The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-07-25

from Mr.. John Matthews, addressed to the
editor of that paper Mr.. Matthews was
witness in the Surratt trial, but was not
permitted by the Court to testify in regard
to the letter alluded to. AS statements
have been publicly made in reference to
MIR. Matthews connection with this letter,
he asks the publication of this communi-
cation IN justification of himself and truth ::
WASHINGTON, July II,
Editors Lntelhgencer -GENrLEMEN -
Much has been said in the public prints
IN relation to the missing letter of John
| Wilkes Booth. AS | am the person to
whom this letter was entrusted, l know
Its contents and the circumstances attend
ing Its delivery into my hands better than
any person now living.
1t was on the afternoon of Good Fri
day, April IA, 1865, at about 4 O'Clock.
That met John Wilkes Booth ION horse
back) on Pennsylvania avenue, at the
triangular enclosure between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets. We met, shook
hands, and passed the compliments of the
day 1t SO happened that the officers of
General Lees army had just passed up in
a body | asked Booth: ssJohnny, have
you seen Lees officers, just brought in ?'
lie replied, eyes, Johnny, 1 have - then
placing his hand upon his forehead, ex-
claimed Great God, have no longer a
country" Observing his paleness, ner-
yousness, and agitation, 1 remarked,
John, how nervous you are what is the
matter 9 to which he replied, s'Oh, no, it
is nothing, and continued with, "Johnny,
nave little favor TO ask of you, will
you grant it ?" ''Why, certainly, John
ny" l replied, "what is it 2" He then
stated, ''perhaps l may leave town to-
night, and l have letter here which |
desire to be published in the National In
tefllgencer;; please attend to it for me,
unless L see you before 10 o'clock to-mor-
row IL that case will see to it myself
AT that moment observed General
Grant riding by in an open carriage, car
rylng also his baggage Seeing this /
called Mr.. Booth's attention to him, and
sald. why, johnny, there goes Grant.
thought ne was coming to the theatre
This evening with tho President" eWhere?'
ne exclaimed pointed to the carriage
he looked toward Ii, grasped my hand
lightly, and galloped down the avenue
after the carriage. That was the last
time l met him until l saw him on the
stage OF Ford's Theatre on the memorable
night of the l4th of April.
lime passed on. Many persons who
knew Booth or had ever seen him. were
arrested and sent to prison. The secret
OF the letter was confined to few conf
denual friends only; but when saw that
the editors of the National IntelYoencer
were suspected of having suppressed the
document, and were interroeated in REGARD
TO 1t at the PeGiteDtiary trial, considered
it my duty to assume all responsibility in
the matter by explaining the whole affair
to The proprietors of said paper Accord
ingly did SO. did call at the office of
the paper, and stated all the facts to them
as stated above.
Today IN court, after answering a few
direct questions, endeavored TO make an
explanation OF the matter, which was OBJ
Jected 10 by the prosecution, and refused
by Judge Fisher.
The New York Herald. which first pro-
cured the news from the Judiciary Com
mlttee OF my having been before them,
and what testimony | had given, has
spoken OF a secrecy of manner, and an
observation, 'Gf something should occur
during the night" ETC., on the part of
! Wilkes Booth. / desire to state all that
did occur at tnat interview, and to say
also, that the letter was given with no
secrecy OF manner, nor was there any re-
mark made about anything that might
occur during the night.
Now for the contents of the letter. Il
was written on sheet of commercial
note paper covering three pages. The
flrst two pages were written in the spirit
and style OF the Philadel phia letter, and it
was only at the concluding paragraph that
anything was said bearing upon what had
transpired, which was to this effect and
in these words:
"For long time have devoted my
energies, my time and money to the ac-
complishment of certain end. / have
been disappointed The moment has now
arrived when | must change my plans.
Many will blame me for what am about
to do ; but posterity, am sure, will JUS
tify me.
Men who love their country better than
gold or life
JOHN w. BoorH, PAYNE, HApRoLD,
ATzERoDT.''
Respectfully JOHN MATTHEWS.
| A VYOndar6i.1 6,.,o