The Portland daily press., 1867-05-22
The AssassinatiOn of President Lincoln
Extracts from Booths Diary.


The following copy in pencil writing wa
found in the diary taken from j. Wilkes Booth
Tidnao Apra 18th and 14th.-Friday the Ides
Until to-day nothing was ever thought OF sac
rificing to our country's wrongs. For slA
months we had worked to capture, but oui
powers being almost lost something decisive
and great must be done. But its failure was
owing TO others who did not strike 1or theiI
country with heart. / struck boldly, ana not
as the papers saw / walked with nrm steps
through thousands of his friends and stopped
but pushed on A colonel was at his side. ]
shouted sic senper before nred: In jumping
l broke my leg. passed all his pickets and
rode sixty miles that night with the bone of m,
leg tearing the flesh at every iump I car
never repent it, though We hated to kill, ON
country owed all its trouble to him. and Goo
simply made me the instrument of his punish
ment The country is not what it was. Thi,
forced onlon Is not what have ever loved. ]
care not what becomes of me. / have no de.
sire to outlive my country. This night before
the deed wrote a long article and left it fol
one OF the editors of the National Intelligence
er, IN which fully set forth our reasons fol
our proceedings. He or the Government -
friday, list. After being hunted like dog
tnrough swamps, woods, and last night being
chased by gunboats until L was forced to re-
turn, wet, cold and starving, with every mans
hahd against me, am here in despair, and
why FOR doing what Brutus was honored
Iof; what made Tell hero; and yet /, fol
knew, am looked upon as common cut-throat
MY action was purer than either OF these, viz
Che hoped to be great the other had not only
ms countrys but his own wrongs to avenge. ]
hoped lor no gain knew no private wrong.
struck Tor my country and that alone. A coun-
Try that groaned beneath this tyranny and
prayed Tor this end; and yet, now, behold the
cold hand they extend to me. God cannot
pardon me if L have done wrong. Yet can
not see my wrong, except i'm serving degen-
GfaUe De0Dlp. The little the little L left
behind to clear my name, the Government will
not allow to be printed. SO ends all. a
For my country j have given up all that
makes life sweet and holy, brought misery up
on my family, and am sure there is no pardon
IN Heaven for me since man condemns me so.
have only heard Of what has been done, ex-
cept what l did myself, AMI it fills me with
horror. God try and forgive me and bless my
mother.
Tonight will once more try the river Will,
'he intent to cross through l have great de-
sire and almost mind to return to Washing
ton, and in measure clear my name. which l
feel can do. 1 do not repent the blow |
struck. may before my God but not to man.
L think have done well, though am aban-
doned with the curse of Cain upon me, when,
If the world knew my heart, that one blow
would have made me great, although l did not
desire greatness
Tonight try to escape these bloodhounds
once more. Who, who can read his fate
Gods will be done! have too great soul to
die like a criminal. Oil may He, may He
spare me that, and let me die bravely. L bless
the entire world. Have never hated or wronged
any one. This last was not a wrong, unless
God deems it so, and it is with Him to damn
or bless me. And for this brave boy with me
who often prays, yes, before and since, with q
true and sincere heart, was it crime in him? II
SO, why can he pray the same? 1 do not wish
to shed drop of blood, but 1 must fight the
course. 1t is all that is left me-"
Upon piece Of paper found in the diary
and supposed to have been torn from it, is writ
ten the following:- sf.-rH
My dear (piece torn OUT forgive me, but ]
have some little pride. 1 cannot blame you tol
want of hospitality. You know your own at
fairs: was sick, tired, with broken limb
and in need of medical advice, and could moi
have turned dog from my door in such 6
plight. However, you were kind enough t.
give US something TO eat, for which not only
thank you, but on account of the rebuke and
manner in which to (piece torn out.) 1t is moi
the substance, but the way in which kindness
Is extended that makes me happy in the ac.
ceptance thereof The sauce to meet is cere.
mony, eating were base without it, Be kind
enough to accept the enclosed five dollars, al
though hard to spare for what we have received
Most respectfully, tus
Your obedient servant"