Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, by a late order from his Majesty the King, some twenty-two of the former German states and principalities are directed to send each a minister plenipotentiary to meet at Berlin about the 15th of December, to consult upon the subjects to be proposed to the new parliament, and, if possible, to agree upon a constitution for their future government. It is now believed the elections will take place for members that will compose the parliament in December or January, and that they will meet at Berlin about the 1st of February, 1867. This is the last movement. There is some confusion and delay in bringing about the election of members to compose this parliament.
The Prussian chambers are engaged mainly in discussing the annual budget of expenditures. The war expenses are already provided for, and the government had no occasion to avail itself of the authority conferred upon it to create a new loan. Prussian finances are considered in better condition than any government in Europe.
The lower house has furnished another evidence of their devotion to the constitution by censuring the government on account of the sale of the Cologne Minden railway without the approbation of the chambers. The vote was 126 yeas to 122 nays.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.