The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-02-17

Presidents Message on Oregon! ArbitTG-
tion Declined! The Correspondence Pub
hShed!
Correspondence Of the Express.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9TH, 1876. 1-2 P. NJ.
Reception of The Presidents Message
Arbitration Declined.- unexpectedly.
al half past two, p NJ. while The House were
in Committee of The Whole on the State Of
the Union message was received from the
President of The United States, covering the
correspondence which has transpircd since
August last. upon the subjects of our forcig
relations. The President states that the cor
rcspondence is furnished in answer to the
Resolutions.
THE LETTERS.
The first is dated, Dec 10, 1915. and is adj
dressed by Mr.. Buchanan 10 our Ambassa-
dor al the Court oil st. James. He desires
Mr. McLane TO call upon the Earl of Abcr-
deem, in order TO procure the reasons OF war
like preparations then making by England.
Mr.. McLane is also required 10 give his own
opinions as TO these preparations.
January 81, 1916. Mr., McLane answers,
that on the day alter the receipt of Mr.. Blu
chanm's letter he called upon the Earl o..
Aberdeen, by whom he was received with
great kindness. 1t being difficult 10 obtain
categorical answer TO The questions upon
so delicate Il subject rs this, Mr.. McLane put
his questions frankly and received frank an
swers. Definite and precise information was
not expected The Earl of Aberdeen how
ever, informed him that the preparations
making for defence had reference 10 the pos
ibiiy Of rupture England and the United
States. They however, had no ya7ticui0r
reference 10 the possibility of such a rupture,
that they were commenced before any DIFF
ficulies between the Two countris were re-
motley apprehended,- they would have
been made had not The difficulties between
! the two countries exis,ed,- that he believed
/ the nature Of these preparations had been
oversiaied, that they had no reference 10
the defence OF remote places. but TO all pla-
ces particularly exposed. They were de-
fences proper IN the time of peace 10 meet
the possible dagger of a war, and such as ev-
cav prudent nation would make for the secu-
rity of its own Government. III conclusion:
he again declared that the defence made and
making have no? immediate reference TO
tie United States.
For himself, Mr.. McLane says, his opin-
ions are that the preparations have no imme-
diate reference 10 the United States. They
originated, in his judgement, in reference 10
the state OF affairs in Europe. Mr.. McLane
says thai his interview confirmed him in the
unabated confidence he had before entertain
/ ed in the frankness and straightlorwardness
| of the Earl Of Aberdeen. Mr.. McLane saws
that he is not prepared 10 State how far the
United States have a right 10 demand dis
caimer from England in making p-epera-
lions for the defence Of the country. As 10
the delences made, il is TO us. in the event of
! Il a.
have been. We should feel their full force.
whether made for one object or another
! England will ercrt her utmost power, and 10
the utmost Of her ability, 10 inhct injury up
on us in case Of war.
On the 9th Of December, 1915 Mr.. Pack
enham sends letter 10 Mr.. Buchanan, in
which he says thai under instruction from
his Government, he aow renewedly offers 10
refer the question Of The disputed part ufIhc
territory 10 any sovereign or Stat which may
be jointly agreed upon by the two Govern
nIents. 1t is argued that the effects of this
reference will be conclusive 10 the hest inter-
ests of the two countries,-ihat il would
have been better for both bad the United
States previously accepted it. The fact that
England consented 10 renew The offer affords
proof 10 the world of The fact that she still re-
| ians the highest confidence in her own
claims, and OF her sincere desire 10 10 pre-
serve the peace betwee both countries.
Mr.. Pakeuham, in the same letter. speaks
of the smallness of the territory disagreed
about, compared with the importance pre-
serving The friendly relations between two
such Governments as England and the Uni
ted States.
On the Sd of January, 1916. Mr.. Buchan-
an replies that as the position submitted
merely names partition of the territory in
in dispute, 10 be referred 10 the power OF ar
bitration, and not the question of title he
cannot consent 10 such au arbitration. The
very terms ofthe proposition received would
exclude arbitration upon The question of title
to the whole territory which is here claimed
by the United States. The President, he
says, does not believe that arbitration would
lead 10 clearance of acknowledgements The
contrary, he thinks it would involve The two
countries in new difficulties. In conclusion,
the President expresses the hope that the
present aspect OF this question may not lead
TO disturbance Of the friendly relations so
happily existing between the Two countries |
MIR. Pakenham makes two answers 10 this !
letter. In the first. he says he will submit
The reply 10 Mr.. Buchanan TO his Gnvern-
ment and in letter dated January 10Th, he !
says that he has reflected upon the letter of |
MIR. Buchanan, dated the Sd, declining, for !
reasons named 10 accept arbitration in The /
form proposed. He now wishes to stale 10 .
the American Secretary OF State, that Eng /
land has claims 10 the Oregon territory (
wholly incompatible with the exclusive
claim set up by the United States. But,
supposing The British Government would |
consent TO refer The entire question of title 10
arbitration: thus removing the form of refer
ence objected to by Great Briain,-he wish
ed TO know if it would be accepted by the
United Siates.-and il there should be obiec-
lions 10 the reference TO crowned head, he
submitted That it might be made to mixed
commissions with an Umnire.-or 10 a