The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-09
Highly Important from Washington.
Oregon MISUNDERSTANDING Point OF the
Century.


Century.
The intelligence which received yesterday
afterno on, and which we announced, in the morn.
ing, that we should receive, is of an highly i'm
Portant character We have received it in time TO
send to England in the express pilot Boat that leaves
this noon tor Liverpool.
Ii will be perceived, on reference to the news
from Washington, in another column OF this days
paper that the President semitic Congress, on Sat-
urday, copies OF the correspondence that has lately
passed between Great Britain and the United States
In relation to the Oregon question. II will be seen
at the same time, that the statements that we have
made, and upon the accuracy OF which we have in
sisted in opposition TO all other papers, the Union
inclusive, are proved to be correct in every partic-
ular
The intelligence now published, speaks for itsef
We will, therefore, proceed to give what other
important information we have received, affecting
the same question.
The position of the Oregon question, between the
United States and England, has now reached
most important crisis. According to the best lnfor-
nation, there is no doubt that negotiations, which
have been re-opened at Washington by Mr.
Pakenham,wil result, probably in good time, upon
basis of compromise similar to the offer which had
been twice made by the United States, but which
had been refused by England The position of
England, within the last few years, has compelled
the government OF that country to moderate some
OF the conditions on which her various negotiators
planted themselves, and TO meet in more compro-
missing spirit, the propositions heretofore offered by
the United States. But while England has, by the
change OF time and the gradual progress OF affairs
been under the necessity Of coming nearer to a
point OF settlement IN the matter, the United States
from the course OF public opinion and the growth of
natural everts, have been receding farther from
their former opinions, and claiming gre alter extent
oil territory in that region
uIsnow said, on such authority as will satisfy
reasonable men, that Mr.. Pakenham has received
full power from his government to open negota-
lions, either the old basis OF the proposition
which was formerly offered by Mr. GalIatn, or on
nearly the same that offered by Mr.. Buchanan
II is further sad that while the British negotator
approximstes the offer made by the United States,
the United States is recedng, and the government
actually has been celebrating TO insist upon hav-
ing the whole territory, down to 81 40, and have
therefore refused the offer OF the British govern
ment to arbitrate, and will take the chance Of ac-
comprising their purposes by future events and con-
tingencies. In the meantime, Mr.. Pakenham will
send the last correspondence, by express, to Lon
don, and bde his time to make, perhaps, another
proposition.
Il will be perceived at once, that we are now in
the midst OF most important and delicate crisis in
the affairs Of Oregon. The United States has now,
through the action Of our Government, reached the
turning point OF the century, in our foreign rela-
tons. This country will have been an lndependent
nation seventy years on the next fourth Of July II
is now full-grown power Of the civilized world ex
ercising most important influence on all the Chris
tian nations of the earth, both in peace and war
In civilization, commerce, and every thing that can
benefit the human tits important therefore, that
the government Of such country should take such a
position and adopt such course OF conduct as will
tend to promote the happiness of the human family,
and command the respect OF nations. 1t is evident
that the Oregon negotiation has reached
crisis from which will spring the turning point in
the destinies Of the human family. If peace be
secured by reasonable compromise between the
two leading countries Of the world, we may pre-
sumo upon long OF prosperity, religion, in
tegence, literature, and every thing that can benefit
or delight civilization. In state of peace, we are
the rival OF the greatest nation of the old world We
are also the leading spirit OF the age in all political
and religious reforms Our example will tend 10
produce great rational and peaceable reforms in the
old woodland, in process of time, change society,
religion and government, throughout all the nations
OF Europe. The conflict will be continued, but II
IS conflict of peace. II is the war OF mind OF
morals, and OF intellect-the campaign of genus;
and not that OF rude and barbarous arms and the
elements OF death
Such Is the prospect, in the event of q peaceabe
termination OF this controversy On the other hand.
II by any influence change should occur, if the
United States Government should throw Themselves
upon the wnoe OF their rights, and insist upon
having tne whoie OF the Oregon territory down to
f40-as they apparently seem disposed 10
do-then the course OF things will be entirely Diff
ferent-excitement In our own country-alsrm
abroad-everything that can provoke the two ma.
lions gradually to put themselves in hostile attitude
10 each other, will be encouraged by the circum.
stances OF the time, and the estrangement of the
two Governments the consequences Of which
would be tremendous political struggle through
out the country, and a complete revolution in par
ues In due course Of time, he example Of tn,
United States, on America and Europe, according
10 the inevitable laws OF nature, would produce
change In government, and revolution in dynas
ties, which the reforming spirits Of the age in THU
country would seek through war, battle. fire. apt
the sword. Thus, the refusal to submit 10 reason
able terms, aud TO persist in the whole Of our claim,
Oregon, would naturally lead to hostile feeling
both countries, which, by little and little would
lead to war Of the most desperate kind
II will be seen, therefore, that the position a, N.
egon question 10 most important, a. regards In !