n Union. The Oregon boundary was
adjusted, and all fear of war between the two countries removed. The
propositions made by the Earl of Aberdeen, the English foreign minister,
were so unfavourable to his own country, and so completely a concession
to America, that the president and senate at once accepted them. Had the
navy of the United States driven our fleets from the Pacific, President
Polk could hardly have expected terms more favourable to his nation.
Indeed, the only energy which the noble earl displayed in his management
of foreign affairs was in conceding what his queen and country had a
good right to claim.

SOUTH AMERICA.

_Brazil and La Plata._--On the southern part of the American continent
events also occurred of some interest to England. During the previous
year a united British and French force operated successfully against the
dictator Rosas, who, in spite of the remonstrances of England, France,
and Brazil, persisted in hostile operations against the republic of
Monte Video. Notwithstanding the chastisement inflicted by the European
navies, Rosas continued his hostility to Monte Video during the year.
The measures taken against the tyrant by the governments of England and
France were half measures. The Earl of Aberdeen and M. Guizot seemed to
be associated in wondrous harmony of action, or rather inaction, when
the joint interests of the two powers were concerned.

Differences arose between Great Britain and the Brazils in connexion
with the slave-trade. A convention had existed between the two countries
for its suppression on the coasts of Brazil; the period for which the
convention existed expired early in the year, and the government of
the Brazilian emperor notified to that of her Britannic majesty that it
should not be renewed. This gave great umbrage to the latter government,
which saw that the design of the Brazilians was to continue the
infamous traffic. The British parliament consequently passed an act for
subjecting Brazilian vessels, suspected of being engaged in the trade,
to the jurisdiction of the English tribunals. Against this the Brazilian
government protested, and sent a circular note conveying a copy of the
protest to all other powers. On the 3rd of May the emperor delivered
an address to the representatives of the nation, stating that he would
support the dignity of his crown against the interference of Great
Britain, and calling upon the assembly to support him. He at the sa