, 1865-04-17
The 1nnugurat1on-apeec of Presf-
dent Johns0n-1ntcrestfn CereIno.
nM&-Thc President in Good x1eulttl&

dent Johns0n-IntcrestIng CereIno.
nfes-The President in Good x1eaiths
WAsmsG1oE, April 1s.--Yeaterday morning At
tofney General I spsfd waited upon bon. A. AnarsT @
den and unexpected decease Of President Lincoln:
and stated TINT IN early hour might be sppotnted
for the Inauguration Of his successor. The fol-
loving Il copy Of tho communication referred
to: =
s'WAsHGsGTos, April Is.
"S1R: Abraham Lincoln, President OF the
ipr At Fords 1heater In hts city md died ut tie
hour Of ~ o'clock this morning. About the
Il. Seward, Secretary OF State and stabbed him in
several p!acesin the th1o.t face and neck, severely
# uot mortallq woundipg him. 'The other mem
wounded hy. the assassin while nak1ns his es-
cspe- By. The death OF President Lincoln the
office Of President has devolyed, under the Con-
ernm ent demands that you should Immediately
qualify according to the requirements Of the Con-
sutqttop snd sntes upon tue duties of President
deem proper will be made.
Your obediept 1 seEyaut:: 3 ;ET4 .c :
"seeret.FZ ( Of & ths e. Ttsssai7. ga
/ : Asfss1staWA st. Wssnn;' e w.
"seesetssry et The Navy.
=, "Po.tmnsser .t7 = Gene General
"sceretary Of the Intef1or.
ITO AhDnEw JOHNSON, Vice President Of the
the United 5tatee."
M. Johnson requested That the ceremony take
place at bts rooms at the Ktrkwood House, In thts
city. at ~ O'Clock In the morntne. Hon. =. F.
Chsee, Cbiei Justice Of the United Suites Supreme
Court, was no,aned Of the fact and desired to b:
IN attendance TO administer the oath OF office At
the ahovc named hopr the following gents assem-
bled In the Vice PEeslaent,s ROOM to participate
euiioeh, @ At'"iney % Gsneial a spesd % +. +. q B,aif
Iont 1s,ss e Of n'ine,s Ramsey q stigasaota,
| General Farnswosth Of 1llind,t.
After 'be presentation Of the above letter. the
1Ir. johnson: ~ do solemnly swear that will
f4t.bf1lly execute the office u President Of the
United states, and will, to the best OF ny aity.
Ss S5itsd PEs,ts sDa defend '0s
President Of the 1ni,ed States, III. Johnson re-
: '0entlemsn: muat be permitted to say that
| have been almost overwhelmed BY tho announce
ment Of fbe I'd even, which has 50 recently &C.
importsnt and responsible as those which have
been 80 Unexpectedly thrown upon me. as to IN
q e Ra oi
development Is the administration PROGRESSES.
| ne meeEAS& OF GEC!rtAuUu WUSt UE IQnu6 D9 ACTS
ms they tranepi1e. The only assurance that I can
give Of the tntura Is reference to the past cousae
have taken. in connection. with this rebellion.
Ny past public life which Inns been long and Ia
| bo1iou-, has been fornd, us IN good conscience
believe. upon great principle Of rleh', which
lies at the basis Of all things. The best energies
OF my lifc hare been spent in endeavortng to
establish and peTpetuate the principles u free
government 1be)1cyc that the Government, II
| passing through the pretent perils, will settle
| down on principles consonant with popular
| rights more permanent and enduring than here
foiore. must be pcrHifted to Say, II unde7-
stnrd the feelings OF my own heart. have long
labored to ameltorate and elevate The condition
Of the great msSf Of tie American people: Toll
and an bonest advocacy Of the gre1t psfncl-
pies Of government hnvo been my lot.
The duties have been mine, the consequences are
| Code. THE has been the foundation Of my po-
l1tlcal lite and feel that ID the end the Govern
ment will triumph and that these great principles
viii be permanently established. In conclusion,
cour1eement and countenancc. shall rely upon
you and others IN carrying The Government
through Its present peri1s. Ifeel In tQaking this
| request thHt II will De heartily responded to by
you nnd all other patriots and loycra Of tue rtghts
| and interests Of 4 free nation.n
At the conclusion Of Lis remarks, the President
| received The kind wishes Of thc friends by whom
hc was turrounded. A few minutes were devoted
| to conversation. All we're deeply impressed with
| the to1emniy Of She oecasson az the recent aad
occurrence that causeE the necessity for the
speedy Inauguration Of the President, wns gtaVey
discussed. Ar. johnson Ia In tine health, aud has
| au earnest eense Of the important trust condded
| to him.
Wm,uuuter, Chief Clerk Of the State Depastme Mt,
tas been ppcfnted Acting sec'y Ct State. A spc-
clsl meeting of the Cabinet wns held at the TIe1s-
| uEy Department at 10 O'Clock this a. M