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

Señor Ignacio de Avellar Barloza de Silva to Mr. Seward

[Translation.]

Imperial Legation of Brazil, Washington, July 19, 1865.

The undersigned, chargé d’affaires ad interim of his Majesty the Emperor, has the honor to communicate to the Honorable William H. Seward, the Secretary of State of the United States, that the chambers of senators and deputies of Brazil, uniting in the manifestation of sympathy which has been caused in the empire, by the loss which the American Union has suffered in the person of the illustrious President, Abraham Lincoln—above all, for the atrocious manner in which his existence was terminated, have resolved to cause the unanimous expression of their sorrow to be presented to the Congress of the United States, and have recurred for that purpose to the government of his Majesty the Emperor.

The imperial government, in obedience to the commission thus received from both of the branches of the legislative power, has ordered the undersigned to transmit to the Honorable William H. Seward that manifestation of sympathy, requesting him to be pleased to bring it to the knowledge of the Congress.

While complying with the orders of the imperial government, the undersigned avails himself of the occasion to reiterate to the Honorable William H. Seward, the assurances of his highest esteem and consideration.

IGNACIO DE AVELLAR BARLOZA DA SILVA.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.