prescribed as to details and collaterals. Such an exclusive and inflexible plan would surely become a new entanglement. Important principles may and must be inflexible. In the present situation, as the phrase goes, it may be my duty to make some new announcement to the people of the South. I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper. At the same time proclamations were issued relative to closing the Southern ports, in which the Government claimed to exercise the same legal authority over them as over other ports of the United States, and also declaring that in future foreign cruisers would receive in ports of the United States the same treatment which in their ports was given to cruisers of the United States. About the same time, April 13th, an order was issued from the War Department, stopping all drafting and recruiting, curtailing the purchase of military stores, etc. But the time was now close at hand when the duty of restoring the integrity of the country was to pass into other hands. On April 15th, Vice-President Johnson, then in Washington, received the following letter: WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., April 15, 1865. SIR: Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was shot by an assassin last evening at Ford's Theatre, in this city, and died at the hour of twentytwo minutes after seven o'clock this morning. About the same time at which the President was shot an assassin entered the sick-chamber of the Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and stabbed him in several places-in the throat, neck, and faceseverely if not mortally wounding him. Other members of the Secretary's family were dangerously wounded by the assassin while making his escape. By the death of President Lincoln the office of President has devolved under the Constitution upon you. The emergency of the Government demands that you should immediately qualify according to the requirements of the Constitution, and enter upon the duties of President of the United States. If you will please make known your pleasure, such arrangements as you deem proper will be made. Your obedient servants, HUGH McCULLOCH, Sec. of the Treasury, To Hon. ANDREW JOHNSON, Vice-President of the United States. Mr. Johnson, in answer, appointed 11 o'clock, A. M., at his rooms at the Kirkwood Hotel, as the time and place when he would take the oath of office. It was duly administered to him by Chief Justice Chase, in presence of the Cabinet and several members of Congress. He then said: Gentlemen, I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me. As to an indication of any policy which may be pursued by me in the administration of the Government, I have to say that that must be left for development, as the administration progresses. The message or declaration must be made by the acts as they transpire. The only assurance that I can now give of the future, is by reference to the past. The course which I have taken in the past, in con nection with this rebellion, must be regarded as a guaranty for the future. My past public life, which has been long and laborious, has been founded, as I in good conscience believe, upon a great principle of right, which lies at the basis of all things. The best energies of my life have been spent in endeavoring to establish and perpetuate the blessings of free gov. ernment; and I believe that the Government, in passing through its present trials, will settle down upon manent and enduring than heretofore. I must be principles consonant with popular rights, more per permitted to say, if I understood the feelings of my own heart, I have long labored to ameliorate and alleviate the condition of the great mass of the Amergreat principles of free government, have been my ican people. Toil, and an honest advocacy of the fot. The duties have been mine-the consequences are God's. This has been the foundation of my political creed. I feel that in the end the Govern ment will triumph, and that these great principles will be permanently established. In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that I want your encouragement and countenance. I shall ask, and rely, upon you and others, in carrying the Gov ernment through its present perils. I feel, in making this request, that it will be heartily responded to by and interests of a free people. you and all other patriots and lovers of the rights Unparalleled as were the excitement and regret produced by this death, the details of which will be found elsewhere (see LINCOLN, ABRAHAM), the authority of the nation, without any formal parade or ceremony, was thus quietly transferred to other hands. The Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln continued unchanged through the year. Much interest was immediately awakened in President on the state of the country, and the the public mind to learn the views of the plan to be pursued in the restoration of the union of the States. Delegations of citizens from several States waited upon him and tendered their hearty support, to whom he said, in most explicit terms, that his past course mest be an indication of what his future would be. To a delegation of citizens of New Hampshire he said: I have now, as always an abiding faith in the ultimate triumph of justice and right, and I shall seek the inspiration and guidance of this faith, in the assured belief that the present struggle will result in the permanent establishment of our Government, and in making us a free, united, and happy people. This Government is now passing through a fiery, and, let of endurance, and will determine whether it can do us hope, its last ordeal-one that will test its powers what its enemies have denied-suppress and punish treason. This is the trial through which we are now passing, and, if we are true to ourselves and the principles upon which the Constitution was framed, who can doubt that the Government will settle down upon a more enduring basis than its best friends have dared to hope for it? In entering upon the discharge of the grave duties before me, it has been suggested and even urged by friends whose good opinions I value, and whose judg ment I respect, that I shall foreshadow the policy that would guide me, in some formal, public manifesto. But who could have foretold the events of the past four years? Who was wise enough to indicate beforehand a line of policy adapted to all the changing emergencies of that period? It is not in the wisdom and foresight of man to prescribe a course of action in advance for such disturbed and perilous conditions as now distract public affairs. I believe I may say that my past life is known to the country, |