Reformed Church of France
[Translation.]
I propose to sign the address which my colleagues, now in conference at Paris, have had the honor to send to you for Mrs. Lincoln.
I join in the sympathetic regrets of that missive, from the bottom of my heart, [Page 104] with good wishes to Mrs. Lincoln, and to the people of the United States, in the great cause of liberty that Mr. Lincoln has carried through so victoriously.
Our souls were chilled when the fatal news reached us; our hearts sank to hear of a man who was extending the olive branch to the conquered, from the soldier to the commander-in chief, being shot by a miserable fanatic.
We regret to see your great nation lose that halo of glory—respect for the elect of the peoples Your former Presidents could mingle among crowds of people without a shade of danger; now, as with us in Europe, you must protect them by a hedge of bayonets. Let us hope that it may not be so; that this political crime will remain solitary and alone in the history of your republic; so that in the future, as in the past, you may teach Europe due respect for the representative of sovereign power.
We have the firm conviction that the death of your President will not prevent you from liberating the last of your slaves; yet with that respect for the conquered, and that great charity of which Mr. Lincoln has given you such a good example, may God help you to finish the work, and shed his benedictions upon the people of the United States.
I have the honor to be your very humble and most devoted servant,
Pastor and President of the Consistory of Pons.
Mr. Bigelow, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to France.