Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part IV, Appendix to diplomatic correspondence of 1865; the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, late president of the United States of America, and the attempted assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary, on the evening of the 14th of April, 1865; expressions of condolence and sympathy inspired by these events

Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward.

[Extract.]

United States Consulate,
Tunis, April 29, 1865.

No. 68.]

Sir: * * * * * * * *

The prevalence of a strange and cruel rumor, of whose truth or falsity I have no knowledge, may illustrate the excitability of the Tunisian populace in regard to American affairs. “Peace proclaimed in America, and President Lincoln assassinated at Richmond.” These have been the words bandied through the city from noon to night. Great numbers have flocked to the door of this consulate to ascertain the truth or falsity of this report, and the dragomans were instructed to say that the consul has received no reliable information relative to the matter in question. The names of President Lincoln and Minister Seward have by recent events become almost as well known to the populace of Tunis as those of the Bey Mohammed and his minister Sidi Mustapha.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AMOS PERRY.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.