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

Polish and Bohemian Citizens of New York City, New York

New York, April 20, 1865.

Whereas a dastardly, foul, and infamous assassination has bereaved our dear adopted country of the best and most kind-hearted Chief Magistrate, in the hour of victory, and in the midst of his good work of pardon and conciliation towards the vanquished, and has thereby plunged in sorrow and grief all true friends of human liberty: Be it, therefore,

Resolved, That we, citizens of this republic, of Polish and Bohemian descent, children of sires who were never stained with the blood of their own chiefs, on that account feeling more deeply the horrid atrocity of the infamous parricide, participate more feelingly in the national sorrow for the loss of a man who, in an hour of the greatest triumph, proved himself to be yet greater by his benevolence and magnanimity towards the erring and guilty.

Resolved, That our heartfelt sympathy and compassion are with the family of our lamented President in this sad and painful bereavement,

Resolved, That these resolutions be transmitted to the sorrowing widow and children of our late honored President

And farther—

Whereas, at the very moment of the infamous murder committed on our beloved Chief Magistrate, another equally ignominious attempt was made on the life of our excellent Secretary of State, and his worthy assistant, the Hon. Fred. W. Seward: Be it, therefore,

Resolved, That our sympathy and compassion for their moral and physical sufferings, as well as our wishes for their speedy recovery and restoration to health, and for the continuance of their noble and useful career, are hereby warmly and earnestly expressed. And

Resolved, That this expression of our sentiments be communicated to the Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and to the Hon. Fred. W. Seward,

In behalf of Poles and Bohemians:

• HENRY KALUSSOWSKI,
  Chairman on the part of Poles.
• ANSON MERUNKA,
  Chairman on the part of Bohemians.
• R. J. JAIVOROWSKI,
  Secretary on the part of Poles.
• CENEK ROCAREK,
  Secretary on the part of Bohemians.