Joseph A. Wright to William H. Seward, March 31, 1866

Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.

Sir: There have been no indications, since my last despatch, favorable to the peaceable settlement of the Schleswig-Holstein question between the governments of Prussia and Austria. Austria has called into service more than one hundred thousand troops, which she has placed upon the border of Bohemia.

Prussia has made no increase of her army, nor has she made any warlike demonstrations, unless the purchasing of a few additional horses, and the forwarding of munitions of war to the province of Silesia, may be regarded as such There will be no serious difficulty, in my opinion, unless Austria should attempt to interfere in the future governments of Schleswig or Holstein, or attempt to settle the question of the duchies by submitting it to the German confederation. This would be in violation of the Gastein convention, and such proceedings would compel Prussia to adopt strong measures.

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I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,