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

Governor of the Bahamas

Government House, Nassau,
May 1, 1865.

Sir: I cannot doubt that the government and people of the United States will be gratified at learning that in the Bahamas, as, I believe, throughout her Majesty’s dominions, the atrocious act which has struck down their late President, at so critical a period of the national affairs, and at a moment of such intense interest to himself and the nation, is viewed with the utmost abhorrence and detestation, and that it has aroused the liveliest sympathy for the widow and family of the late Mr. Lincoln, and for the nation, thus cruelly robbed of its Chief Magistrate, whom it had so lately delighted to honor by a triumphant re-election to his exalted post.

2. It is, therefore, a great satisfaction to me that I am able to add to the personal expression of my own sentiments of regret and sympathy on this mournful occasion, two resolutions, in original, passed unanimously in the legislative council and house of assembly of this colony, now in session, which I request you will have the goodness to lay before the new President in such a manner as you may think most fitting, together with the enclosed copy of my message to the two houses, which led to this hearty, and, I believe, thoroughly sincere response.

I have, &c., &c.

RAWSON W. RAWSON,

Governor.

P. S.—I add a copy of a notice which I issued upon the receipt of the intelligence.