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

Mr. Robinson to Mr. Seward.

Legation of the United States,
Lima, May 26, 1865.

No. 306.]

Sir: Believing that the American citizens resident in this capital and vicinity wished to have an opportunity to testify their sorrow for the great calamity that has fallen upon our nation, in the lamentable death of President Lincoln, and their hororr and detestation of the crime of which he was the victim, I invited them to assemble at this legation on the 22d instant for that purpose.

On the day designated a large number of them assembled and passed the resolutions. A profound sadness and grief prevaded all present. This solemnity of feeling made it manifest that the nation had suffered a terrible misfortune in his death, while the mode in which it was perpetrated produced sad suspicions and gloomy forebodings that others might become victims to this expiring effort of treason; but none expressed a doubt in the ultimate triumph of our cause.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.