The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-28
From the PHILADELPHIA Press, 10Th.

From the Philadelphia Press, 10Th.
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 in our hands. Most unmistaka-
bly, it proves that he must for many months
have contemplated seizing 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 just and righteous indig-
nation:
My DEAR SIR: You may use this as you
think best. But as Son,e may wish 20 know
,chen, ,oho and achy, and as Iknow not kop to
direct this. l give it Gin the words Of your
mastery
$50 ysons il n1ay concern:1
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.
I love peace more than life. Have loved the
Union beyond expression. For four years
have waited, hoped and prayed for the dark
clouds to break, and for restoration of1our
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 I 60 to see and share the bitter
end.
/ have ever held the South were right. The
very nomination of Abraham Lincoln, four
wears ago, spoke plainly war war upon South
srn rights and institutions. His election
proved it. Await an overt act" Yes; till
YOU are bound and piundered. 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 acGr, l.,
too. could cay. Country, right or wrong"
But In 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 forfeits
the honest allegiance of every honest freeman.
and should leave him, untrammelled by any
fealty 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 op-
preston, was the teaching of our fathers. The
study of our early history will not let me for.
get 1t, and may it never.
This country was formed for the ,ohi.e not
tor the black man. And, looking upon Il ffiican
slavery from the,same standpoint held by the
| noble trainers of the constitution, I, for one
have ever epnsidered Il one of the creates,
Blessings Goth for themselves and us) that God
| ever bestowed upon a favored nation. Witness
heretofore our wealth and power; witnes;
their elevation and enlightenment above theil
race elsewhere; have lived among it most O
my life, and have seen less harsh treatment
from master to man than have bebeld in The
North from father to son. Yet, Heaven knows
no one would be willing to do more for the negr,
race than could but see way to sa0 bele,
| sksir condition. ~ 'e ''''
bus Lneotas poiicy IS only preparing tn