Mr. Ewing to Mr. Seward

No. 8]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 8th instant, No. 7.

An extraordinary cabinet council was held here on the 21st instant, which being prolonged into the night caused much speculation.

On the following day the chamber went into secret session, an unusual.occurrence, during which, it is currently believed, the minister of foreign affairs, Count Zuylen de Nyevelt, announced that Prussia demanded a ratification of her frontier. This caused a profound sensation, followed by loud applause when the minister added the declaration that Holland would resist.

Responding to this state of things the Dutch stocks are falling.

This people rely with more or less confidence on assistance from abroad in case they draw the sword to preserve the integrity of their territory, and I think with reason, provided at the outset they so hold the Prussians in check as to give assurance that they will be able to maintain themselves until their neighbors, having completed their combinations, can reach the field and deploy.

Notwithstanding the current professions of peace it appears to my mind that the atmosphere of Europe is charged with the elements of an approaching storm that may burst over the low countries before the close of the year.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HUGH EWING.

Hon. William H.Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.