Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. VIII.: James A. Garfield | Page 8

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.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH BY THE PHYSICIANS.
[From the New York Herald, September 20, 1881.]
Elberon, N.J., _September 19--11.30 p.m._
The President died at thirty-five minutes past 10 p.m. After the bulletin
was issued at half past 5 this evening the President continued in much
the same condition as during the afternoon, the pulse varying from 102
to 106, with rather increased force and volume. After taking
nourishment he fell into a quiet sleep about thirty-five minutes before
his death, and while asleep his pulse ran to 120 and was somewhat
more feeble. At ten minutes after 10 o'clock he awoke, complaining of
severe pain over the region of the heart, and almost immediately
became unconscious, and ceased to breathe at twenty-five minutes to
11.
D.W. BLISS. FRANK H. HAMILTON. D. HAYES AGNEW.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT.
[From the New-York Times, September 20, 1881.]
[Long Branch, N.J., _September 19, 1881_.]
Hon. Chester A. Arthur, _No. 123 Lexington Avenue, New York:_
It becomes our painful duty to inform you of the death of President
Garfield and to advise you to take the oath of office as President of the
United States without delay. If it concur with your judgment, we will
be very glad if you will come here on the earliest train to-morrow
morning.
WILLIAM WINDOM, _Secretary of the Treasury._ WILLIAM H.
HUNT, _Secretary of the Navy._ THOMAS L. JAMES,

_Postmaster-General._ WAYNE MacVEAGH, _Attorney-General._
S.J. KIRKWOOD, _Secretary of the Interior._
[The Secretaries of State and of War were absent from Long Branch.]
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._
I. The following order of the Secretary of War announces to the Army
the death of James A. Garfield, President of the United States:
War Department, _September 20, 1881_.
With profound sorrow the Secretary of War announces to the Army that
James A. Garfield, President of the United States, died at Elberon, N.J.,
at twenty-five minutes before 11 in the evening of September 19, 1881.
The great grief which is felt by the nation at the untimely death of the
President will be especially felt by the