Benjamin Moran to William H. Seward, July 8, 1868

Mr. Moran to Mr. Seward

Sir: With respect to your dispatch No. 12, of the 16th ultimo, I have the honor to state that I have forwarded to Lord Stanley the two volumes to which it refers, containing expressions of condolence and sympathy on the assassination of President Lincoln, one being intended for the British government, and the other for Earl Russell, who at the time of the murder was her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs. I transmit copies of the notes relating to these volumes which passed between me and Lord Stanley in the performance of the duty of forwarding them to his lordship under your directions. As bearing upon the recognition by the Congress of the United States of the expressions of sympathy from England on the assassination of President Lincoln, I inclose copies of two notes arising out of the transmission by myself of one of these volumes, with a note from you to Tom Taylor, esq., the author of the ode on Mr. Lincoln, which appeared in the London Punch of the 6th of May, 1865. Mr. Haswell, of the department, had asked me to ascertain the name of the author of the poem and send the book to him. Through a friend I learned that Mr. Tom Taylor was the writer. I trust that his hearty letter, acknowledging the recognition by you of that ode, will not be unwelcome to you and to Congress.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,