to the Confederation on the 17th of September, 1846, very properly stated to consist in, "that both Duchies, with the exception of the position of Holstein as a Federal State, and of the Separate Assembly of States by the side of the social nexus of the Schleswig-Holstein Order of Knighthood ("Ridderskab"), have all public judicial relations in common, by similar common legislation and administration, in so far as the Constitutional peculiarities in each of the two Duchies do not make an exception (such as are provided for by section 4 of the common law)." The peace of the Monarchy, on the contrary, would be, and is, especially shaken by the fact, that for a number of years, a party in the Kingdom has laboured for the incorporation of Schleswig as a measure for the accomplishment of which every means is energetically used. But how little such an undertaking leads to the welfare of the Monarchy has been proved by the last ten years, which instead of a conciliation between the stubborn national and political elements, have produced but an increasing bitterness and the deepest internal dismemberment of all public relations. While the States of the Duchy of Schleswig feel bound by the present solemnly to protest 1. Against the Ordinance of 2nd October, 1855, continuing in force for Denmark and Schleswig, as well as against the legality of the Resolution of the Council of State (Rigsraad) during its last Session, as far as the Duchy of Schleswig is concerned. 2. Against the legality of sections 1 to 4 of the Special Constitution for Schleswig, on which the States have not been consulted. 3. Against the legality of the Royal Patent of 10th November, 1855, by which the sphere of action of the States has unconstitutionally been curtailed. 4. Against every decision respecting the position of the Duchy of Schleswig to the other portions of the Monarchy under your Majesty's sceptre, taken without previous declaration on the part of the Schleswig States. And 5. Against all steps hitherto taken or to be taken in future, having for their object a severing of the relations which unite the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. We pray your Majesty graciously to receive the present Address only as an expression of our faithful and loyal sentiments. We hope, with confidence, that by your Royal wisdom your Majesty may succeed in discovering a proper means to bring to an end the painful state in which the affairs of the country are at present, and which destroys the most important and most sacred interests of the Duchy of Schleswig. In conclusion, we beg to express to your Majesty the firm conviction that the peace, quiet, and welfare of the Monarchy can only be secured, if with a view of finally settling the political relations of the Duchy of Schleswig to the other portions of the Monarchy, proposals suitable to the times, and based on the ancient privileges of the country, be communicated to the States, and if, until the definite settlement of their relations, not even laws with reference to common affairs be issued without the sanction of the States of Schleswig. Flensburg, January 1860. No. 2. (Signed) H. RUMOHR. (Extract.) Sir A. Malet to Lord J. Russell.-(Received February 23.) Frankfort, February 20, 1860. THE Diet not having held any sitting on Thursday last met on Saturday the 18th, and I have learnt that the Report of the joint Committees, relating to the question of the Danish Duchies, was laid before the Assembly. The Report is, as I am informed, of a nature not to be acceptable to the Danish Government, and M. de Bülow entered a protest on the Protocol, chiefly on the ground that its conclusions affected those portions of the Danish Monarchy not included in the Germanic Confederation. The first point touched upon by the Report is the state of things established in the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg in consequence of the decision of the Diet of the 11th of February, 1858, and which was notified to the Diet by M. de Bülow on the 2nd November, 1859. In reference to the provisional state of things then established the Report recommended, firstly, that the Diet should declare that its requirements are not satisfied, and should give the Danish Government to understand that the menace of Execution still subsists, and would continue to impend, until the Duchies, by the organ of their Provincial States, declare themselves satisfied by the re-establishment of their relations to the Crown in harmony with the Constitutional provisions of 1851-52. Secondly. The Report recommends that in the general affairs of the Monarchy the Provincial States of Holstein and Lauenburg should have the right of assent or dissent, not on financial points alone, but on all matters of general policy, and also of deliberating on any such matters in common with the other divisions of the Monarchy. Thirdly. The Committee ask the Diet's authorization for taking such steps as may seem advisable to them for ascertaining whether these decisions of the Diet (presuming them to be voted) are properly carried out, and to report further thereon. The protest of the Danish Envoy reminds the Diet of the abolition of the Danish Constitution in the Duchics, in accordance with the Diet's demands of February 11, 1858, and of the perspective which exists under the "Provisorium," of an understanding being arrived at between the Crown and the Duchies by free negotiations. His Excellency further intimated, that if the Diet adopts this Report, such understanding will be rendered impracticable. With reference to the second point, his Excellency protests against the Diet's intervention in prescribing a mode of deliberation for portions of the Monarchy which are not under Federal jurisdiction, and reserves all the sovereign rights of his own Government. The vote of the Diet on the Report will be taken on the 8th of March. No. 3. My Lord, Mr. Howard to Lord J. Russell.-(Received February 27.) Hanover, February 24, 1860. I TOOK an opportunity while at Oldenburg of urging upon M. de Rössing, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the expediency of the German Powers using moderation in their treatment of the Holstein question, and abstaining from all extreme measures against Denmark, so as to avoid further European complications, or the intervention of foreign Powers. His Excellency replied that the Grand Duke being a Holstein Prince, and feeling strongly on the subject, I must be prepared to find Oldenburg favourable to a decisive course of action on the part of the Diet in respect to the rights of the German Duchies; but that the Oldenburg Government had not, nevertheless, associated themselves to the proposals of the Hanoverian Government which went further than those made by Prussia, and already, as I would be aware, adopted by the Diet. No foreign Power, his Excellency observed, would have a pretext for interference as long as the intervention of Germany was confined to the German Duchies, and not extended to Schleswig. I have, &c. (Extract.) Sir A. Malet to Lord J. Russell.-(Received February 28.) Frankfort, February 25, 1860. WITH reference to my despatch of the 20th instant, I beg to inclose a translation of the Report presented to the Diet on the 18th instant, relating to the question of the Duchies. C Inclosure in No. 4. Extract from the "Journal de Francfort." ON écrit à "l'Indépendance Belge": Francfort, le 19 Février, 1860. "Dans sa séance d'hier, la Diète Germanique s'est occupée de l'affaire des Duchés de Holstein-Lauenburg et de la publication des Protocoles des séances. Voici le resultat de cette délibération d'après le Protocole officiel. "Dans l'affaire des Duchés, les 'Comités réunis' ont proposé à la haute Diéte: "1. D'annoncer, par la voie de l'Ambasssadeur Royal Danois pour les Duchés, au Gouvernement Royal, que la Diète "(a.) Trouve que le Gouvernement Danois, par ses derniers actes vis-à-vis des Duchés de Holstein-Lauenbourg, principalement par les propositions faites aux Etats des dits Duchés, et par le rejet pur et simple des propositions des Etats, a manqué aux obligations que la Résolution de la Diète du 11 Février, 1858, § 2, litt. a et b, a imposées au Gouvernement Danois, et que ces obligations doivent être accomplies dans le plus bref délai; mais que pourtant la Diète "(b.) Par égard pour les explications du Gouvernement Royal données dans la note de l'Ambassadeur Royal du 2 Novembre, 1859, ajournera encore l'exécution sommaire résolue le 12 Août, 1858. "La Diète joint à cette déclaration (c.) La condition que, jusqu'à ce que l'état légal constitutionnel soit définitivement établi, comme il a été promis en 1851 et 1852 "(1.) La Déclaration Royale du 28 Janvier, 1858, soit strictement maintenue dans toutes les affaires qui concerneront les intérêts généraux et spéciaux des Duchés; que '(2.) Pour le maintien du droit de ces provinces appartenant à la Confédération, toutes les propositions de lois qui seront soumises au Conseil Suprême Danois, soient en même temps soumises aux Etats, et qu'aucune loi, principalement en matière de finances, ne soit promulguée dans les Duchés, tant qu'elle n'aura pas reçu l'assentiment des Etats, la Diète ne reconnaissant aucune valeur légale à des Ordonnances rendues en contradiction avec cette règle. "2. Quant à la déclaration du Gouvernement Royal de vouloir convoquer une Assemblée de Délégués pour la consulter sur une constitution générale et définitive, la Diète n'y trouve rien à opposer sous la condition que— "(a.) Ces délégués soient envoyés par les représentations légales spéciales de toutes les parties du royaume, et qu'ils délibèrent sur la base fournie par les déclarations de 1851 et 1852; "(b.) Que ces délibérations aient lieu le plus tôt possible pour amener enfin un état légal dans les Duchés ; et que "(c.) Les délibérations de ces délégués ne portent aucun préjudice aux droits des Etats des Duchés. "Toutes ces propositions seront sans doute acceptées. Le vote aura lieu le 8 ou le 12 Mars." THE following letter appears in the "Indépendance Belge:" "In its sitting of yesterday the Germanic Diet occupied itself with the affair of the Duchies of Holstein-Lauenburg, and with the publication of the Protocols of the sittings. The following is the result of this deliberation according to the official Protocol. "In the affair of the Duchies, the United Committees (Comités Réunis ') proposed to the High Diet (Haute Diète '): "1. To announce, by means of the Royal Danish Ambassador for the Duchies to the Royal Government, that the Diet, "(a.) Is of opinion that the Danish Government, by its last acts towards the Duchies of Holstein-Lauenburg, principally by the proposals made to the States of the said Duchies, and by the pure and simple rejection of the proposals of the States, has not fulfilled the obligations that the Resolution of the Diet of the 11th of February, 1858, § 2, letters a and b, imposed on the Danish Government, and that these obligations ought to be fulfilled without the shortest delay; but that nevertheless the Diet '(b.) In consideration of the explanations of the Royal Government given in the note of the Royal Ambassador of the 2nd November, 1859, will again postpone the summary execution resolved on on the 12th August, 1858. "The Diet adds to this declaration— (c.) The condition that till the legal Constitutional state is definitively established, as was promised in 1851 and 1852 "(1.) The Royal Declaration of 28th January, 1858, shall be strictly fulfilled in all the affairs which concern the general and special interests of the Duchies; that (2.) For the maintenance of the rights of the provinces belonging to the Confederation, all the propositions for laws which may be submitted to the Supreme Danish Council, shall be at the same time submitted to the States, and that no law, especially in matters of finance, shall be promulgated in the Duchies so long as it has not received the assent of the States, the Diet not recognizing any legal value in the Ordinances put forth in contravention of this rule. "2. As to the declaration of the Royal Government that it is willing to convoke an Assembly of Delegates in order to consult it respecting a general and definitive Constitution, the Diet has nothing to say against it, on condition that "(a.) These delegates are returned by the legal special constituencies of all parts of the kingdom, and that they deliberate on the basis furnished by the Declarations of 1851 and 1852. 66 (b.) That these deliberations take place as soon as possible in order to bring about a legal state of things in the Duchies; and that, "(c.) The deliberations of these delegates do not prejudice in any way the rights of the States of the Duchies. "All these proposals will, without doubt, be accepted. The vote will take place on the 8th or the 12th of March." (Extract.) No. 5. Sir A. Malet to Lord J. Russell.-(Received March 13.) Frankfort, March 9, 1860. I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship that the Diet voted yesterday the adoption of the Report of the Committee on the Danish Duchies question adverted to in my despatches of the 20th and 25th of February. The only vote besides that of M. de Bülow recorded against the adoption was that of the Representative of Luxemburg, Baron Scherf. The Envoy of the Saxon Duchies, M. de Fritsch, gave a separate vote, expressing the wish of the Government of Saxe-Coburg that the affairs of Schleswig should be taken up by the Diet in connexion with those of Holstein. The Danish Envoy, M. de Bülow, expressed, as I learn, at considerable length, the objections of his Government to conceding all the demands of the Diet, but made the proposal of drawing up a Project of Constitution, which, though demanded by the Diet for the last two years, the Copenhagen Cabinet has hitherto always evaded; without, however, having ever given the demand a decided rejection. The Diet has now required, in reference to the proposal of the Danish Government, that men of confidence chosen by the Provincial States should enter into deliberation with an equal number of the Council of the Kingdom (Reichsrath), that the proposed men of confidence should not have to sit with the existing members of the Council of State, but with an equal number of persons specially appointed by the Danish Government. This proposal is, I understand, unacceptable to the Copenhagen Cabinet, but it is hoped the difficulty may be turned by the perspective of the Project of Constitution, or terms of connexion for the Duchies to the Monarchy, which the Danish Envoy has now announced it to be the intention of his Government to elaborate. I am informed that, at the same time that his Excellency M. de Bülow made this communication, he gave the Assembly to understand that his Government, in assenting to this exigency and to the project being laid before the Diet, did not intend it to be subject to the revision of the Diet, but that it should be looked upon in the nature of an ultimatum. The mention of Schleswig will have an unpleasant effect at Copenhagen, but as it met with no support in the Diet the incident need not necessarily be noticed. No. 6. My Lord, Sir A. Malet to Lord J. Russell.-(Received March 13.) Frankfort, March 12, 1860, WITH reference to my despatch of the 20th February, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship an extract from the "Journal de Francfort," containing a translation of the protest made by the Danish Envoy, on the occasion of the Report of the Committees on the Danish Duchies question being laid before the Diet. VOICI, d'après la "Gazette de Cassel," la traduction de la protestation faite par l'Envoyé Danois dans la séance du 18 Février dernier de la Diète Germanique à l'occasion des propositions présentées par les Comités réunis sur les affaires constitutionnelles du Duché de Holstein :- "Comme dans les propositions du Comité qui viennent d'être lues, surtout en les rapprochant des délibérations dont elles ont été précédées, on trouve maintenant encore, après que toutes les dispositions constitutionnelles pour les Duchés de Holstein et de Lauenbourg contre lesquelles la Diète a réclamé par sa résoludu 11 Février, 1858, ont été suspendues, et qu'on a en partie pris, en partie offert des mesures constitutionnelles préliminaires pour amener un état de choses tenant compte de tous les droits et de tous les intérêts, qu'en outre des garanties correspondant aux constitutions spéciales ont été donneés avec empressement pendant la période de transition, comme on trouve encore dans ses propositions, disons-nous, la voie d'exécution contre Sa Majesté le Roi de Danemark mise en perspective, et qu'on y réclame en même temps pour les Etats du Holstein et du Lauenbourg, pendant ce provisoire comme aussi pour la décision éventuelle de toutes les questions constitutionnelles, une faculté délibérative très étendue et dépassant leur précédente compétence, l'Envoyé Royal, en se référant à ses déclarations antérieures, doit d'autant plus se borner pour le moment à une protestation provisoire, que son Gouvernement croit devoir conserver l'espérance que la Haute Diète Germanique ne voudra pas lui rendre impossible la voie qui, d'après la conviction du Gouvernement Royal, est la plus pratique pour amener une entente définitive sur la base de la Résolution Fédérale du 29 Juillet, 1852. "Si, en outre, la compétence Fédérale devait être réclamée à l'égard de la représentation éventuelle qui serait accordée aux parties de la Monarchie n'appartenant pas à la Confédération Germanique dans les délibérations de délégués sur une constitution commune, l'Envoyé ne peut s'empêcher de protester maintenant éjà, au moment où les propositions sont présentées et au nom de son auguste ouverain, contre une telle réclamation. "Il doit en même temps réserver à son Gouvernement tous ses droits ainsi que les déclarations et explications qu'il pourrait juger ultérieurement nécessaires." THE following, according to the "Gazette de Cassel," is the translation of the protest made by the Danish Envoy in the sitting of the Germanic Diet of the 18th February last, on the occasion of the presentation by the United Committees of the proposals respecting the constitutional affairs of the Duchy of Holstein:- "As in the proposals of the Committee which have just been read, especially when they are compared with the deliberations by which they were preceded, it is now again found, after all the Constitutional arrangements for the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg to which the Diet objected by its Resolution of the 11th February, 1858, have been suspended, and preliminary Constitutional |