The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-11

The steamer Massachusetts Is now hourly looked
for. She VIII bring about two weeks late inteli-
gence OF The highes, interest.
The Greg n Correspondenee-TheP Prospect
before us.
Since the arrival OF the recent correspondence
between the American Secretary OF State and the
British Minister at Washington, the Oregon ques-
ton and our foreign relations have been the ex-
citing topic of conversation among all circles; and
the excitement has been somewhat increased
by the reception OF the news of the passage
In the House OF the notice resolution by a
very large majority as well by the remarks Of the
stock i1bbing press in Wall street, who are ever
ready 10 consru- the appearance Of passing cloud
into The mos fearful omens of and all Its attend
ant horrors in order subserve their own private
ends. The our foreign relations are discussed
b. those ciiques, the worse they endeavor to make
them appear and yesterday, contemporary of the
Courier, gave forth that war wou Id be inevitable.
We have observed attentively the progress Of our
foreign relauons particularly those with Great Bri-
Tain, and have freely given views to the readers
OF this journal, from time 10 time, honest as they
were, and uninhuenced by any stock speculations,
or any thing else. We are somewhat of opinion,
that under many circumstances, England would not
60 70 war with this country. We still of
opinion that the Oregon question will be brought
70 close il way satisfactory to all parties, at
least apparently TO England.
Il Will be perceived, upon reading the correspon
dence which has lately passed between the two
Ministers, that while government rejects in toto
the offer 10 submit TO arbitration the question OF
iile still! The door is not closed to further negoa-
ton. Indeed, we Judge from the general tenor of
lie correspondence, and from other evidence in
cur possession, that while the United States
government considers its title to that part of the
territory that 1t claims, clear and unquestonabe,
that proposition from the British government,
tucing, in some degree the pretenslons of that GO
yernment, would probably be met IN compromising
spirit, and that settlement OF the question could be
effected in short time. That tn British Minister is
empowered and authorised by his government to
make such oler,ws have believed ever since the
arrival oil the last steamer, and nothing has since
occurred 10 alter our opinion but the time has not
yet come TO submit that proposition to our govern
nlent. Neither is the British Minister satisfied,
from the high stand that our government has taken,
that such proposition would be received in a CON-
promising spirit. That proposition lisa offer on the
prt Great Britain to accept the boundary Of Mr..
Ilatin-the t9h degree with the free navigation of
the Columbia river.
Our readers may recolect, that soon after the ar
rival Of The last steamship, we informed them that
such instructions were probably received by Mr..
Pakenham. In the recent correspondence there
Is nothing Inconsistent with that belief All Of the
letters OF negotiation that passed between the two
Ministers, were interchanged before Ter arrival,
and therefore could have had no influence on that
correspondence.
We are, therefore, in precisely the same situation
that were in before the arrival of that steamship
and we YET TO receive an offer from the British
government, which, with perhaps some slight and
immaterial notifications, will ultimately be
accepted by our government, and the question
put at rest forever. As regards the idea that
between the two countries Is inevitable,
1t is absurd. England, in her present position,
cannot with safety go TO war with any great
foreign power, and least of all with the United States
which, above all other countries, is the one upon
which she Is dependent for the means OF prosperity
and existence She has preserve peace to maintain
even her present position as a nation Let any man
at all conversant with the present state of England
ref upon the inevitable result to that country of
long contested war with any country. What
would be the result Of such a war with the United
States? Ireland, oppressed and down-trodden for
ages, is looking eagerly for "that dark spo, in the
Western horizon" 10 enlarge, and her starving and
disconnected millions would rejoice il il resulted
IN strife between England and the United States.
Then would be presented 10 them that opportunity
OF obtaining their national rights, for which they
have so long fruitlessly painted And not Ireland
alone, is in an unsettled and discontinued state
England herself is in a state OF efiervescence-and
IS in the condition oil house divided against itself
Such would throw thousands of her working
Il
murmurngs and discontenta all the bayonets in exist
ence could not prevent from ending in open civil war
Canada, TOO, is in transition state and only wants
an opportunity to free itself from British trammels
We therefore, think that it preposterous to enter
tain the thought for a moment, that our relations
with Great Britain can assume such shape as to
permit war TO grow out of them. She seems
powerless at too many points her history for some
years past demonstrates it the Maine boundary
question proved it. When matters assumed threat
en,ng aspect on that question, she her Minister
over to this couutry with the olive branch in his
hand. Would she have done twenty years ago
No She would have sent her fleets and armies,
and have demanded a settlement as she herself
would have dictated, at the lannon's mouth.
IL is well for the stock jobbing press to raise the
alarm OF war, in order to depress the stock market
and secure their private gain, but it is convic
ton that there need be no apprehension Of such
result growing out of our present relations with
Great Britain We are too necessary to her in
commercial point of view-the age is too civilized
the of the south is too valuable to her mills
allow rs TO think that such result will spring out
OF this question: But time will tell, and in the
meantime let Us watch and pray
MUNICIPAL REYoRa-TME FOR CHASoR ii il an
old saying, that when rogues fall out, honest men
stand a chance OF getting their due. We by no
means intend to affirm that there are any roeues in
NewYork-,hat would be too impolte, in this dav of
refinement and soft shelIed clams-alI we mean 10