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

Workingmen and Women of Gateshead

Gateshead, May 7, 1865

Resolutions of sympathy with America, passed at a meeting of working men and women, held in the Temperance Hall, Gateshead-on-Tyne, on Sunday evening, May 7, 1865.

Mr. George Lucas in the chair.

Moved by Mr. Blagburne, seconded by Mr. Cammell, and carried unanimously—

1. That the workingmen who constitute this meeting have looked with much interest upon the struggle which has been so long pending in America, and they devoutly trust it will issue in the entire overthrow of slavery throughout the American continent.

Moved by Mr. Wheaton, seconded by D. Rule, and carried unauimously—

2. That the workingmen now assembled desire to express their regret that persons in this country have spoken and written in justification of the rebellion of the South, especially during the earlier periods of the conflict; but they have observed with much satisfaction, that as the spirit and objects of the contending parties have become more fully understood throughout this country, a different tone has prevailed; and it is hoped the event, now so much deplored, may tend to cement the two nations in bonds of lasting brotherhood.

Moved by Mr. Tweddle, seconded by Mr. Wadsworth, and carried unanimously—

3. That the workingmen now assembled wish to express their deep admiration of the manner in which the late President has conducted the affairs of the government of America during the period of his office, but they most of all admire that spirit of wise moderation which he manifested towards the enemies of the Union in periods of especial difficulty and provocation.

Moved by Mr. Thomas Rule, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried unanimously—

4. That the working men now congregated wish to express their utter detestation of the diabolical crime which has deprived a wife of her husband, children of their father, the American commonwealth of its President, and the world of one of its most distinguished benefactors.

Moved by Mr. J. B. Anderson, seconded by Mrs. Tweddle, and carried unanimously—

5. That the working men and women who compose this meeting desire to express to Mrs. Lincoln their unfeigned condolence in her present affliction, and to direct her mind to that source of true consolation which her late husband knew so well how to value.

Moved by Mr. Townsend, seconded by Mr. Rutherford, and carried unanimously—

6. That this meeting earnestly hopes that should events arise between England and America which appear of a complicated character, a wise forbearance may be manifested on the part of both nations, and differences be settled on the principles of equal justice.

Moved by Mr. Mackin, seconded by Mr. Swanson, and carried unanimously—

7. That the resolutions now passed be forwarded by the chairman to the American minister in London, for presentation to the American commonwealth.

GEORGE LUCAS,

Chairman of the Meeting.

Gateshead on-Tyne, May 8, 1865.