Members of the Merchants’ House
At Glasgow, and within the Merchants’ Hall, this 3d day of May, 1865, at a meeting of the members of the Merchants’ House, called by public advertisement for the purpose of “expressing abhorrence at the detestable crime which [Page 224] has deprived the United States of President Lincoln, and to vote an address of condolence to them on this melancholy occasion,” Archibald Orr Ewing, esq., lord dean of guild, in the chair—
The clerk read the advertisement calling the meeting, after which the lord dean of guild proposed the following resolution:
That this house have received the intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln of the United States of America with sentiments of horror and pain.
That they desire to express their heartfelt sympathy and condolence with the people of the United States, who, in a manner so shocking to every feeling of humanity and so subversive of social order, have been suddenly deprived of their Chief Magistrate at a momentous crisis in the history of their country.
That this house would record their high respect for the character of the late President Lincoln, and their grateful remembrance of his endeavors, at all times, to preserve and cultivate friendly relations with Great Britain; and they would express their earnest hope and prayer that the prospects of internal peace which had opened to the United States during the last days of Mr. Lincoln’s life may not be materially affected by the execrable deed which has brought that life prematurely to an end.
Which resolution, having been seconded by Sir James Campbell, of Stracathro, was unanimously agreed to.
It was then moved by Alexander Harvey, esq., that the lord dean of guild be authorized to sign the resolutions now read and approved by this house, and that he thereafter forward them to the United States government through the American minister in London.
Which motion, having been seconded by William M’Ewen, esq., was also unanimously carried.
The lord dean of guild having declared the business of the meeting terminated, it was thereupon moved by Peter White, esq., that a vote of thanks be accorded to the lord dean of guild for the promptitude with which he had called the meeting, and for the able manner in which he had presided.
Which motion having been carried by acclamation, the meeting separated.
Signed and sealed with the corporation seal of the Merchants’ House, in name and by appointment of said house, at Glasgow, this 3d day of May, 1865.
Dean of Guild.