Mr. Judd to Mr. Seward
Sir:* * * * * * * There is no immediate prospect yet that the status of the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein and Lauenburg will soon be settled. Prussia and Austria cannot come to an understanding, and the question is more than ever a matter of agitation and apprehension throughout Germany.
An interismistic flag for the shipping of the duchies has been agreed upon between Prussia and Austria, consisting of three horizontal stripes of blue, white, and red, with a yellow field in the blue stripe, on the top near the flagstaff, and foreign maritime nations will be asked to recognize that flag, and accord to the shipping of the duchies the rights and privileges as provided in the commercial and maritime treaties of Denmark with those nations, and which it enjoyed when the duchies constituted a part of Denmark.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.