Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-17
NEW PORK CORRESPONDENCE.
New York, JANUARY ~, ls45.


j. w. w. Among other things this letter remarks
as matter Of fact: 81 now desire TO state, how
ever, for the benefit Of all concerned, and do so
upon The Uery highest authority, that from the
day on which Mr.. BUCHANAN transmitted to Mr..
PAKENHAM his letter of Il think the 29th August,
in which he withdrew the proposition of our Go
vcrnment and virtually suspended all negotiation
on the question of Oregon--from that day up to
this time our Administration have not received,
directly or indirectly, through Mr.. McLANE, Mr..
: PAKENHAM, or any other source WiateUer, either
here or IN London, the slightest overture or init
nation of any kind or description whatsoever.
/. This declaration is intended to cover the whole
: ground and, to guard against misconstructon, he
: who made this declaration added: the Admin
istraton knows nothing of the intentions, the
wishes, the expectations Of the British Govern
: ment which is not equally known to the whole
people of the United States"
Now, | place implicit confidence in this state
ment. 1t is evidently written after full inquiry,
and bears on its front the marks of authority Per-
haps | place greater confidence in it, because il
COMFORTS with the opinion that have uniformly
entertained, and generally expressed. While all
around me seem to think there is no prospect of
war, am unable to see how we are to avoid it
unless the Administration and its supporters aban-
don the position they have so hastily, and, as
think, unwisely assumed.
Great Britain is silently steadily, and efficiently
making the necessary preparations to meet some
mighty shock. Is it to be supposed that these vast
expenditures are all intended mere pageant
And if not what is the object in thus preparing for
war in every quarter of the globe, att time of pro-
found peace with all the world. In my opinion,
the British Government are determined that the
Oregon question shall not remain in its present I'M
settled state. They will say, and say truly, that it
is Interfering with the trade and commerce of both
countries, and that it is due to the citizens Of both
that some decisive measures should be adopted
without further delay.
The British Ministry will not say to us (but
think you they donot know it p that they never were
better prepared for than at present. while their
antagonist never was in a worse condition for such
a calamity to befa them. do not pretend that
possess any information on this subject but what
the wayfaring man may acquire, if he will have
the same patience, and use the same industry that
is used by your correspondent.
| have my apprehensions that Great Britain is
more willing than we imagine to enter into a war
with the United States, SO much for the dsput-
ed territory for other causes, which will readily
present themselves to the mind of every intelligent
man. believe that the grasping disposition which
our dominant party has evinccd has given alarm,
not only to the British Government but in great
who, in the event Of an Oregon war, will either
calmly look on the struggle take part against us.
The monarchies of the Old World have been told,
and it is daily repeated by those in power, that no
peace will be allowed them until their thrones are
FRUSTRATED in the dust.
When the United States was comparatively fee
BILE such mcnaces passed as idle gasconade. But
now that she has become great nation and has
swallowed up one sovereignty, and is preparing to
swallow up others, the case presents very differ
ent aspect.
Let me suppose case. Suppose we refuse to
give the twelve months notice, and refuse TO abal-
don the ground we assume. Suppose Great Bri-
tain gives the required notice, and at the end of
twelve months takes ercilsiUe possession as low as
the 10th parallel and also the joint navigation of
the Columbia, and then, in that territory lying be-
tween the 10th and 54th degrees, requires the
inhabitants TO take the oath of allegiance to the Br
fish Government TO remove out of the territory,
contcnding at the same time that we admitted their
right far as 40 degrees, what would be our con-
diton! And what our policy! But | will not
add to these remarks, except to repeat what say
every day in Wall street, that cannot think Con-
gress will be so desperate to enter into war
but cannot sec how they are to avoid it.
New York, JANUARY l3, 1916.
Last evening G. M. CLAY delivered, at the Ia
bcrnacc in this city, address on the subject of
slavery. There was large assemblage of citizens
of every opinion, religious and political. There
was much applauding and clapping, interspersed
with goodly share Of kissing, &c. Before the
speech was made, was somewhat at loss TO dis
cover the immediate object which was in contem-
plation. therefore inquired, in former letter to
you, ,Chat good" is he to accomplish The
speech has removed all doubts.
Mr.. CLAY announced, in strong language, that he
was for "aH Oregon :" and this, no doubt, was
one of the great objects he had in view. The abo-
litionists had united with the Locofoco party in
such manner as to the annexation of Texas,
and now their object seemed TO be war TO secure
the annexation of Oregon. Mr.. Clay said: " IL it
: was necessary to take siave State by force, he
would take free State by force. En-
: gland dare not, and cannot 90 to war for it."
Another object of Mr.. Clay was very obvious.
He came here to teach us how to amend our Con
stitution. Mr.. Clay said he "would now bcseech
them not TO throw their votes and their influence
in such way as to defeat the effort TO extend TO
: the blacks of New York the right of suffrage.
: The two parties were taking their ground on this
question" &c.
/ make these short extracts without comment at
present. The whole movement is an abolition
movement, and, so far as it will have any influence,
will injure the Wing party, as the abolition move
ments have uniformly done.
The Wings Of Rhode Island are waxing warm
in relation to their local divisions. The campaign,
however, by opening thus carly, will afford suili-
cient time To cool down. which n is In he hoped