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 Neufchatel

[Translation.]

Neufchatel, June 2, 1865.

State council of the republic and canton of Neufchatel, to the president and members of the Federal Council in Berne.

Gentlemen and Colleagues: Our newly elected grand council, in its first session now held, wishes to begin with a testimony of sympathy for the people and government of the United States, as well as for the family of President Lincoln, on account of the lamentable death of that illustrious citizen.

We send you the decree voted unanimously by the grand council of Neufchatel, and request you to transmit it to the minister resident of the United States.

We accept the opportunity to express our great consideration and devotion.

In the name of the state council:

• HENRI TOUCHON, President.
• GEORGE GUILLAUME, Secretary.

[Translation]

decree.

The grand council of the republic and canton of Neufchatel, in Switzerland, unanimously decree to express their profound sympathies to the government of the United States and to its people, on account of the death of their illustrious President, Abraham Lincoln, the emancipator of the slaves; and also to express their profound sympathy for the family of President Lincoln.

Given under the seal of the grand council at Neufchatel, the 1st of June, 1865.

In the name of the grand council: [seal]

• ALF’D DUBOIS, President.
• A. GUYAT EUPOLO,
• S. D. BONJOUR,
  Secretaries.