Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir: The chargé d’affaires of his Majesty King Victor Emanuel informed me the day before yesterday that the minister of state, Mr. Bermudez de Castro, had announced to him the determination of the Spanish government to recognize the new kingdom of Italy, and invited him to enter into negotiations for that purpose.
[Page 544]The chargé d’affaires told me that he had replied he had no instructions to negotiate on that subject, but he would inform his government of the purpose of Spain, and await its instructions.
I am informed that the celebrated prioress of the convent of San Pascual, in Aranjuez, has been removed to a convent in the town of Ubeda, near Jaen.
The new electoral law has been presented by the government to the congress of deputies substantially in the terms foreseen in my despatch No. 211, of the 22d instant. It is a little doubtful whether this congress, elected under the influence of the Narvaez cabinet, and with a total abstention of progresistas and democrats from the polls, can be brought to vote this electoral reform and extension of suffrage. But the throne has been so near the brink of an abyss for lack of it, that it is possible these high prerogative deputies may themselves be brought to vote it.
If not, we shall have a dissolution—a new chamber elected to vote this bill— and as soon as it is voted, another dissolution, in order to arrive at an election under the new law.
A general amnesty has been published for all offences committed by the press, with release from imprisonment, refunding of fines, &c, in all cases which have already been decided, and nolle pros, entered in all cases now pending. This sends, as I am told, about one hundred and twenty causes out of court, and puts the newspaper press where it was before the Narvaez cabinet took power.
It is understood that the law on the press will also be modified in a liberal sense. The royal order revoking the leave of absence of General Prim and commanding him to report in Madrid was also immediately revoked by the present cabinet, as well as all the military orders against individual officers of the latter period of Narvaez rule. All causes undertaken in consequence of recent revolutionary movements have been dismissed.
A general replacement of military and civil employés is going on, which will soon leave none of the adherents of the late cabinet in place. But whether the progresista and democratic parties will be satisfied with the concessions which are now being made to them with full hands is not yet settled. Should they come in and consent to exercise their electoral privileges under the new law, the Queen will have made a great step; they claim, however, a reform of the senate, also, and it is not impossible that, as things go now, they may get it.
With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.