Señor de Irisarri to Mr. Seward

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary: When the Acting Secretary of State informed me of the sad death of Mr. Lincoln, President of the United States, I answered immediately, expressing the sorrow I felt at the unfortunate event, and the assurance of a similar sentiment on the part of the governments of Guatemala and Salvador that I have the honor to represent.

On the 9th of June I communicated to you the reply of the minister of foreign affairs of Salvador to my note bearing the sad intelligence, and I now have the honor to communicate what the under secretary of the government, charged with the department of foreign relations, has written on the subject.

It is as follows:

Sir: The news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, has caused the deepest sensation in the minds of those now composing the government of the republic of Guatemala. The noble character of the Chief Magistrate of the United States has everywhere inspired the most respectful sympathy; and the manner in which his life was taken—a life dear to all his fellow-countrymen—has caused the deepest affliction to the personages of this government, and all our people were mute with horror at the announcement of the terrible catastrophe of the 14th of April.

“The minister of foreign relations, now in charge of the government, desires you to be the interpreter of this sentiment to the Secretary of State of the United States, and to express to him the profound grief of the government of Guatemala at the horrid death of the excellent citizen who directed the destinies of the great nation.

“Be so good as to manifest to the Secretary of State the sympathy of the government and people of Guatemala, and their wishes for the prosperity of the United States.”

You may be assured of the sincerity of the sorrow of the government and people of Guatemala for the lamentable death of Mr. Lincoln, the well-deserving President of the United States.

With the greatest consideration, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,

A. J. DE IRISARRA.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.