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

J. C. Lusine to Messrs. Seward.

[Translation.]

Paris, May 25, 1865.

Gentlemen: There are names which explain the condition of a country, and Mr. Lincoln’s is one of them. The illustrious citizen who protested against slavery and assassination has fallen a victim to fanaticism.

In dedicating this day a sprig of anemone to the memory of your glorious martyr, thus joining in the prayers of thousands, be assured that my heart also protests against assassination, whatever may be its motive, and particularly against that of which you yourselves, together with your friends, came near being the victims.

Mr. Lincoln placed entire confidence in you, gentlemen, and you may believe that a poor French workingman feels intense satisfaction in your speedy recovery, because he sees in it a determination on your part to finish the task begun by President Lincoln, and to attend more devotedly to the cause of the slaves liberated by your blood and his.

May peace hereafter preside over your noble efforts.

J. C. LUSINE,

No. 26, Bernard street, Paris.

(Enclosed is a printed sonnet taken from the Phare de la Loire, May 2, 1865, entitled: Un Rameau d’ Immortelle.)