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

United States Life Insurance Company, New York City, New York

New York, May 15, 1865

At the triennial meeting of the board of directors of the United States Life Insurance Company in the city of New York, held on the 15th day of May, 1865, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, since the last meeting of this board, there has been disclosed to the horror and indignation of the civilized world a diabolical plot to plunge this nation into anarchy, by the cruel and savage murder of the chief executive and administrative officers of the general government; and

Whereas our beloved President Abraham Lincoln, who had become endeared to this people by the tenderest ties of an ardent patriotism, has fallen a victim to this foul plot, which has also prostrated and brought near to death the distinguished Secretary of State and his faithful son—other officers of the government having narrowly escaped with their lives; and

Whereas the unhallowed passions aroused by the leaders of the late rebellion, in their frenzied efforts to destroy the national life, have culminated in other most barbarous cruelties and outrages perpetrated on the high seas as well as on land, involving the sacrifices of multitudes of lives of defenceless prisoners, and jeoparding the lives of helpless women and children in the attempted burning of cities by incendiaries, as well as the sacrifice of the property of non-combatants: Therefore,

Resolved, That in the death of Abraham Lincoln we mourn the loss of a pure patriot, an honest man, an upright Chief Magistrate, the memory of whose private virtues and public services will ever remain enshrined in the affections of this people.

Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family of the illustrious deceased our profound sympathy in their affliction, assuring them that in this sad hour of their and the nation’s sorrow, we mourn with them as for the loss of a father.

Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the merciful Providence that has graciously preserved to the country the eminent counsels and services of the Secretary of State, and we hereby tender to that distinguished statesmen the assurance of our profound sympathy with him and his family in their afflictions.

• J. B. COLLINS, President.
• JOHN EADIE, Secretary.