Mr. Seward to Mr. Bancroft.
Sir: Your dispatch of the 20th November, No. 85, has been received. I am greatly obliged to you for having placed before me in so clear a light the tendencies of existing European interests in favor of the continuance of peace between North Germany and France. Certainly all friends of progress and civilization must share with you in deprecating a conflict the mere apprehension of which has produced universal anxiety in Europe.
[Page 59]The procrastination of reconstruction in Spain seems now to forbode a civil war in the peninsula. It is not believed that other nations of western Europe can feel sufficiently at their ease, in view of such a conflict upon ideas, to engage in contests for mere political advantage or supremacy.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
George Bancroft, Esq., &c., &c., &c.