Mr. Seward to Mr. Judd, March 22, 1861

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Judd.

Sir: Contrary to what usually happens in giving
instructions to a minister going abroad, I am directed by the President
to ask you to fix your attention in the first instance, and to keep it
constantly fixed, on the actual condition of affairs at home. I allude,
of course, to the unlawful and unconstitutional attempt which is being
made to detach several of the States from the federal Union, and to
organize them as an independent republic under the name of the
“Confederate States of America.”

You are well aware of what you will find Europeans unable to understand,
namely, that owing to the very peculiar structure of our federal
government, and the equally singular character and habits of the
American people, this government not only wisely but necessarily
hesitates to resort to coercion and compulsion to secure a return of the
disaffected portion of the people to their customary allegiance. The
Union was formed upon popular consent and must always practically stand
on the same basis. The temporary causes of alienation must pass away;
there must needs be disasters and disappointments resulting from the
exercise of unlawful authority by the revolutionists, while happily it
is certain that there is a general and profound sentiment of loyalty
pervading the public mind throughout the United States. While it is the
intention of the President to maintain the sovereignty and rightful
authority of the Union everywhere with firmness as well as discretion,
he at the same time relies with great confidence on the salutary working
of the agencies I have mentioned, to restore the harmony and Union of
the States. But to this end it is of the greatest importance that the
disaffected States shall not succeed in obtaining favor or recognition
from foreign nations.

It is understood that the so-called Confederate States of America have
sent, or are about to send, agents to solicit such recognition in
Europe, although there is no special reason for supposing Prussia to be
one of the nations to which application will be made. An almost electric
political connexion, however, exists between the several capitals of
western Europe, and therefore your most efficient and unfailing efforts
must be put forth directly, and even indirectly, to prevent the success
of that ill-starred design.

This matter was deemed so important by the late administration that my
predecessor, on the 28th of February last, made it a subject of a
circular despatch, of which an original part was transmitted by him to
Mr. Wright, who proceeded you in your mission.

The present administration entertain the same general view of the subject
which in that despatch was taken by Mr. Buchanan. Accordingly, on the
9th day of March instant, I sent to our representatives abroad a new
circular letter in which I reiterated and amplified the instructions
which had thus been given to
them by Mr. Black. Although that circular will be found in the archives
of your legation, yet for your greater convenience I append a copy of it
to this communication.

This department has little more to add to that paper when it is read, as
it ought to be, in connexion with the President’s inaugural address, on
which it rests for its basis.

It may, however, be well to call your attention to the fact that in that
communication, as in this, I have forborne altogether from discussing
the groundless complaints and pretexts which have been put forth by the
organs of disunion to justify the rash and perilous revolution which
they are attempting to inaugurate. I have practiced this reticence not
because the point is unimportant, but because the dispute is purely a
domestic one, and the President would not willingly have the archives of
our legations bear testimony to so un-American a proceeding as an
acknowledgment, even by indirection, that this government ever consented
to join issue upon a purely family matter of this kind with a portion of
our own citizens before a foreign tribunal. Nevertheless, should you
find that any weight is given to those complaints and pretexts in the
court to which you are accredited, your perfect knowledge of all the
transactions involved, will, I am sure, enable you to meet them
conclusively and satisfactorily without precise instructions on that
point.

You will not take up any subject of controversy or debate that may arise
between the governments of Prussia and the United States, without first
communicating the matter to this department, and you will practice the
same forbearance on any subject of controversy which your predecessor
may have left for your attention. These instructions are given you
because it is our first and most earnest desire and expectation that you
will avoid all possible forms of offence or irritation, and will, on the
other hand, endeavor to establish the most friendly and cordial
relations with the government of the King of Prussia. With this view you
will assure his Majesty that the President and people of the United
States entertain sentiments of the highest respect and sincere good will
for his Majesty and the people of Prussia.

* * * * * * * * * *

I am, sir, your obedient servant,