Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward
Sir: The ministerial crisis of which I have spoken has culminated in the resignation of the minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Van der Maesen. His place is temporarily filled by the minister of marine, Mr. Kattendyke.
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The King sought me out at the annual gala ball at the palace on the 4th instant, to say that he desired, as King of the Netherlands, to say to me, as the representative of the United States, that he regarded our struggle with deep interest, and wished to express to me what he really felt—a sincere sympathy with the United States government as an old and faithful friend of Holland. The King is a truthful man, and I have never heard him [Page 307] accused of saying what he does not mean. His mother is a sister of the late Emperor Nicholas, and he is said to have strong Russian sympathies.
Nobody seems to be able to predict what will result from the Danish complications, but the apprehension of war is general. England would like to unite with France and compel a settlement of the difficulty, but the latter feels offended at England’s refusal to attend the proposed congress, and declines the enterprise; at which England, on her part, is at once huffed and embarrassed. Her statesmen do not wish to see Denmark dismembered, but they will not threaten to take up arms alone against Germany to prevent it. The situation tends to increase the irritation between the two countries.
The German Diet, in pushing for what it terms federal execution in Holstein, has roused a popular sentiment which goes much faster than the governments which projected the movement. Among the leaders of it is the Duke Ernest, of Saxe-Coburg. He stands sponsor for the now troublesome Pretender, the Duke of Angustenberg. The great ruling houses of Germany would be glad to see him lose his own little duchy by way of penalty for what they regard as his mischief-making propensities. These growing European troubles occupy the governments sufficiently to keep them from devoting any unusual share of attention to our concerns, which they are quite content to continue to leave to our government to manage.
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I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.