Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: This mail will convey to you the important intelligence that the treaty of peace between Austria and Prussia, which was signed at Prague on the 23d ultimo, has been ratified, and that Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys has been replaced in the ministry of foreign affairs of this empire by, the Marquis de Moustier, at present French ambassador at Constantinople.
The treaty of Prague, copies of which are given in all the public prints, conforms substantially to the preliminary treaty at Nikolsburg, of July 26th. The most important difference is in the clause which relates to Italy. By the sixth article of the preliminary treaty, the Kin g of Prussia engaged to induce his ally, the King of Italy, to assent to the terms of the preliminary treaty, and to the armistice based upon it, as soon as the Emperor of the French should declare that Venetia was placed at the disposition of the King of Italy. The Emperor authorized Mr. Benedetti, his ambassador at Berlin, to make that declaration on the 29th of July. The second article of the definitive treaty affirms and recognizes the reunion of the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom with the kingdom of [Page 340] Italy, without any other onerous “condition than that the liquidation of the debts due from parts of the ceded countries should be recognized in conformity with the plan followed in the treaty of Zurich.”
The preliminaries of Nikolsburg contained nothing about the Venetian debt. This is the only difference between them of practical importance. It will add largely to the financial burden of Italy, hut will not, I have reason to believe, delay many days longer the execution of a definitive treaty of peace between Austria and Italy. Those here who ought to be best informed upon the subject expect the negotiations will have reached a successful termination before the 20th instant.
The surrender by Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys of the portfolio of foreign affairs, which he has held at three different periods—the last time for the term of four years, and always with distinction—has naturally produced a great sensation; the greater from the obviously constrained silence of the French press upon the subject.* * * * * *
Mr. de Moustier was ambassador at Berlin and Vienna before going to Constantinople. Though he has never achieved any European fame as a diplomatist, his colleagues who know him think that he lacked nothing but the opportunity to do so. So far as his appointment denotes anything farther than a desire to secure harmony in the imperial councils, it would appear to indicate a disposition to cultivate friendly terms with the government at Berlin, where, I am told, Mr. de Moustier left a favorable impression, and where his appointment has been received with great satisfaction.
Mr. de La Vallette did not receive the diplomatic corps yesterday. He was hunting with the Emperor, who has happily recovered sufficiently from his late illness to enjoy the sports of the chase.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.