ment of grievances or formal motion of any sort whatever on the part of the Estates themselves before the Diet, nor is there any evidence that advances of a conciliatory character have been made on the part of the Estates towards the Sovereign of the Danish Monarchy. Such being the case, His Majesty cannot be induced to yield his assent to motions which, under existing circumstances, he is convinced could only lead to dubious and critical consequences, with regard to the internal and external relations of the German Confederation. His Majesty the rather deems it incumbent upon him, in his position in the Confederation, to express at once his view and his desire, that during and even beyond the proposed 6 weeks interim, endeavours to effect a reconciliation should be made in the manner above suggested. His Majesty is perfectly assured, that with the present rapid progress of events, neither party will deem too rigid a persistency in presumed prescriptive rights advisable, but rather that both will be inclined to avoid by conciliatory steps serious, or at all events deeply to be deplored conflicts, between the Confederation and one of its most important members. The Ambassador, in conclusion, is directed to declare that his Government cannot undertake any responsibility for the consequences of the proposed resolutions. . CORRESPONDENCE between Great Britain, Austria, Bavaria, Denmark, France, Germanic Confederation, Hamburgh, Hanover, Prussia, Saxony, and Sweden, respecting the Affairs of the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.*-1861. [Continued from Vol. L. Page 1172.] No. 96.—Mr. Murray to Lord J. Russell.—(Received January 14.) I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith, for your Lordship's information, the translation of M. de Beust's speech on the Holstein question in the Saxon Chambers on the 7th instant. Ca Lo. J. Russqulat I have, &c. CH. A. MURRAY. ppoip Laid before Parliament, 1861. (Inclosure.)-Speech of Baron de Beust in the Saxon Chambers, (Translation.) January 7, 1861. THE more I consider myself justified in taking for granted that the proposal we have just listened to meets with unanimous and undivided applause in this august assembly, the less do I think it right to leave it a doubtful matter that the proposal represents, in its most material points, the views and intentions of the Government, which need not hesitate therefore, to declare its thorough acquiescence in the line of conduct approved by this House. It is well known that the Confederation must very soon come to some definite resolution in the matter, because, in consequence of the notorious proposal of the Government of Oldenburg, to which the Proclamation of the Danish Government, at variance as it was with the last resolution of the Confederation of the 8th of March of last year, had given occasion, the report of the United Committees is shortly to be looked for. The Prussian Government has, in a way for which we have reason to be grateful, according to previous arrangement and in concert with Austria, given increased force to the consultations of these Committees. The disclosures which she has made on these points to the German Governments have met with universal approbation and countenance, and it is therefore scarcely a matter of doubt that the report of the Committees will be framed in the same spirit, and the resolution be of a corresponding nature. It is likewise, therefore, to be anticipated that the Prussian Government, which especially takes the lead in this question, will know how to give equal force to the resolution to be taken. If the same Government, without letting any injury accrue to the steady pursuit of the end to be aimed at, takes the lead, not without conscientious weighing and consideration of all the concomitant circumstances, such a line of conduct merits not only justification but approbation, and the idea of a reproof is therefore certainly present to no German Government, and this would indeed be most unjust when coming from the people of Germany. I must, nevertheless, throw particular emphasis on the point that the difficulties which have to be overcome, the doubts to be suppressed, the contests to be fought out-that all this lies entirely out of Germany, not in Germany; the constitution of the Confederation, whatever may be its defects, has never been an impediment in this question, and is not so at present; and that Prussia may be certain of seeing all the other German Governments on her side in this question, not only in the sense that th are ready to vote with her, but also ready to act with her, and, on ofcessary, to go into the field with her. I do not scruple to decl have is in the name of the Government of this country, and am convinced that I shall expose myself to no refutation if I assert the same of every Government in Germany. No. 98.-Mr. Paget to Lord J. Russell.-(Received January 16.) MY LORD, Copenhagen, January 11, 1861. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship translations of two Decrees, bearing date the 9th instant, relative to certain changes in the laws of Confirmation and Education in the Mixed districts of the Duchy of Schleswig. Their purport may be shortly stated as follows: The first Decree relates to Confirmation, which is divided into two parts-the one religious, the other civil., The religious ceremony may be performed in the language chosen by the parents of the person to be confirmed. Up to this time the ceremony had to be performed in Danish. As the religious, as well as general, instruction in the schools of the mixed districts is given in Danish, the examination preliminary to the religious ceremony will take place as heretofore in that language; but should the parents object to this, they will be free to take their children to another parish (where the language of the School is German), aud have them religiously instructed and examined in German, and then bring them to their own parish for confirmation. This has hitherto been forbidden, except where special permission was granted. The second Decree empowers persons to choose private instructors for their children without reference to the authorities of the parish, and to have them instructed in the language of their own choice, subject only to the condition that both the instructors and instructed should, on being required, submit to examination in the language they have chosen, at Special and General Church Visitations. As I hope to have an opportunity of addressing your Lordship next week by the messenger, I do not think it necessary to add anything further by the post to-day. Lord J. Russell. I have, &c. A. PAGET. (Inclosure.)-Royal Patent concerning Confirmation of Candidates in (Translation.) Schleswig. Copenhagen, January 9, 1861. His Majesty has been graciously pleased, by a resolution of the 4th instant, to decree the following regulations for the Confirmation of Catechumens: I. The regulations contained in the Patent of August, 12, 1820, whereby the appointed public examination of candidates for confirmation is to take place on the day of confirmation and previous to the confirmation, are annulled; and the two acts shall henceforth be distinct, and shall take place on different days. 2. Whilst that language which in each place is the anguage of public education is still to be used for the instruction and examination of candidates for confirmation, as regards the acts of confirmation there shall be applied those regulations for religious acts which were laid down (February 15, 1854) in Annex A with reference to the Decrees concerning the Constitution of the Duchy of Schleswig. 3. The Circular published by the former Schleswig Upper Consistory at Gotthorp, February, 25, 1831, whereby the regulations relative to confirmation of children out of their own parish were enforced and more clearly defined, is annulled; and it will henceforth, consequently, be open to every one to let his children be confirmed out of the parish without requiring a permit from the clergyman of his parish. The above is published for the information and instruction of those concerned. Given at the Ministry for the Duchy of Schleswig, Copenhagen, January 9, 1861. WOLFHAGEN. Circular to all the Church Visitors in the Duchy of Schleswig. Ministry for the Duchy of Schleswig, Copenhagen, January 9, 1861. HAVING received the desired information (January 21 and March 21 of last year) relative to the procedure respecting the exercise of the control devolving on Church Visitors and School Inspectors in the choice of tutors at home, and the instruction given by them, the Ministry sees fit to lay down the following rules for the regulation of these matters: I. It shall for the future, as hitherto, be free to every family to allow its children to be instructed by teachers at home. The language of instruction used in this home education depends entirely on the parties concerned. 2. The children, for whose instruction suitable care is taken, are furthermore, as hitherto, exempt from attending the public school. The parties concerned have only previously to make the necessary announcements to the District School Inspector and schoolmaster, who will make a note of it on the School Lists. 3. Those who let their children be educated at home by tutors are obliged, on requiry, to allow these tutors, as well as the children, to meet for examination at the Special and General Church Visitations. The language which has been adopted by the parties concerned as the language of education is to be used also at the examination. 4. If the tutors and children, on being summoned, abstain from appearing at the examination, without showing any insurmountable obstacle to their so doing, or if they are not considered to possess the same degree of knowledge and proficiency in the prescribed subjects as children of the same age on an average obtain in the school, their exemption from attendance at the public school ceases, and they cannot again, without special permission, be taken from school to be educated at home. The above is communicated for the information and instruction of parties concerned. WOLFHAGEN. No. 99.-Earl Cowley to Lord J. Russell.-(Received January 18.) I HAD some conversation a day or two ago with M. Thouvenel respecting the proceedings of the Diet at Frankfort with reference to the military occupation of the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg. M. Thouvenel expressed himself as of the opinion that this was a matter which regarded the internal constitution of the Germanic Confederation alone, but he seemed to be under the impression that before a Federal execution could take place, the Dukes of Holstein and Lauenburg must receive 3 several summons to conform to the resolutions of the Diet. I have, &c. Lord J. Russell. No. 100.-Lord J. Russell to Earl Cowley. COWLEY. MY LORD, Foreign Office, January 19, 1861. I HAVE received your Excellency's despatch of the 17th instant, reporting the substance of a conversation which you had had with M. Thouvenel respecting the proceedings of the Diet at Frankfort in regard to the military occupation of the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg, and I have to state to your Excellency that Her Majesty's Government agree with M. Thouvenel in the opinions which he has expressed on this subject. Earl Cowley. I am, J. RUSSELL. No. 107.-Mr. Paget to Lord J. Russell.-(Received January 25.) |