Newspaper Page Text
Wce*iry, and proper. !am myself favorable
to an honorable negotiation—an honorable
treaty, if such a one can he made. It is on
tbia latter point than artmoet tho only differ
•nee —at least, the largest difference—-of
topinioa exist* in ifie minds of life American
Congress. The blending of these questions
’ has produce thie difficulty, otherwise there
>vonld he general unanimity in concurring
With the recommendation of the Executive.
| Hare a lew sentences were inaudible in the
gallery ] When called upon, I shall also
be prepared to make the best argument in my
favorable to our claim; but when 1
snake that argument, will 1 not be compelled
\o admit that grave questions of international
law areitffofved in the discussion, and that,
‘while 1 put my own construction an them,
honorable and patriotic men (nay differ from
meat to the settled doctrines dieting be
tween (rations 1 While I make up my own
argument in favor of our claims, w.ll 1 not be
’compelled to admit that many of the facte In
volved are contradictory 1 And while I feel
the weight of testimony to be on our side,
wtiH that there is testimony on the other side,
which the opposite party may not be so will
tag to yield, as weak arid imbecile. ‘The
from ranks senator from Indiana, [Mr. Han
viegan,] has made an able and eloquent speech
•adin Khe took occasion to insinuate that
the South was not so much for Oregon as
they had been fur Texas. lam not and isposed
so turn the tables, and say that some genile
nen were not so much for Texas as they are
*for Oregon.
Mr. llannegan. Will ihe senator allow
me to say one word? The time lias come
When I should give the reason why i was
nut so much tor Texas and Oregon w hen uni
led in Inc Baltimore convention. But I
dreaded if Texas went first—l dreaded Punic
faith. Yes, Punic faith.
Mr. Colquitt. I feel very much indebt
ed to the honorable gentleman for his ex
planation. He is an able statesman, But
tt happens that his reluctance to act was be*
fore the Baltimore c invention. I do not
wish however, to bandy words. I was very
much p'eased with the argomeot of the gen
lleraao but I do not like—(Here the speaker
turned round to Mr. Hannegan, and the re
wiainder of the sentence was lost (6 the re
porter.) The.bonorable senator in his very
able speech, relied on the discovery alone,
without having been followed by settlement
•od occupancy, Was a sufficient foundation
for title. But this question arises—is that a
settled doctrine of national law? The sen
ator argues that it is. Another -question ari
se* —if a discovery in a sufficient foundation,
for tide, must that discovery be made under
the sanction of a government, or will it be
■•ill sufficient, though made merely in the
prosecution of individual enterprise? These
are questions, and there are others also in
4his controversy, which, although my whole
feeling* and judgmonl are in favor of the A
tneriCan side; yet I must admit, as tn honest
man a statesman, are yet unsettled. 1 am
compelled to admit, and it seems to me that
•very honorable senator must admit, that
these delicate and important questions have
hot been ao weft settled as no longer to re
main in open debate. Again, when a set
tlement is made, what must We its character,
4n order to benefit the country from which
the Settle is come? is it not a grave ques
tion involved? Is it settled? Is it fixed?—
la it debatable? Again: how far from the
locality where settlements* is made will an
unquestionable title extend? Is not that also
• debatable question? Is it not likewise in
volved in this controversy? And again* I
•ay, While my own feelings are favorable to
Vie decision made by our Secretary of State,
end the agreement urged yesterday by the
hoooreble senator from Indiana—Whilst
these are my convictions—l am compelled
to admit that these are grave questions of in
teroetional law, and facis too involved in
this miter on which honest men may well
differ before settling down into conviction.—
1 would not make t hese remakrs—l would
•otffave felt myself called upon to do 60 —
hut tram the character which the debate has
assumed. It has-been assumed that ,by the,,
law of nations, the Spanish tide give us 54-
deg. 40m; that discovery is of itselfetiffleieirt
to give a title against all the balance of the
hrorld. Well, 1 have felt myself called upon:
to make some remarks upon that view of the
question; & I wih now proceed to make anoth
er remark, and will Lringobservations to
strengthen it. No matter how strong my Con
victions maybe with-regard to the validity of
our title', (am to well acquainted with the
structure of the human mind not to know
that flty own individual feelings and Wishes
shay have some influence on my judgement.
lam too well acquainted with me feelings
which sway sway the human heart, not to
admit that the feelings &. wishes of the people
of the country in which I live may likewise
have some inttjence on my judgment*—
There is no arbiter to whom we can submit
-•to whom we are willing to submit—in
whose .mpartial judgement we are willing to
eonfide. How, then, stands (tie case? Great
Britain and the people of the United States
put forth their claims, each in his own court,
and each with his own advocated judge.—
And does not every body see that each put
ainf faianwn construction upon international
hr, and upon facts, and persisting in it. there
M but one mode of settlement, and that will
be by the sword. We cannot find an arbi
trator in whom we can contide. We claim
the whole—unquestionable, indisputable,
right to the whole country. We know that
individual cases, where there is no arbiter or
inbunal set up to the nltuter in controversy
between the two, private any
where, toat the man that refuses to <?cwpro
mise— tesistfog Upon the whole exteuf~
wboin eh>iti.s judgment for himself—deter
ohnhig far limiself the extent oi his'rights,
—I say that man gains the character,or may
gain the character, of obstinate courage, but
inevitably k*sesthe prouder charactersitc of
wisdom, justice and moderation; Now, I
have always thought that si'<ce : the discover
ry of America the best eel tied doctrine tho’
con'roveried, wae, that discovery was a suf
ficient foundation for title; or 1 shppose that
(bat is wot disputed, provided it is followed
vp by pot session. All Europe making dis
coveries there, recognised in the native tne
right of occupancy; but -the disc overer alone
-had the right of making terms with the na
tives, either by conquest or purchase; nobo
dy else conk! interfere. The discoverer had
this right, bdt held subject to the native right
f occupancy. But 1 say if you recognise the
right of the natives tooccupancyy set lenient
be necessary to perfect the ti le.—
The grant was good, and y<rir permit me to
bold as long *s|you choose; while the native
remains there.-yon respect the right of uefcu
pancyr bet the still has, in my
ccustruchoa of 4m law, the right at any
.time, by conqueror pui chase, to carry out
wad perfect bis title. That has been by po
■silica on that sut j-ct. I had thought that
jfwtwaa. more pr less acquiesced in- accord
ing to the usages of European natrbus.’ I
JMcw very withal there have been same I
exceptions to tliis, but as a general rule T
lheve this is correct. 1 think that the
Bdiush did Well, in relying on the rights
t—fifited cm the British government by the
Xootka Sound convention. Now, whether
convention was abrogated by the war
jklJjfifi, as lam inclined to think it was, is
inutfirr qmKftffh for, in general,'treaties pre
not, ipofaco, made void by war—*eppcial
iy such as q*ke stipulations for territorial
right* are ot abrogated by war, betrevire
again on dir return ot peace, unless some
atipulationeuf an alter treaty he repugnant
Is A *
Bams contend that before the treaty of
9notha Sound, rhe Bi ty* tahad ..a much light I
Murth ol tba Spaniah gwUkindot at Nvu.ka
as the latter h.>d. But lam willing to agree
with the Secretary of Slate in regarding it
as a commercial treaty, coriferringconain£r
cial privileges; and in that view. I am fire
pared to insist that the war of 1796 did, or;
did not, abrogate it. But, sir, affothVr view
was presented by the senator yesterday.—
Suppose it was not abrogated, arid that some
rights or privileges remained not destroyed
by the war—such as the right of fishing,’ of
settling, of carrying on commerce, of naviga
tion: now that they did acquire these rights
it is true; of their value of them they are the
best judges; for not only in the debates of
the British Parliament, but in t.he speech of
the king himself, he refers to the subjebt, and
calls attention to the case of two British ves
sels which were captured by a Spanish
man of-war, their cargoes taken possession
of, and their crews brought prisoners into a
Spanish port. What did they demand?—
They demanded satisfaction for the violence ‘
committed; they demanded reparation for the
injury sustained; and when they did so, the
Spanish government replied* “We have al
ready done so. Your vessel and property has
been restored; and the viceroy of Mexico on
ly did the act under the impression that you
had made an infraction of Spanish rights.’*:—
On the second of November,in the same year
we find from the debates in the British Par
liament that there was another communica
tion from his Majesty to the house of Com
mons, in which he states, in alluding to the
above ease, that the only object he iiad was
satisfaction for the violence committed at
Nootka, and without saying anything of the
commercial rights, or right of fishing or set
tling on the coast. That was in November ;
and in December the House of Commons
voted him their thanks for what he did.—
What did they say? That they had acquired
any thing in soil or'territory ? Not at all,
but alter presenting their thanks to the king
for preserving rhe peace and effecting the
treaty, they speak of having secured to his
subjects the right of settling and trading,
which were the objects sought. In Parlia-’
meut, the ministers of the crown said they
had made a great acquisition-—that they ac
quired rights they never had before. He held
that the policy was long since exploded oi
taking entire possession of a country by pull
ing down a cross or put ling up a standard in
the king's name ; that he had a right to fish
in every sea, and trade on tl.c coast; and that
the doctrine of title from the Pope’s pretend
ed power of ratifying a first discovery, was
entirely exploded. This was his view of the
question. As, then, the purpose ol the king,
as is manifest from his language both before
and after the treaty, was not sovereignty or
jurisdiction* but the right of navigation, of
settling on the coast, of fishing, &e., I have
referred to his speeches, and thuse of mem
bers of Parliament, to show they did not ac
quire them by the treaty of 1790. 1 refer to
the language of the minister to show that the
question of sovereigtfty was not established.
Another remark, although it may not .have
much weight with some. At the limb the
Pope made the grant to Ferdinand, of Ameri
ca. after it 9 discovery by (Columbus, not one
of the nations of Europe but acknowledged,
the sufficiency of such a title. The power of
the sovereign pontiff was acknowledged over
all Christendom. Not a sovereign but was
ready to hold his lands, and prostrate himself
on his knees, and receive his crown at the
hands of the pontiff They held tliem so.—
At last this question arose: 1 (Tan the opera
tion of a law be valid a hundred years after it
has ceased to be acknowledged ?” All Eu
rope—dukes, princes, emperors, and among
the rest the kings of England—stooped to
the poutiffto receive theircrovvns at his hands;
and it was not till 1493 that a solitary excep
tion or dispute arose about it. It was an off
spring oftne leformation by Luther. The
Spanish king had made a proclamation com
plaining of English depredations on Spanish
America, when Queen El zabeth first ques
tioned the pontiff’s power, saying that where
a thing was stolen, it ought to be restored ;
but that she denied the right, derived from his
holiness, to the thing claimed by theSpauish
king.; that she owed the Pope no allegiance,
Sard itiowledged no obedience to him, and could
hot'be supposed to respect his acts. That
question, produced by the reformation,chang
ed international law. England, to that time
Jiad no claim to the Spanish coasts ol Ameri
ca. The probable cause of the treaty be
tween Spain and England, as is held by the
Secretary of Slate, was about the right of
navigation, &c. The question now arises,
Was the Nootka sound treaty destroyed by
the war of 1796 ? If not, we must admit there
is ah incumbrance on our title. We must
admit that, to say the least of it; for if that
treaty be still in existence, they did obtain
the concurrent right to fish, settle, and trade
on the northwest coast of America. Well,
I am willing to 6ay, with our Secretary of
State, that it was a treaty such as might be
abrogated by the war of 1796; but I certain
ly will pause before I go sb far as to say it is
a treaty so clearly abrogated as to prevent all
negotiation. I will not make so bold an asser
tion. After the war of 1796, Great Britain
continued to exercise those rights and priv
ileges there. Fiona the year iy()6, onward,
they were continually making settlements,
fishing and carrying on the navigation of the
coast, and so tiiey continued long before the
treaty oflßl4 could have reached the British
minister, telling him of the renewal of-that
of 1796. We find them*constantly exercis
ing these rights afterwards. On the fare of
hli this, theo, although I coi.cur with those
who sav dur Claims are bcs*. I feel some dif
fidence In saying that the Nootka sound trea
ty was abrogated by the war. So far as this
government is concerned; [t had some claim
before the session of the territory by Spain.’
But all I ask is this, that be they what tiiey
may, in our own opinions now, cibsidering
our own conduct in relation toils ofccupancy
by others —considering all the circumstances
ot the case—while our government is pre
pared to assert its just rights, let it be ready
tp treat the jut claims of others with some
respect, iustead of kicking people out of Ore
gon, without negotiation. Are wp to say in
the face of the world, that we*don't., want to
fight about it, that wa don't want to negoti
ate ! Aie vvd to say in she same breath, that
we don’t want a war, but that we must have
the whole territory ? Great Britain was there
a great many years before we were there.—
We bouglft our title to it at a time Great
Biitain was there in possession, and exercis
ing rights with our knowledge. With our
our knowledge ? Yes, with our consent and
approbation. Is that ho inCumberance! -In’
view of these Facts, I feel, sir, that if I reject
ed negotiation, if I claimed the whole up to
51 deg. 40 in., I would not be just to my sell
nor to my Go*'. I cannot do it. But proba
bly there w.ll be some difficulty in settling
the boundary. Can any man say a thing is
indisputable that has been in dispute for year?
Surely, when our statesmen say that our title
is indisputable, they do not mean that it is
absolutely sc: they have too much coutmoii
sense for that. To suppose that Saving go',
over all the difficulties of international law
diaVnlg expounded it to hisown satisfaction—
" Raving wbigh< and the f.rcts ofthe case, the get)-
ijeinan would then pronounce our title indis
putable; While he himself had negotiat'd on
tfte soibject, knowing it had been in dispute for
SuCh supposition’ is extravagant.—
Nbjsir in saying our title is indisputable the
t3ectetafy ol State, otify prbnbbflees his own
judgment, but declares his coiiviciions'of the
clearness of our title over that of-our adversa
ries. I will go that length with him; I -am* a?
ready to express tny conviction of the supevi’
only of out title as any one; but I wcitld pause
before affirming that to be indisputable -which
oven then was in dispute. I do not want to be
put in that position before the world. If our
:itle to 54 deg. 4? min. is so clear that there
is nu question akcat it, f hold that those who
think so ought to go for it, and take no
Jess. But 1 do not think that was what
had beeu said by the Secretary of state or
others, in pronouncing it unquestionable* In
doing so they only meant to declare ‘their own
convictions.. I have been charged with incon
sistency, by some warm friend sos the President
for saying so; but Isay, no matter how strong
my own convictions are as to the superiority if
our title, I cannot say it is unquestionable in
the fullest sense of the term. The senafoijfrom
Indiana, much more ably than I could by a long
course of argument, sought to prove that the
title by discovery is good. Now, wiYb him,
I am willing to say ft is; but I must stop to
ask, is it indisputable ? 1 might set myself
up as an infallible expounder of the law of
nations, and at once bound over all the diffi
culties of the case; but if it happened that
upon appealing to the world, our interpreta
tion or international law should be disputed
—that, notwithstanding she strength of the
convictions of the senator and myself, we
were passed over—what would it matter how,
we regarded our title? To put my own con
struction upon international law is very na
tural, but to ineist upon it, and act according
ly in the present c&se, would be to force my
construction of international law upon the
whole world. Put that is not all; fur so dog
matic am I that all Eurcpe must bow to it.—
I argue for our rights to the’ fullest extent,
as far as I comprehend them; but while I do
so, 1 am compelled as a man, as a Chi istian,
as a statesman, to admit that these facts are
subject to dispute. Let us see how we
stand#
• {Concluded next week.)
l’O REIGN.
ARRIVAL OF- THE CAMBRIA.
Thirty Days Later from Europe.
PhiladelThia, Feb. 29.
By the arrival at Boston of the Steamship
Cambria, we have late and important intelli
gence from Europe.
The meeting of Parliament, and the
Queen’s speech, and the remarks of Sir
Robert Peel and Lord John Russell in rela- j
tion to the foreign affairs of Great Britain,!
particularly with the United States, give a |
very favorable complexion to the Oregon
question. S:r Robert Peel and Lord John
condemn the course pursued by Mr. Paketi
ham on the Oregon question, particularly his
refusal of the offer of Mr. Buchanan, without
submitting it to the consideration of his Gov
ernment.
Lord John Russell is decidedly opposed to
the increase of the army and navy of Great
Britain, and says that the only need of any
increase is the increase in the possessions of
that Government. The reduction ofduties
on American produce proposed by Sir Rob
ert Ijttl, meets with much favor, and is ex
pected to increase the business of the manu
facturing districts very much-
The accounts of the various markets are of
tire most favorable character, and cannot but
have a very favorable effect upon the prices
of American produce in our markets.
The London Money Market was rather
■tight, and the quotations for stocks tended
downwards.
DREADFUL SHIPWRECKS.
Recenfhccounts bring tidings of dreadful
shipwrecks. The Montreal, a trade*be
tween London and Quebec, was lost on the
14th January, near Cape Chat, and every
soul on board perished. The Saxon, an
American packer, bound to London, from
Boston, is believed to have ioundered on the
17th, on a reef of rocks called the Ledges,
near Red Head. The Lanrel, of Quebec,
off the coast of Newfoundland, by coming in
contact with a field of ice ; happily the crew
were saved. The ship Cambridge, from
Liverpool, took off the crew, thirty-two per
eons of the Lord Lycedoch, in a sinking
stale. Lloyd’s books recorded the loss of the
City of Shirass; in the Mifidora l§ea, with
forty persons drowned ; the wreck of an
East ludiaman, and other calamities.
INCREASE OF THE ARM V.
It is currently rumored in military circles,
that the army will be increased 14,000 men,
by the addition of two companies to each
infantry, and two troops to each cavalry regi
ment. Three'commissioned officers, a cap
tain, and two subalterns, will be appointed to
each cf these companies and troops.
UNITED STATES’ TARIFF. If
Lord Monteagls inquired whether there
would be any objection tb the production of
the report of the {Secretary of the Treasury
in the United States on the subject of the
tariff? The subject was one of general itn
portance, and he hoped there would be no
objection to the promotion of the document.
He had thought it right to put this question
to the noble earl in the first instance, before
moving the production of the report.
The Earl of Aberdeen said it was unusu
al to move for the production* of documents
similar to that alluded to by the noble lord,
and if Such a practice were adopted ittnight
be attended with great inconvenience. At
the eame time, he was not disposed to de
prive their lordships of information which
might be really valuable and important, and
which he could communicate consistently
w ith his duty. He had certainly received a
copy of the document to which the noble
lord referred, and be was ready to admit tha’t
it contained matter which was Very we,l
worthy their lordships attention. Under the
circumstances, he would nut object to its
production; but his consent to the noble
ford's request on this occasion must nut be
drawn into a precedent
Their lordships -then adjourned. _
On Thursday, the 22J of Jajwrary, Parlia
ment was opened by the Queen in person,
the royal procession left Buckingham Palace
soon after 2 o’clock, and arrived at the House
of Lords soon after.
THE SPEECH OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
My Lords and Gentlemen :
It gives me great satisfaction to meet you
in Parliament, and to have the opportunity
of recurring to your assistance and advice.
I continue to rerc-ive from my allies, and
from other Foreign Powers, the strongest
assurance ofthe desire to cultivate the most
friendly relations with this country. I rejoice
with the Emperor of Russia, and through
the success of our joint mediation, I have
been enabled toadjußt the differences which
had long prevailed between the Ottoman
Porte and the King of Persia, and had serious
ly endangered the tranquility of the E ist.
For several years-a desolating and sangnina
ry warfare has afflicted the States cfß;o de
la Plata. The commerce of al! nations has
been interrupted, and acts of barbarity have
been committed, unknown to the practice of
a civilized people. In conjunction with the
King nf the French, I am endeavoring to
effect a pacification of those States. The
Convention concluded with France, in the
course of fast year, for the more effectual
suppression of the slave trade, is about to be
carried into nmncdiate execution by the ac
iive co-operation of lire tiyo Powers on the
Coast of Afr.car—
It is my desire that our present union, and
theg.od understanding- which ohappily
exists between us, may always be employed
to promote the inte'rests of humanity, and to
secure the peace ofthe world. I regret that
ihe conflicting churns of Great Britain and
the Uniled Stales in respect of the teriitory
ou the North Western Coast of America,
although they have been made the subject
ot repeated negotiation, still remain unset
tled. You may be assured that no effort
consistent wiih national honor shall be
wanting on my part to bting this question
to an early and peaceful termination.—
Gentlemen of the House of Commons : . •
ofthe year will be laid* bo
fore you at an early period. Although I
am deeply sensible of the importance ot en
forcing economy in all branches of the ex
penditure, yet I have been compelled, by a
due regard to the exigencies of the public
service, and to the state of our Naval and
Military Establishments, to propose some
increase in the estimates which provide for
their efficiency'. My Lords and Gentlemen■
I have ob'served with deep regret, the
very fiequenl instances in which the crime
of deliberate assassination -has been of late
committed in Ireland. It will be your duty
to consider Whether any measures can be
devised calculated to give increased protec
tion to life, and to bring to justice the per
petrators of so dreadful a crime. I have to
lament that, in consequence of ihe failure of
the potato crop in several parts of the Uni
ted Kingdom, there will be a deficient sup
ply of an article of food which forms the
chief substance of great numbers of my
people. The disease by which the plant
has been affected, has prevailed to the ut
most extent in Ireland. I have adopted ail
such precautions as it was in my power to
adopt for the purpose of alleviating the suf
ferings which may be caused by this calam
ity, and I shall confidently rely on your co
operation in devising such other means for
effecting the same benevolent put pose, as
may require the sanction of the Legisla
i ture.
I have had great satisfaction in giving my
assent to the measures which you have pre
sented to me from time to time, calculated
toextend Commerce, and to stimulate do
mestic skill and industry by the repeal of
prohibitory, and the relaxation of protective
duties. The prosperous state of the reve
nue, the increased demand for labor, and the
general improvement which has taken place
in the internal condition of the country, are
strong testimonies in favor of the course
you have pursued. I recommend you to
[take into your early consideration whether
whether the principles on which you have
acted rnay not with advantage be yet more
extensively applied, whether it may not be
in your power, after a careful review of the
existing duties upon many articles, the pro
duce or manufacture ot other countries to
makesuch further reductions and remissions
as may tend to insure the continuance of the
great benefits to which I have adverted, and
be enlarging our commercial inteicourse, to
strengthen the bouds of amity w ith Foreign
Powers.
Any measures which you may adopt for
affecting these great objects will, [ am con
vinced, be accompanied by such precautions
as shall prevent permanent loss to the reve
nue, or injurious results to any of the great
interests of the country. I have full reli
ance on your just and dispassionate consid
eration of matters so deeply affecting the
public welfare. It is my earnest prayet
that with the blessings of Divine Provi
dence on your councils, you may be enabled
to promote the lYiendly feelings beiween
different classes of my subjects, provided
additional security for the continuance of
peece, and to maintain contentment and
happiness at home, by increasing the com
lorts ot the great body of my people.
The Queeß emphasised the portions of
the speed) which refened to the continuance
of peace and to the reduction of the tariff.
Her Majesty having concluded her ad
dress, rose from the throne, and quitted the
House with the same stale.
The Earl of Home moved the address in
brief speech in which he glanced at the
most of the topics touched upon in the
speech from the throne. He concluded
with reading the wordsuf the address which
merely echoed the speech.
Lord De Ros seconded the address and
expressed a hope ‘that our pacific relations
with A.merica would not be disturbed by the
Orygon dispute.
The Duke of Richmond made an angry
attack on the policy of Sir Robert Peel and
the Conduct of the Anti Corn law League.
Lord Stanley jstated iliat he left the Cabi
net because lie thought that the proposed
scheme Would not give sufficient protection
to the agriculturalists.
The address was carried without a divi
sion.
ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES—SPEECH
BY SIR ROBERT PEELT
House of Commons—January 22.
The Speaker, in his state robes, entered
the House at. 25 minutes after one o’clock,
when a considerable number of the mem
bers had assembled. Shortly alter two
djelock the House was summoned to the
bar of the House of Lords on the arrival of
the Queen, whither the Speaker and a con
siderable number of the members proceeded.
On their return, the House was adjourned
until four o’clock.
On the re-assembling of the House a num
ber ofnew writs were moved for.
house of commons —January 23.
England and the United Slates. —Mr.
Hume alter complimenting Sir Robert-
Peel upon his proposed liberal policy, said
there was one-Other paint to which he would
refer, and it was to express a hopohat the
right honorable baronet would continue to
maintain the good understanding, which,*
from her Majesty’s speech, appeared to pre
vail between France and England. (H ear.) |
It was the power ol tfie British Government
united with that of Fiance to command the
peace of tlie world. (Hear, hear.) Quar
rels might take place between different na
tions, but those two Great nations uuited
would prevent war. (Hear.) There was
a paragraph in the speech which referring
to state of our relations with the United
States ; and he must say that he thought
hei Majesty’s expressions on this subject
highly proper and becoming.
He thought, too, that the paragraph which
recommended an increase in the army and
navy estimates, one of ihe best, under pre
sent circumstances, in the whole speech,
(hear) and he saw it with considerable grati
ficatioh, when he found the chief magistrate
ofa great country, from whom lie expected
better things, venture to set at naught all
those rules & regulations which civilized na
tions observecUtowards each other. It w ould
bo acting contrary to the whole tenor of his
life, which had been to give the most efficient
useful, and proper powers to the govern
ment, not to approve of this part of the
speech, and he was sure there was a dispo
sition on the pait of the House, to place at
her Majesty’s command ihose means which
would maintain the horior of the country.
(Cheers)
Sir Robert Peel—T never entertained the
slightest apprehension that any contiast be
tween the language employed in her uta
jeeiy’s speech in reference to those unfortu
nate disputes that still prevail between this
country drill America, and that which has
been used by the -chief magistrate of the
United States* would have been made in
this House. thought that that could
have been mislakeu or misrepresented.
We have no hesitation in announcing our
sincere desire for the interests of this couu
ttffcfrr the interests of the United States,
anCpfcf the interests ofthe civilized world,
in *o strain every effort which is
national honor, for the pur
pose of aWcably terminating those disputes;
(,1-Icar.j l never had any apprehension that
our intentions or our language wouid be mis
represented ; and the speech which the
honorable gentietnan, (Mr. Hume,) the uni
form and consistent advoca e for ihe strict
est economy, has just made, confirms me
thorny anticipations w ill not be disappoint
ed. VChecrs.) And if any proposal which,
her Government limy feel it their
duty to rftaLe for the maintuinauce if essen-
tial rights, oi of tin national honor, shall be
responded to and supported by this House,
’then let tae not he mistaken. I think it
would be the greatest misfortune if acontest
about the Oregon between two such powers
as England and the Vnited States could not,
by the exercise of moderation and good
sense, be brought to a perfectly honorable
aud satisfactoiy conclusion. (Cheers.)
THE OREGON AND RIVER PLATE QUESTIONS.
Lord John Russell said, lie was not about
to allude to those subjects uhicn bad been
before the House last night, out there were
two questions in that partof the speech from
the throne which related to our foreign rela
tions which he wished for some explanation,
upon. First, with regard # to the Oregon
question. He entirely participated in the
feelings of ihe right Hon. gentleman, both
that peace with the United States was most
desirable, and that we ought to do nothing
that was inconsistent with the honor of this
country. But certain statements had been
put forth iu America, and had been reported
to have been made to the Congress of the
Un ted States, which made it desirable that
some explanation should be given on the
subject. He had thought that the President
of the United States had last year made de
clarationste Congress on this subject which
were riot conformable to the usages of civil
ized countries, or to the friendly relations of
the two states ; but it would appear, how- \
ever, that, a proposition for a compromise
had been made from the President to Her
Majesty’s government, and he (Lord John
Russell’) conceived that that proposition had
changed the state of the question.
The proposition itself might be satisfacto
ry or not satisfactory ; but, having been
made, it did appear to him to require a state,
ment from those in autboiity in tbiscountiy
of the terms on which they would be satis
fied to settle this question. That proposition
as he understood, had not been received by
her Majesty’s government, but had been
declared to be totally inadmissible by our
Minister in America. He (Lord John
Russell) confessed he thought that was a
hasty proceeding on the part of the repre
sentative of Her Majesty in the United
States. But what be wished to ask was,
whether the negotiations bad recommenced
or were going on ? He Was hot desirous that
the papers should be presented to the House;
he was willing to leave the negotiation in
the hands of her Majesty’s government until
they could state that a sat sfactory tesull
had been attained, before he asked for any
information of the .particular state of the
negotiations. One word with respect to
what had fallen from the honorable member
from Montios'e.
Her Majesty required the attention of the
House to the increase in the estimates which
provided for the efficiency of the military
and naval services. He could well under-,
stand that with the increased possessions of
this country abroad and the consequently
increased demands on the services of our
military and naval forces in every part of
the world, there might be reasons lor the
increase of the estimates even at a season
of profound peace, and When nothing threat
ened on any siueftfcd he trusted that it
was on these grounds, and not on account of
anything in the aspect of alfairs, with refer
ence to the United States that Her Majes
ty’s Government had made this increase.—
Lie for his part, had some time thought that
the efficiency of the military force of this
country at its present amount, was too much
tried, and that 100 much was demanded
from that force, Ris second question was
this. Her Majesty stated that for several
years a desolating and sanguinary warfare
had affiicted the siates of the Rioue la Plata
and it was further stated that Her Majesty
was endeavoring to effect the pacification of
the states.
He, (Lord John Rfissell) understood that
the endeavor to effect a pacification had
been prosecuted by means of warlike mea
sures, and l.e somewhat doubted whether
that was the right mode of proceeding. It
was true, it was stated that the commerce
of all nations had been interrupted. But it
was further staled that “acts of great bar
batity had been committed unknown to the
practice of a civilized people.” Acts of
barbarity were certainly very dreadful
things; but he doubled whethei it tvas wise
in Her Majesty’s government lo state that as
a ground of a forcible intervention. Thev
had heard, though be would not name the
countries in which they had taken place—
but they bad heard of dreadful acts of bar
barity iu other parts of the world ; end cer
tainly he had not heard it proposed by any
wise statesman that there should beany in
tervention in those countries. Tbs ques
tion which hs had to submit to the right
hon. baronet, was, whether lie proposed lo
lay on the tabic any papers explanatory of
the ground upon which her Majesty’s gov
ernment thought it necessary to interfere
with the warfare w hich had occurred in the
States of the Rio de la Plata ?
Sup, Robert Peel. —With reference to
the question just put by the noble lord, I
beg .to say, that not foreseeing fliat he would
.put it, I am not at present prepared to give
iiim an answer, and have therefore to crave
that he will postpone his question until anoth
er time. On the subject of the Oregon ter
ritory, I have to state that a proposal was
made by Mr. Buchanan, with the authority
of the President of the United {States, to
Mr. Pakenharn, and the proposal so made
suggested a division of the territory. Wheth
er or not that proposal ought to have been
accepted I cannot say. Mr. Pakenharn
thought the terms proposed were so little
likely lobe acceptable, that be did not feel
himself warranted in transmitting the pro
posal to the government at home ; and on
signifying this to Mr. Buchanan, the latter
immediately staled that the proposal was
withdrawn. This is the state of the nego
tiations at present, so far ass am informed,
respecting the proposal submitted by Mr.
Buchanan.
I have the highest opin ion of Mr. Pak
enhatn. 1 have the greatest respect for his
talents, and the greatest confidence in his
judgment, yet I must say i hat it would have
been better had he transmitted that propo
sal to the home Government for their consid
eration, and i: found in itself unsatisfactory,
it might possibly have formed the founda
tion for a further proposal. (Bear.) Since
that period this country has again.reported
to the United Slate3 their ofi'er of referring
thfe matter to arbitration, bfit no answer has
yet been received to the proposal so made.
With respect to the proposed increase in the
naval and military estimates, it is impossi
ble for any one to see the progress of srearu
navigation, and the continued increase of
our colonial possessions, without althssame
time seeing the necessity for an increase of
our naval and military establishments.
Within the last tew months, the colony
of New Zealand has made a heavy demand
upon us in this respect ; rind the continual
drain made upon our troops oh account of
the necessary reliefs in our other possessions
is so great, that it is almost impossible to
fill up our regiments. I think that even
while we have the utmost confidence in the !
intentions of foreign powers, we vould not
be wise to neglect the defences of our conn
try; and to render it secure against any
possible contingency. -(Bear, hear.) [say, 1
then, that the proposed increase in theesti-i
mates may bo entirely justified on purely,
defensive grounds, and that her Majesty’s 1
Government have felt it their duty to pm-1
pose an increase of the estimates for our
naval, military anti ordnance establishment, ’
without reference to ihe xlispule with the
United States.
MR. COBBEN ANB *THE CORN LAWS.
Mr. Cobben has published an address to
the farmers of on the proposition
of Sir R. Peel, relative to corn. His object
is to convince (hein that it is better for their
interests, in every point of view, to have the
corn laws repealed at one, instead of wait
ing for the ministerial firm of three years.
The reasoning by which he supports this
view of the case appears on. the lace of it
very conclusive, but whether the response
will be in the spirit ol'Mr. Cobben’e letter, is
very doubtlul. No class of men dread a
change more than farmers, at and most of all,
sudden changes. This timidity is further
increased by their state of dependence on
the landlord; the least refusal to comply with
his desires may be the least refusal to com
ply with his desires may be attended with
‘‘notice to quitand to pnlical subserviency
they sell themselves from the moment
they become tenants at will.
Little Joubt can exist that a free trade in
corn from the present time would prove less
injurious to the farmer than what Mr. Cob
ben calls the ‘ itansitionstate,” during which
the stock of corn would be accumulating in
every part of the world to throw into the
British market on the very day that the duty
was remitted.
LORD MORPETH.
The election for the West Riding ofYork
shfre will take place in a day or two, when
Lord Morpeth will be returned without op
position.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER IN FRANCF.
Mr. King, the American Minister at the
Tuileries, has been drawn into correspon
dence w r ith M. Guizot, for the purpose of re
buttinfi a charge preferred against him by
the London Times, of garbling the views of
the French Government on the subject of
Texas, and producing thereby the explosive
missive in the President’s Message, which
now caused such a sensation in France, and
such protracted discussions i:i the Cham
bers.
Mr. King is sadly too thin skinned; and
he has not bettered his position by appealing
through Mr. Guizot, to tlie*public, against
the strictures of a newspaper. A high dip
lomatic functionary ought to be above this.
The Time returns to the charge, sacri
:fies Mr. King umnericifully. Mr. King’s
letter is rhetorical and inflated; that of Mr.
Guizot brief, cold and to the point. *
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT-
On the first night ot the Session the inte
rest centred in the Ministerial explanations.
These explanations were principally confined
to the popular branch ol the legislature, for
the theme was evidently distasteful to the
seceder, Lord Stanly. On a subsequent
night, however, the Duke of Richmond call
ed upon the Duke of Wellington lo supply
his version, and lie prefaced the request by
asking whether the hero of a hundred fights
had received her Majes'.y,’s permission to do
so. The Duke,- with -the and
promptness which marked his conduct, im
mediately launched into a history ot the af
fair. It is a very different story from that of
his oily and appearance-loving colleague at
the head of the government.
The Cabient differed about the Corn
laws and resigned. The Duke disliked the
repeal of these laws, but he disliked a differ
ence in the Cabinet more. To preserve un
animity ol opinion, he was ready to sacrifice
any law—to give up any pet scheme. Ac
cordmgly, when the Whigs, through divided
councils, broke dowr, Sir Robert Peel wrote
to the Duke, who.was in theccuniry at- the
litne, teilng him that he would meet Parlia
ment alone if necessary, and propose a re
peal of the Corn law?.
The Duke immediately gave in his adhe
sion, and highly praised the “pluck” of Ins
light hon. lfiend in coming to s-tjeh a deter
mination; it was what he would *liave done
himself miner the pressure of simt\r circum
stances. Aliogether, the D
tion showed how d.fferently education and
character cause men to view the same,facts.
The large and comprehensive vis on of the
statesman contrasts amusingly in th s in
stance, with the narrow range of the military
disciplinarian.
France.
M. Guizot has noticed the remaiks of Mr.
Polk’s Message relative to War and Tex
as.
M. Gu'zot had accordingly felt surprised
at the language used by the President in his
message, and lie bad considered it his du’y
to claim in reply for France an entire inde
pendence of action. He next examined the
iommer(.%l reasons which which had induced
France to recognise the independence of
Texas in 1838, and rendered her anxious to
maintain it 1845. The political considera
tions had been of a still greater weight!—
There were at present, he said, three power
ful nations intent on aggrandising
mershre, their territories —England, Russia,
and tiie United States.
DISASTER TO THE FRENCH IN ALGIERS.
The French papers gave an account of a
horrid disaster which overlook a detachment
of the French army in ihe prov.nce of Con
stantine. In the midst ot a large plain, the
column was overtaken by a heavy fall of
snow, which continued two days, in which
the poor fellows were obliged to bivouac.—
Some of them riot having tasted food for two
days, fell victims to the severity ol the weath
er. By this calamity more than one hundred
lives, it is said, have been lost.
The Union contains a translation of official
documents, setting forth the defeat of the
English and French combined fleet with that
of the pirate Garribaldi (in all thirty sail,) in
an attack on.Paisander,a small tow non the ri
verUruguaVjby a detachment of the Argentine
and the Oriental forces, under Antonio de
Diez, Minister of War of the Oriental, on
29;h of last September. ‘I he engagement
between the Battery “President Oribe” and,
the combined fbet lasted an hour. ‘I ’lie Arfi
glo French retreated to the lower Uruguay!
and the pirate .owards Salto. The Eng
lish war steamer grounded on the rocks, and”
was damaged before she was got off’.
It is strange that some of the more violent
Whig press persist that Mr. Polk wijj involve
the country in a war with Great Britain,
vvhen we find such admissions as following
from the Washington correppoaident of the
New York Express. con
tended, that Free trade peace
maker of nations—and thaQjHpout any oth
er inducement, it would in ttSll 4ead toan
amicable adjustment of the OregifhfdAttlfe
ty, at the same time doing justice
It rests of our own it How-citizens
‘ Free irade will
gO'.us 0) England, oen than ihe whole
and in mwi■ Is her inanufp.esures ‘
ii ore advantage from having t>v my per
than from all her colonies and expectations S3
continent.”
THE COTTON CROP.
The following speculations on theCotion
crop for the present year, are extracted from
a New Orleans Circular, of the 13 h ins'.,
prepared for the next steamer.
“ With respect to‘the crop, of which it is e*p> cted
that at tlds advanced period of the season, we should
be able to make some approximation towards a cor
rect estimate, it becomes necessary to slate that the
subject is still involved in and mbt. By reference to the
comparative statern>.nt of receipts acc< mpanymg this
Circu'ar, it wifi he perceived that they show a defi
ciency of no less than 182 993 bales against last
year—an amount so large as to have materially stag
gered the opinions of di >se who relied on a growth
of upwards of 2,300 000 b lips. At this point, where
the great increase over last >ear was anticipated, we
are still deficient tn iec<ipts, and a'though the low
stage of Red River and seine of the cth<x smal'cr
tributaries is adduct and as a sufficient cam e for these
diminished arrivals, the argument appears scarcely
valid ; at all events not to the extent of (Jie es
timates, and we naturally come to-the cbhe!u--ion, in
ct mm on with the majority of those ergaged m the
trade, that the production has been exaggerated.—
We frankly confess our inabiliivAu form any comet
estimate of ti e crop a’ present.”
1 THE TI ME Si
COLUMBUS, GA.
Wetffiesday, march 4, I 846.
“ Tu®es Office” on Ran
dolph Street, in the Oglethorpe
Building, in rear of the Post Of
fice.
AGENTS.
{Ur 3 Mr. James Johnson is nuthoiiscd
To collect accounts and receive subscriptions
lor this office in the neighboring counties of
Alabama.
IlCr’Mr. Alexander Morton is our regu
lar business agent, and will attend at all the
Courts of this Circuit, where persons hav
ing business with this office, can transact it
with him.
RENOVATION.
We have received from the extensive
Typo Foufidery of Messrs. L. Johnson, <fc
Cos. Philadelphia, an invoice of an entire new
dress for the “ Times.” We expect to re
ceive it in about ten days, and hope by the
Ist ol April at furthest to present anew,
clean, and clear sheet to our readers.
By the same arrival we shall receive a
valuable addition to our Job Office, and be
prepared to execute Book and Job printing
in trie best style.
FIRE.
The Kitchen and smoke house attached
to the premises of Mr. W. Toney, was de
stroyed by fire on Monday. The active ex
ertions of the Fire Company and citizens
arrested the flames before they communicat
ed to the dwelling house.
BISHOP REYNOLDS.
The Right Rev. Ignatius A. Reynold*,’
Bishop of Charleston, who is on a tour of
visitation to the parishes of bis Diocese,
pibached-ai the Catholic Church in this city,
to largfrand respectable auditorieson Friday
Saturday and Sunday.
Bishop Reynolds enjoys the reputation of
a sound and eloquent Catholic Di\ine and
his pulpit teachings have been listened la
with pleasure by many of our citizens, hold
ing to a different faith.
THE SIIINPLASTERS, ONCE MORE.
We find in the 44 Democrat” the follow
ing c£Trd from Mr. Winter :
Mr. Editor—Some persons having, of late, for
reasons best known to themselves, endeavored to
create an impression wilh regrd to pie Change Bills
issued by the subscriber, this is (ogive notice that he
always lias been, js noiv, and expects everio b* (
both able and willing to redeem them’, promptly. Ho
invites all those in tots region, who wish to convort
tin in, to p esent them at ihe counter of the. Bank pf
St. Marys, in sums of five dollars, or more. Al
though iliey are no* made payable here, for the con
vene nee of ilie public il ey will hi re. <
As persons have made it ihcir business (for want
of something bejjlejvlo dp) to annoy ihe T’el.er by
presenting one hill at a tiir.e, for die mere purpose of
annoyance, the Teller will hereafter require that they
did) be presented in sums cff.ve dollars, and up
wards. They will be received in small or largo
sums, in payment and on deposit. They will be re
dr emed in jfitw York, at my office,, coiner of Wad
and Willia n sireets; iii Savannah ai die office of M.
S. Ball & Cos. and inl&s city, ut the Bank ot St.
Marts, as before mentioned.
JOHN G. WINTER.
Columbus, Feb. 27, 1816.
So it sertns, that the only answer Mr.
Winter has to make lo all that has been
said and all that can be said against bis
usurpation of the sovereign right of issuing
irredeemable paper money, is, that bis Shin
plasters “ are good.” Indeed ! and bow
does the public know they are “good”?
Woal guarantee have they of the fact be
yond h!s mere word? We charge that they
are invalid in law; not collectable out of his
legal representatives, if lie dies; that they
are in violation of the positive stalutcsof tho
Stale; in contempt of the plainest principles
of political economy, & of right and wrong;
and Mr. Winter replies, “ they are good,
and I will redeem them here (how amiable !)
provided my Teller is not annoyed by their
presentment too often, & in sums, too small!”
We eorifeis we knew not which most to ad
mire, the hardihood that conceived the ut
terance, or the cool sang froid that piompts
such a defence of these Shinplnslers.
It is for the public to determine whether
they will trust any man with so vast arid
unconliolSable and irresponsible a power as
Mr. Winter possesses in the privilege to coin
money out of paper—a privilege only limit
ed by the cupidity of the utlerer, and the
capacity to buy paper and ink with which
to stamp it. Perhaps the power is as safe
with Mr. W inter as with any body. But
it is madness to entrust it to any moital.
The temptation is too powerful—the inter
ests at slake 100 vast—the danger too immi
nent ! We have done our duty as public
journalists in drecting attention lo the evil.
-Let the public take heed in time, lest they
have to repent at leisure, the blind credulity
upon which every utterer of Sbinplastera
jtets. But, Mi. Winter says they aro
“good!” Let. those who think so aftt r this
defence, take them ! He has been charged
in the public prints, wilh having $70,000 of
them out —He comes out under liisbWn sig
nature, and does not deny it.
But Mr. Winter arc “good”
and Mr. Winter „is an honorable man” i
Suppose it were an hundred thousand, or a
million—oh, they are “good”—Mr. Winter
says so. But then you must not bother the
Teller by presenting them too often. It is
no trouble for the Teller to issue them, but
kt is an intolerable bore to redeem them.
public will deserve to be fleeced if they
K L ,bruit to so brazen an attempt upon their
Builibility.
SANGUINARY DUEL.
The Charleston Courier of the 28th ult.
bi iugs the fallowing painful intelligence.
We learn that a passenger by the Wi’mington
80. t winch arrtvi J yt-terday, slates that jus* as be
was leaving Richmond information was con nufnicr.t
cd to him ilia! a bosiile meeting bud taken place be
tween Mr. Uichio, (one of’he uldtrs of the Rich
mond .Enquirer, a son of Thomas Ritchie, Esq. for
merly of tne Enquirer, but now of li e Washington
Union ) and J. 11. Pleasure, fi rn er!y of the Rich
mond W hig, and at present one c f the tdi'ors ot the
Steer o’ that ciiy. I 1 is stat’ and that four shots were
exchanged belwcm the p; flier— tha- Mr. Plenums
received three wounds, one of which was in the leg
near the giem, and and her in the arm— ar and 1 1>i 11 r.
Ritchie was woupded in die face. llr. R. lfi hr
Washington mim*dia'elv afer the .flair, as it was
supposed that, the w bin ds ot Mr. l J ita: cuts were of
a dangc-ious character.
We give ihu above as it was c< mmimicatrd to u,
wnh the rciuaik that it is likely that the sianneut is
founded oh fact, as . language hail be n usi and in the
papers which they retpertiivc y idit calculated to
lead to such a result.