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

Municipal Council of Ottawa

Mayor’s Office, City Hall,
Ottowa, April 19, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herein a copy of a resolution adopted unanimously by the municipal council of this city, the same being but an imperfect expression of the most sincere sympathy of this community towards the American people, on the melancholy occasion of the recent tragical death of the late President of the United States of America at the hands of an assassin.

I would also beg leave to express my regret at the atrocious attempt made upon your own life and others of your family and household, and have great pleasure to learn this day by public report of the certain and gradual improvement in the condition of yourself and those who unfortunately suffered with you.

I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,

M. K. DICKENSON,

Mayor of Ottowa.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Resolution of the city of Ottowa.

Resolved, That this corporation deems it its duty to express its sincere regret for the untimely and tragical fate of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, which calamitous event has bereft a friendly nation of its Chief Magistrate and mankind of a character noble for his integrity and firmness. And that as an expression of the deep sympathy felt by this community for the afflicted people who have thus suddenly been deprived of their chief ruler, the mayor be requested to order the national ensign to be raised on the public buildings of this city, and the citizens of Ottowa are hereby respectfully requested to follow such example.

[l. s.]

• M. K. DICKENSON, Mayor.
• WM. P. LETT, City Clerk.

Certified: City Hall, Ottowa, April 19, 1865.