Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: While peace seems for the present to be assured in Germany, I do not find here great confidence in its long duration, or entire freedom from the apprehensions to which the war gave rise. The feeling appears to be that the superior armament and organization of Prussia and the large accession of strength which her conquests and policy have secured, have constrained certain powers to assent to her aggrandizement and to changes in the map of Europe, which would have been denied at the outset; and that now the definitive settlement of the German question is but adjourned till a more convenient season; that when the Prusso-Italian alliance shall have been severed, and the new systems of firearms and iron-clads introduced, which Prussia on the one hand and we on the other have demonstrated the necessity of, peace will be likely to be again broken and war to spread over a larger field.
The territorial compensations which France might be entitled to claim to counterbalance the gains of Prussia and Italy, seem to be considered as postponed, and as not in keeping with the disinterested rôle of mediator volunteered by the Emperor.
The Duchy of Luxemborg has been suggested as likely to be given to France against compensation to Holland by Prussia, but it would appear to be so trifling an offset to the annexations of Prussia, that I would suppose it more likely that such a proposition would not find favor in France.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.