The Sun. — 1841-03-06 (London, England)

SUPPLY-NAVY ESTIMATES.  Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved the Order of the Day for going into Committee of Supply on the Navy EitimateE.  Mr. O'BRIEN said there were two subjects which appeare.l to him to deserve the notice. of the House. The first was that a true bill had been found against Mr. M'Leod, on the allegation that he was present at a transaction which was conducted under the Colonial Authorities on a charge of murder and arson. The oth, r was a resolution of one of the Legislatures of the United States, to the following effect: that the Government be authorised to take immediate measures to remove the troops of the Queen of Great Britain from the disputed territory, and that the resources of the State be placed at the disposal of the Governor for that purpos. He did not know what degrea of authority to attach to the document, but if it were true it could be taken as nothing short of a declaration of war. He was as much opposed to war as any one, and looked upon it as a great calausity, particularly with America, because in that case it assumed a fratricidal character, At the same time he would say, that if war took place it would not be of their seeking, but they could not command the allegiance of their Colonial subjects if they were not able to extend protection to them. The Noble Lord, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had shown great exertion and vigour in another part of the world, in which their interference was of a more doubtful character, and he trusted the Noble Lord would indicate some portion of that vigour on the present occasion. He felt it his duty its an individual Member to say that in his opinion their interest would be much better secured if they had a strong fleet within reach of the American ports than if they had a large military force ahing the frontier line. He knew not whether the estimates were on a sufficiently large scale to meet exigencies of that sort, but the Government would be wanting in its duty if it did not come down to that House prepared to meet them. Mr. EWART could not see any necessity for anticipating hostilities.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that the mass of the people in the United States were inclined for peace with England.—(Cheers.) Ile believed they understood too well their own interests to wish to see that peace disturbed by any unhappy difference; between the two countries.—(Cheers.) He would not venture to follow in the footsteps of his Hon. Friend by drawing a distinction between the actions of the Government and the people of that country. He hoped that while we were unprepared for no enemy no attempt would be made to anticipate the hostitfes.—(Cheers.) He knew that the feelings of the manufacturing interests of this country were in favour of peace—(Cheers)—and he knew that the same feeling existed among the mass of the people of the United States.—(Cheers.) He trusted that these unhappy differences would be terminate I without any recourse to arms, and he thought that if such were the case it would be not only in accordance with the feelings but with the interests of both countries.  Mr. HUME hoped the Noble Lord would give some explanation which would remove the prejudice which had been crcateJ. Nothing that he was aware of had taken 1,1 Ice to call for the hostile interference of the Government. Nothing hal yet taken place, but under the sanction of civil law ; and it was too much to appeal to war when they were not aware vrbether what had taken pace was not in accordance with the laws of the State. He trusted the Noble Lord would assure the House that clothing had taken place but what caul(' be settled in an amicable manner.  ----- -- ------ -. .