Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-18

The National InteHigencer of this morning
publishes communication from the actor,
john Matthews, in reference to the letter writ
Ten oy Jonn wilkes Booth, and addressed to
the editor OF that paper. Matthews says:
"Much has been said in the public prints in
regard to the missing letter Of John Wilkes
Bootn. As am the person to whom this letter
was entrusted. know it's contents and the cir
comstances attending It's delivery into nv
hands better than any person now living
1t was on the afternoon Of Good Friday,
Apfli u, 1865 at about O'Clock, that met
Jonn Wilkes Booth ION horseback) on Penn
syIvania avenue, At the triangular enclosure
oetWeen I3th and 1sth streets. We met shook
nsnos, ana passed the compliments Of The day.
A. 30 happened that the officers Of Gen Lees
army mad Just passed up in a body. I asked
Eooth: Johnny. have you seen Lees officers,
gus. oropgntinr Heirepiied, Yes, Johnny,
mead, exclaimed, Great God, nave no longer
county Observing his paieness, nervous.
n..' ana agitation, remarked, John, how
Ueryon. ~ are what is the matterr to which
he replied. On, no, it is nothing, and contln-
unued with, johnny, have lit little favor TO
ask OF you: will you grant itl' W. ee,Aihiy,
Johnny l replied; what is itF no 'nen
and havea letter here which desire to be-
published in the National Iateiiigencer, please
attend to 1t for me, unless eaa YOU before 10
:, GroeA .o'.vrroW. In that case will see to
Al that moment observed General Grant
riding by In an open carriage, carrying also
his baggage. Seeing this, called Mr.. Booths
attention 10 him, and SAID. Why, Johnny,
mere goes Grant. thought he was coming
10 the theatre this evening with the Presi-
dent" Where % he exclaimed. 1 pointed
to the carriage; he looked towards it, grasped
my hand tightly. and gailoped down the eve
nue 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
IAN OF April.
Time passed on. Many persons who knew
Boon or had ever seen him Were arrested and
cent 10 prison. The secret Of the letter was
connded to lew confidential friends only;
but when / saw the editors Of the National In
ttHigeHcer were specteo of having suppressed
the document, ana were interrogated IN regard
10 1t a. the Penitentiary trial, 1 considered 1t
my duty TO assume all responsibility in the
matter by explaining the whole affair 20 the
pIopTistoIs OF said paper Accordingly did
so. did call at the office Of the paper, and
stated ali the facts TO them, as stated above.
Io-day,ln court, after answering few direct
QUESTION: I endsavored to make an explana.
ton OF the matter, which was objected to by
the prosecution. and refused by Judge Fisher
The New York Herald, who first procured
me news from the Judiciary Committee Of
my having been before them, and what testi-
mony had given. has spoken OF a secrecy of
manner, and observation If something should
occur during the night" ETC., on the part of
Wilkes Booth. l desire to state ali that did
occur at that interview, and to say, also, that
.ne Ielier was given with no secrecy OF
manner nor was there any remark ma de about
anything that might occur during the night
Now Tor the contents of the letter II wa.
written on sheet of commercial note paper
covering three pages. The first two pages
were written in The spirit and style or the
Philadelphia letter, and it was only at the
concluding paragraph that nytning was said
bearing upon what had trans pired, VIII, CHI was
TO this effect and in these words:
For long time have devoted nv energies
my time and money to the Accomplishment of
certain end. have been disappointed
Inc moment has now arrived when must
change my plans. Many will blame me for
what am about to do; but posterity. am
sure, " i'll Justify me.
Or life. e~
JOHN w. BoorH, AYNE.
HERoLD, ATZERobT