the Prussian minister at the Frankfort Diet, which body likewise had issued a protest, to declare that the occupation was a purely military measure, which by no means involved a withdrawal of the troops of the federal execution; and this being so, that there were no good reasons why these troops should not return. It is likely that the affair will be compromised, but the end of difficulties is by no means yet. The under secretary of state of the Foreign Office, Herr Von Thile, has received leave of absence, and his place has been assumed by Herr Von Balan, late Prussian minister at Copenhagen and delegate to the London conference. The King will be absent from Berlin until the end of August, and before returning will proceed to Vienna, to pay a visit to the Emperor of Austria. All the chefs," too, of the various foreign missions here are now absent. 66 Late events at home have given occasion to Herr Von Bismarck's semi-official organ, "The Nord Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung," to display great sympathy and partiality for the rebel cause, and in its zealous wishes for the downfall of republican government, and the further establishment of monarchical institutions on the American continent, it indulges in the grossest misrepresentations regarding our armies and finances. I have so far refrained from making any reclamations at the ministry of foreign affairs against its infamous and slanderous course, but I deem it my duty to take notice of and communicate the facts to you. The relations of the journal in question to Herr Von Bismarck are such that I feel quite justified in believing that in these aspersions to our cause it reflects his sentiments. I await your directions whether or not, in case of a continuance, I am to bring the matter to the notice of the Foreign Office and ask for explanations. A grossly false statement, with the view of discouraging emigration, concerning the bill then pending in Congress, on the subject of encouraging immigra tion, having appeared in a German illustrated paper of immense circulation, published at Leipsig, to the effect that the measure proposed by you was but a recruiting contrivance, and coupling with this falsehood others as to our taxes and national debt, I sent the article to Mr. Mothershead, our consul, requesting him to cause the editor of that paper to correct his misstatements. Mr. Mothershead promptly did so, and the correction was published. I have also made arrangements that all such papers as copied the original article shall print the correction. In connexion with this subject, I beg you will cause a number of copies of the act encouraging immigration, as finally passed, to be forwarded to this legation as early as convenient. I will translate it into German and get it inserted in as many journals as possible. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. H. KREISMANN. No, 26.] Mr. Kreismann to Mr. Seward. UNITED STATES LEGATION, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 11, dated July 28, 1864. Another of the three vessels built at Bordeaux for the insurgents, but now transferred to Prussia, the Victori, a steam corvette, the mate to the Augusta, late Yedo, has been completed, and her speedy arrival at Cuxhafen, Hamburg, where she is to receive her armament and crew, is looked for by the Prussian authorities. The third, a steam frigate of powerful dimensions, I am informed, will likewise soon be completed, and will constitute the pride of the Prussian navy. I will duly advise you when she shall have been delivered, by Mr. Armann, the builder, to the Prussian government. The Schleswig-Holstein question, since the close of the Vienna conference, where the preliminaries of peace were settled, continues the topic of interest in diplomatic and political circles. The actual meeting of the plenipotentiaries to arrange the terms of a final peace has not yet taken place, but is expected to occur this week. Herr Von Bismarck, who desires to add to the triumph he has so far achieved the greatest of all, that of transferring the whole or part of the duchies to Prussia, is manifestly endeavoring to delay and postpone a final settlement of the question of succession. Meanwhile the minor German states are clamorous against Prussian aggression and the like; but as long as Austria follows the lead of Herr Von Bismarck their outcries will avail them nothing. It is expected, however, that during the visit of King William at Vienna, where he arrived on Saturday and remains until to-day, an intermistic government of the duchies will be arranged in the shape of a board of commissioners, one from Prussia, one from Austria, and, as a concession and peace-offering to the smaller states, one from the federal Diet. As yet nothing has transpired as to the result of the interview of the two sovereigns. Herr Von Bismarck, of course, is with the King at Vienna, and will from there accompany him to BadenBaden, where he goes before returning here to pay a visit to the Queen. Present arrangements fix the King's return for the first week in September. * * * ** I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, * Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. * * H. KREISMANN. Mr. Kreismann to Mr. Seward. UNITED STATES LEGATION, vhose origin and acquisition by the Prussian refore, now constituted as follows: 8 steam I has proceeded to pay a visit to the King pired. Semi-official organs, both here and at Vienna, intimate that a perfect and satisfactory understanding was arrived at. It is believed that the chances of the Duke of Oldenburg to the succession in Schleswig-Holstein are improving. In that event, and most probably in any event, Lauenburg will go to Prussia. The sittings of the plenipotentiaries to arrange and settle the details of the treaty of peace, at Vienna, have commenced. Their labors will not speedily terminate. The settlement of the question of boundary and finance will prove a matter of great difficulty. Meanwhile Prussia is greatly reducing her force in the duchies. In the early part of September Prince Frederick Charles, commander-in-chief of the allied armies, will return to Berlin with the regiments of guards, amounting to about 12,000 men, and his arrival is to be made the occasion for a grand pageant and display. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. * * * * H. KREISMANN. Mr. Kreismann to Mr. Seward. No. 29.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 13 and 14, dated August 12 and 20, 1864, respectively. Your directions regarding the language of ministerial organs towards the United States are duly noted. In politics here everything is quiet, but the question of re-establishment of the German Zollverein on the basis of the treaty entered into with France, and the future commercial relations of Austria towards the Zollverein thus reconstituted, largely occupy the public. I intend to furnish the department, for publication in the annual volume on the commercial relations of the United States, a full and detailed account of all these questions, together with a statement of the commerce of Prussia, and the state of the Zollverein, as well as of the new tariff adopted, and hence refrain from enlarging upon the matter here. The peace conference at Vienna makes slow progress, and apprehensions lest it separate without result are arising. I deem them unfounded. Denmark, weakened and forsaken by France and England, is at the mercy of her two conquerors, and must do their biddings. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. * * * * H. KREISMANN. Mr. Judd to Mr. Seward. No. 71.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The affairs of the legation during my absence for the summer have been conducted by Mr. Kreismann with his usual care, promptness, and ability. Baron Gerolt has been in Berlin for the last ten days. His enthusiasm for our cause, his thorough knowledge of our public affairs, and of the origin of the rebellion, together with his firm conviction of the ultimate triumph of the government, have had a most favorable and beneficial influence in government circles here. His position has enabled him to talk freely to the king, queen, and crown prince, as well as to the circles, mostly military, that surround them. His influence, however, has not been confined to that circle, but has reached other influential personages. I feel that the baron is entitled to our earnest thanks for his earnestness and untiring zeal in presenting the facts connected with our struggle, and the conviction which he has impressed upon others of the ultimate and not far distant triumph of the cause of the government. The campaign of the past summer shows conclusively that the end of the rebellion is visible, and your advice to the people at Auburn, "to have their souls in patience," embraces the whole philosophy of the position, and, if acted upon, will relieve the government of the pressure of increasing impatience. The brilliant termination of Sherman's long and arduous campaign, the old admiral lashed to the topmast, fighting his splendid battles at Mobile, and Grant's almost daily pounding of Lee, ought to satisfy the most unreasoning; and my belief is, that you have passed the lowest ebb, both in military events and of the public depression; and that the only harbor of safety—a complete and undivided Union-is before you. The peace negotiation between the allies and Denmark “drags its slow length along❞—a situation which quite pleases Herr Von Bismarck, always provided there is no final rupture between Prussia and Austria. Bismarck expects to acquire title; and if not title, at any rate a strong interest in the duchies by occupation. The people of the duchies feel to-day that they have changed king log for king stork." They are allowed no more voice in the settlement of their own fate and destiny than any other conquered country is allowed. This may change, but at present such is their position. King William again leaves Berlin to-day to be present at the queen's birthday, at Baden-Baden. He will be absent ten days, and, as usual, is accompanied by his prime minister. Crown Princess Victoria has given birth to a prince, of which happy event you will, no doubt, be duly advised by a ceremonial letter of his Majesty to the President. The Zollverein treaty of the German states, of which Prussia is the head, expires by limitation in 1865. Three years ago a commercial treaty was negotiated between Prussia and France, a copy of which I have heretofore forwarded to the department. That treaty was intended as the basis for the renewal of the Zollverein treaty between the German states. Through the influence of Austria, with some of the states of the Zollverein, negotiations for the renewal of that league, on the basis of the French treaty, were delayed and postponed, until it became a necessity for Prussia to announce that on the first of October the Zollverein treaty would be definitely closed with all those states who chose to become parties to it. Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Nassau, and Hesse Darmstadt had refused, up to the very last moment, to accede to the treaty. The prospect of being excluded from the benefit of a new Zollverein aroused the commercial and manufacturing interests in those states to such a degree that economical and material interests prevailed as against political sympathies and affiliations, and, by the first instant, all of these states had given in their adhesion, and a conference is now sitting here, in Berlin, to close up and ratify the new Zollverein treaty for another period of twelve years from January 1, 1866. When the conference shall have completed its labors, the final ratifications will be exchanged between France and Prussia for itself, and on behalf of the other. Zollverein states, an event which will note a great triumph of Prussian diplomacy and influence in Germany. When all the ratifications are exchanged, I will forward to the department copies of the new treaties, and the schedule and tariffs established thereby. * * * I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. * N. B. JUDD. |