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

Miss Grace W. Gray, Acrostic

Abington Terrace,
Northampton, May 19, 1865.

Respected Sir: Your well known courtesy encourages me to forward the enclosed lines to you, at the request of an invalid sister, whose composition they are, as a tribute to the memory of that great and good man, your late President.

If it would not be out of place, and should meet with your approbation, my sister desires you would enclose them in your future despatches for Mrs. Lincoln, with a sincere hope that they may afford her some comfort in her heavy affliction. Trusting you will pardon the liberty I have taken,

I remain, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM GRAY.

C. F. Adams, Esq., United States Ambassador.

ACROSTIC ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

A nation—nor one only—mourns thy loss,

Brave Lincoln, and with voice unanimous

Raise to thy deathless memory

A dirge-like song of all thy noble deeds.

High let it rise; and I, too, fain would add

A loving tribute to thy priceless worth,

More widely known since banished from the earth.

Laurel shall now thy brow entwine

In memory’s ever faithful shrine;

Nor shall it fade when earth dissolves.

Caught up to meet thee in the air,

Old age and youth shall bless thee there;

Love shall her grateful tribute pay,

Nor cease through heaven’s eternal day.

GRACE W. GRAY.

Northampton, England.