The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-20
III:

The Irish coercion bill.-Suppressio OF
the Polish insure ction.-stateo OF affairs
in India.-Firmness and slight advance
in the cotton market.
The steamship Unicorn, which left Liverpool on
the 18th uldmo, arrived at Boston on Friday, the
l7th inst, at g. p m, having been out twenty
days. The protracted passage was caused by the
heavy weather, and by her meeting large fields Of
ice. She was detained at Halifax twenty-four
hours.
We have received by this arrival British papers
to the 18th ulumo, inclusive, though not our full
files. From these, and from the extracts contained
in the New York papers received yesterday, we
compile the following summary;
The oregon question.
The intelligence concerning the Oregon question
is, upon the whole, decidedly pacific. BY ex-
tract, which we make below, it appears that even
the Morning Chronicle, supposed heretofore to rep.
resent the ultra British view upon the controversy
has now assumed substantially the position taken
some weeks since by the Times in reference to the
line OF 40 degrees a basis Of negotiation. The
Times itself now exhibits spirit somewhat more
belligerent and menacing. But its trades, when
closely scanned, amount to little than strenu-
assertion that the English government is not to
be frightened, land, by the way, no one on this side
of the Atlantic ever thought il could be,) and a
claim that Englan must at least have good terms in
any peaceful settlement Of the question. This is
quite moderate for the leading journal when left to
itself, as we are inclined to think il has been upon
this question since the appearance, some three
months ago, Of the semi-oficia articles upon Ore
gon, which we have heretofore commented upon.
But an indication Of the present feeling OF
the British government, far more important
than anything which appears in the editorial
columns of the journals, is to be found
in the language held by Lord Aberdeen and others
in the House Of Lords, on the evening Of the l7th
uumo, just in time, by the way, to reach this
country by the Unicorn. IL is important to observe
that when Lord Aberdeen made his remarks, the
latest American intelligence received in London was
under date Of 2lst February, by the packet-shI
Rochester with the exception Of single copy Of the
New York Herald, Of the 2sth February, which, in
consequence of the failure of the mail, was aon,
carried over by the Cambria. 1t is important also
to observe, in this connection, that, at this time
the expectation was general in England that the
resolution of notice would pass the Senate substan-
TALLY the had been passed by the large vote
ofthe House. The declaration Of Lord Aberdeen,
under these circumstances that he could not "bring
himxy 10 believe that any reasonable doubt re-
mains Of being able 10 bring this matter 10 sat-
Satisfactory conclusion" is certainly the most signi-
6eant paci6c Indication which hao
from England. Wegive the remarks of Lord Aber-
deem at length.
HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday, March II.
The EARL OF CLARENDON In pursuance of the
notice gave yesterday, now beg leave to move
for the prediction Of such correspondence between
my noble friend the Secretary Of Foreign Affairs,
and her Majesty's minister at Washington as nv
noble friend may not think it inconsistent with pub
lie duty to lay on your lordshps' table. trust it
is unnecessary for me to assure your lordshp that
nothing is further from my intention than either to
embarrass her Majesty's government, or to press
for any such premature disclosure of information on
the subject would interfere with the negotiations
which trust may be considered as still pending
When we consider the magnitude, in relation 10
peace or war, of the question now in dispute be-
tween this country and the United States when we
consider the deep anxiety with which intelligence
from the other side Of the Atlantic looked for here
and the influence it necessarily exercises on our
commercial and financial affairs, think it is i'm
portant that we should not be altogether depen-
dent on the American newspapers for such in
formation as may be produced in Congress as
to the actual state of AFFAIRS and the transactions
of the respective governments. For many weeks
this question has been debated in Congress,
while Parliament has now been sitting for nearly
two months, and no alusion has been made to the
subject, except by noble marquis now unnvoida-
bly, absent, and a noble friend near me- on the first
night of the session, and also on one single occasion
elsewhere. My lords, think this silence has been
well judged. think it shows in both houses of
Parliament prudent determination to leave her
Majesty's government completely unfettered in &C
ton, and desire to act so as neither TO embarrass
the progress of negotiation nor to aggravate angry
feeling by unnecessary discussion. And | think
this course Is well understood and appreciated at
home; but abroad it is liable to misconstruction
and 1t has been misconstrued. II is our duty
70 guard ourselves against the notion that are so
determined upon peace that are Indifferent to
preparations for war, that we are so anxious to
avoid contest with any other country that we
would submit to a peace purchased by concessions
which are incompatible with national honor.
Though the language of the two governments in
their communications with each other, has been en-
tIrely pacific, and though the information which has
reached us from America is of the same character
yet we cannot disguise from ourselves that the two
countries insensibly drifting towards war; and
the time, think, is come when my noble friend
may without indiscretion be asked to lay such cor
respondenoe on the table, or to furnish the house
with such information as it may not be against the
public veal to produce.
We learn from the American newspapers that
some time since negotiations were suspended; for
which result nothing is further from our intention
than to impute any blame to her Majesty's minister
at Washington. believe, indeed that the British
interests could not be intrusted to the care of min
lister more competent, intelligent and conciatory
than Mr. Pakenham. do not doubt that the grounds
which he declined to forward the proposal of the
government Of the United States to this country
must be conclusive and satisfactory But of this
an sure, that my noble friend in instructing Mr.
Pakenham to renew the negotiations has faithfully
represented the opinions and wishes of this country
My noble friend, in departing from the ordinary
course pursued such Cases, and desiring that the
question of title as well Of territorial division
should be submitted to arbtraton-to the arbitra-
ton, not Of a sovereign power only, but fany COM
petent individual-has pursued most judicious
course; for we have thereby given the best proof to
the world that we have advanced no claim in the