Mr. Haldeman to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The Germans having taken possession of the telegraphic lines through Holstein, Sweden is cut off from all communication with the outer world by lightning. Postal communication is interrupted to such an extent that this government has extemporized a postal line with the German shore of the Baltic, the ordinary channel through Denmark being closed by the army of execution.
Sweden, most anxious to do all in her power, will give no material aid to Denmark without the co-operation or in conjunction with England, knowing that the assistance that they could render would be comparatively small as against united Germany, only tending to raise to the highest pitch of frenzy the spirit of nationality now so rampant in central Europe. It is also well understood that England will not interfere by force, if the war can be localized. Now comes the all-important question, Will Austria and Prussia retire from the duchies, after Denmark has complied with their demand? Will they adhere and observe in spirit the treaty of 1852? Will Schleswig be returned to Denmark subject only to the condition that the union between her and Denmark shall be merely personal? Will Austria and Prussia counteract the revolution which they themselves have created, and remit Schleswig to the position which she occupied with reference to Denmark before the promulgation of the constitution of November last? These are questions which time must answer. For myself I. doubt if Austria and Prussia were willing whether they would dare to face the full torrent of popular indignation the act of withdrawing would excite throughout all Germany; and yet, to the dispassionate observer, Austria and Prussia are par excellence the opponents of the doctrine of nationality, justifying for years their act or claim of imposing the “rule of the hated foreigner” on subject races upon the faith of treaties, possession, and conquest. Again, the attitude of France has been most encouraging for the expression of intense nationality in Germany—with what object, only they who read the future as an open book can tell.
From the published correspondence (in the American papers) of C. A. L. Lamar, in his letter to John F. M’Cauley, a wealthy citizen of San Francisco, California, formerly of Missouri, who emigrated from Western Virginia some fifteen or twenty years ago, you would suppose that Captain Maffit, accompanied by an engineer, was in Stockholm, or some part of Sweden, in October last. Such was not the case; he met and examined the steamer Carl the X, in Copenhagen, paying to the English purchaser $115,000 in the bonds of the confederacy, or what is better known as the fifteen-million loan, at twenty-seven cents (27 cents) on the dollar, amounting to over $400,000 in bonds; also, as collateral security, pledging cotton in the State of Georgia, the property of Lamar, Son & Co.
I have perused with that care and attention due the importance of the subject the communication of B. F. Tefft, ex-consul of the United States of America, to the Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, as to the probability “that the rebels will next turn their attention to Sweden for the purpose of supplying themselves with war vessels and other armaments.” While I admit the general correctness of Mr. Tefft’s statement, I cannot admit his conclusion as to the necessity of the employment of a special detective agent, “who will be able, by careful watching of all suspicious movements, to embarrass, if not to arrest, unfriendly operations in the Swedish ship-yards and foundries.” As I do not believe the apprehended danger would justify my supporting his recommendation, I am free to say, I partly think the expenditure already incurred by this legation was almost unnecessary. As I have often informed you, [Page 359] sir, the Scandinavians are warm friends of our government, our institutions, and the Union; we had their sympathy from the first, and have it now. They are intensely hostile to slavery in every form and name—under every disguise; and I wish to do no act expressive of unnecessary distrust, unless absolutely required.
I have the honor also to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 35, of December 3, 1864.
I remain, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.