Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: Your despatch of the 27th ultimo, No. 132, and its twenty-three accompaniments, have been received, in connexion with the similar papers transmitted [Page 332] with your No. 109, of the 31st of May. These manifestations of sympathy and condolence in our great national bereavement, and at the same time of congratulation upon the triumph of the great cause with which the late President was so fully identified, coming as they do from highly respectable and intelligent groups of the people of France, are gratefully accepted in this country, and are deserving each of a special and cordial acknowledgment. As it is found, however, to be impossible to adopt that course, it is proposed, when all of such papers likely to be addressed to this government or this department shall have been received, to prepare a form of acknowledgment which will answer for all.
I have forwarded to Mrs. Lincoln and to the Masonic lodge those communications which were addressed, respectively, to them.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.