The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-06-07

THE BOOTH DIARY.
The diary found in posses. ion Of J.
Wilkes Booth after his capture, has at
last been made public. Stanton and
Holt certify that it is the same as when
it came into their possession. The diary
is as follows:
"T Anao," April 10, IA, Friday, the
Ides. Until to-day nothing was ever
thought of sacrificing to our conntry's
wrongs. For six months we had work
cd to capture. But our cause being al
most lost, something decisive and great
must be done. But it's failure was ow-
ing to others, who did not strike for
their country with heart.
l Istruck boldly, and not as the papers
say. l walked with firm step through
thousand of his friends, and was stop
ped, but pushed in. A colonel was at
his side. I shouted "Sic Semper" be-
fore fired. In jumping broke my leg.
[ passed all his pickets, rode sixty
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 troub-
les to him, and God made me the in
strument of his punishment. Aa''5i,
The country is not, April, 1865, what
it was. This forced union is not wnau
/ have loved. l care not what becomes
of me; l have no desire to outlive my
country. Thisnight, "before the deed, !"
1 wrote long article and left it for one
of the editors of the National Intelli-
gencer, in which | fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings. He, or the
Government.
Friday, 21st.-After being hunted
like dog, through swamp6and woods,
and last night being chased by gunboats
till l was forced to return wet, cold and
starving, with every mans hand a
gainst me, am here in despair; and
why? For doing what brutus was
honored for, what made Tell a hero;
and yet l, for striking down greater
tyrant than they ever knew, am looked
upon as a common cut-throat. My ac-
ton was purer than either of theirs.
One hoped to be great. The other had
not only his country's but his own
wrongs to avenge. l hoped for no
gain. L knew no private wrong. |
struck for my country, and that alone,
a country that groaned beneath this
tyranny, and prayed for this end, and
yet now behold the cold hand they ex-
tend to me. God cannot pardon me if
l have done wrong. Yet | cannot see
my wrong except in serving my degen-
crate people. The little, the very lit
tie leave behind to clear my name
the Government will not allow to be
printed-so ends all. For my country
/ have given up all that makes life
sweet and holy, brought misery upon
my family, and am sure there is no
pardon in the heaven for me, since man
condemns me so. | have only heard
of what has been done, except what /
did myself, and it fills me with horror
God, try and forgive me, and bless my
mother. Tonight l will once more
try the river with the intent to cross,
though | have greater desire and al
most a mind to return to Washington,
and in measure, clear my name,
which / feel / can do. / do not repent
the blow / struck; / may before my
God, but not to man. l think 1. have
done well, though l am abandoned
with the curse of Cain upon me, when,
if the world knew my heart, that one
blow would make me great, though
/ dill desire no greatness. Tonight |
try to esccpe these bloodhounds once
more. Who can read his fate? Gods
will be done. / have too great soul
to die like criminal. Oh, may He
spare me that, and let me die bravely !!
1 bless the entire world !. / have never
hated or wronged any one. This last
was not wrong, unless God deems it
so, and it's with Him to damn or bless
me. And for this brave boy with me,
who often prays; yes, before and since,
with true and sincere heart-was it
crime in him? If so, why can he pray
the same? do not wish to shed a drop
of blood, but / must fight the course.
'Tis all that's left me. al-
Upon piece of paper found in the
diary, and supposed to have been torn
from it, is written the following:
My dear, [piece torn out forgive me,
but have some little pride. / cannot