Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-07-18
TIE BOOTH LETTER.
WASHINGTON, July II: 1867

Editors National Intelhgencer
GENTLEMEN: Much has been said in the
public prints in regard to the missing letter OF
John Wilkes Booth. AS am the person TO
whom this letter was entrusted, | know Its
contents and the circumstances attending It's
delivery into my hands, better than any person
now living. ggas4
It was on the afternoon of Good Friday
April ! 4, 1865. at about @ clock tliatfl met
John Wilkes Booth ION horseback on Penn
sylyania avenue at the triangular enclosure
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets
We met shook hands, and passed the COM
plilnents Of the day. It so happened that the
officers of Gen. Lees army had Just passed up
in body. l asked Booth Johnny. have
you seen Lees officers, just brought IN T.
he replied, eyes, Johnny, | have :, then
placing his hand upon his forehead, exclaimed,
Great God, have no longer country. >, :
Observing his paleness. nervousness, and
agitation. T remarked, "Johu. how nervous
YOU arc; what is the matter?'' to which he
replied, sob, no, it is nothing" and continued
with, "Johuny, | have little favor 10 ask Of
you, will you grant it? why certainly,
Johnny" L replied; what is it? He then
stared, ''Perhaps may leave town tonight
and | have letter here which | desire to be
published 10 the National Inteligoocer; please
attend to it for me- unless see You before ten
O. clock Tomorrow in that case | will see to 1t
myself. F"
At that moment | observed General Grant
riding by in all open carriage, clrryl0g also his
baggage. Seeing this, [ called Mr.. Booth 5
attention 10 him, and said, 'Why, Johuny,
there goes Grant. | thought he was coming
to the theatre this evening with the President:
''Whcre?" he exclaimed. | pointed 10 the
carriage he looked towards it, grasped my
hand tightly, and galloped down the avenue
alter the carriage. That was the last time
met him until say him on the stage OF Ford, S
Theatre on the memorable night OF the l4th
of April.
Time passed on Many persons who knew
Booth or had ever seen him were arrested and
sent to prison. The secret OF the letter was
conided to few confidential friends only; but
when | saw that the editors of the National
Integencer were suspected of having sup
pressed the document, and were interrogated
ia regard to it at the Pcnitentiary trial, con-
sidered it my duty to assume all responsibility
in the matter by explaining the whole affair to
the proprietors Of said paper. Accordingly |
did SO. [ did call at the Office of the paper,
and stated all the facts to them, as stated above.
To-day. in court, after answering feW
direct questions, | enGeavored to make an
explanation of the matter, which was objected
to by the prosecution. and refused by Judge
Fisher.
The New York Herald, which first procured
the news from the Judiciary Committee OF my
having been before them, and what testimony
J. had given, has spoken Of secrecy Of man.
ner and an Observations eff something should
occur during the night etc, on the part OF
Wilkes Booth. desire to state all that did
occur at that interview, and to say, also, that
the letter was given with no secrecy OF man
ner, nor was there any remark made about
anything that might occur during the night.
Now, for the contents Of the letter. 1t was
written On sheet Of commercial note paper,
covering three pages. The first two pages
were written Ia TIE spirit and style OF the
Philadelphia letter, and it was only at the con-
Guiding aragraph that anything was SAID
bearing upon what had transplred, which was
to this effect and in these words
For a long time have devoted my ener-
gieS, my Tine and money to the accomplish
ment OF certain end | have been disappoint-
ed. The moment has now arrived when |
must change my plans Many will blame HE
for what | am about to do but posterity, J.
am sure, will justify me.
Men who love their country better than gold
or life
J. W. Booth, PAYNE, HERoLD, ATzERoDr. r"
Respectfully, JOHN MATHEWS.