According to a cloud of rumours from America, the relations
with this country are in a vety unsettled state, though one not unpromising if opportunity be improved. The British Govern- ment, it is said, offered to submit the Oregon dispute to arbitra- tion; but that was refused, and met by another proposition—to suffer the territory to remain for twenty years lonn.,o.er under the joint protection of the two Governments; the inhabitants, at the end of that time, to choose their allegiance to either Government, or to set up as an independent state. The Americans at once presume, that with such freedom of choice the new community would choose "annexation." The arrangement wears too much the air of ingenuity and constitution-manufacture to have a very official aspect. If any such plan were ever adopted, it would re- quire some check against colourable qualification—against "re- sidents" who might walk over the border at the time merely to vote. But it is needless to discuss very seriously a thing so little likely to be put in execution. The notions of European di- plomacy would be shocked by the reference of a question of go-
vernment to the province governed ; and at present the project can be regarded as no more than a journalist dream. It is averred that Mr. Polk, however pragmatically intent on showing his courage in the Oregon negotiations, is prepared to make a decided reduction in the Tariff. The opportunity is fa- vourable for a corresponding concession on our part ; and nothing would so smooth the way towards a settlement of diplomatic dif- ficulties, as an extension of trade between the two countries, by the mutual yielding of restrictions.
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