New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-21
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
A cory OF HIS DIARY.

shed no matter whether its contents be mportantOr
unmportant Upon representation to MI JOhnsonoi
all the circumstances and of the general demand that
the diary be printed in order that The people may for
themselves Judge of the facts and merits of the cen
troyersy about this book the President gave his
| sent that a copy be published The President HIM
self never having seen the diary, had some days ago
ordered a certified copy to be made, which was &c
cOrdingly few days ago furnished. am permitted
to send you copy of this record ~ certified by tie
Judge Advocate.
| EXECUTIVE MANSION, wAsHEGrON, ID. C., May 9, 1871.
The Secretary of War viii please furnish the PTtsi-
dent with certified copy of the Diary" found upon
the body of j. Wilkes Booth together with succnet
statement of all the facts connected with IFS captre
and its possession by the War Department
ANDREW JoHNsOs
w,RDEp,RruExT, WASHINGTON CITY, May a, 1877.
SIR: have the honor to submit herewith cory OF
the entries contained in the memorandum book fonnd
Oh the person of j. Wilkes Booth at the time of his
| capture certified by Gen. Holt, Judge Advocate
| General who has possession OF the book, together
with his report in relation thereto. The menoran-
dun book first seen by me about the @tth day OF
! April 1865 shortly after Booths capture, and few
hours before his remains reached Washington. IL was
brought to my house by vost-Marshal Baker and
another person who was, think, LCut.-C0l. Coneer
| The book was then examined by me in presence of
| Gen. Eckcrt, Assistant Secretary nj War, and was
found TO contain only The entries certified by Gen.
! Holt also some photographs of females. Intne-
datcly preceding the entries some pages appeared TO
have been cut out. hut there was nothing indicating
what had been written thereon, or whether anything
! had been written, nor when by whom they
! had been cut out. Immediately after careful
| examination Of the book and it's contents.
! il was placed in the hands of Gcnaal
Eckert in the same condition rs when first saw II
10 be delivered by the Judge Aforementioned, IN
whose possession, after It's delivery 10 him by Gen.
| Eckert am informed and believe IL has continued
until the present time. The last time saw the book
was some time last Winter. Ii was then before The
Judiciary Committee of the House OF Representatives.
and was in all respects in exactly the same condition
as when ! saw il first. without any change or
alteration far could discover IN It's contents.
Gen. Eckert reported to me that upon receiving the
memorandun-book from me- he sealed it up aud
locked il up in his safe, and il continued in his pos
session until he delivered it to the Jndgc-hdyocate-
General and that it was then in the same condition
as when it WIS brought to my house by Baker.
Very respectfully, you. obedient servant.
EDWIN w. STANTON, Secretary OF War.
TO the President.
The following is a copy of the writing which was
in pencil found in the diary taken from the body OF
j. Wilkes Booth.
Official Copy,
J. HoLr, udge-Adyocate- Gencml
I'll amo April 18th, 18th. Friday the ldcs. Tn
i'll to-day nothing ever thought OF sacrificing 10
our country's wrongs. For six months we had
worked TO capture but cause being almost lost,
something decisive and great must be done But its
failure was owing To others who dId not strike for
their country with heart. i struck boldly and not
49, tho pa,.sr..- sAy---I -ls.IL4d- ,rith a. "'sa
step through thousand of his friends and
was stoned. but pushed on colonel was at his
side. | shouted SIC soapcr" before ! fired. In
jumping broke my leg. IpasScd all his pickcts and
rode "a miles that night with the bone of my leg tear
ing the flesh at every Jump. ! can never repent A..
though We hated TO Kill. Our country owed all her
trouble to him. and God simply made me the inStu-
ment of his punishment. The country - not
what il was This forced Union is not what have
loved. care not what becomes of me. | have mo-
desire 10 outve my country. This night before
the deed" wrote long article and left IT for one of
the editors of The National IafeIGgcHcer. IN which
fully set forth our reasons for proceedings lie
or the Government.
Friday 9l.-Afer being hunted like a dog through
swamps woods, and last night being chased by gun
boats till ! was forced 10 return wet, cold and
starving, with every mans hand against me am
here IN despair ana WHY! FOR DONG WIFI blutHN
was honored for what made Tell hero. and Vet |.
for striking down greater tyrant than they ever
knew, am looked upon as common cut
throat. NV action was purcr than either
of theirs One hoped to he great, tie other
had not only his country's, bu his own
wrongs to avenge hoped for no gain. knew no
private wrong | struck for my country, and that
aone-a country that gloaned beneath this tyranny
and PRAYED for this end, and yet now behold the cold
hand they extend TO me- God cannot pardon me II
have done wrong; yet cannot see my wrong, except
in serving a degenerate people. The little the very
little left behind TO clear my name the Government
will not allow to be printed. so ends all. For my
country have given up all that makes life sweet
and holy brought misery on my family. aud am sure
there is pardon in the Heaven for me, since man
condemns me have only heard of what has been
done, except what / did myself and it ills me
with horror. God try and forgive me, and bless
my mother Tonight will once more try the river
with the intent to cross, though have greater de
sire and almost mind to return to Washington. and
in measure clear my name which feel / can
do l do not repent the blow struck. may be-
fore my God, but not to man. | think | have
done well, though i am abandoned, with the
curse OF Cain upon me, when, # the world
knew my heart, that one blow would have made
me great though | did not desire greatness
Tonight try to escape these bloodhounds
more. Who, who, can read his faes Gods will be
done. have too great soul to die like criminal
Oh! may He may lie spare me that, and let me die
bravely bless the entire world. Have never hated
or wronged any one. This last was not wrong I'M
less God deems it so, and it is with Hun to
damn or bless me. And for this brave
boy with me who often prays. Yes. before and since
with a true and sincere heart. Was it crime III him
II so. why can he pray the sameY do not wish to
shed drop of blood, but l must fight the course.
IT'S all that's left me-
r.. r;aco of naner found In tbe diary mil su,-