The banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, April 22, 1846, Image 2
From the London Times, March 4th. 1
THE OREGON QUESTION.
In the way of concession and of argument
011 the Oregon Question little
now remains to be said or done by the
British Government. The strongest desire
has been repeatedly expressed on
um siuu 10 lermmaie lais coiuroversy.
Our case has been stated with such
moderation, and the claims confined to
sueh narrow limits, that nothing but extreme
presumption, or rather a species of
hostile infatuation on the part of the
American Democrats, could lead them
to suppose we should make any farther
abatement of our rights. We are in
actual possession of rather more of Oregon
territory than we have ever claimed
as our own, because as long as the joint
occupation lasts the concurrent rights
of both parties extend over the whole
country. We have at our disposal ample
means of defending our rights. We
had never, at any period in the history
of our country, less reason to recoil from
a war, or fear the result of such a con"
test with any power, but more especially
with the United States, Yet we, on
our side, have strenuously and sincerely
labored to effect a compromise. We
have not alluded to the superiority of
our maritime strength: from n mis
o ? 1 ~ *"* I
placed respect for the American Government,
no use has been made of those
blunt arguments to which alone they
now appear to be accessible; until at
length we learn with more contempt
than surprise, that ?*1r. Polk and his advisers
are embarking in a course which
can only lead, if they are allowed to persevere
in it, to aggressive hostilities.
In our zeal for the maintenance of
peace, ?nd o*ir deference for a nation
with which we have so much in coinmc
wo Ivive gone so far as to admit
th^t ii claim to the Oregon territory
is equal to our own, and to argue
that a partition is the fairest solution of
the difficulty. The Americans, however,
are not to be satisfied until they
con vert this concession of a part into a
surrender of the whole. Their claim is,
to say the most of it, not better than our
own. since they themselves do not dare
to submit to the arbitration of a third
party, know in sr that the nublic oninion
. ??? M J
of tlio world has already pronounced
against it. Yet from the most imperfect
and controverUible claim they seek
to extract twice as much as we contend
for?nay, they raise their own pretensions
to absolute and total soveignty,
while they annihilate the rights we
have practically enjoyed for more than
half a century. Thus, in fact, the question
in dispute has never been brought
to a true issue.
Tbe two quantities have not been reduced
to common denomination ; they
differ in their very nature ; and whilst
our position not only admits of a compromise,
but suggests and requires it, theirs
is utterly at variance with the first prinples
of such an arrangement. Mr.
Buchanan's last note says too much unless
indeed it says inadvertantly what is
the truth ; for the arguments by which
he endeavors to show that the United
States cannot submit their claim to arbitration,
are equally cogent to prove that
their claim will not admit even of negotion.
Mr. Buchanan anDears to foro-st
4 r ~"o~'
that the United States have negotiated ;
that he himself, by the last proposal, for
the fourth or fifth time conceded that
point; that the House of Representatives,
by their second resolution, have
in fact sanctioned the principle of negotiation,
which is, in other words, the
principle of mutual concession.
When the American Secretary says
lie cannot do what the manifest interest
and dignity of the two countries Kjjauire,
he must either mean that the Government
to which he belongs will not do it"
or that that Government is acting under
the compulsion of the party, excited to
madness on this question, which carried
Mr. Polk's election. The practical
question for us is to ascertain the intentions
of the American government. If
n/f ~ 15-11- ?-i i~ j ? _ -i *
itxi. x uim. uuu ins auvisers are sincerely
pacific, they cannot but succecd: there
is no obstacle, no impediment, no difficulty
in the way, except those which
they have themselves created. To bring
about a war with us under such circumstances,
they must be the worst statesmen
in the world if they do not seek it,
or the most rash and unprincipled if
they deliberately intend it. The time
is, however, come when we are forced
to judge of their real motives by their
conduct, and, as they have not encouraged
further argument, it may not be
premature to inquire into the amount of
their forces.
We are informed by the prodigious
volume of American statistics recently
prepared for both Houses of Parliament
by the diligence of Mr. Mcgregor, that
tlia stanilino - r '1 TT? 1 -
iuu owuuiiig uimy ui me *j ruieu states
consists of one regiment of dragoons,
one regiment of riflemen, four companies
of urtillery, and eight regiments of
infantry. The whole number of troops j
now ia the service is 9,847, exclusive of
781 commissioned officers. An act of
Congress of 1842 reduced the rank and
file of the army 3,920 men ; this reduction
is now proceeding-, and when it is
completed the standing army will consist
of 7,590 non-commissioned officers,
musicians, artificers, ana privates. It is
true, that if this corps should appear
rather small for the defence of the UniU'.d
Slates, and invasion of a region situated
2,000 miles off, on the other side of
the American continent, the militia force
of the United States might, by its numbers
at least, have excited the envy of
Xerxes or Bonaparte.
The army register for 1843 contains
the appalling announcement that this
multitudinous host is commanded by
G27 generals, 2,670 general staff officers,
13,813 field officers, 44,938 company officers,
being in all 62,205 officers ; nor
are these numbers at all excessive,
when we learn that the forces nnder
their command consists of 1,385,615 j
men! For the purposes of defence
against a foreign invasion we have no
doubt that these American citizens
would exert themselves credibly. A
considerable number of the younger
men may even volunteer to take part in
offensive operations. But we have no
hesitation in saying that to bring an efficient
army of even 30,000 men into the
field, prepared to march beyond their
own ironiiers, is the most arduous task
which has ever devolved upon the Federal
Government of the United States,
and with its present powers and resources
we believe it to be absolutely impracticable.
The Navy of the United States consists
of 11 ships of the line, two of which
are afloat, three are receiving ships, and
six on the stocks or under repairs. The
14 first-class-frigates of 44 guns are the
best part of the fleet; of these four are
on the stocks and three in ordinary.
The two 36 gun frigates are old. The
smaller vessels are 17 sloops of war, 8
brigs, 9 schooners, and 6 steamers. The
The navy list contains 67 captains, 94
commanders, 324 lieutenants, and 133
passed midshipmen, 410 midshipmen,
and 31 masters. No estimate can be
formed of the strength of the crews of the
American navy, because it is well
known that a considerable proportion of
this fleet is manned by British seamen,
who are attracted by the high pay of
me American navy in time of peace.
But that very circumstance shows the
extreme difficulty of manning an American
fleet in war, and especially in a war
with England. Their ships are. in fact,
worked to a great extent by the English
mereceuaries, a large proportion of
whom would unquestionably return to
their own colors on the outbreak of hos.
tilities.
We content ourselves with this simple
enumeration of the forces of the United
States by land and by sea, which
we hope is correct. We know not what
course Mr. Polk may intend to pursue
after the notice for the abrogation of the
treaty of jdint occupation has been duly
given; and we shall await with more
curiosity than alarm the enterprises
which may be projected for the purpose
of expelling British subjects from a district
where we happened to command
the coast and the interior, the Indians
nil. - 11 -
auu mo juris, i ne worm is perlectiy
aware that England is not the attacking
party, and that we are content to leave
matters in Oregon as they now are. If
the Americans mean any thing, they
mean to dispossess us of what we hold.
At the same time, if this intention be
avowed by the Cabinet of Washington,
or if it be disclosed by votes of money
and warlike preparations which imply a
fixed determination to engage in this absurd
and flagitious content, no State is
bound to wait to be attacked.
Mr. Polk has already instructed the
Amerisan Minister in London to ask for
an explanation of the activity in our
dock-yards. His own conscience might
have given it to him : his own language
has put us upon the defensive; and although
the termination of the convention
of 1827 by notice is no casus belli,
yet the disposition indicated by that notice,
and the means which may be taken
to carry that disposition into effect, may
hereafter furnish amnlp. irrnunH nf ?n?ni.
a ? ?
cion, of remonstrance, and finally of hostilities.
A bold and manly course on
the part of the British Government will
probably not be without a good effect in
the United States; and it will undoubtedly
command the unanimous support
of the people of England.
A lady in France has recently
given 5510,000, for the purpose of
completing the church on Mount
Zion, Jerusalem.
M. Odinx, Roman Catholic Bishop
of Texas, has recently sailed
from Havre for New Orleans, accompanied
by twenty-seven
priests.
THE DillUCb I
int. DHiintni
" LIBERTY AND MY NATIVE SOII.."
charles"h. allen, Editor.
Abbeville C. H, S. C.s
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1846.
Ihe Augusta Bridge Case.?We
1 r. .L _ Ci 1 - -
icuui Hum iiiu ouvunnan papers mat trie
argument of the Demurer filed in the
case of Siiultz, vs. the Bank of the
State of Georgia, has been postponed to
the 6th of July next.
Acquittal of Thomas Ritchie, Jr.?
We understand, says the Petersburg
Republican^ that the jury in the case of
the Commonwealth of Virginia, vs.
Thomas Ritchie, jr., without leaving
ihe box, rendered a verdict of " not guilty
whereupon Mr. Ritchie was discharged,
and the prosecution against the
other prisoners dismissed.
War Movements in New York.?A
message has been received by the Mayor
of New York, from the Secretary of
War, requesting the Castle Garden may
be relinquished to the General Government,
with a view to placing in it a suitable
armament. It was intimated that
it 1C n 1 cr* tKo lnfnn 4 * -
? MKf Mttfv vuv Jiiwxjuuu Ui VJIU VOllimeill IU
arm the old fort with 26 pieces of ordnance
of large calibre, and the fortifications
at the Narrows, Throg's Neck,
&c., are to placed in a complete state of
defence.
Congressional.?We learn by the latest
dates from Washington, that all debate
upon the Oregon question was to
have been closed on the 16th instant;
and the voting upon the different propo- j
sitions commenced, as to the result of
which, we have yet received no tidings.
The termination and peaceable disposi- '
tion of this vexed question will be liighlv
ffratifvincr fn (Ha whnlu /?nnntr.f
J o J a -- ' %/WUlllJJ unci
so much stormy discussion and excitement.
Mr. Calhoun has been the master
spirit in the Oregon question, and
all his talents and .influence have been
most beneficially exerted in giving a
proper and peaceable direction to it. It
is truly an exalted and enviable position
for any man to occupy, upon whom in
the dark hour of danger all eyes are
turned for protection and deliverance;
and such has been the position of this
great man throughout this question. If
should ever be regarded an auspicious
day to our governn^nt when he was induced
to forsake the quiet and repose of
home to embark once more nnnn th#?
stormy sea of politics. Without his
councils and admonitions the rashness
of imprudent members might have involved
us in a sanguinary and protract- j
ed war, peopled the land with widows
and orphans, and plunged the nation in
debt to the amount of millions of dollars.
The Sub-Treasury Bill has not yet
been taken up in the Senate, and it is
thought that it will be materially modified
before passing that body. The
New York Courier and Enquirer says,
" That advices from Washington leave
no room for doubt that very material alterations
will be made in the bill. In
the first place, it will not go into opera*
tion until autumn ; and accordingly, only
one-third specie will be required in
payment of duties, &c., during the first
year.
The new Tariff Bill has at last made
its appearance in the House, from the
Committee of Ways and Means and was
laid upon the table of the Chairman, on
the 14th inst. It is to go into operation
on the 9th of December next. All custom
House officers to be sworn officers if
not so already. Goods in public store on
the 22d December, pay duties under the
new tariff Articles not specially provided
for, pay a* duty of 20 per cent.
The fishing bounties are also repealed
by the bill, and a drawback is allowed
on foreign salt in lieu of the fishing
bounties now paid. Among the 30 per
cent articles are woollens, course and |
fine, iron and sugar. Cotton goods pay
a duty of 25 per cent, and tea and coffee,
in case revenue is not received upon
other articles, are made to pay a duty of
10 per cent.
Foreign News ?We have given upon
the fourth page of this week's paper, the
news from England to the 10th of March.
The markets remained pretty much as
they were at the sailing of the last steamer,
botlon being firmer. The tone of
the English press is still a little unfavorable.
The English are beginning to think
the conquest of the Sikhs no trifling affair,
and much treasure and blood will
1 be expended before it is rfTcrtorl
The most interesting feature in the
foreign news, is the insurrection in Poland.
These oppressed and down-trodden
people have resolved to throw off
their chains, which have so long bound
them to the guildcd care of the haughty
autocrat. We regret to learn that there
is but little chance for them to regain
their freedom. Would to God they
could come out unscathed from the fiery
ordeal through which they must pass.
At the name of Poland, what associations
start up in the mind! The land
of heroes, of Sobikski, Kosciusko and
Pulaski. Poland, who, once steel-clad,
performed prodigies in the battle field,
and stood proudly " alone in her glory,"
whilst others did homage for their crowns
and kissed the toe of his holiness, who
graciously trampled their diadems in
the dust. Although she has long since
been shorn of her glory, her kingdom
dismembered and blotted from the map
of nations?her sons driven into exile
and chains, and trodden to the earth by
| the heel of the oppressor, in the language
of her battle song, she is " not
yet wholly deadBehold her shaking
off those chains, and daring once more
to
" Strike for her altars and her fires,
For the green graves of her sires,
God ! and hei native land !"
And who can withhold his sympathy
and prayers for the Poles, that success
may crown their efforts? It will ever
be a lasting stain upon the escutcheons
of France and England, that they tamely
stood by and allowed this gallant people
to fall unaided, before the myrmerlnno
nf rlnonnhom ^ ? 1 T~* -
vivttw wi viujjjunciil. VJUU ^1U(11 I licit I'O"
land may once more establish her nationality.
The sympathies of the friends
of liberty, wherever they may be found,
will be with her, and the God of battles
will surely fight for her.
Mexico.?Affairs are fast coming to a
crisis in Mexico. The army of occupation,
at latest dates, had reached the Rio
Bravo, opposite Matamoros, without
fighting ; but there is every probability
that the next news we receive from this
quarter, will be the commencement of
hostilities. Mr. Slidell has been rejected,
and is now at New Orleans, waiting
the orders of Government. The
cause of his return, was the refusal upon
the part of Mexico to receive him as Mini^..
TOl--:?. ??: 1
iKovoi x iciiipuicutmiy, consequently our
relations with her now are at an end, so
far as diplomacy is concerned. Had
England, instead of the United States,
been dealing with the Mexicans, they
would have been chastised for their insolence
long since. And' why should
we then tamely submit to her insults ?
We have borne them until forbearance
has ceased to be a virtue, and our government
should hesitate no longer to
inflict upon her the punishment she
richly deserves. As to the result of a
war with imbecile Mexico, who for a
moment would fear it ? Distracted and
torn to pieces by intestine feuds, incann
' ' f?
ble of self-government, a mere shadow
of a nation, the very boys of our country
could almost efTect her conquest, and
yet we learn that a war with the United
States is a popular measure with MpvJ.
co. a Whom the gods wish to destroy
they first dement," is an adage applicable
to the Mexicans, and one which we
may yet see verified.
A country possessing the advantages
of climate and soil that Mexico does, under
the influence of civilization, might
be made a happy and prosperous land,
the home of genius, and nursery of the
una ana science ; 'out under her present
lords, how abject and low her condition!
It is the destiny of America to dispel the
moral darkness which has sit down upon
her, and to restore this land which, once
under the Aztec dynasty, flourished as a
garden to its former beauty.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Important if True.?Some details,
both curious and important, if authentic,
are given by the New York Courier
des Etats Unis of Saturday morning.
According to this journal, which
professes to have its information from
reliable sources, the various factions of
the republican party, which, with divprs
nltlil'Cle in -trof orn nf nnn
- ?? IIVHJ juw uxv vi vjhv av^*
cord in their opposition to Paredes, have
agreed to act together, taking Santa
Ana as their chief, provided he will give
the guarantees they require for his sincere
and faithful return to liberal opinions.
Negotiations have been opened to
this end, Santa Ana has given the stipulated
guarantees, and we have seen,says
the Courrier, a confidential letter from
his companion in exile, Manual Crecencio,
Rejon, which gives probable explanations
of Santa Ana's past conduct,and
vouches for his present good faith.
Senor Rejon has also published a
I.I.. 1 * - * -i ' * '
jjamjMiitJi explaining me reasons wnicn
induced Santa Ana to make, and himself
as Minister to approve, the decrees
of November 29 and December 2, 1844,
by which Santa Ana established a species
of dictatorship by dissolving the
Congress and restraining the liberty of
the press.
Don Manual llejon justifies these extreme
measures, by showing that Santa
Ana and himself sincerely intended to
invade Texas, persuaded as they were
that if Texas should be annexed to the
United States, it would be forever lost to
Mexico
Confiding in the explanations and
pledges thus given, the republican coalition
is preparing to recall Santa Ana
and place him at the head of the projected
revolution. But with the succpss nf
that revolution his task will end. Once
restored to Mexico, passing over the ruins
of the monarchical party, Santa Ana
will convoke the whole people in primary
assembly, and consign to them the
election of a Congress and a President,
himself renouncing the latter office.
An absolute retirement to private life
will be one of the conditions annexed
by him to his co-operation in t^Molan
of Republican restoration.
Thus speaks the Courrier. Its revelations
are of sufficient importance, if
they arc true.
r;* m T~"\ *
i mi. x ex as ?a resolution was
introduced on the 18th ult., into the
House of Representatives of Texas,
" that a committee of five be appointed
to inquire into the expediency of ceding
to the Government of the United States
the pubiic lands of Texas for the just
equivalent, for the purpose of providing
means to liquidate the public debt; and
that they be also instructed to take into
consideration the propriety of classifying
and defining the public debt; and of appointing
a board to ascertainand allot
the same, and that said committee report
to this House by bill or otherwise."
The Ilo'ise appointed on said committee
Messrs. Howard, Mabry, Sadler, Cazneau
and Noble.
From the following article in the Austin
Era, of the 21st ult., it appears that
a bill to this effect has likewise been reDorted
to the Senatp. :?
*
" It is with pleasure that we perceive
there has been introduced into the Senate,
by Col. H. L. Kinney, from Corpus
Christi. a bill for the liquidation and
adjustment of the public debt. The
State of Texas has abundant resources,
if well managed, to discharge all her liabilities.
and we trust that the stain of
repudiation, or even carelessness about
her obligations, will not be suffered to
rest upon her escutcheon any longer.
The creditors of Texas who have so long
hoped and*" endured all things," cannot^
neip ieeiing gratelul to tnat Senator, tor
the prompt and sensible plan recommended
to ascertain and secure their rights.
The bill proposes the appointment, by
the Governor and Senate, of three commissioners
to set upon the claims, at
Austin, commencing on the 1st June
next, and thereafter on the first of every
alternate month, with the powers of a
Court of Law and Equity; and whose
decision is to have the effect of a judgment.
The right of appeal is also to be
allowed from their decisioi# We will
in our next publish the entire bill, for
| the satisfaction of all interested."