The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-06-05
NUMBER IL
The Booth Diary.

1ho oootu Olary.
So much has been said about the spo
Iiation of.he Booth diary, since the charge
was made'by General Butler in Congress,
that now the people generally, and almost
without 40 exception the leading journals,
demand that The book be published, no
matter whether its contents be important
or unimportant.
Upon representation to Mr.. johnson Of
all the circumstances, and Of the general
demand that the diary be printed in or.
der that the people may for themselves
Judge of the facts and merits Of the con-
roversy about this book, the President
gave his consen. tina. a copy be publish
cd.
The following is copy OF the writing,
which wa, in pencil, found in the diary
taken from the body off. Wilkes Booth:
The country is not, in April 1865,
what it was. This forced Union is not
what have loved. I care not what be-.
comes Of me | have no desire to ou,iye
my country. This night. before the deed.
| wrote long article, and meant it !or
one OF the editors Of the National Intel,
hg'"cer, in which | fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings.
Friday, 2lst-After being hunted like
dog through swam2s, woods, and la.t
night being chased by guuboats tiiF I wac
forced to return, wet, cold and siaryino.
with every mans hand against me, am
here in despair. aud why? For doing
what Brutus WAS honoreI; for wha.
made Tel hero, and vet |, for striking
down greater tyrsnt than they ever
knew, am looked upon as p common cut.
throat. My action was purer than either
Of theirs. One hoped to be great-tbe
other had not ouly his couutrys but his
! own wrongs 10 avenge.
| hoped for no gains. I knew no pri.
vate wrong. struck for nv, country.
and that slone-a country that groaned
beneath this tyranny, and prayed for this
end, and yet now behold the cold hand
they extend to me God cannot pardon
me if | have done wrong; yet cannot
see my wrong except in serving I. degen.
crate people. The little, the very little I
left behind TO Clear my name, government
will not allow to be printed. So ends ALI
For my country have given up all that
makes life sweet aud holy; brought
misery upon my family, and am sure there
is, no pardon in Heaven for me- since man
condemns me so. have not heard Of
what has been done, except what | did
myself, and it fills me with horror. God,
Try and forgive me, and bless nv mother.
To night will once more iry the river
with the intent to cross. though have a
greater desire, and almost mind TO re.
turn to Washington, and 10 a measure
clear my name, which feel can do. =,
| do not repent the blow ! struck. I
may before my God, but not to man. I
think | have done-weIl, though I am
abandoned with the curse Of Cain upon
me, when, if the world knew nv cart,
that one blow would have m ade me great,
though did desire no greatness. Tonight
4 try to escape. these blood hound. once
more! Who-who can read his fate I
Gods will he done i have too great q
soul TO die Ikea criminal O! NAV He
spare me that. and let me die bravely
bless tie entire world have never hated
or wronged any one this last WAS not a
wrong unless God deems it so, and it is
with Him to damn or bless me, and for
this brave boy with re, who often prays.
yes,' before and since, with true and
sincere heart, was it crime in him? Ifso
why can he pray the samei. I do not
wish to shed drop Of blood, bnt mus.
Eight the course-'tis all that's left ne.