American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-04-21

lie opinion in the United States, and possibly
to enhance the unWarranthble presumption OF
the American Government.
From the London Mercantile Journal March II J
Last evening a crowded meeting of traders,
manufacturers, and others was held at the
Kings Arms tavern, Philip lane, TO take into
consideration the question, which has so long
been a subject of painful contention between
Great Britain and the United States, relative
TO Oregon. The resolution was introduced by
Mr. Wilkinson, and supported by MIR. Web
Der, Mr.. Lee and others. The mover dwell
with much force and effect on the injurious
consequences of a rupture between the two
nations to commerce, manufactures and ciVIli-
cation, independent Of the horrors Of such a
war, and abiding to the ability and zeal dis
played by Sir Henry Pottinger, in the East
Indies, and particularly the accomplishment Of
the treaty with China, IN which his compre.
hensive mind lorosaw the necessity Of obtain
ing for the whole world the benefits Of lniver-
sal commerce., thus shivering 10 the WINDS the
false statements of those persons who are al
ways accusing the United Kingdom OF self
interest alone, recommended that distinguished
individual as the person best able to settle the
question with Mr.. Polk An amendment was
moved by DIR. Dawson to the effect that the
question should remain as at present, and that
if any change took place that Lord Ashbnrton
should be substituted. The meeting, however,
taking INTO consideration the settlement of the
China question by Sir Henry Pottinger, when
all other efforts had failed, and the confidence
that it felt that the honor Of the British nation
would be best supported by him, adopted the
resolution, in which the seconder Of the amend
ment Joined:
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this
meeting that the country called Oregon, lying
between the AZ deg. and 81 deg. 40 min. north
latitude, and west of the United States OF
America, to the Pacific Ocean, and claimed by
the government of the United States as be-
longing to that country, is justly disputed by
the government of this country. That accord
ing to the established laws of nations, both
countries have claims which are not difficult
to define, and which might have been AMIGA
bly, and equitably settled long ago, had the
two governments set about it honestly and
with good feeling. That it has not been SO
settled, is to be attributed to the want oil
know ledge, or something worse, of the differ
ent Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs
who have been in power during the period OF
dispute, by appointing negotators who made
diplomacy a trade, and who have pecuniary
Pottnger, when in the service of the East ln-
dia Company, displayed such extraordinary
talents In diplomacy, that the government Of
India always selected him whenever great diff
fculties were to be surmounted, and he never
failed in succeeding beyond the wishes or ex
pectations Of that government; that it was the
knowledge Of his tried abilities that he was
appointed plenipotentiary to China, the result
of which was the opening of the ports of tina
country TO the commerce of the world, anC
which, up to that time had been considered al
most impossible. But even more than this, lac
convinced that government of the honor and
integrity ofthis country in the maintenance Of
good faith in treaties, and converted enemies
into friends. That it is the opinion of thit
meeting, if appointed Her Majesty's Plenipo-
Tertiary to the government Of the United
States of America, the disputes betW een the
two nations would be equitably and amcably
settled in a few months, and that he would
engender mutual good feeling between the
people of both countries, and thus secure u
lasting peace.