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JOHNSON, Andrew, President. Draft executive order signed ("Andrew Johnson") as President, Executive Office, Washington, D.C., 31 May 1865. 1 page, 4to (9 7/8 x 7¾ in.), integral blank, on stationery headed "Executive Office," text in the very bold hand of a White House secretary.
THE PRESIDENT ORDERS THE CLOSING OF THE EXECUTIVE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES "IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
Johnson, who had succeeded to the presidency on April 15, drafts (or perhaps dictates) an executive order stipulating that all government office including the White House will be closed on Thursday, June 1, a day that has been designated for national prayer in honor of the assassination of President Lincoln. In the wake of the assassination, the nation's capital had been in turmoil at the shock of the event itself, and transfixed by the suspenseful pursuit of the assassination conspirators and by the prolonged and solemn spectacle of the Lincoln funeral ceremonies. It was more than six weeks before Johnson deemed it appropriate to proclaim a national day of "humiliation and prayer" in observance of the tragic death of the 16th President. Here, Johnson drafts an official announcement that the government offices will be closed on that day:
"Tomorrow the First of June being the day appointed for [next word with line through it] National Special Humiliation [next word lined through] Fasting and Prayer in consequence of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln late President of the United States the Executive Office and the Various Departments will be closed during the day. Andrew Johnson President US."
THE PRESIDENT ORDERS THE CLOSING OF THE EXECUTIVE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES "IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
Johnson, who had succeeded to the presidency on April 15, drafts (or perhaps dictates) an executive order stipulating that all government office including the White House will be closed on Thursday, June 1, a day that has been designated for national prayer in honor of the assassination of President Lincoln. In the wake of the assassination, the nation's capital had been in turmoil at the shock of the event itself, and transfixed by the suspenseful pursuit of the assassination conspirators and by the prolonged and solemn spectacle of the Lincoln funeral ceremonies. It was more than six weeks before Johnson deemed it appropriate to proclaim a national day of "humiliation and prayer" in observance of the tragic death of the 16th President. Here, Johnson drafts an official announcement that the government offices will be closed on that day:
"Tomorrow the First of June being the day appointed for [next word with line through it] National Special Humiliation [next word lined through] Fasting and Prayer in consequence of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln late President of the United States the Executive Office and the Various Departments will be closed during the day. Andrew Johnson President US."