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

Alfred Monod, lawyer at the council of State.

[Translation.]

Paris, April 27, 1865.

I will express to you without delay the very sincere and profound sorrow at the news of the horrid catastrophe that reached us to-day.

The loss of a man like Lincoln is a cause of mourning for all in the world who have at heart the triumph of liberty and democracy.

Mr. Seward’s death is a blow almost as terrible.

Allow me to inform you of a fact you will certainly be glad to learn. The different religious Protestant societies are now holding their public annual conferences. The Evangelic Society assembled yesterday evening. The Reverend William Monad announced the horrid news to the astounded assembly in these terms:

“The terrible manifestation of wickedness of which we have heard to-day has struck us all with consternation.

“President Lincoln has been assassinated.

“We cannot give full expression to our feelings at such a loss. We are not discouraged; it is even the abolition of slavery that God has sealed with Lincoln’s purest blood.

“Let it be known to our brethren in the United States that we mourn with them their greatest citizen.

“John Brown, Abraham Lincoln! both were martyrs to a holy cause.

“John Brown was the first, God grant that Lincoln may be the last!”

Accept the homage of my very sincere and respectful devotion.

A. MONOD.

The United States Minister.