The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-18
THE DAILY UNION

Ia formal surrender OF anything but Msarss,
acre, which he would not accept, and the fomaty
Of taking possession OF the Columbia river was per,
formed by Broughion, after Vancouver had left the
coast, much in the same way as il had been done
ten years before by the Spaniards, who were the
first discoyenrs and explorers Of the country.
repeat and say il with regret that besides the err
rors in point Of fact the leading and material creuu-
stances connected with the discovery OF the Colum-
bla river are kept out OF view SIR, We may excuse
illogical deductions from admitted data; we may
look with indulgence on differences Of opinion in re.
gard TO the facts, knowing, as We do our La
bllity TO be biased by prejudice by too martial
views Of personal national interest. But for an
omission of essential circumstances in the discus
sion Of an important national question, a discus
sion entered upon voluntarily for the purpose of
enlIghtenng the public mind Of a nation, there
can be no apology, even though IL arise from
want Of a sufficiently careful examination of the
subject On the Oregon question il is well
known that great excitement existed at the time
in Great Britain and the United States-an ex-
element which exists still, though happily some
what abaied--an excitement which needs per
haps, but little proyocaion TO break out into open
hostility; and no man who appreciates, ss he ought
the calamity Of an interruption Of the amicsble reIa
tions which exist between US, should be willing TO
incur the responsibility Of misleading the public
judgment Of either country; or, II he does misdirec
IT, he should at least have the consolation of reflect
ing that il through erroneous deductions and
not misstaiemenl Of facts fairly within his knowl-
edge.
The misrepresentation to which I have alluded
the be regretted for the that thew
constitute almost the only views Of the subject
which reach the great mass OF the British people
In this country, statements Of both sides OF great
national questions equally difused Look at our
newspapers, and they will DO found filed with the
diplomatic correspondence between the British and
American penipoienlisries. The letters Of Mr..
Il..I- -. ~ - ~.
chanan, and are as widely circulated. All read,
compare, and judge them. IL Is not so in Great
Britain. As general rule the British side Of the
question only 10 presented 10 the British public
nor is IL the official argument Of the government,
drawn up by the diplomatist, under sense OF his |
responsibility 10 the criticism Of other nations, and
the general judgment Of mankind. No, sir IL IL |
more frequently the "tirade" Of the politician, by
which the public mind Of Great Britain is made To |
pronounce judgment upon great questions OF inter-
national right and duty.
These misrepresentation are still more 10 be re- |
Sretted, because they constitute the basis Of the
statements which fud their way 10 the continent. |
Through GaIgnani's Messenger, the echo Of the
British PRESS they are translated into French, and
widely circulated, poisoning the whole public |
mind OF the continent, and exciting prejudice against
~.
| will only add that the Earl Of Aberdeen in one
louse, and Sir Robert Peel in the other adyered 10
hese statements In a manner which, though not al
ogether unexceptionable, was in general digni6ed
mi statesmanlike; and 1t Is earnestly 10 be hoped
hat the better feeling which now exists between
he two countries may continue undated, and lead
o settlement Of the question on terms honorable
% both. ..
feel that owe an apology 10 the Senate for this
ong depression, | trust Il will be found in the con-
liberation that the inaccuracies ! have endeavored
o point out, did not 60 TO the world with the hsre
weight Of an ordinary legislative debate, but with
vi the evidences Of deliberation and arrangements;
md, therefore, calculated to be moro dangerous in
error. .. f....
1t was now o'clock, and Mr.. d. gave way TO a
notion Of ..
Mr.. SEWER, that the Senate adjourn
The Senate accordingly adjourned.