Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1846-02-12

AOerufen, tn ofuef tuu', iu CoH'o'W"y
with your instructions, ! might hiring to
his notice the warliko preparations
making by Great Britain, and, Il posi-
bic, ascertain their real character and
object.
II will not escape you that upon such
a subject it is not always easy to obtain
very categorical answers, or entirely
definite official Information and | did
not doubt that frank personal confer
onco was the best, IL Mot the only, mode
Of obtaining any satisfactory information
whatever.
In introducing the subject, adverted
at the same slime to 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
that in the present pacific state Of the
relations Of Great Britain with all the
powers of Europe, they could only look
TO u rupture with the United States on
the Oregon question.
~
Lord Aberdeen said very promptly
and frankly lha, it would be improper
10 disguise that, with the sincerest de-
sire TO avoid it, Ihoy were obliged to
look to the possibility of rupture with
the United States and that in such u
crisis the warlike preparations now
making would be useful and important !;
but he stated at the same time, very
positively and 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 to the fact that such
preparations rs were actually making
had been commenced before the rcla-
tions between the United States and
Great Britain had become as serious as
they nov appeared to be, and therefore
could not at that time have any connec-
tion with the difficulties which had since
grown out Of the Oregon question. lie
thought, too, that the representations as
to the extent Of the preparations must
have been exaggerated.
He denied that they related particu-
larly, as had been informed, to dis
tant service /; or that they were making
any addition 10 the old form Of marine.
He stated that the most extensive and
formidable parts Of their preparations
were the Notifications Of the principal
and exposed ports ond stations, which
he thought could hardly be supposed to
guard against invasion from The United
States and to the increase Of the num-
bcr of steam vessels in lieu Of the old
craft, which it appeared other nations
were about to adopt, and which he cou-
(essed he thought a matter Of doubtful
policy.
In short, he assumed the preparations
in progress to be only n part Of wise
aud prudent system Of national defence
and protection, ant Of preparing in time
Of peace for the exigencics Of war, If it
should unfortunately come FROM any
quarter whatever; and he distinctly re-
peated his disclaimer that they had par
ticular or direct reference to q rupture
with the United States on the Oregon
question, or any other ground.
In regard to my own opinion upon
this subject, which the President has
been pleased to desire,
it is altogether
probable that the possibility Of other diff
liculties from other quarters in Europe
may have liz influence in
debating the policy ofthe extensive pre-
parations in progress in all parts Of the
kingdom and, with undated conf
donce in the frankness and siraightfor-
wardness of Lord Aberdeen, and with
out meaning to distrust in the slightest
degree the sincerity Of his disclaimers
in our recent conversation, | do not
think it ought to be assumed by any one
that warlike preparations upon such u
scale as that upon which they are I'M
deniably making here could not have
even an indirect reference to the possi-
ble contingency Of rupture with US.
And at the samc time il is perfectly
obvious that they nre in great degree,
and especially 40 far as they consist OF
an augmentation in the number of steam
vessels and Of the naval marine gene
rally, precisely Of the character to be
the most appropriate and the most use
iu III IL war with our country.
am not prepared to say, nor do deem il
material To decide. how far we have o right
to expect an expci, disclaimer Of the char
actcr and purposes of the warlikc preparations
now making by Great Britain under the cir.
cnnstances.
They may be the dictate Of various mo-
tives Of policy, and the result Of many capses,
and, without attempting to assign 10 each it's
particular influence, am by no means pre-.
pared to admit that the apprehension Of diff
culties with the United States had no share
in them: aud it is very clear that if Il rupture
with the United States should grow out OF
our present difficulties, this country will be
as fully and cifeciually prepared for il ut all
points, and for all possible purposes. as il
that, and that alone, had been the obj"ct Of
all her warl'ko preparations.
She will be in a situation to act aud strike
as promptly aud signsIiy as she could have
been with her energies exclusively directed
20 that end aud fuel it my duty 10 add, &,
that not 10 expect, III case rupture becomes
unavoidable, TINT this government, thus in
complete armor, will promptly and vigorously
exert her utmost power to innlc, the ninos,
.t 10