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May 9, 1865.
Address of the provost magistrates and town council of the royal burgh of Kirkaldy, Scotland.
To Charles Francis Adams, esq., envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary for the United States of America, London.
Sir: The provost magistrates and town council of the royal burgh of Kirkaldy, Scotland, desire to express their unfeigned sorrow at the tragic termination of the career of the late loved and lamented President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln.
They join in the universal cry of horror and detestation at the dreadful crime which has inflicted so deep a wound in the heart of the nation, and has awakened so keen a sympathy with you throughout the civilized world.
They recognize in the late President a man who, by his honesty, vigor, and ability, secured the intense affection and respect of the people; one fitted to rule in the midst of the greatest civil conflict the world has seen, and to temper with forbearance and clemency the triumph over the vanquished. They join in earnest hope that your severe and protracted struggle may terminate with his intentions and desires fully accomplished, in the downfall of slavery, and in the entire removal from your great nation of an evil which has hitherto tramelled and distressed it. They anticipate a bright future for America in the reign of freedom, intelligence, and Christian worth; they desire an intimate and friendly understanding between her and the government and people of Great Britain; and trust that, together, they may long continue the pioneers and promoters of civilization and freedom.
They will feel obliged by your communicating these sentiments to the government of America.
Signed in name and by authority of the provost magistrates and town council of the royal burgh of Kirkaldy, and the seal of the burgh hereunto appended.
PATRICK D. SWAN, N. B.,
Provost Magistrate of Kirkaldy.