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4 ’ WB’ BB—a— —
DIPLOMATIC.
jftf I*e //'Hi9# oj Representatives
• of the United Slates
to compliance with tho request of the
House of Representatives, tn their resolution
of the 3J instant, I herewith communicate a
report from the Secretary of Slate, with the
accompany >ag coirespondence which has ta
kenjiiace “between the Secretary of Slate
•ad the minister of the United States at Lon
don,*’ and “between the government of Great
Britain and this Government, in relation to
the country weat of the Rocky mountains
since the last annual message of the Presi
dent” to Congress. JA MES K. I'OLK.
Washington, Feb. 7, 1346.
To the Presilenl of the Uiiitsd Slates.
Df-fahtmekt of State, )
Washington, Feb 5,1840. £
The Secretary of State, to whom fas been
teferred a resolution ol the House of Repre
sentatives of the 31 instant requesting the
President to communicate to that H >use, “so
far as, inlnsoptn on,is not incompatible with
the public all correspondence which
Jias passed between the government ol Great
Britain and This govern Tient, or by or bet ween
nnjr of the officers of said governnicnt. in re
lalaoo to the country west of the Rocky moun
tains, since tlie last annual message of the
President to this I louse,” has the honor to
Ist before the President the accompanying
papers.
All which is respectfully subm’ited.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Mr. Pakenham to Buchanan.
Wasuington, Dec. 27, 1845.
An attentive consideration of the present
state of alla.rs, vriih reference to the Oregon
question, has determined the British gov
ernment to instruct the undersigned, her
Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary
nnd minister pleni|K)tentiary t again to repre
sent in pressing terms to the government of
the United States, the expediency of refer
ting the whole question of the equitable di
vision of that territory to the arbitration of
soma friendly sovereign or State.
Her Majesty’* government deeply regret
the failure of all their efforts to effect a friend
ly settlement of the conflicting claims by di
reel negotiation between tho two govern
tnents.
They are still persuaded that great advan
tages would have resulted to both parties
from such a mode of settlement, had it been
practicable, but there are difficulties now in
the way in that course of proceeding which
it might be tedious to remove, w Idle the im
jtoriance of an early settlement seems to he
roine at each moment more urgent.
Under these circumstances, her Majesty’s
government think that a resot Mo arbitration
is the most prudent, and, perhaps, the only
Jeaaible step which could bo taken, and the
best calculated to allay the existing effer
vescence of jmpular feeling which might
otherwise greatly embarrnss the efforts of
both governments to preserve nfiiendly
understanding between the two countries.
The government of the United States will
In the proposal which the undersigned
‘i* thus Instructed to tuake, a proof of the
MDofidence of the British government in the
justice of their own claim. They will also
*• in it a proof of tho readiness of the Brit
*<#fh government to incur the ik of n great
sacrifice for the preservation of peace and of
hair friendly relations with the United
States. It is made in a spirit of moderation
nnd fairness of which the world will judge
The British government confiden’lv hope
that the government of tho United Stales
will not reject n proposal made with such a
friendly intention, and for a purpose so holy.
There is nothing in it, they are convinced
not perfectly compatable with the sirieKsn
tegard for the honor and just interests of
lxub nations, particularly when itisconsid
eredofwhat smali value to either is the
portion of tetritoiy which in reality forms
the subject of controversy, compared with
the importance of preserving a state of
peace and good will between two such na
tions.
The undersigned takes advantage of this
opportunity to renew to the Hon. James
Buchanan the assurance of his high consid
eration. R. PAKENHAM.
Tho Hon. Jas. B*chanan, &c., &.c., &c.
Jlfr. Buchanan to Mr. Palcenhcm.
Department of State
Washington, Jan. 3,1846.
Tha undersigned, Secretary of State of
ihe United Stales, lias the honor toacknowl
vdge tho receipt of the note of Mr. Paken
barn, her Bmannic Majesty’s envoy
tirdinary and minister plenipotentiary, dat
ed the 27th nil., by which, under instruc
tions fiom bis government, be proposes to
ihe government of the United Stales “the
expediency of refering the whole question of
an equitable division of that (the Oregon)
territory to the arbitration of some friendly
•overeign ot Stale.”
The undersigned has submitted this note
to the President, nbir, after having bestow
ed 1 upon it that respectful consideration so
eminently due Many proposition craanaiing
from ihe British government, has instructed
‘Aim to give it the folloiving_answer.
The British government do not propose to
trferto arbitration the question f the title
to tho Oregon territory claimed by the two
powers, respectively. It is a proposition to
refer to a friemilv Sovereign or State, mere
ly the partition or “equitable division” of
that territory between the parties. It ns
sutnM the fact that the title ol'Great Britain
to a portion of the territory is valid, and thus
takes for granted the very question in dis
pute.
Under this proposition, the vety terms of
the submission would contain an express
acknowledgement of the right of Great
Britain to a portion of tire territory, and ne
cessarily preclude the United Slates from
claiming the whole before the arbitrator.
This too, in the face of the note of the un
dersigned to Mr. Pakenham oft lie 30th of
August last, by which the President had
as*c-?<ed, in the most solemn form, the title
of the United States to the whole territory.
Even ifthere were not other conclusive rea
sons for declining the proposition, this alone
would be deemed sufficient by the l*rcsi
dent.
The President heartily concurs with the
Biittfhgovernment in their regret that all
attempts to settle tho Oregon question by
negotiation have hitherto failed. He can
not, how-over, concur with that government
in the opinion that a res-m to arbitration, and
especially on the terms proposed, would be
followed by happier consequences. On the
ctt.ntrarv, he believes that any attempt to re
fer this question to a third (lower, would only
involve it in new difficulties.
In declining this proposition, the President
refers to the sentiment expressed in the note
of the undersigned of the 30th of August
last, to which allusion has already been
made, that lie “chetishes the hope that this
long pending controversy may vet be finally
adjusted in such a manner as not to disturb
ihe peace,or interrupt tl*e harmony now so
happily subsisting between the two nations.”
The undersigned avails himself of this
occasion to renew to Mr. Pakenbatn assur
ances of bis distinguished considera'ion.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Right Hon. R, Pakenham, &c., Sfc.
Mr Pakenham to Mr. Buchanan^
Washington, Jan. 6, 1846.
Tk tmdertigned. her Britanic Majesty's
•r.vof ntracidinaty and minister plenipoten
b*s had Hi* kono*:e recede the note
of tho Secretary of State of the United Slate?,
dated the 3d instant, in answer to that of the
undersigned dated 27th ultimo, containing a
proposal for referring the quest iou of an equit
able partition of the Oregon territory to the
arbitration of some friendly sovereign or
State.
The undersigned w ill take an early oppor
tunity to transmit this communication toiler
Majesty’s government.
The undersigned lias the honor to renew
to Mr. Buchanan the assurance of his distin
guished consideration.
R. PAKENIIAM.
To the Hon. James Buchanan, &c., &c.,&c.
Mr. Pakenham to Mr. Buchanan.
Washington, Jan. 10, 1840.
With an anxious desire to comnhute by
every means in his power to a satisfactory
conclusion of the question pending between
ifie two governments respecting Oregon, the
undersigned her Britanic Majesty’s envoy
exiraordmary and minister plenipotentiary,
has reflected cn the conients of the note ad
dressed to him on the 8J instant, by the Sec
retary of State of 1 lie United States in an
swer to that wh ch the undersigned had ihe
honor to address to him on the 27th ci last
month.
The ndte of the undersigned proposed to
the government of the United States that the
whole question of an equitable pattition ol’
the Oregon territory should be referred to
the arbitration of some fr.endiy sovereign or
state.
In his answer the Secretary cf State in
formed the undersigned that his proposition
could not be accepted. Tnat it did not pro
pose lo refer to arbitration the question of ihe
title to the Oregon territory claimed by the
two powers respectively. That in proposing
to refer to a friendly sovereign or 6tate mere
ly the partition or equitable division of the
territory between the parties, it assumes the
fact that tha title of Great Britain to a portion
of the territory is valid, and thus takes fir
granted the very question in dispute. That
under this proposi.ion the very terms of tiie
submiss.on would contain an express acknowl
edgment of ihe right of Great Briiain to a por
t.on of the territory, and would necessarily
preclude the United States from claiming the
whole territory beiore the arbilratot; and this
too, the Secretary of State goes on to observe
in the face of his note to the undersigned of
SOth August, by which the President had as
serted in the most solemn form the ti'le of the
United States tothe-whole territory.
It is not the purpose of the undersigned in
the present note to renew the discussion as
to the title of either part}’, Gieat Britain or
the United States to the whole or to any part
of the Oregon territory. He must, however,
beg leave, with reference to tho observation
which lie has just quoted, to remind ihe 4 U.
Slates Secretary oi Stale, that if the govern
ment of the United. States have formerly ad
vanced a claim to the v hoie ol the territory
it is no less certain that Great Britain has, in
a manner equally formal, declared that she,
too, lias rights in the Oregon territory incom
patible with ihe exclusive claim advanced by
the United States.
This declaration, arising from a conviction
equally sincere, will, the undersigned is per
suaded, be viewed with the same considera
tion Ty the government of the United Stales
as they expect that their own declaration
should receive at the hands of the govern
ment of Great Britain.
Tins premised, the object of tho underaign
ed in addressing to Mr. Buchanan the pres
ent communication is to ascertain from him
whether supposing the British government to
entertain no objection to eucli a course, it
would suit the views of the United States
government to refer to arbitration, not, as
has already been proposed, the question of an
equitable partition of the territory, but the
question ol title in either of the two powers
to the wdiole territory, subject of course tothe
condition that if neither should be found, in
Uie opinion of the arbitrator, to possess a
complete title lo the whole territory, there
should, in that case, be assigned to each ihat
portion of territoiy which would, in the opin
ion of the arbitrating power, be called for by
ajust appreciation t>i the respective claims of
each.
The undersigned has suggested a reference
on the above principle to 6ome friendly buv
ereign or state.
This the undersigned believes to be the
course usually followed in such cases j it is
that which has already been resorted to by
the two governments (and more than once.)
But there may bo other forms of arbitration,
perhaps, more agreeable to ihe government
of the United States.
Thero might be for instance, n mixed com
mission, with an umpire appointed by com
mon consent; or their rnignt be a board, com
posed of the most distinguished civilians and
jurists of the time, appointed in such a man
ner as should bring all pending questions to
the decision of the most enlightened, impar
tial, and independent minds.
In the present position of affairs, and feel
ing how much the interests ol both countries
require an early as well as an amicable and
satisfactory adjustment of existing d.fficuhies;
the undersigned earnestly invites the Secre
tary of State to lake the subject of ibis note
into consideration, with a view to such an
arrangement on the principle of arbitration
as may seem io the government of the Unit
ed Stales to be most just, wise and expedi
ent.
The undesigned takes advantage of this
opportunity to renew to the lion. James
Buchanan the assurance of his high consider
ation. . R. PAKENHAM.
To the lion. James Buchanan, &e., &.C., &c.
il/r. Buchanan io Mr. Pakenkam.
Department of State,
Washington, 4 h Feb., 1816.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of
the United Stales, lias the honor to acknowl
edge t he receipt of the note of Mr. Pakenham,
her Britanic Mijesty’s envoy . extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary, dated on the
16th ultimo,-by which he again proposes a
lelerence of ihe Oregon question to arbitra
tion. Under nis present proposition the
powers oi’ tho arbitrator would not, as in his
last be limited in terms lo the division ol the
tenitory between the parties, but would ex.
tend lo the question ot their conflicting ti
lies. Theie is however, a condition annex
ed to thia offer which exposes it to tiie same
objection in point of fact, if not in form which
was prominently presented in the answer of
the undersigned to Mr. Pakcnham’s last
proposal. This condition is, “that if neither
[party] should be found in the opinion of the
arbitrator, to possess a comple title to tiie
whole territory, there should, in that case,
be assigned lo each that portion of territory
which would, in the opinion of the arbitra
ting power, be called tor by a just apprecia
tion of ilie respective claims of each.” If
tha government of the United States should
cousent to an arbitration upon such a condi
tion, this might, and probably would, be con
strued i .to an intimation, il not a direct in
vitation, to the arbitrator to divide the terri
tory between the parties. Were it possible
for the President, under any circumstances,
to consent lo refer the subject to arbitration
the title, and the title alone, detached from
every other consideration, is the only ques
tion which could be submitted. Jf not con
tinued to a single point, so strong is the na
tural disposition of arbitrators lo please both
parlies, that in almost every instance, wheth
er of nation or individual controversies, they
make a compromising award. We have a
memorable example of this in our last atbi
iratiun with Great Britain. Notwithstand
ing that the arbitrator, under the terms of
the submission, was clearly and explicitly!
confined to the decision of which wa9 the
line of highlands described in the treaty ol
peace of 1783, yet, instead of pursuing any
range of highlands whatever, he advised
that the line should run along the bed of a
riveT, and actually divide the territory indis
put£ between'the parties by “.he middle of
the deepest chaonel of Che St. John’s.”
The undersigned might content himself, in
answer to the present proposition, with a ref
erence to the observations contained in his
last note to Mr. Pakenham ol the 31 ultimo.
In that, it was plainly intimated not only
that there are “other conclusive, reasons for
declining the proposition, R independently of
the one which had been prominently staled,
but it was expressly asserted as the be
belief of the President, “that any atiempt to
refer this question to a third power would
only involve it in new difficulties.”
Tne undersigned will, however, proceed
to si ate a single reason which, apart from
die intrinsic difficulty of selecting a suitable
arbitrator, as well as other considerations
that might be adduced, is conclusive on the
mind of the President against a reference ot
this question to arbitration, in any form which
can devised, no matter what may be the
character of the arbitrator—whether sover
eign, citizen, or subject. The reason is, ilia*
be does not believe the territorial rights of
this nation to be a proper subject for arbitra
tion. It may be true, that, under peculiar
circumstances, if the interests at stake were
comparative small, and if both parlies stood
upon an equal footing, there might be no in
superable objection to such a course. But
what is the extent of territory in dispute on
the present occasion! It embraces thirteen
degrees of latitude along the northwest coast
of the PaciGc, and stretches eastward to the
summit of the Rocky mountains. Within
its limits several powerful and prosperous
States of the Union may be embraced. It
lies contiguous on this continent, to tho ac
knowledged territory of the United States,
and is destined; at no distant day, to be peo
pled by our citizens. This territory presents
the avenue through which the commerce of
our western States can be profitably conduct
ed With Asia and the western coasts ol this
continent; arid its ports &, harbors belonging to
the Uniied Slates to which our numerous
whalers and oilier vessels in that region can
resort. And yet, vast as are its dimensions,
it contains not a single safe and commodious
harbor from its southern extremity until we
approach the 491!j parallel of latitude.
It is far frorn'tbe intention of the under
signed again to open the discussion of the
corfl cting claims of the two powers to the
Oregon territory. It is sufficient for him lo
state the continued conviction of the Presi
dent, that.the United States hold the best ti
tle in existence to the whole of this territory.
Under this conviction, be cannot consent to
jeopatd for bis country all the great interests
involved, and by any possibility, however re
mote, to deprive the republic of all the good
hai hors on the coast, by referring the ques
tion to arbitration.
Neither is the territory in dispute ofequal
or nearly equal, value tothe two powers.—
Whilst it is invaluable lo the United States,
it is of cotrpetalively email importance to
Great Briiain. To her, Oregon would be but a
distant colonial possession of doubtful value
and which, from the natural progress of hu
man events, she would not probably lonf
enough enjoy to derive from it essential ben°
efiU: whilst to the United .States it would be
come an integral and essential portion of
the republic. The gain to Great Britain she
would never sensibly feel; while the loss to
the Uni od States would be iireparable.
The undersigned i6 perfectly aware that
such considerations can have no bearing up
on the question of the title of cither party.
They are presented solely for the purpose of
explaining the views of the President in his
refusal to adopt any measure which should
withdraw our title from the control ol the go
vernment and people of the United S ates,
and place it within the discretion of any arbi
trator, no matter how intelligent and respect
able. -.
The President cordially concurs with tiie
government cf G. Britain in desiring that the
present controversy may be amicably ad
justed. Os this, he baa given the strongest
proof before the whole world. He believes
that, as there are no two nations on the earth
more closely bound together by the ties of
commerce, so there are none who ought to
be more able or willing to do each “other
justice, without the interposition of any ar
bitrator.
The undersigned avails himself of this oc
casion to renew to Mr. Pakenham theassur.
ance of his high consideration.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
R gbt Hon- Richard Pakenham, &c. &lc.
A FREE TRADER FROM PRINCIPLE
AND A PROTECTIONIST FROM INTER
EST.
Asa general thing the manufacturing in
terest here, like that of Great Biitain , have
abandoned the false doctrine of protection,
and are eager lor that unrestiicled freedom
ot intercourse which will ensure the greatest
Consumption goods and produce by tne peo
ple at large. It happens, however, that the
manufacturing interest embraces a few per
sons of overgrown wealth, w!io are'eapening
golden harvests under the tariff’ot 1842, bin
who were once conspicuous as the honest
ad\ ocates of ihe honest policy of free trade.
Foremost among these is Abbot Lawrence,
Esq., tho proprietor of one of the Lowell
cotton mills, and one in relation to wbiqh the
bruit goeth forth ihat the girls are the hard
est worked and the poorest paid. This gen
tlemen, from a prominent free trader, has
put hrmsell at the head of the manufacturing
oligarchy, and with the zeal that usually be”
longs to apostates, batffes stoutly for special
privileges in a series of letters addressed to
W. C. Rives, Esq., of Virginia, and publish,
ed in most of the Whig papers. Fortunate
ly, however, his skill in handling the sub
ject by no means equal bis zeal, and the
letters are such as are lat more likely to de
stroy protection than to support it. Mr.
Li wre rice does not advance one new argu
ment in support of taxation for the benefit of
manufacturing capital, and puts forward but
very feebly those which have often been
heretofore prosented with much greater
strength. A letter under date of Jan. 16th,
attempts lo show that a2O per cent, duty
will flood the country with foreign goods, de
stroy industry, crush the sale of produce,
carry all the specie out of the country, break,
all the banks, bankrupt the government, ruin
all the planters, and deprive the farmers of a
market for their produce. Ali these evils
Mr. Lawrence asserts, with wonderful self
complacency, will take place, without ever
vouchshfiing one single reason tor his asser
tions, except the following:
I have no hesitation in stating that all this will
lake place within the space of eighteen months from
the time ffiis experimental bill goes into operation ;
nnd not a specie paying hank, doing business,will be
found in the Uniied Slates. Where will be the rev
enue which was to produce such a mighty sum un
der low duties?
It Mr. Lawrence really believes this, he
is an object of compass Ton. if he does net
believe it. the statement merits only con
tempt. If the imports are so large as is al
leged, paying 20 per cent, they must surely
yield a large revenue. In 1841 the gross mi
port was $127,000,000, and the revenue $19,-
000,000, or 15 percent., yet that year show
ed an excess of specie imported. If, there
fore, according to the view of Mr. Waiber,
a general duty of 20 per cent, is imposed, or
5 per cent, average higher than tjiat of 1841,
it does not appear how the-disaster to the
revenue talked of by Lawrence are to grow ’
out of it. The following j g the only show of
argument contained it? the letter:”
It s p3s : .ble that Great Britain raay abate her j
(forn Laws, s i far as to admit Indian Corn at a nom-,
inaldtHy. If it shfiuld be done, 1 have fitiie faith in
our bcin able to ship it to advantage. / slot; the
fact, than, that exports icill net increase in consequence
ot a reduction, or even -a total repeal, of the present
Tariff.
Now, it so happened that the letter con
taining this ipse die it had scarcely appeareJ
in print, beiore tha arrival of the news lrotn
England that the government had determined
on the repeal cf the Corn Laws. The
whole epistle i3 a tissue of bold assertions
and contradictory statements, surprising in
the highest degree, Mr. Lawrence telis us
how be abandoned commerce and took to
manufacturing.
We came into it, however, reluctant/, find soon
learned, Ihat with the irausfer of our capital, we ac
quired skill and knowledge in the use of it, and tlra’
so far from our foreign commerce bung diminished, it
ic is increased, * * * *
Not long since, the foreign carrying trade was near
ly ail in our own hands; row ihe rt-cipiocily sys
leui, not includ ng the commerce of foreign nations,
fives lo foreigners more ilianone IhirJofall ihe car
rying trade of the United States!
In predicting great prosperity if the law of
1842 is conliuued, it is slated—
We shall purchase an extensive foreign commerce
vrit i manufactures, and bring homo the produce of
other countries,'such as tea cotfee,&c. &c., find
pay for the produce of the soulh and west, with for
eign luxuries, andjhe necessaries of life.
“Foreign luxuries,” it appears, when
bought with manufactures, are a benefit;
when bought with larm produce, a gieat in
jury. Again—
The East Icdia Company (the government of this
ooun’ry) have repeatedly augmented the djscrinu
na ing duties on these good i, (winch are called dril
lings,) for ihe purpose at'protecting their own manu
facuros against those of the United States,* prior to
1836. the and ity was 5 percVin favor ol J.rjiis i goads;
ill that tear it was increased to 85 per ceat.; a few
years after augmented to 10j per cent; and even this
rate ofdiflereniial duty proved insufficient 10 keep
oat the Amerlc ms, u>ho drove a profitable trade, not
withstand ng the great difference fag. uisi them.
If American manufacturers can send goods
to India and pay a duly of 104 per cent, high
er than the English, and still compete with
them there, why can thev not compete with
them here, when the-English good have to
pay 2J percent., and the American no:hing?
We really wish Mr. Lawrence would, in
some future letter, explain this. Still fur
ther the letter states
Our consumption reached, the last year, one hun
dred and seventy-ei* millions of pounds, which L equa‘
to tho whole crop of the Union in 1825, and equal to
the whole consumption, of Great Britain in 1826.
This is a striking lact, and or.e that ghou and be re
membered by the planters. The history of the pro
duction and maiiu acuire ofcoiton is so ixtraorciua
ry, that I propose lo send to \ou some staii-iics on
the subject 1 irnishtd me by a friend. I hope you
wilt not deem ms over sanguine, when I tell you tnat
it is my belief :h it (he consumption of rot on in this
country v ill double in 8 or 9 years, ih it it will reach
400 millions of pounds in 1856, arid further, itiat we
arc not only destined to be ihe greatest cotton grow
ers, but the most ex.’ensive cotton spinners in the
w .lid. We have all the elements among ourselves
to make us so,
It is slated here that the United Slates
consumed last year one hundred and seven
ty-six million pounds of cotton, equal to the
consumption of Great Britain in 1826, and
that we have “all the elements to make our
selves the most extensive cotton spinners in
the world.” Now Great Britain Horn 1826
io 1840 charged 10 per cent, duly only on
cotton, and in ihat time she increased her
consumption in the United States, where
cottons have paid 80 to 180 per ceut duly,
showing that the high duties here, and the
consequent high prices, have paralyzed the
( onsump;ion of cotton in the country of its
growth, notwithstanding our ability to become
tho “greatest cotton spinners in the world..’
[A r . Y. News.
WHIG CONSISTENCY.
The old maxim that “the straw may show
truly which way tho wind is setting in,” j 6
apt to our present purpose. “The Ameri
can Review—a whig journal,” published
monthly at New Yurk, speaks as much in the
name of the whig party as such a journal
can speak —as much as the Democratic
Review has ever spoken for ihe democra
cy—as much as B ackwood speaks- lor tiie
lories-
Tne January number of this publication is
before us, and centa.ns two well-written
articles, which we have read with no smali
astonishment. We have heard oi the ever
changing chameleon, (“though that is a fa
ble.”) We have watched ihe varying tmd
evanscen; hues of the shot silk. But r.o such
humble comparisons can give any idea of
tiie all-mutableness, (we must compose a
uevv name for what is to us, in its perfec
tion, quiie anew thing)—the ali-mutable
ness, we say, of the whig party, if its cur
rent be readily shilling around in the direc
tion these articles would indicate. We know
ihe whig party was at a push—for it showed
signs oi trying nativism. We knew it was
the “parly of expedients.” But the bravery,
the desperate valor of this last “expedient”
does, we must confess, astonish us, even in
the vvhigs. “The most re olule and deter
mined resistance to ali European interfer
ence in tho affairs of the American continent;
and ihe immediate acquisition of California
by our Government!! /” are now the “bur
den ami the reirain” of the music of this
whig organ! To “enlarge the area of free
dom” is now the v:nig cry.
Is this new crotchet ol the whigs meant
seriously? Do they mean to ride into pow
er upon a Calitornian, anti-European hobby
horse, rough-shod? What will they do with
their stand upon Texas? Are they really
going to take back all they said on (hat
question, Dei Norte boundary and ail? Can
they poss.bly swallow down such gJitterirm
masses of welljpet declamation, etuddied
with salient points? Tne reviewer will go
lor California as soon as the sootiest; but
Mr. Polk’s going—as law, and humanity,
and good faith baiie him—to the Del None,
is plain abomination to the reviewer, and he
can’t stand it. Union.
The Mysteeious Pilot Express.—The
True Sun has the following statement res
pecting the William J. Rorrier, which sailed
on Monday for Liverpool, under circumstan
cas which have caused much conjecture and
speculation :
The main business, if not. only business,
upon which the pilot boat William J. Romer
was yesterday despatched to Liverpool, is
now no longer a mystery. She was char
tered at SIOO per month for the boat alone—
the crew employed individually, to run to
Liverpool, remain two day?, and then run
back, in the quickest time possible—and to
carry two passengers, One of those passen
gers was Mr. Charles Metringaw, the confi
dential and special messenger of the Sate
Department at Washington, who has with
him despatches from that city. The other
passenger is said to be Mr.Bidwell, attached
to the British legation.— N. Y. paper.
AiYißiTrox.— Do not aspire to things that
are beyond your reach, but be satisfied with
the present good which you enjoy. If you
are actuated by a iaudible ambition, let it be
to excel in tbe profession you have chosen
instead of sinking below mediocrity in sonm
other.
It is a common error of mankind, that they
will not be persuaded that every calling or
business, has its mixture of good and evil.
They see the gilding of tiie object to which
they aspire, but not tile canker within. Our
seeming good fortune is often ejjvied by those
who know nothing of the an<*Bh we endure;
as we enjoy that ofothers, trouble and
anxiety do not afflict U 9. 0
A paper a profession*
;al gentleman as a “briefless iajqycr.” The
i-iouisvili'e Journal takes his to
task, and admonished him never to abuse
a man without a caide. — U. S. Gazelle.
| - WIIAT IS OREGON:
t The London journals and the opponents
of Oregon in Congress, cry down the value
of the territory in dispbte, and denounce a
: war lor such a prize afe fo&lish and wicked
jin the extreme. What!’ fight for Oregon,
1 just as the tar iff is about to be reduced ?
just as the powers of the peop’e ate about
; to be distributed as the framers of the Con-
I stitution intended them to be ?—raise a mi
j litary order i:i the country and create a war
I sj irit in the land, and above all do this when (
I the western States are indebted some 200
S millions of dollars to Europe?—Such a
course would be suicidal and unwise :
But let us look at Oregon for a moment,
and see what it is and what position it is
destined to occupy upon the face of the
earth.
Oregon is nearly 400,000 square miles in
superficial extent, more than three times as
large as the aggregate of the British Islands,
and about equal in extent to the original
thirteen States. It extends from 42 deg. to
54 deg. 40 m. North latitude ; and is hound
ed on the cast by the United Stales and
Canada, on the west by the Pacific Ocean,
on the north-by the Russian territory, and
on the south by California. It is the key to
the Western Continent on the Pacific.
This beautiful territory which is so ac
cessible to the men of New England, and
rhe middle States, is covered iq many pla
ccs with superior ship timber, its soil, except
upon the mountains is feitile in the extreme,
and its crops when properly attended 10, are
equal to those gathered upon the banks of
the Susquehanna. An agricultural com
pany is in full operation at Pugets Sound,
which bids fair to supply the whole North
west with flour.
This country which it is now so fashiona
ble to decry, is invaluable. The banks of
the Wallamctle are l.ke the green spots up
on the rivers of Damascus; and the shores
of Queen Charlottes Sound are in the lan
guage of Vancouver, pleasant to the eye,
resembling well regulated English Park
Scenery.
But above all, Oregon is our rear entrance,
our back gate, our outlet to the Western
Oceiu From San Francisco to the mouth
of the Columbia, our coast is sealed closet
by lar, than the coast of North and South
Carolina. From the Columbia to Pugets
Sound, there is but one harbor ; buifiom
Pugets Sound to 54 deg. 40 m. there are
upwards of one hundred harbors and an
chorages, with a sound that never freeze^ —
with fisheries that are, the richest in the
world ; and with corn and wheat fields that
smile amid the hills, like’ the suutiy spots of
our own New England.
If Oregon stretched along side the sea
coast from the sand hills of New Jersey, to
the lonely beach of Cape Florida, theie is
not an individual in existence, but would
barter the Atlantic country, houses, and
forts for what is now termed the shores of
the wild Northwest.
Oregon then being valuable, and ourright
to It being as we conceive inconlestible; we
believe that nothing should be done by our
people to injure our title, but on the contra
ry, every thing should he done to cover it
with the JEgis of Freedom, and wrap is
citizens ia the purple of the Republic.
[ Weekly ( Wash.) Tim"a-
THE FORGE OF IMAGINATION.
The correspondent of a Medical Journal
who is a practising Physician, and of ad
vanced age, communicates the following
anecdote.
In an early part of my practice I was
called into a neighboring town to visit a pa
tient. It being about the middle of the day,
the old gentleman of the house (over CO
years old) invited me to stop and dine.—
While at dinner, he says, “I don’t know as
you like my dinner.” “Why, yes,” said ],
‘•1 do ; 1 like it very well, it is’verv good.”
‘T guess,” siitl he, “you don't know what
you are eating.” “ Why yes,” said I, “I
do; it is some new corn'beef.” “Ah,”
said the old gentleman, “it is horse beef.”
1 replied, “J don’t believe it,” “It is,”
said he, “I declare it is some of my old
mare.” I was not much acquainted with
him at that time ; 1 looked at him, suppos
ing him to be joking, but could not discover
n museje ot the face to alter or change. I
had just taken another piece on my plate,
and a mouthful of the second slice in my
mouth ; and in fact it was hoise meat sure
enough—l could taste it as plainly as my
‘olfactory nerves would discover the scent of
an old horse. The more 1 chewed it, the
more disagreeable it taste.l. 1 continued
picking and lasting a little sauce which i
could swallow, but the meat, as tho negro
said, would no go. iat last gave a swallow
as Jdo with a dose of physic. I thought
that I should have thrown “the whole con
tents of my stomach up at the table. 1 af
terwards tasted a little sauce, hut took care
not to pul any more meat ia my mouth, and
kept time with (he family. Glad was 1
whendinnerwasover. It being cool weath
er, the old gentleman went to smoking and
telling stories. At last he says, “1 won’t
leave you in the dark about vour dinner. 1
told you we bad horse-meat for dinner, and
so it was. f told you it was some of my
010 mare, and so it was, lor 1 swept her
away for a steer, and that was some oft he
beef.” I have ever since been glad that
the gentleman put the joke upon me, for I
never should otherwise have known how far
imagination would have carried me.
“ THE BAREFOOT PRINTER BOY,”
The Pittsburg “Morning Arid,” under
this caption, gives a short history of a distin
guished citizen of Pennsylvania, as follows :
•‘Thirty years ago, said he, a barefooted
hoy floated down tire Susquehanna river, on
an humble raft, and arrived at Harrisburg,
Penn. lie came from the North, and be
longed to a large family with all his worldly
goods in a little pocket handkerchief, he
sought and obtained employment in a print
ing onice as an apprentice. Prom an ap
prentice to a journeymen, to a leporter, then
editor, the barefooted printer boy worked his
way against obstacles which the struggling
poor only know. The persevering followed
in Frank 1 in,e footsteps began to realize the
fruits of his patient toil and privation. The
young aspirant became Printer to the State,
and by irugal management was soon enabled
to accomplish tne object neatest his heart—
the establishment of his mother in a home
above want—in the possession of every com
loit she could desire. 11 is brothers next were
his care, and like Napoleon, lie hid a strong
arm with which to aid him ; an indomitable
perseverance that nothing could successfully
obstruct. In a few years, they too, with his
sisters, were independent of the world, the
once barefooted printer was in possession
of affluence, surrounded by a young and af
fectionate family.
lie did not slop here. He was the friend
of the friendless, the patron of merit, the en
courager of industry. He rose in honor and
in office, at Harrisburg, and he who hungry
and weary, laid down hisbundieon a pile of
wet paper, and asked to* become a printer's
apprentice, was elected Senator in Congress !
i hat man is Simon Cameron, of Pennsylva
nia.”
A gentleman had a board put on a part of
his land, on which was written, “I will give
this field to anyone who is really contented,”
and when an applicant came he said, “Are
you contented ?” The general reply was “I
am.” “Then rejoined (he gentleman “what
do you want with my field?”
It is a splendid remark of Bacon, that
*‘ envy, like the sun, always beats hofest gn
the highest grounds.”
The Pensacola Gazette of the 7th instant,
has a synopsis of the Mexican news brought
from Vera Cruz by the brig Somers. As
given, it explains the report, and how far it
was true, that Mr. Slidell had demanded his
passports. We make the following extract:
Lieut. White, of the Somers, was sent to
the city of Mexico with the despatches which
that vessel had carried outfor Air. Slidell.—
He found the Minister in the city, but anxious
to retire to some other place, in order to be
free from all suspicion of exercising the least
irifluerrce in any way on either of the political
parties which were distracting the country.
With this view he had been for some days
(every day) asking the authorities for an es
cort to accompany in in to JaLpa, but had
been put off from Jay today, until after Lieut.
White’s arrival. In a day or two alter that
arrival, the government furnished Mr. Slidell
at his urgent application, with an escort of
eight men, who accompanied him to.laiapa,
where Mr. White left Urn, and where it was
his purpose to remain until duly received by
the government in his capacity as Envoy Ex
traordinary anu Minister Plenipotentiary, un
less otherwise ordered by ins otvn govern
ment.
There seemed to be daily increasing pro
bability that Mr. Siideli would soon be receiv
ed as Minister at the date of the Sumer’s sail
ing- j ■
THE BRITISH ARMY IN INDIA.
By the late steamer vve perceive that the
East India Company have got a r.ew war on
their hands; and it bwtutnes interesting to
know what force the Government rely upon
in this emergency. Fot%he information of
our leaders we give the ftuwving from a late
publication on the subject:
In the great valley of India, subject to the
East Ind.a Company, lying between Bo'un
pour on the East, and the In dies on the West
there are over 120 millions of people. To
keep them in subjection, they have expended
many milliors in fortificatist s, commanding
all the passes. In Which they have distri
buted an army ol 285,000 men, exclusive of
servants, camp followers, drovers,&c. about
60,000 mure; Tiiis force consists of-
Infantry, 230.030
Cavalry, 26000
European Companies of troops, 8,000
“ King’s troops, 21,000
To’al, 235,000
Tho naval power of the Company, inde
pendent of King’s ships and steamers, of
which we have no account, consists of 50
ships of II to 1400 tons each, well armed
and equipped—carrying in peace2oeighteen
pounders on the main deck, and 0 thirty-two
pound caronatles on the upper dock. In ad
dition each ship carries 100 muskets; 50 pis
tols, 50 cutlasses, and 100 pikes, with all
needful ammunition, and a magazine fitted
for action. In war these 5G sips are con
verted into frigates and mount 32 guns and
300 men. From the best information we
can obtain, we learn the Company own 7
steamers. The Government own 4
including those carrying the mail between
Bombay and Suez.— N. Y. Gazelle.
JViALEBttAJfCHE.—The greatest mailiemo ti
eian of his day—dreamt one night that he
bad a leg of mutton grown to his nose. Some
philosophers, who calied tlie following morn
ing to see bin, found him in the greatest dis
tress of mind, being persuaded be had that
terrible leg of mutton appended to his pro
boscis. Every argument of his friends, every
remedy of the faculty, failed to remove the
hallucination from the great philosopher's
mind ; and his case was given up as hopeless,
lion ever, ? ne dav a young surgeon was intro
duced to Malebranche, and he told hi n th it his
tned ca! brethren, not knowing a cure tor Ills
disease, had endeavored to persuade hinrthat
he had a nose like tlnse of fits neighbors, but
that he acknowledged the fact of the pres
senceof the leg of mutton. If, however,
Malebranche would submit to an operation
he would slake his life on Ids sutcessS.—
Malebrance joyfully accepted the proposal
and the next day appeared the enterprizmg
operator, acc >mpanied by assistants, carrying
knives, scalpels, saws, tenacula, ligatuies,
and al! tho paraphernalia of the heating art.
Malebranche was secured on the operating
stool, and, after employing every imaginable
instrument, the operator skirncd the good
father’s nose, and then squeezing it so hard
that the pain made him close his eyes. “Vic
tory !” cried the surgeon, “j have got it off!”
and lo and behold, theie it was indeed, before
the delighted patient’s c yes the very moment
he opened them. It is true the operator had
brought the leg of mutton under his cloak;
but Malebranche was radically cured.
PI.EASE TO STOP MY PAPER.
*1 am going to stop my paper,’ said a
miserly subscriber to a news paper, to one
of his neighbors, ‘1 cannot afford to take it.’
‘What is the price of it per j car]’ said tiie
other.
‘Three dollars,’ was the reply.
‘And can’t you afford three dollars a year?
—Tlrnk of it, truly, three do'lars a year!
A year is a long time. Perhaps you have
only a few sue!) lo spend here on earth. A
year ! a whole year! and otdy three dollars!
A large, closely printed, useful sheet ; giv
ing you the news of the week, and a large
amount of miscellaneous reading. And you
can’t afford three dollars for such a paper a
whole year.
‘Well I declare, neighbor, you talk like an
experienced man. I never thought of it
just in that hght before. It is only three
duLars for a year, and yet the paper comes
to me every week, and I love to read it; {
always find something in it that interests me.
And movcover, on a second thought, 1 per
ceive that, alter ail, a good newspaper is
about the cheapest thing a man can have.
He gets more reading for his money than he
can in any other way.’
‘True, neighbor, and this shows, that
wfiat 1 have always said, is true ; nevvspa
petseeem to have been designed exclusively
for the benefit, of the poor. No man is too
poor to take a good newspaper, because it is
tiie cheapest thing lie can have.’
Here both the speakers joined and said :
‘Blessed are the editors, for they feed the
poor with knowledge ;’ and they separated \
with looks of high satisfaction.
Josephine was one of nature’s Queens —
she was divorced, says her biographer, hut
her love did not cease ; in her retirement,
she joyed in all Napoleon’s succe see, and
prayed that lie might be raved from the fruits
of Iris cash ambition- W hen his son was
horn, she only regretted that she was not
near him in his happiness ; and when he
went a prisoner to Elba, she begged that she
might share his prison, and relieve his woes.
Every article that lie used at her residence,
remained as he left it. The book, in which
he had been last reading, was there with
the page doubled down, and the pen that lie
had last used by it, with the ink dried on its
point. VV hen her death drew nigh, she
wished to sell all her jewels, to send the
fallen emperor money; and her will was
submitted to his correction. She died before
his return from Elba ; but her last words
expressed the hope aud belief “she never
caused a single tear to flow.” She was
buried in the village church of KueJ, and her
body was followed to the grave not only by
Princes and Generals, but by two thousand
poor, whose hearts had been made glad by
her bounty. Her marble monument bears
only this inscription: “Eugene and Ilor
tense to Josephine .”
“What are another’s faults to me ?” asks
a celebrated philosopher. “I am no vulture,
feeding on carrion. Let me seek only the
good in others evermore, and be a bird of para
dise, feu on fresh fruits aud crystal waters.’
From Lord Motion’s Life of CtmtAe.
DEATH OF RICHELIEU*
This all powerful Minister approached the
termination of his career. A shm fever
was consuming his body, but his genius . and
courage never 6hone more brilliantly. Nev
er did he appear more formidable to his ene
mies, or more haughty and arrogant to the
sovereign of France. JJe formed plans for
the following year in Spain and Italy, in
Flanders and ift Germany. He gave orders
to his guard (for he had guards like a prince)
no longer lo lower their arms in the King’s
presence, lie never left his arm chair during
a visit which the Queen paid him at Huel;
and far from excusing himselfon the plea of
illness, he claimed it as the privilege of Car
dinals. Death alone could triumph over his
ambition.
ii is physicians wishing to flatter him to
the last, told him that his state was not en
tirely hopeless ; and that God, seeing how
necessary Ire was to France, would, no
doubt, perform a miracle to preserve him.
But Richelieu sent for Chico, physician to
the king; and besought him, not as a physi
cian, but as a friend, to tel! him the truth.
Chico, after some hesitation, told him plainly
tiiat in twenty four hours, he would either be
dead or cured. ‘ Tiiat is speaking oui as you
ought.” replied the Cardinal, “now I under
stand you.” He caused the king to be sent
for, and settled with him the future adrninis-
I ration of public affairs, just as if his own had
been in question, lie nominated as his
successor Cardinal Mazatm, u'hose zeal and
ability lie had already tried; and the subdued
mon rch promised to conform in all things to
the last wishes of his expiring minister.—
Then Richelieu, with as firm a voice and as
serene a countenance, turned towards his
religious duties. His confessor urging him
to forgive all his enemies, he coldly replied,
that he had never had any except, those of the
State. lie received without emotion the
absolution and the sacrament of extreme
unction. The Bishops who were assembled
around him. were edified by so much calm
ness and inddlereiice. One only among
them, Cospeati, then Bishop of Nantes, form
ed a contrary opinion. ‘ln truth,” said he,
on retiring, “that great serenity alarms me.”
An Infallible reml-dy for Lowness of.
Spirits.— lake one ounce of spirits of
resolution and an equal proportion of the oil
of good conscience—infuse into these a table
spoonful of salts of patience, and add thereto
a lew sprigs of a plant called “others’ woes,”
which you will find (reely growing in cverv
part of tho garden of lile, but especially, un
der the broad leaves of a snowy herb called
disguise. Gather also a handful of the blos
soms of hope, which being perennial may
always he obtained; sweeten these with the
balm of providence, and if von can procure a
few drops of the genuine cordial of true friend
ship it will greatly add to the value of tire
medicine. But in this ingredient especially
be careful of counterfeits. There is a spu
rious compound, vended by one Self Inter
est _wh ; ch is obtained easily” enough, and by
which thousands are imposed upon. The
least admixture of it with the above ingredi
ents, woutd infallibly spoil the composition.
1 educe the whole to an electuary by a pro
per proportion of conserve of content, flavour
it with essence of good judgment, and regu
hle the quantity taken accordingto the vi7u
lence of the disease. A tried recipe and
never known to fail.
There are some benefits that may be so
conferred as to become the very refinement
‘of revenge ; and (here are ovils which we
had rather bear in sullen silence than to he
relieved Irani ..them at tire expense of our’
pride :
In the reign of Abdallah the third, there
was was a great drought at Bagdad; the
Mohommedun Doctors issued a decree that
the prayers of the faithful should he oflbred
up for rain ; the drought continued ; the
Jens were then permitted to ofler up their
pr?ytrs with those of thetr.ro belief ; the
supplications of both were ineffectual ; net
famine stared them in the face, those dogs
the Christians were at length informed also
to pray. It ro happened that torrents of
rain soon followed. The whole conclave,
with the Multi at their head, were now as
indignant at the cessation of the drought, as
the were before alarmed at its continuance;
some explanation was necessary to the peo
ple, and a holy convocation was held; lire
members of it came to this unanimous deter
mination : That the God of thejr prophet
was I.igldy gratified at the of the
faithful; that they were as incetffeand sweet
smelling savor unto him, andJtbal he refus
ed that \M might prolong
the pleasure of tojpcir supplication;
but that the prayers cMe Christian Infi
dels were an abominatj^Tto the Deity, and
that ho granted 1 hei^Ktitions. the sooner, to
get rtd of (heir loaUmwio importunities.”
J Laron.
! Anger.—Anger, l.ke powder, ignites at
. the slightest spark ; and bunting from the
, human bosom, it scorches and withers all
! kindly feelings, andHmwa* its victim on to
1 unpremeditated ennaejJfo ruin. It lowers
: man in the scale of beirijf and assimilates him
ito the brute that perishes. It drotvns the
; vo * ee °[ reason, and degrades mankind; for it
i ever brings with it the consciousness of its
own madness. It ia unworthy of man, be the
■ provocation ever so great: for it. cannot res
tore peace or undo the wrong already done,
ii ben, whosoever yields lo its influence, de
grades his own dignity, and lays himsclfopen
1 1° censure, pity and disgust; and “exposes
; In's weakest point lor every enemy to strike
i against.”— lm well's Offerin'?.
j ■ o
Native American Ttj under .-The Vicks
burg Intelligencer recalls the story of a quiet
but enthusiastic Yankee, who, some years
since was travelling in a mail coach with two
Englishmen, who annoyed him very much by
running down every thing they saw in the
country, and freely determining that every
tiling in England Xvas'decidedly superior,Jona
than bore it, but impatiently. After some
time, a thunderstorm broke over them—the
horses dashed off in alarm, and the English
men were nearly dead with fright, when sud
denly a bolt of lightning struck the two near
horses, killing them instantly and arresting
the stage, which, in the sudden plunges oft he
leaders, was upset. Jonathan was the'first
to come out. and as the Englishmen crawled
out badly hurt and half dead with fear, he ex
claimed, “There, gaul darn yc, have ye any
better thunder than that.”
Argument in favor of Solitary
ment for life, other than capital Poptshnient.
picture toJrtself a spe
cies ot tffror, benevo
lence, and Arnore happily
blended together.
bat can be more to tTiO riotous,
the libertine, the voluptuajfy, the idle deiuj
quent, than Sohtuda. Coiffinement, Sobriety
and constant labor J Y/i, w hat can bo more
truly benefiicial. f
Solitude will awjjfcri reflection ; confine
ment will banish wnptation ; sobriety will
restore vigor ; and labor w ill beget a habit
ol honest industry ; while the aid of a Relig
ious instructor may implant new principles in
hts heart, and fit him to meet the gieat hero
after—Judge Blackslone.-
* Postage.—'The Senate of N. York adopt
ed the resolution in relation to the postage
lav, With one dissentient. Tiie resolution
recommended opoosition to the repeal of the
law by the New York delegation in Congress,
“until the present system has been fairly
tested.”— N. O. Delta .