Andrew Johnson has formally entered upon the duties of President.  I have been authorized temporarily to act as Secretary of State.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. HUNTER,

Acting Secretary.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

[From official records, Department of State.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, April 15, 1865.

SIR:  It is my great misfortune to be obliged to inform you of events not less afflicting to the people of the United States than distressing to my own feelings and the feelings of all those connected with the Government.

The President of the United States was shot with a pistol last night, while attending a theater in this city, and expired this morning from the effects of the wound.  At about the same time an attempt was made to assassinate the Secretary of State, which, though it fortunately failed, left him severely, but it is hoped not dangerously, wounded with a knife or dagger.  Mr. F.W.  Seward was also struck on the head with a heavy weapon, and is in a critical condition from the effect of the blows.

Pursuant to the provision of the Constitution of the United States, Andrew Johnson, the Vice-President, has formally assumed the functions of President.  I have by him been authorized to perform the duties of Secretary of State until otherwise ordered.

I avail myself of the occasion to offer to you the assurance of my distinguished consideration.

W. HUNTER,

Acting Secretary.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE ARMY.

[From official records, War Department.]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 66.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

Washington, April 16, 1865.

The following order of the Secretary of War announces to the armies of the United States the untimely and lamentable death of the illustrious Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States: 

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, April 16, 1865.

The distressing duty has devolved upon the Secretary of War to announce to the armies of the United States that at twenty-two minutes after 7 o’clock on the morning of Saturday, the 15th day of April, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, died of a mortal wound inflicted upon him by an assassin.

The armies of the United States will share with their fellow-citizens the feelings of grief and horror inspired by this most atrocious murder of their great and beloved President and Commander in Chief, and with profound sorrow will mourn his death as a national calamity.

The headquarters of every department, post, station, fort, and arsenal will be draped in mourning for thirty days, and appropriate funeral honors will be paid by every army, and in every department, and at every military post, and at the Military Academy at West Point, to the memory of the late illustrious Chief Magistrate of the nation and Commander in Chief of its armies.