Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-05-25

and was in all respects in exactly the same
condition as when l saw it first, without
any change or alteration, so for as could
discover, in its contents. General Echert
reported to me that upon receiving the me-
moradum book from me he sealed it up, and
locked it up in his safe, and it continued in
his possession until he delivered it to the
Judge Advocate General, and that it was
then in the same condition as when it was
brought to my house by Baker.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWIN NJ. 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. HOLT,
Judge Advocate General.
"TIAMo," April 18th, 14th.--Friday the
Ides. Until to-day nothing was ever thought
of sacrificing to our country's wrongs. For
six months we had worked to capture, but
our cause being almost lost, something de-
cisive and great must be done. But its fall
ure was owing to Others who did not strike
for their country with heart. struck
boldly and not as the papers say. / walked
with firm step through a thousand OF his
friends and was stopped, but pushed on.
colonel was at his side. l shouted "!Sic sem
per" before fired. In jumping broke my
leg. passed all his pickets, and rode 60
miles that night with the bone OF my leg
tearing the flesh at every jump. can never
repent it, though we hated to kill. Our
country owed all her trouble to him, and
God simply made me the instrument of his
| punishment. The country is not what ii
/ rl.f IT,i4 ie l,,,t / h.,vy
loved. / care not what becomes of me.
have no desire to outlive my country. This
night, "before the deed" wrote long ar
ticle and left it for one of the editors of the
National InteUigencer, in which / fully set
forth our reasons for our proceedings. He
or the Government
FRIDAY, 21.-After being hunted like a
dog through swamps, woods, and last night
being chased by gunboats till was forced
to return wet, cold, and starving, with every
mans hand against me. l am here in de-
spair, and why For doing what Brutus
was honored for, what made Tell hero,
and yet |, for striking down a greater tyrant
than they ever knew, am looked upon as 9
common cut-throat. My action was purel
than either Of theirs. One hoped 20 be great
the other had not only his country's, but his
own wrongs to aveEge. hoped for no gain
l knew no private wrong. l struck for my
country, and that alone-a country thai
groaned beneath this tyranny and prayed
for this end, and yet now behold the colo
hand they extend to me. God cannot par
don me if have done wrong; yet cannot
see my wrong, except in serving degenerate
people. The little, The very little left be
hind to clear my name, the Government will
not allow to be printed. So ends ALL Fol
my country have given up all that makes
life sweet and hcly, brought misery on my
family, and am sure there is no pardon in thu
Heaven for me, since man condemns me so
| have only heard of what has been done
except what did myself, and it fills m,
with horror. God, try and forgive me, ant
bless my mother. Tonight l will once NOR
try the river, with the intent to cross, thougl
l have greater desire and almost a mind t
return to Washington, and in a measur
clear my name, which feel can do. dt
not repent the blow struck. 81 may befor
my God, but not to man. ] think | hav
done well, though am abandoned, with tn
curse of Cain upon me, when, if the worl'
knew my heart, that one blow would hav
made me great, though l did not desir
greatness. Tonight try to escape thes
bloodhounds once more. Who, who, Ca
read his fate Gods will be done. / hav
too great soul to die like u criminal. Oh
may He, may He spare me that, and let m
die 5ravely. l bless the entire worlt
Have never hated or wronged any one. Tn;
last was not wrong, unless GOD deems
so and it is with Him TO damn or bless m,
And for this brave boy with me, who ofte
: prays-yes, before and since-with tru
and sincere heart Was it crime in him
SO, why can he pray the same9 do nc
wish to shed drop Of blood, but mus
fight the course. 'Tis all that's left mo.
Upon piece of paper found in the diar.
and supposed to have been torn from it,
. written the following:
my DEA piece torn out.) Forgive M
but have some little pride. Icannot blanl
: you for want of hospitality. You know yor
. own affairs. / was sick, tired, with broke
7 limb and in need of medical advice. and
: could not have turned dog from my doc
, in such plight. However, you were kin
erough to give Us something to eat, f