Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-24
The Foreign News.

Corn Laws and the oregon question:.
In regard To the first OF these, which is in Eng
lanl the absorbing subject. Peel seems to be ha-
wing every thing his own way in the House oil
Commons. Some extracts from another great
speech Of his will be found in to-day's paper
The triumphant majority of %, affords very
favorable indication of the ultimate success OF
his measure.
There is yet, however, lion in the path. The
House Of Lords, that ancient aud stiti-necked
body, little given to change, and being Just about
rs much influenced by the popuii, rs the rocks
upon their sea shore by the ocean wave, have
vet TO he consulted. They never yet have shewn
any friendly feeling TO the policy which has now
acquired such strong hold upon the public mind
and affections They are sustained by the great
agricultural interes of the kingdom. in struggle
which all must feel TO he of life and death. Still,
the general opinion seems be that the House OF
Lords will be compelled to give way before the
tremendous pressure of the popular will, as indl-
Gated by the decisive vote in the House of Com
mons.
In reference TO the subject Of Oregon, with our
country Of the first Importance but little had
franspired before the departure OF the Hibernla.
No action had vet been taken upon it in the Bril-
fish Parliament. The indications gwen by The
press are however of n character less favorable
10 peace than those received 10y the last arrival.
The rejection 10y our Government of arbitration,
and the grounds upon which that rejection was
based have aroused feeling of Indignation in
the British mind On this head we subIoin the
following extracts, from the columns OF the New
York Express:
The Liverpool Conrier says:
1.-THE news by the Patrick Henry, though not decisive
Of war, st very important Two offers were made on
the part OF the English government, TO leave the Oregon
question 10 the Of abtrsor and both have Teen
refused by the American government the ground that
Ia such arbitration would he TO admit hat ths
country claims tie disputed territory
The absurd and the consequences TO "hca TIC
refusal may lead may be most caaniitous But the Ame
can, will only have themselves blame IL should
ensue for England has done all in her Powerto bring mat
o n satisfactory and peaceful issue
The other news by the packet Is also important
Mexico seems, is determined to refuse assent to the
of Texas the United States; and II attacked
she will appeal the governments OF England, France
and Spain for assistance"
The London Standard thus speaks of Mr.. Polk
.But will the American Congress confirm the insolent
and unw arrantable adopted by this braegarii We
think not. II form judgment OF the opinions
OF the American people generally, Ia regard TO ms ques
uon the respectable portions OF the American
pres there will be for nine OF these journals out OF
ten denounce conduct OF Mr. Polk in terms OF sorg,
and doubt sincere reprubaon America can gain
nothing by with this county, whilst her sacrces,
az the New York Enquirer has shown, must be
If she calculates tue pacific dlposIlon OF Eng
attempt obtain the vantage ground by inso'ence
and bOggadociO she viii have bitter reason TO repent OF
her mistake"
The London Sun makes the following remarks
upon the prospects and probable issue Of war
nTbe money market is rather unsettled by tue hostile
tone OF the American received to-day, even
commercial interest does TO Keep the Executive
OF United States within reasonable bounds respects
its professions. How much Brother Jonathan would
lose by than should few facts will abundantly
show Last year the aggregate value OF the imports into
he United States from Great Brnin was lOOOOOOO, dol!
lars aud there large falling OH IN the importation OF
colt IN manufactures, except cacoes. Now the iankees
supply us with more products han ever, and maniiesy.
will be the most sufferers by war"
The London Shipping Gazette says:
1.-THE news from the United States. which hiss been
ceyed this morning. OF much less pacific character than
that brought by the late arrivals; and usies e fears
we have repeatedly expressed OF the determined spn Of
hostility which peryades powerful party in the United
States. IL appears from these advces that the Government
Of the United States fady declines to refer the Oregon
question arbitration, and insists that England possesses
clam whatever that territory. The newspapers Of
the Union entirely opposed they the offensive
son towards England which has been assumed by their
Government profess regard this latest OF is demonsira
with un|cgnci alarm, and tn regard as Of de-
ance which will put an end to all further plcihc negoua
The present aspect Of affairs any thing but saisacto
~"
Daring the debate in the House upon the poll
cy of the Prime Minister private letter from Sir
Robert Peel to the q Ieen was called out, IN which
il was stated that "should her future advisers, in
considerdfiOn of our relation wiLh he u. STATES,
deem il advisable 10 increase the army and navy,
he would do all in his power to prevent that in
crease being considered hostile towards France"
Much importance is attached by leading journals
10 this letter Ii pretty clearly shews, although
II clashes with Lord Aberdcen's statement, that
the enormous military preparations Of England
have been made with reference to this coun-
try. No one, who is not willuIly blind, can
fail TO perceive that England has acted upon
u policy which should have been adopted
by our own Government,-to seek peace, and
and yet be prepared for war,-lo extend tho Olive
Branch, or draw the Sword, the crcumstan
ces Of the case might require.
We will not yet give up the hope that the Ore.
gon question my be amcabiy terminated. We
canno, believe it possible that or rulers cOnlem.
plate a course which must result in war, aud yet
neglect to take the first step IN preparation for
collision with the most powerful empire Of the
world We must look to the nate Tor deli.
verance from the dilemma IN which we are pa.
ccd but II may bo, rs IS suggested, that Ore
gon and the Tariff are TO bo kept open questions
60 be used by Mr. Polk IN running for a second
term. We do not profess to know all or any Of
the under.curents which are al work beneath tho
surface. .nd which may at any moment chlngs
the whole aspect Of affairs. But we fervently
trust that th, Administration is not so lost to all
principle, all regard for the prosperity of the eoun.
Try and the quiet Of the world. ~ TO make the IN
terest. the peace, The honor, Of the nation, mere
subsorvient questions TO the elevation Of an ind.
v,dutl 10 the Presidential Chair. Better at once
Ili the vol, and let see, that we may prepare,
for all tho horrors which are in reserve, than
keep the country IN agitation for years, reiarding
the progress Of American industry by the doubts
which hang over the future policy Of the Govern
nent and innicting fatal blow upon our com
% cree by the suspense which makes It prrpetua.