Full Title

Letter from Pablo Herrera to Mr. Hassaurek

Description

Pablo Herrera, foreign minister of Ecuador, expressed his nation’s condolences to the United States on May 22, 1865.

Transcription

Transcription is available through the Department of State Office of the Historian

Source

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

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Pablo Herrera. "Letter from Pablo Herrera to Mr. Hassaurek". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1208

Creator

Pablo Herrera

Date

May 22, 1865

Full Title

From the Legation of His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia

Description

A message from the legation of the Shah of Persia offering condolences on behalf of the leader and the people of Persia. The Shah transmitted this message via telegram to his emissary Suleiman Khan in Paris, who passed it along to the new President as a gesture of goodwill. Such a message demonstrates just how widely felt the impacts of Lincoln's death were.

Transcription

Transcription available through the Department of State Office of the Historian

Source

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Suleiman Khan. "From the Legation of His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1206

Creator

Suleiman Khan

Date

May 09, 1865

Full Title

Inhabitants of Zurich

Description

A letter of condolences written to the US Government by a committee of residents from the Swiss city of Zurich. The committee praises the Union victory over the Confederacy, noting its impacts on not only the United States but also "all mankind". While mourning Lincoln, the document makes comparisons between Lincoln's impact and the previous global political impact of the Revolutionary War and George Washington. This letter provides a window into global reactions to the end of the war, as well as international opinions on what the role of a post-war United States would look like.

Transcription

Transcription is available via the Department of State Office of the Historian.

Source

Tributes to the memory of Abraham Lincoln

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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O. Bulle. "Inhabitants of Zurich". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1205

Creator

O. Bulle

Date

May 2, 1865

Full Title

Letter from Lincoln's Cabinet to Andrew Johnson

Description

Lincoln's Cabinet wrote to Andrew Johnson the day of his assassination to inform him of the events and to inform him of the next move for the U.S. government.

Transcription

Washington City DC
April 15, 1865, -

Sir:
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was shot by an assassin last evening, at Ford's Theater in this city and died at the hour of 22 minutes of seven o'clock.
About the same time at which the President was shot, an assassin entered the back chamber of the house of Wm H. Seward, Secretary of State, and stabbed him in several places,
in the throat, neck, and face, severely if not mortally wounding him. Other members of the Secretary's family were dangerously wounded by the assassin while making his escape.
By the death of President Lincoln, the office of President has devolved under the Constitution upon you. The emergency of the government demands that you should immediately qualify, according to the requirements of the Constitution and enter upon the duties of President of the United States. If you will please make known your pleasure, such arrangements as you deem proper will be made.

Your Obedient Servants,
Hugh McCulloch Secretary of the Treasury
Edwin M Stanten Secretary of War
Gideon Welles Secretary of Navy
W. Dennison Postmaster General
J.P. Usher Secretary of the Interior
James Speed Attorney General

Source

U.S. National Archives, General Records of the Department of State

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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National Archives. "Letter from Lincoln's Cabinet to Andrew Johnson". General Records of the Department of State. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1198

Creator

National Archives

Publisher

General Records of the Department of State

Date

1865-04-15

Full Title

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States of America…Expressions of Condolence and Sympathy Inspired by These Events

Description

The U.S. State Department compiled and published a collection of condolences it had received following the Abraham Lincoln's assassination.

Source

Pennsylvania State University, and Google Books

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Cite this Item

United States Department of State. "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States of America…Expressions of Condolence and Sympathy Inspired by These Events". U.S. Government Printing Office, . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1191

Creator

United States Department of State

Publisher

U.S. Government Printing Office,

Date

1867

Full Title

Condolences from the Governor of the State of Tabasco, Mexico

Description

This is a condolence letter from the governor of the State of Tabasco in Southern Mexico. The letter expresses how sad the Mexican government is because of the death of President Lincoln, but they also congratulate the government on winning the American Civil War. The letter discusses the importance of July 4, America's Independence Day, and the country's dedication to freedom and liberty. During the 1860s, Mexico was also in the midst of war. Benito Juarez served as President in Mexico until 1863, when French forces invaded Mexico during the "French Intervention" which began in 1861. The French, backed by conservatives and nobility in Mexico, tried to overthrow Mexican President Benito Juarez. Allies of Juarez fled to New York City, considered a safe haven by Mexican liberals. Juarez set up his government in exile in northern Mexico, in Chihuahua City. This letter tries to solidify the relationship between the exiled government and the American government by reinforcing their shared beliefs and good will.

Source

Google Books

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

Tags

Cite this Item

G. Mendez. "Condolences from the Governor of the State of Tabasco, Mexico ". Government Printing Office. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1125

Creator

G. Mendez

Publisher

Government Printing Office

Date

July 4, 1865

Full Title

Mexican President Benito Juarez Response to the Lincoln Assassination

Description

This is a condolence letter from the exiled Mexican President Benito Juarez. In the letter Juarez mourns the loss of Abraham Lincoln and also hopes that the U.S. Secretary of State and his son recover from their wounds. On the night of President's assassination, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward was also attacked. He was stabbed repeatedly in his home by conspirator Lewis Powell. Eventually Seward recovered from his wounds. Benito Juarez served as President in Mexico until 1863, when French forces invaded Mexico during the "French Intervention" which began in 1861. The French, backed by conservatives and nobility in Mexico, tried to overthrow Mexican President Benito Juarez. Allies of Juarez fled to New York City, considered a safe haven by Mexican liberals. Juarez set up his government in exile in northern Mexico, in Chihuahua City.

Transcription

Hon. William H. Seward, &c.
_____

[Enclosure No. 1. – Translation.]
Chihuahua, May 11, 1865.
My Dear Friend …
We also received the day before yesterday the news of the total defeat of the confederate army on the 9th of April. The great pleasure this news afforded us was marred by the very sad impression which the shocking intelligence of President Lincoln’s assassination produced upon us. That great misfortune has profoundly impressed me, as Mr. Lincoln, who worked with so much earnestness and abnegation for the cause of nationality and freedom was worthy of a better fate than the poniard of a coward assassin. I do most earnestly hope that Mr. Seward’s wounds would not be mortal, and that his son too, may have been saved. I beg of you to pay a private visit to Mr. Seward in my name, expressing to him my grief for the misfortunes befallen upon him, and my best wishes for his speedy and complete recovery.
Benito Juarez
Senor Don Matias Rombro




[Transcription by: Ricarda H., Dr. Susan Corbesero’s Class, Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]
 

Source

Google Books

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Cite this Item

Benito Juarez. "Mexican President Benito Juarez Response to the Lincoln Assassination". Government Printing Office. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1123

Creator

Benito Juarez

Publisher

Government Printing Office

Date

May 11, 1865

Full Title

Condolences from the Mexican Club of New York to Secretary of State William Seward

Description

This is a condolence letter from the Vice President of the Mexican Club of New York to the U.S. Secretary of State William Seward after news of Abraham Lincoln's assassination reached New York. The letter talks about how important President Lincoln was to the ideals of liberty and freedom in the United States and reaffirms Mexico's commitment to their friendship with the country. The Mexican Club of New York was created in 1864, as exiles from the Mexican government fled Mexico during the French Intervention, which began in 1861. The French, backed by conservatives and nobility in Mexico tried to overthrow Mexican President Benito Juarez. Allies of Juarez fled to New York City, considered a safe haven by Mexican liberals. U.S. Secretary of State William Seward quietly supported the work of the Club but refused to promise too more nor interfere with the war in Mexico. The Club's president, Benito Quijano, had died in early 1865 and at the time of Abraham Lincoln's death a new successor had not been chosen.

Transcription

Republic of Mexico
[Enclosure No. 2 – Translation.]
Mexican Club at New York.
New York, April 15, 1865.

Sir: The Mexican Club of New York, profoundly affected by the tragic and premature death of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, has resolved to manifest to your excellency that the citizens which compose it fully sympathize the affliction of the American people; that they look upon the loss of this eminent patriot not only as a great calamity to the United States, but as a just cause of mourning for all the peoples who in America enjoy liberty, or are contending to restore it; and they believe that with Lincoln there has disappeared from earth one of the great benefactors of humanity, who, on descending to the tomb, has been crowned with the laurel of immortality and martyrdom.
To the veneration which Lincoln will have in history, as the personification of the great American people, in his firmness, in his energy, in his enlightenment, and in his magnanimity, to his great title of the emancipator of the slaves, he will always add in the hearts of the Mexicans the acknowledgement which the love of justice and the respect for law inspires, of which he gave proofs, in not sanctioning the outrages committed against Mexico, and in not acknowledging in that republic any other power than that which is derived from the institutions and the free national will.
The Mexican Club, in taking part in the affliction of the people of the United States, upon whom it looks as a nation of brothers, cherishes the hope that as the spirit of Washington has animated this nation in the work of consolidating its institutions, so the spirit of Lincoln may continue to guide it until peace and union are restored, slavery abolished, and until it shall become the bulwark of liberty for all America.
On addressing this manifestation to your excellency, we have the honor to offer to you the assurances of our very distinguished consideration.

In absence of the president, from indisposition,
IGNACIO MEJIA, Vice President.

CIPRIANO ROBERT, Secretary.
Hon. Secretary of State of the United States.




[Transcription by: Ricarda H., Dr. Susan Corbesero’s Class, Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

Source

Google Books

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

Tags

Cite this Item

Ignacio Mejia. "Condolences from the Mexican Club of New York to Secretary of State William Seward". Government Printing Office. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1122

Creator

Ignacio Mejia

Publisher

Government Printing Office

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

State Department Instruction 1383: William Hunter to Charles Francis Adams

Description

Dispatch from Acting Secretary of State William H. Hunter to Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, concerning the latest news about the funeral of the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln (his body was in Chicago), the death of assassin John Wilkes Booth, and the surrender of Confederate General Joseph Johnston.

Transcription

Recd 14 May 1865
No 1383 Department of State Washington, 2nd May 1865
Sir:
The public press will have informed you of the honor done by the people to the remains of our lamented President on their transit of this city to Chicago which point they have now reached. The assassination, and the other atrocious attempt, have called forth gratifying expressions of condolence and sympathy from foreigners resident in the United States and from the Government and many of the cities of Canada.
With reference to military events I will mention that Macon Georgia was captured by General Wilson on the 13th ultimo when he was notified by Genl Sherman of the truce and withdrew.
When the truce between General Sherman and Johnston and the proposed terms of surrender were reported
Charles Francis Adams Esqre

[Transcription by: Taryn S. and her father David, Mr. Rude’s class, New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa.]

Source

Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State and National Archives, Record Group 84

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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William Hunter. "State Department Instruction 1383: William Hunter to Charles Francis Adams". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/748

Creator

William Hunter

Date

May 2, 1865

Full Title

Foreign Minister Earl Russell to Minister Charles Francis Adams

Description

A letter from Earl Russell, Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom, to Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, acknowledging receipt of the official news of Lincoln's assassination and expressing his government's condolences.

Transcription

“Foreign Minister Earl Russell to Minister Charles Francis Adams”
Read. 2^[[d]] May, 1865.
Foreign Office
May 1. 1865.

Sir,
I have had the honour to receive
your note of this day’s date, officially
communicating to me the mealancholy
intelligence of the death, by the
hand of an assassin, of the Late
President of the United States.

When the first intelligence of
this had calamity reached this
country I [[convade]] to you by letter
and in person the deep impression
of horror and indignation which

Thanks Francis Adams Log
so atrocious a crime on the [[person]]
of the President of the United States
had made upon me and on the [[general]]
members of Her Majesty’s Government;
And it only [[remains]] for me now,
[[by]] acknowledging your letter, &
[[acquaint]] you that, by the command
of the Queen, I have directed Her
Majesty's Minister at Washington
to [[conoly]] to the government of the of the
United States the appearance that
Her Majesty sincerely condoles with
the family of the late President, and
that Her
Her Majesty’s Government and the
British Parliament and the British
Nation are affected by an unanimous
feeling of abhorrence of the
criminal guilty of this cowardly
and atrocious assassination, and
of their sympathy with the
Government and People of the
United States under the [[freak]]
calamity which has befallen them.
I have the honor to be with the
[[highest]] [[consideration]],
Sir,
Your [[British]] President,
Humble Servant,

Russell

[Transcription by: Alexis Ennis, Rachel Engl’s class, Lehigh University.]

Source

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, FOTH 3369, and National Archives, Record Group 84

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

Tags

Cite this Item

John Russell, First Earl Russell. "Foreign Minister Earl Russell to Minister Charles Francis Adams". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/747

Creator

John Russell, First Earl Russell

Date

May 1, 1865