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

Government of the Canton of Berne

[Translation.]

Berne , May 8, 1865.

Council of the canton of Berne to the Bundesrath.

Gentlemen: We respectfully request you on our part, by diplomatic means, to communicate to the government of the United States of North America our congratulations on the recent Union victories, together with the expression of our sympathies for their misfortunes, and our horror at the assassination of President Lincoln, and the attempt on the life of Secretary Seward.

These Union victories will serve to realize and strengthen the principles of the free republic, will fix its fate, and form the most remarkable epoch in the pages of modern history. For these principles the great citizen and renowned statesman offered himself as a sacrifice, and was immolated as a martyr!

But we are firmly persuaded that the cowardly assassination of its great leader will not impede the progress of the republic in the way of liberty, virtue, and intelligence, and his successor may be urged on to complete the task begun in the good cause by his predecessor.

Accept the assurance of our distinguished consideration.

• F. SCHERZ, President.
• Dr. TRÄCHSEL, Secretary.