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 Zurich

[Translation.]

Zurich, May 4, 1865.

The president and council of the canton of Zurich to the honorable Swiss Bundesrath.

Gentlemen: The news of recent events in the North American Union has aroused our sympathy, as is the case everywhere else. Just as peace appeared to rejoice desponding hearts, and all were giving themselves up to anticipations of returning prosperity, the terrible murder of President Lincoln, the Chief Magistrate of the American Union, struck all mute with wonder, and filled all hearts with grief and indignation.

As you are preparing expressions of joy and sorrow to be communicated to the government of the United States, in the name of the Swiss Confederation, we respectfully request you to add this expression of our feelings for the people of the sister republic, and beg you to accept the expression of our esteem and consideration.

• ED. ZIEGLER, President.
• J. BOKHARD, Secretary.