Mr. Hunter to Mr. van Limburg
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note which you addressed to me on the 16th instant, in which, under the orders of your sovereign, and in virtue of a resolution adopted by a council of ministers, you inform me that you are charged to present, without delay, to this government the assurances of lively sympathy in the loss sustained by the American people in the assassination of the late President, Abraham Lincoln, and profound indignation at the crime, in which sentiments you inform me that all the Netherlands partake with his Majesty.
You also, at the same time, acquit yourself of the further commission of expressing the wishes of his Majesty and of the royal government that Divine Providence may preserve the life of Mr. Seward.
I have the honor to inform you, sir, in reply, that these kindly manifestations of sympathy and friendship are very grateful to the feelings of the government and people of the United States, and I must beg you to make this known to his Majesty and to the government of the Netherlands.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration.
Mr. Roest van Limburg, &c.,&c.,&c.