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

Inhabitants of Heckmondwike

Heckmondwike, May 8, 1865

Resolutions passed at a meeting held by the inhabitants of Heckmondwike.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Heckmondwike, held on the 8th May, 1865, at the Freemasons’ Hall, convened in pursuance of public requisition to the chairman of the local board of health, to express sympathy with the American people in the great loss they have sustained at so critical a period of their national history, and to express a hope that the same wise and generous policy which distinguished Mr. Lincoln and his government will also characterize the new President and his advisers; and also to express sympathy with Mrs. Lincoln in her sad and deplorable loss—William Rhodes, esq., in the chair—

It was moved by L. H. Frith, esq., seconded by Rev. E. Vickridge, and

Unanimously resolved, That this meeting has heard with indignation and horror of the foul murder of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, at perhaps the most critical period of his career, and at a time when his wise, prudent, and conciliatory conduct was commanding the admiration of the world. That we tender our deep sympathy to a brave people suddenly deprived of their Chief Magistrate, and hope the murderers may speedily be discovered and brought to condign punishment.

It was moved by Rev. Mark Howard, seconded by George Burnley, esq., and

Unanimously resolved, That we deeply mourn the great and overwhelming affliction which has so suddenly fallen upon the bereaved widow and family of the martyred President Lincoln, and humbly offer to them such condolence as can be derived from sympathizing hearts in the great loss which they and the cause of humanity throughout the world have sustained.

It was moved by Benjamin Rhodes, esq., seconded by Mr. Jacob Green, and

Unanimously resolved, That we rejoice to hear that the cowardly and murderous attack on the life of the Hon. W. H. Seward (while lying in a helpless condition on a bed of sickness) has not proved fatal. We trust he will soon be enabled to resume the duties of his important office; that President Johnson may retain him to assist in guiding and directing the affairs of his country, helping to meet and overcome every trial; that they may succeed in purging their nation from everything that would blot its future fame, and preserve it in honor and peace with all the world.

It was moved by Mr. W. B. Micklethwaite, seconded by Rev. R. Bowman, and

Unanimously resolved, That this meeting avails itself of the opportunity of expressing sympathy with President Johnson and his advisers in their present perilous circumstances, and hopes the wise and humane policy which distinguished the noble-minded Lincoln may inspire and influence them; that they may prosecute the work of reconstruction so consistently begun by their illustrious predecessor, until the glorious republic be rendered still more glorious by the total and complete extinction of slavery in every part of their dominions.

It was moved by Mr. J. Leadbeater, seconded by Mr. J. Crabtree, and Unanimously resolved, That the chairman be authorized to sign the above resolutions on behalf of this meeting, and forward them to the Hon. C. F. Adams, the American minister in London, for transmission to his Excellency President Johnson, Mrs. Lincoln, and the Hon. W. H. Seward.

WILLIAM RHODES,

Chairman.