same line westward; that the two should keep on abreast, side by side, with the same line of division till they reach the Pacific Ocean. It is well known, that about where the Columbia river crosses the 49th parallel, it makes a turn and flows nearly southward. Very well. Suppose it made as sudden a sweep to the Northward. England would then naturally say This river, which has been making westward, sweeps to the northward instead of making with it a great bend to the north, we will leave it, and go on straight to the Pacific Ocean on this parallel of 49 degrees.' For the same reason, it is not unnatural for the United States to say- Since it proves that the river makes a circuit to the south, instead of following that circuit we will go straight forward upon the 49th parallel till we met the shore of the Pacific Ocean.' This proposition had thrice been made to the British Government within eighteen years, and as often rejected he would not say that it was the proper mode of settling the question; but it is an admission that there is something to negotiate and treat for on either side-that it is not a question free from difficulty on either side. Now, gentlemen, who is the man at the head of either Government who will take upon himself the responsibility of bringing on a war between two nations like Great Britain and America upon a question of this kind, until he is prepared to show that anything and every thing that he could do has been done to avoid such a terrible ultimate result? If a British Minister, under whose administration a war should ensue on the question cannot stand up in Parlia ment and show that it is not his fault-cannot show that he has done every thing which an honest and sensible man can do to avert the conflict-I undertake to say that no power or popularity can uphold his shaking position for an hour. And in the same sense and spirit I say, that if in this country any party shall, before we are aware of it, plunge us into a war upon this question, it must expect to meet a very severe interrogatory from the American people-must expect to prepare itself to show that it has done all it could, without any bias from the pride of success or the love of war all that it could do, to keep the nation safe from so great a calamity, with the preservation of its rights and its honour. Gentlemen, it appears to me that any man-Prime Minister of England or President of the United States who should unnecessarily light up the flames of war upon such a subject-flames, let me add, that will burn over the whole globemay well consider the genius of his country addressing to him the words which the orator of Rome supposed the genius of his country would address to him if he did not quell the Catiline conspiracy -“ An cum bello vestabitur Italia, vexabunter urbes, tecta ardebunt; tum te non existimas invidiæ incendio conflagraturum.' No, gentlemen! the man who shall incautiously, or led on by false ambition, or party pride, kindle those fires of wars over the globe on this question, must look out for itmust expect to be himself consumed in a burning conflagration of general reproach.' * * * "Now, gentlemen, I do not propose that on this subject we take any alarm. I propose that we keep ourselves cool and calm. In some of the southern cities there is now some agitation for fear of a war. I regret this much. I hardly say I regret the feeling that is natural. But I regret the cause. It is a common mistake of men, not in the most elevated position, that they think they can play the small patriot safely, in a small style. These are those who think that they can talk of a war with England and any other nation, and get credit for their patriotism and lofty love of country, but keep the game in their own hands. That may not happen. At any rate, that is not the way nor the course which just and lofty and respectable men feel on the great question of peace or war. This constant speculation, this supposition that war may come, is half as bad as war itself. It interferes with all the business and arrangements of life. It confounds and confuses men in regard to their own business plans. What we want is settled peace, and the conviction that peace will remain until there is some just and sensible cause for war.' CHAPTER XII. Commencement of the first Session of the New Congress-Appointment of Speaker of the House of Representatives-Message of the President -Discussion in the Senate on the Oregon Question-Warlike Speech of General Cass-Speeches of Messrs. Manquin, Allen, Archer, Niles, Crittenden, Webster, and others-Joint resolution proposed by Mr. Allen for termination of Oregon Convention-Bill introduced by Mr. Douglass-Resolutions of Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Douglass, and Mr. Bowlin-Bills relating to the Annexation of Texas adopted by Congress. ON N the 1st of December the first session of the new Congress, which was the 29th since the declaration of American Independence, commenced at Washington; and the Hon. J. W. Davis was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives. Next day Mr. Polk delivered his Presidential Message, which was of enormous length; and from which we give such extracts as may enable our readers fully to understand the prospective policy of the American Government, as developed in this important manifesto of the new President:"Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House of Repre sentatives, "It is to me a source of unaffected satisfaction to meet the representatives of the States and the people in Congress assembled, as it will be to receive the aid of their combined wisdom in the administration of public affairs. In performing, for the first time, the duty imposed upon me by the constitution, of giving to you information of the state of the Union, and recommending to your consideration such measures as in my judgment are necessary and expedient, I am happy that I can congratulate you on the continued prosperity of our country. Under the blessings of Divine Providence and the benign influence of our free institutions, it stands before the world a spectacle of national happiness. "With our unexampled advancement in all the elements of national greatness, the affection of the people is confirmed for the union of the States, and for the doctrines of popular liberty, which lie at the foundation of our Government. "It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledg ments to the Supreme Ruler of the universe for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favoured. "In calling the attention of Congress to our relations with Foreign Powers, I am gratified to be able to state that, though with some of them there have existed since your last session serious causes of irritation and misunderstanding, yet no actual hostilities have taken place. Adopting the maxim in the conduct of our foreign affairs, 'to ask nothing that is not right, and submit to nothing that is wrong,' it has been my anxious desire to preserve peace with all nations; but at the same time to be prepared to resist aggression, and to maintain all our just rights. 66 6 In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress, for annexing Texas to the United States,' my predecessor, on the 3rd day of March, 1845, elected to submit the first and second sections of that resolution to the republic of Texas, as an overture, on the part of the United States, for her admission as a State into our Union. This election I approved, and accordingly the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States in Texas, under instructions of the 10th of March, 1845, presented these sections of the resolution for the acceptance of that republic. The executive Government, the Congress, and the people of Texas in convention, have successively complied with all the terms and conditions of the joint resolution. A constitution for the Government of the State of Texas, formed by a convention of deputies, is herewith laid before Congress. It is well known, also, that the people of Texas, at the polls, have accepted the terms of annexation, and ratified the constitution. the correspondence between the Secretary of State and our Chargé d'Affaires in Texas; and also the correspondence of the latter with the authorities of Texas, together with the official documents transmitted by him to his own Government. 66 The terms of annexation, which were offered by the United States, having been accepted by Texas, the public faith of both parties is solemnly pledged to the compact of their union. Nothing remains to consummate the event but the passage of an Act of Congress to admit the State of Texas into the Union, upon an equal footing with the original States. Strong reasons exist why this should be done at an early period of the session. It will be observed that, by the constitution of Texas, the existing Government is only continued temporarily till Congress can act; and that the third Monday of the present month is the day appointed for holding the first general election. On that day a Governor, a Lieutenant-Governor, and both branches of the Legislature, will be chosen by the people. The President of Texas is required immediately after the receipt of official information that the new State has been admitted in our Union by Congress, to convene the Legislature; and, upon its meeting, the existing Government will be superseded, and the State Government organized. Questions deeply interesting to Texas, in common with the other States, the extension of our revenue laws and judicial system over her people and territory, as well as measures of a local character, will claim the early "I communicate to Congress attention of Congress; and, VOL. LXXXVII. [X] therefore, upon every principle of republican government, she ought to be represented in that body without unnecessary delay. I cannot too earnestly recommend prompt action on this important subject. "As soon as the Act to admit Texas as a State shall be passed, the union of the two republics will be consummated by their own voluntary consent. "This accession to our territory has been a bloodless achievement. No arm of force has been raised to produce the result. The sword has had no part in the victory. We have not sought to extend our territorial possessions by conquest, or our republican institutions over a reluctant people. It was the deliberate homage of each people to the great principles of our federa tive union. "If we consider the extent of territory involved in the annexation-its prospective influence on America the means by which it has been accomplished, springing purely from the choice of the people themselves to share the blessings of our union-the history of the world may be challenged to furnish a parallel. "The jurisdiction of the United States, which at the formation of the federal constitution was bounded by St. Mary's, on the Atlantic, has passed the Capes of Florida, and been peacefully extended to the Del Norte. In contemplating the grandeur of this event, it is not to be forgot ten that the result was achieved in despite of the diplomatic interference of European monarchies. Even France-the country which had been our ancient ally-the country which has a common interest with us in maintaining the freedom of the seas-the country which, by the cession of Louisiana, first opened to us access to the Gulf of Mexico-the country with which we have been every year drawing more and more closely the bonds of successful commerce most unexpectedly, and to our unfeigned regret, took part in an effort to prevent annexation, and to impose on Texas, as a condition of the recognition of her independence by Mexico, that she would never join herself to the United States. We may rejoice that the tranquil and pervading influence of the American principle of self-government was suf ficient to defeat the purposes of British and French interference, and that the almost unanimous voice of the people of Texas has given to that interference a peaceful and effective rebuke. From this example, European Governments may learn how vain diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever prove upon this continent, against that system of self-government which seems natural to our soil, and which will ever resist foreign interference. "Towards Texas, I do not doubt that a liberal and generous spirit will actuate Congress in all that concerns her interests and prosperity, and that she will never have cause to regret that she has united her lone star to our glorious constellation." The message then goes at considerable length into the unsatisfactory state of the relations between the United States and Mexico, and afterwards passes to a subject of moral interest on this side of the Atlantic. "My attention was early directed to the negotiation, which, on the 4th of March last, I found |