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

Saint John’s Lodge, No. 147. The Heroes of Humanity

[Translation.]

Orient of Paris, May 20, 1865.

Saint John’s Lodge, No. 147. The Heroes of Humanity. Extract from the minutes of the working-book.

Sir: All free masonry mourns the death of the President, Abraham Lincoln, and this lodge also regrets the loss of a man who was not only an honor to our order, but the firmest support of your young republic.

We lament the death of the great citizen, the chosen spirit who trampled the prejudices of ancient routine under his feet and undertook the defence of the oppressed, devoting his entire life to the abolition of slavery. An indefatigable worker, impressed with the greatness of his cause, he spared no sacrifice to accomplish his mission. He was struck down at the moment of victory, and his blood confirms the work of freedom. A true martyr to liberty, he could yet pardon his murderer.

Assure his widow, his children, and all your citizens of our whole sympathy; time only can assuage their grief, and his spirit will be their protection.

Accept the assurance of our affectionate sentiments.

A. BAILLEUX.

By order of the lodge:

JULES GONJAT.

Mr. Bigelow,
United States Minister at Paris.