Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-19
The Oregon Correspondence.

however, give more ample view OF The diplomatic form OF
the cotrespondence;--
On the 18th Of December, 1916, Mr. Buchanan writes
as follows to Mr. McLnne, our Minister at London;-
The President has received Information, from a va
rey Of sources, which he dslegaid that Great
Britain is now making extensive warlike preparations.
AS her relations with all the powers OF Europe seem at
present TO be of peaceful character, the prevailing
and natural inference here Is, that these preparations
look to a rupture with the United States on the Ore
gon question II is Of vast Importance that this gov
eminent should, az early as possbl. ascertain their
true character. You are therefore Instructed TO em-
brace the first opportunity Of bringing this subject TO
the notice Of the Earl OF Aberdeen, in such manner
as you may deem most expedicnt - The Pres
ident is also anxious learn your opinion upon
this subject with the least practicable delay
Mr. McLane's Reply, dated Jan. s. 1876. emitting
the customary formaliics, is as follow:-
1t will not escnpe YOU that upon such subject tits
not always easy TO obtain very categorical answers
entirely definite official nlormaiion and did not doubt
that frank personal conference the best, il not
the only mode OF obtaining any satisfactory inlofma-
| ton whatever.
In introducing the subject, adverted OF the same
time 10 the information the President had received,
from variety OF sources, Of the extensive warlike
preparations making by Great Britain and the natural
inference upon his part IN the present pacific state OF
the relations Of Great Britain with all the powers Of
| Europe, they could only look to rupture with the
| United States on the Oregon question.
Lord Aberdeen SAID very promptly and frankly that
II would be improper TO disguise that, with the SINGER
est desire to avoid IT, they were obliged to look to the
possibility OF rupture with the United States and
that IN such q crisis, the warke preparations now
making would be useful and Important; but he stated
at the same time, very positively aud distinctly, that
they had no direct reference TO such rupture, and
would have been made in the same way, and to the
same extent without regard TO the relations Of Great
Britain and the United States.
he also adverted 10 the fact that such preparations
as were actually making had been commenced before
the relations between the United States and Great
Britain mad become Is serious a. they
TO be, and Therefore could at that time have any
connexion with difficulties which had since grown out
oil the Oregon question lie thought, too, that the
representations as TO the extent Of the preparations
must have been exaggerated He denied that they re-
lated particularly, as had been informed a distant
service; or that they were making any addition to the
old form OF marine He stated that the most extern
sve and formidable parts of the preparations were the
ioInhcaons OF the principal and exposed ports aud
stations, which he thought could hardly be supposed
to guard against invasion from the United States; and
TO the increase OF the number OF steam vessels in lieu
OF the old craft, which il appeared other nations were
about TO adopt, and which he confessed he thought
matter Of doubtful policy. la short, he assumed the
preparations in progress be only part of wise
and prudent system Of national defence and protection
and OF preparing in time oil peace for the exgencies Of
war, il it should unfortunately from any quarter
whatever; and he distinctly repeated his disclaimer that
they had particular direct reference TO a rupture
With the United States on the Oregon question any
other ground.
In regard to my own opinion upon this subject,
which the President has been pleased 10 desire,
il is altogether probable that the possible
y Of other difficulties from other quarters 10 Europe
may have its influence
in debating the policy Of the extensive preparations IN
progress IN all pats Of the kingdom; and, with unaba-
ted confidence 10 the frankness and srag htforwardness
OF Lord Aberdeen and without meaning 10 dstrust in
the slightest degree the sincerity Of his disclaimers in
our recent conversation do not think il ought be
assumed by any one that wafke preparations upon
such scale as that upon which they are undenably
making could not have an indirect reference TO
the possible contingency OF rupture with US. And
at the same time il is perfectly obvious that they are
in great degree and especially far they consist
of augmentation in the number Of steam vessels and
of the naval marine generally, precisely OF charac-
Ter to be the most appropriate and the most useful in
war with country. ! am not prepared 10 saw nor
do deem il material TO decide how far we have q
right TO expect explicit disclaimer Of the character
and purposes Of the warike preparations now making
| by Great Britain under the circumstances They may
be the dictate OF various motives Of policy aud the re-
suit Of many causes and without attempting assign
to each ts particular influence, am by no means pre-
pared 10 admit that the apprehension ofdhcules with
the United States had share in them; aud il is very
clear that # rupture with the United States should
grow out Of our present difficulties this country win be
as fully and eiectuay prepared for il at all points, and
Tor all possible purposes, as if that and that alone, had
been the object of all her warlike preparations She
will be in situation to act and strike promptly and
sgnay she could have been with her energies ex-
cusyey directed TO that end; and feel 1t my duty to
add, that not to expect ia case a rupure becomes M
voidable that this government thus in complete ar
NOR, will promptly and vigorously exert her utmost
power inlict the utmost possible injury upon our
country and all its interests, would not be doing Justice
TO such a crisis.
think it ought to be expected. indeed from all learn
cannot doubt that, 10 of hoslites, the aim of
this government will be TO strike its heaviest blow az
the commencement, in the expectation Of being there.
| by enabled TO shorten the duration Of the war.
| have the honor to be, SIC.
LOUIS McLANE.
| The next letter is from Mr. Pakenham TO Mr. Blu
chanan. Dec. az is45, proposing TO submit the dyis
ion of Oregon TO friendly arbitration. To this Mr.
Buchanan replies Jan. g. 1876, that the proposition
! cannot be accepted. lnasmuch as
The British government do moi propose to refer 10 mr.
biFatio the question Of the lille the Oregon terri
tory, claimed by the two powers, respectively Ii
is proposition, to refer TO friendly Sovereign or
State merely The partition or equitable diysion' Of
that territory between the parties. Il assumes the
fact that the title OF Great Britain 10 portion of The
territory valid, aud thus takes for granted the yery
question in dispute. Under this proposition the very
| terms OF the submission would contain express ac-
acknowledgements Of The right Of Great Britain 10 amor
ton Of the territory, and would necessarily preclude
the United States from claiming the whole before the
arbitrator. This, too in the face OF the note Of the
undersigned to MIR Pakenham, Of the S0lh August last
by which the President had asserted in the most so-
territory Even il there were not other conclusive
reasons for declining the proposition this alone would
be deemed sufficient by the President
January 0, Mr. Pakenham writes TO Mr. Buchanan
that he will transmit MIR Ruchanans communication
| to the British government. January I6, he writes
again TO Mr. Buchanan
It's not the purpose of the undersigned 10 the pres
ent note to the discussion as 10 the title of either
| party, Great Britain or the United Siates 10 the
whole or TO any part OF the Oregon territory He
must however, beg leave with reference to the obser-
walton which he has Just quoted 10 remind the United