The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-11 00:00:00

REPLY OF THE KING OF PRUSSIA.

Monsieur mon frere,—Your Majesty in writing to me
the letter which your Ambassador presented to me on the
13th of November, must have been convinced that the
generous sentiments which inspired you would be responded
to with that cordial assent which a Sovereign having at
heart the welfare of nations, could not deoliae joining in
the noble object which your Majesty proposes to the Euro-
pean Powers by inviting them to a general Congress.
During the course of the last half century the treaties of
1815 have necessarily undergone modifications which the
irresistible influence of time and events exercises upon
human institutions. Nevertheless, those treaties still con-
tinue to form the foundation upon which the political
edifice of Europe actually rests. It will, therefore, be a
task worthy of the efforts of all Governments in-
terested in the maintenance of order and of peace
to consolidate that foundation, to provide for those portions
which have been destroyed or which will have to be
abolished, and to give additional guarantees to such
enactments as may be misunderstood or menaced. In
such a work I will join with all ray heart, and in per-
fect liberty only to consult my own solicitude for the
general interests of Europe, because, as Prussia has never
outstepped the limits of treaties, she has no direct interest
in provoking or declining the meeting of a Congress. Such
a position enables my Government to lend its impartial
and disinterested support to establish between the Powers
convoked a preliminary understanding, upon the principles
of the Congress, and to obviate by prudent negotiations the
difficulties which might cause germs of discord in a work of
conciliation and of peace. To this effect my Government
will be happy to receive any overtures your Majesty may
think fit to make respecting preliminary views.
I thank your Majesty for the hospitality which you
have kindly offered me, and I am sure I should meet with a
welcome at Paris which renders so dear to me the remem-
brance of my sojourn at Compiegne ; but it is rather for
our Ministers united in Council to enlighten by their dis-
cussions and to prepare for the sanction of the Sovereigns
the proposals which will be submitted to the Congress.
I take advantage of this opportunity to renew the assur-
ances of the high esteem and special friendship with which
I remain, Monsieur mon 11 ere, of your Majesty,
Le bon frere,
WILLIAM.

Berlin, Nov. 18.

REPLY OP THE KING OF HANOVER.

Mousier mon Frere,—l have received with as much
pleasure as gratitude the letter which your Imperial Ma-
jesty was good enough to address to me under date the 4th
of this month.
To regulate existing differences by a general understand-
ing between the European Powers, to calm the unceasingly
recurring disquiet which obstructs or retards the develop-
merit of the prosperity of States, to paralyse the efforts of
subvervise parties, and, in fine, to assure the tranquillity of
Europe by removing every eventuality of war, is the most
signal service that can be rendered to the cause of civilise-
tiou ; it is an enterprise which, should obtoin the alllfig"