Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Campbell to Mr. Seward

No. 18.]

Legation of the United States, Stockholm, May 3, 1865.

Sir: I thought proper to make a suitable acknowledgment for the note of Count Manderstrom, minister of state and of foreign affairs, of the 27th ultimo, enclosed in my despatch of the 30th ultimo, No. 17, and therefore note a reply, of which the enclosed is a copy.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

JAMES H. CAMPBELL.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

Mr. Campbell to Count Manderstrom

Legation of the United States, Stockholm, May 3, 1865.

Sir: I had the honor to receive the official communication of the 27th ultimo, whereby your excellency conveyed to me the detestation and horror entertained by his Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway for the infamous crime whereby the late President of the United States of America lost his life, coupled with sentiments of profound regret and personal admiration for the character of the illustrious dead, as well as sympathy and condolence for a bereaved people. I observed with unmingled satisfaction that his Majesty was pleased to refer to the excellent relations existing between the two governments, connected with the hope that these friendly relations may be continued under the President of the United States of America, the successor of the late President.

With a mind deeply penetrated by the noble sentiments of his Majesty, and the gracious manner of their expression, I hasten to convey to the President of the United States their full import, and to assure your excellency his Majesty’s abhorrence for a crime that deprived a people of their chosen ruler, and sorrow for their loss, will be acceptable to, and fully appreciated by, the government and people of the United States, and will form a new tie between the governments and peoples of the two countries.

For the sympathy manifested by the Christian and law-abiding people of the united kingdoms of Sweden and Norway for your excellency’s personal sentiments of condolence, not only for the loss of our beloved President, but for the terrible injuries inflicted upon the person of the very eminent Secretary of State of the United States, for his suffering heart, wounded in its most tender affections, I am deeply grateful.

To these assurances of profound appreciation on the part of my government suffer me to add, sir, that of my most distinguished consideration.

JAMES H. CAMPBELL.

His Excellency Count Manderstrom, Minister of State and of Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c.