Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-11
RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRrrAIN.

hELAl1ONS WITH .GkEAI BRITAIN.
The apprehension is strong in some quarters that
the war now going on between the United States
and Mexico will not be concluded without INVOLVING
us i'm hostilitics with England. On the other hand
there gentlemen Of intelligence, whose position
might well be supposed TO afford them the means of
information on the subject, who express the utmost
confidence not only in the determination of England
to remain at peace with this country but also the
belief that she will exert herself to bring about a
speedy pacification between the United States and
Mexico.
OF course these different specuatons take their
rise from different points of view-from different
data, each side dstrustng the grounds Of the others
differences. A Montreal paper thinks it quite un-
likely that hostilities can be confined to the two
countries now at war, and predicates its reasons
upon the embarrassments of commerce which must
ensue If the war continues. 1t says:
''I'he United States are eminently maritime ma
ton so also are France and England, the countries,
most closely allied to Mexico by commercial rela-
tons. These two great powers tciu not be inclin-
ed to see their commerce suffer during protructed
period, throughout the whole extent of the Mexi-
can coast and Gulf-There can also be no question
but that the Mexicans will issue letters of maroue
and rcprisal against the United States. No nation
has ever yet been able to prevent its subjects from
engaging in privateering, even though they them
selves remain neutral. This very privateerinQ will
afford ample opportunities FIR embodiment between
any maritime power and the United States.
''We do not believe that any two maratime pow
ers can be long at war without ultimately involving
the others, for international law is SO uncertain
and SO complicated, as that relating to the bellige-
rent rights of nations. We think it is time for
England to begin to look out for squalls, to use
nautical phrase for she may find herself involved in
hostiiltes IN very unexpected manner At all
events we trust that she will keep such fleet in
the Gulf of Mexico as will ensure her maritime su-
periorty In case OF sudden collision with the Yam
kee fleet"
Upon these views the New York Courier COM
ments and entirely rejects the conclusion just quoted
The right OF nations to wage war for the redress of
injuries being clear and beyond all doubt it is i'm
rerative upon other natons not allied with either
beiiigerent, to remain neutral. English capital in
vested In Mexico, and innnmerable other British
interests connected with that country, all likely to
be injured by war, would operate powerfully, it is
urged, to induce England 10 profer her mediation
TOR the cessation OF hosies rather than foment the
quarrel or take a part in it herself
There would be no end TO conjectures and infer
ences and arguments pointing this way or that, if
one should choose to enter upon this field of specu-
lation where point of certainty can be net found
Events alone can disclose the realities of the case
The consideration, however, which has the most
weight, so far we are able TO estimate considera-
lions on this subject, is rather political than COM
mcrcial, or more properly both, since Enyland's
policy and commercial interests are pretty well
blended 1t is clear that if any check is to be at
tempted upon the progress of this Republic in the
Southwest, IF any central Power is to be organ
lied and strengthened in Mexico as balance and a
barrier to the growing greatness Of the Union, the
time has now come when that attempt must be
made or the thought of it abandoned forever. To
leave Mexico unaded in the present struggle would
be TO leave us TO dictate the terms of peace which
would probably include the cession of the Califor-
MAS, with that fine stretch of the Pacific coast
which includes the noble harbor of San Francisco
and other spacious harbors and commanding posi-
tons. This contingency at least cannot escape the
sensitive consciousness of Great Britain. The cri-
sis, then, is at hand which must determine ques
tons OF momentous interest. Now or never the
entente cordiate must be rallied upon as the basis
upon which European fear and jealousy and polit-
cal torethought to themselves for blow at
the startling phenomenon CT American Republican
ism which is growing great.
When the British Government responds to the
communication Of the act Of "notce," 1t will do SO
with knowledge of the war now raging on the
Rio Grande. If its ulimatuln shall come in the
shape OF repetition of its old demand of the Co
lumbia river as the boundary line in Oregon, we
may have intimation Of sUme affinity between
the Oregon and Texas questions, other than that
recognized by the Baltimore Conventional
american.