Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-14

The scene which occurred in the Senate on
Thursday last, on the subject Of the Oregon ques-
ton, has very naturally arrested the earnest atten.
ton Of the public. Conflicting as were the as
symptoms Of the several friends Of the PREsrDENT
on that occasion, the revelations Of Senator HAY
WOOD 10 the pacific views Of the President being
generally received as authentic were very encourag
ing to the friends Of peace. The government pa.
per Of Friday night, il is true, endeavors, rather
eyasively, to divest Mr.. HAYwooD's statements Of
any direct authority from the PRESIDENT The
I" Union says:
.Mr H.rwooD, of North Carolina, spoke Of the Pres
dents views in regard TO the Oregon He conended thai
Mr.. Polk would and should, compromise the 49h para
lei Of latitude, in Great Britain would renew the Offer
which the President had made to her during The last
May we be permitted to say that we did not ourselves
understand Mr. Haywood intendnst speak authotave
in the Of the President except from the printed docu-
mensz We say, with all respect that man. Of his
Cabinet authorized TO speak caeu for him on this
delicate and important queoa. He has expressed his opn
ions In his MESSAGE through the letters Secre-
tary Of State We presume that has right speak
for him but from the documents which he has submitted his
country His future be Judged by his past
Duct Mr. Allen himself nterrogated the other day upon
this question by the Senator from Maryland and Mr. A.
eed TO the Presidents documents his answer We can
entertain doubt that such the meaning of the Senator
from North Carolina and nothing but the
acer Of the passing probably prevented him from making
similarly prompt explanation"
We are not surprised that the editor of the Union
should be anxious to reconcile the conflicting state
ments Of the Senators referred to; but we imagine
he will find the task much more difficult than, we
are happy now TO believe, will be compromise of
the conflicting claims to Oregon. We doubt if there
was person present at the scene Of Thursday, be-
sides the editor of the Union who was not satisfied
that Mr.. HAYwooD spoke under the sanction of the
PREsDENT's personal communications to him. Had
this not been the case, Mr.. HAywooD could not, as
friend of the President, have remained silent un-
der the searching interrogatories Of Mr.. HANNE-
GAN and Mr.. ALLEN. Assuming to express the
Presidents views, it was his duty to relieve that
high officer from the responsibility of his state
ments, unless they were warranted by direct a,l-
thority from him. Possessing that authority, il
would have been breach of order, as well as of
decorum, to avow it, and he therefore very properly
refused to answer. Mr.. ALLEN avowed such to be
his Interpretation of Mr.. HAYwooD's silence; and
such, we presume, was that Of every auditor, ex-
cepting the editor Of the Union. We are aware
that the conflicting asseverations Of Mcssrs. HAN
NEoAN and ALLEN raise a question of veracity
which the public win expect to see settled, and
which must be settled, however difficult its adjust
nsnt may be. compatbly viii the honor Of al the
parties.
--Es ~ -, asa all who look only iothe peace and
true honor Of ihe country, il is ssiiicent that we
have now a responsible assurance tbat the Chief
Magistrate does mean something WREN he talks Of
!" negotiation " and amcabe settlement" and is
relieved from the rreconcileable position which he
previously occupied, Of at the same time inviting
negotiation and demanding every thing in dispute.