United States Senate
December 18, 1865.
Whereas the melancholy event of the violent and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States, having occurred during the recess of Congress, and the two houses sharing in the general grief, and desiring to manifest their sensibility upon the occasion of the public bereavement: Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives concurring,) That the two houses of Congress will assemble in the hall of the House of Representatives on Monday, the 12th day of February next, that being his anniversary birth-day, at the hour of 12 meridian; and that in the presence of the two houses then assembled an address upon the life and character of Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States, be pronounced by the honorable Edwin M. Stanton, and that the President of the Senate pro tempore and the Speaker of the House of Representatives be requested to invite the President of the United States, the heads of the several departments, the judges of the Supreme Court, the representatives of foreign governments near this government, and such officers of the army and navy as have received the thanks of Congress, who may then be at the seat of government, to be present on the occasion.
And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to Mrs. Lincoln, and to assure her of the profound sympathy of the two houses of Congress for her deep personal affliction, and of their sincere condolence for the late national bereavement.
Attest: