Baron Schaeffer to Mr. Bayard.
Sir: Referring to your notes of the 18th and 20th May last, I have the honor to inform you that these papers have been laid before Count Kalnoky, and that I have been instructed by his excellency to inform you, confidentially, that His Majesty’s Government must absolutely decline to make your deductions the basis of a discussion with the Government of the United States, upon religious liberty and diplomatic law.
In Austria-Hungary, as well as in the United States, the constitution grants entire liberty to all forms of religious worship. Our objections to Mr. Keiley’s appointment as minister of the United States to the Imperial Court are founded upon want of political tact evinced on his part on a former occasion, in consequence of which a friendly power declined to receive him; and upon the certainty that his domestic relations preclude that reception of him by Vienna society which we judge desirable for the representative of the United States, with which power we wish to continue the friendly relations existing between the two Governments.
Count Kalnoky adds that Keiley’s rather sudden appointment and abrupt departure cannot be regarded very considerate proceedings, that his objections to said nomination remain in full force, and that he feels bound to express the repeated wish that Mr. Keiley may not arrive in Vienna just now.
Accept, &c.,