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

Commissioners of Supply of Elgin

Elgin, May 1, 1865

Excerpt from the minutes of the annual general meeting of the commissioner of supply for the county of Elgin, North Britain, on the 1st day of May, 1865.

Sir Alexander Gordon Cumming, of Altyre and Gordonstown, Baronet, acting governor of the county, in the chair.

On motion of Sir Alexander Gordon Gumming, seconded by Sir George M’Pherson Grant, it was

Unanimously resolved, That the commissioners of supply of the county of Elgin, North Britain, assembled at their annual general meeting, desire to take the opportunity of expressing their sympathy with the American nation, and their horror and detestation of the atrocious acts to which the President of the United States of America has fallen a victim, which is rendered the more lamentable by the high integrity and ability of his career, by the important and eventful crisis at which it occurred, and by the consideration and clemency which he had evinced towards the vanquished in the hour of triumph.

Resolved further, That this resolution, signed by the chairman, be transmitted to his excellency the American ambassador in London, with the view of its being forwarded to the American government.

ALEX. P. GORDON CUMMING,

Baronet,
Convener of County of Elgin, North Britain, Chairman.