Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-17
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
Nohr d. Ill.
a MISE MEASURE.


nor,nce of definite understanding between
Great Britain and the United States, as 70 lhe
points in controversy. Now that pom govern
ments seem anxious for pacific adjustment INC
ano,icen comes in 10 hasten and facilitate such an
understanding. .
Much as Mr.. Polk has been denounced Tor MS
reckless and inconsiderate course, the 'o'e ~
favor If the "noce' shows that he has been inily
sustained by the representatives OF The people
pory feelings have been, we are rejoiced 10 know,
MERGED in the universal desire TO protective honor
and interest oflbe nation. In saying this, we 20
moi mean 10 be understood as rejecting at all upon
the patriotism Of those Republicans who were in
duced BY their sincere convictions ofdny TO oppose
the notice. We have on all occasions attempted
10 do full justice TO the elevated motives which
governed their course. While we regret TO dill
fer with them on this single point, We are salts
fed that their bearing has been sincere and Patr-
o,ic.
I,isamusing 10 watch the antics Of the Wing
and Neutral papers, which, in their antl-Oregon
violence, have denounced the measures oithe Ad-
ministra,ion, and especially, The 'noice," as GER
tain TO bring war.
The Journal OF Commerce is compelled TO
abandon It's "war" cry, and to confess that the ad-
mipisration has moi YET involved the country in
desoa,ng hosililies. 1t says:
"ArrAIRs AT WAsHiNaroN.-Notwihsta
the suntoward' aspect Of the diplomatic corespon-
dence which We published this morning, and the
massage of the Oregon resolutions in the House,
we learn from good sources that there are indIca-
lions of an approach towards an adjustment OF the
controversy The amount OF it is, that at the SO.
location of distinguished men (no OF the CabineU
al washington, Mr. Pakenham has sought per-
mission from his government TO one! ialituoe4 ~
as the boundary with some slight variations. ana
that the same persons have urged tne sfeslGen'
10 accept it, and that ne has gwen encourage
,nent that he will do so.
HWhether This is exactly so or not, certain u IS
that there is tone Of cheerfulness among the best
informed persons al Washington, within the last
day or two which could hardly exist were there
not circumstances of encouragement more fave
rabe than anything that appears on the lace OF
The published correspondence"
The Washington Correspondent OF the Phlla-
delphia North American writes:
"The first step in legislation towards teFmna.
ton of the subsisting treaty CT JOINT occupancy
In the Oregon territory, has been taken, and Inc
result is one entirely satisfactory TO every irlend
ofpeace Doubtless the administration had as
covered that the passage OF the naked notice
would he likely 10 bring the relations between
Great Britain ana the United States 10 The con-
tingency OF collision and hence, at The last mo-
men' with degree OF prudence which mas mol
characterized a vast deal OF lis past conduct 10
the negotiations an important member was oe'
tailed 10 propose The amendment, which was
adopted, viz: That the passage ol me nollce
should not interfere with any negotiations when
L. IL m
takes the sting from The notice; il makes II ac-
ceptabe on all sides, il The joint occupancy must
be closed, and il enables the Executive 10 pro-
coed without restraint or embarrassment
The N. Y. Tribune says
"The House, therefore, responds heartily 10
The general sentiment, that il is high lime thls
Oregon controversy were brought 10 close; and
il plainly but no, ob,rusively, indicates that u
should be settled by nego,ia,ion-lhat the resour-
ces OF Diplomacy are by no means exhausted,
and that war Is an issue not 10 DC contemplated
without horror. So much we understand 70 DC
implied BY the vote Of The House, and IN This
view we heartily approve the step which has
been taken. A peaceful, promp, and final settle
men, of The Oregon Boundary is demanded by
the vital interests and true honor Of both nations
The Senate will deliberate gravely, discuss
thoroughly, and decide wisely We can hardly
doub, thai il will ultimately concur in the course
Indicated By the House, though perhaps with
some unessen,ial modification"
The best Joke Of The season, however, Is The
game that some Of the Wings would adroltly
play. They are so delighted with The ''noice," as
a measure Of peaceful and honorable adjustment,
that thev actually claim il as their own handi-
work. We have heard it charged by The Wings,
that Mr.. Polk would adopt some of The views OF
the Wings and pass them off as genuine Demo
cratic measures but we did not expect SO soon 10
see the Wings steal Mr.. Folks thunder" Can
our readers restrain therlaughter, when they read
the following modest assumption of The Wing
correspondent OF the New York Tribune2
"As for the resolution passed, i, is substantially
a Wing measure. The Polk Party wished
mere notice, without any reference to negotiation.
We went for the notice, as an initiatory step 10
negotiation and this is carried. Some OF the ex-
IRENE Oregon men, such as Hoge and Went.
worth, went for it, with protest against il.
should have rejoiced If the Wings had voted for
il unanimously, but some Of them went different
ly, thinking the cause of the country and the in
,erests OF their constituents demanded this from
them. rejoice, however, that il is passed, and in
twelve months this question OF quarter century's
quarrel will be amicably settled"
We are willing to allow the Wings their just
share Of praise for having sustained the "notiee;"
bat it is asking OF US little too much to claim
the whole credit Of the movement we know
the Wings have made it part OF their political
game 10 assail the President for his supposed de-
sire wantony to drive the nation into war, win
a view 10 miserable motives OF personal ambl-
lion; but the whole history of the negotiation de-
monstrates tha, he has always looked to "honor-
able peace" as the suspicious result of this mo-
men!ous controversy. tits needless for us 10 re-
peat, that the Administration is delighted at the
adoption Of measure which will lead TO an
honorable and pacific adjustment Of the question.
lie, not The Wings, then be SO ungenerous as to
steal all the credit from the President and The Re-
publican Party. But in claiming the glory of The
measure they really render the highest tribute to
III. wisdom and moral influence Of the "nolice,"
which was recommended b. the Presid Mt, and
which, as passed by the House OF Representa-
,iyes, meets with his hearty sanction.
The correspondent Of the Journal OF Com
merce, while he attempts to rob the Admins
tration OF all credi; for the passage OF the mo
,ice" resolutions, virtually pays high compll-
ment 10 The measure, in admitting that it gives
pacific aspect to The question. he writes:
"Thus has ended this long agony, in the CON-
plete triumph OF the friends OF peace, for il is
universally considered that the resolution amounts
10 jus, nothing al all, leaving it optional with
the President 10 give the notice when he pleases,
by striking out the word forthwith and re-
commencing the continuance Of negotiation
Every body says that Mr.. Pakenham's swift
sailing pilot boat may nov sail as soon as he
pleases."
Having thus shown how cordially the action
Of the House Of Representatives has been re-
ceived by papers, The most prejudiced against the
administration on the Oregon question, we quote
a Democratic paper, the New York Morning
News, as evidence that The news has been hail
ed with equal satisfaction by 'our side OF the
house."