The Black Republican., 1865-04-29
Says he was Engaged in a Plot
PRESIDENT WAS 10 BE CARRIED 0FF,
His Excuses for the Contemplated Act.
A Sec ession Rhapso dy.
From tho Philadelphia Inquirer, April 49,


The following verbatim copy of d letter,
in writing, which is the hand writing of
John Wilkes Booth, the murderer Of PTesi-
dent Lincoln, has been furnished as by the
Hon. William MilWard, United States Mar
shal of the Eastern District Of Pennsylva-
MIA. i was handed over 10 that officer by
John ;. Clarke, who is q brOtherin-laW of
Mr.. Booth. The history connected wi.h it
is somewhat peculiar. n NoYembe~, 1851,
the paper was deposited with Mr.. Clarke by
Booth n a sealed envelope, " for safe Keep
ing" Air. Clarke being ignorant Of the con
tents. IN January last Booth called at IN
CIarke'S house, asked for the package aad it
was given mp to him. It is now supposed
that At that sine nc took out the paper and
added to it his signature, which appears to
be in a different Ink from chat used in the
body Of the letter, and also from the ian
guage employed, could not have been pat to
It originally. AigerWard he returned the
package to Mr. Clarke again for safe keep
iDg, sealed and bearing the supcrscriptiOn
49, j. Wilkes Booth
The inClOsure was preserved by The family
without suspicion OF its mature. After the
affecting Information Of the assassination Of
the President, which came upon the family
of Mr.. Clarke with crushing force, il was
considered proper TO open The envelope.
There We're found in il the following paper,
with some 7-30 United States bonds, aAd
certificates Of shares in oil companies. Mr..
CLARKE promptly handed over the paper to
Marshal Miiward, in whose CUSTODY it now
remains. From perusal of this paper, il
seems 10 have been prepared by Booth as n
VindicatlOn OF some desperate act which he
had n contemplation, and, from the IAN.
guagc used, il " probable that il was a plot
to abduct the President and carry him or to
Virginia. II this was meditated it failed,
and from making prisoner of the President
In uuCA ~ Nj az ipu UNI r.
man Of perverted principles. II also appears
that Booth was one of the party who was
engaged in the capture and execution of
John Brown, Of OssawattOmie, at which
time he doubtless imbibed from Wise and
his associates those detestablc sentiments of
cruelty which have eliminated in an infa
nous crime. The letter is as follows.
Ny Dear S1-You may use this as Won
think best. But az some may wish to know
when, who and why, and as know not how
to direct, give it, in the words of your
master)
To whom It may concern"
Right or wrong, God judge me, not man
For be my motive good or bad, of one thinp
aIi sure, the lasting condemnation of tb99
North.
| love peace more than life. Have loved
the Cnlon beyond expression. For four
the dark clouds to break, and for a Teetora-
ton Of our former sunshine. Towait longer
would DC crime. All hope for neacs9 IL
dead. My prayers have proved as idIe rs NV
hopes. Gods viii be de1e. go to see ana
share the bitter end. ','
have ever held the South were right.
The very nomination Of Abraham Lincoln
four years ago, spoke plainly-war. wa
upon Southern rights and institutions His
election proYed It. Await an overt ae+ ;
Yes, till you are bound and plundern6
What folly! The South was wise. Who
thinks Of argument or patience when tbe
niger OF MS enemy presses On the trigger
In q foreign war |, too, could say. Conn
try, right or wrong But in a struggle sucb
as ours, {where the brother tries to pierce
the brothers heart, for Gods sake eho.se
the right. When . couatry like this sr,sTrns
justice from her side she forfeits the aile-
glance OF every honest freeman, and should
leaye MN, untrammeled by any fealty what
soeyer, to act as his conscience may approve.
People Of the North, to hate tyranny, to
love loersy aud justice, to strike at wrong