Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-05-24

In compliance with the general demand of
the public to see the diary of the assassin
Booth in print, the President, short time
since, sent an order 10 the Secretary Of War,
directing Mr. Stanton to furnish u certified
copy OF the "Diary" to linn, with succnct
statement Of all the facts connected with its
capture Nnd its possession by the War De-
partment. In response, Mr. Stanton sent |
the following, which is authenticated by the |
certificates OF Gen. Eckert, Judge Advocate |
Holt, Col. Conger, and every officer, in |
whose hands it has been placed since it was
taken from the body OF Booth. 1t may, |
therefore, be regarded as entirely correct.
The following is a copy oil the writing
which was in pencil found in the dary taken
from the body Of j. Wilkes Booth;
Official copy. j. HoLT
Judge Advocate General.
"TIAMo," April 18Th, 14th.-Frday the
ldes. Until to-day nothing was ever thought
of sacrificing To our country's wrongs. For
4 ak months we had worked TO capture, but
onr cause being almost lost, something de-
csiye and great must be done But its fail
ure was owing to others who did not strike
for their country with heart. struck
boldly and not as the papers suy walked
with firm step through Il thousand Of his
friends and was stopped, hut pushed on. A
colonel was at his side. | shouted "SIc sem
per- before fired. In jumping broke my
ley. | passed all his pckets, and rode go
miles that night with the bone OF my leg
tearing the flesh at every Jump. lean never
repent it, though we hated to kill Our
country owed all hei trouble TO him, and
God simply made me the instrument of his
punishment The country is not what it
was. The forced Union is not what have
loved. | care not what becomes of mo.
have no desire TO outlive my country, This
{ night, before the deed, l wrote a long ar
tce and left it for one of the editors of the
( National iatellig0neer, in which / fully set
forth our reasons for our proceedings. He
or the Government
FRIDAY, 2i.--After being hunted like a dog
through swamps, woods, and last night be.
ing chased by gunboats till was forced to
e return wet, cold, and starving, with every
+ mans hand agains. me. l am here in dc
Il spair, and Why For doing what Brutus
was honored for, what made Tell hero, and
yet |, for striking down greater tyrant
thNn they ever knew, am looked upon as q
/ common cut-lhroat. My action was purer
s than either of theirs. One hoped to he great,
y the other had not only his country's but his
i own wrongs TO aVenge. hoped for no gain
u knew no private wrong struck for my
~ country, and that alone-a country that
gl0aned beneath this tyranny and prayed
= Tor this end, and yet now behold the cold
~ hand they extend to me God cannot par
= don me ii have done wrong; yet cannot
, SET my wrong, except in serving degeper
u ale people The little, the very little ef
: behine to clear my name, the Government
a will not allow to be printed So ends all
y For my country have given up all tina
makes lie sweet and holy, brought misery
. on my family, and am sure there is no par
~ don IN Heaven for me, since man con
q, dennis me so. have only heard what la
oi been done, except what did myself, and i
m fills me with horror. God, try and forgiv
Il me, and bless my mother Tonight ! will
once more try the river, with the intent t.
r. cross, though ! have a desire and almost
n mind to return to Washington, and in
measure clear my name, which | can do.
90 not repent the blow | struck. ! may be
K fore my God, but not TO man. think hay
Il done well, though i am abandoned, wit
elk the curse of Cain upon me, when, if tn
en- world knew my heart, that one blow woull
'e- have made me great, though did not desir
'se greatness Tonight l try to escape thes
Dr. blood-hounds once more. Who, who, ca
read his later Gods will be done. 1 hay
mn too great a soul to die like a criminal. Oh
an may He may He spare me that, and let m
m. die bravely. bless the entire world. Hav
ars never hated or wronged any one. This Las
= was not wrong, unless God deems it 81
Mt. and it is with Him TO damn or bless me. An
Ell for this brave boy with me, who often pray
yes, before and since-with true an