Mr. Seward to Mr. Bancroft.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 20th of November, No. 21.
It shows that upon due consideration you have decided to recognize officially, not only the Prussian Parliament, but also the Parliament of the North German United States, and the collective German Customs and Commerce Union, upon the ground that by the paramount constitution of the North German United States, the King of Prussia, to whom you were accredited, is at the head of those several organizations or institutions. This decision is entirely approved.
I have taken care to promulgate the description of the national flag of the North German United States. Its presence in our waters will be hailed with peculiar pleasure.
I shall probably have occasion to speak hereafter of the consular law, of which you have given me a copy.
I thank you for your suggestions in regard to the law concerning free migration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
George Bancroft, Esq., &c., &c., &c.