The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-09

Mr. truman Smith, OF Conn. VINO oDtaineu
the floor last night then commenced his
speech. Notwithstanding the pauclty oi audi
tors and formidable expanse OF empty seats, ne
started of like steamboat with iull head OF
steam and an unmerited small complement OF
passengers or patronage; but confident OF The
strength OF his boiler, amount OF fuel, com
pleteness of condenser, and strength OF hull and
machinery, the empty places were soon fllled
by way passengers and he proceeded with
an able and interesting argument against the
exclusive rights of the United States to the
whole OF Oregon that enchained the attention
of a full house more entirely than any speaker.
has been enabled to do for a week past. AT
the conclusion Of his hour the committee was
addressed by il
Messrs. Sims of S. c., Atkinson of Va,
Fries of Ohio, Burt of S. c., Davis OF KY,
Reed Of N. c., Smith Of ILL.,, Cummings Of O.,
Woodward Of S. c., Foster Of Pa, Yell Of
Ark, and Dodge, the delegate from Iowa Ter
ritory. After Mr.. ID. had concluded, Mr.. Viii
mot of Pa, obtained the floor, and moved that
the Committee rise. This would give HIM the
floor on Monday next; but several members
declared their willingness to speak now The
question that the committee rise, was taken by
members rising Individually, and large ma
jority being in the negative, Mr. Wilmot was
obliged to proceed, and the reporter was obliged
to leave him speaking, having sat thirteen
hours and quarter.
The speakers to-day gave their respective
views on the hacknied subject, but there was
nothing new brought forward, to be compared
in importance with the diplomatic correspon-
dence mentioned below. What is strange, the
speakers have not changed their tone in The
least, and but one-Mr. Smith Of Ill,-alluded
to the new lights thrown on the subject at all
whilst in the lobbes and aisles, the correspon-
dence and disclosure of the existing state OF
things, engrosses the private conversation Of
members of all parties. Most think that the
chances OF war are doubled that we shall
have war, and then after that, arbitration will
have to be resorted to at last. 1t is a remark
able fact, that the greatest alarms about war
are felt and expressed by the "upper len thou
sand" classes those who have been so sue
cessful during the last twenty five years, in
filling the posts Of honor and profit in the navy
and army, with their young scions of aristoc-
racy.
Perhaps we should have another batch of
designations in case Of war with Great Britain,
proportionally extensive with that which oc-
Cured during the Florida Campaign. 1t is
hard that this:class cannot "have their cake and
cut their ceke beth, but it is natural that they
should dread war than the commonality,
for they not only have their lives to lose, but
fat salaries also, which hard fsted classes are
not troubled with the preservation Of 1t seems
TO be the general impression that war is inevl-
table, unless Mr.. Pakenham has already, or is
shortly to be empowered with, authority 10
propose the 49th degree of North Latitude, as
the dividing line. War in itself is not to be
dreaded, it is only an unjust or unnecessary
war that it is our duty to deprecate. A war for
defence, for national safety, has nothing in it
incompatible with piety and religion. All
creeds and sects have agreed that the Deity is
the arbiter OF battles. That he looked favora-
bly, on our side in the two conflicts we have
had with Great Britain is remembered in every
song, and acknowledged from every pulpit,
and they must have little faith in his unchange-
able nature who fear that he has altered his
preferences or will Withdraw his aid now
ATT 2p. IN. message was received from the
President, transmitting the correspondence in
relation to the extraordinary naval and other
warike preparations making by Great Britain.
Mr.. McLane. our minister al London, has
addressed Lord Aberdeen on the subject
pursuant to his instructions; and received
Tor answer that such preparations were
not occasioned by apprehended difficult 8
Will tnC y. ho., Dut WcIC iOOhCu uPoh 90 nSaii-
able in such case. Mr.. Pakenham here has
also made an offer of arbitration Of the Oregon
boundary or division. Ii was declined by our
government, on the ground that we claim the
whole. Another offer was made by Mr.. Pa
kenham, that Great Britain also claims title TO
the territory, or part Of il, in dispute as well as
the u S.; and he offers TO have an arbitrator
appointed to determine on the title; and if nei
ther government should be found TO possess a
valid and exclusive title, that then, the same
authority should make division OF the terrific
ry between the two nations. Mr.. P. proposes
that Sovereign be appointed, as such arbi-
traitor, but if that is deemed Objectionable, he
proposes mixed commission of scientific in
divduas. This, also is declined by Mr. Bu
chanan, on behalf ofthis government and Mr..
B. expresses the opinion of the administration,
that the two governments are abundantly able
to settle the controversy without extraneous aid
HEAVY GALE AT PENSACOLA. - The
storm which visited us on the 10th, wreak-
ed its widest fury in the harbor of Pen
sacola. The wind varied from east by
south to northeast during the day, and at
midnight blew almost hurricane, and con-
tinued till about o'clock A. M. on Tues
day. We copy from the Gazette, list of
the disasters, as far as ascertained: g sSev-
eral vessels were driven ashore in the har-
Dor and at the Navy Yard. The schr Eliz-