POSTSCRIPT.
The subject was brought before the House of Commons by Lord JOHN Himmel.; who said, that under ordinary circumstances he should never have interposed while negotiations proceeded; but in appealing to popular action, the President of the United States has adopted a course which is entirely new, and which, if not met by something unusual on our part, threatens to overbear all the ordinary intercourse between the Executive departments of nations. [Lord John and the other speakers were repeat- telly greeted, throughout all these observations, by cheers of concurrence.] Mr. Polk has departed from the standing policy of American statesmen, down to Mr. Webster, which discountenanced territorial aggrandizement. Lord John Russell examined at some length the rival claims of England and the United States to the disputed territory; referring to Mr. Falconer's publication, and insisting on the superior claim which England can show onEhe baths-both of discovery and treaty. Mr. Polk has recommended the Citizens of the Union, with their wives and children, to go and occupy that territory: should the present unsettled state of affairs continue—should the citizens of the United States, acting upon the suggestion of their Presi- dent, endeavour to disturb British subjects in the enjoyment of their rights—a state of relations must be produced dangerous to the peace of the two countries. The territory may be more or less valuable; but the pos- session of the communication between the country West of the Rocky Mountains, the East Indies, China, and South America, cannot be matter OP indifference; nor can the character of England, in yielding to a blus- tering announcement. Lord John felt that he could do what it might be impossible for a responsible Minister of the Crown to do, in stating to the llonse and to the people of this country what our rights are.
Sir Roamer Pm responded to Lord John's advance; acknowledging its propriety. If it was a departure from the usual course, the noble Lord was not responsible for any consequences that might arise, after the appeals that had been made to other authorities than those usually recog- nized. Sir Robert explained the present state of the matter. He recapi- tulated the negotiations on the subject, terminating in the convention of 1827, for the joint occupation; which was to continue for ten years, and then to remain in force until either country should give a year's notice of its discontinuance. Just before retiring from office, Mr. Tyler sent a mes- sage to the Senate, declining to produce papers on the subject, because the negotiation was still pending ; adding, " that considerable progress has been made in the discussion, which has been carried on in a very amicable spirit betwOen the two Governments; and that there is reason to hope that it may be terminated, and the negotiation be brought to a close, within a short pe- riod." That was the last document officially communicated to this Go- vernment. Since Mr. Polk delivered his inaugural address on the 4th of March, no diplomatic communications bad taken place between the British brmister and the new American Cabinet. Sir Robert could confirm Mr. Tyler's statement as to the amicable spirit of the negotiations up to that moment, but not as to their progress towards a termination. They have no doubt been renewed. Should the proposal of this country be rejected, and no counter-proposal likely to lead to an amicable adjustment be made by the United States, the papers would be laid before Parliament. He trusted that that would not be necessary; though he could not repress his regret, that, while the negotiations were pending, the President, contrary to all usage, should refer to any other contingency than the satisfactory termina- tion of these differences. He deeply regretted not only the reference itself, but the tone and temper in which that reference was made. Re questing all Members to waive their individual right, and abstain from discussion on the subject, Sir Robert made this declaration-
" I feel it my imperative duty, on the part of her Majesty's Government, to state, in language the most temperate but the most decided, that we consider we have rights in respect of the terntory of Oregon which are clear and unquestion- able; that we trust still to effect an amicable adjustment of these claims; that we desire to effect that adjustment: but, having exhausted every effort to effect that arrangement, if our rights are invaded, we are resolved, and are prepared, to maintain them." (Immense cheering from both sjdes of the House.)
Lord Jolla RUSSELL and Lord PA.LISERSTON expressed their entire Concurrence.
In- the House of Lords, the Earl of CLARENDON performed the same office as that undertaken in the Commons by Lord John Russell; and the Earl of ABERDEEN made a statement and declaration similar to those gin° by his colleague; adding some information as to the actual state of the matter— `f No communication has taken place between her Majesty's Ministers and the Government of the United States, since the resignation of the late President and his Administration. We therefore stand precisely in the position in which we rood at the time of the answer of the late President, with the exception of such a character as the relations may have received from the speech pronounced upon Ida inauguration by the new President. With respect to our rights, our position is, precisely such as it has been for the last eighteen years; the treaty of 1827 renewing or rather continuing that of 1818. Either Government might termi- nate the treaty of 1827 by giving a year's notice for the purpose; which, how- ever, the President has not said he means to give. But if he does mean it, he cannot effect his purpose without a vote of the Congress authorizing him to do so: the Congress will not meet, unless specially called together, until the month of December; and even then, the treaty cannot expire without a year's notice being given, from the time at which the President receives the necessary autho- rity to give such notice. Your Lordships will see, therefore, that in point of time the matter is not so urgent as might he supposed.
He earnestly deprecated war, as the greatest folly, if lightly entered into, of which a nation can be guilty; but we might owe it to ourselves and to der posterity to adopt a course contrary to all our desires. Lord Ashburton's vindication in regard to the Madawaska settlement was noticed more than once in the course of the evening. Lord Jowl RUSSELL explained, that the negotiation to which he had alluded related to a provisional boundary for the separation of troops in occupation of the disputed North-eastern territory: and he asked for some papers on the subject among the records of the Colonial Office; which Ministers pro- mised to hunt out. Lord PAL3iERSTON generally asserted his right to criticize public acts, and referred to past discussions for a refutation of Lord Ashburton's assertions and arguments. In Committee of Supply, the House of Commons passed several votes of the Army and Navy Estimates. Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS withdrew a mo- tion of which he had given notice for a reduction in the number of men, in consequence of what had taken place that evening. Previously, however, on the motion for going into Committee, Mr. WAXLEY moved an amendment, calling for copies of any warrant to open Mr. Duncombe's letters at the Post-office. Alter a debate much like some that have gone before, the motion was negatived, by 73 to 22. Inciden- tally, Sir JAMES GRAHAM was twice called upon to retract his charges against Mr. Mazzini, founded on the apocryphal document in the Moniteur. But he refused; declaring that he was not clear that the accusation was unfounded, or that Mr. Mazzini was a wronged man.
In the House of Lords, the Property and Income-tax Bill was read s third time. Lord Ripon expounded the Ministerial arguments for the measure. Lord LANSDOWNE gave voice to the Whig objections. Lord ASHRunTON attacked all income-taxes, as ruinously oppressive; and de- clared the state of our finances, with a debt undiminished after thirty years of peace, alarming. Lord STANLEY defended the present and attacked the late Ministers. Lord MONTEAGLE spoke up for his own financial admi. nistration. Lord BEGunHast defended the tax. Lord NORMANBY de- nounced its inequalities. The Duke of Men:mown spoke for the neglected agriculturists. Lord RADNoE called the tax "inquisitorial." Lord CoL- BORNE would vote against it. Eventually, the bill passed.
Both Houses met today, and the Royal assent was given, by Commission, to the Income-tax Bill, to the Birkenhead Company 's Dock Bill, the Birkenhead Commissioners Dock Bill, and some other private bills.
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