Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward
No. 35.]
Legation of the United States,
Yedo,
June 20, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, herewith,
No. 1, copy of a letter from her Britannic Majesty’s charge d’affaires,
and No. 2, copy of my reply, in reference to the atrocious assassination
of Mr. Lincoln.
The extreme fiendishness of that deed, and of the attack on yourself,
paralyzes the judgment, and I can only pray that you may have entirely
recovered.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’affaires ad interim
in Japan.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
(For enclosure No. 1 see Appendix, separate volume.)
No. 2.
Mr. Portman to Mr. Winchester
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
June 20, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
reception of your letter of yesterday, expressing the sentiments of
profound pain and regret which, in common with all Englishmen in
Japan, you felt at the intelligence of the atrocious assassination
of Mr. Lincoln. I shall transmit a copy of your communication to my
government.
Expressions like these, of the enormity of the crime committed, and
the immensity of the loss sustained, will be received, in their
affliction, by the people of the United States in the same spirit in
which they are tendered, and cannot fail, under Providence, to
contribute in cementing those feelings of good will which I
sincerely trust and pray may forever subsist between our respective
countries.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim of the U. S. in Japan.
Charles A. Winchester, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim in Japan.