign relations which he wished
for some explanation upon. He entirely par
ticipated IN the feelings OF the right hon. gem
tleman, botn that peace with the United States
was most desirable, and that we ought TO do
nothing thai was inconsistent with the honor
of this country. But certain statements had
been put forth in America, and had been re-
ported to have been mace to the Congress of
the United States, which made il desirable that
some explanation should be given on the sub
iect He had thought that the President OF the
United States had last year made declarations
Ito Congress on this sublectwhich We're not con-
formable to the usages Of civilized countries,
or to the friendly relations of the two states
but ii would appear however that proposition
for compromise had been made from the
President to Her Majesty's Government, and
he O.ord John RUSSELL conceived that that
proposition had changed the state OF the ques-
ton. The proposition itself might be satisfac-
tory but having been made, it did appear to
BIN to require statement from those in au-
thority IN this country Of the terms on which
they would be satisfied to settle this question.
That proposition, as he understood, had not
been received by Her Malesty's Government,
but had been declared TO be totally inadmissi-
bic by our Minister in America. He OLord
John RusselD confessed he thought that was a
hasty proceeding on the part of the representa-
i've of Her Majesty in the United States. But
what he wished TO ask was, whether the nego-
tations had recommended or Were going on
He was not DESTROYS that the papers should be
presented to the House; he was willing to
} leave the negotiation in the hands of Her Ma
Jesty's Government until they could state that
a satisfactory result had been attained, before
he asked for any information of the particular
state of the negotiations.
, Zone word with respect to what had fallen
from the hon. member for Montrose. Her
Majesty required the attention of the House to
the increase in the estimates which provided
for the efficiency of the military and naval ser
vices. He could well understand that with the
increased possessions of this country abroad
and the consequently increased demands on
the servicess of military and naval forces in
every part Of the world. there might be reasons
for the increase of the estimates at a season
of profound peace, and when nothing threaten
ed on any side; and he trusted that it was on
these grounds, and not on account Of anything
in the aspect of affairs with reference to the
U. States, that Her Majesty's Government had
made this increase. He, for his part, had for
some time thought that the efficiency of the
military force of this country at its present
amount was too much tried, and that too much
was demanded from that force. His second
question was this: Her Majesty stated that for
several years desolahng and sanguinary war
fare had afflicted the states OF the Rio de la
Plata, and il was further stated that Her Ma
jesty was endeayoring to effect the paclfication
of those states. He Lord John RusselD un-
derstood that that endeavor to effect paciiica-
ton had been prosecuted by means OF warlike
measures, and he somewhat doubted whether
that was the right mode of proceeding. 1t was
true, it was stated that the commerce of all ma
tons had been interrupted. But it was fur
ther stated that Facts of great barbarity had
been committed unknown to the practice of a
civilized people," Acts ofbarbarity were Ger
tainly very dreadful things but he doubted
whether ii was wise in Her Majesty's Govern
ment to state that as a ground of forcible in
terventon. They had heard--though he
would not name the countries in which they
had taken place-but they had heard of dread
full acts of barbarity in other parts Of the world
and certainly he had not heard ii proposed by
any wise statesman that there should be any
intervention in those countries. The question
oh H. ol h. b<,, b,r
ct was, whether he proposed TO lay on the ia
bic any papers explanatory of the ground up
on which Her Majesty's Government thought
| it necessary to interfere with the warfare which
had occurred in the states Of the Rio de la
Plata 2"
Sir ROBERT PEEL said he was not prepared
to give an answer TO the questions that had
been put; but in regard to Oregon he made the
following very important declarations -
! with regard to the Oregon territory, have
to state that proposition was made by Mr..
Buchanan, with the authority OF the President
| of the u. States, to MIR. Pakenham, and the pro-
posal so made suggested division Of the terri
tory. Whether or not that proposal ought to
have been accepted cannot say. MIR. Paken-
ham thought the terms proposed Were so little
likely to be Acceptable, that he did notfeel him.
self warranted in transmitting the proposal to
the government at home; and on signifying
this to Mr. Buchanan, the latter Immediately
stated that the proposalw was Withdrawn. This
is the state of negotiations at present, so far as
| am informed, respecting the proposal sub
mitted by Mr.. Buchanan. hare the highest
opinion Of Mr.. Pdkenham / hare the greatest
respect for has talents and The greatest confidence
IN his judgment, yet ! must say it ,co,tid hare
been better had he transmitted that proposal TO
the home Government for their consideration, and
u found IN itself satisfactory il might hare form
edhe foundation for a. istherproposal. (Hear)
Since that period this country has again repea-
ted TO the uuited States their offer OF referring
the matter to arbitration, but no answer has
yet been received TO the proposal so made"
The progress of steam navigation, he said,
and the increased demand OF the colonies upon
the home government, had made an increase
in the naval and military force of the country
indispensable.
| In the House Of Lords, Lord Monteagle in
quired whether there would be any objection
to the production of the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury OF the U. s., upon the Tariff
as he had understood it contained matter well
worthy of their attention. The Earl of Aber
deem said he had received a copy of the report
| and thai IL certainly was of hiph interest and