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 Basel Town

[Translation.]

Basel, May 6, 1865.

Mayor and council of the canton of Basel-Stadt to the Bundesrath, in Berne.

Gentlemen: We learn from the public papers that your supreme authorities have voted an address of sympathy and condolence to the United States, on account of the death of their worthy President, at a time when long-desired peace was just taking the place of a terrible war.

We presume the address is in the name of all the cantons, and we are thankful for the opportunity of adding our names to it. But if we are mistaken, we suggest that a circular be promulged for the purpose, that each canton may know what to do.

We commend you to the protection of Divine Providence, and subscribe ourselves,

• C. STCHLIN, Mayor
• DR. BISCONOFF, Secretary.