Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward, May 8, 1861
Mr. Wright to Mr.
Seward.
Legation,
Berlin,
May 8, 1861.
Sir: I have, since my return, had a long
interview with Baron Von Schleinitz, the minister for foreign affairs,
who, whilst he expressed the earnest sympathy of his government with the
American people in their present troubles, not only because of the
effect of such disturbances upon the commerce of Europe, but also on
account of the intimate relations between the two countries, owing to
the presence of a large German population in the United States, gave me
the most positive assurance that his government, from the principle of
unrelenting opposition to all revolutionary movements, would be one of the last to recognize
any de facto government of the disaffected States
of the American Union.
The news of to-day has exerted the most unhappy influence upon the
Americans here, and the universal sentiment is a profound desire and a
hope for the restoration of peace in the United States. * * * * * * * *
* *
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your very obedient
servant,
His Excellency Hon. William H.
Seward,
Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.