Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-17
TO THE EDITORS.

The present posture of affairs between the United States
and Great Britain is calculated to awaken the deepest solicit
tude In the bosom Of every patriot every philanthops and
every Christian Matters to have approached Crisis which
be contemplated without feeling Of socmny and
anxiety The subjeetmaer Of controversy which now
mains open between the two nations comparatively small
portion Of the Territory Of Oregon, and sinks into insgn-
fcance when compared with the magnitude Of the conse-
quences which may result from pressing this controversy to
extremity Both parties have declared their readiness to
yield portion Of their respective demands both have adj
vanced to certain extent in The effort obtain compromise
and the difference between their several offers may fairly be
regarded the only substantial point dispute 1t is in
ference this ground that they have been
bic To- come TO arrangement.
Upon this point the negotiation has been suspended, if not
closed All the ordinary of adjusting differences be-
nations to be exhausted Diplomacy has failed
to accomplish the desired result After years have been
pended in setting forth and maintaining by argument the
tagonst claims and preenons Of the PARTIES they have found
themselves unable TO upon any terms Of accommodation
What then remains TO be done attempted the fear
full consequences which the two nations
According the usages which have prevailed in similar
cases. alternative presents itself but war; Two powerful
gallant and naughty nations each unwilling to yield title
Of what believes to be Its rights and planting itself the
platform of national honor finding impossible, sup
posed agree upon any plan Of amicabe adjustment APP
pear disposed to vndcate their respective claims by ap
peal to
This is best but sorry mode Of determining question
Of right between two Christian people, of deciding upon
title to land between any parties. The only question which
remains open simple Of title particular territory
Both by common in the joint and peaceabe pos
session of the subject Of controversy The title on either
side rests historical documents and written proofs Are
at this period of the world fall back upon the barbar-
Gus practices of the dark ages to revive mode Of trial
pugnan and abhorrent to the principles Of nature and
submit the decision Of such question cooy and deliberately
to the arbitrament of the sword
Who look forward to such catastrophe without feel
ing cf horror The two parties endowed with equal
courage and with equal PRIDE In righteous cause and to
accomplish adequate ends both will be found prepared to
counter every hazard endure every extremity to submit 10
every sacrifice rather than yield Both possess immense
sources physical and moral both WELD large means of car
flying OH the work of mutual destruction Can any man on
either side Of the Atlantic believe the widest flights Of his
imagination that either of these parties is be SO utterly
Frustrated by its mighty foe, completely humbed by the
superior strength Of its antagonist to be compelled TO sur
render by catuaton what had been unwilling yield for
the preservation Of peace No one gifted with ordinary in
elgence anticipate such result Yet not manifest
that unless such consequence should flow from resort to
hoses war, though continued through thrice the period
which has been consumed in negotiation, will prove equally
Intellectual In terminating the controversy
Is the war; them to be neminabe Is it to descend as
beques to posterty and children and chdrens chill
dren to be Graded in arms, nuea amid the turmoil of bat
tie, and to spend their entire existence in carrying on this
bloody conflict Is it to be of extsfminaon or is at
length he brought TO close by an amicabe arrangement
Aef exhaustng each others strength after expendng those
which, wisely applied might be made SO msgni
Gently to advance interests and happiness
in enlagng the boundaries Of civilization and widening the
sphere of human enjoyment in the dreadful work Of mutual
destruction and the infection of mutual injury, at
length, after years of caamtous suffering both Sides with
annoses shapened by the conflict with deeply exaspeated
feelings of embterd hatred conclude the struggle upon
Of concession and friendly compromise With such
views of the consequences which mpcnd over two such ma
TONS originating in such cause, and such an object the
mind prompted seriously and socmny inquire there no
mode by which they may be avcred Is there no way in
which the parties may be spared the crime of ncng and the
misery OF suffering such calamties menace us Is
there practicable which the patriot the phanhro
pist the christian devise to ward off these awful results
Have all peaceful been tried and have ALI proved abor
tive 1t would that the parties can never approximate
to settlement through the ordinary forms of diplomacy Ar
gumens the most cogent addressed without producing
viction, minds already rooted in long established faith
Neither party cherish the expectation that he will be able
to effect change in the opinions Of his adversary sub
mission of the question in controversy the judgment Of
foreign umpire has been declined by the Government Of the
United States and upon grounds which appear satisfactory
1t may well be doubted whether any nation particularly one
placed in the circumstances in which the United States stands
ought TO consent to submit its honor or
its rights of sovereignty the adjudication any foreign poten
tate is hoped that the precedent thus set will rarely if
ever, be departed from under any contingency.
In this state of the business without pronouncinc that no
other mode practicable and may even prove more avail
able, will not ii hoped be regarded prcsumpuous to
suggest plan by which the difficulties between the two ma
tons may be accommodated without suecng either to any
offensive or dparagng mputaton. As has been remarked
the question is purely and exclusively Of title to land
The parties recognise the principles Of law their rule
OF action The case is emphacally of judicial char
actor Let tribunal be created, constituted Of five or six
individuals Of each nation, selected for their eminent u-
ridica aanments, and their exalted personal integrity Let
them be impariay TO examine the case and 10
decide upon il in conformity with justice and equity. To
that tribunal let the entire subject be submitted with penary
authority, urammeled by instructions employ such means
as may deem proper and to adjust the controversy in all
its circumstances and Details shall deem cxpedient and
right Let the judgment Of this tribunal be forever binding
and conclusive
II will be remembered that difficulties as momenous in
their character and apparently nsumounabe have here
tofoe been adjusted between the parties by means s
kngy analogous to that suggested The Board of Com
mlssoners organized under the treaty Of 1894 reviewed the
deliberate Of the British monarch and tho .oo,,,