The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-28
THE ASSASSlNS.
Important Letter from y. wilkes
BOOth.- His Original Purpose was
to take Mr.. Lincoln a Prisoner
ellis Reasons for his Action.

From the Philadelphia Prose, l9th.
We have just received the following let
ter, written by John Wilkes Booth, and
placed by him in the hands of his brother
in-law, J. S. Clarke. 1t was written by
him in November last, and addressed to
himself, in his own handwriting. In the
same envelope were some United States
bonds and oil stocks. This letter was
opened by Mr.. Clarke for the first time on
Monday last, and immediately handed by
him to Marshal Millward, who has kindly
placed it iE our hands. Most unmistaka-
bly, it proves that he must for many months
have contemplated Selling the person of
the late President. 1t is, however, doubt
full whether he imagined the black-deed
which has plunged the nation into the
deepest gloom, and at the same time
awakened it to a just and righteous indig-
nation:
My DEAR SIX: You may use this as you
think best. But as Some may wish 20 know
,rhen, ,oho and eohy, and as know not koU to
direct this. give it Gin the words of your
mastery
.'7o whon, u r,dy concern:7
Right or wrong, God judge me. not man.
For be my motive good or bad, of one thing
Am sure.-the lasting condemnation Of the
North.
love peace more than life Have loved the
Uuion beyond expression. For four years
have waited, hoped and prayed for the dark
clouds to break, and for restoration OF our
former sunshine. To wait longer would be q
crime. All hope for peace is dead. My
prayers have proved as idle as my hopes Gods
viii be done. | go to see and share the bitter
end.
/ have ever held the South were right. The
very nomination of Abraham Lincoln, four
years ago, spoke plainly war war upon South
Urn rights aud institutions. His election
proved it. Await an overt act." Yes; till
Won are bound and piunlered. What folly
The South were wise. Who thinks of argu-
ment or patience when the finger OF his enemy
presses upon the trigger. In foreign scdu, l.
too, could say. Country, right or wrong"
But In q struggle such as ours (where the BROTH
er tries to pierce the brothers hearty for Gods
sake choose the right. When country like
this spurns justice from her side. she forteits
tho honest allegiance of every honest freeman,
and should leave him, untrammelled by any
feslty soever to act as his conscience may APP
prove.
People of the North, to hate tyranny, to love
liberty andjustice, to strike at wrong and OPP
preston, was the teaching of our fathers. The
study of our early history will not let me for
get it, and may it never.
This country was formed for the ,uh;te, not
tor the black man. And, looking upon A tficas
slavery from the,same standpoint held by the
noble trainers of the constitution, I, for one.
have ever considered Is one of the greatest
Blessings Goth for themselves and us) that God
ever bestowed upon favored nation, Witness
heretofore our wealth and power; witnesS
their elevation and enlightenment above Their
race elsewhere have lived anongit most OF
my life, and have seen less harsh treatment
| from master to man than have beheId in tho
North from father to son. Yet, Heaven knows
no one would be willing to DO more for the negro
race than l, could but see way to san bstisr
sSsir condition. " '~ 'e'"e'
But Lnco.as policy is only preparing the
way 'oE IneiE to!A annihla.iou. The South