Mr. King to Mr. Seward.
Sir :* * * * * * * * *
The ceremonies of holy week closed with the imposing celebration of Easter Sunday and the benediction of his Holiness the Pope in presence of a vast concourse of spectators, filling every part of the immense piazza in front of St. Peter’s. The Pope, who is in excellent health, went through his share of the ceremonies without apparent fatigue, and his voice, in pronouncing the benediction, was distinctly audible at a considerable distance from the balcony which he occupied.
A rumor was in general circulation here a day or two since to the effect that, in view of the embarrassed state of the Papal finances and the consequent difficulty of recruiting and maintaining the proposed foreign legion in the Papal service, the Emperor Napoleon had decided to retain the French contingent in Rome for three or four years longer. I did not myself credit the story, and, at an interview with Cardinal Antonelli yesterday, asked his Eminence if there was any truth in the report. He replied at once in the negative and spoke of it as an idle “bruit.” Adverting, however, to the threatening aspect of affairs just now in Europe, and the possibility of a rupture between Prussia and Austria, the cardinal intimated that this might lead to new and unforeseen complications. The position of the Papal government, he added, was a passive one. They were content to abide the event and leave to others the responsibility of precipitating matters. He deprecated a war between the two great German powers as involving consequences which none could foretell, and expressed the hope that it might yet be avoided.
His Eminence asked several questions about affairs in America, and again spoke in very eulogistic terms of the policy adopted by the President in his dealings with the States lately in rebellion against the federal government.
I think it not improbable that another week will bring to an issue the pending [Page 129] questions between Austria and Prussia, and decide whether peace or war is to be the status of Europe for . the coming year.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.