ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ASSASSINATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE UNITED STATES ABROAD.
[From the Washington Post, July 3, 1881.]
Department of State,
_Washington, July 2, 1881._
James Russell Lowell,
_Minister, etc., London:_
The President of the United States was shot this morning by an assassin
named Charles Guiteau. The weapon was a large-sized revolver. The
President had just reached the Baltimore and Potomac station, at about
9.20, intending, with a portion of his Cabinet, to leave on the limited
express for New York. I rode in the carriage with him from the Executive
Mansion and was walking by his side when he was shot. The assassin was
immediately arrested, and the President was conveyed to a private room
in the station building and surgical aid at once summoned. He has now,
at 10.20, been removed to the Executive Mansion. The surgeons, on
consultation, regard his wounds as very serious, though not necessarily
fatal. His vigorous health gives strong hopes of his recovery. He has
not lost consciousness for a moment. Inform our ministers in Europe.
JAMES G. BLAINE, _Secretary of State_.