[Extract.]
Mr. Campbell to Mr. Seward
No. 17.]
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm,
April 30, 1865.
Sir: On the evening of the 26th of April a
telegram from the embassy of the United States in London was received at
this legation, announcing the death, by assassination, of Abraham
Lincoln, President of the United States; also, an attack upon the life
of the Secretary of State, resulting in injuries so severe as to render
his recovery doubtful.
Overwhelmed with horror by this woful news, which was already in
circulation in Stockholm, inspiring grave misgivings and vague fears in
the minds of the friends of the republic, who but imperfectly understood
its organization, I deemed it proper, on the following morning, to
announce to the department of state and of foreign affairs of Sweden and
of Norway, the facts of the death of the President of the United States
of America, and the installation of his constitutional successor in
executive office. (A copy of my note is herewith enclosed, No. 1.) At
the same time, I communicated to Count Manderstrom the afflicting
intelligence of the condition to which you, sir, had been reduced by a
murderous attack, (No. 2.)
The prompt and sympathetic response of his excellency displays a warmth
[Page 197] of emotion unusual in
official papers, and is in harmony with the reputation and horror felt
by all classes of the Swedish people, (enclosures Nos. 3 and 4.)
These sentiments have sought expression at this legation in such varied
forms as have deeply touched my heart, and caused me to feel that the
blow dealt my beloved country by an assassin’s hand is resented by all
Christendom.
I have the honor to report the direct and marked action of the King, who
commissioned the Count Axel Cronheilm, an officer of the royal staff, to
visit the legation of the United States with messages of condolence,
coupled with the strongest possible terms of detestation for the
parricide, and assurances of the admiration entertained by him for the
personal character and attributes of our lamented Chief Magistrate.
These sentiments of sympathy for a mourning people, and reprobation for
the crime by which they have been bereaved, were expressed in such
earnest and feeling words as were worthy of the noble heart of his
Majesty, and must prove acceptable to the nation in whose behalf they
were uttered.
It was also the desire of the King that I would convey to him the
earliest intelligence of your health, sir, as his Majesty felt the
deepest interest in the preservation of a life so eminent and
valuable.
In addition to the official communication from the department of state of
Sweden and Norway, that most excellent gentleman, Count Manderstrom, in
a personal visit, and private notes, (Nos. 5 and 6,) evinced such
feeling as commands my gratitude.
In some of the ports the flags were at half-mast for the death of the
President; the public journals spoke with appreciation of his life and
death.
* * * * * *
The Swedish court has worn mourning for several members of royal houses
in Europe, during the past winter, but in no instance have I observed a
popular tribute comparable with this. The members of the diplomatic
corps in Stockholm have been instant in their tokens of sympathy, and
the American residents here have sought at the legation such comfort and
information as might soothe their grief and allay their fears. The Baron
Feysack, and Lieutenant Anderson, gallant officers of Sweden, whose
swords have been drawn in the service of the United States, came, to
offer their condolences to the country they had defended, as did, also,
the Count Piper, formerly minister resident at Washington, and other
distinguished Swedes.
If the transmission of these details appears unnecessary, I find my
excuse in the conviction that such tokens of sympathy in a remote land,
for their national grief, must be as acceptable to the American people
as they have been to their representative.
I may be suffered here to give utterance to my own emotions upon the dire
calamity which has visited my country. The hand raised against the life
of the President has inflicted a grievous wound upon every American
heart, and, in common with millions bereaved of their Chief, I deeply
feel the outrage perpetrated upon sacred national rights.
With regard to Abraham Lincoln, whom I knew and loved as a personal
friend, I recognize with awe that God’s instrument has been laid away in
heaven’s armory. Remembering how, in the raging of political tornadoes,
he bore himself with the passionless calm of some grand abstraction,
and, divested of prejudice or favor, devoted himself to the large ends
of human freedom and national life, I feel that his death was the seal
to the deeds of his life, and he closed his eyes on great purposes
achieved, to open them upon the immortal crown. To his country he leaves
the rich legacy of a beneficent government preserved; the American ideal
of liberty attained; and the noble record of the Christian life he
lived, the patriot’s ends he wrought, and the martyr’s death that he
died to embellish her story.
[Page 198]
Allow me to tender you, sir, my respectful sympathy for the mental and
physical sufferings you have sustained, and to express most fervent
thanksgiving to God, who, in His mercy, has spared a life so valuable to
our country.
Praying for your speedy restoration to health and usefulness, I have the
honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, &c., &c.,
&c.
No. 1.
Mr. Campbell to Count Manderstrom
Legation of the United
States.
Stockholm,
April 27, 1865.
Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform
his Majesty’s government of the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway
of the contents of a telegram received by me last night, from the
honorable Charles Francis Adams, envoy extraordinary, &c., of
the United States of America near her Britannic Majesty.
Mr. Adams announces to me the melancholy intelligence that his
excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of
America, was assassinated whilst in his box at the theatre, in
Washington.
To my country this is a terrible catastrophe, for the President was
enshrined in the hearts and shared the confidence of his countrymen
in a remarkable degree. The nature of the crime by which he perished
shocks civilization, as it outrages humanity; but his death will not
retard the restoration of national authority, nor arrest the
functions of the government.
The Vice President, the honorable Andrew Johnson, has assumed the
functions of President in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution of the United States of America.
Official despatches, containing the details of this most abhorrent
crime, have not yet reached this legation.
Permit me to renew to your excellency on this sad occasion the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
His Excellency Count Manderstrom,
Minister of State and of Foreign
Affairs.
No. 2.
Mr. Campbell to Count Manderstrom
Thursday Morning,
April 27, 1865.
My Dear Sir: Whilst writing to inform you
of the national calamity which has smitten my beloved country, the
kind note of your excellency was handed me. My London telegram,
elsewhere communicated, forbids indulging in the hope expressed by
you that the facts are exaggerated.
A simultaneous attack was made upon the President at the theatre, and
Mr. Seward in his sick-room, where he was confined by serious
injuries occasioned by a fall from his carriage. His recovery is
doubtful, but I trust that God in his providence will spare to his
country this eminent statesman, who, in her season of tribulation,
has served her with ability, and guided her with wisdom.
No further details of these sad events have reached me.
For the prompt communication of the Swedish telegram, and the ready
sympathy accompanying it, receive my warmest thanks. I can well
understand how the intelligence of this enormous crime will shock
the Christian people of Sweden.
Repeating my grateful appreciation of the sentiments expressed by
your excellency,
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
His Excellency Count Manderstrom,
Minister of State and of Foreign
Affairs.
[Page 199]
No. 4.
[Translation.]
Count Manderstrom to Mr. Campbell.
Stockholm,
April 27, 1865.
Sir: I have received the official
communication by which you have confirmed this morning the
melancholy intelligence already in circulation yesterday evening, of
the odious outrage to which the President of the United States fell
a victim, on the evening of the 14th of this month.
I have thought it my duty to bring this overwhelming news immediately
to the knowledge of my august Sovereign, and it is by his express
order that I hasten to convey to you, sir, all the horror and
profound regret with which it has inspired him. Not only the old and
excellent relations which existed between the two governments, but
the high esteem and the sincere consideration professed by the King
for the noble character, and eminent qualities of the illustrious
President who has been taken from a country to the welfare of which
he was devoted, by the most atrocious crime, may easily explain the
sentiments of just grief and sad sympathy with which the King is
penetrated, and the reprobation with which his Majesty stamps a
shameful assassination, directed by a parricidal hand against that
good man.
This crime is aggravated by the infamous attack made upon the
distinguished statesman confined to his bed of suffering, and who,
wounded also in his most cherished affections, seems to leave us
little hope of seeing him recover from his physical and mental
anguish.
The King has charged me to beg you, sir, to testify to your
government the sentiments entertained by him, and which, be assured,
are shared by the two peoples united under his sceptre.
In giving utterance to the most sincere wishes that this frightful
misfortune does not injure the United States of America, the
government of the King expresses the hope of continuing with
President Johnson the same relations of confidence and amity which
have been maintained under the government of the illustrious
President whose loss we so bitterly deplore.
In begging you, sir, to accept the expression of my most profound
personal regret, I permit myself to add the assurance of my most
distinguished consideration.
Mr. Campbell,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
No. 5.
Count Manderstrom. to Mr. Campbell
Wednesday
Evening.
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 them 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,
Mr. Campbell,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
No. 6.
Count Manderstrom to Mr. Campbell
My Dear Sir: I hasten to communicate to you
the following details transmitted from London yesterday evening, but
which reached me only this morning.
It appears that President Lincoln was murdered in his box at the
theatre; the assassin, whose name is Booth, jumped down from the box
on the scene and effectually escaped. He went directly to Baltimore,
and was apprehended there. It was the brother of Booth who made the
attack upon Mr. Seward in his sick-room and wounded him dangerously.
His son, Mr. Frederick Seward, hastening to help his father, was
murdered on the spot.
[Page 200]
General Grant was to have assisted at the play, but was prevented by
official business; this being mentioned, I suppose there was some
plan laid against him.
Such a shocking series of atrocious crimes, up to this day never
witnessed in your country, cannot fail to impress the minds of all
good citizens and make them rally round the banner of order.
I reserve myself to answer officially to your note, but thought it my
duty not to lose time in giving you all the details I have
received.
I am, my dear sir, your very obedient servant,
Mr. Campbell,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America.
