New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-10
Mr.. McLane to Mr.. Buchanan.


Sir received on the 29lh OF December your de-
snatch dated the 18th Of that month and on the day
following sought interview with Lord Aberdeen IN
order that in conformity with your Instructions might
bring 10 his notice the warike preparations making by
Great Britain and if possible, ascertain their real CHAR
acter aud object
1t will not escape you tina, upon such subject tits not
always easy obtain very categorical answers or enlre'
~ definite official information and did rot doubt that
frank personal conference the best il not the only
node of obtaining any satisfactory information what
In introducing the subject advertcd at The time
.o,be information the President had received from "A
variety OF Of The extensive warke preparations
making by Great Britain and the natural inference upon
h. part that the present. pacific state OF the relations
Of Great Britain with all the powers of Europe they
could only look rupture with the United States on
The Oregon question
Lord Aberdeen said very promptly and frankly that 1t
would be improper disguise that with the sincerest
.ire IN avoid IT, they were Obliged 10 look tn the pos
,biy ola rupture with the United Sstes ana that IN
such crisis the warlike preparations now making
would be useful and mportant but he stated AT the
ye time very positively and distinctly that they had
10 direct reference 10 such rupture and would have
been made in the same way, and To the same extent
without regard the relations OF Great Britain and the
United states
He also advered 10 the fact that such preparations as
were actually making had been commenced before the
relations between the United States and Great Britain
had become serious this they appeared TO be-
aud therefore could at that time have any connection
with difficulties which had since grown out OF the Oregon
question He thought that the representations Us 10
the extent OF the preparations must nave Deen eHhege
rated
He denied that they related particularly as had been
informed distant service or that they were making
any addition to the old form OF marine lie stated mat
the extensive aud formidable parts OF their prepa
rs,ions we're the Notifications Of the principal aud sX'
posed ports and stations which he thought could hardly
be supposed To guard against invasion from the United
States and to the increase OF the number oil steam yes
an old which u appears other nations
about adopt and which he confessed he thought
matter OF doubtful policy.
In short he assumed The preparations in progress 10
be only part OF wise and prudent stem oil national
defence and protection and vi preparing in time oil peace
for the cxigencies OF war if it should unfortunately come
from any quarter whatever; and he distinctly repeated
bis disclaimer that they had particular or direct refer
enee TO rupture with the United states on the oregon
question or any other ground
In regard my opinion upon this subject which
ice President has been pleased TO desire.
probable tina, the possibility OF other difficulties from
other quarters in Europe may nave
inuence IN debating the policy OF the extensive pre-
pars,ions in progress in all parts OF the kingdom anu
with undated confidence in the frankncss and straight
forwardress of Lord Aberdeen, and without meaning TO
strus in the slightest degree the sincerity OF his dis
caimers in recent conversation do not think It
ought 10 be assumed by any that warke prepare
tons upon such scale as that upon which they are un
d.niaby making here could not have even an indirect
reference the possible contingency OF arupture with US
And at the same time il is perfectly obvious that they
are in great degree, and especially lar as they con-
s OF an augmentation in the number of steam vessels
and Of the naval marine generally precisely of the char
ater 10 the appropriate and the most useful In
awar with our country.
bm prepared to say nor 40 deem Il material 70
decide how far have right to expect an explicit
disclaimer OF the character and purposes Of the warke
Preparations now making by Great Britain under the
circumstances.
They may be the dictate OF various motives OF policy
and the result of many causes and, without attempting
TO assign 20 each its particular influence am by no
prepared TO admit that the apprehension OF dill
cucs with the United States had share in them aud
Ills very clear that II rupture with the United States
should grow Of present difficulties this country
s be fully and eectuay prepared for II al al points
and Tor al possible purposes. as if that and that alone
had been the object OF al her warke preparations
She will be in situation act and strike as promptly
and tienely she could have been with her energies
exclusively directed 10 that end and feel Il my duty TO
add, that 10 expect. in rupture becomes una
roldabe that this Government, thus in complete armor
WI promptly and vigorously cXret her utmost power 10
nHics The umest possible injury upon our country and
al It's interests would not be doing justice TO such
crisis
think ought TO be expected, indeed from all learn,
teahnos doubt that in OF hostes the aim OF this
No'erorreut will be strike its heaviest blow al the
enhancement, in the expectation OF being thereby
eaas!ed to shorten the duration OF the war.
| have the honor to be &c,
LOUIS McLANE,
The Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN,