Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The mystery surrounding the arrest of Frederick Boettcher is all explained. He * * ran away from his mother (when fourteen years of age) and fled to the United States. After serving two years in the Union army, he returned to Prussia when twenty-two years of age; having expended all the money he received for his services in the army, together with several hundred thalers obtained from his mother, and * * * she had him arrested and placed in the Prussian army. The mother, hearing of the effort making for his discharge, called upon me, and protested most vehemently against his release. By the Prussian laws he does not attain to his majority until twenty-four. Most probably his mother’s efforts will succeed in keeping him in the army, and unless instructed to the contrary, no further efforts will be made for his release. I am satisfied the statements of Simon Israel and also of his brother are not correct as to the time of Simon’s departure and return to Prussia. The evidence discloses the fact that Simon left Prussia in February, 1854, with a passport authorizing him to be absent one year, and that he returned in July, 1862, having been absent seven years after the expiration of the time mentioned in the passport.
The military officers under whom he has been serving deny the alleged maltreatment. Believing the shortest method of procuring his discharge will be through the clemency of the King, I have requested his brother to send me a petition for that purpose, and Baron Thile informs me that, in his opinion, his Majesty will release him. If Count Bismarck’s time and health will allow him to look into the case, he would immediately discharge Israel. I regret to say, however, the count is in feeble health, and for several weeks unable to see the diplomatic corps.
An intelligent American gentleman, residing at Hamburg for many years, writing on the subject of emigration, says: “The emigration promises to be on an enormous scale this year. In my opinion it will reach one hundred and fifty thousand from Germany. A fine class of emigrants are going this year from Holstein, all rich farmers, and about the best specimen of the agricultural classes in Germany; they mostly go to Iowa.” Three hundred emigrants passed through Berlin last week from Silesia, Prussia, in one company, for the United States.
The movements of the past week are all favorable for a peaceable settlement of the difficulties between Prussia and Austria.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.