Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-13

cable delay.
lam, &C., JAMES BUCHANAN.
LOUIS McLANE, ESQ, &c, &c, &c.
lfr. .HeLane 10 Mr.. Buchanan.
LONDON, Jan. 3, 1916.
Sir: | received on the 29rh OF December your
despatch, dated the 18th Of that month"; and on the
day following sought an interview with Lord
Aberdeen, in order that, in conformity with your
instructions, might bring TO his notice the war
like preparations making by Great Britain, and,
i! possible, ascertain their real character and OBJ
iect
II will not escape you, that upon such subject
il is not always easy TO obtain very categorical
answers, or entirely definite official information;
and I did not doubt that a frank personal confer
ence was The best if not the only mode of obtain
ing any satisfactory information whatever.
In introducing the subject, adyerted al the
same time 10 the information the President had
received from a variety of sources, OF the exlen-
sve warlke preparations making by Great Bril-
tain, and the natural inference upon his part, that
in the present pacific state OF the relations Of
Great Britain with all the powers of Europe, they
could only look % rupture with the United
States on the Oregon question. :.
Lord Aberdeen said very promptly and frank
" that it would be improper 10 disguise that,
with the sincerest desire 10 avoid il, they were
obliged 10 look 10 the possibility Of a rupture
with The United States; and that in such crisis
the warlike preparations now making would be
useful and important; but he stated al the same
time, very positively and distinctly that they had
no direct reference 10 such rupture, and would
have been made in the same way, and 10 The same
extent, without regard TO the relations OF Great
Britain and The United States.
He also adverted 10 The fact that such prepara-
tons as were actually making had been com
1aI, he h.ftt Tho Gptta
States and Great Britain had become IS serious |
as thew now appeared TO be, and therefore could
not at that time have had any connection with |
difficulties which had since grown out OF The Ore
gon question lie thought, TOO, that the rapresen-
ialions as 10 the extent Of the preparations must
have been exaggerated. He denied that they re-
laled particularly, as had been informed, 10
Gis,an: service; or that they were making any |
addition TO the old form Of marine. lie stated
that The most extensive and formidable parts OF
their preparations were the Notifications of the
principal and exposed ports aud stations, which
he though. could hardly be supposed to guard
against invasion from The United States; and 10
the increase Of the number Of steam vessels in
lieu Of the old craft, which il appeared other ma
tionS were about 10 adopt and which he confessed
he thought matter OF doubtful policy.
In short, he assumed the preparations in pro-
gress 10 be only part Of a wise and prudent sys-
lem OF national defence and protection, and oil pre-
pairing in time of peace for the exigencies OF war;
if i. should unfortunately come from any quarter
whatever; and he distinctly repeated his disclaim-
er that they had particular or direct reference toa
rupture with the United States on the Oregon
question. or any other ground.
In regard TO my own opinion on this subject,
which the President has been pleased to desire
i, is altogether probable tha, the possibility of
other difficulties from other quarters IN EUROPE
may have its influence in debating the policy OF
The extensive preparations in progress in all parts
If The kingdom; and, with unabaed confidence in
The frapkness and traightforwardness OF Lord
Aberdeen and without meaning 10 diStrust in the
slightest degree the sincerity Of his disclaimers
in our recent conversation, do not think it ought
TO be assumed by any one that warlike prePara-
lions on such scale as that upon which they are
undeniably making here could not have even an
indirect reference 10 the possible contingency OF
a rupture with US. And at the same time it is
perfectly obvious that they are in great degree,
and especially so far as they consist of an aug
nen,alion in the number of steam vessels and OF
the naval marine generally, precisely OF The char
acer to be the most appropriate and the most use-
full 10 war with our country.
am no. prepared to say, nordo deem It ma
terial 10 decide, how far we have right to ex-
peCl al cApiClt QiStloth " 'HS ''H>'
purposes of the waIlilse preparations now ma
king by Great Britain under the circumstances.
They NAV be the dictates OF various motives OF
policy, and the result of many causes and, with
out attempting 10 assign 10 each its particular in
fuence am by no means prepared TO admit that
the apprehension Of difficulties with tie United
States had no share in them; and il is very clear
that il a rupture with the United States should
grow out of our present difficulties, this country
will be as fully and effec,uay prepared for il at
all points and for all possible purposes as if that
and that alone, had been the object OF all her war
like preparations.
She will be in a situation 10 act and strike as
promptly and signally as she could have been
with her energies exclusively directed 10 that
end; and feel it my duty TO add, that not 10
expect, in case rupture becomes unavoidable,
that this government thus in complete armor,
will promptly and vigorously exert her utmost
power 10 infict the utmost possible injury upon
our country and all its Interests would not be do
ing Justice TO snch a crisis.
think it ought TO be expected; indeed from all |
learn I cannot doubt, that, in case OF HOSTILE
tics the aim of this government will be to strike
its heaviest blow at the commencement, in the
expectation OF being thereby enabled to shorten
the duration of the war.
I have the honor 10 be, &C.,
LOUIS McLANE.
The Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN,
Secretary of Stale, Washington.