Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-02-13
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM
WASHINGTON.


that the President of the United States, sent
in message to the House of Representa-
,ves on Saturday, in answer to the call of
the House, consisting Of,
lst A message transmitting the correspondence
that has taken place between this government and
that of Great Britain IN relation 10 the Oregon diff
Guilty.
I'd. A ,hor, letter from Mr.. Buchanan to Mr. Polk
covering the correspondence.
Sd. A letter, dated Dec, ID, from Mr. Buchanan to
Mr. MLane, directing HIM TO seek an interview with
Lord Aberdeen, aid ascertain fom him the object Of
the military preparations being made by Great Britain,
and whether they were designed for rs.
4,h A letter of the 81 Jan, from Mr M'Lnne to Mr.
Buchanan, giving the result of the interview with
Lord Aberdeen, in which his LDrdship said that the
preparations were not commenced with reference to
Us but that the condition of the Oregon question prov
ed the expcdlency of them and they would be con-
tinued in view Of the possible unirlendly termination
Df that question.
9Th. MIR Pa<enham to Mr. Buchanan, Dec. 81, of
(erIng to submit the question Of boundary to third
party.
9th. Mr. Buchanan TO Mr. Pakenham, declining the
proposition, because to accept it would be TO admit
that Great Britain had rights there. This letter is
long eva'yc, and not very definite Argument,
7th. Mr. Pakenham to Mr. Buchanan Jan 6, in an.
swer TO the arsunentative part OF Mr. Buchanan's
last letter
9Th. Same 10 the came. Jan. l6, proposing to sub
or to miXel commission.
9th Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Pnhenham. Feb declin-
ing to accept this last propos on, for the same reason
he did the first that it would be 10 admit that Great
Britain had right IN that country.
The correspondent remarks that "'lhls Is most
extraordinary position to which the negotiation has
en- brought, but the closing Of the mai gives me no
time to comment.
Is it not intolerabe that the peace of the
world should be jeopardized in this manner,
for the sake of political capital? Is not the
hand of an avenging Providence visible in
this, that al time when we are almost de-
| fcnceless-at time when we are almost
without friend among the great powers Of
Europe-we are placed at the mercy of a sci
of men who play with war as children play
with razors-as ignoran,y, as carelessly and
without the least apprehension that i, may
hurt them! 1t is not to be disguised that we
are now in imminent danger of general at
tack from the steam nauy Of England in the
spring But yet Mr.. Polk dreams on! Stl
the "Progressive Democracy" make the cap
itol ring with patriotic hurrahs! Sill their
whole force is directed 10 cheat the reope
into the belief that they want to fght-bu
that the Wings will not let them! Still they
hope that England may be bulled into yield
ing all our demands, and that they may
achieve in that event safe and easy triumph
both at home and abroad Ii is impossible
under any other hypothesis, to give an ex'
PLANTATION 10 their conduct.
What can be more fair than the PROPOSE
tons of the British Minister. What car
more plainly show the desire of his govern
ment for peace. He offers TO submit tn,
question 10 some foreign power-the offer il
refused. Again he bePs that it may be sub,
mitled TO arbitration, and that nothing ma,
be left undone to preserve the peace he pro-
poses mixed commission Of able and trust,
men from both countries. He is again re-
fused. Mr.. Polk and his cabinet mislakinl
; the moderation of the English for fear, have
treated the proposals Of the minister will
= contempt II this nation were prepared TO
-. war-if our army were increased ten-folC
; and our navy quadrupled-ifour coasts wer'
defended with strong batteries and our har
, bors ert with forts-it might be safe thougl
it would be disgraceful TO pursue such lint
of conduct. But when We have nelhe
, ships, nor forts, nor men-when Congress
shows no disposition to obtain lhem-whe
our coasts are naked and our harbors OPEN
II we have no words to express our indignalio
at the inexplicabc tomeriiy which insult
i without being able to defend itself, and III
d detestabls policy which puts the nations
= hazard for tho prospective benefit ola faction