Mr. Clay to Mr.
Hunter
No. 81.]
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, Russia,
May 16-28, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you a copy
(marked A) of a letter from Prince Gortchacow of this date, expressing
the sentiments of his Imperial Majesty in regard to the death of our
late President Lincoln, and his thanks for the courtesy of our naval
authorities and other American citizens towards the remains of the late
Grand Duke Héritier.
[Page 381]
His Imperial Majesty also offers his condolence to the family of Mrs. A.
Lincoln, and I beg you will transmit to her a copy of the letter.
There is but one sentiment of indignation and grief at the death of our
loved President throughout all Russia, shared alike by the prince and
the peasant.
I am in receipt of your despatches to 150 inclusive. Very truly, your
obedient servant,
Hon. W. Hunter,
Acting Secretary of State, Washington, D.
C,
[Translation.]
Prince Gortchacow to Mr. Clay
St. Petersburg,
May 16, 1865.
Mr. Minister: In informing you, in the name
of the imperial cabinet, of the profound in dignation excited by the
assassination of the President of the United States, and the
heartfelt sympathy which the American government and people have met
with among us, in this their national grief, I was certain of having
expressed the sentiments of his Majesty the Emperor.
Scarcely has my august master returned to his dominions, when he
orders me to testify to you his grief at this painful event. Tried
himself by a woful loss, which is also a cause of national mourning
for Russia, the Emperor joins in the unanimous regrets which
encircle the memory of the eminent statesman, snatched away so
suddenly and in so terrible a manner from his noble career.
His Imperial Majesty requests us, your excellency, to transmit to
you, in his name, the assurance of his living and deep sympathy with
the family of the late Mr. Lincoln, and with his excellency
President Johnson.
I also fulfil the orders of my august master by informing you how
much his Imperial Majesty has been touched by the spontaneous
testimonials of respect which the federal officers have shown to the
memory of his dearly beloved son, during the passage of the squadron
bearing to Russia his mortal remains.
I have already communicated to the federal government the thanks of
his Imperial Majesty, through his representative at Washington. He
asks of you the favor to reiterate them.
Be assured, your excellency, of my very distinguished
consideration.
General Clay,. &c., &c.,&c.
