22 April - 29 April 1865
This week in the London Times
Saturday 22 April
Thought has turned to elections and politics.
Nearly 1,000 gentlemen from across the UK gathered in Manchester's Free-trade Hall to dine as a form of opposition to liquor traffic (the sale of intoxicating liquids). The banquet was a "demonstration to the country, in view of the coming election, that the supporters of Mr. Lawson's Bill, outside the House of Commons, are united and enthusiastic, and that those members who voted with him are not discouraged."
Some disagree with the anti-liquor bill saying that lower classes must depend upon the public houses to drink because not every man can keep his own cellar or brew his own beer.
A letter proposes a fund for the creation of a Society for Exploring the Holy Land for Biblical Illustration.
Monday 24 April
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SURRENDER OF LEE
General Lee has surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. The following is correspondence between the two Generals, settling the terms.Secretary Stanton has ordered a salute of 200 guns to be fired from every arsenal, fort, and military head-quarters in the United States in celebration of the event.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES
"General Grant to General Lee, April 7"General, - The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistence on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States' army known as the Army of Northern Virginia."Very respectfully, your obedient servant,"U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General Commanding the Armies of the United States..."
"GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT"April 7
"General, - I have received your note of this date. Though not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender."R.E. LEE, General.
FEVER IN LONDON
One correspondent writes to defend the rates of typhus in St. Giles Hospital in London.Sir, - Your report of the inquiry before Mr. Farnall into the treatment of pauper patients in the St. Giles's Workhouse is exciting so much attention that even remarks of "a Guardian" in the agonies of exculpating himself from his share of the impending blame will meet with numerous readers... My object, in requesting publicity for the following figures and facts is to show that the results of treatment at this hospital bear a favourable comparison with those of any of the general hospitals of London which admit Typhus cases.
Tuesday 25 April
Regarding the war in the United States. Richmond has been evacuated. "Richmond has fallen." The correspondent provides an analysis:
It is far too early in these passionate times to enter into a disquisition accounting for the events of the 2d and 3d of April. It is obvious that the causes which led to them must have been manifold and diversified, and in some cases so subtle and mysterious as to defy human analysis. But, speaking broadly and briefly, I believe that the failure thus far of the insurrection may be attributed to three principle causes: first, and most materially, to the failure of Johnston and the Western army to keep Sherman out of Atlanta in the same manner as Lee and the Eastern army kept Grant out of Petersburg and Richmond; secondly, to the imbecility of the Confederate Houses of Congress; thirdly, and finally, to the inherent weakness of President Davis's Government, and to the inability or indisposition evinced by him or General Lee to assume, at any risk, the dictatorial powers which a jealous and short-sighed Congress denied to either, but which are alone adapted to the successful management of revolutions.
The correspondent concludes that General Lee's defeat was due less to military ineffectiveness as to the inability of his weak government to support its own claims to freedom.
The Report of the Council of Military Education has released its preliminary results. About 108,000 men in the army can both read and write, while 30,000 can read only, and 23,000 can neither read nor write. Approximately 9,000 men have a superior education. These results have improved from last year, but much need for improvement remains. Educational opportunity offered to the troops is now free.
President Lincoln delivered a speech in Washington upon the occasion of the conclusion of the war. The speech is printed in the paper.
THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLE
A steamship is being loaded with cable to attempt another laying of the telegraph cable.More than 1,000 miles of cable have already been loaded onto the ship.
The Czarewitch has died in Nice, April 24, from illness.
Wednesday 26 April
Intelligence from the House of Commons continues. Both petitions and bills are weighed and debated.
SALMON FISHERY (1861) ACT AMENDMENT BILL
Mr. T. Baring, in moving for leave to introduce this Bill, said it would be in the recollection of the House that the Act of 1861 was founded on the report of a Royal Commission... It had been suggested year after year that some amendments should be introduced into the Act, in order to give power for the formation of bodies for the protection of the rivers, and the placing of a licence upon those who capture fish, whether by nets or rods, and to provide means for the protection of fish during spawning season.
Miss Constance Kent, the 21-year old killer known in the "Road Murder," has confessed and surrendered. She was responsible for killing a child five years ago. The young child had been taken from its cot during the night, had its throat cut, and thrown in the privy. The mystery of who killed the infant Francis has been solved. Constance, the child's half sister, confessed. Miss Kent has been sent to a convent in France, but is now in custody.
ASSASSINATION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE RUSSIAN LEGATION
Yesterday, at 3 p.m., a stranger presented himself at the Russian Embassy, demanding to speak with the Secretary of Legation. Almost immediately after his entrance a noise was heard, and the Secretary was found covered with blood, having received five stabs from a dagger. The murderer fled, but was stopped, when he wounded two other persons before he was arrested.The Secretary is reported to be dead.
Two proposed plans for polar expeditions are listed along with a summary of other attempts to reach the poles.
Thursday 27 April
A narrative of the American oil wells follows. Many of the established wells turn individuals from a life of poverty to riches by small shares in a productive well. The Pennsylvania oil wells are mentioned in detail.
TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION AT SEA
Accounts are published of the destruction of the General Lyon, United States' transport steamer, by fire, with great loss of life: -
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ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN
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OFFICIAL REPORT
"Sir,- It has become my distressing duty to announce to you that last night his Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was assassinated, about the hour of half-past 10 o'clock, in his private box at Ford's Theatre, in the city. The President about 8 o'clock accompanied Mrs. Lincoln to the theatre. Another lady and gentleman were with them in the box. About half-past 10, during a pause in the performance, the assassin entered the box, the door of which was unguarded, hastily approached the President from behind, and discharged a pistol at his head. The bullet entered the back of his head and penetrated nearly through. The assassin then leaped from the box upon the stage, brandishing a large knife or dagger, and exclaiming 'Sic semper tyrannis!' and escaped in the rear of the theatre.
The Americans in London will hold a meeting to express their sentiments regarding the assassination at the Grosvenor Hotel at 12 o'clock tomorrow.
Vice-President Johnson has taken the oath of office as the next President of the United States of America.
Members of Parliament from all parties have assembled to express their sympathy to the American Minister.
A short biography of President Andrew Johnson follows.
A report from the Cotton Supply Association reports a dismal crop and a bad year for cotton to follow. The article assesses the various other states of cotton production from around the world. While cotton prices have dropped recently, the planting of cotton in new areas may not be enough to offset the bad season.
Constance Kent has achieved a celebrity which eclipses the participation of half the world, and will certainly last as long as the English language is spoken.
The assassinations of President Lincoln and the Secretary of State Seward will lessen the admiration of Lee's valiant fight and Richmond's gallant defense. The "'Sic semper tyrannis,' pronounced be the assassin, indicate the vanity of men willing to immortalize themselves, like Eratostratus, though the world should perish. Unjust as we believe it to be, the Confederate cause will not escape the dishonour cast upon it by the wanton murders of Mr. Lincoln and the Secretary."
Mr. Gladstone reports a strong economy, with a surplus of over 3,500,000l.
A detailed analysis of the births and deaths in the metropolis are included.
Friday 28 April
The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose to give a financial statement. Despite a number of difficult situations, including expensive war in China and political instabilities, the "conditions of the country [are] generally prosperous and satisfactory... It has raised a larger revenue than I believe ever at any period of peace or of war was raised by taxation..."
The meeting of Americans in London was held, but closed at the suggestion of Mr. Black, a gentleman from Kentucky, so that all Americans could gather to "testify their sorrow at their loss in a becoming manner." The meeting will be held on Monday at St. James's hall where the American representative in London Mr. Adams will preside.
A discussion of tenant right in Ireland follows.
Her Majesty's Theatre will open for the season tomorrow night. The opera is La Sonnambula.
American intelligence reports that Mr. Seward is not murdered, but his face was gashed. The assassins have not been apprehended.
In China, Prince Kung was dismissed from his function in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Details of President Lincoln's assassination follows.
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts held its annual meeting in St. James's Hall, Piccadilly, yesterday.
