[From official records in the State Department.]
WASHINGTON, _July 9, 1850_.
To the Hons. JOHN M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State; W.M. MEREDITH,
Secretary of the Treasury; T. EWING, Secretary of the Interior; GEO. W.
CRAWFORD, Secretary of War; WM. BALLARD PRESTON, Secretary of the Navy;
J. COLLAMER, Postmaster-General; REVERDY JOHNSON, Attorney-General.
GENTLEMEN: I have just received your note conveying the melancholy and
painful intelligence of the decease of Zachary Taylor, late President of
the United States. I have no language to express the emotions of my
heart. The shock is so sudden and unexpected that I am overwhelmed with
grief.
I shall avail myself of the earliest moment to communicate this sad
intelligence to Congress, and shall appoint a time and place for taking
the oath of office prescribed to the President of the United States. You
are requested to be present and witness the ceremony.