Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part IV, Appendix to diplomatic correspondence of 1865; the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, late president of the United States of America, and the attempted assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary, on the evening of the 14th of April, 1865; expressions of condolence and sympathy inspired by these events

Señor de Irisarri to Mr. Hunter

[Translation.]

Legation of Guatemala and Salvador,
Brooklyn, April 17, 1865.

Sir: I was grieved to hear of the death of the excellent President of the United States of America. The news reached me before your despatch of the 15th instant, informing me of the sad event, and of the manner of its perpetration. I am the more grieved at the deplorable circumstance, as Mr. Lincoln was one of the best friends to the governments I have the honor to represent, and his death will be the more regretted by the republics of Guatemala and Salvador.

I hope the Hon. Mr. Seward and his son, Frederick William Seward, will soon be restored to health, as the papers announce, for the interest of the United States.

I am informed that the Vice-President of the United States has assumed the functions of President, and that you are authorized by him to take charge of the Department of State till further orders.

I embrace the occasion to offer you the assurances of my distinguished consideration.

A. J. DE IRISARRI.

Hon. William Hunter,
Acting Secretary of State.