Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1846-01-10

ot tor itself, and would command the last
ing gratitude Of the whole country.
But / will again advert to the Morning
to show the spirit Of the discuss
ion in the British Parliament, and the
views taken by The British statesmen Of
their own claims to Oregon and OF ours.
Lord John Russell said: "The Presi-
dent Of the United States has made, as |
have already read to the House peremp-
tory claim to the whole Of this territory
He has claimed the whole possession of it
for the United States, and has in an unusu-
al manner, called upon the people Of the
United States, with their wives and chill
dren, to occupy that territory. That dis
trict is becoming, on account OF the forts
on the Columbia river, more important
every year. After that statement of the
President Of the United States, Iconsider it
impossible that her Majesty's government
should not endeavor TO obtain speedy So
luton Of this question. am sure they
will feel it impossible to allow the present
underlined and unsettled state Of relations
between the two countries to continue
without danger; that the people Of the Uni
ted States, acting upon the suggestion Of
the President, may endeavor to disturb
British subjects in rights which they hold
in virtue Of existing treaties, and may pro-
duce state Of things dangerous 10 the
peace Of the two countries. For my own
part, l will say in all moderation, that |
am not prepared to say that this country
l -l,% 70 I'd nt ION
sions. l do not pretend to defne-what
it properly belongs to her Majesty's adj
visers to define-the diplomatic proposals
that should be made. l will not pretend
to say what line ought to be laid down
but this will say, that | do not think W;
can make any proposal which will be les.
than the proposal made by Mr.. Canning
(that was the line on the parallel of 40 Q
to the Columbia near its mouth, J with any
regard for our own interest or our own hon
or. [Cheers.] may be told that it doe
not matter if this rocky and barren terrific
ry should be claimed, or occupied, or ta'
ken by the United States. Yes sir,
must say it does matter. (Cheers. /
cannot be matter of Indifference that
large territory, to which we have better
and juster title, should be yielded t
what l must call clustering announce
ment on the part Of the President Of tn
United States. 1t cannot be matter o
Indifference that the communication be
tween that country west Of the Rock,
. mountains and China, the East Indies, an
, the whsle of South America, should b
/ surrendered at once to a foreign power
, but, above all, it cannot be matter Of in
difference thst the tone Of the character q
England should be lowered in any trans
action we may have to carry on with tn
United States.'
, Sir Robert Peel said: GAS this subjec
! has been brought under discussion, lrus
not improperly. by the noble Lord, feel
: my imperative duty on the part Of the Brit
J ish government, to state in language tn
, the most temperate, but, at the same time
the most decided, that we consider W
, have rights respecting the territory Of o.
; egon, which are clear and irresistible
, We trust still to arrive at an amicable ad
justment of our claim; but having exhaust
every effort for the settlement, If our right
shall be invaded, we are resolved and W
are prepared to maintain them" Lou
, and continued cheers from both sides Q
the House.
, Lord Clarendon said in the House {
Lords:
s'No assertion was, believe, ever mad
/ with more truth than that our case is fre
from all doubt"
!. Lord Aberdeen, The foreign Secretar
of State, said: "Should it be otherwise
can ooly say that we possess rights, whic
in our opinion are clear and unquestiona
BILE; and by the blessing Of God, and wit
your support, those rights we are full
prepared to maintain" Loud cheer
from all sides.
/ Under these imposing circumstances
we may well ask of the watchman, what G
the night? We may well inquire what W
ought to do? l take it for granted w
shall give the notice recommended by tn
President; for five do not, we shall leav
the people of Oregon without govern
ment, or with an impracticable one; and
in either event, the country is lost to us
and the notice being given, in twelv'
months, without an abandonm ent Of larg
portion of her claim, we shall find our
selves involved in war with England
, And it will be no common war, Mr.. Pres
ident; it will be war not merely of inter
est, but Of strong and stormy passions
. growing out Of the relative situation Of III
two nations, and one Of the very points {
resemblance, which win but render tn
separation Of the parties the wider, and tn
, struggle the longer and the bitterer.
will do no good to shut our eyes to tn
, prospect before US. Danger can neithe
be averted nor avoided by indifference
nor by presumption. Let us look our dill
ficulties and our duties fully in the face
Let us make preparation adequate to III
. conjunctnre. Let us exhibit to Enplan
and to Europe the spectacle of an nndiyi
ded people, anxious for peace, but read
: for war. In the language Of Mr.. Maids
on, ''let us put the United States into a
/ armor, and an attitude demanded by tn
, crisis, and corresponding with the naiions
/ spirit and expectation.
One war has already found us unpre
, pared. And what that condition Of thing
cost in blood and treasure, and disaster
those Of US who went through the struggl
can well remember; and those who hav,
come upon the stage Of action since tha