Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-02-14
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN

UNI 81 Al Eo AMI uNLhl DNI AIN.
The following Message from the President Of the
United States. communicating the Correspondence
which has recently taken place between the Pienj
potentiaries of the Governments Of the United States
aud Great Britain in relation to the Oregon Terri
tory, was laid before the House Of Representatives
on Saturday last:
TO the House of Representatives
of the United States:
In compliance with the request of the House OF
Representatives, in their resolution Of the Sd in
slant, herewith communicate report from the
Secretary of State, with the accompanying CORES
pondence, which has taken place g between the Sec
retary Of State and the Minister of the United States
| at London and between the Government Of
Great Britain and this Government, in relation TO
the country west of the Rocky Mountains since the
last annual messageof the President to Congress-
JAMES X. POLK. y
w Aassrss. Frsau,srsH 1916. .-~.s ss,
TO the President Of the United STATES.
DErARrMEsr or SrArE,
ss WAsHINGToS, FERRUAnY 8, le46.
The Secretary Of State TO whom has been referred
luton Of the House Of Representatives Of the Sd instant
questing the President communicates to that House.
far az his opinion, not incompatible with the public an
es all correspondence which has passed between the Gov
eminent of Great Britain and this Government by be-
tween any of the officers of said Government, in relation to
the country of the Rocky Mountains, since the last
nua message the President this House," has the honor
to lay before the President the accompanying papers
All which is respectfully submitted. 80. ~:
~
Mr.. BUCHANAN TO Mr. McIlANE. II
DErARTMEsr srATE,
rsGf WAsHIssToS, DECEMBER l3, l645.
SrR - .'e ts-stss IS -
The President has received information from variety Of
sources which he cannot Disregard that Great Britain is now
making extensive wake preparations AS her relations with
all the Powers of Europe at present TO be Of peaceful
character the prevailing and natural inference here is that
these preparations look rupture with the United States
the Oregon question Its Of importance that this Gov
eminent should as early possible ascertain their char
acer You are therefore instructed embrace the first OPP
portunity Of bringing this subject ts the notice Of the Ea
of Aberdeen in such you may deem most ex
pedient. : The President Is
also anxious to learn your opinion upon this subject with
the least practicable delay. VI.
lam, &c. JAMES BUCHANAN. q
LouIs McLAsr. Esq, &c. &c. sc.
| s.. ~ =
Mr.. McLANE TO Mr.. BUCHANAN.
LONDON, JAsuARr 3, ls46.
SIR received on the 18th Of December your despatch
dated the 18th of that month and the day following
sought an interview with Lord Aberdeen, in order thai in
conformity with your instructions might bg to his notice
the warks preparations making by Great Rsa, and, pos
yble sscertan their neal character and otjsct -
/ twill not escape you that upon such subject is not al
ways easy obtain very categorical answers entirely def
mite ocia information and did doubt that frank per
sonal conference the best if not the only mode, of OBJ
tanning any satisfactory information whatever. ri
In introducing the subject adveed at the time t.
the information the President had received, from variety
-
Great Britain and the natural inference upon his part that
the present pacific of the relations of Great Britain with
all the Powers Europe they could only look rupture
| with the United States on the Oregon question
Lord Aberdeen said very promptly and frankly that would
be improper disguise that with the sncerest desire to avoid
it. they were obliged look the possibility Of rupture
with the United States and that in such crisis the war
like preparations making would be useful and important
but stated the same time, very positively and distinctly,
that they had direct reference to such RUPTURE and would
have made in the way, and to the extent
without regard the relations of Great Britain and the Uni
ted States.
He also advered the fact that such preparations
actually making had been commenced before the relations be-
the United States and Great Britain had become
rous they appeared be- and therefore could not at
that have had any connection with difficulties which had
since grown out Of the Oregon question He thought too
must been exaggerated He denied that they related
particularly, had been informed, distant service
that they making any addition to the old form Of maine
He stated that the most extensive and formidable parts of their
preparations the Notifications Of the principal and
posed ports and stations which he thought could hardly be
supposed guard against invasion from the United States
and the Of the number Of vessels in lieu Of
the old craft which appeared other nations about 10
adopt and which he confessed he thought Of doubt
full policy In short he assumed the preparations in progress
be only part of wise and prudent system of national de-
fence and protection, and Of preparing in time Of peace for
the exgencics Of war; it should unfortunately from
any quarter whichever, and he distinctly repeated his dis
claimer that they had particular direct reference 10 up
tre with the United States the Oregon question any
other ground.
In regard my opinion upon this subject which the
President has been pleased to desire, :
il is altogether probable that the possibility Of other difficult
ties from other quarters in Europe - :
may have its influence IN debating the policy Of the extensive
preparations progress in all parts Of the kingdom and
with undated confidence in the snkness and straightor
warness of Lord Aberdeen and without meaning dstru
the slightest degree the sincerity Of his disclaimers in our
conversation do think ought be assumed by
any that warlike preparations upon such scale that
upon which they undenaby making here could have
even indirect reference the possible contingency Of
rupture with And at the time il perfectly obvious
that they great degree and especially far they
consist Of augmenon in the number Of steam vessels and
1