Mr. Seward to Mr. Motley.

No. 70.]

Sir: I have received your despatch of May 10, No. 59, and have read with profound interest the observations you have made therein upon the politics of [Page 111] Austria and Prussia as they are influenced by the war between them and Denmark. These observations are by no means less valuable, because, while we are speculating concerning the probable solution of the Schleswig-Holstein affair, the conference in London is proceeding to determine the solution certainly independently of all that may be thought or said by those who are not directly concerned in the matter. The United States are suffering much injustice at the hands of some of the European powers. In endeavoring to ascertain what we may have to expect hereafter at the hands of these powers in the vicissitudes of our own civil war, it is necessary to understand as well as we may be able what is likely to be the occupation of these powers respectively, and their relations towards each other in the field, when the interest of self-preservation obliges them to assume great responsibilities.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

J. Lothrop Motley, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Vienna.