Inhabitants of Leeds
At a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Leeds, in the county of York, held in the Town Hall, on the 1st of May, 1865, convened by the mayor, in accordance with a requisition presented to him by the inhabitants— present, the mayor, in the chair—
Resolved, That the inhabitants of Leeds, in public meeting assembled, would emphatically express the feeling of horror and intense regret with which they have heard of the atrocious acts by which the United States of America have been suddenly deprived of their President, and the life of his chief Secretary has been endangered; and that they recall with melancholy interest the friendly feeling invariably displayed by the late President Lincoln towards this country.
Resolved, That while deeply lamenting the removal of President Lincoln from his exalted position, at a time when his combined wisdom and benevolence seemed peculiarly needful to secure the peaceful and harmonious reconstruction of the American nation, this meeting earnestly hopes the surviving statesmen of that great republic may succeed in speedily and happily surmounting every obstacle to such a reconstruction, in accordance with the immutable principles of justice and freedom.
Resolved, That a copy of the preceding resolutions, signed by the mayor, on behalf of the meeting, be forwarded to the United States government, and that the American Consul at Leeds be requested to transmit such copy to the embassy in London.
Resolved, That copies of the foregoing resolutions be also forwarded to Mrs. Lincoln, with an expression of the deep sympathy entertained by the inhabitants of Leeds for herself and her family in their heavy bereavement and affliction.