Mr. Judd to Mr. Seward.
Sir:* * * * * *
I assume that there will be peace as the result of this conference. Denmark has realized her helplessness and want of friends willing to risk a war on her account, and now consents to the division of the kingdom. The German powers having taken from Denmark Lauenburg and Holstein, are willing to assent to the division of Schleswig, only debating over the line. Another division of a country by treaty stipulations and in the interests of dynasties is to be made, and a new govermental dukedom, by the grace of the powerful, is to be established for Frederick of Augustenburg; and although I believe he is the choice of that people, the statesmen of the Austrian and Bismarck school do not wish so far to recognize the principle of democracy as to consult, even “pro forma” the people.
The position to-day is that the German powers will not consent to the division of Schleswig upon the line of the river Schlei, as proposed by England, and rather than adopt it will resume the war. They insist on the line of Tondem-Apemade; or, at the utmost, they are willing to yield to the line of Ton-dem-Flensborg, and they have formally notified that unless a basis is agreed upon within the fourteen days, viz., by the 26th of June, hostilities will be renewed.
As the differences in the conference only involve the interests of little helpless Denmark, and the wishes and desires of the people of Schleswig, I do not believe such obstacles will stand in the way of a settlement.
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I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.