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

Turin Regent of Masonry

Turin , April 28, 1865

[Translation.]

A∴ G∴ D∴ G∴ A∴ U∴

grand orient of masonry in italy.

The G∴ M∴ regent of Masonry in Italy, to the most honorable citizen G. Marsh, representative of the government of the United States in Italy.

Turin, April 28, 1865.

The great man who has just disappeared in consequence of a horrid crime, Abraham Lincoln, was the powerful cause by which the abolition of slavery has become a reality; Abraham Lincoln is, in this respect, not only a great citizen of your country, but one of the principal benefactors of humanity.

Masons in every part of the world owe him a tribute of gratitude, of respect, and of veneration.

Permit me, sir, to beg you in the name of the one hundred and eleven masonic lodges of our communion to have the kindness to transmit to the government and people of the United States the expression of our sorrow, and our most sincere wishes for the entire completion of the work so well begun by the illustrious deceased, through the effect of the power of your republican institutions.

Our masonic lodges have put on mourning for nine days.

Accept, Mr. Minister, the expression of my profound respect.

• [l. s.]
• FRANCOIS DE LUCA, 33.
  The Grand Chancellor,
• M. MACCHI, 33.