Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-06
From the n. Y. Evening Post
THE PRESENT STATE OF THE OR
ECON QUESTION.

The proposition to give the notice which
terminates, at the END Of a twelvemonth, the
convention allowing Britain TO occupy the Or
egon territory jointly with the United States,
has met with much more favorable reception
beyond the Atlantic than it has met in certain
quarters here. The late news from England
fully confirms, if confirmation were needed.
the wisdom Of the proposition.
We were told that to-give the notice was
the same thing as to declare war. 1t is a war
measure, said the wings, whose rule is that
whatever the administration propose must be
wrong. We had better give up Oregon alto
gether. said the timid commercial men Of the
Atlantic cities, trembling for the fate of their
goodly argosies. Let us rather do nothing at
all, said certain politicians at the south, who
do not share the western enthusiasm for the
possession Of Oregon, and who are aware that
their own quarter of the Union is likely to
suffer most from war. Wait till we hear
from England, said they all. and you will be
convinced that the whole British nation Will
regard the notice as an act of hostility, and
will make immediate preparations to pounce
upon our commerce and invade our coast.
We have heard from England, and learn
that neither the British people nor the Brit
ish government regard the proposition to ter.
inmate the convention as an unfriendiy nea-
sure. They seem on the whole to take We
ry sensible view of the matter. The notice is
contemplated they admit. by the very terms
of the convention, whenever it may be conve-
nient Cor either nation to terminate the joint
occupancy. They admit, SO at least we may
fairly infer from the language of their journals,
that the moment is arrived when the interest
Of the United States requires that the joint &C.
Oh tho of
lie to The territory be settled. The notice
creates new motives and reasons for an ad-
iustment of the controversy--let us therefore,
says John Bull, begin to consider upon what
conditions we can afford to adjust it.
I This seems to be the temper of the British
nation and the British government in regard
to the Oregon question. 1t is our wisdom &c
take advantage of it. One Of the reasons why
the wings could not form ministry, was the
dislike in which a large number of those up.
on whom that ministry relied for support, hold
the foreign policy of Lord Palmerston, and
among the peculiarltles Of that policy is dis
position to deal illherally with the United
States. We have every reason to believe that
not only is the time for an advantageous set
Element Of this question arrived, SO tar as onl
convenience is concerned, but also in regard
to the disposition of the British government
that circumstances are ripe for giving the
notice, terminating the convention and pres
sing the controversy to its close. 80.
! What shall we calmly delaying to give the
notice The emigrants from the United
States will at first principally occupy the re-
gion south of the Columbia river-the Hud-
sons Bay Company viii seek to strengthen
its ports on the navigable waters north OF thai
Irlyer. If the two nations live In any degree