[From official records in the State Department.]
WASHINGTON, July 9, 1850.
To the Hons. JOHN M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State; W.M. MEREDITH, Secretary of the Treasury; T. EWING, Secretary of the Interior; GEO. W. CRAWFORD, Secretary of War; WM. BALLARD PRESTON, Secretary of the Navy; J. COLLAMER, Postmaster-General; REVERDY JOHNSON, Attorney-General.
GENTLEMEN: I have just received your note conveying the melancholy and painful intelligence of the decease of Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States. I have no language to express the emotions of my heart. The shock is so sudden and unexpected that I am overwhelmed with grief.
I shall avail myself of the earliest moment to communicate this sad intelligence to Congress, and shall appoint a time and place for taking the oath of office prescribed to the President of the United States. You are requested to be present and witness the ceremony.
I am, gentlemen, etc.,
MILLARD FILLMORE.
COMMUNICATION TO THE SENATE FROM MR. FILLMORE.
[From Senate Journal, Thirty-first Congress, first session, p. 443.]
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1850.