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

Merchants, Bankers, and Traders of London

London, May 1, 1865.

Sir: We, the undersigned, merchants, bankers, and traders of the city of London, are anxious to express to you, as the representative of the United States of America, the horror and indignation with which we have heard of the assassination of the late President, Mr. Lincoln. This event, which, under any circumstances, would have called forth these feelings, seems to do so more strongly at this time, when so much appeared to depend upon Mr. Lincoln’s well known character for integrity, and his kindly desire of conciliation in the great task to which he was about to address himself—of restoring peace and concord in that great country over the councils of which he presided.

We also desire to express our deep and heartfelt sympathy in the irreparable loss which his family have sustained; and we beg you will convey to them the assurance of this feeling, which we believe to exist universally throughout this country.

• H. L. HOLLANDS,
  Governor of the Bank of England.
• THOMAS N. HUNT,
  Deputy Governor of the Bank of England.
  And 300 other names or firms.

His Excellency Hon. C. F. Adams,
Minister of the United States of America, London.