--to request that for reasons of weight affecting the affairs of
Government you should proceed to take the constitutional oath of
President of the United States."

THE VICE-PRESIDENT'S REPLY.

"I shall take the oath at once in accordance with your request, and in
this hour of deep and terrible national bereavement. I wish to state
that it shall be my aim to continue absolutely unbroken the policy of
President McKinley for the peace and prosperity and honor of our beloved
country."

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ASSASSINATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED
STATES ABROAD.

(_From the Washington Post, Sept. 15, 1901_.)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, Sept. 14_.

_Sir_: It is my painful duty to announce to you the death of
William McKinley, President of the United States, in the city of
Buffalo, at fifteen minutes past 2 in the morning of to-day, September
14.

Laid low by the act of an assassin, the week-long struggle to save his
life has been watched with keen solicitude, not alone by the people of
this country, who raised him from their own ranks to the high office he
filled, but by the people of all friendly nations, whose messages of
sympathy and hope, while hope was possible, have been most consolatory
in this time of sore trial.

Now that the end has come, I request you to be the medium of
communicating the sad tidings to the Government of the honored nation
you so worthily represent, and to announce that in obedience to the
prescriptions of the Constitution, the office of President has devolved
upon Theodore Roosevelt, Vice-President of the United States.

Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.

JOHN HAY.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE ARMY.

[GENERAL ORDER No. 13.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
_Washington, D.C. Sept. 16, 1901._

With great sorrow, the commanding general announces the death of
William McKinley, President of the United States and, by statute,
Commander-in-Chief of the District of Columbia Militia, which occurred
at Buffalo, N.Y., at 2:15 o'clock A.M. on September 14, 1901.

Throughout his tragically terminated administration President McKinley
was actively interested in the welfare of this organization and
frequently gave it evidence of his sincere friendship. His distinguished
services as soldier and civilian must incite to emulation and will
result in purer patriotism and better citizenship wherever his career
is studied