Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-24
From the Baltimore Sun.
THE BOOTH DIARY.

Presidents Cali Secretary Stanton for
the BooIz--Charges of SpoIiatiOn Disposed
of-Contenfs of the Document and Man
ner of the observation-disclosures of
Booths Flighs GSc.
WASHINGTON, May $3.50 much has
been said about the spoliation of the Booth
diary, since the charge was made by Gen
eral Butler in Congress, that now the peo-
pie generally, and almost without an eX-
ception the leading journals demand that
the book be published, no matter whether
its contents be important or Unlmportant
Upon representation to Mr.. Johnson of
all the circumstances and Of the general
demand that the diary be printed i'll order
that the people may for themselves Judge
/ of the facts and merits of the controversy
about this book, the President gave his
consent that copy be published The Pre-
sident himself, never having seen the diary.
| had some days ago ordered a certified copy
! to be made, which was accordingly fur
nished. / am permitted to send you copy
of this record, as certified by the Judge
Advocate.
Ececutire Mansi0u Washington, u. c..
! Nav 9, 1S67.-The Secretary of War will
please furnish the President with a certi-
fed copy of the diary found upon the body
of j. Wilkes Booth, together with a sue
cinct statement of all the facts connected
with its capture and its possession by the
! War Department.
! ANDREW JOHNSON.
Ttu3 Department, Washington City, May
13, 1S67.-To the President-Sir have
the honor to submit herewith copy of the
entries contained in the memorandum book
found on 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 memorandum book was first seen by
me about the Doth day of April, 1865,
shortly after Booths capture, and few
hours before his remains reached Washing
ton. It was brought to my house by Pro-
vost Marshal Baker, and another person,
who was, 1 think, Lieut.. Col Conger.-
The book was then examined by me IN
presence Of Gen. Eckert, Assistant Secre-
tary of War, and was found to contain only
the entries certified by Gen. Holt, also
some photographs of females.
Immediately preceding the entries some
pages appeared to have been cut out, but
there was nothing indicating what had
been written thereon, or whether anything
had been written, nor when or by whom
thew had been cut out Immediately after
careful examination of the book and it's
contents, it was placedin the hands Of Gen
, eral tIckert in the same condition as when
T first saw it, to be delivered to the Judge
E Advocate General, in whose possession, af-
, ter its delivery to him by General Eckert,
T am informed and believe it has continued
until the present time.
: The last time [ saw the book was some
! time last winter. 1t was then before the
! Judiciary committee of the House of Re
representatives., and was, in all respects III
IL IL Tuhn | NV
it first. without any change or alteration,
, so far as [ could discover, in its contents.
General Eckert reported to me that, up
on receiving the memorandum book from
! me, he sealed it up and locked it up in his
, safe, and it continued in his possession un-
= til he delivered it to the Judge Advocate
General. and that it was then in the same
Z condition as when it was brought to my
+ house by Baker.
y E. M. STANTON,
= Secretary of War
The following is copy Of the writing
which was in pencil found in the diary
o taken from the body of J. Wilkes Booth
= TOficial Copy
J. Holt, Judge Advocate General.
&c II oaao," April 18th, 14th.-Friday
:, The Ides Until to-day nothing was ever
Q thought of sacrificing to our country
e wrongs.
D For six months we had worked to cap
! ture. but our cause being almost lost, some
thing decisive and great must be done
o But its failure was owing to others who die
e not strike for their country with heart
q I struck boldly and not as the papers say
:, I walked with firm step through thou
q sand of his friends and was stopped, Blu
! pushed on. A colonel was at his side.
b shouted Sic Semper" before I fired il
g jumping. broke my leg / passed all hi