fforeign anb Tolonfal.

UNITzr, STATES.—The packet-ship Patrick Henry arrived at Liverpool on Monday, with despatches from New York, of the 9th February. A considerable sensation had been created by the promulgation of diplomatic correspondence, which seemed to involve the absolute refusal of the Ame- rican Government to submit the Oregon question to arbitration. The cor- . respondence had been transmitted to Congress by the President too re- cently for copies to be sent over by the packet; but the journals give abstracts, which we further abridge.

The first despatch, written on the 13th December 1845, by Mr. Buchanan, desires Mr. M'Lane, the American Minister in London, to ask the reasons of the warlike preparations made in England.

Mr. 5PLane replies on the 3d January 1846. As it was difficult to obtain ca- tegorical communications on so delicate a subject, he put his questions to Lord Aberdeen frankly, and received frank answers. Definite and precise information was not expected. The Earl of Aberdeen, however, informed him that the pre- parations making for defence had reference to the possibility of a rupture between England and the United States. They, however, had no particular reference to the possibility of such a rupture; that they were commenced before any difficul- ties between the two countries were remotely apprehended; that they would have been made had not the difficulties between the two countries existed; that he be- lieved the nature of these preparations had been overstated; that they had no reference to the defence of remote places, but to all places peculiarly exposed. They were defences proper in time of peace to meet the possible dangers of a war, and such as every prudent nation would make for the security of its own govern- ment. In conclusion, he again declares that the defences made and making have no immediate reference to the United States. For himself, Mr. M‘Lane says, his opinions are that the preparations have no immediate reference to the United States. They originated, in his judgment, in reference to the state of affairs in Europe. Mr. BPLane says that his interview confirmed him in the unabated confidence he had before entertained in the frankness and straightforwardness the Earl of Aberdeen. Mr. M`Lane further says, that he is not prepared to state_ how far the United States have a right to demand a disclaimer from England in making preparations for the defence of the country. "As to the defences made, it is to us, in the event of a rupture, immaterial what their object may have been. We should feel their full force, whether made for one object or another. Eng- land will exert her utmost power, and to the utmost of her ability, to inflict injury upon us in case of war.'

On the 27th December, Mr. Pakenham, the British Minister at Washington, wrote to Mr. Buchanan, offering to refer the question of the disputed part o the Oregon territory to the arbitration of any Sovereign or State that might be jointly agreed upon between the two Governments.

On the 3d January 1846, Mr. Buchanan replies, that as the proposition sub- mitted merely names a partition of the territory in dispute to be referred to the powers of arbitration, and not the question of title, he cannot consent to such an

arbitration. The very terms of the proposition received would, he says, exclude arbitration upon the question of title to the whole territory which is here claimed by the United States. The President, he says, does not believe that arbitration would lead to a clearance of difficulties: on the contrary, he thinks it would involve the two countries in new difficulties.

Mr. Pakenham makes two rejoinders. One simply states that Mr. Buchanan's reply will be forwarded to the British Government. The next, dated on the 16th January, is the real reply. Mr. Pakenham declares that England has claims to the Oregon territory wholly incompatible with the exclusive claim set up by the United States. But, supposing the British Government would consent to refer the entire question of title to arbitration, thus removing the form of reference ob- jected to by Great Britain, he wished to know if it would be accepted by the United States; and if there should be objections to the reference to a crowned head, he submitted that it might be made to a mixed Commission, with an um- , or to a Board of Commissioners of legal ability, and in whom there should a mutual confidence. If such reference should result in a disagreement as to an equitable division of the territory, would the United States agree upon the division which might be recommended? Mr. Buchanan responds on the 4th of February. He says that the last clause named would prevent the aceeptanceof arbitration, if presented in the form which had been named. The United States, if it would consent to arbitrate at all,

would never consent to submit any other question than that of title. A reason is then .given why the United States should not consent to arbitration; and this

reason is that he does not believe that the claim and interest of the United States will admit of each an arbitration. The American claim to the whole territory is reasserted. Mr. Buchanan concludes thus—" To no power, however intelligent or respectable, nor to any body of citizens, could the United States consent to refer a claim of a character like that she possesses to the Oregon country."

The utmost public excitement followed the publication of this news in America. The press in general appears not quite to go with the Govern- ment. For example the New York Express says-

" If the offer has been made, in a fair and liberal manner, and has been rejected by the President, the refusal will place the President in a very unfavourable attitude, and one that will be regretted by every patriot and Mend of his country. So far as we can judge, it is the prevailing wish of our fellow citizens that the question should be submitted to distinguished individuals of both countries for

settlement. Our cause must be bad indeed if we are afraid to intrust it to the hands of persons of our own choosing. We believe ten honest men would decide it satisfactorily to both, parties."

A pilot-boat, noted for fast sailing, was to leave New York on the evening of the 9th: it is supposed that it was specially chartered by Mr.

Pakenham, to convey despatches to his Government in time for instruc- tions to be sent out by the Hibernia steamer, which was to leave Liverpool on Wednesday last.

The packet-ship Switzerland arrived at Margate on Wednesday, with further accounts. The papers' contain a violent Anti-British speech from Mr. Allen, only remarkable as being his last, and as showing how uniformly and unceasingly his virulence flows forth. They also contain the first practical result of all the debatings in Congress: the House of Representa- tives had passed, by a vote of 163 to 54, the resolutions for terminating the joint occupancy of the Oregon. The resolutions run thus-

" 1. Resolved by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States cause notice to be given to the Government of Great Britain, that the convention between the United -States of America and Great Britain, concerning the territory of the North-west coast of America West of the Stony Mountains, of the 6th August 1827, signed at London, shall be annulled and abrogated in twelve months after giving said notice.

"2. And be it further resolved, that nothing herein contained is intended to interfere with the right and discretion of the proper authorities of the two con- tracting parties to renew or pursue negotiations for an amicable settlement of the controversy respecting the Oregon territory." The Senate were about to come to their decision on the resolutions. The pacific tendency of the second clause is ascribed to the moral weight of Mr. Calhoun.

A third vessel, the Dutchess of Orleans, arrived at Havre on Thursday; bringing the full copies of the despatches mentioned above, but no further news.

MEXICO.—Accounts from the capital to the 3d of January represent General Paredes as steadily organizing a Provisional Government. He had appointed a Junta; and as he had declined the office of President, it was supposed that General Almonte would be appointed. It was suspected, however, that the clergy wished to establish a monarchy; one of the house of Spain to be elevated to the throne.

Meanwhile, there had been a new revolution; but this time in the pro- vinces. A letter from Merida de Yucatan, dated on the 1st of January, announces the revolt-

. "Yucatan is no longer a part of the Mexican federation. Yesterday the De- partmental Assembly pronounced against their existing form of government, and have recalled the Deputies in the Mexican Congress.. The Mexican eagle has been torn from their banner, and replaced by the stars of 1843. They have gone back to the old state of things, as they existed before the treaty with Mexico. The cause of the rupture is this same treaty; a resolution having been introduced and carried in the Mexican Chambers, for a revision of the said established treaty." "Mexico, by her treaty with Yucatan, was bound to admit at her ports of entry all productions of said department duty-free. Gradual infringement took place against the basis and letter of the treaty; the Customs refusing to comply there- with. Reclamation was made by the Government of the Department to the Gen- eral Government, which met with no reply. In this state of things came casual intelligence by the steamer Guadeloupe, which put in at Laguna, of a rumour at the capital that negotiations were on foot to hypothecate the customs of Yucatan to the English; which probably was a ruse, to terrify the Yncatecos into compli- ance with their desires. This heightened the feeling; then came the resolution for the revision of a solemnly-made treaty, and the fire burst forth."

trans.—Despatches in anticipation of the Bombay mail of the 3d. Feb- ' rnary reached London on Thursday night. Of the movements which followed the battle of Ferozeshah on the 22d December, little that can be relied upon is communicated. The accounts, however, such as they are, amour in this, that the defeated Sikhs were in no hurry to regain their `own territories by crossing the Sutlej. They continued on the British side of the river for nearly a week; crossing over about the 27th, and accom- plishing the operation without lose or molestation. They have since been

recruiting their army, and making demonstrations, at various points, of an intention to renew the invasion.

The British army had received a considerable augmentation to its num- bers, and more reinforcements were on their way. At the close of Decem- ber, the actual number was 39,800 men; and when the troops on the march arrive, the total would be 43,000 men, with 140 pieces of cannon and 21 mortars. Several heavy guns had been sent on from Delhi.

The army was formed into five divisions: Sir John Littler's division was stationed at Attaree, about seven miles from Ferozepore; the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief were at Arufkee, twelve miles thence; and Sir Harry Smith's force was in advance of the others, not far from Hurreeke Patton, which is one of the great fords of the Sutlej. Sir Henry Hardinge remained at Ferozepore, and was engaged in making preparations for crossing the river; which he expected to do about the 4th or 6th of February.

The Times recounts a few slight combats, and mentions a battle-

" Some skirmishing took place near the Sikh bridge of boats on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of January; without any remarkable effect. On the 15th, the Sikhs came over the river at Phulloor, [a station opposite to Loodiana,] plundered the neighbourhood, and pitched a camp on the left bank, in the British territory. On the following days they made some further advances, and intrenched them- selves near a nulls. Sir Harry Smith moved his brigade up the Sutlej; driving the enemy before him until the 21st, in the morning; when be came upon one of the fortified positions of the enemy, which fired grape-shot amongst the British troops. Some of the Native troops are said to have thrown down their arms, and to have fled, leaving the Europeans to bear the brunt of the battle. Her Majesty's Fifty-third and Thirty-first were engaged, and are said to have suffered severely; but they demanded to be led anew to the fight; which Sir Harry Smith did not deem it prudent to do, and therefore he withdrew the troupe The Agra Ukhbar construes the retirement into a defeat; while the DelhiGa- zette states that heavy firing was heard in the direction of Loodiana during the whole of the afternoon of that day. Nothing positive appears to have been known as to the results of that day when the mails were leaving Bombay."

The Delhi Gazette of the 24th January mentions a pleasing incident- " With the view of smoothing down any little asperity that might be shown on the publication of General Littler's report along with the despatches, Sir Henry Hardinge asked the officers of the Sixty-second Foot to meet Sir John Littler at his table; and after dinner made a handsome speech eulogistic of the regiment, praising them highly for their bravery and gallant bearing on the 21st of Decem- ber, showing at the same time that their loss in killed and wounded exceeded that of any other regiment in the field, and bore incontestible evidence to the noble manner in which they endured the destructive and truly awful fire from the enemy's intrenchment." The same journal publishes communications received from Lahore of dates subsequent to the battles, but of interest only for the cursory notices given of the view which the Sikhs were taking of their discomfiture. The following are extracts. " December 30.—The Sirdar is now able to make what arrangements he pleases, as a large number of the old and experienced soldiers were killed in the battle of Moodkee: the Dhe:a Court Saheb, under the command of General Meh- tab_Singh, lost more than half their men. The number of the army has also been greatly diminished by the de,sertions which took place on the field of battle. * * a A report prevails here that the British troops lost nearly one half their men in the late battle, and that more troops are coming up in the direction of Ferozepore." . " January 5.—A person who was in the battle of Moodkee has arrived, and stated that he never saw such brave people as the European soldiers. The day of the battle, he says, they charged among the ammunition, although they saw that.fire was being set to it; and did not stop in their charge when a number were killed by the explosion. The Khalsa soldiers and the Goorkhas were those who fought best. All the rest fled at the appearance of the Europeans like sheep before a wolf."

Sir Charles Napier had taken the field at the head of 20,000 men, and was on his way to attack Moultan and the Southern provinces of the Sikh dominions. This diversion is expected materially to assist the operations of the British in the Punjaub.

The Bengal Hurkaru accounts for the want of a sufficient artillery force at the battle of Ferozeshah- " It now comes out, that we are indebted to Captain Lumley, the Assistant- Adjutant-General, for our deficiency at Ferozeshah in cavalry and artillery; that officer having taken upon himself to order the cavalry and artillery engaged at Moodkee back to Ferozepore ! As may be supposed, Captain Lumley was, imme- diately on this being known, superseded in his appointment, and a court-martial ordered to be held on him. A medical certificate has, it is said, been subsequently produced, declaring that Captain Lumley was in an unsound state of mind when he issued the order."

A subsequent report is, that Captain Lumley had been permitted to resign, and return to England.

Porawn.—Last week we mentioned the occurrence of an outbreak in Posen; it seems that the revolutionary movement extended to the whole of Poland; but the accounts are so excessively imperfect that it is impossible to collect the slightest connected narrative. We throw together a few of the most significant facts.

Eight regiments of the line occupied the grand dutchy of Posen. Among the many arrests was that of M. Dombroski, Roman Catholic Bishop of Geiasnen and Posen.

The Prussian General Gazette announces that disturbances broke out at Cracow on the 20th of February, The Augsburg Gazette of the 27th says that order was completely restored in Cracow on the 22d; but that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition had been taken from the insurgents.

The Prussian Universal Gazette of the 27th announces that the latest intelli- gence from the territory of Cracow was not satisfactory, and that the insurrection had gained ground. Orders had been despatched to concentrate a considerable body of troops on the frontier, to act in concert with the other Protecting Powers to restore order.

The Frankfort German Journal of the 1st instant states that the insurrection at Cracow had assumed a serious character, and that the Austrian troops had been repulsed. At Jovorzno an insurrection had broken out on the arrival of an Austrian detachment sent to arrest the priest. The soldiers were disarmed, and seventy prisoners set at liberty. The Paris Constitutionnel quotes letters which represent the conspiracy as having for its object an attack on Russia.

A letter from Vienna in the Cologne Gazette shows the distance to which alarms had spread. " The state of public opinion in Gallicia has had its influence upon the Poles of our Polytechnic Institution. They have consequently been subjected to a strict surveillance. On the night of the 21st, six students beloug ing to the School of Artillery, which furnishes officers for the army, disappeared: and it is supd that they have gone to Gallicia to join the insurgents. The Augsburg Gazette lets escape a few particulars respecting the outbreak at Cracow. "At ten o'clock at night on the 21st, a sky-rocket was sent up at a abort distance from the Botanic Gardens' and was generally regarded as the signal for revolt. The Austrian General (Colin) immediately ordered half a squadron and a company of infantry into the town. Between four and five oclock in the morning, the troops were attacked. A very murderous fire was directed against them from the windows of the principal square. The troops, however, repulsed the aggressors, who had a great many people killed. Forty prisoners were captured, for the most part inhabitants of Cracow. The Austrian troops had five men and one officer killed. Several bands of armed peasants had come up to the gates of the town, but had not ventured upon an attack." The Journal des Debars has some accounts, presumed to be partly official, which state that the Austrian troops had been temporarily repulsed from Cracow. In some places the peasantry sided against the nobles. The Russian Poles in foreign countries have been recalled by Imperial orders; a step which seems to indicate grave apprehensions. The Parisian journal says—" The greater part. of the Polish nobles, not only the younger branches but fathers of families, are in- volved in these plots." A report in the German papers, that Prince Czartoriski and Count Zamoiski had left Paris to join the insurgents, is authoritatively contradicted.

GREECE.—Advices from Athens, of the 19th February, present the usual picture of a thoroughly disorganized country; but perhaps no modern minister ever made such an address as that delivered by the Finance Mi- nister to the Legislature, on the 18th- " Gentlemen, some days ago you sent for me to give you some account of the state of our finances; and I 'excused myself on the plea of having just taken office. I now come down to this House to tell you that the Finance Department is in a complete state of disorganization and paralysis; that no accounts exist either as to the revenue or the expenditure, and that it will be utterly impossible to furnish you with anything in the shape of a correct budget.. In consequence of the dishonesty and incapacity of the public functionaries, the public accounts are in a state of chaos. All that M. Provilegio and others have told you respect- ing every honest man having been dismissed, and of the spoliation of the public money at Syra and elsewhere, is perfectly true. Millions are due to the State; and we do not know who are our debtors, as the revenue-books have disappeared. This is the financial statement I have to make !"