In 1871 Anglo-German relations entered a new phase that was keenly observed by the British diplomats to Germany whose reports are included in this volume (the first of a two-volume mini-series which covers the years up to 1897). Yet, when compared with the reports from the German Confederation selected for the preceding series, British Envoys to Germany, 1816–1866, change was subtle, and many of the qualities and characteristics of the diplomatic reportage from Germany can be seen to persist. In fact, the seemingly anachronistic maintenance of British diplomatic relations with the federal states of the newly founded German empire has inspired the continuation of the Envoys editorial project. While diplomatic reports from Germany after 1897 – when dispatches from the smaller German courts gradually lose their bite – have been made widely available through previous document collections, British Envoys to the Kaiserreich presents far less well-known perspectives on and attitudes towards Germany. These multifaceted observations by British diplomats preclude any sort of teleological account of the new Kaiserreich leading up to 1914, and it is to be hoped that there will be future opportunity (and funding) to present the reportage in the eventful years 1867–1870 in order to gain an even more nuanced understanding of nineteenth-century Anglo–German relations.

Volume I of British Envoys to the Kaiserreich comprises a selection of official reports on Germany and Anglo-German relations sent to the Foreign Office from the diplomatic missions in Berlin, Darmstadt, Dresden, Stuttgart, and Munich between 1871 and 1883. All originals are held in the National Archives, Kew. As in the preceding series, British Envoys to Germany, the selection is based on the quality, originality of perspective, and informative value of the dispatches as well as on a balance between the individual missions. While not aiming to present a representative selection of letters from each mission, the edition is intended to cover the major developments of the period and present as multifaceted a picture of British perceptions of Germany as possible.

[Received 30 January by Messenger Leeds. For: The Queen / Gladstone / Circulate; Qy: ‘Inform Mr Littlewood that a telegram has been received on the 29th from Versailles to the effect that “Mr Worth will shortly be liberated”’; ‘He has been informed I think’, G[ranville]]

I took occasion of a visit paid to me the other day by Baron Dalwigk to ask him whether at the time of the Emperor of Russia's visit to the King of Prussia at Ems in the latter days of May and the beginning of June last year, he had heard any thing of the Treaty which it was now currently reported had been concluded between Prussia & Russia on that occasion.1 His Excellency assured me that he had never then or since heard any thing which could lead him to believe that a treaty such as that suggested had on that occasion been concluded, and though he did not doubt that from an early date a clear understanding had been arrived at between the two Governments by which Prussia was assured not only of Russia's neutrality but of her assistance in the event of Austria's joining with France he did not believe that this understanding had been recorded in so formal an instrument as a treaty.

A most absurd report has been current in Dresden to the effect that grave discussions have arisen between the Crown Prince of Saxony1 and the King of Prussia owing to the way in which the Saxon troops have been exposed and the want of confidence reposed in them; that the Crown Prince had thrown his sword at the feet of the King and that the Prince's father had gone secretly to Versailles to intervene for his son and finally that there was no reception at Court on New Year's day and that His Majesty had not been seen for some days. The whole story was too ridiculous to be true and I should hesitate to write to Your Lordship on the subject had not the “Dresdener Journal” found it necessary to contradict it officially in the article herewith inclosed.2

Having been invited to attend officially on the occasion of the Triumphal entry of the Wurtemberg Troops into Stuttgart on Thursday last, it appeared to me evident that under the general Instructions, that had preceded from Your Lordship's Office on former occasions, I was not authorised to accept the invitation without special order from Your Lordship to do so.

The Debates in the Chamber of Deputies on the Treaties between Bavaria and the North German Confederation still continue without any immediate prospect of their termination.1

The King of Bavaria arrived yesterday evening at Munich from His Castle at Hohenschwangau with the intention, I understand, of now permanently taking up His residence in the Capital.