Slavery in the United States, he gradually and cautiously developed an Anti-Slavery policy, which resulted in the issue of an Emancipation Proclamation, by which every slave in the rebel States is now free; and he lived to see adopted by Congress an amendment of the constitution abolishing for ever Slavery in the United States.

"He has not been permitted to witness the final achievement of this great work, but his name will ever be associated in history with the removal of this dark stain from your national escutcheon.

"It is not alone, or chiefly on grounds of philanthropy that we have sympathised in his objects and aims. From the period when we beheld a section of your community, when defeated at the ballot box, appealing to the arbitrament of the sword, without even the pretence of a grievance, excepting the alleged danger to the institution of Slavery, we regarded free constitutional government as on its trial, and we have viewed with unvarying satisfaction the uniform consistency with which he always upheld the maintenance of the Union as paramount to every other consideration.

"In the recollection of these things, we desire now, through you, to express our deep sympathy with your loyal fellow-citizens in the grievous loss you have sustained a loss which, at this important crisis in your country's history, cannot fail to produce serious and anxious

concern.

'In the midst of gloom, however, we are consoled by the reflection that the world is ruled by principles-not by men; and that while the most distinguished statesmen are constantly passing away, the principles which they have propounded are immortal.

“Mr. Lincoln, it is true, has departed, but he has be

queathed to posterity an example which cannot fail to exercise a powerful influence on the future of your country.

"The constitution places you in the office of Chief Magistrate of the Union at a solemn crisis in your national affairs, which has no parallel in past history; but we cheerfully recognise the fact that the same ballot which secured the triumphant re-election of Mr. Lincoln, also placed you in the distinguished position to become his successor; and our faith in the instincts of a great people forbids us to doubt that the noble principles which animated him will ever find a response in your heart.

'For and on behalf of the Union and Emancipation

Society,

"THOMAS BAYLEY POTTER, President.
"FRANCIS TAYLOR (for self and other
Vice-Presidents).

"SAML. WATTS, Treasurer.

"J. H. ESTCOURT, Chairman of Executive.

"J. C. EDWARDS,

"E. O. GREENING,

Hon. Secretaries.

"51, Piccadilly, Manchester, 27th April, 1865."

It was further resolved :—

"That this meeting also desires to record an expression

of profound sympathy with the Honourable W. H. Seward and the members of his family, in regard to the atrocious attempt to assassinate that distinguished and able statesman whilst lying in a helpless condition on a bed of sickness; and this meeting earnestly hopes that the foul attempt may not have proved successful, but that Mr. Seward may soon be restored to health and vigour to render efficient

service in the government of his great nation, under a restored Union, based on the eternal principle of freedom, justice, and equal rights to men of all races."

"SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge with very sincere pleasure the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a resolution passed unanimously at a crowded meeting of the citizens of Manchester, held in the Free Trade Hall, relative to the late tragic occurrences in this capital.

'The sympathy so kindly and cordially expressed in this resolution will be gratefully appreciated by Mr. Seward, who, I am happy to state, is fast recovering from his injuries, as well as by the various members of his family. "I am, Sir, very respectfully,

"Your obedient Servant,

'W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary.

"To Mr. Francis Taylor, Manchester, England.”

Washington, 11th November, 1865. "To the Union and Emancipation Society of Manchester. "GENTLEMEN,-I am directed by the President of the 'United States to return to you his very sincere acknowledgments and thanks for the liberal and kind address which you made to him on his accession to the Chief Magistracy in April last.

"It would be doing you a great injustice, however, to confine this acknowledgment to that address. Your enlightened, truthful, faithful advocacy of the cause of the American Republic and of humanity during the agitations of the past four years entitles your Society to an honourable place in American history, and the history of our age.

"It is a matter of constant regret on my part that, owing to a temporary derangement of business in this Department, which has existed during a portion of the year, the President's directions in regard to this acknowledgment, and many others, justly due to the friends of our country abroad, as well as at home, have been performed dilatorily and imperfectly.

"I have the honour to inform you that your affecting address to Mrs. Mary Lincoln (which was received by me at the same time with your address to the President) was, without delay, placed in her hands.

"I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

"Your obedient Servant,

Note.-Your Committee have issued and circulated upwards of four hundred thousand books, pamphlets, and tracts, during the three years of its operations; and nearly five hundred official and public meetings have been held in the promotion of the objects of the Society.

MANCHESTER,

22nd January, 1866.

Moved by FRANCIS TAYLOR, Esq., seconded by SAMUEL WATTS, Esq., and unanimously adopted:

"That the Report now read be adopted; and that the

thanks of the Union and Emancipation Society are

PROCEEDINGS AT THE LAST MEETING.

89

now specially presented to the Executive Committee for their administration of the affairs of the

society."

Professor GOLDWIN SMITH then delivered an address on the "Civil War in America."

Moved by GEO. SHAW LEFEVRE, Esq., M.P., seconded by Dr. SANDWITH, C.B. (of Kars):

"That the thanks of this meeting be given to Professor Goldwin Smith for his able and interesting address on the Civil War in America,' and that he be requested to allow the address to be published."

Moved by J. H. ESTCOURT, Esq., seconded by Dr. J. WATTS:

"That the following Address to the President be adopted :

"Address presented to Thomas Bayley Potter, M.P., President of the Union and Emancipation Society of Manchester, at a Special General Council, held on the 22nd January, 1866.

"SIR, The Executive and Members of the Union and Emancipation Society, in General Council assembled, present this expression of their grateful appreciation of the valuable services rendered by you as its President.

"When the friends of Freedom and good government in this country were too generally silent and inactive in regard to the Slaveholders' Rebellion in the Southern States of America, you boldly allied yourself with the working men in forming this Association, which proclaimed as its