Mr. Yeaman to Mr. Seward.
Sir: A note has recently been published which was addressed last month by the Prussian minister at Copenhagen to the Danish government upon the Schleswig matter. The principal difficulty in the way has been the demand by Prussia for special protection, or guarantees by Denmark in behalf of persons of German language and nationality who might be embraced within the retroceded district. The objection to this here has been that Denmark, being a mild and just government, would assuredly extend to such men the same rights and protection which it extends to its citizens of Danish extraction, and, it is further alleged, Prussia can demand such a condition with no more propriety than Den-mark could demand special guarantees for German subjects of Danish language and nationality in Holstein or southern Schleswig.
Moreover, it is feared and alleged that such a stipulation by Denmark would endanger the future peace and integrity of the kingdom by leaving too much for construction, and by inviting almost, a difference of opinion as to the facts.
* * * * * *
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.