The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-02-17
FROM Bickncirs Reporter.
ISfP0RTAxT FROM WASHING
TON
An Arbitration Refused ST sAe
Emitted States.
rran Hicknsirs Rsporser.

We learn from our Washington cor
-ssnondent. that on Saturday afternoon
,,,.s..rs was read il ihs House from the
President in relation Ia the Oregon qnes-
tom. all is very relsminous, but OF me
highest importance. In the first place,
10 q cony of letter to Mr.. McLane, re-
guessing aiin 10 inquire from Lord Aber-
decn, ne meaning OF the warlike prepara-
tioas now making in England and various
parts of the empire. In reply, Lord
Aberdeen does not say that the said pre-
paraaioes ace making with an especial
reference TO Oregon, bat he gives gen.
eral answer ic the effect that the policy OF
Great Britain is, Sin time OF peace to pre-
nare for war" A second letter sent to
Mr. McLane. requesting him to give his
ow' w'nopinion relative TO these warllke prep
arations, elcits from hun that he thinks
there was more melnt in the language Of
Lord Aberdeen than would appear al
first view upon the face Of il.
Next comes al offer from Mr. Paken-
ham to Mr.. Buchanan, proposing to re-
fer the Oregon dispute to arbitratihn,
either to some national power or to dis
tinguished individuals. This offer Mr..
Buchanan perempiorily declines, on the
ground that the offer proposes division
q the territory, without any reference to
the tile; and that should the United
States agree to such reference, it would
be a tacit admission th2t Great Britain
has lille 70 a portion of the territory; and
he denies the power Of our Executive 10
refer TO arbitration territory the WHOLE
OF which belongs to the United States
Thus the matter glands. The opinions
respecting il are various. Some that
war is incritabie if we persist IN our
claim to the whole Of the Territory,
while others are of opinion that the door
OF peace is still open.
The correspondent of the Baltimore
Patriot gives tho following abstract
Isl, A letter from Mr.. Buchanan TO
Mr.. Po.k
I'd. A letter from Mr.. Buchanan to
Mr.. MeLane, dated Dec. l3, and asking
the meaning of English war preparations.
Sd. A letter from Mr.. Mc1-aae to Mr..
Buchanan dated January 8, stating that
ne had an interview with Lord Aberdeen,
who assured him that the war prspara-
lions Of England had no reference to A.
merican afairs-believes Lord Aberdeen
sine ere-still thinks it possible that hos
tilities may come-in which England
would be prepared to deal powerful blows
against the United Jtates.
All. a Liter from Mr.. Pakenham to
Mr.. Buchanan, dated Dec. 81, proposing
arbitration.
5th. A letter from Mr.. Buchanan to
Mr. Pskenham, dated Jan. 3, declining
arbitration-yet cherishing the hope that
tie difficulties may amicably be settled by
negotiation.
9th. Mr.. Pakenham to Mr.. Buchanan
dated Jan. Sd, stating that he would send
the answer of Mr.. Polk, transmitted a.
hove by Mr.. Buchanan, to the British
Minister in London.
9TH. Another letter from Mr.. Paken-
ham, dated January 10Th, in which he ar
CUES the question Of arbitration, and con-
troverting Mr.. Polk's objection TO arbi-
tration-declaring that England has rights
in Oregon. He asks, whether the T.
nited States Government is willing 10
submit to arbitration their claim to the
whole territory of Oregon.
Sth. A letter from Mr.. Buchanan TO
Mr.. Pakenham, dated February 6, de-
cliniHg the last proposition for arbitra-
tration, and stating the reasons why.
The receipt of the measure caused
deep sensation in the House, and the
reading Of the correspondence was list
ened TO with deeD interest.