Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The excitement caused by the dissolution of the Prussian chambers, mentioned in my last despatch, has been somewhat silenced by the unfriendly relations between Prussia and Austria, caused by the efforts to adjust and settle the Schleswig-Holstein question. One day we have meetings of the cabinet, and rumors of ultimata being sent from one to the other. Then we hear rumors of the movements of troops, &c. This most manifest unfriendly condition of affairs between Prussia and Austria is at the present moment suspended by the contemplated meeting of the five powers, which will most likely assemble at Paris in two or three weeks for the purpose of adjusting the Danubian question. Italy and Turkey will take part in this conference.
Prussia and Austria are watching with interest the conduct of the different powers, each anticipating alliances to be formed. The present state of things cannot long exist in Schleswig-Holstein. Some definite action must be taken.
The Hamburg Steamship Company commence running a weekly line of steamers on the 1st of April to New York. The Bremen line send an extra steamer every month this year, giving us seven steamers per month from these two ports. On the 1st of January, 1867, the Bremen company will also have a weekly line, so that from and after January next we shall have a semi-weekly line. Mr. Godefray, president of the Hamburg company, informs me that they were induced to despatch their steamers weekly from the reports of their agents over the country of the increase of emigration, and that already their vessels are fully engaged for steerage passengers up to the first of July. I estimate the German emigration this year at one hundred and fifty thousand. If the opinions and concessions, as they understand it, expressed by Count Bismarck in his confidential note of the 5th of January, 1866, respecting our returning adopted citizens, could be made public, with the assurance that they would be faithfully kept and carried out by the Prussian government, it would, in my opinion, increase the emigration twenty per cent. Can you make any suggestions calculated to bring about this desirable result ?
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I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.