HL Deb 27 April 1865 vol 178 cc1073-4
EARL RUSSELL

gave notice that on Monday next he would move— An humble Address to Her Majesty to express the Sorrow and Indignation of this House at the Assassination of the President of the United States; and to pray Her Majesty to communicate these Sentiments on the Part of this House to the Government of the United States.

THE EARL OF DERBY

said, that he hoped that the noble Earl and the Government had taken pains to ascertain that there was nothing unusual—he did not say unprecedented, because the circumstances were almost unprecedented—but he hoped that the Government had taken pains to ascertain that there was nothing in the form of the Motion rendering it in the slightest degree doubtful whether a unanimous assent would be given by the House to the Motion as proposed. With regard to the substance of the Motion, he was quite certain that the expression of sorrow and indignation at the atrocious act which has been committed in the United States, would not only meet with the unanimous assent of their Lordships' House, but would represent the feeling of every man, woman, and child in Her Majesty's dominions.

EARL RUSSELL

said, that the noble Earl was correct in saying that the circumstances were happily unprecedented; and he hoped that there would be nothing in the form of the Motion which would cause objection to be taken to it.

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