THE CORRESPONDENCE of
WILLIAM I.
& B ISM ARCK
WITH OTHER LETTERS from
and to PRINCE BISMARCK
BISMARCK.
THE CORRESPONDENCE of
WILLIAM I.
BISMARCK
WITH OTHER LETTERS from
and to PRINCE BISMARCK
TRANSLATED BY J. A. FORD WITH
PORTRAIT AND FACSIMILE LETTERS
IN TWO VOLUMES- VOLUME TWO
NEW YORK- FREDERICK A.
STOKES COMPANY PUBLISHERS
4.
Copyright, 1903,
BT FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANT.
Published in May, 1903.
All rights reserved.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS
IN VOLUME II
NUMBER FAG*
1. BISMARCK TO ALBERT VON BULOW i
April 12, '48.
The Landtag has passed a vote of two million pounds under
the influence of fear. David Hansemann's supreme power
over the tax-payer's purse.
2. FREIHEKR OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL, PRUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER
AND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO BISMARCK . 3
Berlin, June 7, '51.
Czar Nicholas an opponent of constitutionalism. The
policy of Austria and of Prussia.
3. FREIHERR EDWIN v. MANTEUFFEL, PRUSSIAN FIELD-MARSHAL,
TO BISMARCK . 3
Berlin, June 9, '51.
The question of the pay received by Prussian officers; a
better way to raise the status of the Prussian officer
would be to disabuse the officers of other German con-
tingents that they are his equals.
4. Orro v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK . ' . . . 4
Berlin, August 15, '51.
The King has no objection to Bismarck coming as far as
Mayence to meet him.
* v 5. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 5
Berlin, October 4, '51.
Enclosing a statement by Prince Schwarzenberger on the
Prussian-Austrian relations.
*^6. GENERAL v. ROCHOW TO BISMARCK 8
St. Petersburg, November I, '51.
Current topics of interest.
7. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 10
Berlin, November 3, '51.
The question of the succession to the Danish throne.
f 6. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 12
Berlin, November 23, '51.
The enthusiasts on the fleet question. The policy of
Prussia and of Austria; Prince Schwarzenberg the only
man who keeps Austria together.
9. BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL IS
Undated. (February, '52.)
Enclosing a letter received by Councillor Fischer, giving
the views of the Austrian Conservatives on Prussia's
v,
vi SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
KUMBER PAGB
political aims. Suggesting that measures be taken to en-
sure a favourable criticism in the Prussian military
journals of Prince Windischgratz's statement in his own
defence.
10. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 19
Berlin, April 20, '52.
The King's dissatisfaction at Manteuffel's opening speech.
Bunsen's theory of the future organisation of Europe.
11. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 20
Berlin, April 24, '52.
Postponement of the date for the commencement of the
debates on the bill constituting the First Chamber.
12. BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL 21
Frankfurt, April 24, '52.
Do not the reasons advanced compel Bismarck to remain
at Frankfurt?
13. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 21
Berlin, April 24, '52.
The reasons advanced do not necessitate Bismarck's re-
maining at Frankfurt.
14. BISMARCK TO Orro v. MANTEUFFEL ..... 21
Frankfurt, April 25, '52.
Announcing hour of arrival in Berlin.
15. KARL v. MANTEUFFEL, UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, TO BISMARCK . . 21
(April, -52.)
An amendment respecting the constitution of the First
Chamber.
16. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 22
Berlin, May 19, '52.
Summoning Bismarck to Berlin to be presented to Czar
Nicholas.
17. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 22
August 4, '52.
Congratulations on the birth of Bismarck's second son, and
acceptance of the sponsorship.
18. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 23
November 19, '52.
Austria's policy. Hanover's attitude towards Prussia.
The English memorandum.
19. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 25
Berlin, December 30, '52.
Requesting an opinion on the application of the Rothschilds
of Frankfurt to be appointed bankers to the court.
/ 20. FREIHERR v. PROKESCH-OSTEN TO BISMARCK ... 26
Vienna, January 18, '53.
Appreciation of Bismarck's character and capabilities; the
pleasure in prospect of working with him at Frankfurt.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II vii
NUMBER PACK
21. QUEHL (OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THE PRESS BUREAU IN
BERLIN), TO BISMARCK . .... 27
Berlin, March II, '53.
The Minister agrees with Bismarck's course of procedure
in respect to Prokesch. Austria's wish for a joint pro-
test against England. Request that Bismarck will use his
influence to encourage the Prime Minister to more per-
sonal activity.
22. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 29
Berlin, March 15, '53.
The sale of two ships belonging to the German fleet. Man-
teuffel coincides with Bismarck's view as to the attitude
to be adopted by Prussia towards Austria. Prussia's at-
titude towards the middle German states. The Prince of
Prussia's unfavourable criticism. Count Thun, and the
proposed note against England.
23. KING FREDERICK WILLIAM IV. TO BISMARCK ... 32
Riidersdorff, September 12, '53.
Concerning a misunderstanding under which Prince Wil-
liam is labouring.
24. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 32
Berlin, January 6, '54.
Warlike threatenings in the East. Pourtales' mission to
England; a split in the English Cabinet. The order
to the fleet to enter the Black Sea.
25. COUNT EBERHARD zu STOLBERG-WERNIGERODE TO BISMARCK . 35
Berlin, February I, '54.
Requesting Bismarck to come to Berlin as soon as possible.
26. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 35
Berlin, February 24, '54.
Austria's ultimatum to Russia.
w27. BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL 38
Frankfurt, February 27, '54.
Conclusion of a treaty between Austria and France.
NOTES BY BISMARCK, POSSIBLY FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH THE
PRINCE OF PRUSSIA 36
March, '54.
The attitude Prussia must assume towards Austria in re-
spect of the steps the latter is taking. Austria can
demand military assistance from Prussia only when
Germany is menaced by war without Austrian provoca-
tion.
29. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 37
Berlin, April 27, '54.
The threatening attitude of the Western powers. The
Prince of Prussia's wish to have a government building
in Darmstadt offered to him as a residence by the
Hessian Government.
30. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 39
Berlin, April 30, '54.
The treaty with Austria, its value as regards Russia,
Austria, and the Western powers. The removal of Bun-
sen from London.
viii SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
31. Orro V. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 41
Berlin, May 27, '54.
Austria wishes to avoid the war with Russia, and to divert
pressure of the Western powers on to Prussia. The
Prussian programme. The French fleet off Kiel.
32. BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL 44
Frankfurt, July 3, '54.
All the middle states, with the exception of Wurtemburg,
agree to the treaty of April 20. An English note to the
Bavarian government.
33. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 45
Berlin, July 7, '54.
Favourable reception of the Russian reply in Vienna. Ir-
ritation in London against Prussia.
34. N. v. NIEBUHR, CABINET-COUNCILLOR, TO BISMARCK . . 46
Potsdam, July 10, '54.
Austria offers to use its influence in London and Paris
in favour of peace.
/35. BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL . ., . .46
July 25, '54-
Prussia cannot permit an expansion of Austria unless she
grows at least at the same rate. The question of the
re-establishment of Poland.
36. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 48
Berlin, September 7, '54.
Extension of leave granted.
37. COUNT R. VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK .... 48
Berlin, October 31, '54.
Complaining of the growth of un-Prussian feelings, and
the decline of noble virtues.
38. OSCAR v. ARNIM TO BISMARCK 50
Berlin, December 6, '54.
Urging Bismarck to come to Berlin, where the complicated
political situation renders his presence necessary.
39. Orro v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 51
Berlin, January 5, '55.
The utmost secrecy to be observed in connection with the
proceedings in Vienna. The Western powers desire
peace, but not before Sebastopol has been taken.
40. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 52
Berlin, February 5, '55.
Prussia's position in view of an invasion of South Germany
by France. The French threat to blockade the Baltic
ports if Prussia continues to allow the export of arms
to Russia.
41. COUNT ALEXANDER KEYSERLING TO BISMARCK ... 54
Raikiill, February 13-25, '55.
Recollections of his own and Bismarck's youth recalled by
the sight of the latter's handwriting. Interesting descrip-
tion of his life as an Esthonian estate-owner.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II ix
NUMBER PAGE
42. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK 56
Berlin, May ip, '55.
Recommending Bismarck to be extremely cautious in his
remarks, owing to the gossipping propensities of the
representatives of the smaller German states at Frankfurt.
43. OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK . . . . .56
Berlin, November 26, '55.
The King leaves Bismarck to judge whether he can come
to Berlin for the opening of the Landtag.
44. FREIHERR v. ROSENBERG TO BISMARCK 57
Paris, May 9, '57.
Prince Napoleon's visit to Berlin. Napoleon III. entangled
by Lord Palmerston in all sorts of English quarrels.
The Grand-Duke Constantine in Paris.
45. COUNT KARL VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK ... 59,
Berlin, December 15, '57.
Prussia's impolitic attitude towards Prussian estate-own-
ers, Hamburg, and Lubeck. Female influence exerted
on the Prince of Prussia to induce him to visit England.
46. COUNT KARL VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK 6a
Baden, July 28, '58.
The Prince of Prussia's travelling plans.
47. FREIHERR v. SCHLEINITZ, PRUSSIAN MINISTER OF STATE, TO
BISMARCK . 60
Berlin, November 7, '58.
Announcing his appointment as Minister for Foreign Af-
fairs' in the place of Freiherr v. Manteuffel.
48. BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ 61
November 9, '58.
Congratulating Freiherr v. Schleinitz on his appointment
as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
49. J. L. MOTLEY TO BISMARCK 61
Rome, February 16, '59.
Asking if Bismarck is really going to St. Petersburg. His
own plans and work.
50. v. GRUNER, PRIVY COUNCILLOR AND UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE
IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE, TO BISMARCK .... 64
Berlin, February 28, '59.
Topics of political interest. The post of Minister at St.
Petersburg is anything but an honourable exile.
51. BISMARCK TO MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ 65
St. Petersburg, May 12, '59.
Bismarck's views on the political situation, as it affects
Prussia and Austria, gained during the eight years he
passed as representative of Prussia at Frankfurt. His
opinion as to when the word " German " may be substi-
tuted for " Prussian " on " our flag."
52. BISMARCK TO GENERAL GUSTAV. v. ALVENSLEBEN 70
St. Petersburg, May 14, '59.
On certain diplomatic relations.
x SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PACK
53. BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ .... 71
St Petersburg, May 29, '59.
Characteristics of the other German diplomats at the Rus-
sian court.
54. BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ .... 74
Berlin, September 25, '59.
Russian wishes respecting the place where the Czar and
the Prince Regent are to meet. A change of opinion in
democratic circles in favour of Prussia.
55. MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK 76
Baden, September 29, '59.
The Prince of Prussia accepts Bismarck's suggestion that
Breslau is the most suitable place for the interview with
the Czar. Messages to Bismarck from distinguished
ladies.
56. MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK 77
Berlin, December 31, '59.
The importance of the St. Petersburg post necessitates the
appointment of a special substitute during Bismarck's
absence from duty through illness.
57. MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 79
Baden-Baden, June 25, '6b.
Prussian-Russian-French relations. The excellent impres-
sion made by the Prince- Regent (afterwards the Em-
peror William I.) on the other German Princes. There
is no reason why Prussia should not support Russia's
Oriental policy.
58. MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 82
Berlin, August 3, '60.
The effect of the Teplitz meeting. The despatch-bag.
Personal matters.
59. BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF 84
St. Petersburg, September 3, '6b.
Handing over the works of Frederick the Great, as a present
from the Prince Regent.
60. MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 85
Berlin, September 21, '60.
The Warsaw meeting must not assume the character of
an anti-English demonstration. The recall of the Rus-
sian Minister from Turin is a " logical hiatus."
61. UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE v. GRUNER TO BISMARCK . . 87
Berlin, September 28, '6b.
Miscarriage of despatches.
62. PRINCE KARL OF PRUSSIA TO BISMARCK .... 88
November, 18, '6b.
Declining an invitation.
3. PRINCE KARL ANTON zu HOHENZOLLERN TO BISMARCK . . 88
Berlin, November 22, '6b.
Forwarding an essay on historical art by Prof. Andreas
Miiller for the Academy of Arts. The necessity for the
army reforms.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xi
NUMBER PACK
64. MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 89
Berlin, December 25, '60.
Germany's interest in the retention of Venice by Austria.
The dangers to Germany of the national movement in
Italy. The kingdom of Italy will always be an unsatis-
factory ally for Prussia.
65. COUNT NESSELRODE TO BISMARCK 92
December 18-30, '60.
Thanks' for a present of a Pomeranian goose. Request
i that Bismarck will grant an interview to Mr. Reutern,
Russian Secretary of State.
66. BISMARCK TO THE GRAND-DUKE CONSTANTINE ... 92
St. Petersburg, February 6, '61.
Requesting an audience for a German merchant.
67. MINISTER VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 93
Berlin, February 14, '61.
The King's reply to the address of the House of Deputies.
The cool reception of the Holstein affair in the Chamber.
The capitulation of Gaeta.
68. MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK 94
Berlin, June 21, '61.
Bismarck's wish to leave his St. Petersburg post for a time.
The King has enjoyed reading Bismarck's interesting
letters from St. Petersburg.
69. BISMARCK TO THE PRINCESS MENCHIKOFF .... 95
(Autumn, '61.?)
Asking for the loan of a copy of Czar Nicholas I.'s Statut
organique.
70. THE PRINCESS MENCHIKOFF TO BISMARCK .... 96
(Autumn, '61.?)
The Princess no longer possesses the volume referred to in
the preceding letter.
71. COUNT v. BERNSTORFF TO BISMARCK 96
Berlin, March 17, '62.
Communicating to Bismarck the news of his recall from
St. Petersburg.
72. BISMARCK TO COUNT VON BERNSTORFF 97
St. Petersburg, March 22, '62.
The Czar's congratulations for the King. Thanks for the
communication of the I7th.
73. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK ... 97
Off Marseilles, October 21, '62.
Thanking Bismarck for letters, and anticipating with great
interest Bismarck's further communications respecting
the progress of events at home.
74 GENERAL VON SCHWEINITZ TO BISMARCK .... 98
Naples, November 10, '62.
The Crown Prince's gratitude for Bismarck's letters on the
political situation; his susceptibility to attentions. The
Crown Prince on Mt. Vesuvius.
xii SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
75. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK ... 99
December 21, '62.
Wishes respecting the notification of the sittings of the
Ministry of State.
76. MINISTER VON DER HEYDT TO BISMARCK . . . -99
Berlin, January 24, '63.
Requesting the Star of the Hohenzollern Order as a sign
of his Majesty's satisfaction.
77. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 100
February 24, '63.
Announcing early departure for England; offering to take
over any important political papers.
78. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK . . . lot
Berlin, February 25, '63.
Will send despatches for Count Bernstorff; asking if the
Prince, before leaving for England, wishes Bismarck to
report to him on the political situation.
79. FREIHERR SENFFT VON PILSACH, OBER-PRASIDENT OF THE
PROVINCE OF POMERANIA, TO BISMARCK . . . ioi'
Stettin, May 9, '63.
The Crown Prince and the Progressist party ; the necessity
for eradicating the dangerous idea that his Royal High-
ness would summon a democratic Ministry as soon as
he came to the throne.
80. MINISTER VON DER HEYDT TO BISMARCK .... 102
Berlin, June 7, '63.
Congratulations on the adoption of the new Press Regula-
tions. The Danzig incident a regrettable event.
81. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK . . . 103
Paris, June 21. '63.
The Emperor Napoleon on Prussia's attitude in the Polish
question. The reason for France's interference in Polish
affairs. Prince Metternich on Austria's political attitude.
82. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 105
Stettin, June 30, '63.
The Prince complains that Bismarck, by command of the
King, has not officially communicated to the Ministry
of State his protest against a recent Government measure.
He warns Bismarck of the probable disastrous conse-
quences of the system at present pursued by the Govern-
ment, and declines to be present at any future sittings
of the present Ministry.
83. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK . . . io8>
Carlsbad, July 10, '63.
Bismarck replies to the preceding letter that the decision
of the Crown Prince not to attend future sittings of the
Ministry is of such great import that it would be advis-
able to mention it to the King only when his Majesty
is completely restored to health.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xiii
NUMBER PAGE
84. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 109
July 14, '63.
A peremptory request to Bismarck not to mention to the
King the subject of the letter of June 30 until the
Crown Prince has done this himself.
85. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK . . .no
Berlin, July 16, '63.
Promising compliance with the request contained in the
preceding letter; communications in the press respecting
the contents of the Crown Prince's correspondence with
the King.
86. BISMARCK TO GEN. VON MANTEUFFEL no
Berlin, July 16, '63.
Request not to mention the Crown Prince's letter.
87. WAR MINISTER VON ROON TO BISMARCK . . . .in
Berlin, January 20, '64.
The instructions for Field-Marshal von Wrangel can be
adapted to diplomatic considerations. Urging forbear-
ance with respect to momentary misunderstandings.
88. KING WILLIAM TO WAR MINISTER VON ROON . . . 112 S
Berlin, April 2, '64.
The question of the reduction of the troops which had been
placed on a war footing. Reasons against the reduction.
89. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 113^
Headquarters at Flensburg, April 5, '64.
The troops sent to Jutland suffice for the purpose. His
Royal Highness is unable to support the Prussian policy,
as he is unacquainted with the aims it is pursuing.
90. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 114 *
Headquarters at Flensburg, April 17, '64,
The necessity for a definite Prussian programme. The
principle of acting according to circumstances suggests
the idea that a secret policy of expansion is being fol-
lowed ; the dangers attending the prosecution of this
policy.
91. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK . . . .115
Cassel, June 6, '64.
The friendly feeling in Lippe towards Bismarck.
92. PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK 116
Kissingen, June 22, '64.
The Czar's and Gortchakoff's travelling plans. London
and Paris newspaper reports of statements allegedly
made by Gortchakoff and Bismarck.
93. THE DUKE OF MORNY TO BISMARCK 118
Paris, July 7, '64.
Napoleon III. coincides with Bismarck's opinion that no
conference should be held.
94. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK . . . . 118
Cassel, September 21, '64.
The satisfaction of the Empress Eugenie at the Emperor's
visit. Why the Elector of Hesse-Cassel will not go to
Berlin.
xiv SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
95. GENERAL COUNT VON NOSTITZ TO BISMARCK . . . .119
Zobten, Silesia, November 26, '64.
Welcoming Bismarck among the Knights of the Order of
the Black Eagle.
96. ADOLPH VON KLEIST, PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, TO
BISMARCK .- 120
Berlin, June 7, '65.
In his opinion, and in that of all men of honour with
whom he has discussed the matter, the insult (the
Virchow affair) is in itself not so serious as to require
such an issue.
97. VON NATZMER TO BISMARCK 121
Berlin, June 7, '65.
Offering his services in the duel.
98. BISMARCK TO PROF. VIRCHOW 121
. Berlin, June 8, '65.
Demanding satisfaction for a personal insult in the Second
Chamber.
99. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . . 122
Berlin, June 8, '65.
Failure to meet Virchow.
100. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO VIRCHOW . . 122
Berlin, June 8, '65.
Asking for a brief conference.
101. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . . 122
Berlin, June 8, '65.
The President of the Second Chamber states that it is for
the House itself to decide whether a Minister has been
insulted.
102. MINISTER COUNT F. zu EULENBURG TO BISMARCK . . 123
Prenzlau, June 8, '65.
Asking for immediate news.
103. BISMARCK TO MINISTER F. zu EULENBURG .... 123
Berlin, June 8, '65.
No statement yet received from Virchow.
104. VON HENNIG TO ROBERT VON KEUDELL 123
Berlin, June 8, '65.
Prof. Virchow's view of the case, and his promise to make
a statement in the House on certain conditions.
105. VON KEUDELL TO GENERAL VON ROON 124
Berlin, June 8, '65.
The tenor of the reply made to the preceding letter.
106. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . 124
Berlin, June 8, '65.
As Prof. Virchow has not kept the appointment he made,
the incident may be regarded as closed.
107. PROF. VIRCHOW TO GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR 125
Undated, Postmark June 8, '65.
Prof. Virchow defines his attitude towards the duel.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xv
NUMBER PACK
108. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . 125
June 8, '65.
As Prof. Virchow has declined to fight the duel, further
negotiations are unavailing.
109. COUNCILLOR ZITELMANN TO BISMARCK 126
June 8, '65.
Signs that the scene in the House of Deputies took place
with Virchow's previous knowledge.
1 10. COUNCILLOR ZITELMANN TO BISMARCK 126
June 8, '65.
Prof. Virchow's statement that he refuses the duel.
in. COUNT ARNIM-BOYTZENBURG TO BISMARCK .... ^26
Berlin, June 8, '65.
Offering his services in the Virchow affair.
112. GENERAL COUNT NOSTITZ TO BISMARCK 127
Berlin, June 9, '65.
Asking how the Virchow affair stands.
113. MINISTER F. zu EULENBURG TO BISMARCK .... 127
Stralsund, June 9, '65.
Anxiety concerning the Virchow affair.
114. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . . 128
Berlin, June 18, '65.
What is the reason for the Crown Prince's return from
Pomerania to Potsdam?
115. BISMARCK TO GENERAL VON ROON 128
June 18, '65.
Bismarck is invited to dine with the Crown Prince.
116. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK .... 128
Carlsbad, July 15, '65.
The political situation; the necessity for secrecy with
respect to the situation and to the measures about to
be taken.
117. GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . . 130
Berlin, December 14, '65.
Request respecting the sittings of the Ministry of State.
118. THE MARQUIS WIELOPOLSKI TO BISMARCK .... 130
Dresden, May 8, '66.
Congratulations on the failure of Blind's attempt on Bis-
marck's life.
119. COUNT A. zu EULENBURG, COURT CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK 131
New Palace, Potsdam, May 24, '66.
The Crown Prince's regret at having missed Bismarck.
120. PRINCE FRIEDRICH KARL TO BISMARCK 131
Headquarters at Gorlitz, June 15, '66.
Query whether the Government has decided that the troops
shall march into Saxony, and whether war is to be de-
clared on Bavaria.
121. PRINCE FRIEDRICH KARL TO BISMARCK 132
Headquarters at Gorlitz, June 17, '66.
How the Prussian troops were received in Saxony. Re-
quest for the services of Herr von Radowitz as diplo-
matic adviser.
xvi SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
122. PRINCE HENRY LXVII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK . . .133
Gera, June 21, '66.
Entreaty that no hostile measures may be taken against
him or his country.
23. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 134
Y Heringsdorf, August 9, '66.
Manifestations of Napoleonic hunger.
124. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . .134
August 12, '66.
The Crown Princess desires an interview with Bismarck.
125. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 135
Berlin, February 21, '67.
The Crown Prince fully agrees with the aims of Bis-
marck's policy. The Military Convention with Saxony.
The danger of France's ambition and malevolence.
The significance of the forthcoming Reichstag session.
126. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 136
Potsdam, May 13, '67.
Concerning the projected visit of the Crown Prince and
Princess to Paris.
127. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK .... 137
St. Petersburg, May 28, '67.
The friendly feelings of the Grand-Duchess Helene
towards Prussia. Prince Gortchakoff s political trans-
formations. Public opinion on the Czar's visit to Paris.
128. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK .... 138
St. Petersburg, June 7, '67.
Prince Gortchakoff on political worries, and on the Prus-
sian financial question. Diplomatic appointments.
129. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 139
Misdroy, August I, '67.
The annexed countries and South Germany are losing
confidence in Prussia, owing to the reactionary measures
of Eulenburg and Lippe. The reasons of the dissatis-
faction. The French despatch on North Schleswig.
130. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . .141
Misdroy, August 2, '67.
Enclosing a treatise on the misrule in Hanover, with sug-
gestions for remedying the same.
131. PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK .... 142
Bucharest, January 15-27, '68.
Thanks for the interest taken by Bismarck in Roumania.
Demetre Bratiano's indiscretions in Vienna.
132. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 142
March 6, '68.
Desiring an interview with Bismarck.
133. MARTIN SIMSON TO BISMARCK 143
Frankfurt-on-the-Oder, January 31, '69.
Thanks for the appointment as President of the Court of
Appeals at Frankfort.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xvii
-v
NUMBER PAGE
134. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 144
February 25, '69.
Urging the inexpediency of removing Freiherr yon
Miinchhausen from his present post of Ober-Prasi-
dent of Pomerania.
135. COUNT A. EULENBURG, COURT CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK . 145
Headquarters at Schoneberg, September 10, '69.
The Crown Prince wishes to have an interview with Bis-
marck.
536. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . .145
Konigsberg, September 15, '69.
Preparations for the journey to Vienna, Cairo, Turkey,
and Palestine. The Prince protects the President of the
Province.
737. COUNT PUCKLER, COURT CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK . . 146
Berlin, September 28, '69.
The King's decision to open the Landtag in person. The
arrangements for the Crown Prince's journey.
138. PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK .... 147
Weinburg, October 22, '69.
Announcing his betrothal with the Princess Elisabeth zu
Wied. The change of the representative of Prussia in
Bucharest.
139. H. VON THILE, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO BISMARCK . . 148
Berlin, July 8, '70.
Benedetti's lengthened visit to Coblenz, where the Queen
is staying.
140. PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK . . . 149
St. Petersburg, January, '71.
The Grand-Duchess Helene understands why the war is
being carried on; the attitude assumed by the Czar
Alexander is correct, in spite of the influence of the
ladies of the court.
141. FIELD-MARSHAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BIS-
MARCK 149
Gitiergotz, July 3, '72.
Need for rest. Requests that his resignation may be ac-
cepted.
142. PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK 150
Berlin, November 15, '72.
Regret at not being able to see Bismarck, on account of
the latter' s illness.
143. BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF 151
Varzin, November 20, '72.
Thanks for Prince Gortchakoff's attention. Bismarck's
sentiments towards Gortchakoff. It is the strain of in-
ternal affairs that is using up Bismarck's strength.
144. COUNT H. VON ARNIM, AMBASSADOR IN PARIS, TO BISMARCK. 152
Paris, January 17, '73.
Dr. Evans communicates his suspicions of the existence of
a plot to assassinate Bismarck by means of a poisoned
cigar.
xviii SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
145. MINISTER B. VON BULOW TO BISMARCK 153
Klein Flottbeck, June 29, '73.
Acceptance of the post of a Secretary of State in the
German service, after resigning a position hitherto held
in the Mecklenburg Government.
146. PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK .... 154
Bad Imnau, July 26, '73.
Request for an interview to discuss the state of affairs
on the Lower Danube.
147. COUNT VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK . . 155
Neuhof, near Oeslau (Coburg), October 12, '73.
Requesting Bismarck to second his application to be al-
lowed to resign on account of failing strength. Sugges-
tion of a successor.
148. PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK , 157
Berlin, November 10, *73-
Suggesting a meeting with Bismarck at Dirschau.
149. BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF 158
Varzin, November 10, '73.
Bismarck's regret that his state of health prevents him
from leaving the house.
150. PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK 158
Berlin, November n, '73.
Regrets not to have the opportunity of seeing Bismarck;
urges the latter not to expose his health to any risk.
151. KING ALBERT OF SAXONY TO BISMARCK .... 158
Dresden, November 19, '73.
Asking for support and advice on ascending the throne.
Promising to support to the utmost of his power all that
Bismarck undertakes for the welfare of the Empire and
the German people.
152. B. VON BULOW, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO BISMARCK . . 159
Berlin, July 14, '74.
The congratulations of the Foreign Office officials on Bis-
marck's escape from imminent danger. The impression
made by the outrage; the connection between it and
the Ultramontane incitations. The attitude of the
Ministers.
153. PRINCE ALBRECHT OF PRUSSIA TO BISMARCK . . . 162
Hanover, April I, '75.
Congratulating Bismarck on his sixtieth birthday.
154. MINISTER VON- "MITTNACHT TO BISMARCK .... 162
Stuttgart, June 7, '75.
Suggesting that the diplomatic committee of the Federal
Council should be consulted before the Emperor uses
his prerogative to declare war in the name of the Empire.
155. BISMARCK TO MINISTER VON MITTNACHT .... 164
Varzin, June 16, '75.
Bismarck fully appreciates the value of the suggestion
contained in the preceding letter. He will gladly con-
sider any proposal for the modification of the diplo-
matic committee of the Federal Council made by a Gov-
ernment represented in it.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xix
NUMBER PAGE
156. BISMARCK TO MINISTER VISCONTI VENOSTA . . . 166
Varzin, October 13, '75.
Bismarck regrets that the state of his health does not per-
mit him to accompany the Emperor to Italy.
157. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 167
December 5, '75.
The sympathy of the Crown Prince and his family on the
occasion of the death of Count Wendt zu Eulenburg.
158. PRINCE CHLODWIG zu HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK . . 168
Paris, January i, '76.
Prince Hohenlohe's attitude towards the so-called Arnim
clauses.
159. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 169
Berlin, January 5, '76.
Recommending Prof. Dr. Geffcken to Bismarck's notice.
160. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK . . . 169
Berlin, January 8, '76.
Bismarck explains his objections to receiving Dr.
Geffcken. The latter's connection with the Ultra-
montanes, and his hostile attitude towards the interests
of the state.
161. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 170
Berlin, January 12, '76.
The Crown Prince was unaware of Dr. Geffcken's lean-
ing to Catholicism, and cannot think he is inspired with
deeply rooted animosity to Prussia.
162. COUNT VON ROON TO BISMARCK 172
Crobnitz, near Reichenbach, February 15, '76.
Requesting the promotion of his son-in-law, Regierungs-
rath von Brauchitsch.
163. CARDINAL G. VON HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK . . . 174
Rome, March 5, '76.
Cardinal Ledochowski's remarks on the Prussian Church
quarrel.
164. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 175
Potsdam, May 9, '76.
Request for an interview.
165. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK .... 176
May 12, '76.
Recommending H. Friedberg, Under Secretary of State,
as the most suitable person for the new post of Imperial
Secretary of State for Justice.
166. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 176
Potsdam, June 30, '76.
A further intervention in favour of Friedberg and of his
appointment as Imperial Secretary for Justice.
167. BISMARCK TO COUNT MUNSTER 177
Kissingen, July 6, '76.
The effect on the Emperor of the communications respect-
ing the imminent war between Russia and England con-
tained in a report made direct to his Majesty. The
xx SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
Emperor's instructions to exert a pacifying influence on
the English Cabinet. Request that reports for the
Emperor may be sent through the Ministry.
168. BISMARCK TO COUNT HOLNSTEIN 179
Berlin, January 27, '77.
Thanks for the change of the diplomatic representative of
Bavaria in Berlin. The Russo-French rapprochement.
169. GAMBETTA-BISMARCK. 1877, 1878.
I. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . . 180
Chateau de Pontchartrain (Seine et Oise), October 17, '77.
Offering his services to bring about a personal meeting
between Bismarck and Gambetta.
II. COUNT H. BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK 188
Yarzin, October 30, '77.
In Bismarck's opinion it is not advisable for Gambetta to
receive direct communications from him. The Repub-
lican form of government is the only one capable of
maintaining permanent peaceable relations with Germany.
The consequences to be feared if the Ultramontanes get
the supreme power into their hands. Bismarck's strong
disinclination to provoke war at all.
III. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . 184
Neudeck, December 23, '77.
Proofs of the desire on the part of France to cultivate
friendly relations with Germany. Count Henckel offers
to bring Gambetta to Varzin, either publicly or secretly.
Gambetta' s authority and power in his party.
IV. BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK . . 186
Varzin, December 28, '77.
Expressing pleasure at the change of the person of the
French Ambassador in Berlin. Bismarck is not dis-
inclined to meet Gambetta, but thinks that, in the latter's
interest, the present time is hardly suitable.
V. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . 187
Paris, April 12, '78.
A telegram intimating that Gambetta has left Paris sud-
denly, and that his whereabouts cannot be discovered.
VI. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . 187
Paris, April 12, '78.
Explaining and enlarging on the foregoing telegram.
VII. BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK . . 188
Berlin, April 14, '78.
Bismarck is ready to come any day from Friedrichsruh
to Berlin to meet Gambetta.
VIII. GAMBETTA TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK . . iN8
Paris, April 22, '78.
Gambetta explains why letters have not reached him, and
expresses a wish to see the Count in order to discuss
matters.
COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . 189
x Paris, April 23, '78.
r A telegram announcing the time of Gambetta's departure
from Paris and arrival in Berlin.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xxi
NUMBED PAGE
X. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK . . 189
Paris, April 23, '78.
A letter confirming the above telegram, and asking Bis-
marck to fix the hour when it will be convenient for
him to receive Gambetta.
XI. GAMBETTA TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK . . 190
Paris, April 24, '78.
Gambetta regrets that an unexpected important debate in
Parliament compels his presence in Paris, rendering it
necessary to postpone the visit to Berlin.
XII. TELEGRAM TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK . . 190
Berlin, April 24, '78.
Announcing that Bismarck is too ill to travel to Berlin.
170. BISMARCK TO PRINCE HOHENLOHE igr
Varzin, January I, '78.
New Year's wishes, and thanks for able and loyal repre-
sentation of the German policy.
171. PRINCE HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK 192
Munich, January 5, '78.
Thanks for appreciation of diplomatic and political work.
Assurance of unqualified co-operation in the future.
172. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . ipa
Berlin, January 28, '78-
Enclosing report on mission to Rome to attend the
funeral of King Victor Emanuel. Cardinal Hohenlohe.
Prince Jerome.
'173. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 194
February 17, '78.
Arranging for an interview.
174. COUNT H. BISMARCK TO COUNT HOLNSTEIN .... 194
Berlin, February 22, '78.
Bismarck's views on the question of the Bill for providing
a substitute, when necessary, for the Imperial Chan-
cellor.
175. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 197
Potsdam, May 14, '78.
The Prince is prepared to accept the office of Statthalter
in Alsace and Lorraine.
176. KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK .... IQ7
Partenkirchen, September 30, '78.
Congratulations on the engagement of Bismarck's daughter.
177. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 197
October 10, '78.
Recommending President Simson as the most suitable
person for the post of President of the Supreme Court
of the Empire.
178. PRINCE HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK 198
Paris, December 10, '78.
Hhanks for the bestowal by the Emperor of the insignia of
the Order of the Black Eagle,
xxii SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II
NUMBER PAGE
179. PRESIDENT SIMSON TO BISMARCK 198
Frankfurt-on-the-Oder, March 19, '79.
Accepting the post of President of the Supreme Court of
the Empire.
180. THE EMPEROR WILLIAM TO STATE SECRETARY VON BULOW . 199
Babelsberg, August 29, '79.
Bismarck is to be informed that a visit to Vienna is im-
practicable.
181. BISMARCK TO STATE SECRETARY VON BULOW .... 199
Gastein, August 30, '79.
As the visit to Vienna has been announced it must take
place, otherwise serious political consequences would
ensue.
182. STATE SECRETARY VON BULOW TO BISMARCK .... 200
Berlin, August 30, '79.
The Emperor acquiesces in Bismarck's visit to Vienna.
183. COUNT ANDRASSY TO BISMARCK 200
Schonbrunn, September i, '79.
The Emperor of Austria agrees with the tendency and the
result of the discussions at Gastein on the subject of a
defensive treaty between Germany and Austria. The
Czar Alexander himself desires peace, but he is under
the influence of persons in his immediate entourage who
are of a different opinion. The new treaty will be a
guarantee for the future of Germany and Austria.
V 184. BISMARCK TO COUNT ANDRASSY ... . 202
Gastein, September 3, '79.
Geographical and political difficulties retard the negotia-
tions with the Emperor William on the subject of the
new defensive alliance. Change in the views of the Czar
Alexander, confirmed by his invitation to send Prussian
officers to Warsaw. The necessity for the alliance for
which both statesmen are working, and the beneficent
results anticipated from it.
185. BISMARCK TO COUNT ANDRASSY 205
Gastein, September 20, '79.
The Emperor William is ready to give his consent to the
defensive alliance between Germany and Austria.
186. CARDINAL G. VON HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK .... 206
Rome, November 26, '79.
The hopes of the Clerical hotspurs to smuggle the Jesuits
into Prussia again.
;l87. GENERAL COUNT LEHNDORFF, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR
WILLIAM, TO BISMARCK 207
Berlin, December 15, '79.
The Emperor William's anxiety concerning the state of
Bismarck's health.
188. BISMARCK TO COUNT LEHNDORFF 207
Varzin, December 15, '79.
Bismarck reports on the state of bis health.
SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL. II xxiii
NUMBER PACK
189. KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK .... 208
Schloss Berg, May 17, '80.
Thanks for sending the Ecclesiastical Bills, and for the
lucid explanation of the situation. The King's grief
at Bismarck's contemplated retirement
190. KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK .... 209
Schloss Berg, June 15, '80.
Thanks for Bismarck's kindly attention.
191. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 209
Wiesbaden, November 18, '80.
Report of impressions received on the Russian journey.
192. CARDINAL GUSTAV VON HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK . . 210
Villa d'Este, March 25, '81.
Birthday congratulations.
193. LORD AMPTHILL TO BISMARCK 211
Berlin, April i, '82.
Birthday congratulations. Lord Granville's appreciation
of Count Herbert Bismarck.
194. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 212
Berlin, May 7, '82.
Announcing the birth of a son to Prince and Princess
William.
195. BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK . . . 212
May 7, '82.
Congratulations on the birth of a grandson.
196. COUNT VON SECKENDORFF TO BISMARCK 213
Berlin, January 25, '83.
Enclosing the medal commemorative of the silver wedding
day of the Crown Prince and Princess.
197. THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 213
The New Palace, Potsdam, May 14, '84.
The Crown Prince wishes to discuss some questions with
Bismarck.
398. GENERAL VON ALBEDYLL TO BISMARCK 214
Ems, July 7, '85.
The Emperor seized with a fainting fit at Ems. The state-
ments of the Crown Prince respecting his decision to
inaugurate no changes should he be called upon to
assume the crown, and respecting his wish for an under-
standing with Bismarck. The Emperor better.
199. BISMARCK TO GENERAL VON ALBEDYLL 216
Varzin, July 16, '85.
Bismarck describes his interview with the Crown Prince
on the subject referred to in the preceding letter.
200. THE CROWN PRINCESS FREDERICK TO BISMARCK . . . 217
Berlin, December 24, '85.
Sending a Christmas present of wine.
201. HERR VON PLESSEN, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR WILLIAM,
TO BISMARCK afl}
The Palace, Berlin, May 15, '86.
Reporting that the Emperor has had a slight paralytic
Stroke.
xxiv SYNOPSIS OF THE LETTERS IN VOL II
NUMBER PAGE
202. COUNT LEHNDORFF, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR WILLIAM,
TO BISMARCK 218
Berlin, March 4, '88.
The Emperor's illness; a crisis anticipated
203. COUNT LEHNDORFF TO BISMARCK 219
Berlin, March 5, '88.
The Emperor somewhat better; an injection of morphia
was, however, necessary during the night.
204. HERR VON BROESIGKE, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR WIL-
LIAM, TO BISMARCK 219
The Palace, Berlin, March 6, '88.
The Emperor is sleeping quietly; it has not been necessary
to inject morphia during the day.
205. HERR VON BROESIGKE TO BISMARCK 220
The Palace, Berlin, March 8, '88.
The Emperor's condition is very serious.
206. HERR VON LIPPE, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR WILLIAM,
TO BISMARCK 220
March 8, '88.
The Emperor is fast losing his strength.
307. HERR VON PETERSDORFF, AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE EMPEROR
WILLIAM, TO BISMARCK 220
The Palace, Berlin, March 9, '88.
The Emperor's condition has taken a turn for the worse;
the members of the Imperial family have been summoned
to the bedside.
208. COUNT RADOLINSKI, COURT CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK . 220
Landshut, March n, '88.
The Emperor Frederick will receive the Ministers in the
train, on his way to Berlin.
BISMARCK TO ALBERT v. BELOW.
April 12, '48.
DEAR ALBERT,
The rush of business, consequent on the Landtag being
closed earlier than was anticipated, has prevented me from
finishing this letter sooner. The final sitting was held the
day before yesterday; after I alone had protested in a long
speech, in the interests of the agricultural portion of the
country's against Hansemann's * extravagance in favour of
the panier perce of industry, the House, carried away by a
very good speech by v. Vincke, voted a credit of 40 million
Marks by a large majority. The Landtag passed this vote,
as it has passed everything since April ist, under the influ-
ence of fear for what might happen, and ag.ainst the con-
viction of the majority. Hansemann did, indeed, in his
reply to me, make a kind of promise that no extraordinary
taxes should be imposed until after the elections, but he
was evidently actuated only by an apprehension concerning
the voting. I am somewhat anxious as to what use he
will make of the supreme power he has thus obtained over
the taxpayer's purse, as justice and considerateness are the
last qualities to be looked for in him. It is an unheard-of
thing for the Landtag to treat the country in this way, by
permitting Hansemann (for he outwits the other Ministers)
to raise these forty millions in any way he chooses, either
by increasing the old or by imposing new taxes. The
money might have been granted, if the necessity for it were
proved, but explanations ought to have been demanded as
to how it was intended to find the money, in case it could
* David Hansemann, Minister for Finance.
2 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
not be raised by means of a loan. You see I am still in the
midst of political worries. Au revoir.
Your affectionate cousin,
BISMARCK.
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 7, '51.
Agreeably to your wish, I send you in the bearer of this
letter, Assessor Rudloff, a person whom you may employ
for literary and other purposes. I should like to know as soon
as possible what you think of him. I found him very will-
ing, but somewhat impetuous, and liable to make mistakes.
You must, with your usual kindliness, excuse me for
having been prevented by the extraordinary stress of busi-
ness and of events, in which I feel as if I were on a tread-
mill, from replying to ycur interesting communications.
The excessive work has had such an unfavourable effect
on my nervous system, that Barez insists on my going to
Detmold to drink the waters. I do not yet see how that can
be arranged, and for the present I am going for three days
to the Lausitz. I am quite satisfied with my visit to War-
saw, although it was very fatiguing. Czar Nicholas was in
excellent health, our master unfortunately not so well. The
Czar was like an ichneumon towards the crocodile's egg
of constitutionalism, though he appreciated my plea that to
use forcible measures in attacking this system, which is play-
ing itself out, would only tend to supply it with the vigour
it now lacks.
I am not quite satisfied with the way things are going
at Frankfurt, and will shortly write to Herr v. Rochow
officially on the subject. I will also inform you more fully
of my views than I am able to do at present.
Count Thun seems to adopt the good old Austrian method
1851] CORRESPONDENCE 3
of avoiding difficulties, and of desiring to settle matters de
facto; that is not our position however, the questions must
be probed to the bottom, and if they really cannot be man-
aged we must withdraw more and more from the whole
affair.
In view of her disordered internal conditions, Austria is
far more interested than we are in accomplishing everything
by force ; our policy, however, is to fight with arguments of
reason, and by this means, as also by our firmness, to make
an impression on the smaller states.
My wife sends her kindest greetings.
Adieu, dear Bismarck, and continue to think affection-
ately of your Faithful servant and friend,
MANTEUFFEL.
Your letters are always very welcome to me, please con-
tinue them.
3
EDWIN v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June g, '51.
ESTEEMED PATRON,
I have received two letters from you, the first dated the
middle of May, from Warsaw, and the second dated May
2Oth. I communicated both of them to Manteuffel; with
respect to the first he told me that the necessary steps have
already been taken in connection with England and France,
and he returned me the second yesterday. I have not yet
had an opportunity of discussing this one with him. I did
not show the letter to Stockhausen,* as he is perfectly well
acquainted with the subject matter.t I consider this one of
the most difficult questions. If you search through the
whole history of the Prussian army you will find that the
* Minister for War.
t Concerning the pay received by Prussian officers.
4 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
Prussian officers have always been worse paid than any
others, but that they have always starved with decorum,
and yet played a role in society. Instead of making special
money allowances, I think it would be much better to do
away with the nonsense that a Bavarian, a Darmstadt, or
any other German officer is to take equal rank with a Prus-
sian officer. This has never been the case until within the
past few years, and it is now killing the Prussian officer. If
he is to remain a Prussian officer, his position as such must
be authoritatively assured to him. When I was a lieutenant,
I was offered the appointment as tutor to a little German
Prince, with a captaincy in his army ; I regarded this as an
insult, and nowadays the Prussian officer is, according to his
patent, to rank with all these people ! This he cannot digest,
and I regard the point as far more important than all money
questions. I received a very friendly letter yesterday from
General Rochow. I will tell General Gerlach that he wishes
to see the list of decorations. My wife wishes to be kindly
remembered to you. In sincerest attachment,
EDW. MANTEUFFEL.
4
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, August 15, 51.
I will only reply now to your kind letter of the I2th. mst.,
reserving the other points for a later occasion, that the
King's majesty told me it was his intention to receive you
in Frankfurt, but that there would be absolutely no objec-
tion to your coming as far as Mayence to meet him.
His Majesty does not wish to prescribe anything to you,
but leaves you to do as you think best.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your obedient servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
1851] CORRESPONDENCE $
5
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
October 4, '51.
Your wife has given mine the pleasure of calling on her,
and offered to take a letter to you; I hasten, therefore, to
write you a couple of lines that they may reach you by this
best and safest of opportunities.
I take the liberty of enclosing for you a copy of a some-
what remarkable effusion of Prince Schwarzenberg's, which
Prokesch has shown to me. Count Schlieffen * had pre-
pared a very strong despatch as a reply for Count Arnim,t
in which he said that we had taken the good advice offered
to us very much amiss, as we had not asked for it, that we
are perfectly well able to find our own way and to take it,
and that we know well enough that the important and
difficult tasks resulting from the disordered condition of their
own country leave Austrian statesmen neither the time nor
the opportunity to reflect on our relations and to offer advice
on them. Although I thoroughly agreed with it in many
respects, I did not permit this despatch to be sent off, but
decided to write privately to Arnim and explain our stand-
point. Lack of time prevents me from fully explaining
my reasons for acting thus, but you will understand them;
they are essentially that I consider it of importance to avoid
offering any provocation to Austria at the present moment,
and that I have a particular disinclination to fight only with
sharp words.
It would greatly interest me to know whether similar
admonitions have been sent to other States, and, if so, how
they were received. I have just received your telegraphic
despatch relating to the secession of our Provinces.
* Count Albert v. Schlieffen, the official in charge of German matters
in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
t Prussian Envoy in Vienna.
6 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
The Earl of Westmoreland,* who has just returned from
Hanover, told me yesterday that the old King f is in a most
distressful mood and in great bodily suffering.
I would like to write more, but my wife is anxious to
take the letter to your wife.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your obedient servant and friend,
MANTEUFFEL.
(Enclosure.)
PRINCE SCHWARZENBERG TO BARON v. PROKESCH-OSTEN.
VIENNA, September 20, '51.
ESTEEMED BARON,
The presence of his Majesty the King of Prussia in Ischl
has given the Emperor, our most gracious master, the grati-
fying opportunity of learning personally the impression
made on his Majesty's illustrious confederate by the re-
cently issued Imperial note on the Austrian form of govern-
ment. The King and his Prime Minister have offered their
most friendly congratulations on an event which re-
stores to the Empire the conditions of its stability and its
welfare.
We must probably attribute a portion of this praise to
the idea that the Prussian kingly power regains an indispen-
sable point of support in the monarchical basis of the Aus-
trian constitution, and we may hope, therefore, that Prussia
will regard those Imperial decisions as still another instiga-
tion to a closer union with Austria.
Prussia's King and the statesmen who assist him have al-
ready taken so many courageous and decisive steps along
the path leading to the re-confirmation of the power of the
* John Fane, Earl of Westmoreland, English Ambassador in Vienna,
f Ernst August.
1851] CORRESPONDENCE 7
government in Prussia, and thereby also in the rest of Ger-
many, that we have no fear of being confronted by a serious
difference of opinion on the part of the Berlin Cabinet, when-
ever there is a question of bringing the influence of both
powers to bear on the course of events in Germany.
Many other German Governments have also intimated to
us unreservedly their satisfaction and their joy that the full
executive power is placed in the Emperor's hands. They
regard the removal of the so-called representative system in
Austria as an important step towards the consolidation of
the political conditions also outside the Austrian state, and
do not conceal the wish that advantage may accrue there-
from to their own situation, which in many cases is still tot-
tery. They tell us, however, that it is only the example of
the German great powers which can give them strength for
a radical move in their own domain.
On the other hand, the revolutionary party is eagerly
cherishing the hope that a fundamental antagonism will
grow up between Austria and Prussia. This party would
reconcile itself for the time being to what it is pleased to call
the return to absolutism in Austria, if it would thereby en-
tangle Prussia in the net of its fallacies, defraud Prussia of
her real life-power, bring her into contradiction with the
demands of her political position, and finally drag her
against her will into the abyss of revolution.
The value of the present moment for strengthening
monarchy in Europe, and for tightening the internal bands
which unite the two German powers, and thus for the return
of better times generally, will undoubtedly have been recog-
nised in Berlin. We must hope that in Prussia also it may
be the King's will which will decide on the direction politics
shall follow for the benefit of all.
Since the old close alliance was restored and confirmed,
Prussia has given us absolutely no cause for complaint on
this score. We all the more readily exchange with the
8 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
Prussian court considerations which are but natural in view
of the present condition of affairs.
Communicate this despatch, therefore, to Baron von Man-
teuffel. Receive, etc.
F. SCHWARZENBERG.
To His EXCELLENCY,
FREIHERR VON PROKESCH.
BERLIN.
GENERAL v. ROCHOW TO BISMARCK.
ST. PETERSBURG, November i, '51.
MY DEAR SIR AND FRIEND,
I have received your intellectual, extremely interesting,
and copious letter of the 18-21. ultimo, and cannot describe
the pleasure it has afforded me. I greatly enjoyed hearing
about you and your work. I see, however, that much re-
mains as of yore, and although you, as an indefatigable
champion, have replaced the old withered stem by a young
and vigorous plant, you will become ever more conscious
of the fact that it is very difficult to set in motion the
ponderous treadmill in the Eschenheimer Gasse. There is
much more agreement between Vienna and Berlin than there
will ever be between the representatives of the two great
powers at Frankfurt, as the Presidency there is influenced
by such subordinate forces. It is chiefly subaltern influences
which dominate the negotiations of the experts. Prince
Schwarzenberg is no doubt goaded on in all kinds of ways,
but he returns to his own manner of thinking, and we
should get along very well with Austria were there not a
Prokesch-Osten in Berlin, and if there were not a Herr v.
Beust to come in between. The latter has laid a very bad egg
in connection with the Hanoverian treaty. Neither Saxony
nor Bavaria can dispense with the Zollverein.
1851] CORRESPONDENCE 9
Both these gentlemen are animated by the desire and the
necessity to put themselves prominently in the foreground
in political matters; the super-clever Herr v. Beust in par-
ticular, for whom the Saxon coat is too small, would like
extremely to play the role of intermediary between Prussia
and Austria, which are being arbitrarily provoked against
each other. Such assumption of political importance, and
such instigation, are inconvenient, but at ordinary times
they do no great harm ; they might, however, be dangerous
during a crisis.
If I were at Frankfurt, and possessed as much intelligence
as you, I should take an opportunity of speaking plainly to
Count Thun on all such obstacles.
Minister Manteuffel has sent me a very good detailed
statement of the Hanover treaty. The new tariff is not yet
published in Austria, and the Government there will have
much trouble in carrying it out in their own country.
Minister Bruck, who gave the present direction to Austria's
commercial-political affairs, was a visionary, and Hock *
is no better without positive knowledge.
You wonder at the scanty attainments of Munch? He
has not many, but he is not so narrow as diffident and petty.
You must not look among the gentlemen of the Bund for
clear-sighted statesmen.
Biilow,t Oertzen $ and Schele are the most intelligent.
The first is the most capable of your colleagues, the two
others have only a restricted horizon.
I read to Count Nesselrode the passage in your letter
referring to your negotiations with Augustenburg.H He
laughed very much at your " either hang him or be polite
to him."
* Ritter v. Hock, member of the Austrian Ministerial Council.
t Danish lord in waiting, Envoy for Holstein and Lauenburg in the
Bundestag. J Mecklenburg Envoy in the Bundestag.
Russian State-Chancellor.
T Duke Christian August of Schleswig-Holstein-Augustenburg.
io FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
The Danes have done us good service with their bad
Ministry, for Russia is indignant at the democratic tendency
of the Copenhagen Cabinet, and is turning towards us.
Thank faithful Rudloff for his careful abstract, which
I have found very useful ; give him and Wentzel my kindest
regards, and remind Kelchner of my existence. How the
poor man must have been run off his legs to reach your villa.
How is Lion Lynar, and does Waldersee* still compose
as many poems ? Hearty greetings to Count Thun, to your
neighbour Nostitz, and to Cowley.f
It is a question whether I shall be able to get away this
winter. I am in despair, and cannot put up much longer
with the life of a hermit.
Things look very bad in France, and there must be no
delay in producing order in Germany; the creation of a
central police department is absolutely imperative. We
must not run the risk of being surprised.
If the Bundestag does not now secure compliance to its
will, it will be a serious matter for Germany.
Place me in the usual way at your wife's feet, and do not
forget your
old admirer and friend,
R(OCHOW).
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, November 3, '51.
I beg to make some confidential observations respecting
the Royal autograph letter of yesterday's date.
The proposal to settle the succession on the Duke of Au-
gustenburg in the event of the male descendants of Prince
* Prussian plenipotentiary in the Military Commission of the Bund-
estag.
fLord Cowley, British Envoy to the Bundestag.
1851] CORRESPONDENCE n
Christian dying out has been presented at Copenhagen and
St. Petersburg. According to the report of Freiherr
. . . ,* the Danish Cabinet does not sympathise with
the idea. It cannot be denied that the acknowledgment of
Prince Christian and his descendants by his marriage with
the Princess of Hesse has the great practical advantage of
removing all complicated and controversial questions. This
advantage of simplicity would be lost if a stipulation were
introduced in favour of the possible succession of the Duke
of Augustenburg and his brother. The possible claims of
the brothers and sisters of Princess Christian, and of the
other members of the Glucksburg line, would then also have
to be regulated, and this is a task which it would be very
difficult to solve. The passage in the Royal letter in which
his Majesty states that he cannot guarantee your wishes
being carried out is to be especially accentuated. According
to the latest news, the Danish Cabinet is ready to accede to
the demands urged by Prussia, Austria, and Russia, so that
the bad feeling which certainly existed in St. Petersburg
will now be removed. Finally, I beg you to read the pas-
sage : " the Duke may leave the settlement entirely in his
Majesty's hands," as implying that the Duke will in any
case follow his Majesty's advice. The Royal Cabinet can-
not undertake the independent vindication of the Duke's
claims nor be answerable for the results of his endeavours,
especially as it appears that the Duke has made some mis-
take in estimating the revenues of his estates. It is possible
that the Danish Government deducts the charges on the es-
tates, while the Duke gives the gross proceeds. This would
explain the difference in the estimates.
MANTEUFFEL.
* The name is indecipherable in the original.
12 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
8
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, November 23, '51.
I am much obliged to you for your kind communication
of the 1 9th inst.
I not only entirely agree with you in the fleet question but
also subscribe to your general remarks.
In the matter of the fleet we have to do with the vision-
aries who cherish an undefined idea of a new Germany, and
who succeed in working much harm, of which we have
just had a sad specimen in the form of an effusion ad-
dressed by the ex-King Louis * to the King. He regards
the dissolution of the fleet as an act of treason to the
country, etc. If we were to yield to these enthusiasts we
should be aground in a week. I represented this standpoint
to the Prince of Prussia, who viewed it with considerable
favour.
I took a special opportunity which offered, before the
arrival of your letter, for writing to Prince Schwarzenberg
direct on the general relations with Austria. I told him
that I did not believe he was the source of this machination,
but that I was of opinion he could prevent it, and if he did
not soon utter a quos ego! breath to utter mine would fail
me ; there would then be fighting on both sides and, as I be-
lieved, to Austria's disadvantage. To this I have received
no reply; Count Arnim writes me, however, that the Prince
is very much embarrassed.
I quite approve of your not starting or taking up any
quarrel with Count Thun. There may be some truth in
what Herr v. Nostitz says, but the fact must not be over-
looked that any unanimous procedure on the part of the
great powers is fatal to the middle states.
* Of Bavaria.
1851] CORRESPONDENCE 13
So long as Germany is two-headed, nothing will be at-
tained unless we are in accord, and we should get on very
well together if Austria were not such a wonderful partner,
in whose composition an immoderately large body, and even
strength, are combined with repulsive diseases produc-
ing temporary weakness and uncouthness, Conservatism with
Radicalism, true distinction with vulgarity, cunning with
coarseness, and subtlety with foolhardiness. The removal
of these drawbacks seems to be as desirable as it is impossi-
ble, for they are deeply rooted in the inmost nature of this
state. As Austria cannot be ignored, nothing remains for us
but either to proceed to extremities or to put up with it as
best we can, taking care that no advantage is taken of us.
The superior power must be made to feel something ; when
occasion offers the giant's fingers must be rapped in such a
manner that he experiences merely a sensation of pain, with-
out getting into a rage at the idea that his vanity is offended.
The serious side of the intercourse with Austria is that as
far as its power reaches no dependence can be placed on
it, and it is always ready to play va banque. This must not,
however, restrain us from opposing Austria when such an
attitude is considered permissible and advisable; but a cer-
tain reserve should be adopted, by means of which one would
lose no more than when a prudent, moderately well-to-do
man declines to be a party to a transaction proposed to him
by a great spendthrift. The latter is vexed that the other
will not hazard the object of his envy, the assured existence;
but in the long run the careful man will come off best, and
finally have to assist the grandee. It is not, however, to the
interests of either the one or the other to hasten the time
when this must take place. Although I do not close my
eyes to the intrigues of Austria, and am, consequently, not
her friend, I see with great apprehension the approach of the
moment when this Empire might break lip; unfortunately,
my reports from Vienna, both official and unofficial, confirm
14 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1851
me in this belief. No one can foresee the consequences of
the collapse of such a colossus, which may seriously affect
the destinies of the whole of Europe. Affairs are in a very
critical state; and even if we do not undertake any mining
operations from our side, thus designedly directing the fall
on our own house, it is possible that the ruins will do us
some injury. What I ardently desire is for the year 1852
to have passed by, and that by that time there may be some
stability in France. Rochow writes me that on the whole
the Czar * is satisfied with the course of events in Austria,
but that Nesselrode disapproves of much, and both regard
Schwarzenberg as an unreliable and irregular politician ; he
apprehends that conflicts with Russia are inevitable. I, on
the other hand, consider that Schwarzenberg is the only
man capable of holding Austria together, until the Emperor
perhaps is able to do so later, and I should have no sort of
interest in his fall.
I do not think the Bundestag is qualified to make anything
of Germany, and regard it merely as a means of covering
the internal ruin; it also serves a useful purpose for the
smaller states, whose existence cannot be simply ignored,
by offering them a fixed point on which they can save them-
selves from completely sinking in the slough of their own
conditions. I doubt whether it will be possible to improve
these conditions without great European convulsions.
In future I shall be very sparing with proposals to be
introduced conjointly with Austria.
I have just received your enquiry respecting the opening
of the Chamber. I should very much wish you to be present,
but hesitate to summon you by telegram ; please do your best
not to be too late, and if possible be here for the election of
the President, which will take place on December I or 2. It
seems to me that there will be no particular disadvantage in
your being missed a little at Frankfurt.
* Nicholas I.
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 15
As the King is going to Hanover for the funeral,* he
will not open the Chamber in person; I shall do it instead
of him, but my opening remarks will be restricted to ques-
tions of internal administration, and I shall endeavour to
avoid a debate on the address.
Excuse this voluminous statement, I could add much
more, but reserve it until we meet. I would give your
kindest regards to Count Stolberg if I did not consider it su-
perfluous. In grateful attachment,
Your obedient servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
9
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
Undated, but evidently written in February, '52.
YOUR EXCELLENCY'S
favour, with the enclosure from Herr von Schele, reached
me by way of Cologne yesterday.
Dr. Fischer, formerly State-Councillor in Oldenburg, who
will be known to your Excellency as the author of sev-
eral political works, is now living here, and is occupied,
among other matters, with working up petitions for the
rights of the Standesherrn.
Partly by this means, and partly through other relations of
older date, he has opened up a correspondence with several
members of the old-Conservative party in Austria, especially
with Prince Windischgratz and Count Wurmbrandt. He
regards Prince Windischgratz as the head of the said party
in Austria, and as this party's candidate for the succession
to Prince Schwarzenberg. There seems to be no doubt that
Prince Windischgratz is held in high esteem by all the Con-
servative opponents of the present Austrian Prime Minister,
and I hear from good sources that the Prince's relations with
* Of King Ernst August, who died on Nov. 18, 1851.
16 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1852
the Emperor have been much improved through the medi-
ation of the Grand-Duchess Sophie. In one of the letters
which Councillor Fischer showed me, Prince Windischgratz
gives especial prominence to the necessity of the understand-
ing with Prussia, and Herr Fischer added orally that accord-
ing to his information the clumsy inconsiderateness in the
treatment of German affairs is held up as a reproach to
Prince Schwarzenberg, just as the failure of his Hungarian
campaign was used to represent Prince Windischgratz to his
Majesty the Emperor as being incapable. In order to dis-
prove the statements made against him, the Prince recently
published over his name an account, taken from official
documents, of his operations in Hungary. As is perfectly
natural, he is most eagerly awaiting the judgment of foreign
military experts, and especially the verdict of the Prussian
military reviews. It cannot but be advantageous, even if
the present political combinations in Austria are not con-
sidered, to meet any Prussian sympathies shown by one who
in any case is a prominent personality in Austria. I ven-
ture, therefore, most obediently to suggest to your Excel-
lency the advisability of taking measures through the Min-
istry for War or General von Gerlach, so that the criticisms
on Prince Windischgratz's personal defence, appearing in
those military reviews which are generally believed by out-
siders to reflect the opinion of our official circles, may if
possible be favourable, but at all events couched in a spirit
of forbearance and good-will.
The impression made upon me by the letters from Count
Wurmbrandt was that the Austrian nobility belonging to
this party have hitherto occupied themselves less with the
endeavour to acquire political importance than with their
irritation at and their struggle against the material losses
inflicted on them.
v. BISMARCK.
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 17
(Enclosure.)
COUNT WURMBRANDT TO COUNCILLOR H. FlSCHER.
(Copy) LIBLIN, December 27, '51.
MOST ESTEEMED COUNCILLOR,
I hasten to reply to your letter of the 23rd. inst, which
I have just received, but warn you beforehand that you will
most probably find my answer unsatisfactory, as customs
duties and commerce are out of my domain. I must first
make my standpoint clear to you. I believe I am quite right
in my opinion that a struggle is going on between movable
and immovable property. Because I am a Conservative I am
on the side of immovable property, and hope it will gain
the victory. As I am no connoisseur, I can only judge by
what my own five senses tell me of the means which will lead
to victory. My simple practical sense names free-trade as
the means, and protection as the way to reach this aim. It
is evident that the protective duties must be arranged on a
constantly decreasing scale, and must be spread uniformly
over the greatest possible extent of country. I sent an
article containing this view to the Kreuz Zeitung, which
printed it last March, but added comments of its own which
made a very bad impression in this country, and raised the
suspicion that the Conservatives in Prussia would not hesi-
tate to use any pretext to make Prussia more powerful and
greater at Austria's expense, and to secure it an advantage.
It was noticed even then that legitimacy and the idea of
justice end where specific Prussianism begins.
If a customs union would be desirable between Oldenburg
and Croatia were the latter country inhabited by Germans,
it is also desirable when Croatia is inhabited by Slavs,
and if the union between Oldenburg and the Slavonic Croatia
is not to be desired, the same would apply if the Croatians
were suddenly transformed into Brandenburgers.
I candidly confess that it appears to me that another
18 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1852
political question, viz, dualism, is behind Prussia's proposals
in the customs question. And this seems to me to mean in
Prussia that all Germany is to become Prussian, with the
exception of Austria's possessions in Germany, which are to
be left to her for the present at least.
It is possible that a customs union between the Slovaks
and the Croatians would be detrimental to the political atti-
tude of Germany, though we must be very clear as to what
Germany was, and will be in the future.
The real Germany ceased to exist as soon as there was
no united German church. We have for some time past had
a confederation of the different mid-European states under
the quite unsuitable and inaccurate name of " Germany."
In Austria we now desire a still closer confederation, to in-
clude larger states, in any case all Austria, and for the sake
of the good objects we have in view are willing that this
confederacy of mid-European States shall be styled Ger-
many, if this name contributes towards the speedy and per-
manent accomplishment of the confederacy. But anybody
who declines to include Croatians in this confederacy of
states will virtually exclude all Austria.
If, under some plausible pretexts or other, and not sud-
denly but gradually, Austria is actually excluded from Ger-
many, the neck also of Catholicism in Germany will be
broken; and then it will not be difficult to amalgamate the
smaller states with Protestant Prussia.
I have now explained to you quite candidly, and with
perfect trust in your fairness, my opinion on the customs
question and on the policy followed by Prussia in this
question.
I cannot say that this is the opinion of the entire party,
but it is shared by the most eminent of my political com-
panions in faith. I am far from expecting that a man of
your experience will at once adopt our view; I must, how-
ever, reply to your definite question whether you would
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 19
be serving the interests of the Austrian Conservative party
by opposing the Austrian Zollverein, with a perfectly de-
cided " No." To make things surer, I will send your letter,
to-morrow, with a copy of my reply, to Count Wolkenstein,
and will request him, after he has spoken with any men of
the party who may be in Vienna, to write himself if he
should not agree, or should only partially agree to what I
have written to you.
You will gather from what I have said that I must agree
with Prince Hohenlohe's speech.
10
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, April 20, '52.
I have forwarded to the Minister of the Interior the letter
respecting Week,* and will discuss the matter later. I beg
only to remark that the said Week is personally known to
me, and that he is an extremely untrustworthy person, who
has frequently obtained money from me on the promise of
revelations, and has never done anything. He has boasted,
in London, Paris, and Carlsruhe, of his acquaintanceship
with me, and has even threatened to publish my relations
with him: this I could calmly wait for, as he has nothing
of mine in his possession, and could but prove the undis-
puted fact that I was imposed upon by him as I have been
by so many others. Herr von Glinka f should, therefore,
be recommended to exert the utmost caution. It may be
true that Week is in possession of letters from other Envoys,
for he has obtruded himself on many in order to get money,
and he is as accessible to the Prussian thaler as to the rouble
and the Austrian twenty kreuzer piece.
* A Breslau tradesman, who in 1851 had offered his services to the
representative of the Prussian Minister Resident in Frankfurt to watch
the Frankfurt democrats.
t Russia's representative at the Bundestag.
20 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [185:1
You will have received my opening speech ; the King was
indignant at it, considering it far too weak. You know
why I was so moderate; moreover, I do not regard use-
less reservations, such as the King desired, as a proof of
strength.
Bunsen is urging the King more and more into the arms
of the peerage. He maintains that the greatest statesmen in
England believe that in the course of a few years the con-
tinent will fall into two great divisions: a. the Protestant
states with a constitutional system whose main support is
the peerage, and b. Catholic Jesuitical democratic abso-
lute states. He includes Austria, France, and Russia in the
latter category. This I consider to be quite a mistake;
there are no such categories, for each state follows a course
of development of its own. Frederick William I. was
neither Catholic nor democratic, and yet he was absolute.
But such things create a great impression on his Majesty. I
regard the constitutional system, where majorities have the
dominion, as anything but Protestant.
My wife sends greetings, and has your room always ready
for you. Write as soon as you can, as you wish to take part
in the First Chamber question. I should like to have a com-
munication in writing.
Your devoted servant and friend,
MANTEUFFEL.
ii
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, April 24, '52.
The debate in the Second Chamber on the bill dealing
with the constitution of the First Chamber does not begin
to-day, but probably next Monday or Tuesday.
Please let me know whether you are coming.
v. MANTEUFFEL.
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 21
12
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
CmssiME, FRANKFURT, April 24, '52. 5 : 15 p. M.
I am to come. Does your Excellency consider the Au-
gustenburg affair, or that of Prince Friedrich of Baden
about which General Gerlach wrote to me, reasons for my
staying here ? v. BISMARCK.
13
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, April 24, '52. 8 : 55 P. M.
No, I do not consider them reasons. The debate begins
on Monday, April 26th, at noon. MANTEUFFEL.
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
CmssiME, FRANKFURT, April 25, '52. 10 A. M.
To his Excellency, Herr von Manteuffel, Berlin.
I hope to complete the necessary arrangements in order
to leave to-day. I should then arrive in Berlin to-morrow
evening. v. BISMARCK.
'5
KARL v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
April, '52.
Count Burghausen, in accord with 'my brother and the
Ministry, will move as an amendment :
22 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1852
" The First Chamber shall be constituted by a Royal ordi-
nance which has the force of law."
Will you please arrange for a similar amendment to be
moved by the right side of the Second Chamber ?
Your
MANTEUFFEL
16
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, May 19, '52. 10:45 A. M.
If your business permits, will you arrange to be here next
Saturday or Sunday, as that will probably be the best time to
.wait on his Majesty the Czar.
Kindly inform me by telegraph whether and when you
will come. MANTEUFFEL.
17
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, August 4, '52.
Gratulor ex animo* gratefully accept the sponsorship, am
just starting (the horses have been waiting a whole hour)
for Crossen, from which place I return here on the I4th. inst.
Stir up Canitz f to take a strong stand in the Customs
question, especially in Nassau, where he can assume a threat-
ening attitude. Unchangeably yours,
MANTEUFFEL.
*On the birth of his second son William.
t Prussian Minister Resident to the Grand-Duchy of Hesse, the
Duchy of Nassau, and the free city of Frankfurt.
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 23
18
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
November 19, '52.
Your favour of the day before yesterday impels me to
say a few words to you regarding the stage at which our
Customs question has now arrived.
When Herr v. Prokesch launched forth here into high-
sounding phrases, saying that Austria, moved by higher po-
litical considerations, desired above all things an understand-
ing with Prussia, and was willing to sign any commercial
treaty even if it were drawn up by the hostile pens of the
Ministry of Finance, but that only Prussia, which was specu-
lating on revolution, was the cause of this easy and beneficial
arrangement not being made, and when similar expressions
reached me from St. Petersburg and from MeyendorfFs pen r
I instructed Count Arnim in Vienna to ask in the right quar-
ter what all this signifies. We had a double interest, firstly,
in guarding ourselves against unjust accusations, and sec-
ondly, in warding off intervention offered to us in an un-
favourable manner, especially by Hanover.
Count Arnim found Count Buol quite dejected; the offer
made to us was the relinquishment of the Customs union, a
commercial treaty advantageous to both parties, not en-
croaching on the liberties of either and valid for twelve
years; we are not required to go to Vienna, they will
send to Berlin or wherever we wish. They desire to treat
only for Austria and not for the coalition states, but only
with Prussia, reserving the right to admit the rest of the
states later.
The only difficulty remaining is the all-important ques-
tion of time, but there is every prospect that this also will
be overcome. We have already concluded an agreement with
Brunswick, and hope to do the same with the Thuringian
States during the next few days. As soon as this is done
*4 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1852
we can consider the Zollverein as reconstructed, that is to say
the Coalition States as excluded ; and then we can negotiate
with Austria without being inconsistent. Count Buol has
already addressed a note to Count Arnim on this point, and
the reply is being drawn up here, it will not be sent off, how-
ever, until the re-construction of the Zollverein is completed.
So the matter stands. All Herr von Dalwigk's talk about
negotiations is deliberate lying ; one cannot speak of negotia-
tions being conducted when Austria has expressed a wish to
negotiate with us and we have not even replied.
It is quite true that when once negotiations are opened up
the matter may probably and perhaps must be settled very
quickly.
Hanover plays a very bad role in the affair, and only the
necessity for preserving the agreement restrains me from
speaking my mind to Herr v. Schele. It not only refuses to
send a plenipotentiary here, but has actually agitated against
us in Oldenburg, and warned Brunswick against ratifying
the treaty. The Hanoverian gentlemen wish us to negotiate
direct with Austria; do they really not see that the possi-
bility of negotiating is the preliminary condition to the at-
tainment of the wish?
I shall be grateful to you, dear friend, if you will soon
give me your opinion on the subject, and especially tell me
if you see any objections to be raised against the course I
am pursuing.
His Majesty has suddenly become very anti-Napoleon,
and thinks that the President makes common cause with
every revolutionary.
His Majesty finds the long English memorandum against
figure III * excellent; I find it confusing, and all the more
insufficient as I know already that the English repent it.
Nevertheless, I agree with the idea, that if it is at all pos-
sible, the English must be kept to their word. For this rea-
* For Louis Napoleon.
1852] CORRESPONDENCE 25
son we shall take up the question of the conference in London
which you have proposed. Austria does not seem inclined
to join. MANTEUFFEL.
If an arrangement with Austria is to succeed, it is very
necessary that silence be maintained, and passions and the
newspapers be kept away from the subject. Hence I con-
sider it folly for Herr v. Dalwigk to deliver such speeches,
and would rather disavow than sanction them.
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 30, '52.
About a year ago Messrs, von Rothschild, the Frankfurt
bankers, were here, and expressed the wish to become our
court-bankers; in reply to an enquiry on the subject you
then stated that Messrs, v. Rothschild had been adequately
compensated by loans for anything they had done in the
Prussian interest.
In consequence of this report the matter was allowed to
drop. It has been brought up again recently, and I should
therefore be glad to know from you whether the conditions
are now changed. I may remark that in my opinion it would
not be very easy to ascertain what monetary advantages are
secured by such a great banking house.
Should you now pronounce for the bestowal of the title of
banker to the court, kindly draw up an official document
giving the reasons for your opinion.
MANTEUFFEL.
(Postscript.)
I would add that it is not necessary to report officially on
the matter, it will suffice if I know that you have no objec-
tion to the bestowal. Should the Rothschilds still follow a
26 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1853
predominately anti-Prussian tendency, I should certainly re-
gard this as such an objection.
I may tell you, in the strictest confidence, that the matter
is so far of interest to me as Rothschild will thus be to
a certain extent diverted from his fervent efforts to improve
the Vienna valuta, and will be favourably inclined towards
a railway loan we are thinking of raising.
The best wishes of the season to you and yours.
Unalterably your
MANTEUFFEL.
20
FREIHERR v. PROKESCH-OSTEN TO BISMARCK.
VIENNA, January 18, '53.
MOST ESTEEMED FREIHERR,
While I bring the very best intentions into the position
assigned to me by his Majesty the Emperor, I do not go to
Frankfurt without hope, as I shall find you there among the
collaborators in the common work.
I have already learned in Berlin to esteem the uprightness
of your character and of your mode of thought, your gift
of intuition and of comprehension, your eloquence and your
kindly manners, and the experience gained at Frankfurt will
place it in the power of your good will to render me greatly
beholden to you. You have always appreciated my en-
deavours to further the union between Austria and Prussia.
I will also in future continue to keep the same end in view,
an end which quarantees the strength and the dignity of Ger-
many, and most effectually secures the orderly development
of the interests of the two countries. I shall meet you on
this path, and we will pursue it together. It is in this belief
that I am coming.
The date of my arrival is as yet uncertain, but I expect it
will be in the last week of this month. I shall probably
1853] CORRESPONDENCE 27
take the shortest route; my wife will accompany me, and
we shall be able to profit by your advice in domestic matters.
When I look back over my stay in Berlin, recall the
gracious expressions of his Majesty your exalted King and
master, and reflect on the pleasure which awaits me in going
hand in hand with you, I am inclined to look forward to
Frankfurt with tranquility and cheerfulness.
Accept the expression of my highest esteem, with which
I have the honour to be,
Your most faithful,
v. PROKESCH-OSTEN.
21
QUEHL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, March u, '53.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I am directed by the Minister President to inform you
that he quite agrees with your views and procedure in respect
of Herr v. Prokesch. Herr v. Manteuffel will speak to his
Majesty in this sense, and this will probably be a good op-
portunity although his Majesty is much inclined towards
joint steps with Austria against England to draw the at-
tention of Austria to the inept procedure of the diplomatic
poet. A long note came yesterday from Austria, which
wishes to join Prussia (against England). Although our
hotspurs have for long been very impetuous in their de-
mands for " energetic measures " against England as if
England could be annihilated with a forcible speech, like a
clause in a bill in the Second Chamber. Herr v. Manteuffel
meets these onsets with great coolness and tranquillity. In
his opinion a refusal will now have to be given to Austria,
though in a most friendly manner, and some marginal notes
for Prokesch can be interwoven. His Excellency is par-
ticularly glad at your remarks respecting Bavaria, and em-
28 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1853
powers you to cultivate the most friendly relations with the
Bavarian Envoy. Although this will be immaterial to you,
I cannot help expressing my great pleasure that your and
the Minister President's views meet so regularly, and that
Prussia has such a thoroughly Prussian representative at
the only place at which she is displaying any activity. A
representative who, fortunately, is not only able to perceive
the right but possesses the energy to pursue it, an energy
which can neither be acquired nor bought, but which, as we
must acknowledge with humility, is a gift from God. It
is certainly most regrettable that you cannot both be divided
into a hundred parts, so as to supply all the diplomatic posts
with Manteuffels and Bismarcks. Unfortunately, the pros-
pect of this co-operation bearing gratifying fruit is some-
what troubled by complications and developments here. The
doctrinaire-feudal-pietist party on the one hand, and the
good Herr v. Hinckeldey, who it is true has the advantage
of representing no principle but only his noble self, on the
other hand, not only render Herr v. Manteuffel's position
difficult, but I fear are shaking it more and more. And then
come our chief's excellent colleagues, some of whom are as
short-sighted as they are weak, and the others (in reality
only Herr v. Bodelschwingh) are intriguers, and imagine
themselves called to do great things.
How can a kingdom exist which is disunited within itself?
But I will leave this subject to-day with a request that is
suggested by my interest in the matter and finds its excuse
in the same. Your Excellency's way of looking at things,
your words and your advice mean much to the Minister-
President, perhaps as much as any voice can ever mean to
this rare character. It is impossible even to think of any
influence being exerted on Herr v. Manteuffel against his
own intentions, but encouragement to act according to these
intentions would be possible and perhaps necessary. I con-
sider that if Herr v. Manteuffel does not soon develop more
1853] CORRESPONDENCE 29
activity he will not be able to escape the fate of the Moor.*
This would be no great harm to himself ; on the contrary, if
I followed personal feelings for him I could only wish that
he might soon be released from his position to enjoy better
times. But a pessimistic policy is and always remains a bad
one, and as a system would fall with Herr v. Manteuffel
which in given circumstances seems to be the only right one,
I have no more ardent wish than that he should remain under
more favourable conditions. My request to your Excellency
is no other than that you will encourage him to be more
active, to remove unserviceable friends or dangerous oppo-
nents, and to seek to carry out what he himself considers
necess-ary. It is at all events more glorious and better to fall
in the midst of the battle, than to be gradually removed by
intrigues. Apart from your personal relations with the
Minister President, however, I credit you with possessing
the highest degree of that statesmanlike foresight which will
make you wish, both in a general way and in your own in-
terests, that Prussia's action towards the outside world may
not be robbed of all basis by internal disorders. Excuse
these hasty lines.
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
QUEHL.
22
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, March 15,. '53.
You will have received yesterday a telegraphic despatch
relating to the sale of two ships t belonging to the German
navy. This was sent off at the urgent request of his Royal
* Refers to the passage in Schiller's " Fiesco," III, 4.
" Der Mohr hat seine Schuldigkeit gethan ;
Der Mohr kann gehen."
The Moor can go, now that he has done all that he was required to do.
fThe "Hansa" and the " Erzherzog Johann."
30 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1853
Highness Prince Adalbert. As I could not discuss the
matter beforehand with either the War Minister or the
Finance Minister I did not give any definite instructions;
my personal opinion is, too, that it will be a good thing when
the affair is finally settled, as there is little prospect of our
acquiring the said vessels on our own account. Kindly
communicate as soon as possible on the state of affairs.
I consider that what you write about Prussia's position
towards Austria is perfectly right. That is our Court's
traditional policy; it is being resumed as the old track is
found again which could have been lost only in a furious
snowstorm and by ignorant charioteers (Radowitz and von
der Pfordten). I have long recognised this, and although
his Majesty, stung by the temporary feeling of being
wounded, does not quite agree with me, I hope to lead things
into their proper direction.
I have, therefore, as you will have seen, designedly spared
the middle German states in the Zollverein matter, and more
than Austria wished, though, as I believe, without prejudic-
ing Prussia. These states can go only with us, and they
must be made to feel that our guidance will not be with-
held from them whenever they seek it. Once things are in
progress our material and still more our intellectual force of
gravity will make itself felt in a manner more effective than
all treaty stipulations. My procedure is bearing good fruit
already; the states are beginning, so to say, to want to eat
out of our hands. Notwithstanding everything, I receive a
letter from his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia to-day,
with a request from the high Olympus that I will give an ac-
count of my deeds, which he stigmatises concessions to Aus-
tria. It is certainly discouraging to have such a verdict
passed after all one's trouble, solicitude, and goodwill. I
have his Majesty's consent to adopt an especially com-
plaisant attitude towards Bavaria, and beg you to act in the
same sense.
1853] CORRESPONDENCE 31
It is again Hanover, among the Zollverein states, which
is raising difficulties for us ; I look forward most eagerly to
the time when a stop will be put to all these tracasseries.
My wife desires me to tender her best thanks for your
kind and entertaining letter, which she received while she
was seriously indisposed. The poor woman has been suffer-
ing for more than three weeks from what Barez describes as
an inflammation of the periosteum of the face, but what is
called in good German Ziegenpeter (mumps).
The ceremonious election of Prince Karl to be a Master
of the Order of the Knights of St. John took place yester-
day; although I had much more important things to do, I
was obliged to figure at it.
The debates in our Chamber are slowly following their
course. We shall not be finished till the middle of May.
I consider it only natural that you should have consider-
able trouble with Prokesch, and hope he will run himself
firmly aground.
I get on very well with Count Thun ; he is very sharp in
catholicis, however. I have a despatch from him in which
he endeavours to win us over to take joint measures against
England, but not for the reasons contained in the instructions
addressed to you. It will be no easy matter to sugar the pill
of the refusal. I shall admit all the premises and only most
unassumedly call all the conclusions into question. I shall
first state that the post chicanes are no worthy, and also no
effectual means, and then point out that Switzerland is closer
to us than England, then that England quickly expressed
her readiness to comply in the matter of a stricter super-
vision of the passports, (which is true), and finally add that
I have reason to doubt whether France and even Russia
will act with us. I should certainly advise against bringing
the German Bund on to this dangerous terrain.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant, MANTEUFFEL.
32 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
23
KING FRIEDRICH WILHELM IV. TO BISMARCK.
RUDERSDORFF, September 12, '53.
DEAREST BISMARCK,
My brother Wilhelm is labouring under a misunderstand-
ing, which it will be to everybody's advantage to have re-
moved. At Doberan I received a letter from him containing
a wail of woe at Manteuffel's resignation, which is said now
to be certain, and which he rightly described as a calamity.
I demanded from Wilhelm the solution of this riddle, as
everything was adjusted only three weeks ago, when my
perseverance conquered. He replied about a week ago that
you, my dear Bismarck, had received a letter from Putbus,
from the contents of which you as well as he would come
to no other conclusion. I enquired of him at Sans-Souci
yesterday who was the writer of this letter, and he named
Gerlach. I have questioned Gerlach to-day, and he assures
me by all that is dear to him that he has written no such
letter to you from Putbus. There you have the whole
puzzle. Unravel it for me and for Wilhelm and as soon
as possible. Vale. F. W. R.
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 6, '54.
I have long wanted to write to you, but have been unable
to find time. Even to-day these few lines are only to assure
you that I think of you with the old friendship.
Ex oriente lux, says Prokesch, but this light is at present
considerably obscured, at least I see only darkness there, and
the possibility of a volcano developing. My own opinion is
that the Czar personally desires neither war not conquest;
but I am no longer so firm in my conviction that England
1 854] CORRESPONDENCE 33
does not want war. The English seem to be really in earnest
in the matter since the affair at Sinope, though in general
they probably prefer peace. France is just now perceptibly
cooler than England, Baraguay d'Hilliers * is saying quite
openly in Constantinople that it is not France's vocation to
make war on the Persians for the benefit of England's In-
dian possessions, and Drouyn de L'Huysf is adopting a
much more elegiac than dithyrambic tone in his utterances.
The most wretched role in the affair is assuredly played by
Austria which, like a mouse in a trap, peeps out first from
one opening and then from another, and hurriedly withdraws
its nose whenever anyone strikes at it. Count Buol contra-
dicts to-day what he said yesterday, though one cannot re-
proach him much for doing so. Apart from the fact that
the position of Austria, as an immediately interested power,
with a reduced army, her credit ruined, and her peoples un-
organised, is a desperate one, I have most reliable informa-
tion from Vienna that the central management of affairs
there is in a truly sad state. Count Buol has authority
neither with the Emperor nor with his colleagues, his Maj-
esty's Military Cabinet meddles from time to time in diplo-
matic affairs and disconcerts everything, and besides all this
Meyendorff is as ill-natured and peevish as possible. It is
difficult to know what Austria really wants. Apparently
she wishes to keep out of the business until necessity drives
her into it. Everything is being done to remain on good
terms with the Czar, and at the same time Herr v. Hiibner J
is making the most extraordinary statements in Paris, so
that even the police reports contain the assurance that, in
order to avert the blow from her Italian frontier, Austria
has proposed to cede our Rhenish province to France. I do
not believe this, but in view of previous proceedings on the
* French Ambassador in Constantinople,
t French Minister for Foreign Affairs.
J Austrian Minister in Paris.
34 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
part of the house of Habsburg-Lothringen I do not regard
the idea of such an arrangement as quite impossible.
We have practically maintained our original position.
The object of Count Pourtales' mission to London is to
investigate the terrain there better than the unpractical Bun-
sen* is able to do in the Prussian interest, and to provoke
confidential statements. He will soon return. He has found
a decided split in the English Cabinet, for whereas Aber-
deen is decidedly for Austria, Clarendon will have nothing
to do with that country. Count Pourtales has, moreover,
emphasised the fact that if we wish to remain neutral not
even a devil will be able to deter us from doing so.
It will be very important to know what impression will
be made in St. Petersburg by the order to enter the Black
Sea. Judging from previous information, I anticipate that
it would be answered by a declaration of war, but remark
that Budberg's language and Rochow's reports have become
much more moderate in tone.
As regards our domestic affairs, the family scenes in the
Chamber have not yet begun; to-morrow a start will be
made with the Westphalian parish regulations. On Mon-
day I bring in the treaty with Oldenburgf in connection
with Jahdehaven. I shall make as short a story of it as
possible in order not to excite passions, but it will not be
viewed with favourable eyes in England.
Minister von Beust, the commis voyageur, was here dur-
ing the last few days, allegedly to pay a visit of condolence
to his uncle, old Werther, in reality however to spy out the
land, and to cloak the Munich journey. The King, to whom
Minister v. Beust expressly reported himself, invited him
to dinner but treated him as badly as possible. He tried
to talk politics with me, too, but I entertained him with the
* Prussian Minister in London.
f By a treaty dated July 20, 1853, Prussia obtained by purchase two
strips of land on the Jahde basin, for the construction of a naval port.
(Wilhelmshaven.)
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 35
Elbe navigation and the constitution of the courts of justice.
He is stated to have gone away very discontented with his
visit ; I should regret this extremely if there were anything
left in him to spoil.
I wish you, your wife, and your children much happiness
in the new year. My wife sends greetings. Write soon
to me, and do not take it amiss if I do not reply punctually.
With the highest esteem and old friendship,
Your faithful servant
MANTEUFFEL.
COUNT EBERHARD zu STOLBERG TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, February i, '54.
Polde* and my father f beg you to come here as soon
as possible, you will have or will easily find a good reason
for doing so. There is a hellish muddle here, and a decision
must be arrived at during the next few days, as soon as
replies are received from England and France. I don't
vouch for your having a pleasant time here, but I believe
your presence is almost as necessary as it was in '50, before
the Austrian business.
With kindest remembrances to your wife,
Your faithfully devoted
E. STOLBERG.
26
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, February 24, '54.
Austria intends to send Russia an ultimatum, to the effect
that if she does not evacuate the Danubian Principalities by
* General Leopold v. Gerlach.
t Count Anton zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, Lord High Chamberlain and
Minister of the Royal House.
36 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
a certain date, war will be declared. We shall be required
to have an army corps in readiness.
This information is secret, but sure.
MANTEUFFEL.
27
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
FRANKFURT, February 27, '54.
According to some telegraphic messages between Vienna
and the French Ministry, which were read as they passed
through Carlsruhe, a treaty was concluded between Austria
and France on Friday. BISMARCK.
28
NOTES * IN BISMARCK'S HANDWRITING.
March, 1854.
We cannot give Austria the general assurance that we
will proceed with her, and also help to incline the Bund to
the same object, when we do not know what Austria's inten-
tions are.
A defensive alliance mutually guaranteeing the frontiers,
with further stipulations, would be possible, if Austria were
inclined to remain neutral; if she intends to go to war, we
must know against whom, for what object, and with what
means, before we can make our decisions dependent on hers.
Our interests hitherto have been defensive, an extension
of our defensive is dependent on our duties to the Bund;
we do not decline to defend German interests, but we have
as yet no means of judging whether what Austria intends
to undertake with the united Prussian-German-Austrian
forces comes within German interests.
Is Austria bent on conquest, does she intend to attack
the Russian army? She cannot demand our co-operation
* For an interview with the Prince of Prussia ?
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 37
for either of these objects; but if she only contemplates
restoring order within her own frontiers, and for this pur-
pose wishes to obtain promises from Russia, and the per-
mission to suppress disturbances in Turkish territory within
certain lines of demarcation, and also to occupy certain ter-
ritory, we will help her with word and with pen. She can
demand actual military assistance only when Germany is
threatened with war which has not been provoked by wilful
aggression on the part of Austria herself. Neither our duty
nor our interest goes beyond this ; if we are to go further,
Austria must name a definite, joint aim, and state exactly
what she purposes.
Quid et ubi, quibus auxilus, cur quomodo quando.
Written on the back of an invitation to attend a conference on March
14, 1854, at 76, Wilhelm Strasse.
The Government is resolved that under all circumstances
Prussia shall assert her indubitable right to co-operate in
maintaining the balance of power in Europe, although we
must admit that Prussia's geographical position and her
over-sea relations have not yet entitled her to an equal
right with the other states.
29
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, April 27, '54-
I thank you very much for your letter of the 24th inst.
Nothing fresh has occurred here, for I do not regard as
a novelty the unpleasant and threatening attitude assumed
"by the Western powers through the Ministers towards our
Envoys in London* and in Paris,f and through the En-
* Bunsen.
f Count Maximilian v. Hatzfeldt
38 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
voys * here towards me. Count Esterhazy.f is hinting here
that we deliberately forced Austria into the arms of the
Western powers, by withdrawing our support and creating
difficulties for her. According to communications from
Vienna, we shall soon be rid of this unpleasant mortal and
shall see Count Thun here again.
In what was not altogether a satisfactory conversation,
the Prince of Prussia mooted the idea that Darmstadt, if
it really entertained the desire to be on a better footing
with us, might perhaps take the opportunity of his ap-
pointment as Governor of Mayence to offer him for his
residence a government building in Darmstadt, which he
says is at present standing empty. The Prince requested
me to have the idea suggested. I remarked, and in this
the Prince quite agreed, that such an offer, if not made
with other declarations, would by no means suffice, but that
I did not deny that it would be an appropriate opening for
further declarations on the part of Darmstadt. The Prince
left it to me to write to OtterstedtJ on the subject. This
did not, however, seem to me quite the right thing to do;
I prefer to pass the idea on to you, leaving it to you to
utilise in the way you judge best, though not to the ex-
clusion of Otterstedt.
I shall be glad to be informed of what you do in the
matter.
The Prince is at present at Weimar, but will be return-
ing in a few days to Coblenz. He may refer to the subject
as he passes through, in which case please mention my letter.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
*Lord Bloomfield and the Marquis Moustier.
f Austrian Envoy.
t Formerly Prussian Minister Resident at Darmstadt.
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 39
30
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, April 30, '54.
I have to thank you for two letters. Some remarks you
made in letters to General von Gerlach on pending questions
had already come to my knowledge.
Above all, I would beg you to regard the affair as a fait
accompli. It is useless to rack one's brains over accomplished
facts, our task is to manage what we have in hand.
In my opinion we are not particularly implicated, and
when it is said that there are certain hooks in the affair
to which we can be fastened, I retort that two persons are
interested in the fastening operation, the one who holds and
the other who is held fast, and also that these hooks are re-
ciprocal; if we had given none to the Austrians we should
have received none in return, and it is just this mutual
system of hold-fasts that we desire. We must carefully
guard against it appearing from this that our object is only
to restrain Austria from proceeding in her action against
Russia. Two evils would result from this. In the first
place, nothing that we said to Russia would then carry
weight ; for if we did not know it already, one needs only
to read Meusebach's * reports to become convinced that
mere words are nothing to the Russians, who themselves
are in no way bound by them, and indeed follow the path-
way of facts, brutally disregarding all promises and treaties,
and at the most excusing with a shrug of the shoulders the
lack of bienveillance on the grounds of necessite de guerre.
There is, however, some difficulty in admitting this excuse
when it is a question of tearing off Prussian cockndes, etc.
One must eventually also speak to such people with facts.
*v. Meusebach was Prussian Consul at Bucharest
40 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
The second, and more important, evil would be that we
should draw all the weight of the western powers on our-
selves alone. I need not explain what use Austria would
make of that eventuality. With a little liveliness of imag-
ination it may be supposed that the western powers might
reason somewhat as follows: Prussia does not fulfil its
vocation as a bulwark against the advance of the Slavic ele-
ments. Prussia is therefore a useless member of the family
of European states, and it would be better to strengthen
Austria's power alone; moreover, Prussia would furnish
excellent material to be divided among Austria, Saxony,
Bavaria, etc. I know perfectly well that speeches in this
tenor are already being held in very influential places. It
does not follow that matters are serious, and still less that
the affair should be regarded as settled, for various other
people still have something to say and something to do in it;
we must, however, have every eye open, and not delude
ourselves into believing that such a siren-song would find
wax in every ear.
You will know that in the meantime Bunsen's removal has
been worked. I cannot but admit that at the present
moment this is a serious matter; with things as they are
now, a brief resolution had to be arrived at and carried out.
This has been done, though not without difficulty. The
Prince of Prussia is much displeased at it, but I cannot
alter that.
Baron von Werther will probably go to St. Petersburg,
lie arrived here to-day.
Adieu, my wife sends kindest regards to yours.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 41
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, May 27, '54.
I am extremely obliged to you for your letter of yester-
day. There is no objection whatever to the alliance affair
following its slow course; we only gain by a lapsus
temporis, and I should be very grateful to German thorough-
ness and the dignity of the middle states, if they succeeded
in keeping things in suspense until the ice in the Baltic and
the snow on the Balkans began their campaign. I fear
only that events will not be held back by these Germanisms,
but will pass over them to the order of the day.
Count Alvensleben sends me good reports from Vienna.
The Emperor, while entertaining a certain mistrust against
Russia, has expressed himself with moderation, and not
in the spirit of the western powers. Count Buol also has
followed the Emperor's directions, has dropped his former
irritable manner, and with his master lays more emphasis
on the independence of the alliance. From other symp-
toms also I gather that Austria uses no mere figure of
speech when she says she is avoiding war with Russia.
I know from a sure source that Herr Hiibner threatened in
Paris to publish documents proving that Austria would
have struck out long ago if Prussia had not acted as a
brake. I have no idea what documents these are, but it is
evident that Austria is desirous of shifting the pressure of
the western powers on to us; the nimbus of the German
readiness to make sacrifices is also beginning to fade, and
it looks as if another Shibboleth were being sought for.
The raising of the 95,000 men is certainly a symptom which
gives cause for reflection, though the ground from which
they have sprung is, in my opinion, that of financial frivolity.
The Austrian measures seem to be regarded in Russia as
being very serious. The newspaper accounts of the with-
42 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
drawal of the Russians and of their being posted on the
Sereth, and also of their war material having been trans-
ported back again over the Pruth, are confirmed by the Con-
sular reports. On the other hand, more troops are contin-
ually being concentrated in southern Poland, on the Galician
and Transylvanian frontiers. Judging from the course fol-
lowed hitherto by this unfortunate affair, I regard it as by no
means impossible that Russia and Austria are coming to
blows merely as a result of mutual mistrust and misunder-
standing. If we too should then be engaged on the Rhine, a
very unpleasant tit for tat would be performed, and a far less
difficult seat of war would be offered to the French, as
well as a good opportunity for them to reconstruct the map
of Europe. We must, without throwing ourselves into
Austria's arms, avoid letting her feel that she is isolated;
in this lies our only hope of influencing her action. Austria
is much exasperated at the Darmstadt conference; there is
no harm in this, but we must be careful that no portion of
the odium falls on us. Cool blood and not too much action,
seems to be our program for the present. Once it is be-
lieved in Vienna that we are identified with the Darmstadt
conference, we shall lose our influence, which from the be-
ginning has been beneficial. I cannot understand the short-
sightedness of many who are eternally urging resoluteness.
This resoluteness would mean nothing else than the sur-
render of the Prussian standpoint, and self-sacrifice for one
of the two parties. Let us quietly wait : le jour viendra.
Herr v. Meyendorff has expressed his complete ac-
quiescence with the last report of the proceedings of the
conference; I consider, too, that the recognition of the
relative standpoint at the commencement is not purchased
too dearly with the final clause.
It is reported privately that Meyendorff is to be replaced
by Brunnow; he is a man of documents, however, not of
war.
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 43
The prolonged stay of the French fleet off Kiel excites
some surprise; it is stated in certain quarters that the inten-
tion is to threaten us. Moustier's language lately is cer-
tainly tinged with dejection, but it is fairly friendly.
I enclose for your information a letter from Nostitz on
Hanoverian relations.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
(Enclosure.)
COUNT NOSTITZ TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
HANOVEK, May 26, '54.
I am deeply obliged to your Excellency for the extremely
friendly and complete manner in which you were kind
enough to comply with the request made in my last letter.
I am attached body and soul to the weal and the honour of
Prussia, to maintain which I have often gladly hazarded
my life; your Excellency can imagine, therefore, the great
interest I take at the present crisis in all the transactions
of our Cabinet. Viewed from this standpoint the following
will be sure of a friendly reception.
Prussia's only policy can now be to exert every influence
to restrain Austria from taking any step until the end of the
autumn, when the warlike operations both on sea and on
land must be brought to a conclusion, which might result
in active interference on one or the other theatres of war.
In case of a collision we must act as the constant mediator
between Austria and Russia.
If this is done in the right way we can cherish the hope
that a peaceable solution of the European crisis will be
arrived at in the course of the winter.
The alliance concluded between Austria and Prussia is a
right basis for such a policy of peace.
44 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
If, as we are justified in hoping, this alliance gives Prussia
a real influence on the decisions of the Vienna Cabinet, thus
enabling her effectively to exert efforts towards keeping
the war within its present limits, everything must be care-
fully avoided that would either directly or indirectly shake
the treaty . . . We must exert an influence on the
attitude of Austria, and on the decisions of the warring
powers, not by loosening the alliance contracted with
Austria, but by means of the moral and physical force with
which the alliance provides us. This is my opinion, and I
have endeavoured to influence the Cabinet here in that direc-
tion.
Herr von Liitcken * has assured me to-day most positively
that he considers that the welfare of the other states in
the Bund depends on the internal agreement of the two great
powers, and will sanction no measure that might shake the
alliance between Austria and Prussia. Herr von Lenthet
has also received instructions in this sense for Bamberg.
Will your Excellency kindly treat this letter as confi-
dential.
COUNT v. NOSTITZ.
3*
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
Confidential. (Draft.)
FRANKFURT, July 3, '54.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
All the German Governments, with the exception of Wur-
temberg, have signified their agreement with the Alliance of
April 20. According to Herr v. Reinhardt, Wurtemberg
declines, at least pro temporc; he hopes that when the voting
takes place in the Bundestag the King will accede, in order
* Hanoverian Prime Minister.
t Hanoverian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 45
not to remain in the minority with Denmark. ... A.
Malet * communicated to me a sharply worded English note
addressed to Munich, in which the Cabinet there is informed
that it is interfering in matters which do not concern it, and
that further resistance against the policy of the great powers
is absolutely harmless.! A similar note has been sent to
Dresden. .
v. BISMARCK.
33
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, July 7, '54.
Will you kindly have the enclosed note given to my
brother, who, I believe, is in Frankfurt. It contains nothing
of importance, merely my congratulations on his birthday,
which falls on the ninth instant. Should you not be able
to find him, please return me the letter. I am going into
the country to-day, but return the day after to-morrow.
I have tolerably good news from Vienna; Count Alvens-
leben telegraphs that the Russian note has made a good
impression there too, though Count Buol has not yet men-
tioned it to Baraguay. I have avoided communicating the
details to the foreign diplomats here, saying that this would
be done as soon as we have exchanged views with Vienna
on the matter.
Count Henckel telegraphs that the irritation in London
is extreme, and that coercive measures were contemplated
against Prussia. Voyons! We must preserve an appear-
ance of unity with Austria as long as possible. But I will
not write a political letter.
Adieu. With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
* English Envoy to the Bundestag.
f This word is given in English in the original.
46 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
34
CABINET-COUNCILLOR NIEBUHR TO BISMARCK.
POTSDAM, July 10, '54.
MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND,
You will know that the Russian note has been well re-
ceived in Vienna, and that the offer has even been made to
bring influence to bear in Paris and London in favour of
peace. The advance into Wallachia has been counter-
manded.
I will write fully and frankly through Councillor of Lega-
tion Wentzel.
Remember me kindly to your wife.
Most faithfully yours,
N.
35
BISMARCK TO OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL.
25, '54-
The system of a Germanising centralisation
at present in vogue in Austria requires for the solution of
its task a closer organic union with, and a firmer hegemony
in Germany. The strivings of the Ultramontanes go hand
in hand with those of the Viennese at present. Prussia's
position of power in Germany is the hardest and heaviest
stumbling block for both. Apart from all other motives for
our line of action in the oriental question, we cannot permit
an expansion of Austria unless we grow at least at the same
rate.
If Austria comes to war with Russia, she will not be able
permanently to resist co-operation in any plans of the
western powers for the restoration of Poland. Such plans
have never been honourably disclaimed in London and Paris,
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 47
and will probably sooner or later come more into the fore-
ground, as being the only means towards a lasting diminu-
tion of the Russian power. Austria's interest against the
re-establishment of Poland is less deep than that of Prussia
and Russia, and is hardly so deep as to constitute a ground
for quarrelling with the western powers after the rupture
with Russia. I believe even that Austria would gladly
choose the Danubian countries if she had the option of these
or Galicia. The former are more accessible than the Polish
province to the German language and government, and the
population is inoffensive ; they are capable of richer develop-
ment, and go better with Austria geographically and com-
mercially than Galicia, which is stuck on to the Empire on
the other side of the Carpathians. Galicia, with its open
frontier, is easily accessible to the Russian forces, and to any
Polish insurrection. The dangers which the neighbourhood
of the Poles would offer to the tranquillity of Hungary are
counterbalanced by the increase of the elements hostile to
the Magyars, viz. the Servians and the Wallachians. Besides
this, the re-establishment of Poland in itself would secure
the following advantages to the Austrian system:
1. Prussia will be weakened, and held in check.
2. The danger of Panslavism disappears when two
powerful Slav states exist with a different religion and na-
tionality.
3. Europe has one more state with a pure Catholic con-
fession.
4. Poland, re-established with Austria's aid, will begin by
being Austria's firm ally.
5. The re-establishment of Poland offers Austria perhaps
the only permanent guarantee against effective retaliation
on the part of Russia as soon as the Italian affair leads to
a quarrel between Austria and France, or the former is other-
wise in an awkward position. At the worst, the Vienna
Cabinet would help with proposals for a fresh partition of
48 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854.
Poland, but without giving up the Danubian countries. I
will not go so far as to assert that Austria will voluntarily
urge the restoration of Poland; but if the western powers
seriously take the matter in hand, she will defend herself
only with blunt nails, provided she has a prospect of being
rewarded with the Danubian countries.
v. BISMARCK.
36
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, September 7, '54.
You will find enclosed a copy of a telegraphic despatch
which I have just received from Herr Wentzel. As matters
now stand, I see no necessity for prolonging the session.
This being the case, you might extend your stay in the
country by a few days. The journey to Dresden seems to
me now to be less urgent, but I should like you to return
by Hanover in order to talk over matters with Herr v. der
Liitcken, who appears to be quite Austrian. I should not
advise making your return too late.
My kindest regards to your wife, and to your father-in-
law, who will perhaps still remember me.
MANTEUFFEL.
37
COUNT R. VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, October 31, '54.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
I leave Berlin to-day for my new destination,* and can-
not do this without sending you a few very hasty words
of farewell. In the first place I must thank you heartily
for your share in my re-instatement. I must regard the ap-
* Athens, as Prussian Minister Resident
1854] CORRESPONDENCE 4?
pointment as being, in the present circumstances, a most
desirable one, although in itself it is so disagreeable. To
leave Berlin behind as quickly as possible, to get as far away
as possible, to have as little occasion as possible to act
for Prussia must, unfortunately, be the wish to-day of
everyone who does not desire to see Prussia ruined or
sink slowly deeper into the mire, and least of all to be led
into the temptation to assist in bringing about this result.
It is difficult to express my feelings at leaving. . . One
must despair, when one sees that not only is the conduct
of affairs to be regretted that might be a temporary mis-
fortune but the poison of un-Prussian feeling is ever
spreading, and has already entered into the soul of what
were once the noblest elements of the country, that the core
of the Prussian nobility is beginning to take delight in
filth and to cast eager, sympathetic glances to where the
meaning of the word " gentleman " is quite unknown. Mis-
takes and ignorance can be forgiven ; but to forget all Prus-
sian traditions, to decide all justified Prussian ambition, the
servile adoration of a foreign monarch, the cowardly love
of peace of Louis Philippe Epicier, are too much in a
Prussian Junker. The way cannot but be prepared to the
democratic dominion when the elector shows a cleaner sheet
than the would-be aristocracy, when thanks to the preach-
ing of half-mad parvenus the latter gradually lose all sense
of military honour, patriotism, and loyalty.
Why do I write all this to you? Because I think of
hardly anything else, and because I believe that you are
favourable ground for the reception of such considerations
as these. You have gained valuable experience during the
past four years, and especially just lately, and your practical
sense must show you the impossibility of certain sophistical-
doctrinaire theories. The results of these, too, are clear
enough before us. What have we come to?
You, more than anyone else, are in a position to assist in
50 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1854
annihilating this suicidal system. Your forces would be
more to be regretted than any others, if they were cast in
with those who for five years have been working systematic-
ally to change the great power of Prussia back again to the
Electoral State of Brandenburg, and who may almost hope
to have attained their aim. All that I ask is that you will
avoid even the appearance of throwing in your lot with
these people, and will turn against them as soon as the
opportunity arises. I do not think I can make a better re-
turn for your friendship towards me than by candidly urging
this on you.
My letter is very disconnected, but I am in the greatest
haste. May we meet on the same ground in better times!
Always yours,
GOLTZ.
38
O. v. ARNIM TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 6, '54.
DEAR OTTO,
In view of the very important resolutions which we must
soon take, I am writing to ask if you cannot make it pos-
sible, under some pretext or other, perhaps as a member
of the First Chamber, to come here for a time. I believe
that we need the cool and sober calculation of a clear intelli-
gence, which leaves all sympathies and antipathies out of
the question, to bring us safely out of our present situation,
which is more complicated than ever. Here you will cer-
tainly be able to do much good and to prevent much harm
being done, in Frankfurt you will at most accomplish the
latter ; come, therefore, if you possibly can, and soon, before
it is too late.
In the Second Chamber where the Right, thanks to the
Ministry for removing a large number of the members for
the formation of the First Chamber, is in a brilliant minor-
1855] CORRESPONDENCE 51
ity, Vincke has introduced a motion to reply to the speech
from the throne with an address. It is easy to foresee what
form this will take.
Greet Nanne heartily from
Your sincere brother-in-law,
ARNIM.
39
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 5, '55.
IN THE SECOND CHAMBER.
I thank you for your last two letters, the contents of
which were kept in view when I was drawing up the note
for Vienna. His Majesty would absolutely not admit one
nuance of your view, viz. that we should tacitly withdraw.
The King considers this quite impossible, and gave me
clearly to understand that he believes this view was sug-
gested to you from here, and by General v. Gerlach, with
whom his Majesty recently had an animated discussion on
this affair.
I beg you to observe the strictest silence and the utmost
discretion concerning the proceedings in Vienna. There are
two reasons for this; in the first place the communication
itself is based on very confidential information, but secondly
that worse abuse would be made of the truth here in order
to drive Austria and the Emperor more quickly into the
other camp.
The hopes for peace are on the whole very scanty. The
western powers make no secret of the fact that they wish
for it, but not until Sebastopol has been taken. As this
result is far distant, and as I hear even that the Russians
will assume the offensive on January I2th, I see no prospect
of peace. In my opinion Prince Gortchakoff did not act
very wisely at the conference itself, although he has done
well enough since then.
52 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1855
The King suggested that I should send for you, in order,
as his Majesty expressed it, to drink " at the source." I
question whether it would be best to do this now, as you
are perhaps most needed where you are; consider the mat-
ter, however, and let me know your opinion by telegraph.
We have just been thoroughly beaten on the election of
the President, and the question of the dissolution of the
Chamber is becoming a serious one. Perhaps we might
merely close the House.
But I must close. Wishing you and yours every happi-
ness in the new year, I remain,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
40
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, February 5, '55.
I thank you most sincerely for your communication of
yesterday.
Everything that is possible shall be done from here to-
wards accomplishing your plans. One circumstance, how-
ever, as you know, is both our weakness and our strength,
viz., that we can quickly raise large bodies of troops but are
not in a position to keep them standing.
There is, nevertheless, absolutely no doubt that in case
of a French invasion of South Germany we should not only
raise troops, but also march them, and I do not anticipate
that any difficulties would thereby be raised here. A diffi-
culty could arise only in case the French troops are collected
in France, and then the South German Governments are ex-
horted or threatened in increasingly stronger language, with-
out the frontier being touched or a single man set in move-
ment. It would be almost impossible for us to dispose our
troops during this time, which could be extended at will.
l8 55] CORRESPONDENCE 53
I am, moreover, firmly convinced, and it will be important to
let the South German Governments know it, that no 60,000
Frenchmen must march to the Danubian Principalities, still
less establish themselves in South Germany, before our
opinion in the matter has been heard, provided always the
South German States do not undertake to guarantee their
own safety and join their armies with the French. These
gentlemen should at least affect some courage.
I cannot warn you sufficiently against placing too much
trust in those gentlemen and their Envoys. Half an hour
after I had received your letter of the day before yesterday
I heard that the exact words were known in the French
Embassy which you had used in that letter, and probably also
in the conversations * referred to in it. I was told also
that you had proposed to allow Herr Prokesch a glance
into the arsenal which the Bund constitution has at its dis-
posal against Austria's procedure, and had given the as-
surance that a few army corps would be mobilised in the
western provinces of Prussia. Herr Moustier assured me
that this had been communicated to him direct by one of
the gentlemen whom you regard as your best friend. You
will be best able to judge whether this is possible.
The chief danger, notwithstanding all our recent successes,
still is that in a real crisis we cannot depend on our Con-
federates in the Bund, but must expect them to desert us.
This circumstance must not determine our line of action,
but it has to be taken into consideration.
The western powers are again pressing more actively.
The French give notice that they will blockade the Baltic
ports if we continue to allow the export of arms to Russia,
Adieu. With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
*With the Envoys of Wurtemberg, Saxony; and Mecklenburg at
the Bundestag.
54 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1855
COUNT ALEXANDER KEYSERLING TO BISMARCK.
RAIKULL, February 13-25, '55.
DEAR COMPANION OF MY YOUTH,
Your letter of Deer. 2Qth was handed to me at Mitau r
where I was enjoying a few days with some old acquaint-
ances. You contributed in such a degree to carry me back
to the time of our youthful dreams, that Mr. Layard did
not feel greater joy on discovering the first cuneiform char-
acters of old Nineveh than I did at the sight of your hand-
writing. This has become firmer, but is otherwise un-
changed, and reveals more character than a diplomat can
conveniently use, at least such is the experience I have
gathered at the various courts which I have been able to
observe with eye of a paleontologist. Do you not remember
that you once predicted to me, probably in a lucid moment,
that a constitution was inevitable, that by this we should at-
tain to external honours but that we must be pious at heart ?
I thought to find your starred Excellency a wise pilgrim,
a poor brother, or sunk in the joys of the eternal spirit.
Fate has ordained that I have been weaker than you in
fulfilling our youthful dreams. After I had made a geog-
nostic survey of Russia in close alliance with the President
of the Geological Society of France and England which, by
the way, has been better preserved than the corresponding
political alliances and had followed the solitary paths of
science in arrogant self-satisfaction, seeking to make fresh
conquests for the human understanding, I bound myself
to make a woman happy, to manage an estate with profit
while fulfilling the customary governmental obligations at-
taching to it, to bring up children, and to improve clowns and
boobies. On the one hand were thousands of extinct, but
extremely interesting animals, on the other hand my fellow
1851] CORRESPONDENCE 55
beings, many of them unquestionably great bores. Only the
dire necessity of earning something would have driven me
to set my hands, spoiled in the Capua of the world of
thought, to the hard reality. After a severe struggle I have
succeeded in breaking in my proud intelligence, and in
rightly esteeming the tasks of the heart. My wife now
thinks very highly of me, my peasants are more contented
under my government than ever before, as a true naturalist
I have secured one child of each sort, a female and a male,
with whom I like to occupy myself and who love me for it.
I breed excellent horses, fine sheep, noble pigs, and moderate
cattle ; I increase the yield from fields and meadows by drain-
ing and irrigation, have done away with the Frohne,* and
have assumed the office of President of the Esthonian Asso-
ciation of estate-owners. An Esthonian estate-owner is a
universal person, and above all a lawyer. I therefore ad-
minister justice to the ten thousand people of my parish, and
the pastor records my sentences. I am listened to in the
Landtags, and I sit in the council of the men of Reval. I
also have learned on a small scale that politics is a field in
which the least is produced with the greatest expenditure of
character and intelligence. If you want to see a country
where we live without bureaucracy, and much better than
with learned lawyers and writers, come here. I shot over a
wolf about six weeks ago, as I am still an imperfect hunter.
Write to me when your time permits. May God have
you in His keeping, and if ever He should bring us together
it will be a glad day for your old friend. A new friend is
like new wine, both are best when they 'are old!
ALEXANDER KEYSERLING.
* Compulsory service rendered to the lord of the manor.
56 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1855
42
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, May 10, '55.
You will to-day receive a circular-despatch which I trust
will meet with your satisfaction. Permit me, however, pri-
vately to request you to be extremely cautious in what you
say in this matter.
You know your ground, you know that Frankfurt-on-the-
Main is the worst gossiping shop in the world, and that
the little German diplomacy is the most miserable that exists.
But you can hardly imagine how wonderful and how warped
the echo that reaches us from Frankfurt is, how the bad
spirits here hawk your utterances about, twist them into all
manner of shapes, and deduce simply incredible consequences
from them.
Fellows ike Meysenburg and his confederates delight in
purchasing favour with the French Minister with reports
and comments on your utterances, and much as I despise
this, I think that as little opportunity as possible should be
given to such scoundrels to commit these infamies.
Adieu. More soon.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
Your faithful servant,
MANTEUFFEL.
43
OTTO v. MANTEUFFEL TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, November 26, '55. 9:9 p. M.
The King's Majesty would be very glad to see you here
for the opening of the Landtag, but leaves you to judge
whether important reasons stand in the way of your coming.
v. MANTEUFFEL.
1857] CORRESPONDENCE 57
44
FREIHERR v. ROSENBERG TO BISMARCK.
PARIS, May g, '57.
MY MOST ESTEEMED PATRON,
You will have been particularly pleased at hearing that
the visit of Prince Napoleon * was so soon realised, though
I have an idea that you are not quite innocent in the matter.
The affair was treated with such secrecy here that the diplo-
matic corps and especially Kisseleff t heard of it first through
the Berlin newspapers, and have not even yet grasped the
true reason of this political demonstration. They all im-
pute one motive or another, but are completely in the dark.
The Austrians console themselves with the fact that Plomb-
plomb $ was chosen as mediator for a new (conservative)
alliance relation, and the English regard Prince Napoleon's
visit when the Russian Grand-duke was present as a dem-
onstration against Russia in their favour; in reality, how-
ever, both Austria and England will see in it a hint that
France has other strings to her bow, and they are probably
more vexed at this advance towards Prussia than our Berlin
old-conservatives are.
Shortly before he started, Prince Napoleon asked for
special renseignemento with respect to the Berlin terrain, and
in that I was able to be of use to him. In my opinion he
will be more inclined to appear as homme de sciences and as
an admirer of our military institutions than to enter into
any political question whatever. I advised him to make use
of his diary of his last journey to Lapland and Iceland to
excite the King's interest. Furthermore, he should not
speak much, but always, if possible, in German. I do not
* To Berlin.
t Russian Minister in Paris.
J The nickname for Prince Napoleon.
Constantine.
58 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1857
know what impression he will make, particularly on the
ladies of the court. Hatzfeldt has been invited to Fontaine-
bleau, an exceptional circumstance which may probably be
taken as a material rather than a personal attention. It
seems clear to me that the Emperor is beginning to reckon
less on England in forming his new plans. Hitherto Lord
Palmerston has only entangled him in all sorts of English
quarrels, and will continue to do so until the idea of a joint
responsibility on the part of the western powers is replaced
by other political necessities which are already arising. We
need only think of the Danubian Principalities and the Scan-
dinavian question. For our part we must be careful to
show no very great empressement (a la Orloff*), and to
smooth the ways leading from Paris to us and past us on
to St. Petersburg; the European situation will do the rest.
Rothan f has heard with great pleasure that you spoke
favourably of him to Count Walevski. He has also furthered
our interest in respect of the visit of Prince Napoleon, and
it would be an extreme satisfaction to him if you should
succeed in procuring for him the Order which has long
been destined for him. A request addressed to Manteuffel
direct would have more chance of success than if it went
through the ministerial offices. The journey of Prince
Napoleon might be made the outward occasion for it.
If you should give me the pleasure of writing to me,
kindly address me by my name only, omitting my official
title, to 115, rue de Lille. . . .
Adieu.
Yours most sincerely,
ROSENBERG.
The Grand-Duke Constantine has been extremely well
received here, although the reception is not quite devoid
of a certain amount of consideration for England. The
* The representative of Russia at the Paris Congress.
.t Secretary of Legation at the French Embassy in Berlin.
1857] CORRESPONDENCE 59
Russians, who are somewhat inclined to be arrogant, are
reminded from time to time that great attention must be
paid to England. (??)
45
COUNT KARL VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December is, '57.
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,
It is stated that in Prussia alone two hundred manors
are going to the devil, and if this is true for the half of
them it is sad enough. The Hamburgers are not inclined
to help, and now the votes of thanks go over our heads
to Vienna. I do not consider this very politic. The Lii-
beckers are here too, and want only 600,000 Thalers, which
they will not get, although there are 30 millions in specie
in the cellars of the bank and seven to eight millions in the
State treasury. The Prince * is better again, but everything
remains as before at Charlottenburg ; the condition changes
from hour to hour, and hence the contradictory rumours.
Nobody can judge how matters will stand in January.
Probably the worst will happen, i. e. the prolongation of
the deputyship for a further period of three months, i. e.
the prolongation and confirmation of the ministerial omnip-
otence. In the meantime, the journey of the Prince-father
to the wedding t is being pressed forward. I consider it
folly to cross the water at such a critical time, and do not
think it looks well. It would not, however, be the first time
that I had succumbed to female influence, so I anticipate
defeat in this question, although the Prince has arrived at
no decision. We have a great ministerial dinner to-day.
Remember me to your wife, and be assured of the sincere
friendship of Your faithful,
K. v. D. GOLTZ.
*Of Prussia.
t Of his son Friedrich Wilhelm to the Princess Victoria.
60 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1858
46
COUNT KARL VON DER GOLTZ TO BISMARCK.
BADEN, July 28, '58.
The Prince replies as follows to your proposals repeated
with your usual persistence:
1. The Prince wishes to see the King; he will therefore
stay an hour at Wiesbaden, and continue his journey to
Riidesheim by special train.
2. The Princess Karl has been requested from here to
be at Eltville an hour later to join the Prince on the journey
to Riidesheim.
3. Will you kindly let the King know that the Prince
will be wearing a travelling suit, and arrange to have a
room kept ready at Wiesbaden, in or near the station, in
which the two exalted gentlemen can talk without being
disturbed.
Will you please inform the railway people that the Prince
will require an extra train, and that it must stop at Eltville.
In conclusion I beg to state, in order to facilitate the
course of business in similar cases, that my humble person,
and not Alvensleben, is the Prince's personal adjutant, and
that all matters such as the foregoing and all matters con-
nected with the journey are under my charge.
Faithfully yours,
C. v. D. GOLTZ.
47
MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, November 7, '38.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been graciously
pleased to appoint me Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,
in the place of his Excellency, Freiherr von Manteuffel.
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 61
At the same time that I have the honour to inform you
of this I would express the hope that I may be enabled
through your kind co-operation to justify, by the admin-
istration of the post entrusted to me, the confidence that has
been placed in me. Will you kindly address all despatches
etc. in future to me.
Receive the assurance of my highest esteem.
SCHLEINITZ.
48
BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ.
(Draft) November g, '58.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I have to-day had the honour of receiving your Ex-
cellency's notification respecting the taking over of the
business of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. With my
thanks for the kind communication I unite my respectful
congratulations, and the assurance that I will at all times
endeavour to justify and to retain the confidence expressed
in your letter. I venture to hope that in view of the favour
your Excellency has shown towards me hitherto, and of the
consciousness of my active zeal in the Royal service, you
will exercise indulgence when judging my official work.
With etc.
v. BISMARCK.
49
J. L. MOTLEY TO BISMARCK.*
ROME, February 16, '59
MY DEAR BISMARCK,
Are you really going to St. Petersburg? I have seen
rumours to that effect from time to time, in the news-
papers, but I always took it for granted that they were
only rumours. But now, it seems to be stated so formally
that it must be a settled thing. I wish you could find
* This letter is reproduced in the original English.
62 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
time, (I know you have very little to spare) to write me
a single line, just to say if the fact is really so. I can't
tell you how much disappointed I am. I really don't know
whether it is a political advancement for you or not but
it seems to me that you and Mme. de Bismarck are so happy
and contented in Frankfort, and that you have so much
less of the " pomp and circumstance " of courts which I
know is a bore to both of you to make me doubt whether
you will be at first much gratified by plunging into the arctic
circle whither you seem to be bound.
But I confess that my emotions on the subject are very
selfish. I always thought that I had you safe in Frankfort
and that I was sure to see you very often as long as I
remained in Europe, which off and on is likely to be for
the greater part of my life but now that you are going
to Petersburg, it seems to me as though you were about
migrating to the planet Jupiter.
Russia is so much farther off, in every respect, than
America. Does your wife like the idea of removing from
Frankfort? Pray give her my kindest regards and good
wishes, and say to her how deeply disappointed I am to lose
the opportunity of seeing you all again I wished so much
to introduce my wife and children to you and yours, and
we even have talked of spending a year or two in Frank-
fort, as I don't think that Rome agrees much with any of us.
Do write me a word or two, if you can spare a few
moments' time, and tell me what your plans are, why you
are going to Russia and when, how your wife likes it, and
all the other ifs and ands I haven't written to you before,
because I knew that you didn't care much for correspond-
ence, and would be glad perhaps not to be obliged to write.
Now you must write, for I don't like to think that I
have lost my hold upon you for ever.
I have seen Canitz here this winter. He seems desirous
of getting appointed to this place, but I infer from what he
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 63
says that he is likely to remain at Naples. There is a young
English lady here to whom it is said that he is engaged
to be married but it is not officially announced. She is a
Miss W , very young, pretty, and with a handsome for-
tune. The family occupy apartments in the same palazzo
with us, and we have exchanged calls and cards but we
have not yet seen very much of them. I am sure I wish
Canitz every happiness, for he is certainly one of the best
hearted, most excellent fellows in the world. We had the
pleasure of seeing him very often during his brief visit here
rather the oftener, you will infer, from the propinquity of
lodgings, to which I have alluded and my wife likes him
as much as I do.
Pray tell me if you have heard of Keyserling * and if
you know his address. He owes me a letter since May,
having let our correspondence drop in the most flagitious
manner. I don't know his address now, or I would write
to him again but I am quite ignorant whether he has
returned to Courland or has remained in Paris. Who is
to be your Prussian minister here? You were kind enough
to give me a letter of introduction to Mr. von Thiele, but
he had already left his post before we arrived, and, as I
understand, is not to return. If the new minister whoever
he may be happens to be an acquaintance of yours, per-
haps you would not object to send me a line of introduction
to him.
Thus far, I have not been able to get into the papal
Archives, and doubt very much whether I shall succeed.
Our minister here is very obliging, and is doing all that
he can, but I suspect that there is no key which will
unlock those secrets to a protestant. Meantime I am work-
ing hard at the materials which I brought with me from
other Archives particularly those of Belgium, Holland,
Spain and England, and have got enough, work on my hands
* Count Hermann Keyserling.
64 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
to last me for years. Nevertheless I shall have finished two
or three volumes, I suspect, before you will have read the first
work.* Pray tell Madame de B. that I hope one of these
days she will read the work for " old acquaintance sake."
If she objects to reading English, there is a German trans-
lation published in Dresden and two French translations,
one published in Brussels, the other in Paris. Pray forgive
this egotism for it is the egotism of friendship, not of
vanity. I can't help wishing that you would both some-
times recall me to your memory, and I know no better way
than by asking her to sometimes read a chapter or two of
my writings. I am sure I shall never forget her and you
our early friendship, and the to me delightful days we
have passed together since it has been renewed. I always
feel when I am with you, as if twenty years had rolled off
my back in one lump, like a knapsack, as if my shoes were
not covered with the dust of the long life's turnpike along
which we have been trailing since the early days.
God bless you and yours, my dear Bismarck. May you
prosper and succeed as you deserve to succeed domi
militiseque. Write me half a dozen lines, as soon as you
conveniently can, and with best regards to your wife and
children, believe me,
Most sincerely your friend
Address J. L. MOTLEY.
aux soins de Tarlonia & C ie .
Rome.
50
UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE v. GRUNER TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, February 28, '59.
As a safe opportunity offers I am sending you a few
hasty lines.
" The Rise of the Dutch Republic." Motley was then writing his
"History of the United Netherlands."
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 65
Rechenberg was never seriously thought of for the secre-
taryship at the Legation, it was he who wished to go to St.
Petersburg. I communicated to Herr von Schleinitz your
request that no decision might be taken until your arrival,
and believe he acquiesces.
The St. Petersburg post is extremely important, and its
importance increases every day. I by no means fail to
appreciate the value of the Frankfurt post, but the general
political importance of the St. Petersburg post is incompar-
ably greater. We are expecting very much from your work
there; they have confidence in you, and you will be able to
render the most important services there to the Crown and to
the country. St. Petersburg is anything but the " honour-
able exile " you described it when you were here, and I am
confident you will soon alter your opinion.
I hope the contents of the note despatched to-day are
to your satisfaction^
You are, I trust, better again in health. It would be of
the utmost advantage if you would be kind enough to
remain with Herr v. Usedom for a few days, the place and
the post can hardly ever have been less difficult than they
are now.
I once more beg your indulgence for the nastiness of these
lines.
With expressions of the highest esteem and devotion,
v. GRUNER.
51
BISMARCK TO FREIHERR VON SCHLEINITZ, MINISTER OF
STATE.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 12, '59.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I am extremely obliged for the long and interesting
despatch I received the day before yesterday through
Feldjager Hahn. In the course of yesterday I found an
66 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
opportunity to speak expansively to Prince Gortchakoff
in the tenor of the communications I have received. My
enclosed report* contains full details of the conversation,
but I beg in this letter to bring forward another side of
the question which I dare not touch officially with the
same frankness, as I do not yet know whether it will not
appear to your Excellency to be rank heresy.
My eight years' experience at Frankfurt has convinced
me that the Bund institutions are shackles on Prussia, gall-
ing in times of peace, and absolutely dangerous to her
existence at critical periods, and that Prussia does not ob-
tain equivalents for this such as Austria, which enjoys an
incomparably greater freedom of movement, draws from
the institutions. The two great powers are not measured
with the same standard by the smaller states and govern-
ments, and the aims and the laws of the Bund are made
subservient to the needs of Austrian politics. Your Ex-
cellency is so well acquainted with the facts of the case,
that I can refrain from going into the history of the policy
of the Bund since 1850 to prove my standpoint; I will
only mention the German fleet question, the quarrels on
the customs duty question, the legislation affecting trade,
the press, the constitution, the Bund fortresses of Rastatt
and Mayence, the Neuchatel and the Oriental questions.
We have always had to face the same compact majority,
the same demand for compliance on the part of Prussia.
Austria's force of gravity was so superior to ours in the
Oriental question, that even the conformity of the wishes
and inclinations of the Bund governments with Prussia's
strivings was powerless against her. Our confederates in
the Bund, almost without exception, gave us to under-
stand, or even stated openly, that if Austria pursued her
own path they would be unable to keep the Bund for us,
* A footnote in the German edition says that " Bismarck's reports
from St. Petersburg have, unfortunately, not yet been published."
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 67
although there was no doubt that the right, and that the
real interests of Germany were on the side of our peaceable
policy; such at least was then the view of almost all the
Bund princes. Would the latter ever sacrifice in this
manner their own inclinations and interests to the needs or
even the safety of Prussia? Certainly not, for their ad-
herence to Austria is dictated essentially by interests which
prescribe to both as the permanent basis of their joint
policy that they hold together against Prussia and curb
any development of Prussia's influence and power. The
natural aim of the policy of the German Princes and their
Ministers is the evolution, with Austria at the head, of the
conditions prevailing in the Bund; this aim can be pros-
ecuted only at the expense of Prussia, and is of necessity
directed against Prussia only as long as Prussia does not
restrict herself to the useful task of securing her confeder-
ates in the Bund against Austria obtaining too great an
ascendancy, and to tolerating the disproportion between
her duties and her rights in the Bund with an unwearying
deference to the wishes of the majority. This tendency in
the policy of the middle states will recur with the con-
stancy of the magnetic needle after every temporary diver-
sion, as it is not the arbitrary product of individual cir-
cumstances or persons, but is, as far as the little states are
concerned, a natural and necessary result of the Bund re-
lationships. The Bund treaties do not provide us with any
means for dealing with it permanently and satisfactorily.
Perhaps I go too far when I suggest that we should
eagerly seize every lawful opportunity offered us by our
confederates to assume the role of the offended party and
out of this to attain the revision of our mutual relations
which Prussia needs in order that she may live perma-
nently in satisfactory relations with the smaller German
states. In my opinion we ought readily to pick up the
glove which Bavaria seems to wish to throw to us, and to
68 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
regard it not as a misfortune, but as a step towards the
crisis which will clear the way for an improvement, when
a majority in Frankfurt passes a resolution in which we
might discover a breach of the Bund treaties; the more
obvious the breach is, the better. It will be long before the
conditions in Austria, France, and Russia are again so
favourable for our improving our position in Germany,
and our confederates in the Bund are in a fair way to
provide us with a fully justified opportunity to do this, even
without our lending a helping hand by our own adroitness
in an inconspicuous manner to their superciliousness.
Even the Kreuz Zeitung, as I see by its Sunday edition, is
puzzled, in its blind zeal, by the idea that a Frankfurt
majority could calmly dispose of the Prussian army. This
is not the only paper in which I have observed with uneasi-
ness what an influence Austria has gained over the Ger-
man press by a cleverly laid net, and how skilfully she used
this weapon. Without this the so-called public opinion
would hardly have reached its present height; I say the so-
called public opinion, for the great mass of the population
is never in favour of war until it has been stirred up by
actual suffering caused by severe oppression. Things have
reached such a stage that a Prussian newspaper hardly
dare, even under the cloak of general German feeling, con-
fess to Prussian patriotism. The universal Piepmeierei *
(I beg your Excellency's pardon for using this character-
istic expression) play a great role in all this, though the
role played by sovereigns, which Austria never lacks for
such a purpose, is a no less important one. Most of the cor-
respondents write for their living, the chief object of most
of the newspapers is to make a good profit, and an experi-
enced reader can easily see in some of our Berlin and other
newspapers whether these have recently received another
subvention from Austria, whether they expect one, or
* Piepmeier was, in the forties, the type of a characterless muff.
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 69
whether they are giving a threatening hint that they wish
for one. The Kreuz Zeitung does gratis anything that
Koller * can wish for. The others combine their ten-
dencies with the considerations they have to pay to the
subvention on the one hand and their subscribers on the
other.
I do not know whether we have not reduced our semi-
official influence on the press too much, and I believe we
could produce a great change of opinion if we struck the
note of an independent Prussian policy in the press, as an
offset to the overweening attitude assumed by our German
confederates in the Bund, especially by Bavaria. Events
may, perhaps, occur in Frankfurt which will provide us
with full opportunity for this. It is impossible for Bavaria
to keep its 108,000 men for a long time demonstratively
on their legs; the Munich Cabinet will now attach itself
still more closely than heretofore to Austria, if Schrenk
is not- unfaithful to his past, and Pfordten will feel the
necessity of directing the attention of the world to the
debates of the Bund assembly.
In these eventualities the wisdom of our military pre-
cautionary measures may, as your Excellency has already
mentioned in your telegraphic despatch, be manifested in
other directions also, and emphasise our attitude. Then
Prussian self-confidence will strike as loud a note as that
of the Bundestag, and one that will perhaps have more
important results. I should like to see the word " German "
written instead of " Prussian " on our banner only when
we are bound more closely and more expediently to the
rest of our countrymen than we are at present; it loses its
charm when it is used too much in its Bundestag nexus.
I fear that your Excellency will exclaim in spirit ne sutor
ultra crepidam to this epistolatory expedition into the
^domain of my former work ; it was not, however, my inten-
* Austrian Minister in Berlin.
yo FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
tion to make an official report, but only to give the testi-
mony of an expert against the Bund. In my eyes our
relationship with the Bund is an infirmity of Prussia's
which, sooner or later, we shall have to heal ferro et igni
if we do not take a favourable opportunity to combat it in
time. If the Bund were simply dissolved to-day, and
nothing else set up in its place, I believe that even on the
basis of this negative achievement better and more
natural relations between Prussia and her German neigh-
bours would result. If our relations to them were analo-
gous to those which Austria, by virtue of the treaties which
ere now contested, had with the Italian Duchies, it would
be, mutatis mutandis, a great progress for us.
v. BISMARCK.
52
BISMARCK TO GENERAL GUSTAV v. ALVENSLEBEN.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 14, '59.
DEAR ALVENSLEBEN,
The enclosed copy of a letter to Schleinitz was originally
intended for the Prince of Hohenzollern ; * when it was
ready, however, I became doubtful as to how his High-
ness might regard the matter in his inmost heart, and
whether he would not take amiss my sending him a copy
of a letter to his colleague Schleinitz, as if I did not give
the gentlemen credit for being on sufficiently intimate terms
to communicate to each other what it would profit them to
know. I believe, too, that Schleinitz will show my letter
to his Royal Highness the Regent, although I hardly hope
that it will be relished there. If you have the inclination
and the opportunity to inflame the spark of Royal ambition
in the Prince, kindly use the contents of the enclosure as il
1 had written in a special letter to you exactly what I wrote
* President of the Ministry of State.
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 71
to Schleinitz; it is only a question of the heading and the
ending. There is always an element of mistrust when I
write to Schleinitz, and at the same time send you a copy of
the letter, and the Prince allows this to transpire.
I expect my wife has by this time at last torn her bleeding
heart away from Frankfurt, and has had the pleasure of
seeing you again in Berlin. I hope to fetch her in June or
July from Pomerania, as I cannot leave her to her fate
among a population ignorant of the German language and
customs.
Adieu, and greet the few who deserve it, from
Your faithful
v. BISMARCK.
The letter was addressed :
To Herr von Alvensleben
Major General and Adjutant to his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent,
Berlin.
On the back of the envelope was written in pencil by the
Prince Regent :
Found in the despatch-bag during your absence, and
opened by me.
W. P.(rince) R(egent).
53
BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 29, '59.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
With reference to my request for permission to be absent
'from St. Petersburg for four days, I most obediently an-
nounce that Prince Gortchakoff goes to Tsarskoe Selo on
U.une 1st, for a fortnight, to undergo a " cure " which he
needs on account of constant throat trouble and hoarseness.
He has expressed the wish that during this time we will call
on him only when most urgent matters of business demand a
72 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
personal interview. There is thus all the less reason to ap-
prehend that the service will suffer through my short
absence. The city is rapidly emptying, owing to the great
heat, and we diplomats are being more and more reduced to
our own society, which is a state of affairs not always par-
ticularly agreeable. My German colleagues, in particular,
are a chronic sore point for me. Although, by reason of
Frankfurt antecedents and slanders, I am no persona grata
with them, they claim the right of countrymen to fall back
on me for political communications, as they hardly ever
see Prince Gortchakoff themselves, and he discusses higher
politics with them only within the narrowest official limits.
Their assurance in putting the most indiscreet questions to
me a brule-pourpoint passes the conception of a well-trained
politician, and Count Karolyi * in particular develops the
most inconsiderate determination in this direction, always
under the pretext of our friendly Bund relations. What-
ever attitude I assume towards these questions, my answers
are always abused. If I colour my remarks with a certain
consideration for the questioner, i. e. in the Austrian-Middle-
State sense, I hear the very next day from Gortchakoff that
he has learned through Belgian, English, or Greek (Prince
Soutzo is a favourite of the Minister's) channels that Prus-
sia is after all beginning to yield to the majority of her con-
federates, as even I now appreciate the justice of their
standpoint. If I evade an answer, it is stated that I associate
only with Russians, French, and English, but play the re-
served, great-power representative towards my German
countryman. If I honourably take the standpoint of our
Government, that the initiative in Germany is to come from
us, and endeavour to remove illusions, and to give no en-
couragement to impassioned hopes, I am accused, in German
circles here, and in reports to the home Governments, of
being a Bonapartist, and of conspiring against Germany,
* Austrian Minister at St Petersburg.
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 73
with all the exaggerations and misrepresentations to which I
became accustomed in the Frankfurt days, and which during
the past eight years have so often found expression in com-
plaints against me, even in the private correspondence of
the Princes themselves. The whole evil results from the
circumstance that the representatives of the smaller states
have nothing to do, or take no interest in the business con-
nected with the protection of their countrymen, but concern
themselves with higher politics, about which they know
nothing but what they glean from chit-chat. Fortunately,
Count Minister* is leaving on Wednesday. Under his
outer covering of Low-Saxon indifference he is the most
excitable of all, and it is doubly difficult for me, owing to our
intimate personal acquaintanceship, to reply as a diplomat
to the questions he brings up as a " good friend," in such a
manner as to give him as little material as possible for his
reports or for complaints. Konneritz f professes extreme
enthusiasm for Prussia, abuses Beust and Austria, and talks
as if he were acting under a Carlowitz ministry. Mont-
gelas $ is in a great state of vexation at the depreciation of
Austrian securities, and seems, strangely enough, to consider
that the only means of remedying this is to be found in a
general war. When I suggested that collections might be
made in Germany in aid of our benevolent society here he
replied that not a single kreuzer would be forthcoming in
Bavaria, as all the wealthy people there were on the verge of
ruin; his father-in-law, he said, had been obliged to reduce
his establishment of six horses to two, and the rich Count
Schonborn was in a most painful situation, as everybody
had realised their investments. "This," he added, "ac-
counts for the angry feelings in our country against Na-
poleon."
* Hanoverian Minister at St. Petersburg,
f Saxon Minister at St. Petersburg.
t Bavarian Minister at St Petersburg.
74 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
Prince Gortchakoff read me to-day a note to Budberg on
his last conversation with Karolyi, and asks me to write to
your Excellency that Budberg may communicate it, if re-
quested to do so; it agrees with the contents of my last
direct report to his Royal Highness.
Your Excellency's
most obedient
v. BISMARCK.
54
BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. SCHLEJNTTZ.
(Draft.)
BHUJN, September 25, '59.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I have the honour to report, as arranged, on the con-
versation I have had here with Budberg.* I gather from
what he said that the question whether and how the two ex-
alted personages could meet had already been considered,
and had been the subject of communications to Budberg; also
that while the Czar on the one hand eagerly wishes for the
meeting, he does not, on the other hand, see how it can take
place in the immediate vicinity of his Majesty the King, so
long as the condition of the latter is such that he is not per-
mitted to receive anybody.
The Czar's view is, that not only would he himself feel
it keenly, but a painful impression would also be made on
public opinion if he paid a visit to the Court here without
being able to show his sympathy with such a near relation
as the King in his sufferings.
Knowing the Czar's mode of thought, I quite believe
that Budberg's version is the simple truth, and that the en-
deavour to shift the meeting to Warsaw has no connection
* At that time Russian Minister at Berlin.
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 75
with his utterances against me, although he hinted that the
appearance of the Emperor Franz Josef at Warsaw was
within the bounds of possibility. At all events, I told him
that in my personal opinion a fresh visit of his Royal High-
ness the Regent to Warsaw would not produce the impres-
sion in the political world which we should think desirable.
He then suggested Breslau, and asked if there were troops
enough there to give the Czar a review. I replied that it
did not seem to me that there was any need for the obvious
pretext of seeing a few regiments, but that the former visit
of his Royal Highness the Regent, the intimate family re j
lations, and the pending political questions would make a
meeting between the Czar and his august uncle appear per-
fectly natural to everybody. Budberg coincided with this,
is anxious for it, and added only that a confidential sug-
gestion or hint that his visit would be welcome might be
given to the Czar, perhaps through Loen.* If the King's
condition compelled him to be out of Berlin there would be
nothing to bring the Czar here; in that case Breslau seems
to me the only suitable place.
Prince Gortchakoff will arrive at Warsaw a few days
before the Czar. Should his Royal Highness perhaps think
it expedient that I should be at the Court there when the
Czar arrives, and be the means o-f conveying the invitation,
I would beg to be favoured with the necessary orders, so
that I can make my arrangements in good time. I can
only most dutifully repeat that I feel convinced that the in-
terview will politically create a very favourable impression.
My friend Unruh called on me here yesterday; he says
that the effect of the reply to the Stettin address is favour-
able, and told me, as an indication of the feelings which
now prevail, that Metz, the very advanced democratic chief-
tain from Darmstadt, had exclaimed in Frankfurt : " Rather
the most rigorous Prussian military rule than the misire of
* Prussian Military Attache at St. Petersburg.
76 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
the little states." He hoped soon to read in the newspapers
a reply to the Austrian note to the Duke of C(oburg), in
which at least the defectiveness of the Bund Constitution
would be admitted.
I leave to-day for Reinfeld in Pomerania; I would like
to arrange for a large diligence to take me and my family
from the frontier to St. Petersburg. As this has to be
ordered ten days ahead, I should be very grateful to your
Excellency if any instructions tending to expedite or delay
my departure could be sent to me at Reinfeld.
v. BISMARCK.
55
MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BADEN, September 29, '59.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
The manner in which you treated the subject of the in-
terview with Herr v. Budberg is in complete accord with
our most gracious master's ideas and wishes in the matter.
His Royal Highness says, however, that as no one, not even
his immediate family relations, see the King, the Czar of
Russia might also take the same position, and need not make
this a reason for not visiting Berlin. But the Prince, too,
is of opinion that in the present circumstances a third place
might be preferable for the meeting, and he quite agrees
that this should be Breslau. I will now put the matter into
the hands either of Loen (neither the Prince nor I know
whether he will accompany the Czar or not) or of Budberg,
so that it may be settled as soon as possible. As it is now
most probable that the idea will be carried into effect, de-
corum seems to demand that you should be at Warsaw when
the Czar is there; it appears to me, therefore, that it would
be better if you delayed your departure for St. Petersburg
1859] CORRESPONDENCE 77
for a time, which I hope will not seriously add to tfie in-
conveniences attendant on the removal of your family there.
Unruh's communication confirms a fact which is as re-
markable as it is gratifying. We shall, I imagine, soon be
able to comply with the wish for the publication of our
reply in the matter of Austria contra Coburg.
In conclusion, I execute the commissions of two fair
ladies ; I have to express to you on the part of her Majesty
the Queen of Holland * her extreme regret that, owing to
an alleged alteration of your outward appearance, she did
not at once recognise you on the promenade here, while the
Princess Obolenski has requested me to tell you how much
she misses you here, and in her name to say all sorts of nice
things to you.
In fulfilling this agreeable mandate, which I do with pleas-
ure, though through lack of time and space only summarily,
I am,
Your most faithful
SCHLEINITZ.
56
MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 31, '59.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
I need not tell you how sincerely glad I am that you
can now be considered as reconvalescent f in the fullest
sense of the word. My joy would, it is true, be still greater
if your health had permitted you now, or in the near future,
to resume a post where you are at the present moment
simply indispensable, and where, in my opinion, you cannot
be replaced even provisionally. Things cannot remain as
they are, both on their own account and in view of the re-
* Sophie, the daughter of King William L of Wurtemburg.
t Bismarck was laid up with severe inflammation of the lungs from
the beginning of November, 1859, to the beginning of March, 1860.
78 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1859
peated hints that we have received from St. Petersburg.
As a matter of fact, we are practically not represented at all
at the Russian Court; that this, at a time when Austria
has given Count Thun * carte blanche to re-establish the
old relations with Russia on any condition, and when it is,
therefore, of extreme importance for us to watch these en-
deavours which are so closely united with Prince Gort-
chakoff 's personal position and future, must be characterised
as an absolutely inadmissible state of affairs, no one, my
esteemed friend, will be more ready to recognise than your-
self. The congress has been extremely doubtful ever since
the brochure de I'Empereur, but even if Gortchakoff should
not leave St. Petersburg for the present, we cannot longer
postpone making at any rate a provisional arrangement.
The candidates who could be considered are very few.
Harry Arnim would be a very suitable person, but as he is
only a Secretary of Legation we could not, without giving
mortal offence, appoint him over the first Secretary and
acting Charge d' Affaires at St. Petersburg,! unless another
post could be found for the latter, which for the moment
is impossible. In these circumstances the only suitable and
also available person seems to me to be Count Perponcher,
on whom the choice of the Prince Regent also has fallen, and
who is to proceed about the middle of next month on a
special mission to St. Petersburg. The object of my official
letter of to-day is to inform you of this decision, which I
hope will meet with your approval. The domestic and
pecuniary arrangements will also undoubtedly be settled in
a manner satisfactory to you; I will certainly do all that
lies in my power to bring this about. I need not repeat
that in making these arrangements both the Regent and my-
self are actuated chiefly by the wish to reconcile the require-
ments of the service as much as possible with consideration
for what you deem advisable, and especially with your
* Austrian Minister at St. Petersburg. t Prince Croy.
i86o] CORRESPONDENCE 79
health. If, as it seems almost probable, you will not be able
to return to St. Petersburg during the severe winter months,
we should be very glad to see you here, at least as soon as
possible, and your offer to place the qutstions of foreign
policy in a right light before our honourable peers is even-
tualiter gratefully accepted.
With best wishes for as rapid a recovery as possible, and
in sincere friendship,
Your faithfully devoted
SCHLEINITZ.
57
FREIHERR VON SCHLEINITZ, MINISTER OF STATE, TO
BISMARCK.
BADEN-BADEN, June 25, '60.
DEAR FRIEND,
My best thanks for the two interesting private letters,
which I have not found leisure to answer until the present
moment; there is very little leisure even here, however.
In the first place I must protest decidedly against your
conjecture, formed from some remarks of Gortchakoff's,
that we made overtures to the St. Petersburg Cabinet
some months ago which were taken as being invitations
to establish a coalition against France, and were answered
in the negative. We have racked our brains in vain to dis-
cover what could be meant by this, and for the sake of
greater security I have also questioned Perponcher ad
articulos on the alleged conatus. He, too, cannot remem-
ber having said or written anything that could by any
stretch of imagination be made to bear the interpretation
mentioned above. If the whole matter is not based on a
misunderstanding on your or Gortchakoff's part, an
endeavour should be made to trace the object underlying
these poetic insinuations. The report of your audience
with the Czar has made a pleasing, and at the same time
a painful impression. Pleasing, in so far as all the Czar's
8o FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
utterances reflect his noble, disinterested feelings and his
friendly disposition towards Prussia; painful, in so far as
the eminent gentleman exerts himself to win us over to an
idea which, at least in his own opinion, does not promise
to be of much practical value. He wishes for a more
intimate relationship between us and France, chiefly on the
grounds that the Emperor Louis Napoleon might be
kept from unbecoming things by the respectable society
into which he would thus be removed. With this we can
fully accord, and to this end we will always give Russia our
most sincere and zealous co-operation. For a long time
past we have persistently laboured, with the same object
that impels the Czar Alexander, to live with our western
neighbour in the most friendly relations possible. We
shall persevere in these endeavours, but will the Imperator
on the Seine be satisfied in the long run with a relationship
that does not assume a more or less exclusive character, and
that does not pursue quite special aims, furthering France's
aims? I hardly believe this will be the case, and am more
inclined to surmise that by a preferential intimacy with
France we should gradually, without knowing it and with-
out wishing it, be drawn within the sphere of her policy.
An examination of the individual political questions which
occupy public attention at present shows at once that in
no single case are the aims of France also ours, or our aims
also those of France. It seems to me that there is, or at
least ought to be, this same lack of agreement between the
Russian and the French policy. Russia can approve the
policy of France neither in the Savoy nor in the Italian
question, and if she does not oppose it she is actuated by
what will perhaps be the very delusive hope of obtaining
valuable compensation, preferably in the Orient, for her
complaisance. France will not quit her hold in the
Oriental question, however, until she thinks she can do so
with the best advantage to herself. The entente even be-
1860] CORRESPONDENCE 81
tween Rtissia and France would thus rest upon a very weak
foundation, and what sort of a role should we play, as the
third party in the alliance, and with no compensation in
view? The impossibility of a special alliance or a special
entente with the Emperors of the east and the west does
not, however, preclude, I repeat it, our endeavouring to
place ourselves on the most friendly footing with both of
them. This is, fortunately, the natural and normal relation-
ship with Russia. With respect to France, the recent
interview at Baden will, as Prince Gortchakoff rightly says,
hardly fail to exert a beneficent influence on the near
future. The mot d'ordre has been given on all sides in
France, with the object of attaining this effect; the press
and his Majesty's entourage repeat a Venvie the expression
of the Imperial satisfaction at the complete success of the
Baden rendezvous. Careful observers are of opinion that
the Emperor had looked for a heartier and warmer recep-
tion, and that he felt the indifference of the German public,
which bordered on coolness, all the more keenly as he had
no reason to complain of similar symptoms of the public
opinion when he travelled to Stuttgart three years ago.
But ri importe, it is a parti pris that the interview was
successful beyond all expectations, and contributed con-
siderably towards assuring peace, so that we too will
endeavour to exploit it in this sense. It is especially grati-
fying to us that the Prince-Regent has, on this occasion,
been so successful from all points of view. Everyone
praises his simple, natural, dignified demeanour towards
the Emperor, who, as we learn from Paris, was greatly
pleased with and much impressed by him. His manly,
frank, and energetic procedure has made an extremely
beneficial impression also on the German Princes. They
are now convinced that they will not succeed in getting
him to dance to their tune, or in prevailing on him to in-
augurate a change of system, as several of them had already
82 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
made tentative efforts to do. All these gentlemen have,
more or less, appeared here not only in the light of Prus-
sian vassals, but as such in their own feelings, and that, at
all events, is a gratifying and new sign of the times. How
matters will develop depends on various external circum-
stances, but especially on the form the great political re-
lationships will take. With regard to these and in specie
with regard to the Orient, I do not see why we should
not do our utmost to support the Russian policy; this will
be all the easier and less dangerous the more we convince
ourselves that as a matter of fact it is a question de rattacher
et non pas de faire tomber la proie.
In sincere friendship,
Your faithfully devoted,
SCHLEINITZ.
58
FREIHERR VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, August 3, '60.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
Receive my best thanks for the numerous and interest-
ing private communications with which you have favoured
me recently, and do not deny me the general pardon for
the sins of omission I commit now as heretofore in not
ansvering these communications as punctually and as fully
as they are made to me.
We have every reason to be satisfied with the Teplitz
meeting.* On the one side a certain tranquillity, a feeling
of greater security, has been produced, the effect of which
is already perceptible in general business life; on the other
side (France) a stimulus has been given to the conviction
that an encroaching and aggressive policy on this side of
* July 36, 1860.
i86o] CORRESPONDENCE 83
the Rhine, and, it is to be hoped, a little on the other bank
of the Rhine too, would encounter a fairly compact and
well-organised resistance. This is very important, not
alone for Germany, but also in regard to those smaller in-
termediate countries which naturally lean on Germany,
and which but too easily lose their courage when they feel
the ground there slipping away from under their feet. A
good impression could not but be made here by the fact
that in St. Petersburg full justice has been done to our
intuitions with respect to the Teplitz meeting, and the
opportunity used to make such friendly representations on
our behalf to the Vienna Cabinet; our acknowledgments
for this are especially due to Prince Gortchakoff, and I beg
of you to give them fitting expression. Until now little
more has been observable on the part of the Austrian
Cabinet than good resolutions, with which, as is well
known, the way to hell is paved. The future will show in
how far they are meant seriously, and we shall have to be
guided, in rendering our return services, by what actual
form those resolutions take. Now that Russia has dropped
her article additionel to the Syrian treaty, there is nothing
to prevent the latter being signed; we, on our part, would
willingly have met the Russian wishes in this matter, and
it appears to me that the English, in their mistrust, went
too far when they considered it necessary to reject them
even in the fairly inoffensive form in which they were
finally proposed. ... I have taken the necessary steps
to put an end to the misuse of the despatch-bag, and am
grateful to you for drawing my attention to the matter.
I have already informed you of the connection between
this and the case containing the continuation of the works
of Frederick II. Since the matter has been mentioned
to Prince Gortchakoff, there is nothing to be done but to
complete it; the Prince thinks, however, that it will be
sufficient if you accompany the present to the prince-
84 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
ministre with a few complimentary words on the part of his
Royal Highness.
I wish I deserved, more than is the case, your thanks for
having received the last instalment of your salary in full.
During my stay at Baden the draft was laid before me of
an instruction to you, in which you were called upon to
refund a very considerable sum. I hesitated to sign this
instruction, as the whole affair seemed to me somewhat
questionable, until I had made further enquiries respecting
it. The matter is thus still in abeyance. Whatever I can
do conscientiously towards settling it in a manner satis-
factory to you shall certainly be done. Perhaps you could
equip me sub rosa with some arguments, which I shall
gladly urge in your favour.
The crab-apple Montgelas and his no less crabbed wife
are no enviable acquisition for us, and we have made a
very bad exchange for Bray. It is incredible that such a
choice can be made at Munich, especially at a time when
very friendly feelings towards Prussia are expressed,
although perhaps re vera they do not exist.
In sincere friendship,
Cordially yours,
SCHLEINITZ.
59
BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF.
(Draft)
ST. PETERSBURG, September 3, '60.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
At last I have received the works of Frederick the Great,
which his Royal Highness the Regent told me in Berlin in
the spring would be sent off directly after my departure
for this place, as a confirmation of the sentiments towards
you which you know me to have readily and frankly rep-
resented for years past.
i860] CORRESPONDENCE 85
Some weeks ago a misunderstanding led me to suppose
that a case containing a copy with supplements, intended for
his Majesty, also contained your copy, which I now have
the honour to hand to you.
Accept the expression of my unalterable esteem.
v. BISMARCK.
60
FREIHERR VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, September 21, '60.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
The various communications you have recently ad-
dressed to me in the form of private letters have reached me
in the country, in Thuringia, where I had no lack of time
but of favourable opportunities and of material to answer
them. On my return to the Residence two days ago
I found such an immense accumulation of diplomatic
reports and documents that even to-day I must limit
myself to a few lines, the chief object of which is to thank
you for your interesting letters, and to let you know that I
have succeeded, though not without a hard struggle, in
averting the deduction from your salary that has long been
hanging over your head.
The object of the autograph letter from the Prince,
which is being sent off to you to-day for presentation to
the Czar, is to designate the course which our most
gracious master has followed hitherto in his meetings, and
which he desires not to depart from at the Warsaw
rendezvous. Whether this quite accords with the views
of the Czar and Prince Gortchakoff, with which we are as
yet somewhat in the dark, remains to he seen. We take it
as a matter of course that the Warsaw meeting must not
86 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
assume the character of a demonstration directed against
England, though this is a danger which, in view of Prince
.GortchakofFs repeatedly emphasised Continental interests,
has perhaps been too intentionally hinted at to permit of
the possibility of the existence of a more deeply laid plan on
the part of the Russian Cabinet. In any case, we must be
on our guard, even if France should not perhaps be repre-
sented at Warsaw in person, which appears to me not
to be without the bounds of possibility, but only in
spirit.
Your yesterday's telegram respecting the recall of the
minister from Turin arrived here safely yesterday. Bud-
berg had spoken to me on the subject shortly before. We
have agreed to await the communication giving the mo-
tives, which cannot be here until next Tuesday. Prima facie
the affair seems to me to be of great import. What is being
carried on between Piedmont and Rome before our eyes
is of such a nature that Hugo Grotius, Pufendorf, Vatel,
and the deceased Wheaton would have something to say
to it, only it is, in effect, a new edition, and not an enlarged
one, of what, in respect of Tuscany, the Duchies, the
Romagna, and lately of Naples, has been issued as current
coin of the Piedmontese policy without the members of the
European Areopagus having attained the height of even
a modest protest. The recall by reason of an analogous
attitude towards Rome would, therefore, appear to me to
be a logical hiatus, which would be all the more serious
as it might be brought into an undesirable causal-nexus
with the French example, which, especially in this case,
could not, for many reasons, be recommended for imita-
tion. All these, however, are only temporary impressions,
and we must in any case wait for the Russian communi-
cation before we arrive at any definite decision.
The Grand-Duchess Helene, who received me to-day
and honoured me with a long interview, leaves for St.
i86o] CORRESPONDENCE 87
Petersburg on the evening of the day after to-morrow;
the Prince-Regent starts at the same time to receive Queen
Victoria at Aix.
With sincere friendship,
Your
SCHLEINITZ.
61
UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE v. GRUNER TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, September 28, '60.
MOST ESTEEMED HERR v. BISMARCK,
We have just received most unpleasant news. A week
ago a Feldjager was about to leave for you on board a
Russian ship, when we were informed by the English Lega-
tion that the English Minister at St. Petersburg was return-
ing 1 to St. Petersburg by this vessel, and we might make
use of this safe opportunity. Thereupon the despatches
which you will receive with this letter were sent to the Eng-
lish Legation. While we were imagining that you would
long ago have received these despatches, and especially the
letter from his Royal Highness the Regent to his Majesty
Czar Alexander, we suddenly receive them all back again.
The despatch-box belonging to the English Legation had re-
mained at Stettin, and has only just been returned ; our des-
patches, which were found in it, were at once handed to one
of our messengers who happened to be at the English Lega-
tion at the time. There is no time to lose, the despatches
must go off at once, and I hasten to send you these few
words of explanation (in addition to a short official note)
to enable you to explain and to offer excuses for the delay
in handing over the letter to the Czar.
We will telegraph as soon as we have learned the actual
facts of the case, and if fresh explanations are forthcoming.
88 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
I must close or we shall be too late.
With expressions of the highest esteem and devotion,
v. GRUNER.
62
PRINCE KARL OF PRUSSIA TO BISMARCK.
November 18, '60.
SUNDAY, 9 A. M.
I have just received an invitation to dine with Michail
Nikolagevitsch to-day; I at once sent to my younger
brother * that we should agree in declining, to which he re-
plies that we cannot do this, as the birthday of a little Grand-
Duke is to be celebrated en famille. He tells me also that he
has already declined your invitation. In these circum-
stances I must also do likewise, unpleasant as it is for me !
The younger brother might first have sought my assenti-
ment before he decided to decline, but that he never does.
I beg to be allowed to repeat my apologies to you and
your wife between twelve and one o'clock.
With kindest regards,
CARL. PRINCE v. PREUSSEN.
63
PRINCE KARL ANTON zu HOHENZOLLERN TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, November 22, '60.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Will you kindly have the enclosed forwarded to its des-
tination? It contains a treatise on historic art, written at
my instigation, in which an attempt is made to prove that
Raphael also practised the art of copper-plate engraving.
I have promised to do what I can for the author, Prof. An-
dreas Miiller, of Diisseldorf, and sending it to the Academy
* Prince AlbrechL
i86o] CORRESPONDENCE 89
of Arts is merely an attention to which he is entitled on
account of the novum of his discovery.
Everything is very quiet here, and all energies are being
applied to preparation for the coming fight in the Landtag.
The external situation will have to come to the aid of the
internal affairs, for we have spent much money and will still
need much more to make the army reform a reality. . . .
With cordial wishes for your Excellency's continued well-
being, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
FtJRST ZU HOHENZOLLERN.
64
FREIHERR VON SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 25, '60.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
I have just heard that your Feldjager has arrived at
Gumbinnen, and I have decided to send him back to St.
Petersburg at once with some documents which have been
waiting for a safe means of conveyance to you. The docu-
ments relate particularly to the Warsaw interviews and the
four points. In the reply to the Thouvenel despatch to
Montebello* we restrict ourselves to taking note of what
is acceptable in the contents, that is to say, of the assurance
that military measures for the protection of German ter-
ritory, and on German territory, will not be regarded by
France as a breach of neutrality in a war between Austria
and Italy. I also consider it necessary to intimate at
the same time that we did not wish, by doing this, to
prejudice Germany's attitude in case of such a war break-
ing out. In my opinion, however, Germany's attitude will
depend chiefly on what she can do, without over-estimat-
* Napoleon Aujjuste, Duke of Montebello, was French Minister in
St. Petersburg; Thouvenel was French Minister for Foreign Affairs.
90 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1860
ing her powers, to retain Venice for Austria, for I am ever
more persuaded that Germany is interested in the reten-
tion of this Austro-Italian possession not only for reasons
of military security, but also on account of the inevitable
consequence of dismemberment. The present disposition
of fortresses could not, in the opinion of all experts, be
improved on in the interest of Germany. Moreover, there
seems to be no reason why the Italian national movement
should cross the Austrian frontier with impunity and
respect the German frontiers, for, as a matter of fact, these
territories are as decidedly Italian as Venice can ever be.
It should be clear to everybody, after what passes before
our eyes and in view of the disgraceful principles acknowl-
edged without shame even by great powers, that no
security can be afforded against such a transgression by
treaties, guarantees, or similar paper pledges. Finally,
however, and this is the main point, it is neither more nor
less than a revolutionary movement which is being pro-
moted, under the cloak of nationality, simply in the inter-
ests of imperial France, whose object is to set in commo-
tion all the nations and people inimical to Germany, and
when it has succeeded, and we are confronted from the
Adriatic to the Baltic with a girdle of separating and hostile
elements, to fish quite comfortably in troubled waters in
the neighbourhood of the Rhine. The revolution will not
be ended by the disjunction of Venice, but will thereby
receive a fresh and dangerous impetus. Russia, too, will
have said all this to herself. I cannot share your favourable
anticipations respecting the future united kingdom of
Italy. I will admit that, under certain circumstances, it
might one day be our ally; I believe, however, that we shall
see it more frequently in the ranks of our enemies, espe-
cially in the train of France, than among the number of
our friends. Furthermore, as an ally it could render us
no important services in any direction, while as an adver-
i860] CORRESPONDENCE 91
sary associated with others it may be very inconvenient
and even dangerous. It is therefore impossible for us to
accede to England's wish and press Austria to sell Venice,
or to make one single proposition to Austria which if made
to us must cause us to fling the proposer out of the door.
I quite agree with you that it is none of Prussia's business
to pose outside her own frontiers as the champion or the
Don Quixote of legitimacy. That is no reason, however,
why we should not proceed against revolution with all the
means at our disposal when it makes its way into our
sphere of power or of interest. Whether, and to what
extent, we shall do this in Italy, is, as I have mentioned,
less a political than a military question; and the unfortu-
nate part of the situation is that in the present condition of
affairs in Austria no one can say how far this power is to
be reckoned on in a general tohu bohu.
The news received from you yesterday of the death of
Minutoli * pains me greatly, as he has become the victim
of his perhaps exaggerated zeal in the service. His death
is a serious blow to his large family and his aged mother.
Excuse the hastiness and the defects of this letter; I will
only add my best wishes for your welfare in the coming
year and at the present Christmas time, which is probably
a less pleasant one for you than for your children.
In sincere friendship,
Your faithful
SCHLEINITZ,
My best thanks for the caviare brought by Prince Croy.
I must add, however, that repetitions of this kindness must
be accompained by the respective bills, if my enjoyment of
them is not to be troubled with stings of conscience.
* Prussian Minister in Teheran.
92 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1861
65
COUNT NESSELRODE * TO BISMARCK.
December 18-30, '60.
Hearty thanks, esteemed Herr von Bismarck, for the
Pomeranian goose. I accept it all the more gladly, as I
regard it as a specimen of the genuine old Pomeranian
species. Fattening geese is, in my opinion, a far more use-
ful occupation than delivering high-flown Liberal speeches in
the Chambers.
I have yet another request to make to you, viz. that you
will grant an interview to State-Secretary Reutern. He is
a member of the Excise Commission, and wishes to ask
you for information on this subject, which is such an im-
portant one for Russia. Would you be so kind as to appoint
a day and a time when he might call upon you?
Your faithful
GR. NESSELRODE.
66
BISMARCK TO THE GRAND-DUKE CONST ANTINE.!
(Draft).
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 6, '61.
MY LORD,
I venture to depart from the customary procedure, and
to address directly to your Imperial Highness the request
of a Prussian subject for an audience. It is Mr. Aug.
Luhdorf, an Elberfeld merchant, who solicits this honour,
in order that he may submit to your Imperial Highness the
result of the observations he has made during a five years'
sojourn on the Amur. He is staying at the Kaiser Hotel.
The extreme interest taken by your Imperial Highness
in the maritime establishments of Eastern Siberia encourages
* Formerly Russian Imperial Chancellor,
t Translated from the original French.
1861] CORRESPONDENCE 93
me not to refuse my intervention in circumstances which
are devoid of any official character, and in which only the
indulgence of your Imperial Highness can render it ad-
missible. I remain, etc.,
BISMARCK.
67
FREIHERR VON SCHLEIN*TZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, February 14, '61.
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
It is to be hoped that no undue importance, i. e., no im-
portance outside the four walls of the House of Deputies,
is attached in Russia to Vincke's amendment.* The King
left no doubt on the subject in his reply to the address,
which re vera was couched in much sharper terms than
appear in the newspapers. The Lazarus Order would
be quite a suitable reward for the Westphalian Freiherr, on
which he could be cordially congratulated.
I fully share your view in the Holstein affair, and spoke
in this sense during the debates in committee, at first
against an intractable majority, but finally amid general
concurrence. In the House itself the feeling for the whole
affair was so cool that, in view of the Danish rodomon-
tades, it did not seem to me expedient to pour more cold
water into this lukewarm kettle, while, on the other hand,
I could not consider myself called upon to brandish the
ministerial war-torch. My silence, in these circumstances,
seemed to be more than gold. Our deputies have not
gained much in public opinion by the protracted throes
through which the address has had to pass, and by the
final result of the latter, which expresses nobody's true
opinion.
The Austrian-Russian ambassador question seems
gradually to be approaching a settlement. From all that
* Freiherr von Vincke's amendment added to the address of the
House of Deputies a clause stating that the consolidation of Italy was
a European necessity.
94 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1861
I hear of Stackelberg, we can congratulate ourselves on
this choice.
For some time past the public here has been very
peaceably inclined, and it is scarcely probable that there
will be an early outbreak. It remains to be seen whether,
now that Gaeta has capitulated, the Piedmontese will lose
their heads, and the peace programme be thrown over-
board. Some uneasiness seems to have been felt at first
in Paris concerning the King's alleged warlike speeches,
but this is evidently now entirely removed.
In sincere friendship and esteem,
Your faithfully devoted,
SCHLEINITZ.
68
MINISTER v. SCHLEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 21, '6r.
MY DEAR BISMARCK,
The more old sins of omission I have on my conscience,
the more anxious I am not to burden it with new ones, and
I therefore hasten to reply to your friendly lines of the
fifteenth instant. I thoroughly appreciate the numerous and
well-founded motives which make it desirable for you to turn
your back for a time on your northern residence, and will at
once apprise his Majesty the King of them, and advocate
them to the utmost of my power. The question of a substi-
tute will, it is to be hoped, be arranged satisfactorily. Croy
has, with patriotic self-sacrifice, expressed his readiness to
return to St. Petersburg at once, notwithstanding his
father's illness; I have, however, endeavoured to cool this
noble zeal as considerably as possible, as you will have seen
from the copy which has been forwarded to you of the note
to the Westphalian Ritter de Lorge. I hope Schlozer will
perfectly suffice for a not too long interim, and that your
absence on leave will not occasion you any pecuniary sacrifice
1861] CORRESPONDENCE 95
beyond the customary extra expenses incurred by the sub-
stitute.
The question of swearing allegiance still causes great
difficulty, as there is a divergence of opinion between his
Majesty the King and the majority of his advisers as to
the form the ceremony shall take. It is, however, already
certain that it will not take place before the beginning of
October. Your wish to be present at it, whether as a faith-
ful vassal or as a citizen, will not, I hope, deter you from
following up your idea of taking your regular leave earlier.
If the state of public business permits it, the King con-
templates leaving Berlin at the end of this or at the begin-
ning of next month, most probably for Baden, where his
Majesty intends to take a course of Kissingen waters. As
soon as his Majesty grants your leave of absence, I will in-
form you by telegraph, in order that you may be able to
leave St. Petersburg with as little delay as possible. Finally,
I must express my warmest thanks for your frequent private
communications during the past spring, which I ought to
have done long ago. The many and interesting facts con-
tained in them, and the humour with which they are told,
have provided not only me, but also our most gracious
master, to whom I felt justified in showing your private
correspondence, from time to time with a bright intermezzo
in an anxious and difficult time, for which we have always
been grateful. With sincere friendship,
Cordially yours,
SCHLEINITZ.
69
BISMARCK TO THE PRINCESS MENCHIKOFF.*
Saturday. (Late Autumn, '6l. ?)
MADAME,
An indisposition a little more serious than usual pre-
vents me from traversing the short distance which separates
* Translated from the original French.
96 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1862
us, to ask you personally if you still have the copy of the
Statut organique* which the late Czar intended to grant
to the Kingdom of Poland, and which I saw at your house
a few weeks ago. As it appears that this statute is destined,
after being buried in portfolios for nearly thirty years, to
at least a partial resurrection, I should be extremely obliged
if you would lend it to me for a quarter of an hour, should
it still be in your possession.
The last book I borrowed from you, at Baden, was the
analysis of an imaginary wound in the heart of an egoist;
to-day I am asking you to give me the recipe of the poultice
which a heart, not egoist enough, proposes to apply to a
real but incurable sore.
I entreat you to pardon me, Madame, if you find me an
importunate neighbour, and to accept the expression of
my sincere devotion.
v. BISMARCK.
70
THE PRINCESS MENCHIKOFF TO BISMARCK. t
(Autumn, '61. ?)
I regret extremely that I cannot send you the little volume
in question ; it belonged to my father-in-law, who left this
morning for Moscow. As it is of interest to you, I will
try and obtain it for you elsewhere. I fear the concessions
will be granted too late, they were anything but liberal. I
am sorry to hear of your indisposition. With kindest re-
gards.
psse. MENCHIKOFF.
71
MINISTER COUNT v. BERNSTORFF TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, March 17, '62.
His Majesty destines you for another diplomatic appoint-
ment, and commands me to request you to make arrange-
* Of February 14-16, 1832.
t Translated from the original French.
1862] CORRESPONDENCE 97
ments for leaving St. Petersburg, and to come here, as soon
as you receive your letters of recall, which are now before
his Majesty for signature, and which will be forwarded
to you immediately. Count Goltz has been chosen as your
successor; kindly enquire if he will be acceptable.
v. BERNSTORFF.
72
BISMARCK TO MINISTER v. BERNSTORFF.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
ST. PETERSBURG, March 22, '62.
Prince Gortchakoff has just called on me by command of
the Czar to bring his Majesty's congratulations for the
King's Majesty, and to invite me to dinner. At the same
time, I beg your Excellency to place at his Majesty's feet the
most respectful congratulations of the Legation. A dinner
is being given at the Court in honour of the day.
Telegram of seventeenth received with thanks; am now
ready to leave as soon as I have had the final audiences after
the arrival of my letters of recall.
v. BISMARCK.
73
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
OFF MARSEILLES, ON BOARD H. M.
THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND'S YACHT " OSBORNE."
October 21, '62.
I thank you very much for the letter which I have re-
ceived to-day through Major von Schweinitz.
May you succeed in bringing about the understanding
with the Chamber, which you describe as being so urgently
necessary in the present difficult phase of the life of the
constitution.
98 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1862
I follow the course of events at home with the most eager
attention, and shall be grateful to you if you will keep me
informed of the further progress of the discussions in the
Ministry of State, and also of the state of foreign affairs.
I remain,
Your obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
74
ADJUTANT-MAJOR v. SCHWEINITZ TO BISMARCK.
NAPLES, November 10, '62.
DEAR HERR v. BISMARCK,
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has instructed me
to thank you for your communications, and to say that lack
of time prevents him from replying, but that he would be
glad to receive further letters. I remarked to his Royal
Highness that it was not your intention to compel him to
enter into a political correspondence, but that you only con-
sidered it necessary that he should be acquainted with the?
course of events. The Prince then said that I should write
you that he would communicate to you orally the impres
sions he has received here.
Now that I have fulfilled my instructions, I beg to add
the following in confidence:
The Crown Prince, who is accustomed to being ignored
or slighted by his uncles, and especially by the late King's
highest officials, appreciates your attentions ; your first letter,
which I brought, and still more the sending of a courier,
have pleased him very much.
That his Majesty has not gone to England,* as it was
his wish to do, is ascribed on board the " Osborne " to your
influence ; the Crown Princess regrets this extremely.
The Prince has accepted nothing here that was offered on
the part of the Government ; only, when their Royal High-
*To visit the Exhibition.
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 99
nesses expressed their intention of ascending Vesuvius, I
mentioned it to General LaMarmora, and suggested that
some measures might be taken to ensure their safety ; he at
once ordered several companies of Bersaglieri to exercise
right up to the crater. The General dined on board yes-
terday evening, and both the Princes* are going to call on
him to-day. Sincerely yours,
v. SCHWEINITZ.
75
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
December 21, '62.
In reply to your enquiry of yesterday I shall be glad still to
receive the usual announcements of the sittings of the Min-
istry of State; when confidential or particularly important
matters are to be discussed, I wish to have special notice.
I am prevented by several audiences from attending to-
day's sitting. Your obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
76
MINISTER VON DER HEYDT TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 24, '63.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
(Permit me in few strictly confidential words in a per-
sonal matter.
On the day of my retirement from office your Excellency
was kind enough, without any suggestion from me, to re-
mark that a Minister who has served to the sovereign's sat-
isfaction for fourteen years would most certainly not be
dismissed without a public mark of the sovereign apprecia-
tion. On several subsequent occasions your Excellency,
*The Prince of Wales and the Crown Prince.
ioo FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
again without any suggestion on my part, held out prospects
of a public acknowledgment, adding the last time that the
execution of his Majesty's intention was only postponed
until it was seen whether I would re-enter the Ministry;
it is now decided that this will not be the case. When your
Excellency asked me, on the day of my retirement, what
distinction I should prefer, I took the liberty of saying, with
culpable frankness, that I should value very highly the one
which was promised me before the coronation, allegedly
by his Majesty's instructions, through Herr v. Auerswald,
viz. the star of the Hohenzollern Order.
Other more important matters have no doubt caused all
this to escape your Excellency's memory.
As, with the exception of Herr von Manteuffel, who, hav-
ing been dismissed from office against his will, declined any
acknowledgment of his services, and of some who resigned
to obtain a higher position, no Minister has retired from
office without a public acknowledgment, and as I draw
neither pension nor half-pay, I may, without being indis-
creet, take the liberty of addressing these lines to you in con-
fidence, in case the non-fulfilment of his Majesty's wish is
not intentional.
In any case, I rely on your kindly using this letter with
discretion, and would not have troubled your Excellency
with it, if you had not shown such a friendly feeling to-
wards me on my retirement.
With expressions of the highest esteem,
VON DER HEYDT. *
77
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
February 24, '63.
As I am starting a few days earlier for Carlsruhe, en
route for England, I wish only to let you know that I leave
to-morrow morning.
* See letter No. u. In Vol. x.
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 101
Should you wish me to despatch any important matter in
England, or to send any documents, my Adjutant, Lt. Col.
v. Obernitz, leaves on Sunday evening, and is, therefore,
at your service, for he meets me on the way.
/4w revoir after March loth.
Your faithful
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
78
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
BERLIN, February 25, '63.
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,
I tender my respectful thanks for the gracious letter of
yesterday's date, which I have just received, and will ask
Lt. Col. von Obernitz to take with him on Sunday despatches
for Count Bernstorff.
At the same time I beg most humbly to ask if your Royal
Highness commands an oral report from me on the present
situation before starting. What I can submit in writing
contains the draft of a despatch which was sent to Count
Goltz yesterday evening, and of which I do not, unfor-
tunately, possess a fair copy. Will your Royal Highness
therefore be indulgent towards the externals of the enclosure.
In deep respect, I am,
Your Royal Highness's
Most obedient
v. BISMARCK.
79
QBER-PRASIDENT SENFFT VON PILSACH TO BISMARCK.
STETTIN, May 9, '63.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I beg to be permitted to accompany the enclosed report
to the Royal Ministry of State with this letter. The object
ioa FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
of tills fefter is to explain a considerable portion of tne re-
port, and I address it personally and confidentially to your
Excellency only because I do not wish it to follow the usual
course through the bureaux.
It appears that the progressive party have circulated the
report that his Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, is
favourably inclined towards them. It is certain that this
is widely believed, and consequently all the efforts of the
Government to regain influence in certain circles are in vain.
The exhortation to be loyal to his Majesty the King, and
to his Majesty's Government, is frequently met, not only
by the lower classes, but also by educated men, with the
retort that the King's Majesty is old, and that his Royal
Highness the Crown Prince will summon a democratic Min-
istry as soon as he comes to the throne.
This pernicious prejudice must be eradicated if the great
dangers which threaten the Fatherland are to be removed.
What is required is that in some way or other his Roval
Highness, the Crown Prince, shall decisively and publicly
declare that he is in complete accord with the King's politi-
cal principles. There appears to be further urgent neces-
sity for this, as the dangers of a fresh outrage, which so
seriously threaten the precious life of his Majesty the King,
would thereby be counteracted. I most humbly suggest,
therefore, that the Royal Ministry of State should beg his
Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, to issue such a state-
ment. 1 remain,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
SENFFT v. PILSACH.
80
FREIHERR VON DER HEYDT, MINISTER OF STATE, TO
BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 7, '63.
Your Excellency will permit me to offer my congratu-
lations on the recent measures,* which were unfortunately
* The Press regulations of June I, 1863.
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 103
requisite. An energetic exercise of authority seems now
to be the first desideratum, to which all other considera-
tions must be subordinated.
The occurrence at Danzig, the result no doubt of in-
judicious promptings, is therefore all the more regrettable
and disconcerting. A King must be master in his own
house now more than ever, and everyone must be con-
vinced that such is actually the case. In my opinion the
inspection tour should be broken off, Duncker and Brun-
nemann should be at once removed from their posts by a
Royal order, and his Royal Highness should be prohibited
by an order from making any official statement on politics
that might suggest a censure of the measures taken by the
Government. This I regard as an absolute and immedi-
ate necessity.
If only there is no irresolution on any side, the effect
looked for will soon be apparent.
Your Excellency's
Most obedient
v. D. HEYDT.
81
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
PARIS, June 21, '63.
MOST ESTEEMED CHIEF,
You will see from my reports which leave here to-day
that the Emperor only briefly referred to our attitude to-
wards the Polish question; he spoke in a strikingly dry
and somewhat embarrassed tone, as if he found it disagree-
able to blame something to which he was aware no blame
could be attached. He made no remark when I showed
him how clearly justified we are in the position we have
adopted. Several reasons might be advanced for his de-
clining to enter into a discussion of the matter; my im-
pression is, however, that he is convinced there is nothing-
104 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
with which he can reproach us, and he certainly refrains
from laying down principles, as his minister* found it
necessary to do to Count Goltz recently in my presence.
Herr von Budberg, on whom I called yesterday immedi-
ately on my return, told me in confidence that when he
pressed Drouyn recently to give the practical reason for
French interference in Polish affairs the latter quite naively
owned that an independent Poland would be of great ser-
vice to France when she desired to exert pressure simul-
taneously on Prussia and on Austria. Although I have
not the least doubt that this is the only motive for the
French policy, it is singular that they have not been at
greater pains to keep the cloven foot out of sight.
All the opinions that I have been able to collect here
agree that Drouyn de Lhuys is a most violent agitator
in Polish affairs, and at the same time cherishes the most
unfriendly feelings towards us. His great ambition to
immortalise his name, as his predecessors did, by some
great action, may be urging him onwards. Furthermore,
he believes that this zeal will advance him in the Emperor's
favour, and he has an extravagant dread of having to re-
turn to his silkworms and his yaks. If only he does not
meet with the fate of so many of his predecessors who, in
the idea that they were pleasing the Emperor, let them-
selves go, and were left in the lurch once they shot out
beyond the goal.
I have made a point, during my stay at Fontainebleau,
of relating as many hitherto unknown stories of atrocities
committed by the Poles as possible, and these will, directly
or indirectly, reach the Emperor's ears. Heeckeren.f the
well-known trumpeter of the terrain here, has rendered me
* Drouyn de Lhuys, Thouvenel's successor as Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
f Baron Heeckeren, a French Senator, whom the Emperor Napoleon
III. frequently employed on confidential missions.
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 105
great assistance in this matter. As he is always mixed up
in great speculations he needs peace; he has, therefore,
daily preached to the Emperor the strong aversion exist-
ing in the Departments to a war for Poland. His reports
have a certain worth, for he won a good victory for the
government when he was sent on a special mission to
Alsace during the elections.
I have told Metternich* privately that by his political
attitude here he is arousing the suspicion of all the Cabi-
nets, and especially of the Conservatives in Germany.
He replied that he knew this quite well, but that he could
not act otherwise as Austria needs peace and she would
be threatened on all sides if France wished. He was con-
vinced, moreover, that Austria's participation in the col-
lective steps of the western powers would rather retard than
further them, etc., etc. As may be imagined, he is now very
much cajole; I do not, however, agree with the others who
maintain that Metternich sacrifices the Austrian policy to
his agreeable position in court; he carefully cherishes his
position at court, in order thereby to serve his policy.
I see in the newspapers that you are not going to Carls-
bad, but to some other watering-place. I regret this for
the res publica, though it may be better for your health.
I trust you will derive great benefit from your visit, and
am,
Your most obedient,
H. VII. REUSS.
82
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
STETTIN, June 30, '63.
I learn from your letter of the tenth inst. that, by com-
mand of his Majesty the King, you have abstained from
communicating officially to the Ministry pf State my pro-
* Prince Richard Metternich, Austrian Ambassador to Paris.
106 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
test against the Press-restrictions decree, which I sent you
from Graudenz on the third instant.
I can quite imagine that you would not find it unde-
sirable to treat as a purely personal matter a procedure
which, as you yourself acknowledge, might acquire general
importance in its consequences. It would avail nothing if
I insisted on that communication being presented, 1 and, in-
deed, as I gather from your letter, this will already have
been done on-officially. It is, however, of importance to
me to speak my mind clearly to you in respect of the alter-
native you put to me: to facilitate or to render more diffi-
cult the task before the Ministry. I cannot make it easier
for you, as I am on principle opposed to the decree.
^The principles which, in my opinion, must guide every
Government in its treatment of the country are: loyal ad-
ministration of the laws and the constitution, esteem for and
benevolence towards an easily guided, intelligent and capable
people. I cannot reconcile with these principles the policy
evinced in the regulation of June 1st.
You seek to prove to me that that decree is in accordance
with the constitution, and to assure me that you and your
colleagues are mindful of your oath. I think, however,
that a Government needs a firmer foundation than what are
at least extremely questionable interpretations, which do
not appeal to the healthy common-sense of the people. You
yourself refer to the fact that even your opponents esteem
the honesty of your convictions. I leave this statement un-
discussed 2 , but if you attach any value to the opinion of
your opponents you must be impressed by the circumstance
that the decided majority of the educated classes of our
people denies that the contents of the regulation in question
are in accord with the constitution. The Ministry knew be-
forehand that this would be the case, as it also knew that
the Landtag would never have sanctioned the contents of
that decree; therefore it did not lay the matter before the
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 107
Landtag, but settled it itself, and a few days afterwards pub-
lished the regulation by virtue of the powers granted by
Clause 63 of the constitution.
If the country does not recognise in this procedure a loyal
administration of the constitution, I should like to ask what
the Ministry has done to win public opinion over to its
own view. It has found no other means of coming to an
understanding with public opinion than by imposing silence
on it.
It is useless to waste words on the question as to how
the regulation can be made compatible with the esteem and
the benevolence due to a willing, loyal people, which, how-
ever, as the Government will not hear its voice, is con-
demned to assume the role of the mute.
And what results do you anticipate from this policy?
The pacification of agitated feelings, and the restoration of
peace ?
Do you imagine that you can pacify agitated feelings by
means of fresh violations of the sense of justice?
It is true, you expect to be more successful in the new
elections. 3 It appears to me to be contrary to human na-
ture to hope for a change of opinions which are constantly
being roused and irritated by the procedure of the Gov-
ernment.
I will tell you what results of your policy I foresee : You
will tamper with the constitution until it loses its value in
the people's eyes, and in this way you will incite anarchist
.endeavours which go beyond the constitution. You will
also be driven, whether you wish it or not, from one ven-
Ituresome interpretation to another, until finally the naked,
undisguised breach of the constitution is recommended.
I regard those who lead his Majesty the King, my most
gracious father, along such ways, as the most dangerous
jadvisers for the Crown and the Fatherland. 4 6
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
io8 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
P. S. Even before the first of this month I made a very
limited use of my right to be present at the sittings of the
Ministry of State.
After the convictions I have expressed above you will
not be surprised that I shall ask his Majesty the King to per-
mit me to abstain altogether in future from taking part in
the sittings during the continuance of the present Ministry.
To be constantly giving public and personal expression to
my opposition to the Ministry would accord neither with my
position nor with my inclination. I shall, however, impose
no constraint on myself in respect of expressing my opinion
in all other relations, and the Ministry may reckon on the
fact that it depends entirely on itself and on its further action
whether, notwithstanding my great reluctance to do so, I
shall feel compelled not to shrink from taking other public
steps, should duty seem to demand this.
F. ,W. K. P.*
July 2, '63.
Marginal notes by Bismarck:
1 No.
8 Not very polite.
8 No.
4 I not. B Youth is always ready with words!
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
(Draft)
CARLSBAD, July XQ, '63.
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,
I beg to announce that I have had the honour to receive
the letter of June 30, July 2.
Your Royal Highness says in it that a constant personal
expression of your opposition to the Ministry would accord
*The postscript was added at Putbus.
1863] CORRESPONDENCE 109
neither with your position nor your inclination. I believe,
therefore, that I shall be complying with your Royal High-
ness's wishes if I respectfully refrain from replying to the
judgment which your Royal Highness passes on the pro-
cedure of his Majesty's Government.
As regards the position which your Royal Highness
wishes to take in future towards the Government of His
Majesty the King, this is a matter of such great bearing on
the welfare and the future of the State, that, in my most
humble opinion, it cannot be brought up for discussion be-
fore the conclusion of the present "cure" without preju-
dicing the good effects looked for from the same on the
King. v. BISMARCK.
84
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
July 14, '63.
While thanking you for your letter of July loth, I
hasten, with reference to the concluding sentence, to re-
quest you most decidedly not to mention my intention to
his Majesty the King until you hear from his Majesty, or
from me, that his Majesty is already acquainted with it.
When I wrote to you that I would ask his Majesty to
relieve me from attendance at the sittings of the Ministry
of State, it was by no means my intention that his Majesty
should learn of my decision through you. I know quite
well that his Majesty must be spared all mental effort,
both now and after the " cure," and will myself discuss
my views and plans with his Majesty at a time which seems
to me suitable.
I expect, therefore, that you will not speak to the King
on this subject until you hear that his Majesty is acquainted
with my purposes.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
no FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1863
85
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
(Draft.)
BERLIN, July 16, '63.
I have just had the honour of receiving your Royal
Highness's letter of the i4th, and hasten most respect-
fully to inform your Royal Highness that I have not men-
tioned your Royal Highness's letter of the 2nd inst. to his
Majesty the King, and in accordance with your Royal
Highness's command will abstain from taking the initia-
tive in the matter. Some reports, respecting the contents
of your Royal Highness's correspondence with the King,
which have been circulated by the newspapers since the
2nd inst., unexpectedly came to the notice of his Majesty
the day before yesterday. In consequence of this his
Majesty summoned me again just before my departure
and commanded me to make investigations, with the
object of discovering how these communications found
their way into the Weser Zeitung.
I beg most respectfully to report to your Royal High-
ness that I leave Berlin again on Saturday, to join his
Majesty's suite at Regensburg, en route for Gastein, as the
King has commanded me to be present at the approaching
meeting with the Emperor of Austria.
v. BISMARCK.
86
BISMARCK TO GENERAL v. MANTEUFFEL.
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, July 16, '63.
To GENERAL VON MANTEUFFEL,
Carlsbad.
I have not mentioned the letter* and beg you also not to
do so. Sender has expressly requested this.
v. BISMARCK.
* Of June 30 (July 2) from the Crown Prince.
1864] CORRESPONDENCE in
87
GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 20, '64.
Enclosed I return you the papers. I hope to see the
King to-morrow, and to find him calm. No hindrance what-
ever must be placed in the way of the military action which
is already in progress, as it has determinative political
significance. If, therefore, there are any justified doubts
as to how far Austria shall participate I should like to ob-
ject to their being immediately formulated. As soon as the
war " concerning the occupation of Schleswig " actually
breaks out the probe will have to be applied, but not before
that happens. The most energetic joint operations in
Schleswig are not thereby precluded, and, in view of the
endeavour on the part of diplomacy to localise the war
within the boundaries of the Duchy, the military possibility
of such a modified aggression will have to be taken into
serious consideration. I doubt this possibility; I will, how-
ever, gladly omit from the instructions,* at least for the
present, everything that might hint at the continuation of
the war beyond the K6nigs-Au. It is easy to make good
afterwards any omissions on this score. I will have the in-
structions re-written, and will send them to you to-
morrow.
Permit me again to say how deeply I regret to-day's in-
cident, for which, though against my will, I am partly to
blame. This misunderstanding must not, however, be al-
lowed to work the ruin of Prussia, nor must it serve as a lad-
der on which revolution may mount to power. Now I under-
stand your objections. When you advanced them in the
Cabinet meeting to-day I did not understand them, and no
person with a military training would have understood
them. If, therefore, they were also not understood in the
*For Field-Marshal von Wrangel.
iia FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1864
highest quarter, and called forth expressions of impatience,
you must exercise justice and forbearance.
It will absolutely not do for you, for the sake of such
misunderstandings, to give up the game as lost and leave
the way clear. This is no reason, however, why the at-
tempt should not be made to discover in how far certain
ill-humour indicates a lack of confidence, and this attempt
I will make to-morrow. If such a lack of confidence ap-
pears actually to exist, nothing would remain to be done
but to regain what has been lost or to decline to do this
and retire from the field. As the latter is out of the ques-
tion, the first part of the alternative must be kept in view.
We must overcome all difficulties, or we shall be scoffed
and cursed. And why should we give up the game for lost?
Simply because in a few cases the proposal is not received
in the sense in which it is made, and things are looked at
through differently coloured glasses? Certainly not!
Therefore, my noble bear-hunter, be coolly calm, and
keep the aim preservation from democratic anarchy in
view; away with fretful agitation! Ask for equanimity and
a calm Jieart I ought perhaps to have written nothing but
this one last line.
Your faithful
v. ROON.
88
KING WILLIAM TO GENERAL VON ROON, MINISTER FOR
WAR.
BERLIN, April 2, '64.
The Minister for Finance has repeatedly suggested to me
that it would be very desirable, with a view to relieving the
finances, if circumstances permitted the reduction of some
of the troops which are now on a war footing; he men-
tioned, in particular, the infantry belonging to the sixth
army corps, pointing out that the object for which it was
augmented has now been attained. The latter is true
1864] CORRESPONDENCE nj
enough, but it has already been necessary to remove a
brigade of this corps to Frankfurt-on-the-Oder, in order,
on account of assuring the safety of the situation in Berlin,
to replace the ninth brigade. It is, therefore, impossible
to reduce the numbers of that brigade. Bismarck has also
repeatedly drawn my attention to the fact that by the em-
ployment of the greater part of the guard division before
Diippel the force occupying Jutland has become too weak,
so that the political object which it is intended to attain with
this occupation cannot be accomplished. He urges, there-
fore, an increase of the troops there. If the necessity
for the despatch of an infantry brigade on this account is
acknowledged, this would again be a reason against reduc-
ing the number of troops which have once been aug-
mented. The growing movement in Posen and West
Prussia must also be taken into account, and the outlook
there demands rather an increase than a reduction of the
troops, while the coast defence will permit of no weaken-
ing of the forces there.
I charge you, therefore, at once to arrange for a con-
ference with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Fi-
nance in order to discuss the points of view raised above,,
and to send me a joint report.
WILHELM.
89
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
HEADQUARTERS, FLENSBURG, April 5, '64.
I thank you very much for the political communications,,
and for your letter of March 30. I was interested at see-
ing from the latter that you wish to hear the opinion of the
constitutional representatives of the Duchies on the suc-
cession question, and also that there is a prospect of the
Bund troops co-operating in the defence of the east coast
of Holstein.
ii 4 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1864
As regards the question you put to me, whether it would
not be advisable to take more effective possession of Jutland
with the forces at our disposal, or whether it will be neces-
sary to draw in reinforcements for this object, to which you
join the request that I will assist in the occupation of the
whole mainland of Denmark, I have the following reply to
make.
From the military standpoint the troops at our disposal
seem to me sufficient to force contributions from Jutland by
means of expeditions, so that effective pressure can be put
on this country. There seems to me to be no reason as yet
for bringing up troops merely to perform such services.
I cannot, however, decide definitely on this question until
our brave troops have had the opportunity, for which we
have been waiting for eight weeks, to inflict a decisive blow
on the Danes, as after that we shall probably be able to
reckon on greater compliance on the part of the enemy than
has been the case heretofore.
I regret that I am unable to give you my support in
respect of the political side of the question you have ad-
dressed to me, as I am unacquainted with the aims of our
policy.
Your faithful
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
90
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK
HEADQUARTERS, FLENSBURG, April 17, '64.
I thank you very much for your letters of the nth and
1 2th inst. Your communication of the nth interested me
greatly, although I cannot obtain from it a view of the aims
of our policy which would enable me, from my standpoint,
to countenance any definite measure with conviction.
I do not consider that it is too early to appear before
public opinion with a fixed programme, and I fear that we
1 864] CORRESPONDENCE 115
shall gain nothing by seeking to postpone the definite solu-
tion, and indeed that we should thereby only increase the
European complication.
However this may be, we ought to have a fixed pro-
gramme at least for ourselves, the realisation of which
would still depend on circumstances. Instead of that the
only programme I find in your communication is that we
must " act according to circumstances," unless I am to draw
conclusions from indications of certain secret intentions
which are attributed to you, and with which it is true many
of your former utterances, especially in the last Councils at
which I was present before leaving to join the army, seem
to harmonise.
With regard to these secret ideas of a Prussian policy of
expansion, I will only state briefly that my opinion is that
the prosecution of them would entirely falsify our whole
German policy, and would probably place us in an un-
enviable position before Europe. It would not be the first
time that Prussia had tried to be better than everybody
else, only finally to find herself placed between two stools.
I have repeatedly seen the Bavarian General Freiherr von
der Tann, but have not discussed politics with him.
You will have received the last despatches through Herr
von Alvensleben.
Your most faithful
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
CASSEL, June 6, '64.
MOST ESTEEMED CHIEF,
I returned from Biickeburg this morning, and think you
might like to hear that you have very warm friends in that
little State. This was told to me in a way that leaves me
no room to doubt the sincerity of the feelings. The Prince,
u6 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1864
it is true, is regarded as being somewhat eccentric, and is
very much d cheval on the subject of his rights and the un-
impeachableness of the Bund rights; he takes the perfectly
correct standpoint, however, that it is no part of the task
of the smaller sovereigns to remind the great State of their
existence by means of useless pin-pricks, and thus to foster
in the latter the wish to see the former disappear. .
If you have a faithful friend in the Prince, you are re-
garded by his mother * as a higher being, and have become
a sort of article of belief to her. She gave me special instruc-
tions to remember her to you, and to say that she would be
very glad to see you again at Carlsbad.
Prince Frederick of Holstein-Gliicksburg, whom I met at
(Biickeburg, had just returned from a conference at Cologne
with his brother, the Duke. He told me they had agreed to
remain quiet and on their brother the King's f account to
engage in no demonstrations. Should the powers decide to
give the succession in the Duchies to the Augustenburg line,
they, he said, would be the first to acknowledge the decision.
The brothers would then, it is true, be placed in a position
to come to a " friendly " agreement with the new Duke with
regard to the family estates.
With ever the same esteem, I am,
Your very faithful
H. VII. P. REUSS.
92
PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK.
KlSSINGEN, 22 J J '64.
MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND,
Loe'n has been welcome. I will do my best to have him
fulfil your expectation in the capacity of telegraph-sta-
tion .or carrier-pigeon, although for the moment the move-
ment of daily events is slow.
* Ida, nfe Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont.
t Christian IX.
1 864] CORRESPONDENCE 117
As to the principal lines and questions of the future
which appear on a distant horizon, though it is not well to
lose sight of them, I reserve them for conversation with
you with the freedom which has warranted the excellent
relations which have always existed between us. In the
spirit of such relations I have received with peculiar pleas-
ure, by a telegram from Oubril, a confirmation of my hope
that on the occasion of our stay at Berlin you will make
an appearance. Loen* has sent you the Emperor's itiner-
ary. I shall not accompany His Majesty on the little ex-
cursions which he will make. I shall leave here the 3-15
July, so as to be in Berlin the 4-16, at the latest the 5-17,
and I shall leave with His Majesty on the evening of the
7-19.
The artists of Paris and London have made us speak of
many things to which neither of us have given any
thought. I do not trouble myself further with this
manoeuvre, of which the strings are visible. After a brief
contradiction we will abstain from all explication which
would have the air of a justification of which we have no
need.
Will you, I pray, lay my respects at His Majesty's feet.
I have been very happy to learn, as usual by Oubril, that
His Majesty has decided to forego the fatigues of a visit
to Vienna between the two cures of Carlsbad and Gastein.
It is impossible to surround with too many precautions
a health so precious and the conservation of the finest
chivalric character of our epoch.
I am unwilling to fatigue you with political affairs which
will naturally find their place in the personal chat upon
which I reckon ; but I would not close without begging
you to count invariably upon the sentiments of sincere
attachment which I feel toward you.
GORTCHACOFF.
* Military attache at St. Petersburg.
n8 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1864
93
THE DUKE OF MORNY * TO BISMARCK.
PARIS, July 7, '64.
MY DEAR MINISTER,
I have seen His Majesty, as I had promised you, and
have related to him our conversation. The Emperor is
very grateful to you for the sentiments which you have
expressed to me; on his part he has altogether approved
my objections. He believes that not to stir will best
suit the situation of the whole world this year; after the
events of all kinds which have occurred in the different
countries, and the impressions which these events have
caused, any step would give rise to interpretations more
or less absurd and embarrassing. Tranquillity will then be
preferable.
Nevertheless he thoroughly understands your scruples
as to the impression to which a conference of three would
give rise. He thanks you for the efforts which you make
to hinder it, and should it occur in spite of you, employ
such means as in your opinion would remedy the situation.
Here is the resume of my action, which I give you al-
together in confidence and solely for yourself, delighted
to have had the occasion of meeting you at Baden: al-
though you have not given me any flowers, as the " In-
dependence " claims, I beg you to believe in my distin-
guished and devoted sentiments. MORNY.
94
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
CASSEL, September 21, '64.
MOST ESTEEMED CHIEF,
I returned yesterday from my journey to Schwalbach,
where I found the exalted ladyf very satisfied with out
* President of the French legislative body, son of Queen Hortense
and Count Flabault.
tThe Empress Eugenie.
1864] CORRESPONDENCE 119
King's visit. She has a great tendre for him personally, and
was quite touched by the empressement his majesty showed
in finding out where she was. This, and her reception gen-
erally in Germany, have made a very favourable impression,
which it is hoped will be permanent.
The Empress's attention was less agreeably occupied with
the consideration of the question whether she would go to
Baden or not. The Queen has invited here there through
the Duchess of Hamilton, but she could arrive at no decision,
and wished first to write to the Emperor on the subject.
" Si le roi y etait, firais certainement," she said to me.
As the Empress intends to prolong her " cure " into the
month of October, it is not at all improbable that the King
will be there before she leaves.
The reason why the Elector is not going to Berlin after
all is that he fears that Czar Alexander might be unfriendly
towards him. When he and his Arcadian * Prince once re-
ceived the Czar at the station here, the latter treated him
very coolly, and he fears the same may happen again. He
will, nevertheless, greet the Czar as he passes through to-day.
Everything was settled and arranged for the journey to
Berlin, when the Elector was seized with this apprehension
which nobody can understand.
I should be very grateful to you if I could soon have my
letters of recall, and am, with the most sincere esteem,
Your very faithful
H. VII. P. REUSS.
95
GENERAL COUNT v. NOSTITZ TO BISMARCK.
ZORTEN, NEAR LoEWENBERG,
SILESIA, November 26, '64.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
It will be a satisfaction to your Excellency to know that a
man who has given frequent proofs of true patriotism dur-
*/. c. Of unequal birth.
120 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1865
ing a long and momentous life heartily rejoices at the well-
earned honour bestowed on you in being created a Knight of
the Order of the Black Eagle, and greets you cordially as a
colleague. Supported on the battle-field by his brave army,
and in the Cabinet by your wise and energetic counsel, our
illustrious King has restored to Prussia her former position
in Europe, the firm foundation for which was laid by Fred-
erick the Great.
The Fatherland will ever be grateful to its King, and
to those who rendered him such powerful assistance, and
Prussian history will make their names immortal.
With genuine esteem,
Your Excellency's sincerely devoted
COUNT v. NOSTITZ.
General of Cavalry.
96
ADOLF v. KLEIST, PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, TO
BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 7, '65.
MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND,
I dare not interfere unrequested in this extremely delicate
matter,* and least of all draw your wife into it ; when, there-
fore, she referred to it yesterday evening I did not enter into
it. I feel bound, however, to bring to your notice a letter
which I have just received from Gerlach, and tp remark
that I quite agree with it and do not consider the insult in
itself is of a nature to demand such an issue; all men of
honour with whom I have discussed the affair are of the
same opinion and also are of opinion that a very serious
* Bismarck had challenged Virchow to a duel with pistols for having,
in the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies on June 2, reproached the
Minister- President with lack of veracity.
CORRESPONDENCE 121
precedent would be established for all the Ministers of his
Majesty the King if such affairs had to have such an issue.
.With the old esteem,
Your faithfully devoted,
v. KLEIST.
Kindly return Gerlach's letter without any answer; my
services in any capacity are, of course, at your disposal.
97
v. NATZMER TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 7, '65.
ESTEEMED BISMARCK,
You will pardon me, and attribute it to the great esteem
in which I hold you, if I meddle in your affairs without being
asked to do so. My object is to ask permission to step into
your place if an insidious bullet should prevent you from
continuing the fight. The caprices of fate are inscrutable,
and my excitement over your affair is so great that I can-
not express it to you.
Once more I beg you to forgive my obtrusiveness, not to
misconstrue my intention, and to permit me the assurance of
my devotion in any eventuality.
With expressions of the highest regards,
Your
C. E. NATZMER.
98
BISMARCK TO PROF. VIRCHOW.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
During the sitting on the 2nd inst. you personally in-
sulted me by casting doubt upon my veracity. On the fol-
lowing day I requested you, through Herr v. Puttkamer,*
to grant me the satisfaction to which I consider myself en-
titled. Your reply led me to hope that you would settle the
matter with an apology, but the negotiations which have
been interrupted by your absence have not produced this
result.
*Bernhard v. Puttkamer, Captain in the second Guard regiment
122 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [186$
I am, therefore, compelled to repeat my demand for sat-
isfaction made on the 3rd inst., and to ask you to state if
you are ready to comply with my demand made to you
through Herr v. Puttkamer. In this case I beg you to name
one of your friends to make further arrangements respecting
place and time with the Minister for War, who will be kind
enough to act as my witness.
Awaiting your kind reply, I am,
Your obedient servant,
V. BlSMARCK-SCHONHAUSEN.
99
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
DEAR B.,
I have just been to Virchow's and found that he had gone
out at 7 o'clock. I am now going to the Chamber, where,
if possible, I will execute my commission. All things con-
sidered, it seems to me that you can hardly settle the busi-
ness in question in time to leave for Stralsund this evening.
I will do my best, however. Your
v. ROON.
100
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO VIRCHOW.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
As I have endeavoured in vain yesterday evening and this
morning to find you at your home, in order to execute a
commission I have undertaken, I beg you to grant me a mo-
ment in the Ministers' room. I leave you to choose the most
convenient moment. Faithfully yours,
v. ROON.
101
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
The President [of the House of Deputies] has declared,
on the motion of Forckenbeck, that Virchow may not fight,
1865] CORRESPONDENCE 123
and that it is for the House alone to decide whether a Min-
ister is insulted. I replied : " A man is the guardian of his
own honour."
The discussion on the subject has been going on for three-
quarters of an hour. At the present moment the lion of the
tribe of Judah is roaring. The shorthand report shall be
sent to you as soon as possible.
v. ROON.
My letter to Virchow cannot be delivered, as he has not
returned home. I enclose it herewith.
102
MINISTER F. zu EULENBURG TO BISMARCK.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
PRENZLAU, June 8, '65.
Send news to Stralsund immediately.
EULENBURG.
103
BISMARCK TO MINISTER F. zu EULENBURG.
(Telegraphic despatch.)
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
Several hours' debate this morning on Forckenbeck's mo-
tion declaring duels inadmissible for deputies. No statement
yet obtained from Virchow as to acceptance or refusal.
BISMARCK.
104
v. HENNIG TO v. KEUDELL.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
I have received no further intelligence as to whether you
consider that there is no longer a prospect of the difference
between Herr v. Bismarck and Prof. Virchow being
adjusted.
Prof. Virchow wishes to end the matter and has charged
me to inform you that he considers that he has done every-
124 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1865
thing possible on his part towards a settlement in expressing
his readiness to make the statement desired by Bismarck
on one condition, at which no offence can be taken. As no
reply has as yet been received to this I am further charged to
inform you that Prof. Virchow decidedly declines to fight a
duel, the more so as the affair has been made public through
no fault of his, and has even been discussed to-day in the
Chamber of Deputies. His political friends, and also the
President of the House, have imposed on him as a duty the
non-acceptance of the duel.
Kindly acquaint Herr von Bismarck with this, and at the
same time inform him that Prof. Virchow is ready to make
the promised statement in the House, with the condition
formulated by me ; I would add explicitly that only the sense
and not the wording of the latter is of moment to him.
Respectfully yours,
HENNIG.
105
v. KEUDELL TO WAR MINISTER v. ROON.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I have the honour to submit the enclosed for your infor-
mation, and most obediently to state that I have replied to
Herr von Hennig that I am no longer empowered to receive
statements from Prof. Virchow. v. KEUDELL.
1 06
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.*
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
Herr Virchow replied by my messenger who took the
letter of which you are acquainted, that he would come to me
this evening between 7 and 8 o'clock. Until now, 9 o'clock,
* Affixed to v. Keudell's letter.
1865] CORRESPONDENCE 125
he has not appeared. In these circumstances I consider the
affair, in view of to-day's proceedings in the Chamber of
Deputies, as essentially settled. v. ROON.
107
PROF. VIRCHOW TO GEN. VON ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR.
(Undated. Postmark, July 8, '65, 9 A. M.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I beg to reply to your favour of to-day's date that Herr v.
Hennig has to-day informed Herr v. Keudell in my name:
1, that I decline the duel.
2, that I am ready to make the statement in the House
desired by the Minister-President as soon as I receive the
Minister-President's assurance that there was no personal
insult intended to the members of the committee in his re-
marks on Hannibal Fischer.
As I have gone to the utmost bounds of possibility in
making this concession, I should be glad if any further nego-
tiations respecting the wording of the statement might be
conducted, as heretofore, through the medium of Herr v.
Hennig.
Accept the assurance of my highest esteem, with which I
subscribe myself
Your Excellency's most respectful
R. VIRCHOW.
Member of the House of Deputies.
1 08
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.*
It is sufficient in my opinion that Herr Virchow 'declines
the duel. . . Further negotiations for which I am, of
* Marginal note to Virchow's letter.
n6 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1865
course, always at your disposal will lead to nothing.
There is no doubt of that, especially as Herr Virchow re-
fuses personal negotiation with me, and interposes Hennig,
who is responsible for to-day's parliamentary comedy.
v. R.
109
REGIERUNGSRATH ZITELMANN TO BISMARCK.
June 8, '65.
Virchow was in the Charite Hospital until about twelve
o'clock ; the red Becker * called for him there, bringing with
him a letter from Hennig, and the two drove off to the
House of Deputies. It is evident from this that Virchow
was privy to the scene in the Chamber.
ZITELMANN.
no
REGIERUNGSRATH ZITELMANN TO BISMARCK.
June 8, '65.
Virchow told Faddel f at two o'clock that he declines the
duel, and that Herr v. Hennig will write to Heir v. Putt-
kamer on the subject to-day.
ZITELMANN.
in
COUNT ARNIM-BOYTZENBURG TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 8, '65.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I have just heard of the Virchow affair, on my return
from the country. As many of your Excellency's intimate
* Hermann Becker, member of the Progressist party, afterwards
Burgomaster of Cologne,
f Member of the Progressist party in the Chamber of Deputies.
1865] CORRESPONDENCE 127
acquaintances are away, I beg of you to dispose of me if I
can be in any way useful; otherwise do not take up your
time with replying to me.
May God be with you!
Your
COUNT ARNIM-BOYTZENBURG.
112
GENERAL COUNT NOSTITZ TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, J*ne 9, '65.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
The sincere sympathy I feel towards you keeps me also in
a state of apprehension concerning the result of the step you
have taken against Herr Virchow, and excuses my indiscre-
tion in asking you for a few confidential lines on this affair.
I hope you will not refuse me this.
With true respect and esteem,
COUNT v. NOSTITZ.
MINISTER F. zu EULENBURG TO BISMARCK.
STRALSUND, June 9, '65.
Many thanks for your telegram, my dear friend. You
cannot think how anxious we were during the whole of
yesterday; I was unable to swallow any food until a reas-
suring telegram came from Roon, and finally your own
late in the evening. Do telegraph or write to me again
telling me how the affair is definitely settled. I shall be at
Putbus to-day and to-morrow. Everything went off well
here yesterday, only the thought of you disquieted your
friends.
Most cordially yours, EULENBURG.*
* Prof. Virchow made the apology, referred to above, in the Chamber
of Deputies on June 17th, 1865.
128 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1865
114
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, June 18, '65,
It is stated in this morning's National Zeitung that
the Crown Prince arrived at Potsdam yesterday from Pom-
erania. Do you know of this? Is it at your suggestion,
on account of to-morrow's meeting of the Council?
Should you know nothing about it I will endeavour to
find out by a telegraphic enquiry, though I should prefer
not to do so owing to the attendant fuss. I am not at all
well. Good morning ! Your
v. ROON.
"5
BISMARCK TO WAR MINISTER v. ROON.
June 18, '65.
I have just learned by telegraph that the Crown Prince
is at Potsdam, where he will remain until to-morrow morn-
ing. I shall request his Royal Highness to grant me an
audience after the dinner, for which I leave at 2 o'clock.
Shall I say that you would like to see him, too, or are you
not well enough for that? In any case I heartily wish that
you will soon be better. Your
v. BISMARCK.
116
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
CARLSBAD, July 15, '65.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS CROWN PRINCE,
Your Royal Highness will gather from the enclosed ex-
tracts the essential contents of the notes which, by com-
mand of his Majesty the King, were addressed to the Vienna
Cabinet on the nth inst. and yesterday. Lack of time and
an insufficient staff here render it impossible to give the
courier a more complete statement of the extensive cor-
1865] CORRESPONDENCE 129
respondence which has passed during the past few days be-
tween Berlin and Vienna. The enclosure gives the result-
ing situation, however. In order to be prepared for all
eventualities, the King's Majesty intends to direct that the
funds necessary for a possible mobilisation shall be pro-
vided without contracting a loan, and at the same time to
give instructions that such improvements of the military
equipment as were already decided on shall be pushed for-
ward as much as possible. In order that the requisite reso-
lutions may be taken, a meeting of the Council will be held
at Regensburg on the 2ist inst, to which, by his Majesty's
orders, I am to-day summoning the Ministers. His Maj-
esty was of opinion that the distance will prevent your Royal
Highness from being present; I consider, however, that I
ought to inform your Royal Highness of the position of
affairs as quickly as is possible without a telegram cypher.
Should your Royal Highness not come to Regensburg, I beg
most respectfully to be allowed to make a further report
after the Council meeting, and after the interview I shall
have the next day with Baron von der Pfordten. At the
same time I beg to ask whether your Royal Highness will
not order a cypher to be sent by the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs, to render the telegraphic correspondence more
secure. One of your Royal Highness's adjutants will no
doubt understand how to use the cypher. I beg most
humbly to suggest that your Majesty's commands in this
matter be sent direct to Herr v. Thile. I take the liberty
of most respectfully pointing out the necessity, both from a
political and a financial point of view, in order to prevent
a fall in the quotations of the stocks the State intends to
realise, of preserving the most rigid secrecy with respect to
the situation and the steps it is proposed to take.
Your Royal Highness's
Obedient servant,
v. BISMARCK.
130 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1866
117
WAR MINISTER v. ROON TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 14, '65.
I was at your door, but not at your bedside, at half past
twelve to-day to ask you perhaps superfluously not to fix
any sitting of the Ministry of State, at which my presence
might be desired for Friday evening or Saturday, as I wish
to be out of town for thirty-six hours.
I hope your sleep was as good as it was long !
His Majesty seems inclined to withdraw two infantry
regiments from Schleswig. Your
v. ROON.
118
THE MARQUIS WIELOPOLSKI TO BISMARCK.
DRESDEN, May 8, '66.
COUNT,
Since it has been given to me to make the acquaintance
of Your Excellency, I have never ceased to follow with
a constant and sympathetic interest the phases of your
noble and courageous career.
The news of the crime* against your person has keenly
stirred me; and I hasten to assure Your Excellency of my
delight in the preservation of your life, and sincerely to
congratulate you.
With many others I frame the most ardent wishes that,
God helping, your grand work shall be accomplished, in
order to become a shelter to the true civilisation and a
bulwark of social order, which anarchistic intrigues, prac-
tised by opposing factions as well in the lowest dregs of
society as at its summit in the name of a blind power, cause
to-day to totter upon its foundations.
Accept, Count, the assurance of my true and profound
respect. THE MARQUIS WIELOPOLSKI.
*Of May 7. Blind's.
1 866] CORRESPONDENCE 131
119
THE CHAMBERLAIN OF THE CROWN PRINCE'S HOUSEHOLD,
A. ZU EULENBURG, TO BlSMARCK.
NEW PALACE, NEAR POTSDAM, May 24, '66.
I am commanded by his Royal Highness the Crown Prince
to express his regret that he did not see you and the Count-
ess to-day. His Royal Highness sent me to find your Ex-
cellency, but your carriage was just leaving the Palace.
With the highest esteem and respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient
A. zu EULENBURG.
1 20
PRINCE FRIEDRICH KARL TO BISMARCK.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FIRST ARMY.
GORLITZ, June 15, '66, 10 A. 1C.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I still do not know what decisions have been arrived at
by the Government, especially whether the troops are to
march into Saxony on the i6th, after war has been declared.
We shall no doubt receive the necessary orders and com-
munications to-day.
I also do not know whether we shall declare war against
Bavaria as well. With respect to this point I send you these
lines, which are possibly superfluous, if you yourself have
already thought what I shall say.
Should we declare war against Bavaria, I consider it de-
sirable, from a military standpoint, that we should induce
Italy, which has a much superior force available against
Austria, to make as strong a diversion as possible towards
the Bavarian Tyrol and towards Bavaria generally.
Your Excellency's faithful servant,
FRIEDRICH KARL.
132 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1866
121
PRINCE FRIEDRICH KARL TO BISMARCK.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FIRST ARMY.
GtfRLiTz, June 17, '66, midday.
MY MOST ESTEEMED COUNT,
I received your yesterday's letter this morning, and your
two telegrams yesterday afternoon and evening.
The population in Saxony was extremely astonished at my
entry with the troops, but was anything but hostile. It
evinced the utmost willingness in the matter of billeting
and of requisitions for the welfare of the troops.
We have no orders to enforce contributions, which the
enemy would certainly do in our territory. I have only had
some public funds confiscated.
General Count Bismarck (your cousin) will set out to-
morrow with a regiment of the Bliicher Hussars and of the
1st Pomeranian Lancers, for a three days' expedition to-
wards Dresden, to circulate false reports, to take possession
of public money, to affix everywhere my proclamations to
the Saxons breathing peace and love, and to let Prussians
be seen everywhere.
The railway to Lobau or to Bautzen will be ready by
to-morrow.
I know nothing of the Austrians, except what comes from
Berlin.
I am still without orders from his Majesty, but am grad-
ually concentrating round Gorlitz, so that I shall be able,
from the day after to-morrow, to execute any commission
that may be given me. The weather is favourable for
marching.
I should be very glad if you would send me Herr von
Radowitz to assist me in diplomatic matters. He considers
that he can be spared from Paris now, and wishes to have
this or a military appointment under me. 1 He could have
the latter too, and I once more urgently request to have him.
1866] CORRESPONDENCE 133
I wish we could soon settle Hanover and Hesse. We
know nothing here of Goben and Baier, and of Manteuffel
only that he is marching via Hamburg into Hanover.
Your faithful friend and servant,
FRIEDRICH KARL.
My opinion is that a large number of Bavarians will
oppose us before the end of a fortnight, probably on the
southern side of the Erz-gebirge if Herwarth is energetic.
Marginal note by Bismarck:
1 Yes.
122
PRINCE HENRY LXVII. OF REUSS, YOUNGER LINE,
TO BISMARCK.
GERA, June 21, '66.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I must apologise for troubling you with a letter at this
grievous, evil time.
As an old Prussian, and a faithful adherent of the Royal
House, I would like to be sure that your Excellency has no
hostile intentions towards me or my country ; I am convinced
that my gracious patron, his Majesty the King, has none.
Your Excellency will be aware of the fact that I did not vote
against Prussia in the Bundestag; it was perfectly in order
that I complied with the instructions of the then existing
Military Commission, and sent to Rastatt. I beg and ex-
pect, therefore, that no hostile attitude may be taken
against me and my country; that is to say, that the latter
may not be punished with having troops billeted upon it,
etc., and that my battalion may remain quietly at Rastatt.
With the highest esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient
HEINRICH LXVII. FURST REUSS, J. L.
134 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1866
123
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
HERINGSDORF, August 9, '66.
The evidences of Napoleonic hunger you have sent me
are most remarkable. While thanking you very much for
the enclosures, I must admit that I should not have con-
sidered such unheard-of demands possible in the present cir-
cumstances. Either Napoleon does not think seriously of
attaining them, or he has not told Goltz what he really in-
tends to do or to abstain from doing.
If Napoleon persists in hankering after the whole left
bank of the Rhine, we shall have every reason to be grate-
ful to him for helping us towards the speedy union of
Germany under one head. For, even if they are reluctant to
do so, the Germans could in that case do nothing but join
the North-German Bund. . . .
I meet my family on Sunday, the I2th, and, according to
circumstances, continue the same night to Erdmannsdorf,
or stay in Berlin and then go to Silesia for occasional " rest
days." Your most obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
124
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
August 12, '66, 7 p. M.
The Crown Princess would be glad to see you to-day, as
she resumes her journey to Silesia at n o'clock to-night.
If your health permits you to come to me at 8 o'clock, I
shall expect you in my palace ; but if you feel too done up, I
will come to you.
Verbal * answer requested.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
* Twice underlined in the original.
1867] CORRESPONDENCE 135
125
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, February 21, '67.
I am much obliged to you for sending me the memoran-
dum on the subjects we discussed on January 3ist, and
am extremely pleased by the views which underlie it. I
quite agree that the formation of a great state, including
also South Germany, should be the aim and the guiding-
star of our policy, so that everything, even the Saxon ques-
tion, must be subordinated to this point of view.
I am also very pleased to find in the memorandum much
that you then told me by word of mouth, although, if my
memory serves me faithfully, you emphasised the necessity
of national unity and the purely provisional character of
the North-German Bund, etc., etc., much more strongly
than appears from the memorandum.
As I know nothing reliable about the conclusion of the
military convention with Saxony, except what I have seen
in the Saxon newspapers, I cannot give an opinion on the
subject. I can only wish that Prussia has reserved to her-
self an important right, permitting the King of Prussia to
dispose at all times of the Royal Saxon troops equally with
the Prussian army corps.
There is no denying the fact that our policy is endan-
gered by the malevolence and ambition of France. We
must face this danger boldly, but it is too great for us to
provoke; I am, however, greatly reassured by the decided
manner in which you expressed the desire to me on Janu-
ary 3 ist to avoid a war with France.
Permit me only to express the hope that you may succeed
in bringing those principles of national policy to bear in
the treatment of our relations with South Germany and
with the little rulers, who are tired of their sovereignty,
and also in directing the affairs of the forthcoming Reichs-
136 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1867
tag; all this will certainly demand much patience, and
perhaps also, to use your own words, will render it neces-
sary for us to relinquish the idea of following our own
natural impulses.
With respect to the Reichstag, I regret that you found
it necessary to oppose the bill for the protection of faithful
reports of the debates in the Reichstag. I am looking for-
ward with emotion to the opening day, and am firmly con-
vinced that out of the debates of this Reichstag will pro-
ceed a definite starting-point for the destinies of our great
Fatherland.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
126
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
POTSDAM, May 13, '67.
With best thanks for your letter of Saturday, I would
mention that the King yesterday (Sunday) expressed him-
self against the Crown Princess's imminent journey, on the
grounds that this would be a kind of empressement with
which we ought not to honour Napoleon.
The visit, however, which we both were to pay, has been
so long talked about that, in my opinion, it would be very
marked if the Crown Princess were now to remain behind.
Furthermore, we wish to conclude our stay in Paris on
May 3ist, so as not to meet the Russians. There has, too,
always been a question of my paying a second visit, for the
distribution of the prizes in July, on which occasion the
Crown Princess could not accompany me, as she has been
ordered to the sea-side.
I wished to communicate these points of view to you, as
his Majesty intends to discuss the question with you to-day.
Your
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
1867] CORRESPONDENCE 137
127
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 28, '67.
MOST ESTEEMED CHIEF,
I have not mentioned in my official reports the extreme
interest with which the Grand-Duchess Helene has fol-
lowed the last political phase, and that she has used her ut-
most endeavour to exert her influence in her own peculiar
way in our favour.
She was, from the beginning, under no illusion as to
the anything but friendly intentions of the French Cabinet,
and even to-day she has no great confidence in the peace.
She has never approved of the idea of the Czar's journey,*
and was only won over to it when it was decided that the
two gentlemen would go at the same time. She was quite
beside herself when it seemed as if the King's visit were
compromised, and I believe that she encouraged the Czar
in insisting so strongly on the simultaneous presence of
our most gracious master. She was extremely glad, there-
fore, when I told her to-day that the King has decided to
be in Paris on the 5th.
I will not recur to the many transformations through
which Gortchakoff has passed of late; I believe I have faith-
fully reproduced them in my reports. I am inclined to think
that he now honestly wishes that the Czar may not make
his appearance in Paris without our King. He was really
afraid of a coolness arising between us, and he feared this
eventuality very much on account of his Oriental policy,
as all the others were beginning to turn their backs on
him; even Italy, with whom he had coquetted so much.
Trepoff f has just told me of the view held by the public
at large on the visit; I have heard it repeatedly myself, and
will not withhold it from you. There is a strong feeling
* To Paris for the Exhibition.
t Chief of the Police in St. Petersburg.
138 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1867
against the Czar undertaking the journey. The people
argue, however, that as the King of Prussia intends to go
with the Czar, and as Count Bismarck will have advised the
King to do this, there can be nothing foolish in it, and
hence they quite agree that the Czar should pay the visit.
With sincere esteem,
Your obedient
H. VII. P. REUSS.
128
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 7, '67.
MOST ESTEEMED CHIEF,
Prince Gortchakoff desires me to express his sympathy
with you in your renewed indisposition. I am to tell you
from him that you should not vex yourself about the Cham-
bers; he maintains that it is much better for a Minister
when he can reply in public to the attacks made on him and
his policy, than when, as is constantly his own case, he feels
himself attacked in the dark without being able effectively
to defend himself. With respect to our financial position,
he considers it decidedly wise of us not to think of living on
our capital, and were he a Prussian Minister he would not,
in view of the order prevailing in our finances, and of our
reserves, take the matter so much to heart.
The Prince thinks of commencing his leave at the begin-
ning of July (new style), and will probably go to Baden
to drink the Homburg waters; then he intends to rest a
few weeks, and finally to undergo a grape-cure, perhaps on
Lake Como. He would thus be back again here at the be-
ginning of October.
It is rumoured here that Count Chotek is to be appointed
Austrian Minister, but nothing has transpired as to who is
to be sent to Vienna. Shouvaloff believes that Gortchakoff
destines Waloujeff for a diplomatic post, as he fears his in-
1867] CORRESPONDENCE 139
fluence here and regards him as a possible rival. Schouvaloff
would like to see Waloujeff in the aged Paul Gagarin's po-
sition, as president dn conseil. This gentleman, although
he is eighty-one years of age, has, however, such a healthy
digestion, that there seems no prospect of his either retiring
or dying.
With best wishes for your speedy recovery, and sincere
esteem, Your obedient
H. VII. P. REUSS.
129
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
MlSDROY, AugUSt I, '67.
Whenever I have considered that the situation in our
state was serious, I have come to you to set forth my views
and to hear yours. It seems to me that matters are very
strained just at present, so I am writing to you in the hope
that you will send me a reply.
From all that I read and hear, it becomes ever
clearer to me that we are losing the confidence of the na-
tional party, that this is especially the case with the an-
nexed countries, and that South Germany can feel less
sympathy towards us than ever. We are losing our pres-
tige, to which our victories in 1866 contributed, and are
aiding and abetting in a most welcome manner the in-
trigues with which we are surrounded, and which are
directed both from France and Austria as well as from
Denmark.
There is increasing discontent in the country at the
measures of your colleagues, Eulenburg and Lippe, which
is greatly fostered by the prosecution of such men as Twes-
ten and Lasker. You know as well as I do what these two
are responsible for during the sittings of the Reichstag,
and I cannot understand how we are to be benefited by
adopting severe measures against such persons.
i 4 o FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1867
In Hanover the bitter feeling that already prevails is
aggravated by the judicial measures, and also by the fact
that the Queen was allegedly personally annoyed before her
departure.
In Hesse there are loud and frequent complaints at the
treatment of the question of the public funds, and at the
replacement of the older officials by young- Landrathe.*
In Frankfurt complaint is made of continued lack of
consideration and of the excessive financial burdens laid
on the town.
I am not in a position to judge how much truth or how
much exaggeration there is in these reproaches. There is,
however, no denying the fact that an estrangement has
arisen in circles which were once devoted to us, and which
lent us support; one frequently hears the remark made also
that it is inexplicable why the new territories were not at
once incorporated, instead of their being subjected to a
year's Royal dictatorship which has now degenerated into
despotism and imposes trenchant measures of all kinds,
producing the very worst impression.
The prevalence of dissatisfaction in Schleswig-Holstein
is as well known to you as is the frequently repeated re-
proach that " there is a lack of organising talent in Prus-
sia." Finally, one often hears it said that the promise to
recognise justified peculiarities has become a mere phrase;
the treatment thus far has been so defective that Prussia
is bringing discredit upon herself.
In matters relating to our foreign policy you are better
informed than I. The French Government may have in-
tended to soften down the despatch on Schleswig-Hol-
stein; the said document has, however, not failed in its
object to produce a disquieting effect ; I cannot but return
to my old theme: why did we not draw the frontier lin^?
* A Landrath is a government official placed at the head of a country,
district
1867] CORRESPONDENCE 141
To revert once more to your colleagues, you must re-
member that since July of last year you have characterised
the Ministers of the Interior and Justice as pernicious and
incapable. The mischief that these Ministers have accom-
plished is now becoming more evident than ever, especially
since the Upper House was compelled to perceive that
nothing more was to be said in defence of Lippe. Can
anything whatever be done with such Ministers for the wel-
fare of the narrower and the wider Fatherland, especially
when it is more than ever necessary for us to have peace at
home in order to be as strong as possible against attack
from outside, and we have to regain respect and confidence.
I urgently bring these important questions home to you
in the conviction that, if you wish it, you will find a solu-
tion for them ; I am ready at all times to offer you my help
if you feel you need it, and am,
Your obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
130
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
MlSDROY, August 2, '67.
My yesterday's letter had only just gone when I received
from a third party a treatise written by a native Hanover-
ian. The clear exposition of the present situation and of
the means by which abuses might be remedied bears the
stamp of truth, and it is at the same time a testimony to
the Prussian tendencies of a new subject. For these rea-
sons I will lose no time in having a copy of the treatise
sent to you, so that, if you think it advisable, you can com-
municate it to his Majesty.
Your
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
P. S. The writer has no idea that I have his treatise.
i 4 2 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1868
PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK.
BUCHAREST, January 15-27, '68.
MOST HONOURED COUNT,
I am extremely pleased to see, from the reports of Fried-
lander, my Cabinet Chancellor, how warmly you espouse
Roumania's and my interests. I feel impelled to hasten to
express to you my most hearty thanks for this, and to beg
your Excellency to be convinced that I appreciate it very
highly. Prussia, however, will always have in me a zeal-
ous representative of her interest in the Orient. I keep
Count Keyserlingk, who always places himself at my dis-
posal in the most obliging manner, au courant of all that
occurs, so that he will be able to send your Excellency full
reports.
I am indignant at the unauthorised indiscretions of
Demetre Bratiano * in Vienna ; I have sent him definite
orders to keep strictly within the limits of his mission, which
is to deal with the Consular jurisdiction question and Post
and Patent matters. The Chamber will soon begin its work,
and I look for favourable results from it under Bratiano's
able direction.
With kindest regards to your Excellency, I remain,
Most honoured Count,
Your obedient
CARL.
132
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
Friday, March 6, '68.
I should be glad, if your time permits it, to see you on
Saturday morning between 10 and 12 o'clock.
I propose this time, as you told me recently that you can
* Brother of Joan Bratiano, the Roumanian Minister.
1869] CORRESPONDENCE 143
now dispose of your mornings and evenings; tell me can-
didly, however, if it is inconvenient for you, as I would then
like to fix our interviews for next week.
I shall come to you in your house.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
133
PRESIDENT SIMSON TO BISMARCK.
FRANKFURT ON THE ODER, January 31, '69.
MOST HONOURED FEDERAL CHANCELLOR AND MINISTER-
PRESIDENT,
The King's Majesty has been graciously pleased, as I have
just been informed by a telegram from the Minister for
Justice, to appoint me first President of the Court of Appeals
here.
I know quite well to whom and to whom alone I owe
this promotion, which crowns my official career in a manner
affording me the most intense satisfaction. In deciding to
propose me for this important position, your Excellency
must have exerted great forbearance in many points, and
have magnanimously forgotten very much.
The feeling of deep gratitude which your Excellency has
imposed on me, and which I bear gladly, becomes only all
the more inextinguishable in me. My hope is that I may
still be permitted to co-operate however modestly in the
great plans which fill your soul, and of the partial realisa-
tion of which we have already been admiring and aston-
ished witnesses.
With every good wish for your Excellency, and trusting
that you may be pleased to continue your favour towards
me, I am, in deep respect,
Your Excellency's obedient servant,
PRESIDENT SIMSON.
144 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1869
134
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
February 25, '69.
I understand that serious consideration is being given
to the question of transferring Miinchhausen from the post
of Ober-Prasident of Pomerania to that of Ober-Prasi-
ident of East Prussia.
Considering the special relations in which I stand to the
Province of Pomerania, you will not take it amiss if I ex-
press the wish that this project may not be carried into
effect.
During the two years of his administration of his present
office Miinchhausen has succeeded, by his tactful and con-
ciliatory attitude, in removing many unpleasantnesses, and
in introducing a spirit of reconciliation among the parties.
Now that he has made himself thoroughly acquainted
with the business affairs and internal conditions of the
Province, it would be eminently desirable for Miinch-
hausen to have the opportunity of devoting his energies
for a series of years entirely to that part of the country
which he has studied so carefully, and where he feels so
much at home.
I have communicated these arguments to his Majesty,
who recognised their force, and empowered me to inform
you of my wishes.
I would mention, in conclusion, that in all probability
my army corps will be reviewed by the King this autumn,
so that the presence of the Ober-Prasident who is familiar
with the existing conditions is a matter of urgent necessity.
I therefore herewith recommend to your serious con-
sideration the advisability of keeping Miinchhausen in
Pomerania.
Your most obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
Statthalter and General in Command in Pomerania.
1869] CORRESPONDENCE 145
135
COUNT A. EULENBURG, CHAMBERLAIN IN THE CROWN
PRINCE'S HOUSEHOLD, TO BISMARCK.
HEADQUARTERS, SCHONEBERG, September 10, '69.
8.45 p. M.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince regrets extremely
that he missed your Excellency to-day, and particularly
wishes to speak to you during the manoeuvres to-morrow.
His Royal Highness quite agrees to the tour via Vienna,
but has serious objections to Rome.
In the greatest esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient
A. EULENBURG.
136
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
KONIGSBERG, September 15, '69.
The preliminaries for the journey are being conducted
most satisfactorily, since, with his Majesty's consent, I sent
for Admiral Jachmann to discuss and arrange everything
with me verbally. I have also telegraphed to Balan to an-
nounce my arrival in Constantinople in the middle of Octo-
ber. Notice has not yet been sent to Vienna and Cairo,
and I wish to ask you if it would not be advisable first to en-
quire in the former city, quite confidentially, whether my
visit will be agreeable, and, eventuaMter, where the Court
will be in residence at the beginning of October.
According to present arrangements, I start on my journey
on October 5th, so as not to leave too little time for Turkey
and Palestine before I arrive in Egypt for the opening of
the Suez Canal, which is fixed for November I7th.
You referred at Pausin to some probable diplomatic
changes, but did not mention a definite candidate for Con-
146 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1869
stantinople. As it will be necessary to have a Charge d' Af-
faires there, during my visit, who is acquainted with the
Orient, I should like to propose Count Keyserlingk, now at
Bucharest, who has already done long and good service in
the Orient. Perhaps the absence of the Prince of Roumania
will render it easier for Keyserlingk to undertake this mis-
sion.
In conclusion I wish to say a word to you from here in
favour of Ober-Prasident von Horn. The most vehement
complaints are raised against him by a section of the great
land-owners, and all kinds of things are said of him. I have
been able personally to convince myself, however, that the
animosity against him is really unjustified, and that he has
rendered much valuable service to the Province. Should
his adversaries succeed in bringing about his fall, a very use-
ful official would be lost, who, though he may possess many
faults of form, will certainly be a blessing to this Province.
I herewith, therefore, recommend him warmly to you.
I am,
Your obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
137
COUNT PUCKLER, LORD CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, September 28, '69.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I hasten, in reply to your favour, to inform you that his
Majesty the King has yielded to the urgent wishes of the
Ministers, and will return to Berlin on the 6th, in order
to open the Landtag in person.
Why the Ministers have altered their plans, for even
Minister von der Heydt had advised his Majesty not to
come to Berlin for the appproaching opening of the Land-
1869] CORRESPONDENCE 147
tag, I have not been able to ascertain, as each of the gentle-
men advances a different reason.
In any case his Majesty intends to return to Baden for
a few weeks immediately after the opening.
I am very glad that the Queen also is charmed with your
Excellency; a few insignificant attentions would suffice to
maintain these good terms.
Her Majesty the Queen does not at all like Count
Beust.
The King has decided to-day that, besides General von
Stosch, Count Lehndorff shall accompany the Crown
Prince on his journey.* The Crown Prince proposes to
leave on the 3rd, so as to take farewell of the Queen at
Baden.
.With best wishes for your well-being, I am,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
PUCKLER.
138
PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK.
WEINBURG, October 22, '69.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I am seeking you out in your rural stillness in order to
announce to you my approaching marriage with the
Princess zu Weid. As I know what a great interest
your Excellency takes in my fate, and in that of
my country, I am convinced that I shall have your
good wishes for this marriage; the bearing of the
latter on my life will be all the greater as I
am following only the impulse of my heart, and my de-
cision has been in no way influenced by political consider-
ations.
*To Egypt.
148 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1870
While I was away I heard of the appointment of Count
Keyserlingk as Minister in Constantinople. Although I re-
gret that I thereby lose a faithful adviser, I am glad to be
able to regard the Count's promotion as a recognition of
his work at Bucharest; I hope that in his more influential
position at Constantinople he will continue to cherish loyal
feelings towards me, so that, should occasion require it,
he may do what is possible towards supporting and further-
ing my interests there.
With respect to the post that is now vacant at Bucharest,
I should be very glad if circumstances should permit of its
being rilled by someone with whom I am already ac-
quainted. I beg, therefore, to mention Herr von Rado-
witz to your Excellency as being a man whom I believe to
be eminently qualified to represent the Prussian Govern-
ment worthily in Bucharest, and whose character especially
fits him to maintain the most friendly relations between
the government of his Majesty the King and my own.
With sincerest wishes for the complete restoration of
your Excellency's health, I remain,
Your Excellency's obedient
CARL.
139
SECRETARY OF STATE v. THILE TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, July 8, '70.
HONOURED CHIEF,
Benedetti, who told me as he was starting for Wildbad
(before the Spanish bomb exploded) that he was going to
stay at Coblenz only one day " pour se rendre a une ancienne
invitation de la Reine," seems, according to the newspapers,
to be extending his visit there. His intention is evident.
Obediently and faithfully,
v. THILE.
1872] CORRESPONDENCE 149
140
PRINCE HENRY VII. OF REUSS TO BISMARCK.
MOST HONOURED CHIEF, ST. PETERSBURG, January, '71.
In accordance with your telegraphic instructions I have
to-day presented your congratulations to his Majesty the
Czar and to the Grand-Duchess Helene. His Majesty di-
rected me to thank you. The Grand-Duchess answered me
with a most friendly letter, which I enclose, as you will be
glad to read in her own hand the expression of her feelings.
She is still exactly the same. She understands why we are
carrying on war, and knows that we cannot break off the
fight like a play at the theatre. She takes no part, therefore,
in all the sickly whining which is the fashion now among
the ladies here who follow the example set by her Majesty.
Although the Czar would like to see peace restored he
does not let himself be infected by these wailing women, and
is correct. He is still under the influence of the sad im-
pression caused by an accident which happened while he was
bear-hunting a few days ago. Scariatin, the chief hunts-
man, was shot, through his own carelessness, before the
Czar's eyes. He was creeping through the underwood after
a bear that had been hit, and the trigger of his rifle evidently
caught in a twig. The Czar was beside himself, and the
episode has made him very sad.
From my whole heart I wish you good health in the new
year, and that you will soon place your name under a glor-
ious peace.
With most sincere esteem,
Your very faithful
H. VII. P. REUSS.
141
GEN. v. ROON, MINISTER FOR WAR, TO BISMARCK.
GUTERGETZ, July 3, '72.
I cannot let the long official letter, with which I threatened
you on the i8th ultimo, and which I fling, and indeed am
150 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1872
compelled to fling, to-day into your Tusculum, go without
most humbly begging your forgiveness for this outrage on
your rest and your pleasure. I cannot, however, resist the
necessity which drives me to it. The affair is a serious
matter for me, a very serious matter, and perhaps also a little
serious for you, my illustrious old friend. And as, thanks
to your kindliness, I may call you this, you will also not
refuse my request for two words of dictated reply; I need
them to authenticate myself. You will understand me when
I tell you that a copy of my official letter has gone to Ems. . .
And now my cordial greeting! You will know how
warm and sincere my wishes are and must be for your re-
covery.
The crazy Boger insists on my going to Marienbad in
about ten days' time; he has driven my wife there already.
I shall certainly not get any younger there, but perhaps not
much older.
May God be with you and yours! I kiss the Princess's
hand in deepest and warmest veneration. May you all re-
turn fresh and invigorated to the old rack! For, if God
wills, you must endure it for a time yet, until another is
found whom your left-off shoes fit to some extent.
Your cordially devoted, old
ROON.
142
PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, November 15, '72.
DEAR PRINCE,
I cannot quit Berlin without expressing to you my re-
gret at not having been able to clasp your hand, and above
all at the cause which made your absence necessary. All
my wishes are for a speedy re-establishment of your health.
No one, in private or in public life, fails to recognise its
value. I do not wish to be indiscreet enough to fatigue
1872] CORRESPONDENCE 151
you; but I should not have fulfilled the wish of my heart
did I not recall by a few lines your kind remembrance
and renew the expression of the invariable sentiments
which I have always borne toward you.
Permit me to lay my homage at the feet of the Princess,
and believe me ever yours, GORTSCHAKOFF.
143
BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF.
VARZIN, November 20, '72.
DEAR PRINCE,
I thank you with all my heart for having thought of me
in passing through Berlin. Among the privations which
the state of my health imposes, that of not having been
able to clasp your hand on your journey is one of the most
keen. I have formed many official relations during my
life; but that with you, my dear Prince, is the only one
which my heart would desire to continue after the cessa-
tion of official relations, and if God should give us a period
of repose before death I should be very happy to spend it
with you as neighbour in the country. Pardon this ebulli-
tion of German sentimentality, for it is sincere; you are the
only statesman in Europe with whom I can look back over
twenty years of business without recollecting a moment
of bitterness. There has not always been community of
interests; but always gentlemanly uprightness and good-
will. It is not only in the position of a Minister over-
burdened with affairs that I have learned to appreciate all
the kindnesses and all the indulgences which you have
shown me while I was at Petersburg, and among my defects
I do not reckon that of ingratitude.
My health compels me always to hold myself aloof from
affairs, but I am convinced that I could re-enter if only my
colleagues would leave me two months of repose without
152 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1873
interruption. I always hope that the King would be will-
ing to agree to my request to be relieved definitively from
participation in the interior affairs of Prussia, and to re-
strict my occupations to the administration of foreign
affairs and those of the German Empire. Interior affairs
are those which use up my strength, because they impose
upon me a responsibility without other authority than that
of prayer and persuasion. v. BISMARCK
144
COUNT H. v. ARNIM, GERMAN AMBASSADOR AT PARIS,
TO BISMARCK.
PARIS, January 17, '73.
Dr. Evans has informed me that his suspicions that Count
Cavour was poisoned by means of a cigar have now been
positively confirmed.
Some remarks which he has overheard lead him to be-
lieve also that certain fanatics of his religion Evans is a
Catholic are not disinclined to perform the same opera-
tion on your Excellency. He urged me, therefore, to warn
your Excellency.
The expression which he overheard, he added, left him in
no doubt that there are persons who would use your Ex-
cellency's " pet habit " to bring about your death. " Does
Prince Bismarck smoke much ? " * he asked me. On my
replying the affirmative, he said that he was now quite sure
that the Cavour cigar was to play a role. I remarked in-
cidenter that poisoned cigars played a role in Lisbon in
the year 1872, when so many members of the Royal family
died.
To me the thing seems improbable. It would not be a
very difficult matter, however, to present you with a box of
poisoned cigars, especially if the donor does not shrink from
causing the death of several other persons at the same time.
* Given in English in the original.
1873] CORRESPONDENCE 153
Dr. Evans seemed to be fully convinced that his appre-
hensions were well founded, and for that reason I felt that
I ought to mention the matter. ARNIM.
145
MINISTER B. v. BULOW TO BISMARCK.
KLEIN FLOTTBECK, June 29, '73.
MOST HONOURED PRINCE,
With cordial thanks for the time allowed me for consider-
ation, I can now inform your Excellency that I am pre-
pared to accept your honourable proposal as soon as my
resignation has been accepted by the Grand Duke of Meck-
lenburg. I will not again refer to the scruples which I en-
tertain in respect of mistrust in my powers, and of so many
other considerations; after conscientious reflection I find
most consolation in the fact that your Excellency is ac-
quainted with these scruples, and, much as I am wanting in
so many respects, I know the value of your Excellency's
confidence in me, and can appreciate the honour of serving
the Emperor and the Empire under your direction and in
such a position.
May I request to be informed when I must ask to be re-
lieved from my present post, and whether, when making this
application, I shall refer to the proposal that has been made
to me.
I should be glad to know when I am to enter on my
duties, and what my program for the next few months is;
my own plan was to go from here to Marienbad, and in view
of an arduous future, this is almost a necessity. I beg only
to add that some freedom would be a gratefully acceptable
present, though, of course, I am at your Excellency's dis-
posal.
Accept the expression of my faithful devotion and esteem,
in which I am,
Your Excellency's most obedient
B. BULOW.
154 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1873
146
PRINCE CARL OF ROUMANIA TO BISMARCK.
BAD IMNAU, July 26, '73.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
I could not visit the Hohenzollern countries without think-
ing of the man who has guided Germany to unity and to
hitherto unknown greatness. These feelings could not stir
me without, at the same time, producing the wish to greet
your Excellency on this journey, and to give personal ex-
pression to my esteem for you. I believe that, as Prince of
Roumania, I have not disowned the qualities of a German
Prince, and would esteem myself fortunate if I could discuss
with your Excellency the state of affairs on the Lower
Danube. The influence of Germany's power has, thanks to
your Excellency's policy, attained a periphery extending far
beyond the Roumanian frontiers, so that the conditions
existing in Roumania cannot but be of special interest to
your Excellency.
With expressions of the highest esteem, I am,
Your Excellency's most obedient
CARL.
Marginal notes by Bismarck :
Where is Imnau?
How long is the Prince staying in Germany, and where?
I.
(Enclosures.)
REPORT MOST OBEDIENTLY:
Bad Imnau is in Hohenzollern-Hechengen, is a posting
station, nearest railway station Eyach.
Prince Carl remains, according to information given by
1873] CORRESPONDENCE 155
his brother, Prince Frederick of Hohenzollern, for another
fortnight, or three weeks, at Imnau, and then intends to
return to Bucharest. RADOWITZ.
August 4, '73.
Remark in Bismarck's handwriting:
Please discover, if possible, what the Prince's object is,*
whether he expects me to go to Imnau, which is impossible,
whether he will do me the honour of calling on me here, or
whether he reckons on seeing me in Berlin on September 2.
v. B.
II.
REPORT MOST OBEDIENTLY :
Prince Carl of Roumania left yesterday, August loth, for
Sigmaringen, where he will stay until the 2ist inst. The
Prince will commence his return journey to Roumania on
the 25th from Vienna; it was not his intention to come to
Berlin. According to the newspapers, the Prince thought
he might perhaps meet your Excellency in Vienna f during
this time. RADOWITZ.
August ii, '73.
Remark in Bismarck's handwriting:
Please drop a reply with suitable phrases and re-
grets, that the state of my health keeps me here.
147
THE WAR MINISTER VON ROON TO BISMARCK.
NEUHOF, near OESLAU, (CosuRG) October 12, '73.
A few days ago I addressed to his Majesty a request to
be relieved of the public offices entrusted to me, and I now
turn to you, my dear Prince, in the name of our old friend-
* Prince Carl intended to ask Bismarck's advice with regard to his
proposed declaration of independence.
tThe International Exhibition was then open.
156 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1873
ship, to beg you most earnestly to do your utmost to fur-
ther my request. I have quite exhausted my scanty
abilities for public service, and have therefore firmly re-
solved on retirement; my sense of honour will not permit
me to continue to appear what I cannot be, or at least can-
not be any longer; it would be an offence against duty and
conscience if I continued to enjoy all the honours and priv-
ileges of my position knowing that I am totally incapaci-
tated, at least for any official position that demands from
the holder of it a regular and constant activity, and not
merely occasional impromptus or a casual, rhapsodical ef-
fort. I have also arrived at the conclusion perhaps too
late that I can be easily dispensed with, and this convic-
tion is too strong in me to be ignored.
My decision will surprise nobody, and least of all you,
my esteemed friend, who for years past have been able to
observe my increasing infirmity for which my seventy-one
years and the last fourteen years of my life sufficiently
account.
I have begged his Majesty to appoint Gen. von Kameke
Minister for War in my place, as the present method of
administering the office must, in the long run, become in-
tolerable to him, and no provisional arrangement could be
of long duration. At the same time I also urgently re-
quested to be relieved of the Premiership, my holding of
which has likewise been from the beginning a provisional
arrangement. I quite see that it may be expedient for
political reasons that the Ministry should undergo no
change before the elections. But and even if on this ac-
count my name must still figure for a short time in the
Ministry of State I am utterly incapable of resuming the
duties of office, and therefore begged his Majesty to
permit me to extend my leave of absence, in order that I
may follow the doctor's advice to spend the winter in the
south.
1873] CORRESPONDENCE 157
His Majesty may perhaps regard my decisions as suffi-
ciently weighty and confer with you on the subject; in that
case I appeal to your friendship to urge my standpoint of
non possum, as I should not like either to anger or to vex
the master, but attach the greatest importance to the reten-
tion of his gracious feelings towards me. If his Majesty
should command such an inconsistency as that an old
servant must continue to serve even when, as is the case
with me, he cannot do so I will, of course, tender my very
last breath; there would not, however, be any great object
in this.
In concluding this letter, which you must not regard as
official, as it is par excellence private and friendly, you will
permit me again to give you from a full heart my "Ade-
lante adekmtador atrevido" and to implore God's bless-
ing on your further beneficial and noble work; and this I
will continue to do until the end of my life, which is perhaps
not so very far distant, whether my place happens to be on
the stage or among the spectators.
Your ever faithful
v. ROON.
148
PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK.*
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, November 10, '73.
To THE CHANCELLOR,
PRINCE BISMARCK,
VARZIN.
Regret that health and the season prevent me from com-
ing to Varzin. If yours permits, should be glad to meet you
at Dirschau. Could be there Thursday morning. Kindly
telegraph to me if this is convenient to you. Should unfore-
seen delay arise, would let you know in time by telegraph.
GORTCHAKOFF.
* Translated from the original French.
158 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1873
149
BISMARCK TO PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF.*
(Telegram.)
VARZIN, November 10, '73.
To THE CHANCELLOR,
PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF,
BERLIN.
A sore throat which is fairly painful and which, according
to the doctor, is somewhat suspicious, has kept me indoors
for the past ten days. To my great regret I am at present
unable to travel, and cannot greet you en route.
v. BISMARCK.
150
PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF TO BISMARCK.*
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, November n, '73.
To THE CHANCELLOR,
PRINCE BISMARCK,
VARZIN.
I am sorry to lose the opportunity of seeing you, but
am convinced that we shall continue to understand each
other, even at a distance. The most essential thing is that
a health so valuable to the state and to your friends should
be exposed to no risk. I leave Berlin to-morrow evening.
Kindly tender my sincere regards to the Princess.
GORTCHAKOFF.
KING ALBERT OF SAXONY TO BISMARCK.
DRESDEN, November 19, '73.
HONOURED PRINCE,
The friendship which you have shown towards me ever
since we became acquainted with each other, but especially
* Translated from the original French.
3874] CORRESPONDENCE 159
during the time when it was granted to me to assist, though
only in the quality of an inferior foreman, in the work of
our time, the newly-established German Empire, draws me
to you at the most important period of my life my assump-
tion of the Government.
In this difficult situation, which is rendered more difficult
by my succeeding a King who not only enjoyed the love of
his people, but exerted a far-reaching beneficent influence,
I am in need of support and especially of good counsel.
What could I do better than turn to the Chancellor of the
German Empire, who has so often stated that he belongs
equally to all the Federal Princes? I turn to you, there-
fore, whenever I require help and whenever I need wise ad-
vice. Be assured, on the other hand, that I shall support,
with all my slender means, everything that you undertake
for the weal of the Empire and of the German people, and I
hope to be an efficacious member, a firm supporter of the
structure, in the erection of which I was permitted to help
with my sword.
While requesting that you will not take this letter amiss,
which perhaps disturbs you in your Tusculum, I remain,
Your obedient
ALBERT, K. v. SACHSEN.
152
BERNHARD ERNST VON BULOW, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO
BISMARCK.
BERLIN, July 14, '74.
Your Excellency will, I trust, permit me to comply with
the wish of the Foreign Office officials to offer their sin-
-cere and respectful congratulations on your Excellency's
deliverance from such imminent danger. The sympathetic
160 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1874.
agitation aroused by the news among all connected with
the Foreign Office was great and universal; it was most
marked in the case of the old house-servants. The more
I learn of the details the more clearly it appears to
me that this time again the hand of God has ruled over
your precious life; this is a blessed foreboding of all that
God has yet in store for your Excellency to accomplish
and to attain.
I am exceedingly glad that it was I who received the
communications from Kissingen, and that I could at once
do in Berlin everything that was necessary. The despatch
referring to the measures against Pastor Hauthaler was
also at once communicated further, and the reply came
early this morning that everything was attended to in
Vienna by nine o'clock.
The general impression here is the desired and the right
one; no one doubts but that the open and well-circulated
incitations of the Ultramontanes have placed the weapon in
the murderer's hand. The newspapers have not yet been
able to express an opinion. The enclosed English press
comment will be welcome to your Excellency, (to-day's
National Zeitung has no word on the subject, although the
London morning papers have already given their opinion).
I had quite a definite presentiment that something like
this was going to happen, and, with Herr von Wertheim
and Herr von Madai, took certain steps but what is the
use of precautionary measures when the right assistance
does not come from above! About a fortnight ago I got
Councillor (of Legislation) Aegidi to make a collection of
expressions relating to your Excellency's end which have
appeared in the Germania:* how much more of this sort
of thing, which they dare not print, will have been whis-
pered and preached. I have just said to the Ministers in
this connection that for a certain class of Catholic priests
* The Berlin organ of the Catholic party.
1874] CORRESPONDENCE 161
the way from the event which is well-pleasing to God to
the work which is well-pleasing to God and to the instiga-
tion to the same has never been a long' one.
The Vice-President [of the Ministry of State] intends to
report to your Excellency on the sitting of the Ministry
of State, which, I may mention, is to be resumed to-mor-
row; I will therefore only remark that Count Eulenburg's
representative made a sorry picture of apathy and
helplessness, that Herr Camphausen* and Herr Friedbergf
spoke well and practically, and Herr Falk$ in somewhat
too legal language; the general impression was that the
result of this infamous deed will be a decided defeat for the
Ultramontanes. Herr Tessendorf, who is fortunately
available, will make a good impression on your Excellency
and be of use. Herr Friedberg stated twice, and without
meeting with contradiction, that his courageous and suc-
cessful procedure against the Socialist associations in Ber-
lin had met with only obstruction on the part of the Min-
istry of the Interior.
The majority of the members of the diplomatic corps
have been here to offer their congratulations, in some cases
also in the names of their governments.
May I add how much my wife and I feel for the Princess,
and how much we hope that, in spite of everything, and in
spite of your enemies, your Excellency will continue the
" cure " with success. That a German allowed himself to
be misled into committing the outrage is a stain on our
history; that God so ordered it will be also political good-
fortune.
With the old esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
B. BULOW.
* Minister of Finance.
t Minister of Justice.
t Minister of Public Instruction.
162 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1875
153
PRINCE ALBRECHT OF PRUSSIA TO BISMARCK.
HANOVER, April i, '75.
Your Excellency will, I trust, permit me to offer my con-
gratulations on your completing your sixtieth year, and on
the many and great things which your life, and especially
the last ten or twelve years of the same, contain. My con-
gratulations take the form of a wish that it may
be granted to your Excellency to see the work
which you have completed develop into grandeur,
and with the help of God to carry out what you
have begun to the welfare and to the advantage of Prussia,
of Germany, indeed to the whole of Christendom and civil-
ised mankind. What Prussia conquers Germany gains
Jias hitherto been the word. What Germany acquires bene-
fits all Christendom is the word now. May your Ex-
cellency long further us in this path.
ALBRECHT, PRINZ VON PREUSSEN.
154
H. VON MlTTNACHT, PRESIDENT OF THE WURTEMBURG
MINISTRY OF STATE, TO BISMARCK.
STUTTGART, June 7, '75.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Will your Excellency kindly permit me to write directly
and privately on a subject which I do not wish to moot to
my colleagues in the diplomatic committee of the Federal
Council without your Excellency's previous knowledge?
The fact that, whereas apprehensions of an imminent war
have disturbed Europe in such a strange manner of late,
the German Federal Governments have had to depend on
unreliable newspaper reports for their knowledge of the
existence, cause, and import of a crisis, should fully justify
the representatives of the Governments in considering the
1875] CORRESPONDENCE 163
question whether such a state of things is not in need of
and capable of improvement, and whether they are not
competent and in duty bound to set this matter in motion.
Germany places the utmost confidence, an unprece-
dented confidence, in his Majesty the Emperor's represen-
tation of the rights and privileges of the Empire, and in the
conduct of the German policy by your Excellency's firm
and fortunate hand. It is true that the assent of the Fed-
eral Council is necessary before war can be declared in the
name of the Empire when the territory of the latter is not
threatened with attack, and that in evident connection with
this there exists a special committee for foreign affairs in
the Federal Council.
This committee is not entitled to take any part in the
conduct of foreign affairs, and communications respecting
complications or negotiations cannot always and in their
every stage be made to it. In view, however, of the obvi-
ous impossibility of keeping all the Federal Governments
informed, by correspondence or through diplomatic agents,
on the subject of the foreign policy of the Empire and
especially at times when complications arise that commit-
tee might perhaps be regarded as an efficient means to-
wards the attainment of the object I have in my mind.
That is to say, all suitable communications might be made
to those representatives of the Governments that have a
seat and a vote in the committee, and opportunity might be
given to such representatives to state their views at times
when the destinies of the nation have to be decided. It is
only when the Governments receive prompt information,
which they cannot obtain otherwise owing to the restric-
tions that have been placed on their own diplomatic rela-
tions, respecting the development of complications which
arise, that the Federal Council can make effective use of its
vote on war or peace. It is only in that case that the respon-
sibility falls on all, and not alone on the initiated controllers
164 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1875
of the policy. At your Excellency's call the Ministers of
the Governments represented in the committee would
themselves certainly hasten to take their places in the latter,
and the peculiar circumstance that Prussia is not actually
a member of the committee would not stand in the way of
a proper treatment of the matters laid before it.
I do not know whether your Excellency considers the
present a suitable moment for bringing up this subject,
whether your Excellency regards the idea as feasible, and
places the necessary confidence in the persons affected. I
have ventured thus to broach the topic, as I know from ex-
perience that your Excellency is always ready to listen to
and always favourably disposed towards the wishes and
everything affecting the interests of the Federal Govern-
ments.
With the assurance, etc.,
MITTNACHT.
ISS
BISMARCK TO HERR VON MITTNACHT.
VARZIN, June 16, '75.
MOST ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE,
Your favour of the 7th instant affords me a welcome
opportunity to express my views, which I would have done
by return of post had not medical considerations prevented
me. I regard your letter as an expression of friendly con-
fidence towards the Empire, and regret that such has not
been given from other quarters as well. The German Em-
pire can successfully pursue no policy that is not recog-
nised as the right one by the predominant factors in the
interior the Federal Council and the Reichstag. In
order to keep these latter in a position to form a judgment
on the policy, it is necessary that there should be constant
feeling on the part of the nation represented by them with
the Imperial policy, and, in so far as a documentary ground-
1875] CORRESPONDENCE 165
work is unavailable, this feeling is wrongly influenced by
the publicists. In this respect the Imperial policy does
not meet with the trustworthy support which the Govern-
ments of other countries can, as a rule, rely on in matters
concerning their foreign relations.
During the last few months, in which an attempt has
been made by all the opponents of the Empire in and out
of Germany to give a false impression of the European
situation, I have repeatedly been tempted to make a state-
ment in the Prussian Landtag, which was then sitting,
.showing the real situation and the probable origin of the
misrepresentation of the same. In this perfectly authentic
way I should have put a spoke in the wheels of our lying
opponents. I have refrained from doing this, as I did not
wish to set an example in Prussia which every Minister of
a Federal state might then have considered himself justified
in following with regard to his Landtag. I should have been
glad if I had then been interpellated from one of the quar-
ters which have an influential voice in the latest develop^
ment of German politics; I could then have shown the
true state of affairs in my reply. The diplomatic commit-
tee of the Federal Council is a constitutional and, in my
opinion, when its relations to the Imperial executive are
rightly adjusted, also an extremely useful institution in the
Empire. If I had the right to summon it, I should cer-
tainly have exercised this right four or six weeks ago. I
do not mean to say that I should have anticipated the re-
sults of co-operation with the committee, constituted as it
is at present, to be such as might, in my opinion, have been
attained with an analogous institution that had undergone
some reforms. I can only say that, in making responsible
decisions in important questions, I would gladly, before
submitting the matter to his Majesty the Emperor, avail
myself of the expert advice of friendly statesmen, and that
J feel the need of the testimony of the latter when there is
i66 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1875
a question of counteracting misrepresentations publicly cir-
culated on the authority of the adversaries of the Empire
and of correspondents working solely for their own
gains or in the service of individual diplomats. I should
be able to give your Excellency and your colleagues in the
Empire fuller information verbally and also to prove how
far removed his Majesty the Emperor is from every tempta-
tion to pursue a foreign policy which does not comply with
the peaceable interests of the Empire and also with the in-
tentions of all the high Imperial confederates. I shall at
all times be ready, with the consent of his Majesty the Em-
peror, unhesitatingly to discuss freely the aims and meas-
ures of the Imperial policy, if this can be done with the
leading ministers of the sovereigns represented in the diplo-
matic committee ; the only question would be that of bring-
ing about the meeting. I would gladly consider any sug-
gestions for modifying the existing diplomatic committee
in such a way that it might further this object, especially if
they came at first confidentially to me from your Excel-
lency or from such a well-represented government as that
of Wurtemberg or through their Ministers in residence.
In any case I am officially and personally grateful to your
Excellency for broaching in such a friendly manner a sub-
ject of such importance to the development of the Em-
pire's institutions.
With the assurance, etc.,
v. BISMARCK.
156
BISMARCK TO THE MARCHESE DI VISCONTI VENOSTA.
VARZIN, October 13, '75.
To his Excellency, Monsieur Visconti Venosta, His Ma-
jesty the King of Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
MONSIEUR LE MINISTRE,
It grieved me sorely that I was compelled to forego the
1875] CORRESPONDENCE 167
honour of accompanying his Majesty the Emperor and
King, but my doctor, whom I sent for from Berlin in the
hopes of finding in his advice the encouragement refused
me by his colleagues here, is also of the latter's opinion that
the present state of my health renders such a journey im-
possible for me, and I have no choice but to submit to his
decision. It is with deep regret that I relinquish the hope,
cherished to the last moment, of accompanying my august
master, of paying my respects to his Majesty the King, of
renewing the political and personal relations with your
Excellency, and of seeing your beautiful country once
again. Desiring as I do to cultivate the friendly relations
which exist between Germany and Italy, and the mainte-
nance of which is a matter of such import to the two coun-
tries, it was with difficulty that I was prevailed upon to
abandon the prospect of an interview with your Excellency.
I beg of you to be the interpreter of my sentiments to
H. M. the King, and am,
Your obedient servant,
v. BISMARCK.
157
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
December 5, '75.
The Crown Princess and I beg you to tell your daughter
in our names, that we sympathise with her most deeply in the
pain which is caused her by the unexpected and sudden death
of her intended husband.*
The terrible reality of such a loss, after anxious weeks of
alternating despair and hope, comes as a truly cruel blow to
the young fiancee !
We also think of you and the Princess with sincere sym-
* Count Wendt zu Eulenburg.
i68 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
pathy, and can well imagine what your feelings must be, now
that such glad hopes for the welfare of your beloved only
daughter are shattered.
The great Christian festival which we are approaching
will find your two households in the deepest mourning ; may
you, however, all receive that strength to bear your cross
which brings the only true light into afflicted souls !
Your most obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
158
PRINCE CHLODWIG zu HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
Imperial German Embassy
in France.
PARIS, January I, '76.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
The report is current in Ultramontane circles, and has
even found its way into a few newspapers, that I have ex-
pressed myself as being decidedly opposed to the so-called
Arnim clause in the Penal Code. I attach too great a
value to the confidence with which your Excellency is kind
enough to honour me to run the risk of its being shaken
by malevolent rumours. I beg, therefore, to state that this
story is a pure invention.
I regard the clause in question with the utmost equanim-
ity; were this not the case I should have taken the liberty
of placing my views before your Excellency myself. I know
and appreciate the motives which have led your Excellency
to introduce the said bill. I am in no way affected by its
provisions relating to Foreign Office officials, for I am al-
ways guided by the principle that an Ambassador can re-
main in office only as long as he retains the confidence of
the Emperor and of the leading statesman.
This statement is perhaps superfluous. It will, however,
prove to your Excellency how great is the value I attach to
1876] CORRESPONDENCE 169
the favour you have always shown towards me. I beg that
the same may be continued to me in the future, and con-
clude by offeringto your Excellency my cordial New Year's
wishes. May God give you strength and energy to admin-
ister your difficult office for a long time to come, to the wel-
fare of the Emperor and the Empire !
Your Excellency's most obedient
C. F. V. HOHENLOHE.
159
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 5, '76.
I have had a long discussion to-day with Prof. Dr.
Geffcken, of Strassburg, on his book " Church and State,"
with which you will be acquainted. The views he expressed
would, I feel sure, interest you, as Geffcken is a man who
reflects deeply and who has gathered a vast experience; I
should like, therefore, to draw your attention to him, in
case you wish to receive him.
Your very obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
1 60
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
BERLIN, January 8, '76.
Actuated by your Imperial Highness's gracious letter I
have had a compilation made of some of the notices on Dr.
Geffcken contained in the Foreign Office records, and this
I beg to enclose with No. 187 of last year's National
Zeitung.
Dr. Geffcken belongs to that section of the EvangeKcal
Church which, like President von Gerlach and a few other
Protestants, is associated with the Centre party and the
Jesuits, and which has opposed and still opposes every
phase of development of the German Empire. When the
negotiations were suggested last summer Dr. Geffcken was
FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
mentioned to me by the Ultramontanes as being the man
who had been chosen to represent the Ultramontane
wishes and interests. I can give a fairly dispassionate
judgment on his book, as I am not responsible for the
special purport of the May laws, though I do not imply
by this that I find fault with them; I took no part
at that time in the work of the Prussian Ministry,
and was also neither Minister for Public Instruction
nor President of the Ministry. I can, therefore, all the
more impartially state that Dr. Geffcken's book is char-
acterised by men competent to give an opinion as a shallow
compilation, and that his criticism of the Falk laws is a
testimony to his presumption, but not to a searching exam-
ination of the matter.
I proposed Herr Geffcken, at his wish, for the professor-
ship at Strassburg, in the firm belief that he was honour-
ably bent on scientific work, and thsft his Augustenburg and
Hanseatic particularism was propitiated by the establish-
ment of the Empire.
I hear with regret that I was mistaken in this, and that
even at such a sore place as Alsace he pursues a policy of
animosity to the Imperial interests.
All this would not restrain me from seeing him, as I do
so many of my opponents, if I did not fight shy of an inter-
view with him without witnesses, and if I were not afraid
that any intercourse with this tool of confessional intrigues
must awaken the distrust of public opinion and especially
that of my colleagues against me.
v. BISMARCK.
161
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 12, '76.
I thank you for informing me of the reasons which in-
duced you not to receive Prof. Dr. Geffcken, and for the
1876] CORRESPONDENCE 171
notices from the Foreign Office records enclosed with your
letter. I confess that I should not have suggested your
seeing my former fellow-student at Bonn University
if I had known what opinions you hold with regard
to him. During my long, though frequently inter-
rupted intercourse with Dr. Geffcken I have never
observed in him either a leaning towards Catholicism
or a deeply-rooted antagonism to Prussia. On the
contrary, the impression made on me by his entire
attitude and by his frequent public and private state-
ments is that there can be as little question of his zealous
Protestant feelings as of his patriotism, although his pro-
pensity for adverse criticism seemed from time to time to
expose him to the danger of being included, against his
will, among the enemies of the Imperial Government.
For this reason I could not but believe that it might be
of interest to you to learn the views, on an exceedingly
important question which claims your almost daily atten-
tion, of a man whom I knew, it is true, to be an opponent
of our present Church policy, whose opinions in this matter
I, too, was by no means inclined to share, but whom, on
his own assurances, I regarded as still more determinedly
opposed to the Ultramontanes. I am therefore all the
more surprised to hear that Dr. Geffcken was mentioned
to you as being the man chosen by the Ultramontanes to
represent their wishes and interests, and it is scarcely neces-
sary for me to say that in these circumstances, although I
still cherish the hope that this intimation was made without
his knowledge and resulted from a complete misjudgment
of his views, I must consider the reasons you advance
against granting him an interview as being perfectly
justified.
Your very obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
162
FIELD-MARSIJAL COUNT VON ROON TO BISMARCK.
CROBNITZ, NEAR
REICHENBACH, OBERLAUSITZ, February 15, '76.
MOST HONORED FRIEND,
I am approaching you to-day with the sentiments ex-
pressed in these words, for it is only the privilege of old
friendship that can justify me in molesting the much-occu-
pied Imperial Chancellor.
In the first place, accept my hearty congratulations on
your comparative restoration to health and on the becom-
ing dismissal of the almost intolerable Reichstag. May the
two corpora both be healthier at their next meeting!
The object of this letter is, however, neither to assure
you of my self-evident sympathy, nor to speak on political
matters of which I have perhaps lost touch, but to remind
you of a kind promise you made me when we last saw each
other, in November, '74, in respect of my son-in-law,
Brauchitsch.
Nepotism and place-hunting may be considered equally
reprehensible, I consider them so myself; it is impossible,
however, when one obtains a little experience of the world,
to close one's eyes to the fact that personal considerations
often exert a great influence on the distribution of roles in
this world, and that perhaps appreciation on the part of
like-minded persons, but rarely practical success, is at-
tained by following Catonian principles.
Permit me, therefore, to repeat that Brauchitsch, for-
merly Landrath at Genthin, for the last four and a half
years Regierungsrath in Potsdam, Prefect in Versailles dur-
ing the French war, in all these posts, especially the last-
mentioned one, under your own eyes, should certainly be
fitted for higher and for independent administrative posts.
When I mentioned this to you verbally you were of opinion
that Brauchitsch ought to have been promoted to a Presi-
1876] CORRESPONDENCE 173
dentship, and promised that the omission should soon be
rectified.
The ministerial pair who are united in an unnatural mar-
riage for the official production of Presidents, vice-Presi-
dents, etc., and who as you know are still imbued with
very unfriendly feelings towards me, agree much more
easily on what they shall abstain from doing than on what
they shall do; until now they have always agreed that
Brauchitsch is net to be considered.
Would matters remain thus if the Imperial Chancellor
and President of the Ministry really expressed a request
that Brauchitsch should shortly be preferred? This is
hardly possible.
As far as I can learn, the next vacant posts will be those
of Vice-President at Cassel and at Schleswig. It is of
course for the soldier to go, without a murmur, wherever
he is sent; in the official world, however, this rule is not so
strictly followed.
When I mentioned that my daughter was dangerously
ill last summer with acute rheumatism, from which she is
not yet quite recovered, it will be easily understood that I
cannot wish for her removal to Schleswig, a northern town
surrounded by water and exposed to harsh winds, but that
I would heartily rejoice at the removal of my son-in-law to
Cassel.
And that is the whole matter. It has not been easy for
me to supplicate, and it was only to you that I could do it.
Shall this request from a tried old friend find no echo? It
is true I am no longer the Ziska-skin on the drum, but
enough! Self-praise would be either superfluous or
ridiculous.
I may finally add for your information that your old,
shunted companion may perhaps continue to vegetate for a
while, like a dying cactus, sheltered from the winds in his
corner of the conservatory until the death-worm gnawing
i 7 4 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
at the roots has severed the last fibre. But he is of no
more use, for the sharp prickles have fallen off with the
meagre blossom. In this purely vegetating condition I
rejoice over my past, many as are the leaves in it that
are sullied, torn, or empty; I hope, however, for a future
corresponding with God's gracious promises, in which
the prosperity and the glory of this world seem
nothing but dross testifying to vivifying warmth or con-
suming fire. But pardon this afternoon-preacher tone
which to you, who are still an important factor in
the world's machinery, like the mainspring in the
watch, will of course appear insipid. I most ardently
hope and wish, however, that with or after the toils and
tribulations attendant on your great role the consciousness
may be preserved or reanimated within you that all tri-
umphs and successes of human greatness, that all the joys,
all the brilliance and glitter of our earthly existence are
nothing in comparison with the eternal glory promised us
in Jesus Christ.
That I wish you from my whole heart and with the inter-
est I have devoted to you in unswerving fidelity for a dec-
ade. I am, and remain,
Your faithfully devoted old friend,
v. ROON.
163
CARDINAL G. VON HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
ROME, March 5, '76.
Cardinal Ledochovski, who arrived the day before yes-
terday, was received by his Holiness the same evening, and
greeted also by the Papal court, came yesterday evening to
the Princess Odescalchi's (ncc Branicka), where a few peo-
ple had been invited. Cardinal Ledochovski expressed
there his appreciation of the manner in which he had been
treated at Ostrovo, of the beautiful garden that was placed
at his disposal for his walks, etc.; he also said that no
1876] CORRESPONDENCE 175
further measures would be taken in Berlin against the
Catholic Church, and that, if not immediately, the Imperial
Chancellor would certainly later make peace with the
Catholic Church. I said to the distinguished gentleman
who told me this that " Cardinal Ledochovski might well
now be sent to Berlin as Legate." His reply was that it
was as yet too early; that a less bitter attitude was
already observable here, and that no more speeches and
allocutions would be held against this " Prussia." I an-
swered : " We will hope so, and a stop should also be put
to the doings of the Centre party; instructions should also
be given to the Bishop of Germany to come to an under-
standing with the Government wherever it is possible."
This was promised me by the eminent, influential gentle-
man, but it is a question whether the promise will ever be
fulfilled. The whole mischief is ascribed by the eminent
gentleman to the late Cardinal Reisach, who always incited
the Pope and Antonelli against " Prussia," and who
planted the seed of what has now grown to be such a great
evil.
It is difficult to give a clear representation of the situa-
tion here; I restrict myself, therefore, to citing the above
facts, and remain, with best wishes for your welfare,
G. CARDINAL VON HOHENLOHE.
164
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
POTSDAM, May g, '76.
I should like to come to you again before the Czar and
the three Chancellors meet in Berlin, and if it is convenient
to you about half-past nine on Wednesday evening next.
Should you prefer another day or another time, kindly let
me know.
Your obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
176 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
165
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
May 12, '76.
After mature reflection on the conversation I had with
you on the evening of the loth inst., I cannot recommend
too strongly the idea of conferring on Friedberg the Im-
perial Secretaryship for Justice.
Should the Emperor, as you anticipate, advance the well-
known scruples against Friedberg, I should like to draw
your attention to a circumstance which must certainly
carry weight, viz., that it was he who at the time urgently
disadvised me from making known my dissenting political
views of the Government measures, whereas his Majesty
seems to be of the contrary opinion that Friedberg advised
me to do this.
I leave it to you to communicate this fact to his Majesty
in any form that in your opinion seems appropriate or de-
sirable.
I spoke to Biilow after the dinner to-day, and after
Prince Gortchakoff had told me how the negotiations now
stand. If Biilow could inform me 1 of the further course
of the affair I should be very grateful.
Your obedient
FRIEDRICH .WILHELM. K. P.
Marginal note by Bismarck :
1 Fiat.
166
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
POTSDAM, June 30, '76.
As I shall be abroad for a considerable time I should like,
before leaving Potsdam, to address a few words to you on
behalf of the Under-Secretary of State, Dr. Friedberg, in
order to fulfil a duty I owe to this man, who, by the ser-
1876] CORRESPONDENCE 177
vices often entailing great difficulties and sacrifices on his.
part he has rendered me with true devotion for a long
series of years, has acquired a claim on my gratitude.
I know well that, when the said Friedberg is taken into
the Imperial service, you will devote careful and kindly
attention not only to the question of his official duties and
the organisation of the office that is to be entrusted to him,
but also to that of his personal position. I hope, however,,
that you will consider it quite natural if, in respect to the
latter, I do not abstain from giving expression to the fer-
vent wish that the said Friedberg may be accorded an ele-
vation of rank not only corresponding with his position at
the head of the German Imperial judicial affairs and with
regard to the Ministers of Justice in the separate states,
but which is also calculated to afford him a well-earned
satisfaction. I would like, therefore, to submit to your
consideration a proposal to bestow on the said Friedberg
the rank and title of a Minister of State. This is what I
should deem most desirable. If there are objections to
this of which I am not cognisant there could hardly be any
against making him a Privy Councillor with the title of
" Excellency."
I should be exceedingly grateful if you would bestow a
friendly interest on this matter, which 'has an important
bearing beyond the personal side to which I restrict myself.
Your very obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
167
BISMARCK TO COUNT MUNSTER, GERMAN AMBASSADOR
IN LONDON.
KISSENGEN, July 6, '76.
DEAR FRIEND,
The Emperor writes me to-day concerning the contents of
your report to his Majesty, and wishes me to make a verbal
178 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1876
statement to him on the matter within the next few days.
From a letter I have received from his entourage I learn that
his Majesty was very much moved and excited by your first
report, and that this excitement was communicated to Czar
Alexander, whose mistrust of England has considerably in-
creased. This has induced her Majesty the Empress to
write to her Majesty Queen Victoria on the subject. I am
glad to see by this that the foreign service has not suffered
in any way from my retirement. I shall not be able to say
much to his Majesty about the contents of your report, as
only the future can decide whether and in how far pre-
dictions come true.
A breach between England and Russia would be a great
calamity, and a misfortune to Europe; a breach between
Russia and Austria would be more dangerous for us in par-
ticular. I assume, from the marginal notes, that his Maj-
esty will direct you to endeavour to exert a pacifying in-
fluence on England, whose eager desire for war appears to
his Majesty to be analogous to that of Napoleon in 1870.
If it should really come to a rupture, I believe the verdict
of our most gracious master would coincide with that of all
who are fully acquainted with the matter. If his Majesty
commands pacifying representations to be made, you could
keep fairly closely to the text of the English circular ad-
dressed to us in the spring of 1875.
I am using a courier, in order to give you this private in-
formation concerning his Majesty's intentions. Permit me
to add a friendly request. The Emperor writes me that
your reports go to him direct, and not through the Ministry,
and, as a matter of fact, those sent me by his Majesty are
stamped only with the word " Presented." His Majesty
perhaps personally prefers this, so long as no unpleasantness
thereby arises, such as that with Arnim, into which the Mon-
archs are also drawn; between us, thank God, that is im-
possible. It is, however, contrary to the practice of the serv-
1877] CORRESPONDENCE 179
ice, and I know of no case, except that of Arnim, in which
it has happened during the past fourteen years. We are too
old friends to be punctilious in such matters, but if Biilow
were in office now, he would make a Cabinet question of it.
Do not take it ill of me that I mention the matter, but as a
rule it will really not do, much as our Sovereign master per-
sonally likes it.
Please give my kind regards to the Countess.
Yours,
v. BISMARCK.
168
BISMARCK TO COUNT HOLNSTEIN, MASTER OF THE HORSE
TO THE KING OF BAVARIA.
BERLIN, January 27, '77.
ESTEEMED COUNT,
I am extremely obliged to you .or your letter of the 25th
instant, and beg you, if you think they will meet with fa-
vourable acceptance, to present to his Majesty the King my
most respectful thanks for this gracious decision,* which
will tend to expedite business on both sides.
In begging you to give my wife's and my kind regards
to the Countess, I cannot suppress my admiring apprecia-
tion, based on my own experience as well as on the judg-
ment of experts, of the Bavarian fruit culture.
In politics it would appear, after the removal of the Turk-
ish danger, that the negative pole in Paris and the positive
pole in St. Petersburg are feeling a certain attraction to-
wards each other; we hope, however, that the Czar Alex-
ander will remain isolated from this electric current. The
next pressure of the combination seems, it is true, to be
directed against Austria; this may also be assumed from
the disposition of the Russian troops, which have lately
taken Chotim in preference to Kischeneff as a pivot. In
* The change of the diplomatic representative of Bavaria in Berlin.
i8o FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1877
view of such symptoms I should be very glad to have some-
one here through whom I can, in perfect confidence, keep
his Majesty, King Ludwig, regularly informed, and intend
shortly to summon Baron Werthern here for a preliminary
discussion.
With cordial greetings from mine and me,
Yours,
v. BISMARCK.
169
GAMBETTA-BISMARCK.
1. COUNT GUIDO HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO
BISMARCK.
CHATEAU DE PONTCHARTRAIN,
(Seine et Oise ), October 17, '77.
MOST HONOURED PRINCE,
I beg to inform your Excellency, in case it should be of
service to you in arranging your plans, that my relations
with Gambetta are such that he visits me here in the coun-
try. The southerner is so loquacious that one has more
opportunity of listening than of speaking; he is, however,
the only Frenchman who has a trustworthy and accurate
knowledge of German conditions, and this he acquired by
spending some time in Germany on several occasions dur-
ing the past few years.
While on these visits he kept his eyes well open, and
most of the persons with whom he came in contact prob-
ably had no idea of his personality. If someone who knows
how to keep in the shade, and who is devoted to you heart
and soul, can be of any use to your Excellency in this mat-
ter, he is now as ever quite at your service.
At the end of last August I requested Radowitz to let
your Excellency know that I had reliable grounds for esti-
mating that the result of the' French elections would be a
similar composition of the Assemble Nationale, with a re-
1877] CORRESPONDENCE 181
duction of the Republican majority by at least twenty
votes. The probability of such an outcome of the elec-
tions was vigorously disputed at the time, and only two
eventualities the success of the Prefets a poigne or an in-
crease of the Republican majority were considered pos-
sible. In the meantime my prediction has been verified.
Your Excellency's sincerely devoted,
HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
II. COUNT HERBERT BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL
DONNERSMARCK.
VARZIN, October 30, '77.
ESTEEMED COUNT,
My father is extremely obliged to you for your kind
letter of the I7th inst., which he received a few days ago.
He begs you to excuse him for replying through me; in
the present state of his health all letter-writing still severely
affects his nerves.
The relations you maintain with Gambetta interest my
father very much. My father considers, however, that it
would not be advantageous to Gambetta himself or even
advisable for him to receive direct communications from
here, even through your intervention. If it were to be
known in France or only by the Republicans there that
Gambetta held any kind of intercourse with the German
Imperial Chancellor it would most probably injure him in
the eyes of his countrymen generally, but especially in
those of his party, and he himself would perhaps soon find
it irksome if the result of such contact with k Prussien
Bismarck should be that in many respects he could no
longer free himself from the ascendant of the latter.
My father is very pleased that the impressions gained
by Gambetta during his repeated visits to Germany seem
to have convinced him that the entire German nation
wishes for peace; it can only be of advantage to the
development and prosperity of the two neighbouring
182 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1877
countries when such an influential and pre-eminent
politician as Gambetta becomes confirmed in this con-
viction, and seeks to communicate it to the best of his
ability to his countrymen. As you will know, my father is
of opinion that the Republican form of government, such
as that which followed its tranquil development until May
1 6th, is the only one under which France can permanently
cultivate peaceable relations with Germany. As is the case
in every country in the world, the great mass of the people
in France and Germany is peace-loving, and if the Pari-
sians and the Jesuit elements are excepted it can be boldly
asserted that the French nation is as much disinclined for
a fresh warlike entanglement as the German nation is. My
father does not believe, however, that it is only through the
national hatred and the desire for revenge on the part of
our western neighbours that we might be placed in a posi-
tion soon to be compelled to ward off a fresh French at-
tack. The only danger lies in the French army, in the
event of a successful coup d'etat, being summoned in the
service of the Vatican to a crusade against Germany, either
under those at present in authority or under a pretender
who had arrived at the supreme power. None of the pre-
tenders should one of them obtain forcible possession of
the throne by a bold stroke would long feel secure against
the hostility of the other monarchical parties that had been
pushed into the background, and of all the Republicans.
Once arrived at power, every pretender would, however,
before throwing up the cards, try to relieve the internal
fermentation by creating a diversion abroad, and would
stir up a quarrel with us. An Ultramontane government
whatever might be the name given to it would most as-
suredly be unable not to wage a war on us as soon as the
Jesuits considered that their purposes would be served by
waging it. The wishes and plans of such a government
need not be taken into account, for it would simply have
1877] CORRESPONDENCE 183
to obey instructions from Rome; under a clerical regime
the French army is nothing but " soldiers of the Pope,"
who march at his orders wherever the Jesuits wish to direct
them.
This we have already experienced, in the summer of
1870. It is now among the aims of my father's policy to
prevent such a possibility arising as far as we can do so
without interfering in France's internal affairs. He be-
lieves that this aim can be attained, and is by no means
one of those Germans who say: "There must be a war
with France within the next few years; it is better, there-
fore, to have it as soon as possible, while France is still
weak, and we are sure of defeating her again." This is the
raisonnement of a certain military party, which has a hear-
ing, it is true, but no power.
My father has always opposed this style of reasoning;
he considers that there are absolutely no incontrovertible
grounds for assuming that a war with France is inevitable
within the next few years, for no one can act the part of
Providence and know what the world will look like some
years hence. It is indubitable that every war, even a vic-
torious one, is a calamity, and so long as it is not absolutely
unavoidable my father will not advise it. It would be too
dangerous a game to try to drive out the devil with the
help of Beelzebub. It would not be such a very difficult
matter to begin a war; one can never definitely know, how-
ever, how it will end. The fortune of war is variable, and
the most clear-sighted military men are occasionally at
fault in their anticipations and calculations. There is a
striking example of that just at the present moment in
Bulgaria. We need and wish for no war with France, and
we also believe that there is no reason why it must of
necessity break out so long as the Pope is not supreme
there. When this happens, there will be hardly any pros-
pect of a long peace.
184 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1877
I have endeavoured in the above to give you the tenor
of some utterances of my father's. He empowered me to
do this, and added that you might make whatever use
you wished of this letter.
My father sends you his kindest regards, and I am,
Your most obedient,
COUNT HERBERT BISMARCK.
III. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK.
NEUDECK, December 23, '77.
MOST ESTEEMED PRINCE,
Your Excellency will no doubt already be acquainted
with the secret history of MacMahon's change of mind in
all its curious details, and also with the fact that it was
Gambetta alone who directed the Committee, although he
carefully avoided coming prominently forward.
I heard from Gambetta the day before yesterday through
a safe intermediary. In the middle of November, he said,
I had told him that it was my personal opinion that the
Imperial Chancellor would never believe in the sincerity
of a French Government towards Germany so long- as its
foreign policy was in clerical hands and Gontaut was Am-
bassador in Berlin. He had, he continued, then answered
me to the effect that by the end of the year these obstacles
would be removed; the appointment of a Protestant * to
assume the conduct of French foreign affairs and the re-
placement of Gontaut by St. Vallier, who was designated
by Hohenlohe as a person who would be sympathetic and
acceptable to Germany, had in the meantime been carried
out as manifestations of the desire on the part of France
to cultivate good relations with Germany. He enquired
whether, on the other hand, an official expression of sym-
* Waddington.
1877] CORRESPONDENCE 185
pathy towards the present French Government, perhaps in
connection with the forthcoming exhibition, we abiding,
however, by our original intention not to take any active
part in it, might be hoped for. Such a demonstration
would be very welcome to the Ministry at the present mo-
ment.
I answered him to-day that I was not in a position to
give an opinion in this matter, adding, however, that a de-
termined attitude against Rome was unquestionably the
surest means of furthering the rapprochement.
At the end of October your Excellency wrote me
through your son that it would evidently injure Gambetta
in the eyes of his countrymen if he maintained any inter-
course whatever with Bismarck, le Prussien; to this I can
only say that Gambetta's prestige in his party is unquali-
fied; the dictator of Tours is still an autocrat there.
If you give me permission to do so, I would take it upon
myself to bring Gambetta to you at Varzin, and, according
as you decide, either publicly or without letting anyone
know of it. All that is necessary is a hint from you. The
pater Joseph of the present Government, the holder of the
majority in the Assemblee generate and in a congres of the
two parliamentary bodies, will proffer you to its fullest ex-
tent the friendly co-operation of France, in order to attain
what he considers indispensable for the re-establishment
of settled relations and the restoration of mutual con-
fidence in Europe, and for relieving the commercial
and industrial distress viz., the adoption of a common
attitude on the part of Germany and France against
Rome, the revival of confidence between the two nations,
and a mutual understanding with respect to the military
budget.
With sincere esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient
HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
186 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S ^877
IV. BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
VARZIN, December 28, '77.
HONOURED COUNT,
I am extremely obliged to you for your letter of the 2yd
inst., which I have read with great interest.
The change of the person of the French Ambassador
has pleased me intensely; if anything was calculated to pro-
mote our confidence in the peaceable sentiments of France,
it was the recall of Gontaut, who had identified himself
with all the movements hostile to the Empire, and I only
wish some practicable means could be found of outwardly
manifesting our pleasure. It is impossible for us to re-open
the question of the Exhibition, as it is now too late for
our exhibitors to make any arrangements; I hope, how-
ever, that without this Gambetta will be set completely at
ease with regard to our intentions. I should be very glad
to enter into personal relations with him; for the mo-
ment, however, that would greatly alarm the Emperor, as
his Majesty has been well worked upon by Gontaut and
other influences in respect of Republican propaganda, and
has been rendered very mistrustful. Moreover, I should,
in Gambetta's own interest, consider it precipitate if he
were foolish enough to compromise himself with me; I
attach too great importance to his retaining his authority
unimpaired to be inclined to facilitate his sharing it. He
is one of the few authoritative natures still existing in
France, and in view of his peaceable sentiments and of
the power, which is still considerable, of the parties op-
posed to him, I think that the capital hoarded in him
should be husbanded for the present. In any case I am
very much obliged to you for establishing in this way
indirect relations which I shall gladly use and cherish. I
am pleased that you think kindly of me, and I beg of you
to reckon on my readiness to reciprocate.
Yours, v. BISMARCK.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 187
V. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)*
DESPATCHED FROM PARIS, April 12, '78.
PRINCE BISMARCK,
Berlin.
Early fruits requested cannot at the moment be lound,
notwithstanding most careful search been made. Con-
signment cannot arrive within a week. Details leave this
evening. HENCKEL.
VI. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK.
25, AVENUE DBS CHAMPS ELYSEES,
PARIS, April 12, '78.
MOST HONOURED COUNT,
In view of the Reichstag recess beginning to-morrow I
telegraphed to your Excellency to-day:
"Early fruits," (etc., as above), and beg to report as
follows.
Immediately after arriving here on the evening of the
6th I sent to the person in question, but was informed
that, in consequence of the death of his aunt, Gambetta
had gone to Nice, and would be away at least until the end
of this week; nobody knew his address.
The next morning (Sunday) I got one of his best friends,
who first introduced me to him, to try and ascertain where
letters and telegrams for him should be addressed, or, if
his whereabouts had to be kept secret, if they could be
forwarded. Enquiries among his most intimate friends
proved that no one knows where he is staying; he is cer-
tainly not at Nice, and has probably hidden himself some-
where to obtain a little rest. As soon as he returns here
I will make the necessary arrangements, and will at once
inform you of the day of the arrival in Berlin.
I have the honour to be
Your Excellency's faithfully devoted
HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
* Sent in French.
i88 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
VII. BISMARCK TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
BERLIN, April 14, '78.
HONOURED FRIEND,
I am very much obliged for your communications, and
shall always be glad when we can see our arrangements
carried into effect. But for the rheumatism, I should be at
Friedrichsruh already. I am going there as soon as I can
travel, and remain there until May ist, unless I have to
spend a day in Berlin when the King of Sweden passes
through, I believe on the 2Oth instant. The journey oc-
cupies only four hours ; I could, therefore, also at your wish
take the train for Berlin at any time before the first of May
and be home again on the same evening. My wife does
not yet know whether she will follow me; she is Very grate-
ful for and intensely pleased with the wonderful Marechal
Niels,* which that polyglot European of a gardener of
yours has transplanted here in perfect condition and in the
full glory of their bloom. Everybody who knows anything
about the matter is greatly impressed at the sight of them.
With friendly greetings,
Yours,
v. BISMARCK.
VIII. GAMBETTA TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK. f
PARIS, April 22, '78.
MY DEAR COUNT,
I am extremely sorry that you should hfave had the an-
noyance of writing to me on April 6th without receiving
an answer. Please excuse me; the painful loss I had sus-
tained kept me away from Paris for three weeks without
communicating with anyone. I should like to see you to-
morrow, about half-past one in the afternoon, to express
my regrets and to converse with you as you desire.
With my kindest regards,
L. GAMBETTA.
* Roses,
f Translated from the original French.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 189
IX. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)*
PARIS, April 23, '78.
PRINCE BISMARCK,
Friedrichsruh.
Consignment leaves Sunday, arrives Berlin Monday
evening, will be at your disposal Tuesday, details follow.
HENCKEL.
X. COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK TO BISMARCK.
25 CHAMPS ELYSEES,
PARIS, April 23, '78.
MOST HONOURED PRINCE,
I have had the honour and the pleasure of receiving your
kind letter of the I4th instant. Gambetta, who returned
here yesterday evening, has just left me, and I have sent
the following telegram to Friedrichsruh :
" Consignment leaves Sunday, arrives Berlin Monday
evening, will be at your disposal Tuesday, details follow."
Gambetta's aunt, who stinted herself to provide for his
education, and to whom he was most fondly attached, died
quite suddenly and unexpectedly. He was so shaken by
the death that for several weeks he shut himself up away
from everyone. He is ready to come to Berlin at any time
that may be most convenient to your Excellency; he would
like, however, not to be away too long after the Asseniblee
Nationale resumes its sittings (April 29th).
In order to spare you the unnecessary journey from
Friedrichsruh to Berlin and back, I have arranged our
departure from here on Sunday evening, and our arrival
in Berlin (Hotel Kaiserhof) on the evening of Monday the
29th. On the 3Oth, the day on which the Reichstag re-
opens, Gambetta will be at your disposal, and I trust to
* Sent in French.
190 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
receive at the Kaiserhof intimation as to the time which
will suit you best. The whole matter has ? of course, been
kept a close secret here.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's faithfully devoted,
HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
XL GAMBETTA TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.*
PARIS, April 24, '78.
DEAR COUNT HENCKEL,
Man proposes . . . parliament disposes. When I
accepted with eagerness yesterday I had not reckoned with
the unforeseen which holds us all in check.
Questions relating to the Ministry for War have as-
sumed a serious aspect, and I am informed that an im-
portant debate will be opened on the Ministry for War as
soon as the Chambers meet.
I cannot desert my parliamentary post at such a time,
and leave behind me an incident entailing such important
consequences.
I am, therefore, under the dire necessity of postponing,
at least until after the session, which will probably be very
short, the execution of a project to the realisation of which
you have so efficaciously and so sympathetically con-
tributed. I am extremely grateful for this, and when the
Chambers separate you will perhaps, if there is still time,
again permit me to solicit your kind intervention.
Accept, etc.
L. GAMBETTA.
XII. TELEGRAM TO COUNT HENCKEL DONNERSMARCK.
BERLIN, April 24, '78.
COUNT HENCKEL,
Champs Elysees, Paris.
Recipient of your yesterday's telegram is ill, and desires
* Translated from the original French.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 191
you to be informed that, in the opinion of his doctors, it
will be ten days or a fortnight before he can return to
Berlin.
A footnote in the German edition says:
" Prince Bismarck and Gambetta never met, nor was a meeting be-
tween them ever again mooted; Gambetta was once, however, at Fried-
richsruh incognito as a tourist, and was shown over the house. Prince
Bismarck was away at the time."
170
BISMARCK TO PRINCE CHLODWIG zu HOHENLOHE.
VARZIN, January i, '78.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I should like to add to my New Year's congratulations,
already expressed to you en clair, my most cordial thanks
for the clear-sighted and courageous support you have given
me at all times, and especially with such great success dur-
ing the past few months. Unfortunately, I do not always
find the ability to represent our policy united with a loyal
inclination to do so, and I am all the more grateful for the
exceptions where this is the case. I shall always acknowl-
edge with gratitude that, during the whole time we have
worked together, I could always count on your Excellency's
certain and successful co-operation, without which it would
not be possible, in the face of all the animosities and in-
trigues of which I am the object, to attain the indispensable
and to render the dangerous innocuous.
For some days past I have been ill again and am com-
pelled to keep my room. Owing to the fact that I am treated
with such scant consideration in respect of business affairs,
I cannot recover from the effects of what is, in itself, an in-
significant cold.
I beg your Excellency to place me at the Princess's feet,
and am, Yours
v. BISMARCK.
i 9 2 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
171
PRINCE HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
MUNICH, January 5, '78.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
I have had the honour to receive here the friendly words
which your Excellency was kind enough to address to me
at the beginning of the New Year. I thank you most
heartily for them ; they have given me great pleasure. The
less contented I am myself with what I have achieved politi-
cally and diplomatically, the more gratifying to me is the
extremely kind manner in which your Excellency appre-
ciates it. I shall preserve your letter for my children and
grandchildren, as the most valuable document my family
possesses.
I need hardly add that your Excellency may also in the
future count on my full and unqualified co-operation.
I know better than many others the animosity to which
you are exposed, for your enemies were always mine and
will also remain so. I will continue the fight to the utmost
extent of my powers, and shall be proud to be permitted to
work under your direction. May God preserve you in health
and strength, still to conduct the affairs of Germany and of
Prussia to the welfare of the Fatherland.
Again wishing that the year which is beginning may be a
happy one for you and yours, I have the honour, with sincere
esteem, to be Your Excellency's most obedient
C. F. v. HOHENLOHE.
172
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 28, '78.
The enclosure contains the political portion of my report
to his Majesty on my mission to Rome on the occasion of
the death of King Victor Emanuel, which I think will be of
interest to you.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 193
I am not yet ready with my description of the ceremonies,
though this does not matter much, as the newspapers report
much more accurately than I, and my work will have only
documentary value.
The impression I have obtained from the journey, which
was arranged and carried out in such a short time, is that
it was quite right, in such exceptional circumstances, to send
me to Rome.
The Italians feel flattered, the Court is honoured, and the
young King has one reason more to convince himself as
to who are his friends.
French bungling and Jesuitical explosions of rage fav-
oured my appearance in the Eternal City, as did also the re-
pulse given by the Pope to the Queen of Portugal and the
Archduke Rainer.
Hohenlohe * gave me to understand that he was at my
orders, but that a meeting with me might be prejudicial to
him. This was reason enough for my not seeing him- I
sent him a message, however, to the effect that he might take
an opportunity of informing the Pope that I always recall
with pleasure the old gentleman's kindness and amiability
towards my wife and myself when we were in Rome on
former occasions; that I did not intend to visit St. Peter's
or the Vatican galleries this time; and that I was sorry to
hear he was so ill.
King Humbert expects an old, blunt Italian from the Con-
clave. Crispi made emphatic reference to your question of
1870, " whether we would count on him and his party," and
to his meeting with you this autumn. The old, blind Duca
di Sermoneta was at no pains to conceal his sympathies with
us, and Depretis, in spite of his taciturnity, seemed to me to
be well disposed towards us.
Prince Napoleon (Jerome) is animated with a love of
peace, and discussed the events of the war of 187071 as un-
*The Cardinal
194 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
constainedly as Canrobert did; the latter hates the Re-
public.
Hoping to see you again soon,
Your very obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
173
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
[BERLIN], February 17, '78.
If it would not disturb you too much, I should like to come
to you this evening at 8 o'clock, in order to obtain my in-
formation before the excitement of the feast.
I leave at 9 o'clock for Potsdam, to meet their Belgian
Majesties, and arrive with them here at 10:15.
It would be nothing short of a crime if I were to come
to you after this evening ceremony !
Your very obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
174
BERLIN, February 22, '72.
COUNT HERBERT BISMARCK TO COUNT HOLNSTEIN.
HONOURED PATRON,
The Bundesrath voted yesterday on the Substitute Bill,
with what result you will already know. The Bill was
passed unanimously in the form in which it left the Com-
mittee. My father sacrificed the original form of the Bill
to attain this unanimity, but it still gives him what he
needs from a business point of view; more than this he
does not desire to obtain, and Herr von Pfretzschner* has
expressed to him his especial thanks for accepting the
amendments in Committee.
* A Bavarian statesman.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 195
The whole affair has produced so many newspaper
articles, and consequently misunderstandings, that it
seemed as if really a great number of difficulties even if
only imaginary ones were arising against it. Many per-
sons have acquired quite a wrong impression of the sig-
nificance of the Bill, and my father has had much trouble
to expose the real kernel of the matter. He is all the more
grateful to your exalted master [the King of Bavaria],
whose gracious confidence enabled him to secure the una-
nimity of the Governments in the Bundesrath which is in-
dispensable if the Reichstag is to remain within bounds.
My father's views on the development of the Empire have
not changed since he explained them to his Majesty from
Kissingen last summer. The whole Substitutes Bill has no
bearing whatever on the independent Ministries in the
Empire. The rights of the Bundesrath remain intact
whether the authority of the Chancellor is transferable or
not; his substitutes can never have more rights than the
Chancellor himself has possessed hitherto.
Many words have been wasted by the newspapers in the
discussion of plans which never existed, and which, ac-
cording to the Constitution, are impossible. My father
desires no more than the possibility of being represented
and of having leave of absence, or of being relieved of
some of the current business.
A change of the Constitution and a curtailment of the
rights of the Bundesrath are impossible, and even if they
were possible my father would always most determinedly
oppose the carrying out of this immature idea, which must
necessarily have a most seriously injurious effect on the
whole administrative machine of the Empire and the in-
dividual states. The only question in all the documents has
been that the possibility of the Imperial Chancellor being
replaced by a substitute has become a necessity.
It has fallen to me to write letters from Varzin, at my
196 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
father's direction, to the Minister Biilow, in which this point
was made perfectly clear. My father has also empowered
me to communicate all this to you, as he is very desirous
that you should be acquainted with the exact state of
affairs. I can only repeat that my father, now as hereto-
fore, has nothing to do with Imperial Ministers, and that
the support given to his standpoint is at all times welcome
to him. There is absolutely no idea of the present Bill ever
becoming a bridge to Imperial Ministries. As long as the
constitutional rights of the Bundesrath are not impaired
or diminished, such Ministries, which vegetate in the phan-
tasies of journalists, are simply impossible.
It must, however, be made indisputably possible for my
father to be represented, otherwise he cannot continue to
be Chancellor, and no one can be Chancellor in his place.
Beside this one chief point the special clauses which have
been introduced into the bill are fairly immaterial to him.
He proved this yesterday, by most readily accepting the
alterations made in the Bundesrath.
During the week that we have been here my father has
again been compelled to work very hard, and his health
is already beginning to suffer in consequence. Owing to
the fact that he cannot have a substitute, the latter is worse
than it was ten months ago. As he had to treat everything
in writing while he was on leave and in the health-resort
exactly as if he were in Berlin, he could obtain no rest or
recreation. It was not merely the foreign policy which
devolved upon him alone. His constant endeavour is to
maintain peace, and although he is not supported in this
by all the powers that are friendly toward us to the extent
that he might have expected, he still hopes that we at least
will remain at peace.
My parents wish to be remembered to you and your
wife.
H. BISMARCK.
1878] CORRESPONDENCE 197
175
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
POTSDAM, May 14, '78.
I must, to my extreme regret, relinquish the idea of see-
ing you before I start for England. As it is possible that
the Alsace-Lorraine affair may be advanced a step during
my absence from Berlin, I feel in duty bound to make the
express statement to you, that, should his Majesty decide to
summon me to the post * in question, I will be ready to
obey the summons with pleasure.
Your very obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
176
KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)
PARTENKIRCHEN, September 30, '78.
To HIS EXCELLENCY PRINCE v. BISMARCK,
GERMAN IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR, BERLIN:
I send you my warmest and sincerest congratulations and
good wishes on the joyous family event, f in which I take
the keenest interest, as I do in everything that concerns
you, my dear Prince, and your house.
LUDWIG.
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
October 10, '78.
Enclosed are my impressions collected in South Ger-
many and on the Rhine, which are at your disposal.
One thing I forgot to refer to the other evening, viz.,
whether the President of the Court of Appeal at Frankrurt-
on-the-Oder, Simson, would not be the most suitable per-
son for the new post of President of the Supreme Court
* Of Statthalter of Alsace and Lorraine.
t The betrothal of the Countess Marie von Bismarck with Count
Kuno zu Rantzau, on September 22, 1878.
198 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878-
of the Empire at Leipzig. The matter is not yet pressing,
but I wished to put forward and strongly recommend my
candidate in good time.
A person with such a past and of so much political
weight has assuredly the talent required to recognise our
Supreme Court and then to conduct it.
Your
FRIEDRICH WILHELM. K. P.
178
PRINCE CHLODWIG zu HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
PARIS, December 10, '78
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
The Cabinet Order, with which his Majesty was gracious
enough to send me the insignia of the Order of the Black
Eagle, speaks in such flattering language of my public serv-
ices that I cannot refrain from expressing my deeply felt
thanks to your Excellency, to whose friendly feelings to-
wards me I must ascribe this Imperial appreciation.
If I have succeeded in administering the offices I have
held to the satisfaction of the Emperor and your Excel-
lency, it is owing chiefly to the forbearance and benevolence
you have been good enough to exercise towards me in judg-
ing my work from the commencement. This gave me the
courage and the self-confidence of which I stood in need.
While requesting your Excellency still further to extend
your favour towards me, I am with the most sincere respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
C. F. v. HOHENLOHE.
179
PRESIDENT SIMSON TO BISMARCK.
FRANKFURT-ON-THE-ODER, March ig, '79.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR,
The arguments urged by your Excellency yesterday
have deeply affected me; in the conversation permitted
1879] CORRESPONDENCE 199
me with my family and friends my scruples were all re-
moved; I place myself unreservedly at your Excellency's
disposal.*
I wish I could in some measure express the gratitude
with which my soul is filled for the favour again vouch-
safed to me by your Excellency.
I remain, most illustrious Prince, in deep and faithful
veneration,
Your Excellency's most obedient SIMSON,
President of the Court of Appeal.
1 80
THE EMPEROR WILLIAM TO B. VON BULOW, SECRETARY
OF STATE.
BABELSBERG, August 29, '79.
I see to my great astonishment that Andrassy started
for Gastein yesterday before he has laid down his office
and Haymerle appointed. You will, therefore, please tele-
graph to Prince Bismarck as follows:
" To Prince Bismarck,
" Gastein.
" Agree to everything, and Manteuffel despatched. Con-
sider journey to Vienna, however, now impossible, even
if Warsaw passes off satisfactorily." To be signed,
" Wilhelm."
Even if this intimation arrives too late to prevent a com-
munication of the travelling plan to Andrassy, it is abso-
lutely necessary. WILHELM.
181
BISMARCK TO B. VON BULOW.
(Telegram.)
GASTEIN, August 30, '79.
Telegram received. Kindly report to his Majesty that I
have promised Count Andrassy to pay my return visit to
* For the office of President of the Supreme Court.
FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1879
him in Vienna, on the way back. Shall I now write to him
that his Majesty forbids my doing this? I cannot accept
the responsibility myself of the political consequences of
sending such a message to Vienna in the present state of
affairs. I think, therefore, that I must start on my return
journey via Vienna in about a fortnight.
v. BISMARCK.
182
B. VON BULOW TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)'
BERLIN, August 30, '79.
Report submitted this evening. His Majesty instructs
me to inform your Excellency that, after explanations
given, he readily agrees to return visit in Vienna in about
a fortnight's time. That telegram crossed his Majesty's
letter containing the grounds of objections. The telegram
transmitted to your Excellency was all that is to hand
respecting the notification of the Czar's visit on the 3rd.
The Czar said he could not, on account of the proximity,
decline to receive the Emperor Franz Josef there.
v. BULOW.
183
COUNT ANDRASSY TO BISMARCK.
SCHONBRUNN, September i, '79.
HONOURED PRINCE,
I have communicated telegraphically from Gastein in nuce
to my most gracious master, who is proceeding direct from
Prague to Bruck, the tendency and the provisional result of
our interview. I pointed out in particular that the question
is of a defensive agreement, a sort of insurance between our
two sovereigns in view of the armaments and of the corn-
minatory language which we and Germany hear in turn, the
idea of the same being that any attack on one of the two
empires is to be repelled with the entire joint forces, and
1879] CORRESPONDENCE 201
that the casus foederis is to come into force if one of the two
empires is attacked by a third power, and Russia should co-
operate with the latter.
I also pointed out that I had warmly advocated this com-
bination, but I did not in any way try to influence his Maj-
esty's decision.
To this I received, on my arrival, a telegram from
Prague, in which the Emperor states that he fully accords
with the tendency and the provisional results of our in-
terview, and invites me to come to him in the camp at
Bruck. I was in Bruck yesterday and had the opportunity
of making a detailed, verbal report.
I found the Emperor so convinced of the utility, and,
indeed, of the necessity of such an agreement, that it was
superfluous to advance any further reasons in its support.
His Majesty regards it not only as no deviation from the
project of maintaining peace in the three Empires, but as
being now the only possible means of removing the Damo-
cles sword which constantly hangs over our relations, and
of assuring peace for the welfare of the third party as well
as of ourselves.
That my Emperor is always glad to see you here, and will
be especially glad now, is a matter of course. In the mean-
time, I am empowered to receive a text of the proposed
agreement as soon as his Majesty, the Emperor William,
has sanctioned it in principle, and also to draw one up for
approval myself.
I will remain in office until this matter is concluded, al-
though my successor has been initiated by myself, and is
quite in accord with our project.
I have no doubt whatever of the personal intentions of
Czar Alexander, and am convinced that he does not wish
for war. As a Minister of a neighbouring State, I cannot,
however, forget that he did not wish for the war which has
just ended, and that from the beginning to the end of
102 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1879
it he vainly endeavoured to stem the current proceeding
from his immediate entourage.
I consider the removal of these dangers to be a European
necessity; and, difficult as it is now for me to postpone my re-
tirement, it would be extremely agreeable to me, as the serv-
ant of my Emperor and of my country, to sign with you,
honoured Prince, such a guarantee for the future of the two
Empires.
Austria has made the mistake in the past of refusing
Germany's offers, which would have assured the interest of
both the countries. I am glad that we are not this time com-
mitting such a mistake.
In sincere friendship and true esteem,
Your most obedient,
ANDRASSY.
184
BISMARCK TO COUNT ANDRASSY.
GASTEIN, September 3, '79.
HONOURED COUNT,
I received your letter of the ist yesterday evening with
great pleasure and satisfaction, and hasten to take advantage
of the return of the bearer of it to send you a provisional
answer. In the first place, I beg you to place at the feet
of his Majesty the Emperor my most respectful thanks
for the gracious manner in which his Majesty has thought
of my intention of coming to Vienna. I am glad to learn
from your letter that our project has already one foot in
the stirrup, and do not doubt that our joint work will suc-
ceed in getting it firmly in the saddle. Owing to the nature
of things, geographically as well as politically, my share of
the task cannot, unfortunately, be despatched as expedi-
tiously as yours. A verbal report has not only the advan-
tage of gaining time, it also enables the minister to restrict
1879] CORRESPONDENCE 203
his replies to the questions actually raised by his Sovereign.
In the written statement, on the other hand, I must antici-
pate all the misunderstandings which I fear may arise. I
have thus dictated exactly sixty folio pages to my son, who,
with your kind permission, is writing this letter, and yet
was obliged to explain the contents fully in a subsequent
telegraphic message. In spite of all my care, however, I
have not succeeded in completely obviating the misunder-
standing that there must be some idea of an aggressive ten-
dency behind our peaceable plan. This idea is, of course,
very uncongenial to amore than eighty-two-year-old gentle-
man, but I hope to be able completely to remove it, even if
it should cost me a fairly long postscript to the said sixty
pages. There is less probability of my overcoming my
master's disinclination to adapt himself quickly to new situa-
tions.
His Majesty regards the recent step of the Czar Alex-
ander as the first, lightning-like elucidation of a situation
which / have been compelled frequently to realise during
the past few years. And then, after all this, the Czar
Alexander whether as the result of outside influence or
of his own resolution, I do not know endeavours to force
Jupiter tonans into the background again by a quick transi-
tion to sunshine. Thus the last menacing utterances were
followed, within a week, by a friendly invitation to send
Prussian officers to Warsaw. My Emperor accepted, and
announced that he would send Field-marshal Manteuffel
with a suite. Baron Manteuffel's reception at Warsaw has
been a most gratifying one, both personally and politically.
. . . I do not know whether the meeting arranged for
to-day at Alexandrovo is due to his or to Russian initiative.
The objections raised here to a meeting on Russian terri-
tory were met with the rejoinder that provision could not
be so quickly made outside Russia for assuring the per-
sonal safety of the Czar. As far as I know, this meeting
204 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1879
takes place to-day; our Emperor is accompanied only by
his adjutants, and in Minister v. Billow's opinion his chief
object is to obtain from the Czar an explanation of his
threatening attitude.
I dare not .hope to receive before this an answer to my
report made to the Emperor on the 2nd, and which has only
been acknowledged by Biilow telegraphically. I gather
from Billow's telegram that the Emperor agrees to my
resuming the discussions with you, my most honoured
friend, in Vienna, but that I must " settle nothing without
his sanction." This is a matter of course, and you will not
be impatient if his age, his habits, and the novelty of the
perspective combine to make my master need time in which
to arrive at a decision. Furthermore, and this is favourable
to our plan, his Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, has
been consulted in the matter by his father, so that time is
needed for an exchange of ideas between the two exalted
gentlemen.
As is the case with you, each day's reflection strengthens
my conviction that the work we have undertaken is not
only beneficial, but necessary, and I hope that God will grant
it to us to assure to our two great Empires the guarantee
of external and internal peace for which they are striving.
I have considered it my duty to let you know how far I
have advanced with my work, and will again do so, as soon
as I receive my master's promised statement. If his Maj-
esty should put it into writing, at Konigsberg, on the 4th,
I shall be in possession of it on the 7th, or the 8th at the
latest. I was sorely tempted to go to Berlin myself, directly
you had started back, in order to plead our cause verbally;
but the state of my health and my strength did not allow
me to undergo this strain, and, moreover, my experience
is that I arrive at an understanding with my exalted master
in important and difficult matters far more surely, if not
so quickly, by written than by verbal intercourse. It hap-
1879] CORRESPONDENCE 205
pens so frequently that difficulties crop up in the latter case
which do not necessarily belong to the subject.
I hope to finish my cure here in fifteen to sixteen days,
and by that time to be again ready for the coming winter.
Hoping that we shall soon meet again, I am, with most
friendly esteem,
Your most obedient
v. BISMARCK.
BISMARCK TO COUNT ANDRASSY.
GASTEIN, September 20, '79.
HONOURED COUNT,
I have the honour now to supplement my reply of the
3rd inst. to your Excellency's favour of the ist. I have
repeatedly and fully reported on the situation in accordance
with the tenor of our discussions here, and the fact that my
colleagues who represent me entirely accord with my views
has enabled me to overcome the difficulties produced by
the geographical distance and by opposing influences from
another side, in so far that the Emperor now agrees in prin-
ciple to the view which guided me in our recent discussions.
My substitute, Count Stolberg-Wernigerode, informs me
that the Emperor is prepared to consent to an understanding
according to which both powers mutually promise to do
their utmost for the maintenance of peace, and especially
towards fostering peaceable relations with Russia, and
that, should one of them be attacked by one or more powers,
they will repel this attack with their entire joint forces.
I am thus empowered by my most gracious master to
propose a Defensive Alliance between Austria-Hungary and
the German Empire, without stipulating any conditions, and
for a definite or indefinite period. I beg your Excellency
to arrange to discuss this proposition verbally with me, and
I would then submit the result of our deliberations to my
ao6 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1878
most gracious master. I have no doubt of obtaining his
Majesty's sanction if your Excellency is in a position to
assent, in the name of his Majesty, the Emperor Franz
Josef, to our proposition in the simplest and general form
in which it is made.
In any case, I shall esteem myself happy if our delibera-
tions produce this result or any other which might promote
the common interests of the two Empires, and further the
cause of peace in Europe.
With the most friendly esteem, I am, from my heart,
Your most obedient
v. BISMARCK.
186
CARDINAL GUSTAV VON HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
ROME, November 26, '79.
HONOURED SIR,
I again take the liberty of writing to your Excellency.
I am told here that the peace negotiations with Cardinal
Jacobini are making favourable progress, and I thank God
for this satisfactory turn of affairs. Nevertheless, certain
" clerical hotspurs " flatter themselves that the Jesuits will
again be smuggled into Prussia by means of some such
passage as the following: " Religious associations and so-
cieties have free entry into Prussia."
Although the Jesuits are not named, people flatter them-
selves that the passage will get through, and the Jesuits
will follow. Happy naivete! It is always a good thing to
guard our Fatherland against this public calamity.
With heartiest wishes for your well-being, and in deepest
respect and veneration,
Your Excellency's
most obedient servant,
G. CARDINAL v. HOHENLOHE, Bishop of "Albano.
1879] CORRESPONDENCE 207
187
COUNT LEHNDORFF TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, December 15, '79, 10.9 A. 1C.
To HIS EXCELLENCY PRINCE VON BISMARCK, VARZIN.
Various, and partially contradictory, reports concerning
your Excellency's state of health have reached his Majesty
the Emperor and King, and have made him so anxious that
his Majesty urgently desires to have telegraphic news of
the same. His Majesty is all the more anxious as your
Excellency has had to receive visits from two important
personages * within the last few days, and he awaits with
exceeding eagerness and sympathy the assurance that the
mental efforts consequent on these visits have had no ill
effect. His Majesty sincerely wishes and hopes that this is
so, and sends your Excellency most cordial greetings.
COUNT LEHNDORFF,
Adjutant-Major.
188
BISMARCK TO COUNT LEHNDORFF.
(Telegram.)
VARZIN, December 15, '79.
To GENERAL COUNT LEHNDORFF,
THE ROYAL PALACE, BERLIN.
I beg you to place at his Majesty's feet my most respect-
ful thanks for the gracious solicitude.
I am still very weak, and recover but slowly ; visits such
as the recent ones retard my recovery, but I felt that in the
interest of the service I could not decline them ; there is no
* Count Peter Schouvaloff, and Lord Dufferin, English Ambassador
to the Russian court.
208 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1880
danger of their causing a relapse, for my intercourse with
those two gentlemen involved no anxiety and no mental ex-
citement, and it is the latter which, in my doctor's opinion,
I must chiefly avoid. More by letter.
v. BISMARCK.
189
KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK.
SCHLOSS BERG, May 17, 'Bo.
MY DEAR PRINCE BISMARCK,
I thank you most heartily for sending me the bill respect-
ing the Church Laws, which is to be introduced into the
Prussian Landtag, and for accompanying it with such a
lucid exposition of the situation. I am deeply grieved, how-
ever, my dear Prince, to find that you have subjoined the
announcement of your intended retirement from office. You
know the measure of sincere esteem and of unqualified con-
fidence which I bear unquenchably in my heart towards
you, and can judge from that how keenly I must feel the
realisation of your purpose. Although affairs in the Reichs-
tag may not always assume the most desirable form, the
Federal Council will always, my dear Prince, gladly stand by
you unchangeably on the federative basis of the constitution.
My Government, which never for a moment deviated from
that basis, was always supported by the consciousness that
it was at one with the man to whose eminent statesmanlike
foresight and labours Germany owes her new greatness,
which has been achieved in such a manner that the necessary
independence and strength of the individual States have
not only not been curtailed, but have been increased through
the Federal consolidation.
The continuance of such principles assures to the common
Fatherland times of peace and of power. The more ardently
i88o] CORRESPONDENCE 209
I desire this, and the more I am resolved always to do my
utmost towards this end, the less willing I am to relinquish
the hope that the affairs of Germany may remain for long
years to come under your irreplaceable guidance.
Receive, my dear Prince, the renewed assurance of my
especial esteem, with which I am,
Your sincere friend,
LUDWIG.
IQO
KING LUDWIG II. OF BAVARIA TO BISMARCK.
SCHLOSS BERG, June 15, '80.
MY DEAR PRINCE BISMARCK,
I tender you my best thanks for your letter of the gth
inst.,* the enclosure to which interested me exceedingly.
I esteem your communications very highly, both for the
extreme importance of their contents, and for the fact that
they are a mark of kindly attention, and trust you will con-
tinue them. I hear that you will soon be at Kissingen.
You know, my dear Prince, how sincere is my wish for your
welfare; I shall always rejoice at the fulfilment of these
wishes, for I am,
Your sincere friend,
LUDWIG.
191
THE CROWN PRINCE WILLIAM TO BISMARCK.
WIESBADEN, November 18, '80.
Soon after my return from St. Petersburg I made copious
notes of the impressions I had received there. I was so
frequently interrupted, however, that I decided to postpone
* The draft has not been found.
sio FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1881
until late in the autumn the task of writing them out in
full.
This is now done, but I was persuaded to use duplicating
ink so that I should not be obliged to give my work into the
hands of a third person to be transcribed. The result, how-
ever, has been disastrous.
As the mischief was done, I preferred to reckon on your
forbearance rather than to try and repair it, so that my
report comes with the request that you will pay more atten-
tion to the contents than to the colour of the ink, the hand-
writing, and its general appearance.
This remarkable manuscript is at your disposal, and it
supplements the conversation I had with you shortly after
my return from Russia. I shall probably find opportunities
during the coming years to revert from time to time to my
interview with the heir-apparent!
Trusting to see you on New Year's Day,
Your very obedient
FRIEDRICH WILHELM, K. P.
192
CARDINAL GUSTAV v. HOHENLOHE TO BISMARCK.
VILLE D'ESTE, March 25, 'Si.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
Will your Excellency permit me to offer my sincerest con-
gratulations on your birthday. Every respectable German
must thank God on that day for having given you to the
Fatherland, and must pray that you may still live many,
many years in ease and happiness after so many cares, toils,
and unpleasantnesses. I do this daily; on your birthday I
shall specially pray for you, and have prayers said for you
throughout my diocese of Albano. I am thinking of going
there now, for some time, and to leave the Vatican alone,
i882] CORRESPONDENCE 211
so that it may gradually come to itself and approach more
and more to the German Government.
Please remember me to the Princess, with the assurance
of my true devotion and friendship. I have the honour
to be, Your Excellency's
most obedient servant
G. CARDINAL v. HOHENLOHE.
193
LORD AMPTHILL TO BISMARCK.*
PRIVATE AND PERSONAL. BRITISH EMBASSY,
BERLIN, April I, '82.
DEAR PRINCE BISMARCK,
My wife and I join in heartily wishing you many happy
returns of your birthday, with health and prosperity to
enjoy them to the joy of your family and the happiness of
your great Fatherland.
On your birthday I think I may venture to commit an in-
discretion, and submit privately to you a few extracts of a
private letter just received from Lord Granville.
He says : " Count Herbert Bismarck goes to-morrow,
and there is a rumour that he is likely not to return at all,
or at all events only for a short time. This we must sin-
cerely regret. He has made himself exceedingly popular,
and there are many, certainly including Lady Granville and
myself, who would be very sorry indeed to lose him.
" He has been successful in circles where success was diffi-
cult and not absolutely to be reckoned upon. He shows
great interest, and is energetic in making acquaintance with
all classes of people; but, as you know, it requires some
time to get hold of the kernel, and as he is likely to play a
very considerable part in the politics of his own country,
* Given in the original English.
212 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1882
and as one of the obstacles to the better understanding of
the two nations has been the want of knowledge of each,
which some politicians display, I venture to think his early
departure a mistake, and to entertain the earnest hope that
he may return and dwell among us as long as possible."
In thus committing an indiscretion, my object is to show
how much Count Herbert has been appreciated in England.
.With every good wish, believe me, dear Prince Bismarck,
Yours gratefully,
AMPTHILL.
194
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram.)
BERLIN, May 7, '82, 1.20 p. M.
To THE IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR,
PRINCE BISMARCK, FRIEDRICHSRUH.
The Princess William has been safely delivered of a son.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM, KRONPRINZ.
195
BISMARCK TO THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.
May 7, '82.
I thank your Imperial Highness most respectfully for the
gracious intelligence, and beg to proffer my most humble
congratulations on this event, which is so extremely grati-
fying to the Imperial House and to the whole country.
BISMARCK.
1884] CORRESPONDENCE 213
196
COUNT v. SECKENDORFF TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, January 25, '83.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I am commissioned by their Imperial Highnesses the
Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to send you a medal
commemorating this day * January 25, 1883 which their
Imperial Highnesses hope your Excellency will give them
the pleasure of accepting as a mark of their extreme friendly
feelings and unqualified gratitude.
Accept the expression of my highest esteem, with which
I have the honour to be
Your Excellency's most obedient
COUNT SECKENDORFF,
Lord in Waiting.
197
THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
THE NEW PALACE, POTSDAM, May 14, '84.
With many thanks for sending me the fair copy in the
Schleswig-Holstein affair, I wish to ask you if we can speak
on other questions here or in Berlin.
Should you decide to come here, I will only mention that
two o'clock is our dinner hour, and eight o'clock that of the
so-called the.
Should you prefer not to take any " nourishment " with
us, only let us know which of your free hours you can spend
with us here in the country.
We could receive you in our house in Berlin to-morrow,
Thursday, May I5th, between twelve o'clock and a quarter
to one.
In view of the approaching " reverements," I am ex-
tremely desirous of speaking to you quite confidentially,
* The Crown Prince and Princess's silver wedding.
214 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1885
Jjefore the appointments are definitely made, about filling
our German post.
Your very obedient,
FRIEDRICH WILHELM, K. P.
198
GENERAL v. ALBEDYLL TO BISMARCK.
EMS, July 7, '85.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I feel that I ought to tell you the substance of an inter-
view I had yesterday with his Imperial Highness, the Crown
Prince.
It was the outcome of a report I made to. his Imperial
Highness a fortnight ago, on the fainting-fit with which
his Majesty the Emperor was seized after his arrival at
Ems.
It appears that in consequence of this report very serious
deliberations have taken place in the Crown Prince's house-
hold. The result of these deliberations is, as I gathered
from the remarks made by his Imperial Highness, the
Crown Prince, in our yesterday's interview, that it has been
decided, in case of a change in the occupancy of the throne,
that everything concerning the Government shall remain as
it is at present.
The Crown Prince stated this most decidedly, in a man-
ner which showed perfectly clearly that it was not alone
his view, but that it had been carefully weighed with the
Crown Princess.
The chief idea running through what the Crown Prince
said, however, was that of the arrangement and the under-
standing with you. He said repeatedly that he urgently
desires this understanding, and that he regards it as an
absolutely necessary and indispensable condition for his
future government.
1885] CORRESPONDENCE 215
In reply to questions as to what attitude I thought your
Excellency might assume towards this, I could only say that
I was unable to give any opinion whatever.
I do not think it necessary to mention here the other
matters discussed by his Imperial Highness, but simply to
inform your Excellency of the views at present held in the
Crown Prince's household.
His Imperial Highness told me that your Excellency will
be at the New Palace to-day. You will certainly find my com-
munications confirmed by the impressions you will obtain
there. Your Excellency will also, no doubt, consider what
standpoint you will take towards the advances which may
be confidently expected from the Crown Prince and Prin-
cess. I live and die as your Excellency knows in the
conviction that a future without such an understanding is
not to be thought of, and this conviction increased my
obligation to bring the above to your Excellency's notice.
My first idea was to come to Berlin, in order to speak to
your Excellency myself ; I gave up that idea, however, as it
would have been noticed, and am writing, as I think it will
be of extreme importance to your Excellency to know the
views held by the Crown Prince and Princess.
His Majesty the Emperor feels better every day; the only
alterations that can be noticed are diminished power of
movement, and frequently recurring attacks of weariness.
There are no evidences on which apprehensions of a recur-
rence of such seizures could be based. I cannot but say,
however, that the last fainting-fit has left a very deep im-
pression on me, especially as it came without any previous
warning, and that the seizure was a very severe one, and
was very close to the moment in which a recall to life would
have been no longer possible.
In most sincere devotion, with the highest esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient
v. ALBEDYLL.
ai6 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1885
199
(Draft.)
BISMARCK TO GENERAL ALBEDYLL.
VARZIN, July 16, '85.
As you rightly presupposed, I was in the New Palace on
the 7th, and his Imperial Highness spoke to me in the same
tenor as to you, in a very gracious manner, and with un-
qualified confidence, during a walk in the garden. I was ex-
tremely gratified by the kindliness of feeling he showed
towards me, though it also somewhat embarrassed me. In
the first place, such interviews are painful to me, in view of
my personal feelings towards the Emperor ; I say to myself
that they could not take place in his presence, and I cannot
simply assume that I shall outlive his Majesty. I am
younger than he is, but not so well-preserved. Moreover,
my powers for work are no longer equal to what is required
of them; I am eating into the capital. I cannot leave my
old master's service against his will and in disgrace; that
became clear to me when I saw him stretched on the ground
by Nobiling's bullet. It was, however, my hope and my
wife's that if, by God's will, I outlive the Emperor, I would
pass the rest of my life in the country, and, like a pensioned
court-actor, would exchange the stage for the stalls. On
the other hand, if I live until he assumes the Government,
the Crown Prince will be my King. Thinking as I do, I
cannot deny him what remains to me of my powers to work,
if he considers that he needs my services, and demands them
of me, without expecting from me actions prejudicial to the
country, to the dynasty, or to my honour. I was gratified
by the cordial manner in which the Crown Prince expressed
his confidence in me, but the feeling of being much more
used up than he and the world imagine, is strong in me. As
i886] CORRESPONDENCE 217
the Emperor is so much stronger since he has been at Ems,
I may hope that God will leave him with us much longer
yet, and spare me the ultra posse.
With the old friendship, Yours,
v. BISMARCK.
200
THE CROWN PRINCESS FREDERICK TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, December 24, '85.
HONOURED PRINCE,
When you dined with us recently, you liked the taste
of the Moselle wine which was served; it would give us
great pleasure if you will accept a few bottles from us for
Christmas.
We have heard with extreme regret that you have been
so ill, and only hope that it is not due to your having over-
tired yourself when you were out last.
With best wishes to the Princess, your
CROWN PRINCESS.
2OI
ADJUTANT v. PLESSEN TO BISMARCK.
THE PALACE (BERLIN), May 15, '86.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
It is my duty to report that, while at tea yesterday evening,
at half-past nine, with the Empress, and the Grand-Duch-
ess, and Prince Ludwig of Baden, his Majesty the Emperor
and King was seized with a kind of paralysis, became con-
fused in his utterances, and finally lost the power of speech.
He was conveyed to his bed, and recovered shortly after-
wards. The night was a good one. At seven o'clock this
218 FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1888
morning the Emperor drank a cup of tea in his bed, and
was quite clear in mind and speech. When he arose at nine
o'clock, some confusion in his remarks and a certain un-
natural excitation were observable. The condition has ap-
parently improved during the morning; the Emperor is less
agitated, but he complains of headache and feels exhausted.
Your Excellency will receive news again this evening.
Your Excellency's
most obedient
v. PLESSEN.
r Adjutant-Major on duty.
202
ADJUTANT-MAJOR COUNT LEHNDORFF TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, March 4, '88, 5 p. M.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
I beg to report that his Majesty the Emperor and King
has not left his bed to-day, and is suffering from intermittent
pains proceeding from an affection of the bladder. Every-
thing, unfortunately, points to the imminence cf a crisis
similar to those experienced several times during the past
few months. Narcotics have not yet been administered, and
the pains are not such as to render this necessary f-r the
moment; their application will be delayed as long as possi-
ble, and it is hoped may be avoided altogether. TTe Em-
peror is not very uneasy, and not at all low-spirited; the
trouble was first observed about forty-eight hours aeo.
Her Majesty the Empress commands me to tell you that
all these things which have happened lately weigh so very
heavily on her ; and that she is convinced that you feel with
her. Your Excellency's most obedient
COUNT LEHNDORFF.
CORRESPONDENCE 219
203
ADJUTANT-MAJOR COUNT LEHNDORFF TO BISMARCK.
BERLIN, March 5, '88, IO.IOA. M.
His Majesty passed the rest of yesterday fairly favour-
ably, although he was troubled with fitful pains. The last
attack, at five o'clock this morning, rendered an injection
of morphia necessary ; both before and after that, however,
the Emperor obtained a considerable amount of sleep, so
that the night cannot be considered quite a bad one. The
obedient undersigned was with his Majesty for some time
early this morning, and was surprised to find how well his
Majesty was, both in appearance and spirits, as compared
with previous similar occasions.
It is to be hoped that this favourable condition is not
entirely to be ascribed to the reaction of the morphia ; in any
case it was very gratifying and ought to be mentioned.
There is no means of judging the extent to which narcotics
must be used. The appetite is still fairly good, and there
are no other unfavourable symptoms.
COUNT LEHNDORFF.
Adjutant-Major on duty.
204
ADJUTANT-MAJOR v. BROESIGKE TO BISMARCK.
THE PALACE, March 6, '88.
The physicians are not satisfied with the way in which his
Majesty the Emperor and King has passed the afternoon.
His Majesty has eaten very little, but sleeps on the whole
quietly.
Morphia has not been administered during the day; it is
still questionable whether it will be necessary in the night.
C. BROESIGKE.
Adjutant-Major on duty.
aao FROM PRINCE BISMARCK'S [1888
205
ADJUTANT-MAJOR v. BROESIGKE TO BISMARCK.
THE PALACE, March B, '88.
The night has not given the invigorating sleep the physi-
cians hoped for.
In consequence of this the forces and the pulse are no
t>etter, and the condition continues serious.
C. BROESIGKE.
206
ADJUTANT-MAJOR v. LIPPE TO BISMARCK.
March 8, '88, 8.10 A. M.
His Majesty is becoming very considerably weaker; the
pulse ceases from time to time.
His Royal Highness Prince William has been summoned
to the Palace at the request of the physicians.
v. LIPPE.
Adjutant-Major.
207
ADJUTANT-MAJOR v. PETERSDORFF TO BISMARCK.
THE PALACE, March 9, '88. 2.55.
According to the physicians, there is again a change for
the worse in his Majesty's condition, so that notice has just
been sent to the Imperial family.
VON PETERSDORFF.
Adjutant-Major on duty.
208
COUNT RADOLINSKI, COURT CHAMBERLAIN, TO BISMARCK.
(Telegram handed in at Landshut, March n, 1888, at n A. M.)
To THE IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR, PRINCE BISMARCK,
BERLIN.
His Majesty has again commanded me to beg your Ex-
cellency to ask those of the Ministers who would wish to
CORRESPONDENCE 221
greet his Majesty, to come as far as Leipzig, as his Majesty
can see nobody after the train has passed Bitterfeld. It is
left to your Excellency's option alone to greet his Majesty
either at Leipzig or Bitterfeld. All the gentlemen are re-
quested to wear undress uniform. Receptions or leave-
takings at Charlottenburg are out of all question.
RADOLINSKI.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
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