Mr. Haldeman to Mr. Seward.
Sir:* * * * * *
The public mind at the present moment is in a state of expectation, waiting the result of the London conference on the Danish question. There appeared a universal desire in all classes that the proposition of Lord Clarendon should be accepted; that is, that Denmark should yield up the duchies of Holsteine Lauenburg; and the German portion of Schleswig, thus cutting off all its German possessions, relations and duties, as a member of the Germanic confederation, and be only Danish. This wish on the part of the Swedes may spring from the hope that Denmark, thus reduced in size and importance, will soon gravitate and be incorporated into a united Scandinavia, constituting a powerful nation; a consummation longed for by the enthusiastic, the students, and the literary classes of the three kingdoms; but I fear the question of the capital, Stockholm vs. Copenhagen, would be troublesome to decide, almost insurmountable, if not, in fact, the rock on which union would split. Again, the spirit of the Danes is yet strong. They are not disposed to accept thankfully, on the recommendation of friends or foes, the dismemberment and disintegration of an ancient monarchy that has successfully braved the storms of a thousand years, remained intact in spite of all political convulsions; and now a kingdom is to be broken up which has stood its ground for centuries, provinces are to be taken from it, which were secured by long prescription—by the faith of repeated treaties. No wonder the Danes say, and think, that the treatment they have received and are now receiving from the hands of the great powers of Europe is the great scandal of our age.
The government of Sweden are now building three monitors after the American model, at their national works at Motalda. They received the plans and drawings (if I am not misinformed) from Captain Ericsson two years ago. They expect to improve greatly on the celebrated original. I have no doubt they will, for they study long and closely, make experiments, elaborate every part before expenditure, and their scientific and practical knowledge of naval affairs need not shrink from comparison with the most advanced nation.
The secretary of naval affairs, Count Platen, has spoken to me several times of the handsome manner in which the officers and crew of the Sweedish man-of-war were entertained by the officers and employés of the United States in New York and elsewhere.
I remain, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, U. S. of A.