Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The King has again spoken to me concerning our prospects, and desired to know if I had communicated to the President what he previously said to me.
I know of no new developments of European politics relating to our affairs that possess interest.
The war cloud lightens up this week. Strong hopes are now entertained that a peaceful solution of the Schleswig-Holstein question may even yet be found.
Our enemies are making use of the present lull in military operations to renewedly argue in the press the hopelessness of the attempt of the government to subdue the rebellion. They never fail to make the most of their opportunities.
We still remain without a minister of foreign affairs.
I have been several times inquired of when our government would probably act on the treaty.
I am sorry to say that our finances, which with our friends are always a subject of deep solicitude, are not regarded here with the same hopefulness that seems to prevail at home. It is believed we want less legal tender and more taxation. Confidence is wanting that we can maintain our financial system for any length of time if the existing disproportion between income and expenditures is suffered to go on. This distrust is telling on our securities. Our 1882 6’s, which have been as high as 80 within a few months, are down to 67 in Amsterdam. Yet we have no better friends in Europe than the Dutch, nor any who would be more glad to see our stocks rule high.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.