Benedetti sent the revised draft to Paris; it was submitted to the Emperor, accepted in principle, and returned with some small alterations and suggestions.  Benedetti sent in the revision to Bismarck and said he would be ready at any time to meet the Minister and finish the negotiations.  He himself left Berlin for Carlsbad and there awaited the summons.  It never came.  Week after week went by, Bismarck retired to his Pomeranian estate; he did not return to Berlin till December and he never renewed the negotiations.  The revised draft in Benedetti’s handwriting was in his hands; four years later, when war had been declared against France, he published it in order to destroy whatever sympathy for Napoleon there might be in England.

Bismarck did not continue the negotiations, for he had found a better way.  Till August 23d his relations to Austria were still doubtful; he always had to fear that there was some secret understanding between France and Austria, that a coalition of the two States had been completed, and that Prussia might suddenly find herself attacked on both sides.  He had, therefore, not wished to offend France.  Moreover his relations to Russia were not quite satisfactory.  The Czar took a very serious view of the annexations in North Germany:  “I do not like it,” he said; “I do not like this dethronement of dynasties.”  It was necessary to send General Manteuffel on a special mission to St. Petersburg; the Czar did not alter his opinion, but Bismarck found it possible at least to quiet him.  We do not know all that passed, but he seems to have used a threat and a promise.  If the Czar attempted to interfere in Germany, Bismarck hinted, as he had already done, that he might have to put himself at the head of the Revolution, and proclaim the Constitution of 1849; then what would happen to the monarchical principles?  He even suggested that a Revolution which began in Germany might spread to Poland.  The Czar explained that he was discontented with many clauses in the Treaty of Paris.  There was an understanding, if there was no formal compact, that Prussia would lend her support, when the time came for the Czar to declare that he was no longer willing to observe this treaty.

By the end of August Bismarck had therefore removed the chief dangers which threatened him.  Russia was quieted, France was expectant, Austria was pacified.  He had, however, done more than this:  he had already laid the foundation for the union of the whole of Germany which Napoleon thought he had prevented.

The four southern States had joined in the war against Prussia.  In a brilliant and interesting campaign a small Prussian army had defeated the Federal forces and occupied the whole of South Germany.  The conquest of Germany by Prussia was complete.  These States had applied at Nikolsburg to be allowed to join in the negotiations.  The request was refused, and Bismarck at this time treated them with a deliberate and obtrusive brutality.  Baron von der Pfortden,