Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

[Extract.]

Mr. John C. Wright to Mr. Seward.

No. 15.]

Legation of the United States, Berlin, March 25, 1867.

Sir: The treaties concluded last August, and now for the first time made public, between Prussia and Bavaria, Baden and Wurtemberg, have attracted universal attention. I have the honor to enclose herewith a translation of the same. A similar one has also been arranged with Hesse-Darmstadt. The publication of these treaties has greatly surprised all classes. They, probably, would still have remained secret had not one of the members of the “Reichstag,” in a speech on the 18th instant, asserted “that the states of the south could, at this day, ally themselves with a foreign power; with France for example.” When Count Bismarck publicly announced that treaties had been made with the said states in August, 1866, the Prussian Moniteurs evening edition contained the text of them. It is said that the Prussian minister at the court of Vienna was authorized to communicate their existence to the Austrian government as early as the 15th instant. Mr. Benedetti, the French ambassador here, was summoned at once to Paris.

Reports are current that as soon as the draught of the constitution shall have been accepted the southern states will unite with the North German confederacy. Judging from what has transpired recently it may be carried out in a very short time. The German element in Austria (in the province of Bohemia) is awakening to what is transpiring in Germany.

Count Bismarck urges the speedy acceptance of the constitution by the Parliament.

* * * * * *

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

JOHN C. WRIGHT.

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

Treaty concluded between Prussia and Bavaria.

Article I.

By these presents a treaty of offensive and defensive alliance is concluded between the King of Prussia and the King of Bavaria. The two high contracting parties reciprocally guarantee the integrity of the territory of their respective countries, and undertake, in case of war, to place at their mutual disposal the whole of their military forces.

Article II.

The King of Bavaria has transferred, for the case in question, the superior command of his troops to the King of Prussia.

Article III.

The high contracting parties agree to maintain this agreement provisionally secret.

Article IV.

The ratification of this treaty shall take place at the same time as that of the treaty of peace concluded this day, viz., on the 3d day of next month, say 3d September, 1866.

Done at Berlin this 22d August, 1866.

Count de BISMARCK DE SAVIGNY.

Baron VON DER PFORDTEN.

Baron VON BRAY SLUNTERG.

The same treaty was made with the grand duchy of Baden on 17th August, 1866, and with the kingdom of Wurtemburg, 13th August, 1866.