Her Majesty’s Government set the highest value on the independence and integrity of Denmark....  Her Majesty’s Government will be ready to remind Austria and Prussia of their treaty obligations to respect the integrity and independence of Denmark. (No. 2, 137-8.)

Then on September 29—­that is, only nine or ten days after the receipt of the French dispatch—­we have this most important dispatch, which I shall read at some little length.  It is at p. 136, and is really addressed to the Diet.  The Secretary of State says: 

Her Majesty’s Government, by the Treaty of London of May 8, 1852, is bound to respect the integrity and independence of Denmark.  The Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia have taken the same engagement.  Her Majesty could not see with indifference a military occupation of Holstein, which is only to cease on terms injuriously affecting the constitution of the whole Danish monarchy.  Her Majesty’s Government could not recognize this military occupation as a legitimate exercise of the powers of the Confederation, or admit that it could properly be called a federal execution.  Her Majesty’s Government could not be indifferent to the bearing of such an act upon Denmark and European interest.  Her Majesty’s Government therefore earnestly entreats the German Diet to pause and to submit the questions in dispute between Germany and Denmark to the mediation of other Powers unconcerned in the controversy, but deeply concerned in the maintenance of the peace of Europe and the independence of Denmark. (No. 2, 145.)

My object in reading this dispatch is to show that, after the indication of the change of feeling on the part of France, the policy—­the sincere policy—­of the Government was not modified.  The Secretary of State writes thus on September 30, to Lord Bloomfield at Vienna: 

Her Majesty’s Government trusts that no act of federal execution to which Austria may be a party, and no act of war against Denmark on the ground of the affairs of Schleswig, will be allowed to clash with this primary and essential treaty obligation.  Her Majesty’s Government, indeed, entertain a full confidence that the Government of Austria is as deeply impressed as Her Majesty’s Government with the conviction that the independence and integrity of Denmark form an essential element in the balance of power in Europe. (No. 3, 147.)

Now, this takes us to the end of September; and I think the House up to this time tolerably clearly understands the course of the correspondence.  Nothing of any importance happened in October that requires me to pause and consider it.  We arrive, then, at the month of November, and now approach very important and critical affairs.  The month of November was remarkable for the occurrence of two great events which completely changed the character and immensely affected the aspect of the whole relations between Denmark and Germany; and which produced consequences