Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-10
Morning, February 10, 1876.
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE.

We shall, tomorrow, pucilsh IN lul Inc 'eD
important and interesting correspondence reia-
tive to the Oregon question, sent IN on SATURDAY
BY the President. In The mean time, we give
from the Baltimore Sun, brief but correct 40
s,rac, Of the whole.
IL is scarcely necessary for Us 10 say that We
cordially approve OF The refusal BY tie President
10 refer the question 10 arbitration. A;ihis time
particularly we would look in vain ior impair
,;al ump;res in the crowned heads of the Old or
the New Word. The course Of the leading
Powers Of Europe towards this country utterly
precludes he idea OF finding among their rulers or
people any one who could, with impartial JUS
tice, decide between a monarchy and onr Repub-
lic We are glad that the President has refused
arbitration i'll this matter, having followed The
precedent Of President Tyler who, through MIR.
Calhoun, Secretary OF State, on the 2lsl January
lS45, declined similar proposition. The Wash
inglon Union presents some irresistible argd-
ments in support OF the action Of The President
but we have no room for them Today.
In the revelations of this correspondence, We
can see no cause for apprehension OF war. There
arc other modes of negotiation still lei open, and
the very act of proposing arbitration shows that
England is willing 10 negotiate. We still look
for an amicable adjustment, Of this delicate ques-
,ion-and we are still as deeply impressed with
the importance Of giving The ''no;ice" and carry
ing into effect the other measures recommended
by The President. The policy OF peace requires
tina. we should not recsde from The ground alrea-
dy taken.
Bat to the correspondence
The first is letter from Mr.. Buchanan 10 the
President, submitting the others.
The second is a letter from the same 10 Mr..
McI.ane, our Minister 10 England, dated Deer.
18th, inslructing him to make inquiry touching
the meaning Of The wariSe preparations making
in that country.
The third is a letter, dated January 3rd from
MIR. McLane 10 MIR. Buchanan, informing him
that he had an interview with Lord Aberdeen,
Who assured him that the war preparations OF
England had no reference TO American affairs;
believes Lord Aberdeen is sincere-St thinks II
possible that hostilitieS may come-in which Eng
land would be prepared TO deal powerful blows
asains, the United Siaes and would be likely 10
do 50 al The commencement
In The fourth, dated Dec 9th, from Mr.. PAX
enham TO MIR. Buchanan, The former, Instructed
BIZ his government, proposes 10 refer the Oregon
question ~ SoltS SOStitiSh Va IpWSii Aoi
arbitration, with view 10 an equitable division
oi the territory and the preservation Of peace be-
tween the two countries.
The fifth dated Jan. 3rd is from Mr.. Buchanan
10 Mr.. Pakenham, declining arbitration. The
British proposition assumes that England has
lille TO portion oil Oregon, and thus takes i5r
granted the very question dispute; and 10 accept
IT would preclude The United States irom pressing
her claim 10 the whole before the arbiirator.--
Il tpa-n no nfhe fnli hp y
sufficient reason for declining; besides, lie thinks
that any aucmp, 10 refer tie question 10 third
power would only Involve il IN n:| t,;ilc uities.
He still cherishes the hope, that the controversy
may be amicably settled
The six,h is from Mr. Pasenham 10 Mr Buc-
hanan, dated January 3d. stating thai lie wiil send
The answer 10 Mr.. Polk transmitted above BY
Mr. Buchanan, 10 the British Minister in Lonlon.
The seventh IS from the same ioihe same, dated
January l6;h, in which he argues tn question
OF arbitration, and controrerin2 liz President
objection 10 arbitration declaring that Gag lard
has rights in Oregon Incompatible with tae e.
elusive claim u the L. States lie asks, whether
the United States Government is willing 10 sno-
Mr,taa q Uregon, on condition that il neither
should be found to have complete lille TO the
whole, the arbitrator should make lIst division
OF the territory between the two powers in ac-
cordance with the value oflher respective claims
He aiso mentions mixed commission ana
board of civilians aud jurisls, rs other motcS by
which the question might be settled.
The eighth is letter from MIR Buchanan 10
Mr.. Pakeaham, dated February 4lh, declining
the las. proposition Tor arbitration. It's accep.
;ance might, and probably wonid be construed
into an inlmatior il not direct invitation 10
The arbitrator 10 divide the territory. II he sub
United 10 arbitration at all, the title alone IS all
the Presiden, could submit; he does not believe
the territorial rights Of this country 10 be pro-
per subject OF arbitration, though under peculiar
circumstances there might be an exception,
case in which there might be no insuperable OBJ
lection. Mr.. B. will not reopen The discussion
OF the title: he President sill believes that The
United Sale holds The best title in existence
10 the whole iorfilory; and nc thinks the two Ia
lions ought - b. wiling = do each o,hcr justice,
without the in,erp,sion cf any arbitrator