George Bancroft to William H. Seward, March 23, 1868

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Seward.

Sir: The treaty between the United States of America and North Germany, regulating naturalization, having been laid before the council of the Confederation, was approved on Saturday last, the 21st of this month, without dissent.

In the speech with which the King of Prussia this day opened the Diet of the Confederation, he spoke of the treaty as designed to check in the bud every germ of discord between two nations closely bound together by commercial interests and by family ties.

I cannot but hope the action of the Senate on the treaty will have been equally prompt, and marked by the same friendly spirit.

I repeat to you the request that you will send me by telegraph the decision of the Senate when made.

I remain, sir, sincerely yours,

Translation of extract respecting treaty with the United States.

A treaty which has been concluded with the United States of America is designed to regulate the nationality of immigrants to either country, and thus to remove from the relations between two nations, closely related by commercial interests and family ties, the germ of discord.