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

Ed. Laboulaye

[Translation.]

34 Taitbout Street, April 29, 1865.

Dear Sir: I should have written to you sooner in expression of my feelings at the horrid news, but I was sick when I first received it; yet, sick as I was, I lectured last Thursday, on Franklin, at the Conservatory of Arts and Trades, and spoke of President Lincoln. Never in my life, as a professor, have I found so much sympathy. The audience applauded three times with great enthusiasm, not for the speaker, but for the noble victim of a base assassination. You should see how general the excitement is in Paris; it is much greater than I expected. Cochin, Broglie, and myself are drawing up an address, which I am sure will be signed by the most important men in France.

What more can we do? If I can be of any service to you, dispose of me, and consider me one of your best friends.

Do not take the trouble to answer this unless you have some important communication to make, for you must have many letters to write; but when you write to Washington, assure Mr. Seward how much I am interested in his situation, and that I wish his speedy recovery. Mr. Seward is now more necessary to America and to the whole world. Adieu.

Your very devoted,

ED. LABOULAYE.