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

Friends of Perfect Union Lodge

May 12, 1865

Extract from the working book of the lodge of the Friends of Perfect Union. Session of the 12th of May, 1865.

[Translation.]

The members being called to order, the master speaks:

“Dear Brothers: An illustrious mason, a great citizen, the very dear brother Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, fell by the pistol of an assassin on the 14th of April last.

“A keeper of flocks, a laborer, a woodman, a lawyer, Brother Lincoln grew up to work, a self-made man.

“He abolished slavery. Honor to the memory of that good man who has been of such signal service to the cause of humanity.

“Let us give, then, a triple battery of mourning to the memory of our very illustrious brother, Abraham Lincoln.”

Brother Vallarino then sang an anthem, composed by Brother Mercadier, and set to music by Brother Coll, a member of the lodge

Brother Mercadier then speaks:

“May the song you have just heard bear beyond the ocean the expression of our profound regrets. May our affliction, mingled with that of the world, temper the sorrow of the widow and children of the great citizen who has given his life for liberty.

“In destroying the last vestiges of slavery, he finished the task begun more than eighteen hundred years ago, by the Just Man, who was crucified for wishing to free the human race.

“Lincoln’s was a great mission upon this earth, and he has most nobly fulfilled it. May he live forever in all hearts! May his noble figure beam in the future and serve as a beacon to all friends of humanity.

“Let us then, my brethren, give a triple salute of joy, in honor of the great, firm, glorious, and immortal Abraham Lincoln!”

It was unanimously decided that the banner of the lodge should be veiled in a mourning of crape for seven days: and that an extract of the minutes of this session should be sent to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, with the request to have it sent to the widow of the very illustrious brother, Abraham Lincoln.

• BOURGUET, the Venerable.
• D. RAYNAL.
• J. MERIE.
• A. ROLLAND.
• C. THOUBERT, Secretary.