Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward
Sir: Mr. Adams telegraphed me last night from London the terrible news of the assassination of President Lincoln, and of the atrocious attempt upon the life of Mr. Seward on the same evening—the result of which is not yet known here—by the hand of another assassin. These events have excited the profoundest emotions in all the circles of Lisbon, and have called out general and particular expressions of sympathy and respect from the government, the diplomatic body, and the community:
I do not trust myself to speak of this great crime at a moment of mingled sorrow and prostration, but I may be allowed to say, that after the grief natural to such an occasion, the sense of humiliation at the thought that an atrocity so awful could by possibility be perpetrated in a country like ours is that which most masters and overwhelms me.
Christian charity may, with the blessing of God, teach us to bow down [Page 121] before this stern trial, but the stain which it inflicts cannot soon be wiped out from a name heretofore untarnished by any such act of infamy.
If there was anything wanting to complete the fame of Mr. Lincoln, it may be found in the crown of martyrdom with which an eventful career in a most eventful epoch has been closed, to the regret of a whole people who shared his convictions, honored his virtues, and lamented his taking off.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.