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

Workingmen’s Association

Glasnevin, Balls Road, Birkenhead,
May 3, 1865.

Resolution of the Birkenhead Working Men’s Association.

Sir: I beg to communicate to you the following resolution, proposed by the Rev. Mr. Downe, and seconded by Mr. Graham, and which was unanimously carried at a large meeting of the Birkenhead Working Men’s Association, held in the Craven Rooms here last night, and which I, as chairman, was requested to forward to you.

“Resolved, That this meeting views with deep concern and indignation the late atrocious murder of Mr. Lincoln, the able and popular President of the United States of America, and expresses its sympathy with the great American people in the present crisis of their affairs.”

In addition to this unanimous expression of the feelings of those present at the meeting, I may be permitted to add that I myself cordially respond to the sentiments expressed, and view with deep grief the melancholy end and sad loss of one whom I regarded as a just and good man, and a wise and merciful ruler, and that I hope it may please God to dispel the dark cloud that this event has cast over the American nation, and out of the present evil to bring forth future and lasting good, for the welfare and happiness of our afflicted kinsmen.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

ROBERT GEORGE KELLEY.

T. H. Dudley, Esq,
American Consul, Liverpool.