Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-03-07

StateS, anu III SucH Crisis the WAFlke
preparations would be useful and impor-
tanG but he Stated at the same time very
positively and distinctly that they had no
reference to such q rupture; and would
have been made in the same way, and to
the same extent, witlloat regard to the re-
lations of Great Britain and the United
States. ..st
He also adverted to the fact that such
preparations as were actually making, had
been commenced before the relations be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
bad become as seriolfs as they now appear
ed 10 be, and therefore could not at that
time have any connection with difficulties
Which had since grown out Of the Oregon
question. He thought, too, that the rep
reservations as to the. extent Of the pre-
parations must have yr-cn exaggerated. -
He denied that they relied particularly, as
| had been informed, to distant service; or
that they were making additions to the old
form of marine; he stated that the most ex-
tensive and formidable parts Of their pre-
parations were thelortifications ofthe prin-
eipal and exposed ports and statsons, which
lie thought could hardly be supposed to
guard against invasion from. the United
States; and TO the increase Of. the number
of Steam-yessels in lieu Of the old craft,
which itappcared other nations were about
to adopt, and which he confessed he thought
/ matter Of doubtful policy. In short he
assumed the preparations in progress to be
only part Of wise and prudent system of
national defence and protection, and Of
preparing in time Of peace for the exIgen-
cies Of war, if it should unfortunately come
from any quarter whatever; rnd he dis
tinctly repeated his. disclaimer that they
had particular or direct reference to rup-
ture with the United States on the Oregon
question, or any other ground.
In regard to my own opinion upon this
subject, which the President has been
pleasedto desires
= II Is altogether probable that the
possibility Of other difficulties from other
quarters Of Europe
It may have its influence in, debating the
policy Of the extensive preparations in
progress il all parts Of the kingdom; and
with undated confidence in the frankness
and straightforWardness Of Lord Aberdeen,
and without meaning TO distrust ia the
slightest degree the sincerity of his dis
Chalmers in our recent conversation, do
not think it ought to be assumed by any
ene. that Warlike preparations upon such a
scale as that upon which they are undenir
ably making here could not have even an
indirect reference to the possible. contin-
gency of a,ruPturc-essith ~. Ars-~t- the
same time it is perfectly obvious that they
are in a great degree, and especially 50 far
as they consist Of an. augmentation, in the
number Of steam vessels and Of the naval
marine generally, precisely Of the charac-
ter 10 be the most appropriate and the most
useful in war with our country; | am
not prepared TO say, nor do deem it mate
fial to decide, how Ear we have a right to
expect an explicit disclaimer Of the charac-
ter and purposes of the warlike prepare
tons now making BY Great Britain under
the circumstances. They may be the dc
tate Of various motives Of policy, and the
result of many causes; and without at
tempting to assign 10 each its particular in
fl,fence, am by no means prepared to adj
nit that the apprehension Of difficulties
with the United States had no share in
them; and it is very clear that il 4 rup-
ture with the United States should grow
out ofpresent difficulties, this country will
be as fully and eflectually prepared for it
at all points, and for all possible purposes,
as il that, and that alone, had been, the OBJ
ject Of all her warlike preparations. She
will be in situation to act and strike as
promptly and signally as she could have
been with her energies exclusively. d.
rccted TO that end; and I feel it my duty to
add, that not to expect, IN case rupture
becomes unavoidable, that this govern
mcnt, thus in complete armor, will prompt
ly and vigorously exert her utmost power
to infiict the utmost possible injury upon
our country and all its interests, would no,
be doing Justice to such a crisis.
~ I think it ought to be expected
indeed from all learn | cannot doubt, tha,
in case Of hostilities. The aim Of this gov.
eminent will be TO strike its heaviest blow
at he commencement, in the expectation Of
being thereby enabled to shorten the dura-
ton Of war. -
have the honor 10 be, Sc,