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

Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia

Government House,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 17, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of Saturday, the 15th instant, announcing the atrocious assassination of President Lincoln. I feel I need not assure you of my own personal sympathy for your countrymen under an affliction so sudden, and accompanied by special circumstances so appalling.

The adjournment of both branches of the legislature, on receipt of the melancholy intelligence, the flags hoisted half-mast on all forts and public buildings, together with the unanimous and outspoken feeling of the press, sufficiently attest the profound and painful impression which the intelligence has produced on this community.

You thus have at least the sad gratification of knowing that the misfortunes of your countrymen can evoke from their kindred here only feelings of kindly sympathy and good will.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,

Lieutenant Governor.

Judge Jackson, United States Consul,
Halifax, Nova Scotia.