Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: During the seasons of spring and summer, which have now passed, you transmitted to this department the manifold expressions which were made by the government, public authorities, civic, ecclesiastical, and educational corporations and associations, as well as by public assemblies of citizens and by individual citizens of the realm, of their feelings of sympathy and condolence with the government and people of the United States in the calamity which they had suffered in the lamented death of the late President, Abraham Lincoln. The same proceedings spoke in one voice the language of indignant reprobation against the perfidious political crime of assassination, by which the eminently useful and honorable career of the late Chief Magistrate was so abruptly brought to a fearful, yet, for him, most triumphant end.
Owing to some peculiar casualties, the efficiency of this department was impaired at the time these despatches were received. They obtained only a simple and formal acknowledgment from the presiding secretary, and no instructions were given you concerning the recognition of the papers alluded to by this government. I have now to inform you that all of the communications thus received were, without any delay, submitted to the President of the United States, and were read by him with profound emotions of sensibility and gratitude. It was his expectation that the parties from whom these generous and sympathetic utterances had come would be duly and promptly assured of their consolatory influence, not only upon himself but upon the whole American people. It is deeply regretted by this government that this expectation of the President was found impracticable.
Our government, simply constructed with adaptation to the transaction of necessary affairs in the ordinary course of administration, found itself in the condition of this department, which then existed, inadequate to the immediate acknowledgment of such various and vast obligations suddenly and unexpectedly incurred.
The regret, however, is in some measure mitigated by the fact that these expressions of British sympathy and good will were only a part of similar manifestations of the same feelings which occurred in every part of the world. Nevertheless, the President earnestly desires that recognition shall even now be made of the sympathies and condolences which were then poured in upon us with a profusion that did honor to human nature.
You will attempt to execute this purpose, so far as Great Britain is concerned, by giving to Earl Russell a copy of this despatch, and by promulgating it in England, either with or without accompanying references to the addresses, resolutions, letters, and other testimonials to which I have referred, as shall be found practicable.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., London.