New Zealand spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 13, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 49, 13 September 1845, Page 2

New Zealand spectator, AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 13, 1845.

Our readers will peruse with considerable interest the debate in the House of Commons on the 4th April on the Oregon territory, which we have extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald. From this debate it would appear that there was a strong determination on the part of the Lower House to resist^he encroaching spirit manifested by the new Pretident of the United States, and .we believe a similar determination was expressed in the debates on the same subject in the House of Lords. Texas has already been annexed to the United States by a Bill which has passed the Senate and House of Representatives, and has received the signature of the President. Proceeding a step beyond this, Mr. Polk shews a desire for further acquisition in an attempt on the Oregon country, to whichhe asserts the American title is clear and unquestionable. Lord J. Russell, however, few ably exposed this hollow and unwar-

rantableassumption.clearlyshowiugthatwhether the title to the Oregon country rested on ancient discovery, on treaty, or on discovery followed by occupation and settlement, Great Britain could put in a claim far superior to that of the United States, and called upon the House not to yield any portion of British territory to a blustering announcement ; a sentiment which appears to have been loudly cheered. Sir R. Peel's speech was marked by a similar spirit ; while he deeply regretted that during the negociation that was pending, the chief officer of the United States, in a public address, should, contrary to all usage, have referred to any other contingency than the friendly and satisfactory termination of these differences, he felt it his imperative duty, on the part of her Majesty's government, to state, that after having exhausted every effort to effect an amicable arrangement, " if our rights are invaded, we are resolved and prepared to maintain them." The way* in which this announcement was received shews, that in making this firm and dignified stand against the encroachments of the American government, the Minister is supported by the voice of the country, and the Americans must either treat this question in a more moderate and conciliating spirit than they have hitherto shewn, or a general war will be the inevitable result. A rapid glance at the position of the country destined, perhaps, to be the cause of war, and the claims of the British nation to it, by right of discovery and settlement, may not be uninteresting. In 1579 Sir Francis Drake sailed along the coast, and named it New Albion, under which appellation it has always been recognised and claimed by Great Britain. Captain Cook in his third voyage in 1778, being employed to make a general survey of the shore, in search of a north west passage, canae upon it fir^t in lat. 440 X 33'X 33' N., but being obliged to stand out to sea, he again struck the land in lat. 47° 5' whence he proceeded to the northward. Between these two points lies the Columbia river, which escaped his observation ; but which was subsequently discovered by Captain Van* couver in 1 792, when Lieutenant Broughton ascended it eighty four miles, carefully surveying its banks, and took possession of the country in the name of the British government ; while Captain Vancouver took similar possession of the whole coast. British traders were also the first to cross the Rocky Mountains from Canada into this country in 1803. It was not until 1811 that the Americans attempted a settlement, when Mr. John Jacob Astor built near the mouth of the Columbia a large fort, which was named Astoria, but which, in 1813 was delivered over to the British. Of late years the restless desire of roving, still directing their course to the far West, has impelled many Americans, with their wives and families, to undertake the tedious and difficult passage over the Rocky Mountains into this country, and has greatly added to the embarrassment and difficulties connected with this question. It is worthy of remark, that the country has never been regularly colonized, but a number of forts or stations have been established by the Hudson's Bay Company ; at the principal of which, Fort Vancouver, the greatest amount of cultivation is carried on. It ought also to be noted that the voyage from Great Britain to the Columbia river is the longest distance by sea between the mother country and any of her dependencies. The vessels wich supplies for the stations on the Columbia river leave the river Thames in the month of November, and rounding Cape Horn sail along the -whole western line of the South American continent, and arrive at their destination in the following May. If we consider this question as one affecting the interests of this colony, we may reasonably conclude that, if it be deemed necessary for the honor of Great Britain and the maintenance of her just rights to risk a general war for a dependency so remote by the ordinary means of communication, and which is not as yet regulariy colonized. New Zealand, from its position in the South Seas, will attract considerable attention from , the parties who may engage in the contest. We do not so far despair, as to expect nothing from the justice of the British government, but whatever under other circumstances may be the policy pursued towards this colony, a general war would, perhaps, cause a n»ore active interest to be exhibited in our welfare than we might otherwise hope for. If such an event should occur, which we earnestly deprecate ; from the numerous and important colonies possessed by Great Britain in this quarter of the globe, which become still more important from her extensive trade with India and China, and her possessions in those countries, the South Seas wouM, probably, witness many a struggle between the Belligerent parties. It is pertain that in the event of a war, France would not be an unconcerned or indifferent looker on ; and from her recent acquisitions in this hemisphere, her attention would be still more strongly directed towards New Zealand.

lir our report of the proceedings of the Police Court this week will be found the deposition of William Fell, a whaler, at Mr. Perry's station, at Hawke's Bay, relative to the wreck of the Falco, and the subsequent events that occurred on that occasion. We also insert William Thompson's communication, to which we alluded last week, so that our readers, from the evidence laid before (hem, will be able to form their own conclusions on the subject.

We are informed that it is m contemplation to hold a meeting of the settlers and principal natives at Wairarapa, for the purpose of adjusting many little differences, and points of dispute between them. Among other things, it is proposed to regulate the price of provisions at a fair scale, and* also to fix a moderate rate or charge as payment for the passage across the lake, which is considered at present to be too high, and fluctuates according to the caprice of the native who may happen to be the ferryman.

We are glad to find that Messrs. Molesworth and Ludlam's Wind Mill is at length complete, and ready to commence grinding. This will prove a great advantage, not only to the farmers in the Hutt district, but to the settlement generally, as its immediate effect will be to reduce the price of grinding, and also to increase our means of converting the wheat grown in this district into flour.

In last week's Spectator we copied from the Ne v Zealand Journal an article on Captain Fitzroy's proceedings in Council, in which the writer speaks of the Catholic Bishop and his missionaries as keen sighted emissaries of the French Government. This is an error into which persons living in England might naturally fall for want of correct information, but all residents in New Zealand, acquainted with their character and conduct, describe Bishop Pompallier and his Priests as single minded men, devoted to their calling, and as having absiained from in any way interfering with politics with a scrupulous care worthy of imitation.

List of Causes before the Supreme Court at Wellington, set down for trial at the September Sittings, 1845 :—: — Pits. Solr. By Common Jury. Defts. Solr. Ross, Moore v. Hornbrook, undefended. „ Clayton v. Lewyn, Hart. Hanson Slater v. M'Donogh, undefended. „ Boulcott and others v. Phelps, „ „ Greenwood v. Bowler and others Brandon. Special Juries, 10th. Hart, Cridland v. Smith, Holroyd. Rosa, Hort v. Scott, Hanson. Hanson, Complon v. Daniel, Ross. For the 13th. Hanson, Macfarlane v. Crumner, Ross.