James A. Garfield photo

Announcement of the Assassination of President Garfield to Representatives Foreign Governments in the United States

September 20, 1881

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

SIR: It is my sad duty to announce to you that the illness of the President of the United States, which you have followed with an anxiety similar of our own and a sympathy which you have repeately testified to this Department during the sorrowful period that has passed since he was shot by an assassin on the 2d of July, terminated last evening, when he expired at thirty-five minutes past 10 o'clock.

As soon as the order and details of the funeral ceremonies are arranged you will be duly informed thereof.

ROBERT R. HITT,

Acting Secretary.

James A. Garfield, Announcement of the Assassination of President Garfield to Representatives Foreign Governments in the United States Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/203812

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