Mr. Marsh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: * * * * *
The question of war or peace is as undecided as ever. The general opinion undoubtedly is that war is inevitable, but some of my most experienced and best informed colleagues still believe that some terms will be suggested which will be, temporarily at least, accepted by the parties.
So far as Italy is concerned, the Roman question is one of the most difficult points to be arranged. There are, certainly, Italian statesmen who are ready to renounce all claims to the states of the church, and to guarantee the temporal power, but neither Parliament nor people, I believe, can be induced to accept such terms, even to receive the possession of Venetia.
The enrolment of volunteers has been suspended for the alleged reason that it [Page 112] is impossible to arm, equip, and organize them as fast as they present themselves. The number already accepted is stated at forty thousand, and it is believed it might very readily be carried up to one hundred thousand. Inasmuch as none are received who are liable to conscription, the voluntary entrance into the service of so large numbers from every quarter of the peninsula is a very encouraging evidence of the strength and wide diffusion of the sentiment of Italian nationality.
Some of the opponents of the present ministry ascribe the suspension of enrolments to a reluctance on the part of the ministry to admit into the army so large an infusion of what is regarded as a democratic element; but the great difficulty of making immediate provision for incorporating so great a number of volunteers into the ranks seems to me a sufficient justification of the course of the government.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.