REPLY OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT.

[From the Evening Star, Washington, September 20, 1881.]

New York, September 20, 1881.[A]

I have your message announcing the death of President Garfield.  Permit me to renew through you the expression of sorrow and sympathy which I have already telegraphed to Attorney-General MacVeagh.  In accordance with your suggestion, I have taken the oath of office as President before the Hon. John R. Brady, justice of the supreme court of the State of New York.  I will soon advise you further in regard to the other suggestion in your telegram.

C.A.  ARTHUR.

[Footnote A:  Addressed to the Cabinet.]

ANNOUNCEMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES ABROAD.

[From the Sun, New York, September 21, 1881.]

[Long Branch, N.J., September 20, 1881.]

Lowell, Minister, London:

James A. Garfield, President of the United States, died at Elberon, N.J., last night at ten minutes before 11 o’clock.  For nearly eighty days he suffered great pain, and during the entire period exhibited extraordinary patience, fortitude, and Christian resignation.  The sorrow throughout the country is deep and universal.  Fifty millions of people stand as mourners by his bier.  To-day, at his residence in the city of New York, Chester A. Arthur, Vice-President, took the oath of office as President, to which he succeeds by virtue of the Constitution.  President Arthur has entered upon the discharge of his duties.  You will formally communicate these facts to the British Government and transmit this dispatch by telegraph to the American ministers on the Continent for like communication to the Governments to which they are respectively accredited.

BLAINE, Secretary.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

[From official records, Department of State.]

Department of State
Washington, September 20, 1881.

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 to our own and a sympathy which you have repeatedly 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.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE ARMY.

[From official records, War Department.]

General Orders, No. 71.

Headquarters of the Army,
Adjutant-General’s Office,
Washington, September 20, 1881.