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

Count Manderström to Mr. Campbell.

April 15, 1865

[Translation.]

My Dear Sir: It is with the utmost dismay I find in the evening papers a telegram from New York of the 15th instant, to the following purport:

“President Lincoln has been shot by an assassin. He died to-day. A murderous attempt has been directed against Mr. Seward. His recovery is doubtful.”

This news is from Hamburg. I have received nothing to confirm it up to this hour. I hope it is an untrue, or at least exaggerated report; of course I will communicate to you what I receive.

You cannot doubt, my dear sir, the general sentiments of horror and indignation by which this awful news will be received in my country, and I beg to express to you the feelings of my most cordial sympathy.

I remain, my dear sir, with great truth and regard, yours, very truly,

MANDERSTRÖM.

Wednesday evening.