Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward

No. 35.]

Legation of the United States, Yedo, June 20, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit, herewith, No. 1, copy of a letter from her Britannic Majesty’s charge d’affaires, and No. 2, copy of my reply, in reference to the atrocious assassination of Mr. Lincoln.

The extreme fiendishness of that deed, and of the attack on yourself, paralyzes the judgment, and I can only pray that you may have entirely recovered.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’affaires ad interim in Japan.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.

(For enclosure No. 1 see Appendix, separate volume.)

No. 2.

Mr. Portman to Mr. Winchester

Legation of the United States in Japan, June 20, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your letter of yesterday, expressing the sentiments of profound pain and regret which, in common with all Englishmen in Japan, you felt at the intelligence of the atrocious assassination of Mr. Lincoln. I shall transmit a copy of your communication to my government.

Expressions like these, of the enormity of the crime committed, and the immensity of the loss sustained, will be received, in their affliction, by the people of the United States in the same spirit in which they are tendered, and cannot fail, under Providence, to contribute in cementing those feelings of good will which I sincerely trust and pray may forever subsist between our respective countries.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim of the U. S. in Japan.

Charles A. Winchester, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim in Japan.