Wright to Hon. William H. Seward, May 8, 1861

Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.

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,