The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-04-27
WASHINGTON. April Is.

following is copy Of the communica-
tion referred to:
WASHINGTON, April Is.
SlR:-Abrabam Lincoln, President
of the United States, was shot: by an
assassin last evening, at Ford's TEea-
ter, in this city. and died at the hour
1922 this morning About the same
time at which the President was shot,
an assassin entered the sick chamber
of Hon. " III. Seward, Secretary of
State, and stabbed him in several pa
ces in the throat, neck and face severe
ly, if not smortally, wounding him.
Other members otthe Secretary's fami-
Iy were dangerously wounded by the
assassin, while making his escape. BY
the death of President Lincoln, the Of
flee Of President has devolved, under
the Constitution, upon you. The
emergency Of the Government de-
mands that you should Immediately
qualify, according 10 the requirements
OF the Constitution, and enter upon
the duties of President of the United
States. Ifyou will please make known
your pleasure, such arrangements as
you deem proper will be made. Your
oSedient servants,
HUGH McCULLOCH, Secretary
of the Treasury. ...
EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary
of War.
GIDEON WELLS, Secretary of
the Navy.
WIN. DENNIsoN, Postmaster Gen
cral.
]. P, USHER, Secretary of the t.
terror
JAMES SPEED, Attorney Gcncr-
al.
To Andrew Johnson, Vice President
of the United States
Mr.. johnson requested the ceremo.
ny to take place at his rooms at the
Kirkwood House, in this city, at 10
clock in the morning, Hon. S. P.
Chase, Chief Justice Of the United
States Supreme Court, was notified of
the fact, and desired to be in attend
anco to'adminster the oath of Office -
At the, e,,above-named hour, tho follow
ing gentlemen assembled in the Vice
Presidents room to participate in the
ceremony:
Hon. S. P. Chase, Hon. II HcCul.
lOch, Attorney General Spccd, +. j.
Blair. Hon Montgomery Blair, Sena-
tors Foot, of Vermont, Yates of Illinois
Ramsay, of Minnesota, Stewart, of Ne
vada, Farnsworth, of Illinois. After
the presentation of the above letter
the Chief Justice administered the fol-
lowing oath to Mr.. Johnson;
Il do solemnly swear that l will
faithfully execute the Office of President
ofthe United States, and will, to the
best of nv ability, preserve protect
and defend the Constitution of the
United States.
After receiving the oath and being
declared President of the United
States, Mr., Johnson remarked:
-"GENTLENEN:-I must be permitted
to say have been almost overwhelm-
cd by the announcement Of the sad
event which has so recently occurred.
| feel incompetent to perform the du-
ties so important and responsible as
those which have been so unexpected
ly thrown upon me.
GAS to an indication OF any policy
which may be pursued by me in the
administration Of the Government, l
have to say that that must be left for
development as the administration
progresses. The message or declara-
tion must be made by the acts as they
transpire.
The only assistance that I can now
give of the future is reference to the
past. The course which ! have taken
in tho past, in connection with the re-
bellion must be regarded as guaran-
tee of the future. My past public lite,
which has been long and laborious,
has been founded, as l in good con-
science believe, upon great principle
of right which lies at the basis of al
things. The best energies of my life
have been spent in endeavoring to es-
tablish and perpetuate tho principles
offree government. l believe that the