SIR: Contrary to what usually happens in giving instructions to a minister going abroad, I am directed by the President to ask you to fix your attention in the first instance, and to keep it constantly fixed, on the actual condition of affairs at home. I allude, of course, to the unlawful and unconstitutional attempt which is being made to detach several of the States from the federal Union, and to organize them as an independent republic under the name of the "Confederate States of America." You are well aware of what you will find Europeans unable to understand, namely, that owing to the very peculiar structure of our federal government, and the equally singular character and habits of the American people, this government not only wisely but necessarily hesitates to resort to coercion and compulsion to secure a return of the disaffected portion of the people to their customary allegiance. The Union was formed upon popular consent and must always practically stand on the same basis. The temporary causes of alienation must pass away; there must needs be disasters and disappointments resulting from the exercise of unlawful authority by the revolutionists, while happily it is certain that there is a general and profound sentiment of loyalty pervading the public mind throughout the United States. While it is the intention of the President to maintain the sovereignty and rightful authority of the Union everywhere with firmness as well as discretion, he at the same time relies with great confidence on the salutary working of the agencies I have mentioned, to restore the harmony and Union of the States. But to this end it is of the greatest importance that the disaffected States shall not succeed in obtaining favor or recognition from foreign nations. It is understood that the so-called Confederate States of America have sent, or are about to send, agents to solicit such recognition in Europe, although there is no special reason for supposing Prussia to be one of the nations to which application will be made. An almost electric political connexion, however, exists between the several capitals of western Europe, and therefore your most efficient and unfailing efforts must be put forth directly, and even indirectly, to prevent the success of that ill-starred design. This matter was deemed so important by the late administration that my predecessor, on the 28th of February last, made it a subject of a circular despatch, of which an original part was transmitted by him to Mr. Wright, who proceeded you in your mission. The present administration entertain the same general view of the subject which in that despatch was taken by Mr. Buchanan. Accordingly, on the 9th day of March instant, I sent to our representatives abroad a new circular letter in which I reiterated and amplified the instructions which had thus been given to them by Mr. Black. Although that circular will be found in the archives of your legation, yet for your greater convenience I append a copy of it to this communication. This department has little more to add to that paper when it is read, as it ought to be, in connexion with the President's inaugural address, on which it rests for its basis. It may, however, be well to call your attention to the fact that in that communication, as in this, I have forborne altogether from discussing the groundless complaints and pretexts which have been put forth by the organs of disunion to justify the rash and perilous revolution which they are attempting to inaugurate. I have practiced this reticence not because the point is unimportant, but because the dispute is purely a domestic one, and the President would not willingly have the archives of our legations bear testimony to so un-American a proceeding as an acknowledgment, even by indirection, that this government ever consented to join issue upon a purely family matter of this kind with a portion of our own citizens before a foreign tribunal. Nevertheless, should you find that any weight is given to those complaints and pretexts in the court to which you are accredited, your perfect knowledge of all the transactions involved, will, I am sure, enable you to meet them conclusively and satisfactorily without precise instructions on that point. You will not take up any subject of controversy or debate that may arise between the governments of Prussia and the United States, without first communicating the matter to this department, and you will practice the same forbearance on any subject of controversy which your predecessor may have left for your attention. These instructions are given you because it is our first and most earnest desire and expectation that you will avoid all possible forms of offence or irritation, and will, on the other hand, endeavor to establish the most friendly and cordial relations with the government of the King of Prussia. With this view you will assure his Majesty that the President and people of the United States entertain sentiments of the highest respect and sincere good will for his Majesty and the people of Prussia. SIR: I have, since my return, had a long interview with Baron Von Schleinitz, the minister for foreign affairs, who, whilst he expressed the earnest sympathy of his government with the American people in their present troubles, not only because of the effect of such disturbances upon the commerce of Europe, but also on account of the intimate relations between the two countries, owing to the presence of a large German population in the United States, gave me the most positive assurance that his government, from the principle of unrelenting opposition to all revolutionary movements, would be one of the last to recognize any de facto government of the disaffected States of the American Union. The news of to-day has exerted the most unhappy influence upon the Americans here, and the universal sentiment is a profound desire and a hope for the restoration of peace in the United States. * * * * * * I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your very obedient servant, JOSEPH A. WRIGHT. His Excellency Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, * No. 174.] Secretary of Stale, Washington, D. C. Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward. [Extract.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, SIR: * The proclamation of the President was received by the previous mail, and the subject has received due consideration. On receipt of your circular dated the 20th of April, I immediately called upon Baron de Schleinitz, minister of foreign affairs, who had received the proclamation of the President, and he at once promptly informed me that, in his opinion, no apprehension need be entertained as to Prussian subjects engaging under the authority of the so-called Confederate States in fitting out privateers, or in any manner interfering with our commerce. Prussia has but few ports. Hers is not a sea-faring people, and the sympathies of the government and of the people are with the United States. Whatever danger may be apprehended on this subject must come from Bremen, Hamburg, and other ports situated in Oldenburg, Hanover, &c. Due vigilance will be used to prevent any such unlawful interference, and if any such be detected the proper authorities will be promptly advised thereof, and every effort will be made to suppress it. Not knowing whether your circular has been sent to the consuls, I have forwarded copies to several already. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, His Excellency Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, No. 175.] SIR: Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward. [Extract.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, * * * Enclosed is a copy of a recent communication to the minister of foreign affairs. Prussia will take efficient steps to sustain the government of the United States in the protection of property and commerce, and will do all she can, consistently with her obligations to other governments, to sustain the vigorous action of our government in maintaining law and order. The minister of foreign affairs, Baron Von Schleinitz, informed me on yesterday that it was the intention of the government to issue a proclamation touching these questions. The government and people are, in spirit and feeling, with us. I am in the receipt of hundreds of letters and personal calls seeking positions in the American army, and asking for means of conveyance to our shores. So numerous, indeed, are the applications, that I have been compelled to place on the doors of the legation a notice to the purport that "This is the legation of the United States, and not a recruiting office." The fidelity and firmness exhibited with such unanimity by our own people in sustaining the administration in their efforts to put down the outrages of the so-called Confederate States," whilst it astonishes the people of the old world, is at the same time rapidly creating a sentiment of confidence in our ability to maintain unimpaired the institutious of our fathers. Let the cost be what it may, we must vindicate the memory of our fathers from the slanders announced by those in high places in the so-called "Confederate States," wherein they have proclaimed ours is only a confederation of States, and not a national union. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, His Excellency Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, No. 176.] Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward. [Extracts.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, SIR: Although the Prussian government has not issued a proclamation upon the subject referred to in my last despatch, I still continue to receive from the minister of foreign affairs the strongest assurances of the sympathies and friendship of this government. * * * * * Your circular of the 6th of May has been received, but the subject had been duly considered previously thereto. No opportunity will be neglected to counteract any efforts that may be made by individuals or associations in negotiations hostile to the United States. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, JOSEPH A. WRIGHT. Secretary of State, Washington, DC. I have received this moment a copy of the National Zeitung, containing the despatch of Baron Schleinitz to Baron Gerolt; and also an order from the minister of commerce, addressed to Prussian subjects engaged in trade and commerce. This is not what I had expected. I was anticipating a proclamation from the King more full and distinct. This will doubtless have the desired effect, as it will be published in all the German journals, and coming from Prussia will be duly respected by the German States and Free Cities. Their sympathy and spirit is with the United States government. Mr. Judd is expected on the 27th instant. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington City. Baron Schleinitz to Baron Gerolt. [Translation.] BERLIN, June 13, 1861. The various herewith enclosed statements, by which your excellency has given me a knowledge of the occurrences through which the internal tranquillity of the Union is disturbed, have called forth my serious consideration. The hope which, until now, we so willingly entertained, that the inchoate conflict between the government of the United States and sundry of the southern States of the Union would be brought to an amicable settlement, is now, unhappily, in view of existing conditions, borne back to a far distance. The indubitable fact of the state of the intestine warfare in which the Union is placed is a source of deep regret to the King's government. The relations of close friendship which connect Prussia and the government of the United States exist from the foundation of the Union. They have endured nearly a hundred years; never at any time disturbed by change of circumstances, nor in any wise impaired. By a series of treaties, by means of which the improvement of the interests of manufacture and commerce on either side has been eminently developed, the intimate relations between the two States have attained a prosperous durability. At no time, between these two powers, has any collision of antagonistic interests found a foothold. The soaring flight which the internal prosperity of the Union has taken, extending its range from year to year by means of the bond of unity of the States thus knit together, the commanding attitude which North America has attained, abroad, has been looked upon by Prussia not merely with no dissatisfaction but has rather been greeted by her with honest sympathy. The more earnestly, then, do we regret that the continuance of so prosperous a condition of things should appear to be placed in question by the |