I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HAMILTON FISH.

[Footnote 4: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments.]



[From the Daily Morning Chronicle, Washington, September 8, 1869.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, September 7, 1869_.

SIR:[5] I have the honor to inform you that the President directs me to
communicate to you his order that in honor of the memory of the Hon.
John A. Rawlins, late Secretary of War, who died yesterday at twelve
minutes past 4 o'clock p.m., the Executive Departments shall be draped
in mourning for a period of thirty days, and that they be closed from
the morning of the 8th instant until after the obsequies of the deceased
shall have been solemnized.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

HAMILTON FISH.

[Footnote 5: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments.]



DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, September 7, 1869_.